Ohhhemmmgeeee. What an amazing experience! This was the best end to a crazy week: I turned 50, bought a condo in Chicago and THISSSS Omakase experience. Hands down- the best. We took an Uber from a few blocks down agter closing on our house, so I cant speak on parking. This was a surprise set up by my cousin/bestie so I had ZERO idea of what we were about to experience. We walked into the building to the aroma of grilled burgers. I'm not mad at that either. My cousin then punched numbers on a door and we walked down a dark staircase. I almost tripped in excitement. We were seated and given oshibori to cleanse our hands before food. Our host then served up aperitifs and a small bite before we headed yet further down into the building. Walking down another dark staircase, the room opens up to such an intimate space that sat about 10. The host gathered our jackets and bags and safely stowed them away. The mixologist and three chef before us are masters in their craft. Period. The beverage menu consists of Japanese beer, sake, Japanese whiskey, and Scratch signature drinks. I went with the drink sampler (‍). I can't tell you what I had, but that it was a mix of the precious mentioned and they were all amazing! The drinks and sake were timed and paired perfectly with each bite. Chef explained each piece before it was presented and gave us tasting notes. No one in my party had allergies. But my cousin had no interest in uni. They had no issues substituting a different piece for her. Of note, the couple seared beside me also had some food preferences and requested no alcohol, and the staff easily provided alternatives. The banchan of puckered cucumbers and mushroom were great palate cleansers in between each bite and sip. Sitting front row watching the chef meticulously prepare each piece was amazing. The craft amd skill involved... chef's kiss. Chef had a great point: they don't advertise so they don't know how their seats get filled each night. I'm not sure how we got so lucky, but if someone wver invites you, you must go. Full transparency: 3 people, additional bite (×3), ×2 drink samplers ($100+/ea), and a cocktail... with gratuity: Roughly $1k. Be prepared. This was definitely a treat. But so worth every hard-earned penny! read more

See all

I had Sushi by Scratch on my list to try and my friend and I got lucky that it was only us two and another couple during our meal. It is a lovely quiet place and you would be shocked at how tall the ceilings are when you walk down to a couple levels down. The staff made sure to refill our drinks and explained each of our courses thoroughly. One thing I was shocked was how fast the omakase went. It seemed pretty fast pace as our reservation was at 5 and we were done a little after 6. We had missed the complimentary bites as we couldn't leave work early to get there at 4:30. I was hoping we could still get it as we arrived10 minutes early and received the tea, but I guess not. The food was all delicious and my favorites were the bone marrow, mackerel, otoro, and wagyu. We enjoyed our meal, but we felt that it was very quiet. We wanted to have a good time with the meal and we coincidentally knew the couple dining with us. We felt that the chefs were very formal and a little serious where we felt a little awkward trying to talk to them. Other than that, we had enjoyed the meal, but felt hungry after the omakase. read more

See all

Pretty solid omakase menu. I am glad we didn't get the truffle extras though -- some folks in our seating got truffles on a lot more dishes which felt excessive. I'm not sure if I'll be back, but it's a great one time experience for sure. read more

Wow! We came here to celebrate a birthday and we had an amazing experience. Tucked away inside of a burger restaurant is a hidden omakase experience. We arrived 30 minutes early to take part in their canapé service. They brought us out oysters and hand rolls - both were great. The staff here were incredible and made the whole night memorable. There were 17 courses and we were allowed to order extra pieces at the end which was a nice touch. With only 10 seats per reservation this is a very intimate dinner and you might end up making some friends. Overall, it's definitely a splurge, but we had a great time and will be coming back soon! read more

See all

I am obsessed. My boyfriend and I came here and were blown away. This was such a cool experience! It is located inside of NADC. We arrived 30 minutes early to receive complimentary appetizers and a cocktail which was phenomenal! It is such a cool area, you are in a basement and it is small with about 8 other people! The highlight of this was the staff! Head chef Naomi was great! She was funny and explained everything so well! The other servers were very attentive! They all made this such a fun experience! The sushi was all unreal. The creations were amazing and every bite melted in your mouth. The wagyu, kamachi and escolar were my favorites! read more

See all

Woww where to begin. When you first arrive, you might be a bit confused about where Sushi by Scratch is actually located. But there'll be staff to help you find the door to sbs. We were instructed to arrive 30 mins earlier to grab free snacks and drinks but had to wait about 15 mins, due to lack of staff that day. It was worth going early. The snacks opened up my appetite and I was so ready for some omakase!! Simply put, I was extremely satisfied with the taste of each piece. I wish I could have double if I could lol. Each piece was packed with flavors and so buttery smooth. Some of the freshest fish you will find in Chicago. Paired with some excellent entertainment and conversation from the sushi chefs (special shout out to chef Song), I think I really enjoyed this place and would come back for what it has to offer. Even the dessert was a masterpiece in itself. Now for what I would do differently next time... I would SKIP the truffle and caviar. That alone was about $125 per person. Granted we should have asked how much it was before agreeing to it. Before I learned of its upcharge, I felt the truffle was super underwheming and added nothing. I loved the caviar but it was a small amount for a few pieces. If I were to go again, I would not get this option again. Ambiance was sooo interesting. The music was a choice. Not sure what they were aiming for, but I'm glad it didn't take away from the food experience. read more

See all

Incredibly unique and intimate omakase experience tucked below a burger joint in West Loop. My partner brought me here for their special Valentine's Day omakase, and I still think about it to this day. We received a code used to unlock the door before the reservation and were greeted by the friendly staff. My seat was already decorated with my name and a drink was already prepared for me. The chefs went straight into preparing the sushi with all the ingredients laid out in front of us. The team made the experience amazing and intriguing as they explained every ingredient and how it is used to prepare the final sushi dish; they get their fresh fish from all over the world, and you can tell because the fish melts in your mouth and is very flavorful. Each dish was creative and innovative! We had 17 courses, and I was so stuffed afterwards. My favorites were the toro, king salmon, unagi, and uni! Highly recommend for sushi-lovers! I'm excited to come back and also try their other locations! read more

See all

It's always a great experience at Sushi by Scratch--you're guaranteed to have a good time. The chefs are both funny and informative, which makes the meal even more enjoyable. I've been here a couple of times now and will definitely keep coming back. The ambiance is friendly and casual compared to other omakases I've tried, which makes it very approachable. The food is always amazing, and while it's hard to choose a favorite, the mainstays like bone marrow and unagi never disappoint. read more

See all

We came to Sushi By Scratch to celebrate our anniversary and my husband's birthday, and it was overall a memorable night. The omakase menu was great, each course was thoughtfully prepared, fresh, and beautifully presented. The chefs were personable and interested in getting to know the guests, which made the intimate atmosphere feel special. That said, given the $450+ per person price point, we expected a smoother and more polished experience. Our dinner began later than scheduled, which made the end of the night feel rushed. Unfortunately, the team also forgot the final drink from our drink pairing package (separate from the omakase) and only brought it after we had paid and asked. At that point, we were moved outside the main area to quickly finish 1 shared beer (no extra glass just a bottle) which the manager mentioned was normally just a taste (which is why we only got one). It was disappointing to end such a special evening on a rushed note. Still, the food and creativity truly stand out, and I would recommend Sushi By Scratch to others looking for a unique omakase experience, with the hope that next time, the pacing and attention to detail match the premium price. read more

See all

Our 3rd time dining here and this time we celebrated a dear friend's birthday. This was the best experience yet! They changed up the welcome bite and I am so glad they did! Every bite of the 16 piece omakase was perfectly crafted. The space is intimate, the cocktails delicious, the staff is fun and entertaining. Best omakase in town! read more

See all

Wowsers!! Sushi by scratch Is hands down the best Omakase experience I've had living in Chicago so far and the most expensive $500 for two people without ordering drinks. The space is beautiful & intimate. The service was extremely professional and descriptive in terms of the pairings and omakase flavors that were experienced. The fish was delicious and super fresh!! (flown in from Japan) and the toppings on the nigiri were incredible unique. Sushi by scratch knows texture, knows taste, it's great smells of each piece of nigiri, it's the char, it's the vibes, it's the environment of this place, it's the chefs creativity every thing about it is exquisite!! Prior to coming, we were asked to come 30 minutes early to enjoy the canapés complimentary drink tuna roll and oyster, I am more than happy to have made it in 30 minutes before our reservation. That complimentary drink? Wow. Ginger, yuzu, jwhiskey, and sake made me turn my head bc it was phenomenal. One of the many things that I love the most about Sushi by Scratch is that they announce the sushi that they're giving you also describe it to give you key things to look out for. And then all of the sudden, it just makes sense. The symphony of flavors, it's by far the best omakase experience I've had here in Chicago(2nd time I've said that) It's a really great and personalized experience. They even have your names on the board which is adorable. It was my niece's 21st birthday and her first omakase experience and she loved it! I set the bar high for her going here haha but we had so much fun with the sushi guys Highly recommend this restaurant to everyone, especially since it's such a unique surprise making your way to a sushi speakeasy hidden inside of NADC burger basement!! Oh and don't forget to give your code!! 100%recommend!! read more

See all

Fantastic sushi experience! The fish and rice were delicious, hitting all the right spots, but what made this omakase stand out were the flavors and garnish. Every piece had a different, vibrant flavor profile that made this a unique experience. This is definitely different than a traditional omakase experience, but I would strongly recommend it nonetheless. My husband is a bit of a sushi snob, and he said this had some of the best pieces he's had. The service and ambiance were also top notch! You are given a code to enter through an unmarked door inside NADC, walking down into the basement. We arrived early for the canapé, which included two appetizer dishes and a drink. Following this, we headed down another flight of stairs into a high-ceiling basement sushi bar. The intimate bar sat 10 total. The chefs were very friendly and talkative, making the service fun and informative. This was one of my first times with a female head sushi chef, and I was solidly impressed with her work and creations. The drinks were also good - we enjoyed the yuzu cocktail (Bee's Japanese) and mocktail the most! Overall, a great time! We will definitely be returning with our other sushi-snob friends. read more

See all

Five stars for service, food, experience & even management for this Sushi by Scratch location! I cannot even begin to express how great this restaurant is and how I'll continue to recommend them to anyone in search of a great experience. I made a reservation for my parents to have their first Omakase tasting and wanted to purchase a gift card to ensure their bill was taken care of. After facing some issues with the gift card website, I frantically called and emailed the restaurant in attempt to get this resolved before the meal (as I'm located in a completely different state.) I received a prompt response from their GM Alex, who even followed up with a phone call to ensure my parents were taken care of during their birthday dinner. I was walked through the extensive liquor list and pricing and was thoroughly taken care of, providing peace of mind that dinner would go smoothly. Needless to say, my parents loved their experience here. From start to finish the experience & food was top notch, and the chefs provided such amazing insight and detail behind how they prepared the food. To top it all off everything was personalized, with me telling the restaurant their names prior to dining, and even my parents getting a birthday dessert surprise at the end! Highly recommend this restaurant to everyone, especially since it's such a unique surprise making your way to a sushi speakeasy hidden inside of a burger shop! read more

See all

6/5 stars. Honestly, don't have the words to describe how spectacular this meal was Start to finish---- amazing fish, with a creative/ unique/ flair You could feel and taste the fire and passion that each nigiri was crafted with (figuratively, and literally) Staff were dope, adding to the flavors of the night (Bonus props to head chef, Naomi, who gracefully conducted the meal as that of a passionate orchestral conductor, leading her sushi musicians through a beautiful symphony of flavor) (Apologies for the delayed review, as this meal was about a month ago---- but the flavors have been delicately seared into the souls of my tastebuds) read more

See all

Food was 10/10, experience was 12/10. From the secret entrance to the cool sushi bar that only seats 10 guests at a sitting, this was a different experience and really really cool. It's prix fixe ($185+tip), with add-on options and drinks that can max out the final bill per person in the $500 neighborhood - so obviously quite expensive. The room is in the basement of a burger bar, is painted all black with a high ceiling and cool lighting. There are about 18 courses, each consisting of a single piece of sushi. You leave content, but not over stuffed. The sushi chefs prepare each piece in front of you while you talk with your party and/or those seated near you in this fun but intimate setting. Given they don't accommodate vegetarians or people with mushroom allergies, I would not recommend this to anyone that isn't willing or able to eat what they prepare for you. Our group of three had an amazing time, thought it was incredibly unique, loved each piece of sushi, and felt it was worth every penny for the special occasion we were celebrating. Highly recommend. read more

See all

Had a phenomenal experience here. I have not been to many omakase experiences prior to this one so I didn't know what to expect upon walking in, but everything was absolutely amazing. My partner actually brought me here as a surprise for my birthday so the fact that this place is very hidden and in a spot you would never even guess was also very very cool. My partner and I both have had plenty of great sushi in California as I'm from there and he's been living there for over 10 years, but we were both very surprised at how good/fresh the quality of the fish was here given than Chicago tends to usually have less fresh options because of its location. He even mentioned that it might've been one of the best Omakase experiences he's ever had, and mind you, he's been to handful in both LA, San Francisco, and even NY. Our main head chef, Naomi, was absolutely incredible, super real and down to earth, and funny. She definitely made the experience more memorable, and the bartender and chef we had in front of us were also very professional and friendly. I loved everything about this place and would highly recommend it to others. read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One word that sums up the meal and the experience is INCREDIBLE! And here is why; Most of their fish is flown in 2-3 times a week from Japan, and both of a very high quality, and a little rarity, Creative - the fish is also seasoned and 'decorated' with appropriate sauce, seasoning to enhance the taste and texture. Of the 16 pieces served, I didn't like one that has a chili dressing which masked the fish for me. Service is excellent from the chefs (shout out to head chef Naomi) who engage and interact throughout the 2 hour service but also the bar keep. Water (bottled still or sparkling) is topped off throughout the meal. Nice touches with a personalized name plate, welcome drink and welcome amuse bouche to set the stage. Fun and intimate speakeasy atmosphere for solo diners and dates. Desert included! I have only been to 5-6 omakase and this was top 2 for me. It's only a matter of time before they earn their Michelin and I am rooting for them. read more

See all

Intimate setting 10 seats per turn, food was amazing. I am dreaming of my return here. This was one of the best places I have eaten at ever. The fact that it is a hidden restraunt is supper cool (Speak Easy). read more

Simply amazing. That's exactly how I would describe it. What an incredible sushi experience! Every course was special, unique and delicious. I flew into O'Hare on the night of my reservation and of course United Airlines delayed my flight. Fortunately, I hurried to grab a taxi and was only 15 minutes late for my reservation...after calling to let them know, they were super gracious and had my seat waiting for me (with my name plate to boot), which made my night! The best part about the experience is meeting the fellow sushi lovers seated beside you. I met such fun and interesting people and even got a drink afterward with my newly made friends! As I said, every course here is to die for. Imagine the chef blow torching bone marrow as the splendid fatty oils dripped over a tender piece of unagi creating a savory bite that tickled your tongue for minutes! Every sushi dish was expertly crafted and prepared to perfection. Every cut of fish was meticulously prepared and ingredients thoughtfully added in order to preserve the essence and organic flavors of the fish while complementing and accentuating the elements that made that fish special and unique. I would be remiss not to compliment that amazing cocktails and sake that I enjoyed too, which made my evening even more special. Sushi by Scratch was simply outstanding and one of the best, if not the best sushi I have had this year. I am sure Chef Phillip is about to receive a Michelin star here very, very soon! read more

See all

Fantastic experience. You start upstairs in an intimate space with 2 amuse bouche courses then move downstairs, where there's a 10 seat sushi bar where 3 chefs and a bartender take good care of you for the rest of the night. Each of the 16 nigiri courses were out of this world. Super creative take on omakase, would never have thought olive oil and salmon, chimichurri on top of kampachi, or bone marrow nigiri would pair together as well as they did. All the drinks were spot on, complimented the sushi well without being overpowering. Only thing that was a little bit questionable is that if you ask the bartender for a glass of his fave sake or to make you his fave cocktail, expect a $40-50 drink added to your bill without a heads up while ordering. read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was a very special sushi experience as I came here for my birthday. Walking through the Drop In to come downstairs was tough as the burger smells were just so good! Def get there at the time the email specifies or even 5 minutes earlier. Got to enjoy some welcome cocktails and chat with others before dinner started, great experience. Once in the room, it's very private. Service is done from behind the counter mostly. Pieces of sushi are described and then you eat. Very casual, no pressure but you are def paying a lot for this experience. I had some free dollars on InKind through American Express that lightened the price a bit by $75. This is a great experience and the sushi is very good. Would have liked some composed dishes if I could offer 1 criticism. Otherwise, a great time, very special and the quality was superb. read more

See all

Whoever does the marketing for the Sushi by Scratch chains DEFINITELY DESERVES A RAISE. This place got only my radar when there was about two weeks straight where I couldn't avoid it on my Instagram feed or getting shared it by friends on other socials. Since my brother and SIL are avid omakase fans, we opted to give it a try. Reservations were pretty tricky to get. They release the following month's reservation block the first of every month so you have to book basically book 1-2mo in advance. For more popular weeks of the day like Fri/Sat, it felt like the spots disappeared almost immediately, but managed to snag an early 5pm spot on a Saturday for a party of 4. Overall, if you really want to check this place out, would recommend trying to get on the site ASAP when spots release. Also, they require a $25/person deposit which will go towards the final bill. Ok onto reservation day. The spot is speakeasy style and has you walking through a very yummy smelling burger joint before entering a passcode to a door and going downstairs. They recommend coming as early as 30min before your resy just so you can enjoy a couple items prior to the beginning of actual service. The items consisted of a light drink and a couple pieces of seafood. Solid stuff! After that, you go down another flight of stairs to where the main seating area is. Once the main service begins, you get the whole spiel from front-of-house on drinks including some pairing options which sounded interesting. Opted for an a la carte cocktail which was pomegranate-based with a matcha sugar rim. It was okay. Nothing crazy, but still enjoyed it. As for the omakase itself, it was great! All the pieces I felt were thoughtfully put together and the sushi quality was high. Personal favorite was the eel that they melted bone marrow onto. It was super rich and the heat of the bone marrow really brought the eel to life. So many other great pieces though, too. Service was also excellent and chefs were super friendly/knowledgeable. Very attentive without being too overbearing. Considering one of their other locations has a Michelin star, it's clear this place is also trying to hold itself to the same standards. Price at the time of this review is $165/person pre-tax/tip. I think that's about what I'd expect for omakase in the Chicago area. I will say, at this price range for omakase in the city, the quality of the seafood is all going to be good. It's just a matter of how thoughtful you can be with highlighting the flavors of each piece. I think sushi by scratch does a great job at this, but there's also plenty of other spots in the city just as good. Overall though, I thought it was a fun experience and glad I tried it. It probably won't be the first place I think of when I want to go to a fine dining spot in the city, but everything was well executed. From the food/service to the overall ambiance, it was a great time. Would recommend it as an option for those looking at an omakase spot in the city, but certainly worth checking out at some point if you've lived in Chicago for a while and want to try something new. read more

See all

Definitely a great tasting menu but questionable ingredients. Catered more toward westernized taste palettes rather than what you'd get at a traditional omakase. Putting olive oil and Chimichurri sauce on sushi? Creative but not expected. I did enjoy it and the flavors but when I spoke with several friends who had went they also had similar opinions. Also a bit overpriced when it's in the same price range as Chicago Kyoten/Kyoten ND, other New York/LA omakases, let alone when I was in actual Japan, when it is no where up to par in quality as those mentioned. Yummy yuzu welcome drink though, want the recipe for that one. And would also love to go to the other SBS locations where it looks like they put on more of a show experience. The chefs were mostly pleasant but also seemed low energy and like they would rather be at home than entertaining us. The head chef seemed to be kind of negative. Could've just been a long day though so no fault there. read more

Wow. This was the best omakase experience I've ever had including omakase in Japan. Have had sushi for double the price that wasn't as good. Service was great. Seating at a counter with the chefs. Food was just incredible; very unique and creative sushi that was just packed with flavor. Would definitely go here again. read more

See all

Chef Naomi and team make this an amazing experience. The food is unbelievable with an injection of personality and style that had us smiling and laughing the entire time we were there. Its intimate and unique setting brings together the guests around an expertly prepared meal and cocktail service. Huge fan and recommend to anybody who loves great experiences and high-end sushi. read more

Truly on of a kind experience. Delicious, fun, not stuffy at all. Also, it's 17 rounds so you don't leave starving haha. read more

Great evening. A bit pricey, but the experience was worth it. Loved every single of the 19 bites! The staff are super friendly and helpful. This was our second time and was equally as good as the first time. Wish I had room for a burger upstairs at the Drop In but was stuffed! ARIGATO read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is amazing and has really cool flavors. They recommend checking in 30 minutes prior to your reservation-which we're glad we did. they start you off in a different room for the first couple courses with a complimentary beverage-which you wouldn't receive if you weren't early. We loved the fact that you can add on extra courses at the end which they did say was only available for the last seating of the evening.. but if you are, this is well worth it. The drinks are very expensive however, with sake bottles averaging over $80 and their one beer on the menu is $12. we got one bottle of sake, 3 beers total, and two add ons each along with dinner for approximately $700. So beware, you will spend a pretty penny if you dine here, but overall this IS a cool experience. We sat on jeremy's side and had awesome service as well! read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

One of best omakase experiences out there! The fact that it is behind a secret door in a burger joint adds to the memorable experience. Food is excellent and drink pairing (beverage pairing) is probably the best I've had at any restaurant, bringing out all the flavors to a peak. Kudos to chefs Andy, Victor, and Henry, and wine guy Mark for an awesome time. Highly recommend! read more

See all

Came here for an early valentines dinner. It was fantastic! The food and service were top notch. The drinks were really good as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the yuzu drinks. The speak easy vibe and intimate atmosphere really enhanced the experience. read more

See all

What a wonderful experience. Every bite was unique and great. The head chef did a great job describing the food. It is a great place to spend a special occasion at. read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago - All the bites you get to try. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

To start off, Sushi by Scratch is sort of like a speakeasy vibe. Before the appointment you're given a code to use to enter the establishment. At first we were directed to a small room with 5-6 tables. It turns out that was the waiting room where you are served a complimentary cocktail and 2 amuse-bouche. The first was a tuna roll and another was oysters. Both were great refreshing bites to start off. I must admit that I was so absorbed in the experience that I only took pictures of each nigiri presented but also wanted to focus on Chef Naomi and her team present each item. The whole omakase experience came with 19 sushi and all of them were sublime. I wanted every bite to last longer than the previous because it was that good. Unfortunately I could only post 10 photos for this review but have many more of the other nigiris. In terms of price point, I think compared to other omakase places, this is worth it for the amount of nigiris presented and the thoughtfulness put into the cocktails and sake options. Overall, for two, it was over $500, so definitely on the pricier side that is saved for a special occasion. Overall, for our omakase experience where I took my boyfriend for his birthday, Chef Naomi and her team definitely made the experience fun, special and lighthearted. My boyfriend really enjoyed this experience and Chef Naomi even gave him caviar to try for the first time so that was really nice of her. Lastly, the fish were really fresh considering we are having sushi in the Midwest. It was definitely an explosion of flavor for every bite. I would totally come back for another occasion! read more

See all

The best omakase experience! Every bite melts in your mouth! Every chef and sommelier was outstanding!!! I wish the bar upstairs had the same treatment, the girl with the hat on was rude and if the NADC bar is also owned by chef Philip he should have better personal at the bar. She was the only downside of our night. read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Wow, what an incredible experience. From start to finish you are made to feel like a VIP guest. Outstanding service, and somehow even more outstanding food. One of the best meals I've ever had. Would love to go back!! read more

Soooo good. Great service and food, definitely worth the price. Ambiance was amazing as well, very beautiful

I got a reservation for Sushi by Scratch same day (Tuesday), fairly last minute. From the reservation site, it seems like reservations aren't too difficult to come by except for the weekends. I reserved for a party of 4, and called ahead to ask if we could be seated in a particular order (I wanted two of my friends who were having their first omakase experience to be closer to the center to get the best view of all the omakase action) and the manager Bryan was incredibly accommodating and gracious. To get to Sushi by Scratch, you go through a bar and you would never guess a whole different establishment is hidden inside of it. It was a pretty intriguing way to introduce the experience and our group enjoyed it. I believe it was Bryan who greeted us and he was exceptional in his service, leading our group into a smaller room where we were given a drink and some appetizers. This part of the omakase is optional, but I highly recommend it-I can't recall exactly what it was but the lime-ginger drink was phenomenal. The two appetizers were decent, first one being oyster and the second being a tuna tartare - avocado dish, enjoyable but nothing I would write home about. But the whole vibe was honestly really great. Afterward, our group was lead into the main sushi bar area where we would be served the omakase courses. Seats are assigned with names to add a personalized touch. However, I noticed that the order was reversed with what I had spoken about over the phone, which was completely understandable given how confusing it is to explain seating over the phone. We were told we could just switch the seating, but as we were doing this, the head chef (I believe her name is Naomi) kind of scoffed at us, and speaking to the patron directly in front of her, she said "they need to sit their asses down". Look, I'm not a snob when it comes to service at restaurants, but this was so out of left field I had to literally stop for a second to process what she had said. And it wasn't even in a joking tone or anything to us, it was said in an almost disparaging way and told while talking to the patron in front of her. Again, I've had omakase experiences I've loved where the service was very minimal and it did not detract from the experience (e.g. Omakase Yume) but to hear something like that be said when the omakase hasn't even started and we're paying $1K+ for this meal is just...something else. It was also in stark contrast to the excellent service from Bryan just moments prior. Even if the experience was soured a bit there, I tried my best to focus on the food that was to come since most of the reviews had been very positive. I had been on a bit of an omakase bender the past few months (Shiro's in Seattle, Sushi Shin in California, and Omakase Yume in Chicago) and I was excited to experience something a bit more nontraditional. The initial drink and appetizers were a solid start, and I was looking forward to the omakase. Unfortunately, the omakase was at best, unremarkable (and most definitely not worth the hefty pricetag). Some of the courses, such as the Hamachi or the Bone Marrow, sounded absolutely delicious and very intriguing (pieces of cornbread on top of the fish) but undelivered. Other courses completely missed the mark (there was one course with a pesto / olive oil on top, which one of my friends described as "disarming" which I think is an adequate description). Another thing to note, at around the halfway point all the courses switch from raw fish to partially torched / cooked. While I do enjoy the occasional torched course in omakase, the abundance of torched and cooked dishes near the end of the meal felt like they were lacking in the variety of fresher fish. I will say the ice cream / tea combo at the end was fantastic, though, and a nice way to end the meal. Would I go back or recommend other friends or family to go? No way, especially at this price point. The questionable service from the head chef, and the unremarkable omakase really makes me question why someone would go here over a different omakase spot (for just a little more you could go to Omakase Yume which has some of the best fish I've ever tasted). After this experience, I'm deterred from ever trying other Sushi by Scratch restaurants as well, which is a shame. Stars earned for the manager's service, the intriguing venue, the delicious drink at the beginning, and the dessert to close the meal. Stars lost because of the head chef's service, the very unremarkable omakase, and the price. 2/5 read more

See all

I recently went to another omakase prior to going to Sushi by Scratch. The flavor was there, however watching the YouTube chef and named Joshua Weissman- he has a cookbook named Texture Over Flavor where he talks about with flavor you can have it all but it's the texture that will what send it through to the roof and to the next level. I didn't agree with it at the time, so I thought the first omakase location was great but everything changed when I went to Sushi by Scratch! Over here, It's the texture, it's the taste, it's the great smell of each piece, it's the char, it's the vibes, it's the environment of this place, it's the chefs that really seals the deal for me. THAT FIRST HAMACHI BITE- it's got the freshness of the fish and here's the kicker for me: the crunchy bits at the top, good lord ‍ it was such a great and strong start. Prior to coming, we were asked to come 30 minutes early to enjoy complimentary drinks and canapés and I am more than happy to have made it in 30 minutes before our reservation. That complimentary drink? Wow. I'm not the biggest ginger fan but that with ginger, yuzu, jwhiskey, and sake made me turn my head bc it was gooood. One of the many things that I love the most about Sushi by Scratch is that they announce the sushi that they're giving you ANDDD describe it to give you key things to look out for. And then all of the sudden, it just makes sense. The symphony of flavors, all gas no breaks- it's by far the best omakase experience I've had here in Chicago. It's a really great and personalized experience. They even have your names on the board which is adorable. It was my homeboy's first omakase experience and he loved it! I set the bar high for him going here haha but we had so much fun with you guys- Naomi, Andy, Jeremy (the chefs) and even Jason! As Guga would say, "this is a 10/10 would highly recommend." Go here! Don't even think about it, don't even have second thoughts about this place, book it now! You won't regret having such a great experience, you will love it! And I hope you do! read more

See all

One of the most amazing dining experiences I've ever had. When we arrived, we were led to a secret door with a code to unlock. We walked downstairs to a velvet curtained room where we were greeted and checked in. There's a small lounge where a server poured us drinks and brought us an amuse bouche. After all the guests arrived for a 12 person seating we were led to a larger room where dinner would be served. It was a 17 course omakase and sake pairing, if desired. The food was beyond amazing. Beautifully prepared, complex flavors and textures. I wish I could say what stood out but it was nothing and everything. I hope they stick around. I'd love to go again when the menu changes. read more

See all

Our passion is going to Michelin rated restaurants and James Beard award winners. Been to all of them in Chicago and to many Michelins globally. On top of that, we love sushi . . . and especially Omakase. We've been to Omakase Yume and Mako here in Chicago several times. We love them and they have been the pinnacle of Omakase here in Chicago. Well. . . those two places have just been bumped down a notch or two. Sushi By Scratch is the new undisputed champion of Chicago Omakase! It is sure to get Michelin stars. No doubt! Every aspect of this evening out was memorable and special. The greeting, the welcome drink, the food, the service, the drinks, the fun, the food (I said food twice), the uniqueness, the coolness, the lack of pretentiousness, it was all so perfect. We can't wait to go back. . . if we can get another reservation. I expect this place to become one of the hardest reservations to get in town soon. I obviously highly recommend. Do not hesitate, book it. read more

See all

Excellent new addition to Chicago's dining scene. High quality product. Excellent service. Very entertaining presentation. Not traditional - but not too avant-garde. Bill with 2 drinks was about 310$ per person (including three extra nigiri plus tax and tip) read more

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago - Ambiance - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all