When you think of Japanese food meeting Italian food, it might seem like a curious choice for fusion. But once you go to Sanjusan, you’ll stand corrected. This cozy North Loop spot blends these two culinary traditions into unique, umami-filled dishes that include a long list of yakitori (grilled skewers), pastas like agnolotti made from hon shimeji mushrooms and the Isaac Becker pizza that features spicy raw tuna. The best part is that Sanjusan is just one of three sister establishments in the same location—there’s also an omakase sushi restaurant and an extremely legit Japanese whiskey bar upstairs. You might get lucky and notice a dab of gold on your glass or plate—they use the Kintsugi method of repairing broken dishware with gold powder so the flaws become something to marvel at. Finally, Sanjusan has recently started offering Monday evening omakase dinners that are comprised of five seasonal courses of Itameshi (Japanese for “Italian food,” but referring more to Japanese-Italian fusion) cuisine. The intimate counter experience can accommodate 10 guests or less and offers 5:30pm and 7:45pm seatings.
The vibe: Upscale date night.
The food: Japanese-Italian fusion.
The drinks: Lots of wine, creative cocktails, and some beer, too.
Time Out tip: Snag a table out front under Sanjusan’s twinkly lights for an A+ summer dinner date.