With a sea of sushi joints blanketing Chicago, finding one with a unique environment can prove an arduous task. However, Grand Katachi manages to separate itself from the other raw-fish rollers by putting its modern decor in a vintage setting.

Avant-garde lighting, black and white furniture and contemporary art placed in the midst of a Victorian-style building creates quite an unusual, yet intriguing, dynamic. Imagine a bunch of early 20th century socialites time-traveling to today, determined to import the trendiest type of eatery back to their era. That's the curious vibe here.

Beautiful, creatively displayed courses come served on hip dishware. Diners can order sushi a la carte or choose one of the maki varieties, which include Miami (shrimp deep-fried roll wrapped with shrimp tempura, crab, cream cheese and spicy mayo), Lucky Star (spicy tuna and scallion wrapped with hamachi) and Ocean Drive (spicy yellowtail, jalapeno, cilantro, cucumber, and mango with a tuna topper). Be warned, you'll have to pay a pretty penny in return for enjoying the satisfying food and eccentric atmosphere; expect about a $40 dinner for two.

After the BYO fun kicks in, an amusing trip to the loo awaits Katachi guests. The unisex space is bathed in a cotton candy color—something Molly Ringwald's "Pretty in Pink" character, Andie, would have surely swooned over. Come to think of it, Katachi seems exactly the sort of place Blaine would have taken Andie on a date. She would feel all conflicted about the bill price, while Ducky would be lurking in the corner, waiting to do a song and dance on the restaurant's impressive interior staircase.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Paige Gray