Arami

Arami was recently named one of the best new sushi spots in the US by Bon Appetit. Chef BK Park never disappoints with his selections of the freshest ingredients and playful plating, all in a simple neighborhood setting where the food really pops. Favorites bits and bites: The Toro Tartar Bite is precisely minced fatty tuna with scallions and asian pear for crunch. Spicy Maguro roll with a secret sauce. Why are secret sauces always so intriguing and addictive? Beautiful presentations with fresh floral and decor that BK swiped from one of the arrangements at the restaurant.

I was on the hunt to fill the void left by the unfortunate closing of Sushi Wabi and after reading Amanda Puck's review of Arami I knew I had to try it. Let me tell you, Arami did not disappoint! The sushi here is probably the freshest I ever had. I think they must secretly have a pond in back filled with blue fin tuna and salmon, it is that fresh. The presentations of the sushi dishes were just amazing and the seats at the sushi counter are a good bet. I am declaring a sushi tie between Arami and Macku as my favorite sushi in Chicago. Amanda…it is your turn to try Macku.

The most beautiful sushi I have ever seen, this night was long anticipated, and I can’t wait to go back. Thanks for a great night TK. We closed the place down!! We had: Luscious Oysters A whole filleted mackerel Botan Ebi – sweet shrimp. Secret Hamachi – yellow tail with mushroom and truffle oil. Sake Garlic – salmon with garlic and vinegar. Special grilled prawns. These guys were good. Akami Anikimo – tuna with monkfish foie gras, one of my all time favorite dishes I first tried at Nobu in NYC when it first opened. Special spring roll with crab. Toro Tartar Bite = the best bite of anything you ever had. Check out the Photos for a few snapshots of what we ordered. The sake mussels were a great spin in the mussle dish, and the ramen all sounded delicious. I can’t wait to go back.

The food is delicious and the service was great. Our waitress was knowledgeable and attentive. The restaurant itself is very chic and modern. Soy sauce was not readily available, which is unheard of at a sushi restaurant - it's not necessary at Arami. We loved everything we ordered! Make sure you try the Saki - it pairs well with the sushi and it's refreshing with the cucumbers in the glass. Arami is a hidden gem and I am glad Food Mafia helped me discovered this amazing sushi!

I'd heard random comments about how good Arami was, and on a misc Weds night, decided to make the jaunt and give it a go. Pulling up, I was skeptical, this isn't an upscale stretch of Chicago ave, by any means. We walked in and to the back, and the restaurant is absolutely charming (and packed for a weds!). This is the sort of menu that presents a problem, as there are so many things I wanted to try that we had to narrow things down. We ended up getting the Toro Tartar Bite and the Spicy Tako Springroll (Both at the server's suggestion). Both good, but the springroll was amazing. While there were many amazing noodle dishes on the menu, for which I will return, we went the sushi route. Ordered the Chef's Choice Sashimi and several rolls. This was, by far, the most fresh and delightful shashimi I have ever had in my life, hands down. I am usually really picky which fish I will eat Shashmi style, yet I ate every single piece that was presented. The rolls were amazing as well. All of this for VERY reasonable prices and more the adequate service. I can't wait to go back, this blows other sushi places out of the water.