Matthias Merges Opening Yusho Saturday Night Dec. 3

After months of anticipation, former Charlie Trotter's chef de cuisine Matthias Merges is finally opening his new spot, Yusho, Saturday night. The yakitori-leaning street-food-inspired restaurant in a rehabbed space was designed by Merges' architect and designer wife, Rachel Crowl (Telegraph, Bluebird).

The space will be open nightly with a regular dinner menu from 5 to 10 and a late-night menu then kicks in until 1 a.m. The extremely affordable menu (most things fall under $10 per item) is broken up into five sections: Grilled Birds (quail eggs, duck confit, chicken thigh); Yasai Vegetables (heirloom beets, maitake mushroom); Kushiyaki Grilled Items (bison tongue, prawns, sweetbreads); Chef's Selection (hamachi, sea urchin, gyoza, foie gras); and Sweet (Yusho poky, grilled mochi, soft serve).

The late-night menu is a pared down version of the regular menu, featuring items like eel, twice-fried chicken, steam "bun," and Logan poser ramen, which has crispy pig's tail, duck egg, cucumber and Thai chili. The restaurant also has a pretty extensive bar menu made to pair with the food featuring specialty cocktails, red and white wine, beer and sake.

Guests can watch the action on the grill just off the dining room, which Crowl has rustically decorated with exposed brick, mismatched hanging pendants, classic plaid tweed fabric atop wooden booths, wooden counters and floors and splashes of neon color throughout. Check out the full menu and make reservations on Yusho's website.
· Chef Matthias Merges Gearing Up to Open Yusho in October [~EChi~]
· Yusho [website]