One Great Dish: Wasabi's Artmex Roll

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 10, 2011 6:20PM

Chuck Sudo/Chicagoist

Last Friday we sat down to the most epic dining experiences we've had in quite some time. It wasn't at Next, Ing, or any of the other recent openings that have made headlines. This was at Logan Square BYOB Japanese restaurant Wasabi.

We'll have a full review of Wasabi next week. Until then we wanted to give you a teaser with the standout dish from an evening full of excellent menu choices. The Artmex roll is made with spicy tuna tartar, yellowtail, salmon, cucumber, avocado, sesame, lime, cilantro, cilantro, and black tobiko (flying fish roe); topped with jalapeno slices and served with spicy mayo and chili oil.

It wasn't just the blend of flavors that sold us, which were milder than we anticipated given all the spice involved, but the presentation and construction of the dish's components. Most sushi bars tend to go overboard on their rolls and serve diners these monstrosities that are as much of a dare to eat in one sitting than a artistic and culinary statement. The Artmex roll was dainty, by comparison, and both left us wanting more to eat and another roll. The Artmex roll epitomizes the elegance we love about the best sushi.

Wasabi is located 2539 N. Milwaukee Ave.