Omakase is so trending across the city right now. During this unique dining experience, you leave the chef in total control as they curate a menu for the night to match the atmosphere of the surrounding, customer, and occasion. It is also the perfect opportunity to truly experience Japanese dining culture — if you know where to get the best omakase experiences in Chicago!

1816 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

One of the best omakase experiences in Chicago, Sushi By Bou prides itself on the intimate, private, and luxurious experience created by chef Bou.

After making a splash in New York, Miami, and Lincoln Park, Sushi By Bou brings its elegant Omakase experience to the Gold Coast, joining sister restaurant Sushi Boutique in the Claridge House hotel. Whatever the dish, Sushi By Bou features the freshest, finest fish, sourced locally and globally. As the decision-makers, seasoned sushi chefs serve the guests, guiding them through an exclusive, personalized experience. Selections can include Hamachi (yellowtail); Botan Ebi (spotted prawn); Ikura (salmon roe); Hotate(scallop); O-Toro (fatty tuna); Unagi (bbq eel); and their signature Wagyuni (‘surf and turf’).

What are you waiting for!?

63 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

The Omakase Room at Sushi San is the epitome of what Omakase is all about. With Master Sushi Chefs Kaze Chan and Shigeru Kitan, you can be assured that their skill and precision will only lead to the most delectable sushi and Japanese fare that you’ve ever tasted. At the Omakase Room, you’ll find a 10-person dining room, keeping a small group setting so that each person’s experience is unique. Dining here is about $250 a person, and reservations fill up quickly. Keep an eye on their website for when the opportunity to indulge presents itself! 

651 W Washington Blvd Suite #101, Chicago, IL 60661

We all know that the West Loop is home to the best restaurants in the city, and that’s where you’ll find Omakase Yume. Chef Sangtae Park has devoted his culinary skills to Japanese cuisine, and has been an instrumental part of bringing vibrant new ideas to the Chicago restaurant industry. In opening Omakase Yume, Chef Park brings his expertise to groups of six at a time, making the meal extremely personal, delicious, and awe-inspiring. Here, the 16-course meal costs about $185 per person. 

819 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

One of the best ramen restaurants in the West Loop, Ramen Takeya, is also home to one of the most outstanding Omakase restaurants. On the lower level of Ramen Takeya you’ll find Omakase Takeya. At this semi-hidden gem, you’ll be hand served a 15-course meal by Chef Hiromichi Sasak. Each piece of sushi is hand-crafted, expertly assembled, and plated in a style that’ll leave you practically jumping out of your seat for the next course. Only open Thursday through Sunday, Omakase Takeya is a unique dining experience that’s tougher to come by, but so worth the wait.

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2507 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Kyōten, just west of Bucktown, is an Omakase restaurant that prioritizes the discipline, purity, and balance that coincides with sushi making. While staying close to the tradition of the meal, Chef Otto of Kyōten isn’t afraid to bend the rules a bit, taking his experience from elite restaurants like Nobu and Bar Masa to our very own city. The total experience can cost between $440 and $490 a person, depending if its a weekday or weekend, but the price is certainly worth the quality of ingredients and experience. 

731 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661

If you’ve never dined at a Michelin Star restaurant and love fresh, hand-crafted sushim it’s time to make a reservation at Mako. This Omakase restaurant has one Michelin Star, an achievement that is hard to come by, making it one of the best fine dining experiences in the city. At Mako, the set menu has a whopping 25 courses, so you’re sure to taste a variety of “pristine” fish, all curated in order to provide an excellent dining experience from Chef BK Park, one of the country’s premier sushi chefs.

2557 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

So far we’ve learned that Omakase dining can be wildly expensive because of the uniqueness of the menu, and that’s where Kai Zan comes in. Open in 2012, sushi chefs Melvin and Carlo Vizconde established a restaurant where Omakase style starts at about $90 per person, but definitely doesn’t lack in atmosphere, freshness, and flavor. Along with the Omakase dining, Kai Zan has a menu full of other Japanese delicacies like Wagyu fried rice, seafood soba, and short rib skewers. If you’re looking for a place with vegetarian sushi options, Kai Zan also has a nigiri assortment that is strictly vegetarian. 

1829 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Mentioned in the Michelin Guide not once but three times, we have Arami. This $150 per person experience includes a 16-course Omakase tasting at their sushi bar. Included in the courses you’ll find a variety of seasonal appetizers, speciality nigiri, and freshly arranged handrolls. Recognized as Best Japanese Cuisine in Chicago from CBS and Chicago’s Best for Omakase from Zagat, Arami is undoubtedly one of the hottest omakase experiences in Chicago. Therefore, grab that reservation the moment it opens up, or you’ll have to wait another month! 

Featured Image: The Omakase Room

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The Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine’s contract conversation led the way for NBA people since the season ended. He was probably the biggest free agent out there and that made a lot of Chicago Bulls fans nervous.

However, you don’t have to be nervous anymore. LaVine has agreed to a five-year deal worth 215.2 million dollars with the Bulls. This is a maximum contract for him. There is a player option in year five but he is going to be a Chicago Bulls player going forward.

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The Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine have agreed to a five-year, $215M max contract extension, Klutch Sports announced Friday.

LaVine, 27, has blossomed into a two-time All-Star in Chicago, where he arrived in the trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, and — along with DeMar DeRozan — was the cornerstone of Chicago’s return to the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time in five years this past season.

That also marked the first time in LaVine’s career that he’d reached the postseason.

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Now, he and the Bulls will look to continue that success moving forward, thanks to the two sides sitting down and hammering out a maximum contract extension to keep LaVine in Chicago through his prime.

Since coming to the Bulls in the Butler trade in 2017, LaVine has become a terrific offensive threat at every level. He’s averaged at least 23.7 points per game each of the past four seasons while being both a high volume and quality percentage 3-point shooter, in addition to his explosiveness attacking the rim, steadiness at the free throw line (at least five attempts and over 80 percent shooting the past four seasons) and ability to create for others (at least four assists per game).

This past season — coming off winning a gold medal with Team USA in Tokyo last summer — LaVine averaged 24.4 points, 4.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game, all while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from 3-point range despite being hampered by a left knee injury that required surgery shortly after the season ended.

LaVine suffered a torn ACL in that same left knee in 2017, before being traded to Chicago later that same year alongside the 7th pick in that year’s draft, which became Lauri Markkanen and guard Kris Dunn.

Still, LaVine’s growth since arriving with the Bulls led to him making an All-Star appearance in each of the last two seasons.

And LaVine’s signature on a new deal is the culmination of a year-plus effort by Arturas Karnisovas, the team’s executive vice president of basketball operations, to construct a team around LaVine good enough to make Chicago a factor in the East again — and to convince the star to remain with Chicago.

As a result, the Bulls were busy last spring and summer. They acquired DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball via trades, Alex Caruso in free agency and hired former Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan to coach the team.

The sum total of those moves pushed Chicago to the top of the Eastern Conference for much of last season before a series of injuries — notably to Ball, Caruso and second-year forward Patrick Williams — saw the Bulls fall down the standings. They eventually entered the playoffs as a sixth seed, losing in five games to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the East playoffs.

ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.

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If you’re looking for a peaceful way to spend some time outdoors, why not go kayaking around Chicago? You won’t be avoiding the blazing sun, but at least you’ll be on the water! Whether go with a group or go alone, kayaking is the perfect combination of exercise and relaxation. Feel the sun warming your face and ride the currents of our local waterway for a summer adventure. Are you ready? 

1603 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611

As one of the original Chicago kayak and paddleboard suppliers, Kayak Chicago is a great city kayaking option. With guided tours like the Architectural Tour, City Lights Night Paddle, Fireworks Tour, and Lake Shore Skyline paddle, each trip through Chicago’s waterways is breathtaking. If you enjoy a walk down the Loop, you’ll definitely enjoy the chance to see the city from a new perspective on the water?

Rental options at Kayak Chicago include single and double kayaks, paddleboards, and small electric boats. We, of course, recommend the kayaks to get a workout in while you take in some great views. 

500 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60654

If the Chicago River is your dream destination for a warm, summer daycaytion, stop by Wateriders and rent a kayak for the occasion. Wateriders offers themed tours like Ghosts and Gangsters and Moonlight Paddles in addition to their historic tours. Founded in 1997, Wateriders was the first of its kind and continues to encapture visitors each season with excitement.

Fun fact: since the launching dock is located right under the Kinzie Street bridge, you’re right in the middle of all the fast-paced action of the Loop, and can peoplewatch along the Chicago Riverwalk from the Chicago River.

Image Credit: Forest Preserves of Cook County

E Higgins Rd/Rte 72, east of I-290/Hwy 53, Cook County, IL 60007

A bit Northwest of the city you’ll find Busse Woods. Not only is this a great spot for an Afternoon Picnic, but they also have a boat rental service to take a kayak out on one of their scenic lakes. Enjoy the peace of the water without hearing the El go by or cars honking non-stop, this is what the suburbs is all about. Just west of 290 and 90, getting to Busse Woods from the city is a breeze, and while Busse Woods is like taking a step out of society (in a good way), there’s tons of restaurants, shopping, and activities to check out after your kayak trip.

1 E Wilson St, Batavia, IL 60510

Did you know that just outside of Chicago, you can find a river that stretches 202 miles? Easily accessible and long enough for water-based activities like boating, swimming, and you guessed it, kayaking, there are tons of places to spend the day kayaking. Kayak Myak rentals have three Put-in points: Batavia, South Elgin, and Carpentersville.

You might not think that a trip to Batavia could involve so much fun on the water, but giving Kayak Myak a call will ensure that your day starts with a leisurely glide down the Fox River, and ends with the desire to take another trip as soon as possible.

Image Credit: Forest Preserves of Cook County

9600 Wolf Rd, Willow Springs, IL 60480

Maple Lake in the Southwestern suburb of Willow Springs is quite possibly the most picturesque place to rent a kayak to spend a day. With single and tandem kayaking available, you can take some time to be alone, or, like me, force your mom to join you on a kayaking adventure that’ll leave you laughing and her annoyed.

Kayaks are first come, first serve and the facility highly encourages calling ahead to ensure you can get out on the water at your preferred time. After your water activity, spend some time walking about the forest preserve that surrounds Maple Lake to soak in the best sights and sounds that a summer day has to offer. 

Image Credit: Naperville Kayak

2436 S Washington St, Naperville, IL 60565

Being one of the biggest suburbs in the Chicagoland area, Naperville has it all. Visit the various restaurants and shops at the walkable downtown, or hit the water for a cool summer date. Naperville is a great place to go kayaking around Chicago thanks to the many breathtaking forest preserves, including Whalon Lake, where Naperville Kayak provides kayak rentals to anyone wanting to take to the water.

If you’re interested in fishing, Naperville Kayak does offer fishing kayaks for some time of peace catching fish and sun rays. The only other things you need to know are to bring sunscreen, wear a life jacket, and prepare to get wet! 

Featured Image: Kayak Chicago

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The Chicago Bulls, for a lot of the 2021-22 season, were one of the best teams in the NBA. With studs like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, Alex Caruso, Cobe White, and Ayo Dosunmu amongst others, they had an incredible year after a lot of building up to that roster.

However, in the second half of the season, they fell off a cliff a little bit. They still made it to the postseason but they had no chance against the defending NBA Champions in the Milwaukee Bucks as they lost to them in five.

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Thursday night, the Chicago Bulls began the NBA free agency period by bringing in veteran big man Andre Drummond, filling a huge need for them off the bench.

While Drummond comes in as one of the best rebounders in the game, the Bulls’ next priority is to find scoring and three-point shooting off the bench. The way it’s looking, that could happen very soon.

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