With locations in Los Angeles and Dubai, it's safe to say that the folks at Katana know a thing or two about excellent sushi. The massive 13,000-square-foot Chicago outpost, which is situated just north of the river, offers lunch and dinner menus rife with well-executed dishes from the sushi bar and the robata grill, where chefs use an open flame and bincho tan, a special Japanese charcoal.
If you're here for dinner, go the omakase route and trust the kitchen to curate a tailored culinary experience based on your preferences. A few must-try dishes include the refreshingly delicate hamachi with yellowtail sashimi and jalapeños, hanabi or spicy tuna on crispy rice, wagyu skewers and the baked crab handroll. If you're dining with a group, splurge on the 48-ounce tomahawk ribeye, which can be topped with a shower of shaved truffles upon request. If you have a sweet tooth (and an Instagram account) order the Carnival, a mound of cotton candy that's lit on fire to reveal a chocolate brownie topped with peanut butter ice cream and sweet berry jam.
On the booze front, there's a roster of sweet but balanced cocktails, a selection of Japanese whiskies, sushi-friendly beer and wine and sake by the glass. Come back Monday through Friday from 5 to 7pm to cash in on happy hour deals like $6 glasses of wine, $5 sake and deals on popular appetizers.