Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago

Originally from California, and with locations in Texas, Seattle, and Miami, Sushi By Scratch has a reputation for its non-traditional omakase. The $165 Chicago experience is exactly the same—this great sushi spot is hidden behind a password-protected door in the basement of the Drop In bar in River East. An amuse-bouche period in a tiny waiting room kicks things off, before the main event at the spotlighted chef's counter. 10 seats wrap around it, ensuring prime viewing of all the sushi action (including five blowtorch appearances). With personable chefs and 17 courses of simple and less conventional nigiri (like unagi with melted bone marrow), you'll forget that you've been stuck in a basement for two hours.