08/24/09

Best sushi in Chicago

by CSMobileUser

Where can I start... This place is clean, has attentive and helpful servers and the food is awsome. I have never had a bad meal at the Sai Cafe. The sushi is always fresh and presented beautifully and this is the reason i come back at least once a week. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try and you will not be disappointed.

12/13/08

One of our favorites

by KBBBB

Check it out- they do a great job with their sushi. As well, they say you cannot bring in your own wine, but we always do and just pay a nominal corkage fee. Try to sit in the front area- it's more lively.

01/05/08

Great! And I don't even like sushi

by peaches11

My boyfriend loves sushi, so when he picks a Japanese place I usually get CA rolls and dream of a filling meal at a later time. Here I ordered the Sukiyaki and really liked it. It was a mix of meat and vegetables and tofu in a broth that had a hint of sweetness and the rice noodles were perfecto. I tried some of his sushi and did not gag. Usually fish makes my skin crawl. Their CA rolls were the shiz-nit! I've never had any quite like those. I'd recommend this place to any couple that has our problem: one loves sushi and the other can't stand it. Even the finicky (such as myself) would like this place. A few more visits and I just might start liking sushi.

The atmosphere was upscale, but not so snooty you'd feel unwelcome in jeans and a sweater. The service was attentive. It doesn't look like a place you'd take the kids. We were pleasantly surprised when we got the bill. According to my boyfriend they have a good selection of japanese alcohol. The authenticity is probably due to their american chef who was trained in Japan.

• Pros: Food, Service, Prices, very close to the L
• Cons: That it is not my boyfriend's favorite sushi restaurant in Tucson *whine whine*

11/29/07

Freshest Sushi in Chicago!

by eddiesmiles

Sai Cafe has the freshest sushi in Chicago, and I've visited many of the most popular Japanese restaurants! I've been there several times with my gf. The first time was on a cold night, we were in the neighborhood and stumbled upon it, and we just wanted some hot entrees. We were incredibly impressed with their nabeyaki udon and sukiyaki. It was delicious and the price was very reasonable. As we were sitting at the sushi bar, the sushi looked too good and I decided to get a few pieces. It was so good we ended up ordering an entire sashimi combo to share!

Since then, we have been back many times and have brought friends, both Chicagoans and out-of-towners. We love to sit at the sushi bar when we have a small party b/c the sushi chefs are very friendly, talkative, and often surprise you by putting samples of food on your plate. I definitely recommend you sit at the sushi bar if you can.. they'll take care of you. The owner is also very friendly. He said that more than 80% of his business is from regulars that love the restaurant and keep coming back... we believe him!

The honest truth: the prices for sushi aren't cheap, but not steep either. It's on par with other high-quality Japanese restaurants. This isn't some hole-in-the-wall nasty AYCE sushi, so don't expect those prices. I've never tried their rolls because the fish is just so good, I wouldn't want to taint it with misc sauces. It also gets crowded, esp on weekends because the place is so popular, so make a reservation ahead of time. Parking around the area can be difficult, but I've always found something within 10 minutes at most, so it's not too terrible. Bottom line is once you try this place, you'll be hooked!

• Pros: incredibly fresh sushi, great hot entrees as well, friendly chefs/owner, sit at sushi bar!
• Cons: make a reservation on weekends, street parking a bit difficult but they offer valet

08/02/07

GREAT sushi.

by pinkfacedbunny

I happened to stuble into Sai Cafe on the way to Vosges Chocolates at Armitage.. wow the experience was definitely worth it. I was alone, I ordered Tempura Udon (only 10 bucks!), sashimi and some sushi.. The mackerel sashimi was great.. Food was nicely priced and the udon broth was very tasty! The atmosphere was very cozy, they played jazz in the tiny restaurant.. romantic place for a date I would think. It's not too noisy and you could definitely carry on a decent conversation in there, unlike some other restaurants. though I think they could do alot better than to play some grand prix race car thing on the flat-screen tv. As a girl by myself.. I did not appreciate the TV.. lol. Very prompt service as well, waitress changed my places and replaced my chopsticks when the entree came. I highly recommend this place.

• Pros: Great sushi, great service, cozy atmosphere.
• Cons: Can't think of any.

01/08/07

Best sushi in Chicago

by abbie27

Sai has the freshest, best tasting sushi in Chicago. It is very good quality, and they have very interesting, creative rolls. It is great for delivery and carry-out order as well.

• Pros: Amazing sushi, friendly staff
• Cons: Ambience is not as great as some other sushi places.

11/22/06

Love this place

by luvs2travel

Haven't been here in years & we visited the other evening. Just as good as ever. The waitresses could not have been nicer, the hostess went out of her way to talk to us. The sushi chefs were also really friendly. We had a few rolls that were excellent. And we absolutely flipped over the Ahi Poke, the texture was incredible and the taste... wow!

• Pros: Friendly staff, fresh fish, great atmosphere
• Cons: price, street parking,

11/14/06

Casual option for fresh sushi

by marge715

I like the ambiance. Very casual but comfortable. Their fish is fresh but I'm not a fan of their rolls because they seem to mush up the fish. Sashimi and sushi are good options. Menu options are traditional.

• Pros: Fresh fish, casual atmosphere
• Cons: Don't like the way they prepare the fish for their rolls

10/12/06

Can't beat the inventive and fresh sushi for the price

by dekreeft27

Just moved to Chicago from NYC where I was a huge sushi fan. For the price, I know of no sushi spot that serves fish as fresh and rolls as tasty and interesting as Sai (sure there are places that have crazier rolls but that doesn't mean they taste better). A sushi feast with sake for 5 people at $35 a person? That's a deal in my book. Only better sushi I have had consistently is in the $75+ per person price range.

• Pros: Food, freshness, friendliness of sushi chefs
• Cons: Can be a little slow when it gets busy

04/24/06

I heart Sai!

by punkin34w

Amazingly fresh fish! The sushi chefs are all so friendly and willing to answer any questions. Great atmosphere and rolls as big as your fist. My new favorite sushi place is Chicago.

• Pros: fresh fish, big rolls, friendly staff