Chicago - January 04, 2008

Eastern Promises

Takashi Opens

The waiters at your neighborhood sushi joint know your name, birthday, and current marital status.

It’s time to branch out. 

Start at Takashi, the new Bucktown restaurant from former Ambria chef and James Beard Award winner Takashi Yagihashi.

Yagihashi’s Japanese-influenced French and American menu offers both large plates (organic clay pot chicken with shimeji mushrooms, eggplant, okra) and small (seared tuna with avocado, hearts of palm, sweet onion, tosasu dressing; “bad hair day” of shrimp with oba leaves). Everything is seasonal and preservative free.

The multitalented chef, who received an interior design degree before heading into the kitchen, collaborated on the look of the intimate space.

It’s so tasty you’ll want to come back six nights a week.

But try to control yourself.

Takashi, 1952 North Damen Avenue, between Cortland Street and Armitage Avenue (773-772-6170).