Surprise sushi - what's the name of the place?

We're going out for sushi tonight, and I'm trying to remember the name of the place where the chef just needs to know what you like and don't like, and then he surprises you with whatever fits in along with that. The place I'm thinking of is in Chicago, northern part (maybe Andersonville). Please help!

Does anyone know of other good places that do the surprise thing, too?

You might be thinking of Hama Matsu.

Hama Matsu
5143 N. Clark, Chicago
Tel: (773) 506-2978

You can do this at most sushi bars, though I would limit yourself to those where you can be confident in the quality of all of the fish.

Sounds like you're thinking of Tanoshii..

Tanoshii
(773) 878-6886
(773) 878-6884
5547 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640

Did not like Tanoshi... been there twice.

Sunshine Cafe, down the street, has great, cheap, simple, hot Japanese food.
It's not sushi but it's good.

Just to add a little meat to the matter ...

Mike started at Hama Matsu and then opened his own shop, Tanoshii. Hama Matsu is still open - didn't want anyone to end up where they didn't want to be.

I have my own experiences with Mike which left me not interested in having sushi created by Mike - not off the menu and not special order. But for those who like surprises, be careful to remember to ask how much custom orders will be. Our friends who had the "Mike's Special" last week were in physical pain when they realized they had been charged $18+ for each of their 3 custom rolls. They enjoyed the rolls greatly ... but not the surprise of the price.

dayzella wrote: Our friends who had the "Mike's Special" last week were in physical pain when they realized they had been charged $18+ for each of their 3 custom rolls. They enjoyed the rolls greatly ... but not the surprise of the price.

Ouch! One of the things I have grown accustomed to when ordering Omakase is allong with the chef asking what you like and don't like they often ask how much you wish to spend. Possibly this is a New England thing but I have found that it removes aof of anxiety and creates a more pleasureable meal all around. I'm typically willing to spend more if I know what I'm getting myself into than if I'm suprised at the end. Traditionally sushi chefs do not talk about or handle money but here in the states it is just good businnes not to shock the heck out of your guests wallet if you want to build a relationship.

Mikes quality has gone drastically down hill. While his special rolls are still good, they dont change and invent anymore. His cyncism and repetition do not justify $18 prices. Some rolls might if they have lots of toro or something, and when his fish is good, it is really good, but overall he seems to never have really gotten a handle on the back of the house stuff.

This is a shame, cause while NYC and LA have numerous amazing creative sushi chefs, Chicago does not have many that implement their own creativeness or are even afforded to. Hopefully with time, more people will come to appreciate the omakase and just go with it here and help it to proliferate more.

Nonetheless, amazing word class sushi in Chicago, does exist, but the consistancy for the price is very rare. One good meal at Mirai, a bad one at Japonais, a great meal at Katsu, a horrible one at Bob San....so on and so forth.....

We have all found the places that make us happy and end up going to different places for different reasons. Overall being a sushi addict in this city is an easy hobby to fulfill, but just dont expect consistant unwavering quality.

J