Takashi Relaunches Sunday Tapas and Noodles

By Erika Kubick in Food on Jun 12, 2014 6:00PM

Pinxtos: kinpira (burdock, lotus root, carrots, yam cake), torchon of monkfish liver with ponzu, and asparagus gomae

Madako Japanese Octopus: cucumber, bonito flakes, sesame seeds, tobanjan dressing.

Tempura: shrimp, green beans, kombocha squash, crab croquette and oyster with tonkatsu. Served with soy mirin.

Pork Belly with soy caramel, shishito peppers, winter squash, daikon, mustard and ginger.

Trio of desserts: matcha green tea ice cream, homemade red bean, Japanese mountain peach and tofu ice cream.

Scottish Salmon with red barley miso glaze, pickled veggies, braised salmon, carrot, and fried tofu.

Chilled soba with quail egg, nori, scallion, salmon roe and bonito in soy dashi broth. Served with 7 spice and wasabi.

Soy caramel, Chocolate pave, homemade marshmallow, and chocolate ice milk

Matcha green tea ice cream, homemade red bean, Japanese mountain peach and tofu ice cream.

When Chef Takashi Yagihashi opened the downtown ramen joint Slurping Turtle, he removed the noodles portion of the menu from his namesake restaurant. Those of us in Bucktown who missed our favorite comforting bowls of ramen noodles can now rejoice, because the fan-favorite Noodles & Tapas are back on Takashi's Sunday menu.

Relaunched less than a month ago the menu emphasizes Takashi’s Japanese elements, without the French and American influences you find on its standard menu. While Takashi still calls it tapas, shared small plates are the authentic Japanese method of dining. The new selection includes hot and cold tapas, crudo-sashimi, noodle and rice dishes, and of course their famous desserts. In addition, Takashi has also expanded its beverage program, with a broader selection of cocktails, wines and sake. I recommend the Osaka Berry, a sake based cocktail with a cinnamon kick.

The Omakase Menu highlights some of the best components of the Sunday Noodles & Tapas menu. The Omakese menu comes with choice of seven or nine courses, at $65 and $85 respectively. For a Michelin-starred meal, the Omakase Menu is surprisingly affordable and delivers large, satisfactory portions for each course. For an idea of what you may experience during your Sunday feast at Takashi, flip through our slideshow.

Takashi is located at 1952 N, Damen Ave. Sunday hours are 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. for brunch and 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. for dinner.