There was a time in my life when the only sushi available to me as a resident of the Ukrainian Village was from the local grocery store, a scary thought for many people. Located on Milwaukee Avenue at Division, Usagi Ya is a trendy, sleek, and pleasant sushi bar, complete with its own tiny parking lot. It is also the reason I will never, ever, eat sushi from the deli section again.
ATMOSPHERE
Golden seat cushions and black chairs and tables make Usagi Ya’s atmosphere dark and relaxing. The music always has a good beat, although it doesn’t always fit the bill for what I’d expect to hear in a Japanese-themed restaurant. So much for stereotypes. Diners have the option of sitting at a cozy table or right up at the shiny clean sushi bar. There is also the aforementioned option of the window booth, a great place for as little as two or up to eight people. Be forewarned: it is not an easy booth to step into. A little flexibility is necessary to enjoy this luxury.
CROWD
There aren’t likely to be many children visiting Usagi Ya. How many kids do you know that like to eat raw fish? For that matter, how many adults do you know that enjoy it? For those adults and children that do brave this genre of dinner, anything from jeans to a suit and tie would fit in at this restaurant.
ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS
There isn’t much in the way of entertainment at this restaurant, aside from sitting at the bar and watching the chef dice up your dinner. Bring your own interesting conversation.
SPIRITS
You’ll find the usual to drink here. I’m afraid I myself cannot comment on the alcoholic side of things but I am satisfied with their selection of drinks. Lemonade, fruit juices, and green tea are all available on this menu. If you only drink water, I’d recommend drinking only the house tap. A 12 ounce bottle of Evian will run you $4.
GRUB
I’m not a huge fan of sushi but this stuff was amazing! If you attend for lunch, a measly $11 will get you the Honey Moon Shrimp Lunch Box Special. In it you’ll find several good sized shrimp in a delicious orange sauce with mangoes and bell peppers, one full California roll, shrimp and vegetable tempura with sauce, Japanese steamed rice, a seasonal pickle, and a fantastic bowl of miso soup. My dining companions have all raved about the Sushi & Sashimi Lunch Box. Its makeup is similar to the Honey Moon Shrimp Lunch Box but includes quite a mix of true sushi including, tuna, salmon, white fish, and shrimp. The House Salad with citrus dressing is excellent and only $4. Individual rolls and pieces of sushi are available ala carte all day.
PRICES
Appetizers range from $4-10. There are also first courses and noodle dishes available for $4-11. A dinner entrée will run you anywhere between $18-35. The lunch box specials, as mentioned above, are your most economical choice and will cost between $9-15.
WHY IT’S UNIQUE
The service here is amazing. The greetings are always extra friendly and it’s a special treat to be offered a basket of steaming hot towels to wash your hands with before your meal. Without a doubt, this is a restaurant that I will visit again and again.
Photos courtesy of Usagi Ya
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