Sushi near Navy Pier

OK... I'm escorting my teenage daughter and a friend to Navy Pier on Sunday afternoon so they can go to see the ne Harry Potter movie at the iMax theater

So... I'm going to have about three hours to kill. A Sushi lunch sounds like a good thing to do. Are there any decent sushi places within walking distance of Navy Pier? If not, I'll probably cab it to someplace downtown. Suggestions for that as a backup are welcome, too!

Thanks!

Hey Ron,

Couple of choices within a quick walk of Navy Pier -

The closest is the Streeterville Location of Kamehachi, at 240 E Ontario. I've never been to this particular location, but their Old Town spot on Wells was always pretty decent, with good service, a nice quiet sushi bar area, and a standard but well-presented and decently priced menu. Certainly no Katsu-esque mind-blowing Omakase gold-leaf on dry-ice infused matzoh ball eel roe goin on here, but, if you've got teens in tow, that's probably ok as well.

Of course, a couple of doors down at 230 Ontario is your namesake, Ron of Japan. Can't comment to the quality or price, as I've never been. But you could impress your daughter's friend and claim it's "your" place or something. (hey, there's a concept reaturant for you - An Akira Kurosawa-themed Sushi bar! Call it "Ran" of Japan, and have certain Omakase like the Rashomon (the same fish prepared 4 different ways) or kooky theme-restaurant named dishes like the "Seven Salmon-Roe"; a tres leches-like cake called "Akira Kurosawa's Creams"; drinks could be small, medium, large, and "Yo-jumbo"... etc... Hey, I know Trixie-Pea is Trixie-peain' her pants laughin, anyone else??? No?? OK, on with the Sushi recs before Ron kills me...)

Close by Navy Pier, at 19 E Ohio (either next to or in the basment of the Tokyo Hotel) is Ginza Fish, to which I was once taken by a real, live, actual Japanese man! Brusque service, kinda dirty/sticky atmosphere, but dirt cheap and surprisingly nice sized and fresh cuts of raw sea creatures. The place itself is a Tokyo-by way of New York-by way of Blade Runner sushi joint, in which a bored Japanese pimp (with requisite leather jacket sporting the logo, "Mustang Elvis Yankee crazy jazz time") and his overly made-up "stable", all sitting, bored, smoking and sipping on Sapporo tall boys, would seem the ideal customer base. Enjoy, Ran-and-daughter-and-daughter-friend-san!!

Reb

+1 for the Ginza rec.

there's also Benihana nearby, but i'd rather eat dirt than support Devon Aoki's acting career.

Thanks Reb and Tony... I'll be by myself while the girls watch the movie, so I think I'll try both Kamehachi and Ginza (if I pace myself...). I've been to the Old Town Kamehachi but not the Streeterville location.

I've been to both Ron of Japan and Benihana. Ron is OK, but I'm not a fan of Benihana. There is a place in Geneva, about two miles from my house, called Ju Rin who does teppan much better that either Ron or Benihana and also has a nice, but small, sushi bar. Ju Rin also has a location in South Elgin (on Randall Road) that has kaiten sushi in refrigerated plexi tubes (local health regulations).

...ron

Actually, there's a sushi restaurant on the ground floor of Lake Point Tower, right next to Navy Pier. Having never tried it, I can't vouch for the food, but it seems to have lasted a while. The entrance is on Illinois Street, just east of LSD.

Sushi Matsuri
505 N Lake Shore Dr Ste 105
Chicago, IL 60611-3427
312-645-9002

A very close walk to Navy Pier for sushi would be Oysy at 50 E. Grand, just down the road. I have eaten at this location, and it was pleasant, though not amazing. Typical of places in the area, it is a bit overpriced for what they offer. The do have many different types of rolls and the presentation was good. I would prefer Oysy over Kamehachi. Haven't tried Ginza fish yet.

Oysy
50 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL
312-670-6750

Thanks for the additional choices, Paul and veeral...

veeral, I do have once question about Oysy... their web site shows them at 888 S. Michigan. Is this a second location, or did I get the wrong restaurant web site?

http://www.oysysushi.com

I'll probably base my decision depending on the weather. If it raining, then I'll probably try Oysy or Sushi Matsuri.

Ron_L wrote:Thanks for the additional choices, Paul and veeral...

veeral, I do have once question about Oysy... their web site shows them at 888 S. Michigan. Is this a second location, or did I get the wrong restaurant web site?

That's correct. The one on 50 E Grand is their new, second location.

Sushi Matsuri kinda sucked when when we went. We went late however during the day, that might've contributed it, but no real sush place should let that be a reason to serve bad sushi. The fish was unimpressive, the rolls were packed well (not falling apart after dipping), but flavor (back to ingredient again) were rather blend and unrefreshing.

Kamehachi is typical touristy spot, good, but not great food, but for rather high price.

Ginza is the best in the area (my favorite for the loop area actually), Oysy being next, for me at least. Never been to Ron. Benihana isn't worth metioning.

Thanks again to everyone for the info. I ended up at Oysy. More on that in a bit.

When I left Navy Pier, I walked down Illinois to take a look at Sushi Matsuri. They were closed. I didn't see any sign with hours on it to know if they weren't open on Sunday, or not open for lunch. Also, there were two building permits on the glass, so maybe they are closed for remodeling? If anyone is heading there, call first.

Now back to Oysy. Nice place. I'd call the decor kind of Euro (Scandinavian, mostly). It was quiet when i got there at about 12:30. There were only five or six people sitting at the tables and no one at the sushi bar. I took a seat at the bar and ordered a beer and some edamame while I looked over the menu. I ordered some nigiri and two rolls, the Arizona Summer maki and the Firecracker maki. Here's where they made a major mistake, in my opinion. I was served the rolls first. I learned a long time ago that it is normal to serve nigiri or sashimi first so that the delicate flavors of the fish can be enjoyed before the stronger flavors of the maki, especially with maki that has chili oil and jalapeño peppers! Maybe some of you who are more experienced can comment.

The food was very good. Both rolls were generous and well made. Presentation was very nice. When the nigiri showed up, I was impressed by the generous cuts of fish. The himachi and super white tuna in particular were very fresh and tasty. The service, aside from the order of the food, was also very good.

Overall, I would recommend Oysy and I will go back.

Oysy
50 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL
312-670-6750

Sushi Matsuri
505 N Lake Shore Dr Ste 105
Chicago, IL 60611-3427
312-645-9002