New sushi restaurant promises a unique dining experience

Sushi by Bou, a new sushi and omakase restaurant, opened Friday, Jan. 21, at Hotel Lincoln in Chicago’s Lincoln Park Neighborhood.

The new lounge is the sister restaurant to Sushi Suite 202, which opened in 2019 in Hotel Lincoln, and Sushi Boutique, which opened in October 2021 in the Claridge House Hotel in the Gold Coast.

Dining “omakase,” which translates from Japanese as “respectfully leaving another to decide what is best,” refers to a style of dining in which a sushi chef serves guests directly, gauging their reactions and guiding them through their meals to provide a more personalized dining experience.

Sushi by Bou promises to provide Chicagoans with the same “intimate sushi omakase speakeasy experience that has become popular in major cities such as New York and Miami.” Guests can choose from a selection of dining experiences: 30 minutes, 12 pieces for $50 per person or 60 minutes, 17 pieces for $100 per person.

For those wishing to imbibe, the new restaurant offers a selection of Japanese beers, imported sake, whiskeys and specialty cocktails.

Sushi by Bou is open for dinner Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6-10 p.m. Hours on Friday and Saturday will be 6 - 11 p.m. Last seating is 45 minutes prior to closing. Reservations can be made at sushibybou.com or OpenTable. No takeout or delivery will be available.

The announcement was made by SimpleVenue, a New York-based hospitality group that specializes in bringing micro restaurants to underutilized spaces.