Blue Sushi Sake Grill — Restaurant in Chicago

I walked in for the first time during the day around 3pm about 2 weeks ago to check out the concept & get some info regarding a potential reservation for later that evening. Hannah the General Manager along with the hostess (name unknown) both gave me such a unique energetic positive greeting! Their standard of hospitality & guest service was sooo impressive, genuine & special I decided later that evening I emailed Hannah to see if she can save me a couple of spots at the bar or a cocktail table. She got back to me thru email within 15 minutes to reserve a bar cocktail high top table. My buddy & I had a nice welcome greeting by the hostesses when we came in at 7pm. We had an amazing server named Camila who also bartends at Blue Sushi. Her intro to the menu and suggestions were very helpful to figure out cocktails, appetizer & dinner. We got a pitcher of cold amazing Sake & also shared Mango Crab Rangoon that was sooo good! For sure a top 3 unique crab rangoon. My friend got a beer after our Sake & I got the Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita it was FIRE!!! My friend got sushi & loved it, sorry I forget which one he got. I got the Beef Hot Rock OMG!!!! A MUST TRY. We didn’t have time for dessert, but I knew I be back! Our experience with our server Camila was perfect! It was a unique server experience & you can tell how much she loves her job. Hannah stopper by to visit during our dinner & I was really impressed by that. She made me feel like VIP, not forgetting about me after sitting down. I was so impressed with this restaurants hospitality, guest service, the drinks & food… I went back the next day saturday night by myself to have dinner and some drinks before meeting friends out & Camila was my bartender. It was awesome to have her take care of me 2 nights in a row! The staff impress so much I brought my 2 best friends on Wednesday night to sit a table in the dining room & the server Stephanie SUPERB SERVICE!!! I felt like it was Camila taking care of me, just a different woman with another amazing personality & hospitality! Hannah greeted my two friends & I at the table which I greatly appreciated. The Blue Sushi Lincoln Park team 100% is ready every single day & night to impact guests! I am now planning for Blue Sushi to be a starting pre-game spot for my friends & I, as well as having dinner at times. I haven’t written a review in a HOT minute, so for me to take the time to write this, if you are reading this… make sure you experience Blue Sushi in Lincoln Park ASAP!! If not you are just missing out, lol! I highly suggest to make a reservation online or call in because the 3 times I was there on a Friday, Saturday & Wednesday all around 7pm was VERY busy! Oh by the way this atmosphere is a VIBE!! Thank you Hannah, Camila, Stephanie & Blue Sushi Team members who impacted my 3 AMAZING dinner experiences! See you this...

In summary, Blue Sushi in Lincoln Park has lost all of its character, especially when you compare it to their Naperville location. The wait staff was incredible, and the food is still delicious despite the increased cost observed through the years. It's the restaurant itself that fails to follow through with an inviting experience.

The booth tables are far too large to sit at comfortably with a partner. They will make you feel like you're at a Burger King instead of a nice sushi restaurant. You will feel like you're a mile away from the person sitting in front of you. The pop music plays just loud enough to be annoying during a conversation. When they decide to play EDM, the bass levels become physically uncomfortable.

Worst of all was the lack of theme. Naperville's location goes pretty far with their Japanese decor in roughly the same square-footage as the Lincoln Park location. From the origami ceiling fixtures to the Japanese movie posters, the Lincoln Park location has none of this to offer other than paper laterns with kanji painted on the sides to divide the bar from the dining area.

Truly the biggest disappointment was that this location stopped serving sushi on giant wooden boats. I understand that those boats are difficult to maintain, but when you combine this finding with the absolute lack of theme and character supported by the rest of the establishment, it'll make you wonder why you didn't just order everything to go.

I used to love Blue Sushi. I used to look forward to visiting a restaurant like this to experience an adapted culture of food that is made vegan-friendly. I remember feeling encouraged to immerse myself in the experience with a cold can of Asahi. Although the overpriced food is still really great food, I can't say that I'll ever be inclined to visit this location ever again.

My recommendation is that if none of the above bothers you, please try this food for yourself, especially if you're vegan or have FODMAP dietary restrictions. However, if you make it a point to intentfully enjoy a dining space, I think you'll be better served eating elsewhere. That's a shame considering the potential the Lincoln Park location...

Wow. This place is awesome!

Walked in randomly on a Friday night hoping for a low table for one. And I got like super cool low top seat at the sushi bar which would also be wheelchair accessible!

Lots of hot tea options, I love the organic white peach. Yuuuum!

Shout out to Lane!

I told them what I don't like (eel and crunchy onion) and they were like "Oh I know exactly what you'll like," and pointed to a roll that looked exactly like I'll like it. AWESOME!

Per Lane's rec I got The Beach roll. Omg it's SOOO good! My words cannot do this experience justice. But...imagine the spice and meatiness of pastrami, but the delicacy and umami of sushi, with a little jalapeño kick. Grilled Smoky taste, absolutely fabulous!

Oh...my...God. The Itchy Sea Bass, Francine. Francine, the Itchy Sea Bass, oh my God. If you get nothing else here, get the Itchy Sea Bass!!! Literal food high.

And who'd have thunk a sushi restaurant with a rather extensive VEGAN sushi selection. Lol now I know where to eat when I hang with vegan friends and we can all eat happy!

They have info about where their fish is sourced!

Celeste, the manager also took great care of me, making sure things were awesome (they were!) and they recommended a raspberry sorbet that I was super stoked to try!

And woah! Raspberry sorbet with raspberry sauce is INTENSE but refreshing and delicious. There was almost too much of it, with every bite I said "That's enough I should stop!" But did not stop.

Also their music is banging, I'm sure the other patrons got a bit of dinner and a show as I danced along! Fine by me!

Random bonus footnote...the restroom has the little kick opener. Yay clean and sanitary hands!

This was an absolutely delightful meal and I will totally be back!

P.S.. Sorry for all the exclamation points!!! I also found out they have HAPPY HOUR every day from 3-6 and all...