In need of good sushi rec's!

My daughter is in town from Montana and would like to go out for a special lunch or dinner of sushi... nothing necessarily hip or trendy, just good solid sushi (rolls & sashimi). She especially likes unagi.

We're in the western suburbs, but a trip to the city is definitely a possibility.

Thanks in advance for any input!

One of my favorite "No frills" sushi spots:
Matsuya
3469 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 248-2677

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One of my favorite "step up from no frills" sushi spots. A tad bit trendy, but very solid sushi if you want the standards:
Bob-San
1805 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 235-8888
Bob-San

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First off there is the board favorite and GNR winner Katsu.

For more creative rolls and such there is Bob San. Although many here (mostly traditionalists) like just ordering nigiri only, I also like the creative rolls.

Finally for creative, omikase style sushi, go sit in front of "Sushi Mike" (A.K.A. Sashimi Sally:wink: ) at Tanoshii sushi.

Beyond that, a quick check of the search function will reveal many threads on the subject. Are there any particular dishes or styles you are looking for? Anything that must be avoided (i.e. my daughter won't sit in the same sushi counter where uni is prepared)

Stagger wrote:First off there is the board favorite and GNR winner Katsu.

And for a slightly less expensive, more homey place there is GNR Winner Renga Tai

The freshest fish I've had is consistently at Mirai. Not cheap, though.

FWIW, I've been to Katsu twice and thought it was absolutely horrible. Haven't tried the cooked dishes, though, and people seem to like those.

basis wrote:The freshest fish I've had is consistently at Mirai. Not cheap, though.

FWIW, I've been to Katsu twice and thought it was absolutely horrible. Haven't tried the cooked dishes, though, and people seem to like those.

What did you have at Katsu? What didn't you like about it?

I like Katsu for no frills sushi. I've only been once, but had a pretty good experience.

My current go to place in the city is Ai. Same owners as Ringo and Tsuki, I've now been 3 times and the quality of the fish has been excellent each time. Tsuki, which was one of my favorites, has gone steeply down hill since Ai has opened.

Katsu. Hands down the finest Sushi I've ever eaten.

I've eaten a lot of sushi, though I will qualify this by saying I haven't yet eaten at Katsu and it's on my list.

That said, from what what I've experienced in Chicago, this isn't particularly a city for seafood and thus the sushi isn't the best I've had in the US, but there are a few places I've found to be reliably good.

Mirai and Japonais are under the same Executive Chef, and both have very good fish. I can't comment in great detail about the rolls as I rarely eat rolls and prefer to stick to sashimi and nigiri. While these are both expensive in Chicago terms, in New York, San Francisco, and San Diego, these places would be a bargain.

I prefer Mirai only because it has a much quieter, less trendy feel to it than Japonais, but the green tea doughnuts at Japonais are excellent.

If you are looking to stay local I'd recommend Abashiri in Bloomingdale. It's a low key place catering to both Japanese and the local gringo crowd. Pleasant interior with about a dozen or so bottles of sake above the cash register labeled for the regulars. I've been several times and always left feeling like I got a good deal and good service for the money. It's not a special occasion place, but does a nice job with rolls, sashimi and soups. The fish cuts are fresh and well portioned.

Abashiri
185 E Lake St
Bloomingdale, IL
Phone: (630) 295-9502

Darren72 wrote:What did you have at Katsu? What didn't you like about it?

I can't recall specifically, but it was all sushi/sashimi. I remember the "special" bluefin tuna being mostly tasteless and a bit chewy. My standards are hamachi, kampachi, snapper, kani, the various grades of toro, etc. I've tried uni, tako, and others, but they're not that interesting to me.

The first time we went the service was so bad that we ended up having a great time by the end of the meal laughing about it. Wrong wine, wrong appetizers, a roll requested w/ no mayo swimming in it, green tea ice cream instead of green tea, the list goes on.

Then the service was awful again, except it wasn't funny the second time.

I know people love this place, and maybe my experiences were random. I've mentioned trying it again, but my wife, who loves sushi, refuses to even consider going back when we can go to Mirai.

Like I said, maybe the other stuff is good. I don't think I'll be finding out.

Sushi Nest
142 N. York Rd. - Elmhurst
630-833-5088

I have always been happy with the Sushi Nest. Would love to see a review from one of the more articulate posters

I'll add that I had a surprisingly good dinner at Kaze Sushi on Friday night. I went there expecting better-than-average but expensive sushi, and it greatly exceeded my expectations.

Highlights were the Scallop Salad appetizer ($8 for 4 plump scallops with cucumber/wakame salad in this kiwi-sesame-ish dressing!! This was seriously a bargain! I would have ordered a second course of this if I had known how damn tasty it was going to be), the Otoro (freshhh, straight up with a little wasabi) and the Katsuo (topped with some enoki and fried garlic). The beef tongue nigiri (IIRC on their little seasonal insert) was also quite good - I'm a sucker for beef tongue though..

Was a bit disappointed by the Ika and Shellfish (mix of cooked shrimp/scallops) nigiri, especially for the price ($6/piece IIRC). Flavours were rather one-dimensional because of the gratuitous use of spicy mayo sauce.

All in all, total damage was $190 (gratuity/tax inclusive) for 2 sake flights, 2 appetizers, 18 pieces of nigiri sushi, one soft-shell crab temaki and one dessert (black sesame flan with caramelized sugar and a basil seed extract - this one is also worth getting).


Kaze Sushi
2032 W. Roscoe St.
Chicago IL 60618
(773) 327-4860

No one mentions Midori on Bryn Mawr between Kedzie and Kimball?

kenji wrote:No one mentions Midori on Bryn Mawr between Kedzie and Kimball?

You just did, why not elaborate.

Midori
3310 W. Bryn Mawr Ave
Chicago, IL
773-267-9733

Puppy wrote:I'll add that I had a surprisingly good dinner at Kaze Sushi on Friday night. I went there expecting better-than-average but expensive sushi, and it greatly exceeded my expectations.

Highlights were the Scallop Salad appetizer ($8 for 4 plump scallops with cucumber/wakame salad in this kiwi-sesame-ish dressing!! This was seriously a bargain! I would have ordered a second course of this if I had known how damn tasty it was going to be), the Otoro (freshhh, straight up with a little wasabi) and the Katsuo (topped with some enoki and fried garlic). The beef tongue nigiri (IIRC on their little seasonal insert) was also quite good - I'm a sucker for beef tongue though..

Was a bit disappointed by the Ika and Shellfish (mix of cooked shrimp/scallops) nigiri, especially for the price ($6/piece IIRC). Flavours were rather one-dimensional because of the gratuitous use of spicy mayo sauce.

All in all, total damage was $190 (gratuity/tax inclusive) for 2 sake flights, 2 appetizers, 18 pieces of nigiri sushi, one soft-shell crab temaki and one dessert (black sesame flan with caramelized sugar and a basil seed extract - this one is also worth getting).

I was there Friday night too, but as I noted in the Kaze thread, I did not enjoy the meal that much. And I find the prices just too high given the quality they deliver. I will say that I did not sample their Nigiri, which others have commented favorably about, but if I'm going for pure fish and great fish, then I'm heading to Katsu. I just don't think Katsu has a rival in Chicago when it comes to sashimi and nigiri. On the other hand, if I'm looking for more creativity, I'm going to head to Bob San and Tank.

In Aurora, there's Momoya's, which is my favorite place for sushi in the western suburbs. The service is friendly and the sushi is reasonably priced and always very good. They have an appetizer of hibachi scallops that is terrific as well. It's in a strip mall west of Fox Valley Mall with a Harold's Chicken Shack and an Italian restaurant (Salerno's?), on the south side of New York Street.

Momoya's
3577 E New York St
Aurora, IL 60504

Has anyone else ever been to Fuji Grill? I believe it's in Forest Park. I went there a few years ago and remember it being pretty good, and it's west-ish. I second Matsuya as well.

electric mullet wrote:If you are looking to stay local I'd recommend Abashiri in Bloomingdale. It's a low key place catering to both Japanese and the local gringo crowd. Pleasant interior with about a dozen or so bottles of sake above the cash register labeled for the regulars. I've been several times and always left feeling like I got a good deal and good service for the money. It's not a special occasion place, but does a nice job with rolls, sashimi and soups. The fish cuts are fresh and well portioned.

Abashiri
185 E Lake St
Bloomingdale, IL
Phone: (630) 295-9502

For a local place, I second this one. We've been a handful of times and it's always been good quality, well-prepared fish.

Sadly, I haven't tried Katsu yet and it's going to have to wait. No sushi for me because I'm expecting.

Kim

Wow!!! So many wonderful responses & suggestions! If we get an early start on Wednesday, we'll probably hit somewhere in the city; possibly Matsuya. If not, we'll probably need to stay closer to home and might try the Elmhurst or Aurora recommendations.

Has anyone been to Yokohama lately? It's been a few years since I've been there, but I remember thinking that they were better than Momotaro. What about Yamago in Lombard/Villa Park? I've seen it mentioned with mixed reviews.

Thanks to all who've replied!!

binofhay wrote:Has anyone else ever been to Fuji Grill? I believe it's in Forest Park. I went there a few years ago and remember it being pretty good, and it's west-ish. I second Matsuya as well.

Page one of this thread has a few mentions of Fuji Grill. I've been there....once.

For the record, I would sincerely doubt that I would have this experience again, and hope it was a one time thing.

Just thought of this one seeing that you mentioned "West". Todai, in Schaumburg. I'd assume there's nothing whatsoever like it in Montana.

http://todai.com/todaiConcept.html

Ann McCarthy wrote:In Aurora, there's Momoya's, which is my favorite place for sushi in the western suburbs. The service is friendly and the sushi is reasonably priced and always very good. They have an appetizer of hibachi scallops that is terrific as well. It's in a strip mall west of Fox Valley Mall with a Harold's Chicken Shack and an Italian restaurant (Salerno's?), on the south side of New York Street.

Momoya
3577 E New York St
Aurora, IL 60504

Allow me to second this recommendation. Momoya is about comparable to the price of Sushi House and they have an excellent selection of rolls. The sushi chefs will whip up something if you want a specialty roll or a neat idea, and they often have the soccer channel on if you happen to like watching David Beckham's old mates running around the field.

Momoya's rolls are very high quality and it's easy to access if you take I-88 to Rt. 59, go south, then turn right down New York (at the White Castle/David's Bridal). It's just past the mall. I used to haunt this place regularly when I lived out towards Aurora, and they deserve a mention.

kenji wrote:Just thought of this one seeing that you mentioned "West". Todai, in Schaumburg. I'd assume there's nothing whatsoever like it in Montana/

Todai is a real let down compared to other good sushi restaurants, in my not-so-humble opinion. Low quality, mass produced sushi, fish definitely doesn't taste fresh, the only real benefit I can say this place has is its variety of non-sushi food (I'm definitely thinking creme brulee here. ).

If you're in Schaumburg or prepared to drive a little farther, I would recommend going to Sushi Para on Dundee Road up in Palatine. It's all you can eat, the quality is much higher, and they've got a wide selection of rolls if you want the all-you-can-eat. You can also choose a la carte, and the quality's right up there. It doesn't have the ambiance of Momoya or Katsu, sadly, but they definitely can fill your hungry appetite for sushi.

Sushi Para
1268 E Dundee Rd, Palatine, IL

Take IL-53 from 290 or 90, headed north. When you get to Dundee road exit (by Motorola), turn left. Sushi Para is in a stripmall on the right past the Chrysler(?) dealership; there's a Woodcraft, Jazzercise, etc. in the same mall. If you have passed the Public Storage you've gone too far.

kenji wrote:No one mentions Midori on Bryn Mawr between Kedzie and Kimball?

I went to Midori tonight thinking that the whole Monday sushi thing is overblown at a place of that quality. I don't know if the day of the week can be blamed, but everything on my sashimi platter except for the salmon was decidedly mediocre. Just really weak, almost watered-down flavor in every bite.

You can see a sushi thread here here where I alone mention Wildfish

Given any option I would stay in the city and probably head toward Katsu but I emphatically recommend Wildfish and if the location is convenient it is a solid bet.

Wildfish
60 S Arlington Heights Rd
Arlington Hts, IL 60005
(847) 870-8260
http://www.swordfishsushi.com/wildfish_ ... h_arl.html

Also, I have had surprisingly good experiences lately at a couple other places around the city.

Lips on Southport got the nod as the nearest open restaurant to the Music box last week and the fatty toro along with the soft shelled crab were very good. The wife's rolls were sans mayo and of respectable size. I was expecting nothing but am looking forward visiting this place again. Needless to say it works well prior a midnight show at Music Box.

Tsuki on Fullerton has some aggressive specials (I think on Monday) as well as coupons regularly available from restaurant.com. My impressions have always been luke warm but a couple small meals and one chefs choice recently left me impressed.

Lips
3705 N Southport Ave
(between Waveland Ave & Grace St)
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 248-5744
http://www.lipschicago.com

Tsuki
1441-45 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL‎ -
(773) 883-8722‎
Chicago, IL 60614
http://www.tsuki.us

I ate at the Arlington Heights Wildfish on Saturday and was both pleased and displeased.
I was by myself and the entire front of the restaurant was empty. There were a few couples in the "private" booths further back. I was seated at the bench in front at a table for two, not at the sushi bar as expected, which was nice. But the next couple that came in was seated immediately next to me, which bugged me to no end. There were at least a dozen other tables; they couldn't have seated these people two tables down so there was one between us? Did they think we were going to immediately put the tables together and strike up a friendship?
I ordered the tuna flight appetizer, two-thirds of which was completely devoid of flavor; I can't remember the names of the tunas but there was a white and a deep red (I'm guessing Bluefin?) and a pinkish-grey one that actually tasted like fish.
The entrée, though, was quite good. As soon as I saw Lobster on the menu, I knew that was the dish for me. It was served in the tail, coated with plenty of garlic and butter, and was tender and wonderfully lobstery. The grilled veggies on the side (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and green and red peppers) were perfectly cooked and seasoned; not too salty, piping hot, and still crunchy. That was topped with the "house mashed potatoes", a thick disk of pure comfort that was browned on both sides like a fat pancake. I'm told it was made with squash and sweet potato. I'd go back just for this entrée.

I believe the bill came to something like $54 with a gunpowder green tea.