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Ginza is an anomaly amid the mish-mash of modern, trendy, touristy, often generic establishments that make up much of the River North neighborhood - it's like it was picked up from the side streets of Tokyo and dropped in the middle of the crowd waiting for tables at Pizzeria Uno.

The sushi at Ginza is fresh, meticulously prepared, and most importantly, simple. There are no overpriced, overstuffed flash-in-the-pan maki ("Triple White Autumn Rainbow Dino-Leopard" and its ilk) to be found on the menu, only the old-school classics: clean flavored, well made rolls with few ingredients so the flavors & textures of the fish can shine through. Same goes for the excellent sashimi and nigiri. Ginza's ankimo is the bar to which I compare all other examples of this delicacy.

The hot items, I'm told, are authentic and excellent, though it's been many years since I've ordered anything from that part of the menu other than the light, non-greasy, nicely-crisped tempura...I can't seem to make it past the sushi without giving in to raw fish temptation. Some other posters seem to indicate that the rumors about tasty hot items are true.

Finally, from the hearty "irasshaimase!" as you enter to the equally boisterous "arigato gozaimasu!" on your way out, the staff at Ginza is friendly, helpful & attentive.

It is with pleasure that I nominate Ginza for a Great Neighborhood Restaurant award.

Ginza
19 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611-2707
(312) 222-0600‎

I love Ginza and I couldn't be happier to see it nominated for the GNR distinction. I full-heartedly agree with nearly all that has already been written about my favorite sushi place in Chicago. The fish is fresh and affordable, the variety is excellent, and they always have a couple harder to find items on the menu. I've taken many friends to Ginza over the past couple years, and more often than not they end up going back because it's really hard to find good sushi in River North that doesn't also come with long lines, swanky music, and technicolor rolls (and the price tags that go with such "amenities"). Also, the tatami rooms in the back are perfect for dining with a group, something that can be annoying at other sushi restaurants when the group wants to share a couple boats of sushi.

One of the things I love about Ginza is the pleasant surprise factor. So many Japanese restaurants follow the "rulebook" when it comes to the menu they serve. But Ginza always has little things that make the meals there unique. For instance, today for lunch, I ordered one of the lunch specials - a bento box. It was broiled salmon and breaded pork cutlets with rice & salad. I love that the little nuggets of crispy, breaded pork were not the all-too-common, personality-less loin that is the norm and more of a blade cut that has some actual pork flavor. I love the salad that was served - a combo that I had never had, but was delicious - lettuce, seaweed, tomato and 'krab' dressed with a may-based dressing. And the rice was adorned with little sheets of nori that hid a little drizzle of soy and bonito shavings. It was all delicious.

Ginza is the best respite from the "Mag Mile" anyone could want. Makes sense. The Japanese know how to inject serenity and taste into retail madness.

Natto, saba, beer

flop-house edifice worried

American Girl

I'll concur. The Bento Box here is a $20 (w/ tax and tip) therapy session from a stressful day in the office.

I've been eating at Ginza since they were located on a godforsaken stretch of Mannheim Road when my office was located out that woy some 20 years ago. I strongly support this nomination.

Ginza was a lifesaver for me in law school when I needed a good, yet cheap, lunch. I think their miso soup kept me alive during those three grueling years.

Count me in as a supporter of this nomination.

I like this place for the atmosphere and for being an oasis of traditional Japanese in mayo-city. Not world class sushi, but certainly good enough.

Affirmed.

LTH,

Ginza is a step out of time, set in a slightly worse for the wear dowager hotel the physical space has not been updated in decades, neither has the food, and that is a good thing.

No sakitinis at Ginza, just tried and true renditions of Japanese standards done well. Ginza caters to Japanese expats and lovers of frill on the plate instead of the sound system fans of Japanese food.

Count me a fan.

Enjoy,
Gary

Ginza is a hidden, yet imperfect, gem. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's a true GNR in an area sadly devoid of GNRs.