Chicago | A Tipsy Evening at Kumiko

The lights were dim, the wooden bar counter glowing with a warm luster. ✨ Walking through Kumiko's unassuming door in Chicago instantly transports you into a tranquil Japanese dining and drinking space. 🚪🍶 Tonight's Four Drinks: 🌟 Cloud Hopper (P3 left) - Light on the palate with notes of passionfruit and yuzu, refreshing like a gentle breeze. 🍃 The bartender introduces each drink's ingredients and inspiration after serving (P5). They let you taste first, then share the story behind the creation. 🍹 Cardamom Milk Punch (P3 right) - Enters like a spiced milk drink, barely revealing its alcohol edge, though definitely more spirit-forward than Cloud Hopper. 🥛 🍸 The next two, Cream Soda (P4 left) and Goldfinch (P4 right), were noticeably more alcohol-forward. Since I loved the Cloud Hopper so much, I asked the bartender to recommend something similar - hence the Cream Soda - though nothing could quite replace that first magical sip. 💫 Tonight's Dishes: ✨ Ikuradon (P6) Each ikura pearl plump and bursting with briny goodness. 🍚 The rice underneath perfectly balanced the salinity. ✨ A5 Wagyu Sando (P7) Crispy toast sandwiching Wagyu beef so tender it practically melts. 🥪 Though small, one more piece might have been too rich - it stopped at the perfect bite. ✨ Yuzu Kosho Karaage (P8) I was a bit surprised when this arrived - it looked quite like a typical American appetizer. 🍗 A small bowl of fried chicken chunks appearing somewhat plain. Taste was decent but skippable. ✨ Tataki (P7) Visually striking with its lightly seared surface and aromatic presence. 🥩 The beef was tender but heavily seasoned, the dark sauce somewhat overpowering. Delicious in small bites but not meant to be enjoyed as a full portion. 🍮 Truffle Milk Toast We ended with this dessert - caramelized sugar crust topping, truffle ice cream slowly melting at room temperature, creating a beautiful harmony of dairy and truffle notes. 🍨 A gentle, satisfying conclusion. Overall, Kumiko's pacing feels intentionally slow, like deliberate pauses in a conversation. 🕰️ Portions are modest, encouraging focus on each flavor. Sitting at the bar offers a view of the cocktail craft and occasional chats with bartenders - quite delightful! 🍸 Though for both value and satisfaction, next time I'd have dinner first before coming for drinks and desserts. For someone like me who skipped dinner, these worked as elegant bar snacks rather than a filling meal. 💡 Recommend making reservations via OpenTable in advance. 💰 Approximately $200 per person 📍 Kumiko 630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661 What's your favorite cocktail experience that transformed an ordinary evening into something magical? Have you discovered any hidden gem bars recently that focus on both innovative drinks and intimate atmosphere? Share your favorite spots below! 👇🥂 #CocktailLover #DrinkingVibes #HiddenGemBar #ChicagoFood #ChicagoNightlife #CraftCocktails #JapaneseCocktails #CocktailArt #Mixology #ChicagoBars #DateNightSpot #PremiumSpirits #CocktailExperience