Aoko

Aoko is a Japanese restaurant in Edgewater that no one seems to notice. With little to no internet footprint (and not even a sign on the door), this place feels like it was built during the sushi prohibition era, which actually was a thing in early 19th-century Japan. Thankfully, sushi makes up pretty much the entire menu here in the form of nigiri, sashimi, temaki, and maki. It's available a la carte and in a few omakase options under $100. To start, order the hamachi carpaccio, which comes with tiny dollops of chimichurri, a few slivers of nori, and yuzu ponzu gel–an unexpectedly delightful trifecta right up there with the Beastie Boys. Then please, for the love of all things with gills, order at least one of the nigiri, sashimi, or bara chirashi omakase options. You’ll be chopstick fencing with your friends for the otoro. This is the place to go if you’re looking for that sweet spot within the casual to upscale sushi spectrum.

photo credit: Cleveland Jennings / @eatthecanvasllc