"Coconut fat-washed mezcal gibsons and sake-based drinks with gold dust swirls are the focus at Casa Chi, a Nikkei cocktail lounge in the InterContinental Hotel. The drinks are good, if a little sweet, and there’s a very nice plant-decorated sidewalk patio that feels secluded even though it’s right off Michigan Avenue. Tableside hot stones are the only “kitchens” here, so besides grilled wagyu ribeye or scallop anticucho the short food menu is mostly made up of cold small plates like ceviche and some tasty tiraditos. Just know that the DIY ishiyaki experience is priced per ounce (with a four-ounce minimum) and can quickly lead to an overcooked mistake if you’re too caught up in eavesdropping on the many tourists surrounding you. Order some delicately rolled pieces of hamachi bathing in a truffle ponzu instead, which you can enjoy with significantly less effort on your part." - Veda Kilaru
