Mako
I have been to Mako numerous times now, and in recent years it has become evident that the quality of this omakase has been on the decline. Once a spot I would readily recommend, it no longer holds that distinction. When in Chicago I enjoy trying different hotels, and on this occasion I was staying at the Nobu, just a short five- to ten-minute walk from Mako.
The restaurant itself is somewhat peculiar in layout: two to three tables set apart from the sushi bar, and the bar itself accommodating around eight to ten seats. I was able to secure a last-minute reservation by e-mailing the team, and they happily fit us in. Upon being seated, we were offered the drink menu. I opted for the pairing, which was a mix of wines and sake. Unfortunately, it proved extremely lackluster. The staff were unprepared and clearly new to their roles, unable to communicate any meaningful details about the wines or sake being poured — quite the letdown.
As with any omakase, I will not be rating every nigiri individually, but rather highlight what was served, share my impressions, and provide an overall score at the end.
We were presented first with a razor clam and foam emulsion — nothing of note here sadly.
