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While Chicagoist loves sushi, we don’t always love the pretension that seems to go hand in hand with excellent, inventive sushi. That’s why we were super excited about our recent visit to Midori Japanese Restaurant. Set among several other Asian restaurants and businesses on Bryn Mawr, Midori sets itself apart with the largest neon sign on the block and its brightly-lit dining room.
Beyond the entrance, the dining room ceiling is covered with electric paper lanterns and umbrellas over closely set together tables. A traditional sushi bar lines the back wall and a few private tables are set-up behind sliding doors. While the layout initially felt crowded, once Chicagoist saw diners at multiple tables trading maki pieces across the aisles, the seating configuration struck us as genius. Meanwhile, a few patrons sat at the sushi bar chatting with Chef Roberto like we normally chat with our local bartender, which immediately gave us the impression that this sushi joint was far from the hipper-than-thou establishments we had previously fumbled chopsticks at.
Our meal started with a freshly made margarita served martini style. Yes, a margarita—and a damn good one at that -- in a Japanese restaurant. Although Midori features an ample selection of sake, we couldn’t resist the novelty of margaritas and sushi.
We placed our order and expected the usual miso soup and salad, but quickly found ourselves overwhelmed by the sides that came with our appetizer and maki roll. First up was tofu covered in a spicy, smoky-flavored sauce and the usual salad. About halfway through the salad, the miso soup arrived. Shortly after that, three plates of vegetables—green beans and mushrooms with the same sauce as the tofu; pickled cabbage and Japanese pickles—arrived with our second margarita.
When the majority of the real estate on our four top table was taken, our beef sashimi appetizer arrived. It was fresh, well seasoned and beautifully presented. While the consistency was similar to rare roast beef, it was very tender and reminded us of exactly why we like red meat so much.
Shortly after our meat-stravaganza, the Red Eye Maki roll arrived. Featuring seared tuna, tempurako (similar to tempura coating), avocado and a very spicy sauce, it was a welcome departure from the common spicy tuna roll. However, the pieces were so big that we were hardly able to pick them up with our elementary chopstick skills. They were well worth the hassle though as each flavor and ingredient in the roll was well represented and very filling. Based on our maki and several glances at other tables’, large portions seem to be the norm at Midori. While we’ve usually found maki rolls at other sushi restaurants leaving us a little hungry at the end of the meal, this was definitely not true at Midori, where Chicagoist found ourselves taking home a doggie bag.
With its casual atmosphere, attentive, friendly staff and giant maki rolls, it won’t be long before Chicagoist heads out for sushi and margaritas again. Midori is located at 3310 W. Bryn Mawr and is open everyday of the week except Tuesdays.
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Sorry to ask an irrelevant question but what's up with the recent majority of the restaurant reviews being on Northwest Chicago restaurants? Is there a large Chicagoist demographic there?
Again, sorry for the irrelevance and thanks in advance to the editors for a response.
I love the Northwest side focus!
Go Northwest side!
J3K,
The reason for the northwest side majority reviews is that they can't review Lincoln Park restaurants because they are way to cool to admit it is a nice neighborhood, and they can't review stuff far south or west because they have never been there (except to hit the freeway back to Naperville or New Lenox where they just recently moved from).
A couple months ago people were asking for Chicagoist to branch out and they responded with the Northwest Side reviews. Cut them some slack. They do have a South Side reviewer but could use at least one more.
As one who grew up on the Northwest side and still has a soft spot in his heart for Cragin, Hermosa, Avondale, the Brickyard, Riis Park, and Harlem Irving, it was my feeling before the call for new writers last month that the Northwest side was largely neglected. Laura's review of Smoque in January planted the seed; the reviews posted by Amelia and Meghan so far proved I was right.
I'll try to not be remiss on my South Side coverage. If there's a place you'd like me to try, or think might be worthy of mention. I'm not hard to find or contact. The same goes for our other food and drink contributors. Let 'em know.
As somebody who's lived and worked in the Humboldt/Logan/Hermosa area for a long time I'm happy to see these reviews. Cheers!
Thanks for the explanation and for the call for suggestions, Chuck. And thanks for the review of Midori, Meghan. Keep on truckin', Chicagoist!
I live really close to Midori, a few minutes from my house actually and I never really considered it the Northwest side, until I saw this review. What are the boundaries exactly? I consider the Irving Park area the closest neighborhood in the Northwest side. Does it really extend to this part of Bryn Mawr?
The NW side is growing by the day. I think anything west of Western (maybe California) and north of Chicago can constitute NW side. Before, when riff raff was all over the place and these neighborhoods weren't gentrified, areas were called the Near NW Side. That's my NW side opinion, from a NW sider. Not a wikipedia fact.
Geez, do we really have to fuss over it's spot on the compass? Besides if you were in the loop and had to give directions would you tell the person to go North or Northwest.
Sushi and the people who've clung onto it over the last five years are truly $$$-snoots. A perfect example is WIcker Park. There are going to be five restaurants in the area that cater to sushi lovers by years end. I'm sure the original wave of sushi lovers in this country were sincere about it, but the next 9 tidal waves were nothing but people who wanted to be seen doing it, or at least talking about it (in between pretending to eat it and running to the jake to spit it up). Seriously. Be who you are! And for those that truly love it, this does not apply to you.
I hope the "Check Please effect" doesn't apply to Chicaogist reviews or I'll never be able to get a table at Midori again! This has been one of my favorite sushi restaurants since I moved to Chicago back in the early 90's. The lack of pretension, high quality food, and good prices make this a very accessible sushi dining experience. However, I'd never call the service "attentive." While sushi chef Roberto is a delight, I consider the slow service one of the trade-offs. When I truly want to pamper myself at a sushi restaurant, I go to Katsu on Peterson. The sushi is beautifully presented, although I wouldn't say it's of a higher quality than that found at Midori. It's also more pricey!