Biwa

This place is awesome! Walk in and down the stairs and you are transported to this Japanese stylized space with dim lighting and cool wood elements. The guys behind the counter are awesome. Our questions were entertained and with a good sense of humor, they entertained us and helped us figure out our perfect order. Which is probably easier when everything tastes awesome. The experience is a bit different placing your order at the counter and having the food brought to your number at your table, but I think this keeps their establishment grounded and less pretentious. Give it a try, it is great casual dining, quite awesome actually.

Biwa/Parasol is an amazing restaurant that has gone downhill recently. When my husband and I visited the first few times, the food was amazing: fresh, uniquely seasoned fries, delicious burger, etc. The decor was charming, but upscale enough to feel like a sit-down. The last time or two we went, the cutlery had changed from clean white plates and silverware, to plastic red burger baskets with plastic knives and forks. The waiter forgot our drinks, but made up for it by comping them. The experience felt more like a diner than the sit-down restaurant it used to be, and it retained its prices, so it feels like you're paying the same upscale price, but for a lower quality experience. The food is still top-notch, but they could return to actual silverware and plates to reinstate its former glory, especially if we're going to be paying the same price.

Update 11/29/17: Inexplicably, Biwa is now a counter service spot with bentos and small plates. It’s still very good, but I’ve got whiplash from all the format changes over the past year or so. Get the To Øl gosé and the karaage bento with a side of gyoza. The original Izakaya in Portland. A real treat.

I came to Biwa for burger week and thoroughly enjoyed 2 of their Instagram Burgers. Simple and delicious. Their gyoza is awesome and they have some sort of cheesy cauliflower balls that were incredible! Also, the vibe inside is super cool with some games if you want to tuck yourself in a corner and settle in for a while.

A solid choice for food and drinks. The staff has always been super friendly here. They've also done their best to address things like overcooked burger from the kitchen, that sort of thing. If you're into Asian and Asian fusion, this place might be your spot. I think half the menu has soy sauce in it, though. If you happen to have a soy/gluten or both allergy, you'll have a hard time finding food here. It's also a little heavy on the starchy side, with rice, noodles, etc. There aren't a lot of entree style salad options. Overall, fun, good food. I don't argue when friends want to go there, but it's probably not the first place I'd suggest.

The skewers are fabulously great, almost anything off the menu is pretty outstanding. Their range of sushi and sashimi is limited though. The cocktails and desserts were also exceptional. The service was very attentive and knowledgeable about their offerings and they were able to offer helpful and accurate suggestions.