Triad Sushi Lounge, Chicago

Slick, modern countertops, warm hues, bamboo accents, and contemporary light pendants in Triad Sushi Lounge’s dining room set the stage for a feast of Japanese delights, both exquisitely seasoned and aesthetically presented. Guests can order up a spread of traditional or fusion-style Japanese cuisine, including fresh tuna tartar and lamb chops cooked over a grill and bathed in a French-inspired red-wine-reduction sauce. Chefs tuck fresh king crab, squid, and cucumbers into colorful pieces of nigiri, sashimi, and full sushi rolls, and servers pour out sake bombs or uncork BYOB bottles. For a more private dining experience, Triad’s modern space boasts a VIP room bedecked with a 37-inch plasma-screen TV that comes outfitted with a DVD player and stellar sound system for blasting tunes or hearing the dialogue from Big Foot’s home videos.