Logan Square’s Adventurous Sushi

S@kura
2507 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

While many would not associate Logan Square with sushi, this is a much more common type of cuisine being found in our fair neighborhood. Logan Square is lucky enough that it can lay claim to one of the more adventurous sushi places that this Foodie has ever been to in Chicago. This BYOB sushi bar only adds to the diversity of restaurants in Logan Square.


Sitting on the eastern edge near Lincoln Park, some might think that the interior of this restaurant would be something you would find on that side of the river. That said, it has a very low key feel that is perfect for Logan Square. Upscale, but not stuffy. No need to dress up, but would it kill you to wear a clean shirt? Christ! They do have outdoor seating, but unfortunately, Fullerton Avenue doesn’t offer the sort of calm, inviting streetscape that begs for al fresco. Sorry, S@kura. Nice try.

In spite of S@kura’s rather cumbersome seating capacity, its food does pack in locals on most nights. This is because the menu is full of sushi bar favorites like miso soup, California Rolls and Godzilla Rolls. But dig into this rather, large menu a little deeper.


The miso soup is a good start, but you’d be better off starting with a Wakeme Salad—a bowl of seaweed that is coated in a sweet and sour sasemi vinegarette. “Seaweed??” you say? Yes. It’s an acquired taste and texture, but keep going. Eventually you will appreciate how the seaweed and vinegarette blend.

As for rolls, a very popular one is the Godzilla roll. This roll of tempura shrimp, crab with cheese cheese and wasabi mayo has a spicy, yet smooth texture. It’s a mouth full, so make sure you share it with someone else. This one a very strong choice, but S@kura offers a much more notably exciting roll that I recommend—The Tie Me Up Roll.


The Tie Me Up Roll features long, stretchy ingredients (hence the name). Which are those? Raw Octopus and Seaweed. You can’t get more adventurous than this! The flavor is outstanding. The texture, however, is rubbery. You might want to bring some sake and get a few shots under your belt if you are of the faint of heart for this one.

If you’re looking for something not quite as Fear Factor-ish (is that reference still current, or did I just date myself?) then, the P’Dodo Roll is perfect for you. Flavorful, fresh and interesting. This roll has three types of fish, a spear of asparagus, cucumber, avacado, some wasabi for heat and rolled up in soy paper (an interesting change from seaweed paper).


If you really want to go nuts with adventurous, take anything from the Sashimi or Nigiri section of the menu. These items are either raw fish (Sashimi) or raw fish on a little pillow of rice (Nigiri). Here the list goes from anything from the squid to clams to smelt roe (smelt caviar (smelt eggs)). Take your pick. I quite liked the Unagi Fresh Water Eel. This is fresh water eel on a pillow of rice with a little bit of a sweet, brown sauce on top. The texture of fresh water eel is soft and delicate. Smooth, almost.

As mentioned before, S@kura is BYOB. If you’re not looking to drink, try their Thai Iced Coffee or Tea. These are sweet and creamy. The Thai iced tea has an incredible flavor that is simply sublime. Get it.



While Logan Square may not feel like the home of sushi restaurants, this is increasingly becoming a common commodity. S@kura provides a unique menu of this cuisine by providing the neighborhood with exciting, not commonly found rolls.



Getting down to Brass Tax:

BYOB
Date place? Yes.
Friend Hang out? Yes.
Recommended dish: P’Dodo Roll
Recommended drink: Thai Iced Tea
Price Range (2 People): +/- $40

Date Night Cuban Food

Siboney
2165 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

In a neighborhood that is gentrifying and certainly on its way to becoming a Chicago destination-neighborhood, it might appear as if Logan Square has an abundance of mom and pop's Mexican joints and neighborhood hang outs, but no date places. That's not to say that these places can't be good for dates. Truth be told, a truly good date restaurant is scarce currently, but they can be found and they are on the rise. Now, what you need for a good date restaurant is great food, inviting and comfortable atmosphere and, of course, a good drink selection. In 2009, Siboney opened on Western Ave offering Cuban food that meets this criterion.

Now, I know I have been hitting Cuban food a little heavy lately here at The Logan Square Foodie, but I have mainly focused on the Cuban sandwich and I should do this Caribbean cuisine some justice and look at some other dishes of theirs. And, in the meantime, you will now know of a new place to take your date to next weekend. After all, foodies make the best date planners.

Siboney is a restaurant-bar that has a chic, yet relaxed feel to it, which manages to attract local, Latino residents and other residents from around the city. By and large, though, this is one place in Logan Square where you can enjoy an evening and avoid running into someone who prides themselves on knowing an obscurer band than you. On weekends, you can find a live band in the bar, which only adds to the amenities. Find yourself a good spot in the bar and I think you’ll be set for the rest of the evening.


They have many delicious options for a starter. Many of which we have already touched on in other Cuban places in the neighborhood like Tostones and empanadas and papas rellenas. Siboney does a good job with these dishes. Try the empanada filled with ropa de vieja, which is a pulled beef that was simmered in a Cajun sauce. Also try their papas rellenas, which is a potato stuffed with beef. Both of these dishes come with their own ail oli that you can dip them into.


For a main course, I recommend going for sea food. If you’re into shrimp, get the Camarones Enchilados, which is shrimp cooked in a tomato, onion and pepper sauce and served with rice. The shrimps were cooked perfectly and the tomato sauce was excellent.


If you want fish, go straight for the Filete Dorado a la Plancha. This is a grilled Mahi Mahi filet served with rice and black beans. As someone who is not the biggest fish eater, I have to say this was excellent. If you’re a little squeamish on fish, let me walk you through it. The flavor is not fishy at all and the texture is firm (not rubbery firm). Without a doubt, this dish is highly recommended.


For drinks, on weekends if you come with a party of three or more, you get a complimentary pitcher of sangria. Not a bad deal. If it’s just you and your date, they have a lengthy drink menu with plenty of cocktails including margaritas, daiquiris, pina coladas, and mai tai—everything you associate with boat drinks. While boat drinks sometimes get a bad, suburban housewife rap, there is still one you can drink and be well respected by all and that is the mojito. Siboney has made an excellent mojito here. What sets this one apart from other mojiots is that they have not over-sugared the drink like many mojitos or years past. Additionally, there is a strong lime flavor that comes through, which I really liked.

Siboney is an excellent little date restaurant with a very good menu. I look forward to some day soon enjoying the bar and live music. Cuban Sandwiches are all fine and good, but Cuban cuisine has some very tasty dishes up its sleeve.


Getting down to Brass Tax:

Date place? Yes.
Friend Hang out? Yes, in the bar.
Recommended dish: Mahi Mahi
Recommended drink: Mojito
Price Range (2 People): +/- $45