Birthday sushi!

My boyfriend's birthday is coming up, and despite offers of Blackbird, Sepia or even a fun night at Kuma's, he has decided he'd like an evening of sushi instead. I have been to fewer sushi restaurants than any other type of restaurant in Chicago, I think, and really don't know where to go! Would like a celebratory atmosphere and great sushi (so no hole in the wall, delicious sushi but fluorescent lighting places). I had considered Japonais for the atmosphere/location, but have heard such non-plussed things recently, so have pretty much whittled it down to Mirai (though a few friends seem to be split on amazing or overrated) or Coast (more low-key but probably my personal favourite of ones I've been to...and byob is nice as he is not much of a drinker but I would certainly like to have a nice bottle of wine). Thoughts? Anywhere else we're leaving out?

Katsu is a GNR and overwhelming board favorite. Having never gone the route of "chef's choice" there, I gather I haven't experienced it at its best but my personal preference is Macku. Doubt you could go wrong with either choice and if you want something special, both will deliver well beyond Coast and Mirai.

Macku (the team behind Kaze which is now closed) is located a bit closer to the other spots you mentioned in case that's a factor. If you use the search function, you'll find threads for all here (Kaze, Macku and Katsu (best named thread on LTH IMHO!!). I still haven't mastered the process of inserting them into posts Mods feel free to do so if you think it will help.

Macku Sushi
2239 North Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614-3011
(773) 880-8012

Katsu
2651 W Peterson Ave
Chicago, IL 60659

Enjoy!

For what you're looking for, I think Mirai is probably your best choice. Ai is very good, the atmosphere is a bit subdued (although they do have a lounge that occasionally has live music). Ponzu is another one of my favorites. Excellent fish, and livened up by sake bombing DePaul students wasting their time on maki.

Ai Japanese Restaurant & Lounge
358 West Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-9888

Ponzu
2407 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614-2717
(773) 549-8890

photographette wrote: (so no hole in the wall, delicious sushi but fluorescent lighting places).

Oh man. I read this and actually see my 23 year old mouthing these exact words at my dinner table and I bite my tongue, smile, and remember that it's 2010 in Chicago and I created the budding gastronome who has her own hard earned money to spend on her own dinners now.

I recommend Coast to anyone at anytime. If you're looking to have an exciting night it may not be your hip location, but he's turned down Kuma's already so I say go for it.

Jayz wrote:I recommend Coast to anyone at anytime. If you're looking to have an exciting night it may not be your hip location, but he's turned down Kuma's already so I say go for it.

The OP said "birthday" not "bachelorette party".

Between Mirai and Coast, I think Mirai is better for couples, and Coast is better for groups.

For me, both places hit the palate similarly, but the scene at Mirai is slightly easier to digest.

Sweetbread wrote:Between Mirai and Coast, I think Mirai is better for couples, and Coast is better for groups.

For me, both places hit the palate similarly, but the scene at Mirai is slightly easier to digest.

Upstairs versus downstairs at Mirai is very, very different. Upstairs has closer to a Japonais feel--very loungy, women wearing less clothing, lots of sweet cocktails being consumed. Downstairs is much more low key but somewhat elegant with soft lighting, more couples, even kids earlier in the evening.

You can reserve at both Coast and Mirai, which is nice.

I agree that Mirai has a slightly nicer "atmosphere" and seems a little more couple-ish. Mirai has outdoor seating, which Coast does not. NOTE - their outdoor seating closes earlier than the restaurant. Ask about this if you want to sit there. If you reserve at Mirai they will sometimes ask if you prefer upstairs or downstairs. If they don't, and you have a preference, make sure to say so.

I think that I like the Nigiri and Sashimi at Mirai better, the Maki, non-sushi foods and "unique preparations" (for lack of a better term) better at Coast. It seems like the servers are more enthusiastic at Coast, and more knowledgeable at Mirai. They also, at Mirai, seem more likely to try to sell you on the special appetizer of the evening.

Too bad Kizoku closed because nyotaimori is what I thought of when I read birthday sushi

Thanks for the helpful thoughts, everyone. Birthday occurred, and we had a great time. We actually tried to go to Macku (thank the beautiful site/photos), but they were booked solid until 9 p.m., which I was surprised by. As such, we decided to go to Mirai, which had a lot of available tables. Favourite dish by far as the kani nigiri appetizer; we ordered a second round. As someone else mentioned, I think I prefer Coast for more creative rolls and flavour combinations. The nigiri/sashimi at Mirai was really delicious, though. Very buttery and fresh fish. Seemed quite understaffed, so service was pretty slow, but our server was very sweet and promptly fixed a mistake that was on the bill.

photographette wrote:Thanks for the helpful thoughts, everyone. Birthday occurred, and we had a great time. We actually tried to go to Macku (thank the beautiful site/photos), but they were booked solid until 9 p.m., which I was surprised by. As such, we decided to go to Mirai, which had a lot of available tables. Favourite dish by far as the kani nigiri appetizer; we ordered a second round. As someone else mentioned, I think I prefer Coast for more creative rolls and flavour combinations. The nigiri/sashimi at Mirai was really delicious, though. Very buttery and fresh fish. Seemed quite understaffed, so service was pretty slow, but our server was very sweet and promptly fixed a mistake that was on the bill.

Glad you had a nice evening...Mirai used to be my go-to spot and I would go to Coast when I was in that neighborhood as well--pretty much stopped going to any of them after Kaze opened. Macku is virtually the same with the added bonus of most of the specials now being menu items and the new and improved interior. It's a small place though and reservations are a must during prime time most nights. Hope you can try it another time...