Chicago | Omakase Room
A Japanese spot in Chicago I keep coming back to β Omakase Room. Consistently well-executed, stable quality, and comfortable pacing. This visit was on New Year's Day (Jan 1) β felt like coming home to an old favorite. One big plus: I donβt eat mushrooms. Many places just omit the mushroom dish, but here they thoughtfully substitute. Once they replaced a mushroom sauce with a custom foie gras sauce β smooth and rich, a lovely surprise π This time, they used an edamame-based sauce β light and refreshing. Iβve been many times. The menu changes fish with the seasons. This time, three new standout dishes: 3rd course β HITSUMABUSHI Great balance of eel and crab β rich but not heavy, plus my beloved uni.ππ The eel and crab were soaked in broth served over sushi rice. The rice absorbed the savory broth while mellowing the richness, making the dish smooth and layered without feeling heavy by the end. 6th course β BLUE LOBSTER (new addition) Lobster itself was sweet and firm. (I donβt eat truffle, so skipping mushroom-related notes.) 10th course β KINKI (Red Rockfish) The fish is naturally fatty with a rich texture, but the seasoning was a bit too simple, making the oiliness stand out β felt slightly unbalanced and heavy. The rest remained solid. Uni was clean, no off-flavors. Wagyu was fragrant but not overpowering.β€οΈπ Caviar and uni portions were generous as always. Especially loved the Toro Tartare with caviar on lightly toasted bread β the richness was perfectly balanced, delicious yet not monotonous. A highlight I look forward to every time. The tuna courses were clearly differentiated: Akami: lean, clean, highlights the fishβs freshness.ππ Chutoro: more fat, softer texture. Otoro: richest, but handled with restraint β not greasy. I usually prefer Otoro, but yesterdayβs Akami was so good I ordered an extra piece. Lately Iβve been hooked on #Chef's Table-style shows and really wanted to try something innovative. I went in hoping for more new dishes, so overall: 9/10. Looking for recommendations β any creative, delicious restaurants in Chicago? #JapaneseCuisine #ChicagoEats #ChicagoDining #ChicagoFoodFinds #ChicagoLife π£
