Baby Yusho Hyde Park's Interior and Menu Revealed, Opening Tomorrow

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Nearly two years in the making, Hyde Park will finally have its baby Yusho tomorrow. Both the space and menu of Matthias Merges' South Side offspring are more approachable and compact than its North Side forefather, as Merges calls it "focused and streamlined." "We hope to make Yusho a possible daily experience for Hyde Parkers," he says.

Inside, Merges' designer wife Rachel Crowl has crafted a modern cafe-esque Japanese-inspired restaurant, dotted with blues and yellows, two-tops and a wooden bar. There's 40 seats inside and 20 out.

Merges kept many of the most popular items to represent papa Yusho while leaving 10 or so dishes in Logan Square. "We eliminated a few of our more esoteric items and concentrated on having a more whimsical time," Merges says.

Focusing on noodles, buns and snacks, the "Logan Poser Ramen," chicken drummies, and soft serve are among those that made the trip south. Three new dishes made the cut: The "Ten Buck Ramen," a play on matzoh ball soup; a fried chicken bun that was a staff meal favorite; and Japanese "loaded" fries with kimchee gravy.

After a contentious situation between some neighborhood residents and the University of Chicago over the formerly dry district Yusho Hyde Park is situated in was resolved, alcohol service will also be available. Craft and Japanese beer, a nice sake selection, wine and whiskeys are on the menu, which you can read below.

Tomorrow, Hyde Parkers will finally taste much of what made the original Yusho one of Chicago's essential restaurants and the 2012 restaurant of the year.

· All Yusho Hyde Park Coverage [-ECHI-]
· All Matthias Merges Coverage [-ECHI-]