South Coast Sushi/Rating: 4 Stars

South Coast Sushi Bar

1700 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60616

(312) 662-1700

On my quest to find sushi restaurants that can provide fresh fish, consistently, I am happy to announce that South Coast Sushi is one of them! My first impression of the interior decor was sultry, sexy and seemed somewhat forbidden. I was sat at a half booth which was lined with a comfortable cushion and three pillows. Their setup for utensils is a unique presentation, a black napkin holding a pair of chopsticks on a rock and a soy ramekin. After reviewing the menu for a few minutes, I was able to identify items that caught my eye, I then ordered the hamachi carpaccio for a starter. As I waited for my appetizer to come, my server brought out a tempura crusted seaweed with a ginger and wasabi aioli. I couldn't get enough! The crunch with the creamy aioli could have been a meal in itself for me. I ended up ordering a few nigiri pieces and a roll called the spicy creamy which was escolar, avocado, spicy mayo and I had her add tempura crumbs (who doesn't like a little crunch to balance all that creaminess?). After my first bite, I closed my eyes and savored the different textures and flavors, I really enjoyed the simplicity of this roll. Now a days, I am finding restaurants that have five to six ingredients in their rolls, which end up being gigantic. Sushi should be one bite, it's a bummer when you are on a date and trying to wolf down a big roll that you know you can't fit in your mouth, so you turn the other way to stuff it all in. Luckily, you won't have this problem at South Coast, all their sushi is cut in six pieces, making it easy to eat and share. I came here three days in one week and each day the service and quality of fish was as good as the last. I would highly recommend South Coast Sushi!