The West-Seattle-and-beyond cult favorite (and all-sustainable-fish-serving) sushi restaurant Mashiko has some words for some of its customers. Note: The letter is not to ALL of their customers, just the bigoted ones. "To everyone else," Mashiko says, "thanks for not being a bigot."
A few highlights:
...we serve Japanese food. And yes, we have Japanese ownership. We also have several employees of Japanese descent. But that shouldn’t matter. By claiming that there are no Japanese people working at Mashiko, you are not only incorrect, you are also demonstrating what a racist you are. Would you refuse service at an Irish pub if your server didn’t speak with a fanciful brogue?
Why yes, we do have a female sushi chef. She also happens to be Caucasian.... Should you refuse her fare based on her gender or race, you are an absolute fool.
And:
We are sorry to carry on like this, but this discrimination nonsense has got to stop. Seriously. It is ruining so many wonderful things all across the world.
And you can find the jackassery, as usual, on Yelp.
Oh, you might also enjoy Mashiko's rules (also posted after the jump).
#1 Mashiko is a non discriminatory establishment
#2 Music is chef’s choice
#3 We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone
#4 Prices are subject to change based on customers attitude
#5 Please respect others when using your cell phones
#6 10% box fee added to all to go orders
#7 18% gratuity included for parties of 6 or more.
#8 We take reservations
#9 Cork fee $10 (it has to be good bottle of wine or sake)
#10 Everything you know is wrong
#11 Tip well… live long
#12 After you eat, eat more!
#13 Enjoy life
#14 Talk to the people around you (as long as you do not have food in your mouth)
#15 Do not be afraid to try something new
#16 Tako is not chewy
#17 Chopsticks are not drum sticks
#18 Soy sauce is not a beverage
#19 Trust us, we are professionals
#20 Visa and master card and washing dishes are all acceptable methods of payment
#21 Because Hajime said so
