Masaki

Came here with a fellow foodie friend for restaurant week.. $22 bucks for a prixe fix sushi lunch? Hell, yes!

The service was impeccable - staff was super attentive, even though we were spending mere pennies.

Fish was very fresh and portions were more than plentiful.  Decor and ambiance was fantastic, as well.

There is valet parking through the hotel.  Make sure you get validated!

We went there for Chicago Restaurant week 2013.
It's a tiny but elegant dining place; so you better make a reservation first.
From the appetizers to deserts, we enjoyed the food and ambiance so much. They don't rush you even though it's such a small place; they serve food at the right time, no pressure from the beginning till the time we leave.
$22 lunch during the Chicago Restaurant week is such a good deal. Each cuisine is well decorated, many wow wow wows...

The best part of the whole set is the scallop. I have never had such a great taste of scallop for a loooong time.

Sashimi tastes fresh, I guess. But the worst part is the sushi rice. I can't believe it's so hard to swallow; sushi rice is dry and hard. I don't know why they can take good care of every part of food from decorating, taste, sauces, and food selection but why they made such a mistake on making sushi rice?! I really hope they can improve that when we visit next time.

Sorbet wrapped with seaweed sounds funny but it tastes not bad at all.

Servants there are all nice and willing to explain each cuisine but their uniform(?) looks funny. It's like they wear a sexy pajama working in the high-end Japanese restaurant. Really odd and not professional. Maybe it's a good benefit for male customers?!

Excellent value for $.  The price you pay for Masaki fresh fish is the same as going to a reputable steak house.  Instead of quality steak, you get quality fish.  Nobu begone, Chicago has Masaki.

The posted photos for restaurant week says it all -- the "wow," "ahh," and "nice".  Plenty of food for the $22 price.

$14 Shou Mei White for the pot -- the most expensive tea I had to date.  Quality is obvious.  Lots of unique tea selection that is not offered in Chicago.

Soy Sauce -- house made

VENUE:  Purse has its own chair.  No overcrowding.  No rushing.  The circle chandelier was featured on "Million Dollar Listing" show.  Nice wood paneling that absorbs sounds and prevents echo.  Marble or granite table, or counter.

TASTE:  Due to impeccable quality, there is NO after taste from the fish or the tea.  Flavor is subtle that makes you pay attention to what you are eating.  

Caution:  If you are used to fried roll with grease, like salty soy sauce, jacked up sushi with jalapeno or sauce....Masaki is NOT the place for you.

Request to Masaki:  Silence the fridge door closure please as it is ruining my zen moment.  Either re-arrange fridge content to minimize open/close, or a better method of creating the dishes.