West Loop Sushi Three Ways

Maybe it was due to celebrating Lent these past recent 40 days, or maybe it was due to the fact that I do love me some sushi, but I found myself exploring just about every sushi joint within walking distance from our new digs these past few weeks.

Here I bring you my favorite three in the neighborhood - all for very different reasons. They're each great in their own way and have distinct perks and reasons to frequent.

The hip, delicious, and nutritious: Sushi Wabi. I had high hopes venturing over to Sushi Wabi ~ I had heard many a good word and I was looking for a replacement to our former favorite neighborhood sushi gem Wakamono. (Unfamiliar? Read about my opinion of Wakamono here). Sushi Wabi has delivered. Perhaps a bit pricier than what I’d like to spend on my weekly sushi fix, what I appreciate about Sushi Wabi is their ability to have a wide range of prices, sizes, ingredients and flavor combinations within their maki roll menu alone.

The see-and-be-seen atmosphere is not overly pretentious and keeps things cozy as you sit shoulder-to-shoulder with your neighbors. Sleek décor, less than sparkling service. Go for a fun night with date or friends, or order in to enjoy exquisite sushi and save on drinks.

[all pictures taken at Sushi Wabi]

No frills fish:

Sushi Pink. It’s kind of in the West Loop’s version of a strip mall, sandwiched between a Dunkin Donuts and Chase bank, but don’t let this fool you. Sushi Pink has some of the best service I’ve seen so far in the West Loop ~ complete with a bow as they hand you the receipt. The rolls are simple ~ no exotic combinations or flavor profiles, but you can find the staples at a very reasonable price. Not to mention the atmosphere is somehow super cute ~ a place you'd pop into on a whim and end up being pleasantly surprised with the straightforward sushi and a couple cosmos. No frills is sometimes a good thing.

And the place in-between: Izumi. Somewhat of an identity crisis going on here – as the soundtrack changed from Britney Spears to a remix of The Beatles – but who am I to knock a place or person trying to figure out who they are? I’m in my twenties people, that’s what this age is all about. When my g-friend and I arrived, I was somewhat concerned we would be the loudest in the small quiet little joint. (And just so you know we are two pretty soft-spoken people.) However, a couple glasses of our BYOB vino, and my concern had dissipated. The perks? BYOB with no corkage fee, great maki roll flavor combinations for a very affordable price.

I'm sold on all three. Is it dinner time yet?