This eatery from Chefs/owners Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee is no ordinary omakase spot. The nigiri are not just supremely finessed but also infused with original touches—like the dab of sweet corn “pudding” and sourdough breadcrumbs that coat slices of hamachi. Even traditional pairings become transcendent with his house-fermented soy sauce. The iconoclastic vibe extends to the beverages, including cocktails, sake, and beer. Despite such originality, this bar does indeed adhere strictly to one tradition: a mini counter with seating for just ten to ensure a deeply personalized experience. Your time here is bound to pass in a blissful haze of convivial chatter. – The Michelin Guide
Address and Contact Information
Address: 415 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (872) 870-0200
Order and Reservations
Reservations: sevenrooms.com
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Chicago | Sushi by SR
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants omakase-inspired tasting menu by Chef Phillip Frankland Lee, located inside of NADC, Chicago, Illinois.
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants | Best Omakase
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants has nationwide locations featuring omakase inspired tasting menus by Chef Owners Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita …
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Reviews
yannis guerra
One of the best Omakase that’s we’ve had. Every detail of the experience was well planned. Chef and staff were charming and kept the process quick and informative. The quality of the fish was fantastic. The non alcoholic pairing was excellent, without overwhelming the flights of food. Caution it is expensive but well worth it
… moreChristina Huynh
I wish this experience on everyone I love. It was phenomenal. The food is soooo good, but the whole thing is amazing. It’s an intimate setting, only 8 people at the table. You can see them make everything, from the rice to cutting all the fish to making the fresh Wasabi and all the plating. In fact, it’s hard to catch up and talk with your party because there’s so much to follow along with and talk to the chefs/staff about. And they are all so friendly and tolerated our rowdy group very well. I’d love to do this again! Highly recommend!!! Just know that it’s INSIDE the burger joint. After you walk in, a few yards to your right is a panel that looks like a wall but it’s got a keypad on it; that’s the entrance, no signs otherwise.
… moreHagz
Sushi by scratch Is hands down the best Omakase experience I’ve had living in Chicago so far and the most expensive $500 for two people without ordering drinks. The space is beautiful & intimate. The service was extremely professional and descriptive in terms of the pairings and omakase flavors that were experienced. The fish was delicious and super fresh!! (flown in from Japan) and the toppings on the nigiri were incredible unique. Sushi by scratch knows texture, knows taste, it’s great smells of each piece, it’s the char, it’s the vibes, it’s the environment of this place, it’s the chefs creativity every thing about it is exquisite!! Prior to coming, we were asked to come 30 minutes early to enjoy the canapés complimentary drink tuna roll and oyster, I am more than happy to have made it in 30 minutes before our reservation. That complimentary drink? Wow. Ginger, yuzu, jwhiskey, and sake made me turn my head bc it was phenomenal. One of the many things that I love the most about Sushi by Scratch is that they announce the sushi that they’re giving you also describe it to give you key things to look out for. And then all of the sudden, it just makes sense. The symphony of flavors, it’s by far the best omakase experience I’ve had here in Chicago(2nd time I’ve said that) It’s a really great and personalized experience. They even have your names on the board which is adorable. It was my niece‘s 21st birthday and her first omakase experience and she loved it!
I set the bar high for her going here haha but we had so much fun with the sushi guys Highly recommend this restaurant to everyone, especially since it’s such a unique surprise making your way to a sushi speakeasy hidden inside of NADC burger basement!! Oh and don’t forget to give your code!! 100%recommend!!
… moreI set the bar high for her going here haha but we had so much fun with the sushi guys Highly recommend this restaurant to everyone, especially since it’s such a unique surprise making your way to a sushi speakeasy hidden inside of NADC burger basement!! Oh and don’t forget to give your code!! 100%recommend!!
Cameron Vournazos
Chef Naomi gave us an incredible experience. Everything was perfect from the taste to the presentation. The whole crew had great chemistry and really helped make the dinner feel like a one of a kind experience. Do yourself a favor and go here immediately.
… moreAn J
This was one of the best Omasake sushi experiences I’ve ever had! Beautiful presentation, high-quality ingredients and Great atmosphere!!
The place is in a speakeasy burger spot, they give you a code to open a door to go to the actual dining room. They welcome you with a refreshing beverage and a few bites!
Then you go to the main dining room, which is pretty exclusive, it fits eight people tops.
The menu is well-curated and prepared, presentations and the mix of tastes and flavours are on point!!
The drinks parings are fantastic!
Overall in an amazing experience and I highly recommend going there for special occasions.
… moreThe place is in a speakeasy burger spot, they give you a code to open a door to go to the actual dining room. They welcome you with a refreshing beverage and a few bites!
Then you go to the main dining room, which is pretty exclusive, it fits eight people tops.
The menu is well-curated and prepared, presentations and the mix of tastes and flavours are on point!!
The drinks parings are fantastic!
Overall in an amazing experience and I highly recommend going there for special occasions.
Michelle Nanos Polonsky
Sushi by Scratch was by the far the best sushi I’ve had in my life! My husband surprised me with this incredible dinner for my bday and it was beyond memorable. The sushi was mouth watering and very bite had so much flavor. The chefs were also wonderful. Highly recommend!!
… moreNoel Harvey
Our Omakase experience was fantastic. Chef Naomi walked us through every single piece of nigiri with such ease. Mark also was very diligent with the beverage pairings. I don’t think our night could have gone any better. Thank you for the great night out!
… moreBrandon Leib
A phenomenal first omakase experience for both me and my partner. The food was spectacular, well-refined, and matched beautifully with the personality of our chef hosts. The Korean chef on our side of the table was an absolute blessing, truly elevated the night by a thousand-fold with his craftsmanship and humor. The chefs are all incredibly focused and proud of their work, while also displaying such kindhearted and cheerful attitude throughout the 2.5 hr experience. You can truly feel their passion for their craft and can taste it too, as every mouthful is an incredible journey. The speakeasy nature of getting into the actual dining area and the moody atmosphere make it a true one-of-a-kind experience.
Could not recommend this enough… if you’re looking for a nice evening with great company and unique but delicious sushi offerings, you’ve found the right place.
… moreCould not recommend this enough… if you’re looking for a nice evening with great company and unique but delicious sushi offerings, you’ve found the right place.
Kevin C. Crowell
I was a Japanese major in college, lived in Japan for 3 years, speak, read, and write Japanese, and over a 40+ year career traveled to Japan over 150 times. I KNOW sushi and this was GREAT sushi. The ingredients were fresh. The preparation flawless. The presentation amazing. I particularly enjoyed chatting with Chef Naomi about her approach to sushi and how she used her knowledge of traditional Japanese sushi to improve it.
Make no mistake, this is not traditional Japanese sushi. It is also decidedly NOT mass market, street corner, Thai-Chinese-Supermarket sushi. This is sushi which has benefited from American creativity and ingenuity by trained chefs. Japanese may turn their nose at that, but any serious gourmand will recognize the improvements and applaud their use. For some reason, Japanese trained in kaizen, ( 改善）continual improvement, should be applying this to food but they don’t. This, however, is the beauty of American culture. We are a melting pot of ideas and a foundry for taking ideas from the old world and reshaping them to meet the present.
I highly recommend Sushi by Scratch. It is expensive, but entirely worth it. This is not just food on a plate. It is and experience. Before going, learn as much about Japanese cuisine as possible. Sample other sushi restaurants, then be prepared to be blown away!
… moreMake no mistake, this is not traditional Japanese sushi. It is also decidedly NOT mass market, street corner, Thai-Chinese-Supermarket sushi. This is sushi which has benefited from American creativity and ingenuity by trained chefs. Japanese may turn their nose at that, but any serious gourmand will recognize the improvements and applaud their use. For some reason, Japanese trained in kaizen, ( 改善）continual improvement, should be applying this to food but they don’t. This, however, is the beauty of American culture. We are a melting pot of ideas and a foundry for taking ideas from the old world and reshaping them to meet the present.
I highly recommend Sushi by Scratch. It is expensive, but entirely worth it. This is not just food on a plate. It is and experience. Before going, learn as much about Japanese cuisine as possible. Sample other sushi restaurants, then be prepared to be blown away!
Eldarbek “Eldar” Kamchybekov
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago offers a refreshing twist on the traditional omakase experience, standing out from many other spots in the city. What truly sets it apart is the thoughtful use of flavor enhancers—infused oils, special salts, unique spices, and other subtle touches that elevate each bite with surprising layers of depth. Every piece feels intentionally crafted, not just in technique but in the way flavors are built and balanced.
The ambiance is beautiful and intimate, setting the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience. But the real highlight is the service. The chefs are incredibly interactive and entertaining, bringing personality and storytelling to each course. Their engagement transforms the meal into a fun, immersive journey—something you don’t often find at more traditional omakase counters.
… moreThe ambiance is beautiful and intimate, setting the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience. But the real highlight is the service. The chefs are incredibly interactive and entertaining, bringing personality and storytelling to each course. Their engagement transforms the meal into a fun, immersive journey—something you don’t often find at more traditional omakase counters.