Mike Schatzman & Chef Chao / Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar

A little over a year ago, Mike and Chao opened up Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar. It was the combined dream of both to open up a restaurant in Chicago that served the food they had heavily researched and tasted during their travels to Asia. Mike left Corporate America to follow this passion, and partnered up with one of his (and the city’s) favorite chefs, Chef Chao. Chef Worachai Thapthimkuna, or Chef Chao as he’s better known, has an extensive, and very skilled culinary background and really knows how to elevate traditional Japanese flavors to new and very unique dishes. Between Mike’s business smarts and Chef Chao’s food smarts, they’ve created one of Chicago’s favorite restaurants. You could follow their journey and see where it all began at their very creative blog, http://www.mikeandchaochow.com

About Union Sushi & Barbecue Bar

Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar is the result of years of traveling and research and dreaming and eating around the world have led to the creation of a neighborhood restaurant concept that unites Japanese culinary tradition with a unique urban-spun touch. Embracing American warmth and character with classic cultural touch points such as graffiti and rock-and-roll while juxtaposing them with the high art and ritual of Japanese cuisine, reveals a restaurant that is warm, stylish and a unique culinary adventure. A true riff on what is expected or traditional — East or West.