Best toro selection....

It's my husband's birthday tomorrow, and he's always wanted to get fancy tuna and try the different types...so! Looking for a good sample to try Toro, O-toro and Chutoro....any great recommendations? Where is the best fresh fish in the city?

Which neighborhood(s)?

I'd be wary of trying to accomplish this on a Monday but if it were me, just based on outright quality, I'd opt for Momotaro, where the fish quality is excellent but the cost is high or Kai Zan, which is a bit less expensive but where the fish quality is still high. However, Kai Zan is closed on Mondays. Some people really like Kuni in Evanston because of the traditional feel of the place but I generally consider the quality of their fish second tier.

It's times like this that Katsu is sorely missed, though I'm almost certain they were closed on Mondays, too.

=R=

Momotaro
820 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-4818

Kai Zan
2557 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 278-5776

Kuni
511 Main St
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 328-2004

I second kai zan with the caveat that they often don't have a selection of toro but just have one type. That one type of toro is of course amazing .

ronnie_suburban wrote:It's times like this that Katsu is sorely missed, though I'm almost certain they were closed on Mondays, too.

And Tuesday which, of course, is moot.

I'd toss Ora, which are open Mondays, into the mix. I'd call first as Ora does not always have toro though, when they do, its first rate. Ora occasionally has O-toro and Chutoro or flights of Akami, O-toro and Chutoro.

Also GNR Renga-Tei, open Monday's, occasionally has toro, call first.

Ora Sushi
5143 N Clark St
Chicago IL 60640
773-506-2978

Renga-Tei
3956 W Touhy Ave
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
847-675-5177

Caveat being closed Mondays, but Juno in Lincoln Park almost always has a couple kinds (it's my understanding that Otoro is just the literal spelling for fatty tuna, aka Toro).

Another promising newer option (of course closed Mondays too) is Raisu on/in Irving Park, if that is a preferable location. Scant info here, but Sula reviewed for the Reader.

Juno
2638 N Lincoln Ave
(773)935-2000

Raisu Japanese Fine Dining
2958 W Irving Park Rd
(773)961-7299

I can second that Raisu has a selection of toro as I had the toro flight as part of my first omakase there, but they are now closed on Mondays.

chunker wrote:Which neighborhood(s)?

We'll happily go anywhere!

This is so helpful! Thank you!!!!

ronnie_suburban wrote:I'd be wary of trying to accomplish this on a Monday but if it were me, just based on outright quality, I'd opt for Momotaro, where the fish quality is excellent but the cost is high or Kai Zan, which is a bit less expensive but where the fish quality is still high. However, Kai Zan is closed on Mondays. Some people really like Kuni in Evanston because of the traditional feel of the place but I generally consider the quality of their fish second tier.

It's times like this that Katsu is sorely missed, though I'm almost certain they were closed on Mondays, too.

=R=

Momotaro
820 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-4818

Kai Zan
2557 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 278-5776

Kuni
511 Main St
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 328-2004

Good to know! Thank you! Maybe we'll bump it back a day!

lodasi wrote:I can second that Raisu has a selection of toro as I had the toro flight as part of my first omakase there, but they are now closed on Mondays.

Raisu still has otoro and chutoro coming into the restaurant, as they were part of the omakase I had last night.