A critical eye: Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill

Yuzu

 1715 W. Chicago ave {between Paulina + Hermitage}
(312) 666- 4100


While the hustle and bustle of street traffic and pedestrians doesn't come close to that at Union Sushi and Barbecue in River North, Yuzu Sushi and Robata Grill in Ukrainian Village is serving up some fantastic maki specialty maki rolls and robata grilled skewers (meat, seafood, vegetables) worthy of a visit. Bottom line, Yuzu is a terrific value (skewers at $1.5-$2, maki rolls are $5-$12) for the quality and innovation you're getting, any sushi-snob connoisseur wouldn't dislike the classic spider roll or South Beach roll (pictured below). The BYOB no corkage fee is also a huge plus if you're dining on a budget. Parking in the area is relatively easy to find (for paying on Chicago ave) and the neighborhood isn't zoned. 

The ambiance is clean, unassuming, tight-knit, and rather gray. Hopefully young Yuzu (opened in May) can find a way to make the decor match the vibrant food and Japanese flavors. A little heat hitting something else besides the robata grill could liven things up. Speaking of that robata grill, while the grilled meat, vegetable, and seafood we ordered for the majority tasted fantastic, some more showcasing of the traditional Japanese preparation or explanation of the grill's capabilities would have been appreciated. If you've got a robata grill, flaunt it. In sum, Yuzu was a great value and the sushi was top-notch, we'll be back.

{South Beach Roll. Super white tuna, albacore tuna, cucumber, Japanese pepper, sesame oil, masago, mayo, red & black tobiko, lime}

{Spider Roll. Soft shell crab, marinated crab meat , cucumber, masago, mayo, black tobiko, pepper vinegar sauce}

{Avocado Mango Salad. Avocado, mango, seasonal greens with a creamy ginger dressing. Beautiful presentation}

{This is a one order skewer, appetizer portion of: (from top to bottom) marinated chicken wing with curry sauce, shitake mushroom brushed with ponzu sauce, and miso tuna (ahi tuna brushed with white miso and Japanese mustard. By far the winner here were the mushrooms and chicken wing}

 If teetering on whether to go here's one more reason to give Yuzu a go: Mention "YUMMY" for $10 off (min purchase of $40) Dine-In only. Must mention before order. Excluded tax. Offer available Thursdays 6/24 -9/24/2011.