Bar Chuko (CLOSED)

After becoming Prospect Heights ramen pioneers with 2011's Chuko Ramen, Morimoto vets David Koon and Jamison Blankenship are venturing into another Far East tradition: izakaya. Japanese small plates like seaweed salad with bonito vinaigrette, kimchee-and-pork rice cakes and raw oysters with yozu hot sauce are meant to be shared and paired with sake. Located across the street from its sister noodle joint, the 60-seat, wood-lined space features a long bar pouring Japanese beers (Sapporo, Ginga Kogen) and shochu-based cocktails including an orange-ginger variety.