Chicago | Midōsuji 🍣✨

I dined here on New Year’s Eve — another Japanese fusion spot, leaning more toward traditional Japanese style compared to Atsumeru I reviewed earlier. Portions were quite small and the flavors were pleasant but not particularly memorable. However, the ambiance was lovely, and sitting at the counter with the chatty chefs made for a nice experience overall.🙌😁 Midōsuji is located inside the Chicago Athletic Association, next to a boutique Hyatt hotel. We went just after Christmas, and the hotel lobby was beautifully decorated. They offer two seatings per night, and we were one of only two tables that evening. The standout dish was actually the cracker served with tartare — the chef mentioned they make it in-house, with a strong, fragrant buckwheat flavor. So good!😂😁 Most of the meal felt light, with two hand rolls as the filling elements. Though I’ll say — Western-style hand rolls can be a bit rough: the rice was too warm and loosely packed, so you have to eat them quickly.👌❤️ The main course was dry-aged duck breast — tasty, but the portion was seriously tiny! For dessert, they shaved the ice for kakigori right at the table — a nice touch. Another dessert was a creamy chocolate mousse, both were quite well done. Both chefs and staff were friendly and engaging, starting conversations and providing excellent service throughout.😍😂 #Chicago #ChicagoEats #ChicagoRestaurants #JapaneseFusion #FineDining #NYEDinner