Izakaya, which means 'pub' in Japanese, is traditionally where men go to drink Sapporo tallboys and sip sake after a long day at the office. According to the owner Steven Song - a South side native of Japanese heritage - this is Chicago's first genuine izakaya. The space is deep and narrow with a long bar in the front and a fridge stocked with Sapporo. The back room features cherry wood panels, designed in part by top design winner Matt Lorenz.

For a sample culinary repertoire start your meal with edamame (boiled soy beans), and gyoza (Japanese dumplings). Add the uzaku (BBQ freshwater eel with cucumber) and maguro natto (diced sashimi tuna and fermented soy beans).

Behind the bar, the regulars already have their own masus - light, square cups made of hinoki wood in which sake is traditionally drunk.