Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge

Description
A sushi restaurant that serves Taittinger Champagne and Rodney Strong Pinot by the glass obviously aims for a sophisticated clientele. And since it's on East Illinois Street, that's exactly who this newish spot is getting. High-rise dwellers and moviegoers fill the dark, comfortable space later in the week and settle in for the lengthy process of reading the massive menu. Most of the sushi classics are fresh and tasty but overpriced (ditto for the cooked entrées). You'd do better with the creative concoctions from the "Fusion" portion of the menu, like quick-seared tuna topped with tart green apple, jalapeño slivers and sesame ponzu, or the surprisingly delicious shishito peppers stuffed with cream cheese and crab and scallop meat.