Sushi-san Opens in River North with Customizable Hand Rolls and More

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises unveiled Sushi-san earlier this week in River North and they’re taking reservations for its fish-focused sibling to Ramen-san. Sushi-san is offering omakase, customizable hand rolls that customers put together, and grilled meats including a Tokyo Char Dog.

Even though they’re taking reservations via Tock, that’s not to say Sushi-san is buttoned up — it’s littered with hip-hop references and craves a relaxed vibe. Sushi-san replaces Osteria La Madia, the Italian restaurant that closed in March at 63 W. Grand Avenue. The restaurant’s menu from chef Kaze Chan includes nigiri bombs, sashimi sets, tempura, and late-night yakisoba. The latter could be Sushi-san’s answer to Ramen-san’s late-night fried rice, a rotating item only available for night owls. Nocturnal eating seems to play a large element of the space. The restaurant is open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The offerings aren’t pure Japanese; there’s Vietnamese pork and a cocktail made with Chinese five spice.

Zoe Rain

The cocktails are playful with names like a “LaCroix-ing Tiger” (LaCroix pamplemousse, shochu, lime) and “Thank You, Enjoy” (Banks 5-Year Island Rum, lime, pineapple, yellow curry). There’s five signature cocktails in all. The drink list is complemented by a few whiskies, wines, sakes, and beers. Japanese imports like Asahi and Sapporo are joined by domestics including Miller Lite and Pipeworks Brewing’s Ninja Vs. Unicorn. They’re working to add a Japanese beer flight.

Zoe Rain

The omakase selections will rotate monthly at the counter, which is available for $88 per person. The “Let’s Roll” menu is available at the hand roll bar where customers can assemble their own hand rolls. That costs $18 to $27 per person and both spaces can be reserved.

Lettuce Entertain You also runs a sushi spot in Lincoln Park, Naoki Sushi. Sushi-san seems aimed at a younger demographic with more a modern presentation. Sushi-san could be what cures those who embark on long night of drinking in River North. Or it may be where the night starts. Whatever the case, Sushi-san is open.

Sushi-san, 63 W. Grand Avenue, (312) 828-0575, Reservations available via Tock, open 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.