Ai Japanese Restaurant and Lounge

I feel that Ai is well deserving of it's own thread and was surprised to not find anything on LTH on it. First and foremost, before I even talk about the food, if you're looking for a great date place or a work/social gathering where you can actually hear each other talk and you won't be elbow to elbow with random strangers with loud, thumping techno music blaring in the background, then Ai is a great interior space! It's large, modern without being cheesy, spacious and refreshing. It's a quiet place to eat and have a conversation and the atmosphere really puts you in a relaxed mood to eat! Secondly, if you're also planning a group event or dinner, Ai is also a great place since they have a large room in the back by the bar which is perfect for special events. I went here for a bachelor party and was very impressed with the entire space, it's huge but personal. Because this is a top flight restaurant AND lounge, it's and extremely flexible space for whatever you're in the mood for, whether it's dinner, drinks, lounging with some apps or sushi or you want to chill at the sushi bar and have specific requests.

Now, to the food. The sushi here is probably some of the freshest I've had in Chicago, and the cut of the nigiri is pretty much flawless. If you appreciate the finer details you will be very impressed with the chef as well as the service, which has always been top notch. You really feel relaxed here because they take care of you and don't rush you out the door like some of the other glitzy sushi spots in the heart of downtown (sushi samba, etc). The appetizers are extremely creative, and I prefer them over even mirai, because you get more for your dollar here. And finally, they have 2 OUTSTANDING deals that I almost wasn't going to mention because I'm afraid too many people will find out... One is on sundays they have an all you can eat for 31.95, which includes a generous choice of rolls, hot/cold appetizers AS WELL AS main entree items! The list will blow you away in terms of the selection for an all you can eat option, imho the BEST all you can eat option in this city if you love sushi and traditional Japanese food! And on tuesday's they have a very special 19.95 8 course chef's special menu for the first 5 people, so get there when they open!

Overall I think this is the best sushi in the city, when you take into consideration the atmosphere of the interior space, service, and of course, the sushi itself, along with the presentation and the expert chef who is a surgeon with that knife!



Ai Japanese Restaurant & Lounge
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, River North
358 W Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-9888
http://www.aichicago.us


* Nearest Transit:

Chicago (Purple Express, Brown)
* Hours:

Mon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.

Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
* Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
* Parking: Street, Valet
* Attire: Dressy
* Good for Groups: Yes
* Good for Kids: No
* Takes Reservations: Yes
* Delivery: Yes
* Take-out: Yes
* Waiter Service: Yes
* Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
* Outdoor Seating: Yes
* Good for: Dinner
* Alcohol: Full Bar

I like Ai and go there every few weeks as it is in my neighborhood and walking distance from my apartment. Its a very good neighborhood place--agree regarding the atmosphere. Very nice and a good "date place." I think the quality of the sushi is better than most neighborhood places, but not worthy as a destination restaurant--better sushi to be had in Chicago for a destination sushi restaurant. The maki is quite good. I'd put the quality of the sushi and maki a notch below Japonais but the atmosphere is much more "adult" if you will, and more relaxing--not the scene of Japonais. Long story short, I enjoy Ai and think its quite good, though I probably wouldn't make a drive from, say, Lincoln Park to eat here. For a neighborhood restaurant, its one of my regular "go to" places. Oh, agree with the great service as well, btw.

DutchMuse wrote:I like Ai and go there every few weeks as it is in my neighborhood and walking distance from my apartment. Its a very good neighborhood place--agree regarding the atmosphere. Very nice and a good "date place." I think the quality of the sushi is better than most neighborhood places, but not worthy as a destination restaurant--better sushi to be had in Chicago for a destination sushi restaurant. The maki is quite good. I'd put the quality of the sushi and maki a notch below Japonais but the atmosphere is much more "adult" if you will, and more relaxing--not the scene of Japonais. Long story short, I enjoy Ai and think its quite good, though I probably wouldn't make a drive from, say, Lincoln Park to eat here. For a neighborhood restaurant, its one of my regular "go to" places. Oh, agree with the great service as well, btw.

I'd mostly agree with this. We were going to Ai as our regular spot, until we discovered Ponzu which is much closer to where we live (and is more reasonably priced).

Ponzu
2407 N Clark St
(773) 549-8890

I went to Ai Sushi last night, a first visit for myself, my girlfriend, and my step-dad who lives down the block. We went here iniitally because we had a "groupon" for a discount off our check. All 3 of us had been interested in trying the place, so this was a good reason.

I agree with Foodsnob about the ambience and versatility of the space, and would add that the staff was very nice, from our server and bussers to the manager, who checked in on us to top off our wine glasses and make sure that we were enjoying our meal.

We arrived around 8pm to a 1/2 filled front room, but it was about full by the time we left...and considering it was Easter/Passover weekend that ain't bad. We started with a few appetizers (obligatory edamame and Goma ae), and then ordered nigiri and maki as main courses. The starters were high quality, but the sushi was definitely the star here. Our nigiri were all deliciously fresh and flavorful, from fatty salmon and hamachi to Botan Ebi Mayo (large raw shrimp with torched mayo and fried head) and the freshest uni I have had in recent memory. We ordered to signature maki rolls, the "Crazy Jalapeno" and "Soft Shell Crab Volcano" which were so beautiful I snapped a pic with my phone (SSC top, Crazy below):



The plates were artistic, and the vivid colors matched the layers of flavors as well. The SSC roll had cuke, tempura crunch and avocado as well as spicy mayo. The CJ roll (not on their current printed or web menu) was a mix of fish wrapped with jalapeno slices, spicy mayo in a rice paper wrapper and topped with dollops of sour cream and cherry tomato, and highly recommended by our server for good reason, as it was our favorite as well. Both were garnished with fried tofu slices, mango sauce and crunchy-fried taro chips. They were worth the $14.50 price tag for sure.

Their wine list was quite nice, with a broad mix of whites, reds and sparkling, as well as sake and house cocktails. We opted out of dessert (although tempting) since the portions and quantities we had ordered were just right.

As a final addition to Foodsnob's note on special times, they are also offering "happy hour" $4 sushi Mon-Fri 5-7pm in the lounge, and the lounge stays open 'til 2am on Fri/Sat nights.

They also own and operate Ringo Sushi (2507 N Lincoln) and Tsuki (1441 W Fullerton).

They have a Groupon today- $55 for a 6-course pre fixe for two or $110 for four.