Menu Beverage Menu Dinner Menu Daily Specials
Beverage Menu
Sake Clean, Pure Ohyama - Big Mountain Tokubetsu junmai, light, smooth, hints of fruit
300ml $30.00 Joto Daiginjo - Excellence Junmai daiginjo, apple yeast, soft, sophisticated
300ml $45.00 Kaguyahime - Bamboo Princess Junmai ginjo, grass and orange zest
500ml $54.00 Yonetsuru Rice Crane Unmai daiginjo, fruity aromatics, banana, apple
500ml $56.00 Tsukasabotan Hana - Pink Peonie Junmai, delicate citrus fruit, harmonized vanilla
720ml $48.00 Joto Junmai - Pure Rice Junmai, floral, refreshing, earthy undertones
300ml $20.00 Glass $8.00 Fragrant, Floral Nanbu Bijin - Southern Beauty Tokubestu junmai, bright cantaloupe, apple
300ml $33.00 Mabaroshi - Mystery Junmai ginjo, pleasantly floral, light sweetness
300ml $40.00 Yuki No Bosha - Cabin in the Snow Junmai ginjo, mellow peaches and strawberries
300ml $40.00 Hakugyokko - Fragrant Jewel Junmai yamahai nama bright melon, lychee
500ml $65.00 Mizbasho - Water Flower Junmai daiginjo, delicate sweetness, balanced
500ml $75.00 Isojiman - Seashore Pride Junmai daiginjo, delicate, smooth, fruit bouquet
720ml $200.00 Mizbasho - Water Flower Ginjo, soft apple, delicate, wonderfully balanced
300ml $20.00 Glass $8.00 Rich, Classic Tsukasabotan - King of Flowers Junmai, hint of citrus, savory, dry
300ml $29.00 Shichi Hon Yari - Seven Spearman Junmai, earthy, notes of melon
300ml $35.00 Zuiyo - Happy Hawk Junmai, umami, lychee, full bodied
300ml $36.00 Oni No Shitaburi - Devil’s Kiss Honjozo, dry minerality, rich, mild citrus zest
500ml $57.00 Okarakuchi - Akishika Super Dry Junmai ginjo, lively, bold, fruity, dry
500ml $75.00 Watari Bune - Ferry Boat Junmai ginjo, fruity, funky and complex
720ml $85.00 Wakatake Daiginjo - Demon Slayer Junmai daiginjo, elegant yet bold, aromatic
300ml $31.00 Glass $13.00 Ichi No Torii - the First Gate Tokubetsu junmai, hazelnut, soft cocoa, umami
300ml $22.00 Glass $9.00 Specialty Sake Kenbishi - Legend / Oldest Brand Junmai kimoto, rich, elegant and harmonious
720ml $85.00 Seikyo Omachi - Mirror of Truth Junmai daiginjo nama, ripe watermelon, rounded
720ml $90.00 Born - Future Visions Junmai daiginjo nama, luxurious, papaya, pear
2 reviews 720ml $170.00 Kurosawa Nigori - Silk Road Junmai nigori, fruity aromatics, creamy, umami
300ml $25.00 Wakatake Nigori Demon Slayer Junmai nigori, earthy, fruity, mild texture
500ml $60.00 Dewano Yuki - Snowflake Junmai kimoto, silky, melon, anise
300ml $20.00 Glass $8.00 Small Format, ‘“One Cup” Hakushika - White Deer Junmai nama, fresh plum, light minerality
180ml $10.00 Kiku Masamune - Top Brand Junmai taru, vanilla, pepper, matured in cedar
180ml $14.00 Otokoyama - Men’s Mountain Tokubetsu junmai nama, very dry, slight fruit
180ml $16.00 Amanoto - Heaven’s Door Junmai, floral, fruit essence, raisin
180ml $16.00 Akishika - Bambi Cup Junmai, clean, neutral, smooth
180ml $16.00 Kikusui Funaguchi - Number One Honjozo nama, rich, slightly sweet, deep
1 review 200ml $17.00 Yuri Masamune - Beautiful Lily Honjozo, earthy, well balanced fruit and dryness
200ml $13.00 Kikusui Kunko - Black Can Honjozo nama, shochu, layered, ripe melon
200ml $18.00 Hot Ban Ryu 10,000 Ways Honjozo, rich melon, velvety, full body
1 review 200ml $14.00 Ichi No Torii - the First Gate Tokubetsu junmai, hazelnut, soft cocoa, umami
200ml $15.00 Flight 3 x 60ml: $14
Joto Junmai - Pure Rice Junmai, floral, refreshing, earthy undertones
Mizbasho - Water Flower Ginjo, soft apple, delicate, wonderfully balanced
Wakatake Daiginjo - Demon Slayer Junmai daiginjo, elegant yet bold, aromatic
Ichi No Torii - the First Gate Tokubetsu junmai, hazelnut, soft cocoa, umami
Dewano Yuki - Snowflake Junmai kimoto, silky, melon, anise
Wine Sparkling Col Vetoraz - Prosecco, Nv, Ita $40.00 Sonim Reserva - Cava, Esp $42.00 Ca’ Furlan - Prosecco, Nv, Ita Glass $9.00 Bottle $43.00 White De Falco - Falanghina, 2011, Ita $34.00 Ca Di Ponti Pinot Grigio, 2012, Ita $32.00 Domaine Blanchet - Pouilly Fume, 2012, Fra $48.00 Sparkman - Sauvignon Blanc, 2012, Usa $54.00 Domaine Fouassier - Sancerre, 2012, Fra $48.00 Pazo San Mauro - Albarino, 2012, Esp $45.00 Alexandria Nicole - Riesling, 2012, Usa $35.00 Moncontour - Vouvray Demi-Sec, 2012, Fra $35.00 Moncontour - Vouvray Demi-Sec, 2012, Fra $48.00 Blanc De Camarsac - Sauv Blanc, 2012, Fra Glass $10.00 Bottle $40.00 Matthew Fritz - Chardonnay, 2012, Usa Glass $10.00 Bottle $40.00 Red L’oliveto - Pinot Noir, 2012, Usa $54.00 Gouguenheim - Malbec Reserva, 2011, Arg $35.00 Shimmon Canyon - Cabernet, 2010, Usa $44.00 Acustic Cellars - Grenache, 2010, Esp $42.00 Broadley - Pinot Noir, 2012, Usa $64.00 Cesani - Chianti, 2012, Ita $40.00 Barberos - Barbera D’alba 2011, Ita $40.00 Bench - Pinot Noir, 2012, Usa Glass $13.00 Bottle $42.00 Solitude - Côtes Du Rhone, 2012, Fra Glass $10.00 Bottle $40.00 Beer Asahi Japanese Draft $5.00 Revolution Cross of Gold Draft $5.00 Half Acre Daisy Cutter Draft $5.00 Hitachino Ginger Ale 720ml $20.00 Hitachino White Ale 330ml $10.00 Hitachino Dai Dai Ipa 330ml $10.00 Orion Okinawa Lager $8.00 Kirin Ichiban 650ml $8.00 Sapporo $5.00 Cocktails Nigata River Kikusui funaguchi sake, cucumber
1 review $10.00 Kentucky Hai Bulliet bourbon, shochu, roasted tea
1 review $10.00 Shochu Hotaru - 83% Sweet Potato, 17% Rice $8.00 Jougo Kokuta - 60% Sugar Cane, 40% Rice $8.00 Gin/Vodka Hendricks $10.00 Tanqueray $8.00 Ch Distillery $8.00 Scotch & Whiskey Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt 12 Yr $13.00 Macallan 12 Yr $12.00 Johnnie Walker Black Label $10.00 Bulliet Bourbon $10.00 Bulliet Rye $10.00 Four Roses - Small Batch $9.00 Buffalo Trace $9.00 Dickel Rye $8.00 Non-Alcoholic Coke Diet coke, sprite, ginger ale, iced tea
$2.00 Hot Tea Green, genmai-cha, oolong, raspberry hibiscus, genmai-cha - decaf
$2.00 Mugicha Iced barley tea
$2.00
Dinner Menu (caviar supplier - Marky’s Store, Miami)
Zensai
Sashimi Assortment of 6 cuts, rotating selections
23 reviews 2 photos $24.00
Sake Carpaccio Scottish salmon, lemon vinaigrette, fried shallot
$15.00
Togarashi Seared Tuna Ahi tuna, seaweed salad, citrus dressing
$12.00
Spicy Tofu Firm tofu, chili oil, black bean, scallion
1 review $10.00
Vegetable Shumai Napa cabbage, mushroom, carrot, prairie fruits farm chevre
7 reviews $9.00
Seared Hotate Scallop, mushroom medley, miso butter, micro shiso
1 review $14.00
Tako Yaki Octopus beignets, tonkatsu, kewpie mayo, bonito, kizami nori
8 reviews 2 photos $9.00
Okonomiyaki Nagaimo, cabbage, kabocha, bacon, garlic chive, tonkatsu, kewpie mayo, bonito
2 reviews 1 photo $10.00
Brussel Sprouts Togarashi, fried garlic, house soy, bonito
8 reviews 1 photo $9.00
Japanese Mushrooms Shimeji, shiitake, king oyster, citrus, sesame oil, soy, micro shiso
1 review $8.00
Cured Pork Belly Steamed Bun Pork belly, napa slaw, pickled carrot, pickled bean sprout
3 reviews $5.00
Skirt Steak Steamed Bun Skirt steak, mushroom, napa cabbage, spicy mayo, scallion
$6.00
Dressed Edamame Choice of sea salt, soy ginger, togarashi
$4.00
Wakame Salad Seaweed, yuzu aioli
$5.00
Miso Soup Tofu, scallion, seaweed
$3.00 Nigiri/Sashimi
Madai Japanese red sea bream
$4.50
Hirame Korean olive flounder
1 review $4.00
Hamachi Japanese yellowtail
8 reviews 3 photos $4.00
Sake Scottish salmon
21 reviews 8 photos $3.50
Zuke Sake Scottish salmon, soy marinated
3 reviews $4.00
Maguro Akami Lean bluefin tuna
1 review 1 photo $4.50
Maguro Chutoro Medium fatty bluefin tuna
$7.00
Hotate Japanese scallop
1 photo $3.50
Tako Japanese octopus
$3.50
Tobiko Japanese flying fish roe
1 review $3.00
Ikura Alaskan wild salmon roe
$3.50
Unagi Japanese freshwater eel
1 photo $3.50
Tamago House made egg omelet
$2.00 Tokubetsu Sashimi & Nigiri
Sake Scottish salmon, yuzu ikura, ponzu
21 reviews 8 photos $8.00
Hamachi Japanese yellowtail, banana pepper, truffle oil
8 reviews 3 photos $9.00
Akami Bluefin tuna, enoki, ao nori
$10.00
Chef’s Choice Sashimi (12pcs)
Chef’s Choice Sashimi & Nigiri (12pcs) 1 review Maki
Ahi Yellowfin tuna
2 reviews 2 photos $7.00
Spicy Ahi Yellowfin tuna, chili oil, scallion
$7.00
Sake Scottish salmon
21 reviews 8 photos $7.00
Spicy Sake Scottish salmon, chili oil, scallion
1 review $7.00
Negi Hamachi Japanese yellowtail, scallion
$7.00
Spicy Tako Octopus, masago, spicy mayo, scallion
1 review 1 photo $8.00
Ebi Tempura Fried shrimp, cucumber, scallion, spicy mayo
2 reviews 1 photo $8.00
Gani Fried soft shell crab, avocado, scallion, spicy mayo
$12.00 Temaki
Spicy Ahi Spicy tuna, fried shallot, avocado, ponzu
$9.00
Spicy Sake Spicy salmon, kisame wasabi, tenkasu, sweet soy
1 review $9.00
Spicy Hotate Spicy scallop, cucumber, scallion
3 reviews $9.00
Sake Ikura Salmon, shiso, jalapeno, ikura, ponzu
1 review $10.00
Yasai Seasonal market vegetables
$8.00 Tokubetsu Maki
Unagi & Ahi Eel, cucumber, tenkasu, spicy tuna, spicy mayo, sweet soy
$15.00
Spicy Tako & Hamachi Spicy octopus, jalapeno, avocado, cilantro, yellowtail, wasabi tobiko
$15.00
Double Ahi Yellowfin tuna, avocado, scallion, spicy tuna, wasabi aioli, tobiko
2 reviews 1 photo $16.00
Zuke Sake & Spicy Hotate Soy-marinated salmon, cucumber, torched spicy scallop, scallion
1 review $15.00
Ahi & Spicy Sake Yellowfin tuna, avocado, jalapeno, spicy salmon, kizame wasabi
$15.00
Ebi Tempura & Sake Shrimp tempura, avocado, salmon, sweet miso, ikura
1 review $15.00
Ebi & Mango Poached shrimp, avocado, kewpie mayo, mango, ohba leaf
1 review $13.00
Hamachi, Ahi & Cilantro Yellowtail, tuna, jalapeno, cilantro, avocado, masago, rayu
1 photo $14.00 Robata
Kushiyaki Amish chicken thigh, togarashi, yuzu kosho
$3.00
Buta Hara Cured pork belly, pickled carrot & bean sprout
1 review $5.00
Hotate Scallop, yuzu kosho
1 photo $8.00
Ebi Black tiger prawn, shiro miso butter, scallion
8 reviews 5 photos $5.00
Enoki Bacon wrapped enoki mushroom
2 reviews $5.00
Unagi Japanese fresh water eel, sansho pepper, scallion
1 review 2 photos $8.00
Seasonal Vegetable Rotating seasonal selection
$4.00 Donburi
Sake Grilled scottish salmon, seasonal vegetable, tare sauce
21 reviews 9 photos $11.00
Tori Grilled amish chicken, seasonal vegetable, tare sauce
1 review $10.00
Gyu Shaved beef ribeye, carmelized onion, sweet soy
2 reviews $10.00
Yasai Sautéed seasonal market vegetables, tare sauce
$8.00 Noodle
Tantanmen Pork meatball, bok choy, kabocha, bean sprout
3 reviews $14.00
Lemongrass Tori Amish chicken, egg, chikuwa, fried tofu
$13.00
Shoyu Char sui pork belly, scallion, poached egg, naruto
8 reviews 2 photos $13.00
Chitown Italian beef rib eye, house made giardiniera
3 reviews 1 photo $13.00
Yasai Soba Shiitake, gobo, carrot, bok choy
$12.00
Daily Specials
Izakaya Monday Celebration of Japanese pub fare with rotational menu items. $5 house sake and $4 Asahi all night long
Tuesday 5-7pm $5 Craft Cocktail and $10 Robata Trio
Okonomi Wednesday’s $20 Signature Maki + Sake or Japanese beer $15 Ramen + Sake or Japanese Beer All night long
Thursday 5-7pm 1/2 price One Cup Sake and $12 Special Maki
Friday 5-7pm $7 Kirin Ichiban
Saturday 5-7pm $12 Sake Flights
Sunday 5-7 1/2 of select bottle of Sake $9 Donburi
Blogs And Press About Us
The Ghost Guest, - http://www.theghostguest.com
ANI CHICAGO JULY 13, 2015
Looking for something well beyond your typical city sushi spot? Check out Ani, a sleek Lakeview restaurant serving Japanese cuisine including sushi, cold and hot appetizers, ramen, and robata items. The restaurant is the brother to Arami, and the name Ani translates to elder brother, named after co-owner Ty Fujimura’s older brother, Troy (awww).
The BF and I were invited in to check out a chef’s tasting menu featuring a variety of items spanning practically the entire menu. This was more than a tasting, it was a culinary experience. The restaurant itself is tranquil and bright, and luckily for us, we grabbed a great corner table with beautiful lighting above.
To welcome us, our server poured each of us a generous glass of house sake. The pour overflowed into the box underneath, a sign of prosperity, welcoming, and generosity.
While we waited for our first course, we sipped on our sake and enjoyed some crispy soy snacks.
The seven course menu started with three pieces of nigiri for each of us: akami (lean bluefin tuna), hamachi (topped with banana pepper and truffle oil from Old Town Oil), and madai (red sea bream). We enjoyed each piece without anything extra. The fish was fresh and light and we especially enjoyed the hamachi with a hint of spice from the banana pepper.
After the nigiri, we shared the double ahi maki with spicy tuna, avocado, spicy mayo, wasabi aioli, and tobiko. The tobiko gave the roll a nice crunch, while the flavor profile was slightly sweet and spicy. This was the BF’s favorite course of the night and I’d recommend the maki to anyone.
Our salad course was another light option, the grilled ika salad. This salad was topped with a generous portion of chargrilled squid, and featured mixed greens tossed in a white wine vinaigrette, with a side of pickled pear. I loved the warm squid that was very tender and had a nice charred flavor. The vinaigrette was not overpowering and the pickled pear had a nice contrast of flavor.
Our last cold dish was the ahi poke served with aged balsamic, kombu, sesame, scallion, and garlic chips. We weren’t crazy about the kombu (kelp), but loved the light ahi and crunchy garlic chips. This dish also had beautiful color from the fish and scallion.
As a precursor to our main dish, we were served a bowl of warm Brussels sprouts. This was not something I’d expect at a Japanese restaurant, but they definitely made it their own. The best part? The house spicy soy sauce. The dish also was served with bonito flakes which I always love because they look like they’re dancing on top of the dish (when they react to heat they move!). The sprouts were perfectly cooked–no soggy sprouts here.
Next, when we thought we couldn’t eat one more bite, the largest dish arrived, lemongrass tori ramen. I know what you’re thinking. Ramen in summer? Well this version featured a lighter broth more suitable for warmer temperatures. Our ramen was served with chicken, egg, chikuwa (fish product), fried tofu, and fried shallot. I loved the broth and noodles, and oddly enough, I really liked the chikuwa. This was not a spicy ramen so we added some chili oil and togarashi for a little heat.
Last, but not least, course seven was a beautiful yuzu curd dessert. It was almost too pretty to eat. The curd sat atop a kinako-almond shortbread, and was topped with sake blueberries, and sesame and white chocolate puffed rice on the side. This was the perfect light summer dessert. I have the biggest sweet tooth of anyone you’ll meet and I honestly didn’t miss the fact that this didn’t have rich chocolate in it. The yuzu was bright and clean and the BF and I devoured the dish in no time. You know what they say, there’s always room for dessert. It’s clear dessert is not an afterthought at Ani. This dish was just as delicate and well executed as the other courses we enjoyed.
I feel lucky I don’t live too far from Ani and now I know they deliver! If you’re looking for a high-quality and elegant Japanese meal, give Ani a try. They also have a lovely lounge in the back perfect for larger groups and a more intimate dining experience.
Note: my meal at Ani was complimentary; however, the opinions expressed herein are my own.
Ani www.anichicago.com 3056 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60657 872.206.8553
About Me
Ani is a champion of many Japanese styles of food and beverage. Let our informative service guide you through our traditional and forward-thinking menu.