-
Feb 18, 2005 4:25 pm US/Central
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Katsu
2649 W Peterson Ave
(773) 784-3383
Vince Gerasole
CHICAGO (CBS 2) ―
In Chicago there are so many restaurants that serve up sushi, that its hard to find one that stands out. But CBS 2's Vince Gerasole found one that takes it to a whole new level. It's time to grab a chair at a Table for 2.
Sushi and sashimi may not be for everyone, but at Katsu on Peterson they are elevated into high-art.
Co-owner and namesake Katsushi Imamura is the rodin of raw fish, sculpting elegant creations for his gastronomic gallery.
Katsu and his wife Haluko attribute the popularity of their 17-year-old Japanese restaurant to one conviction: "We know what is fresh and what is not fresh," says Katsu.
Fresh means flying in super premium yellowtail tuna from Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market.
And freshness is what attracted our guest Larisa Olson, who has been eating raw fish since she was a child living in Japan.
"This is the closest to Japan that you can get in the United States, as far as I know," says Larisa Olson.
The extensive menu offers delicacies from Katsu's fertile imagination, like tuna in an ice ball.
Larissa Olson greatly enjoys Katsu's creations. "I think that you have to be a little bit adventurous," says Olson.
Daring diners will enjoy daily specials such as sea urchin, that is the spiky thing you don't want to step on when you're swimming in the ocean, which it's served here with salmon eggs.
Colors leap off the plate of the chef's special, overflowing with sushi and soft shell crab. But one of the most unusual dishes is the sashimi carpaccio, a mixed palette of tuna, flounder, salmon and flakes of 24 carat gold. And what does gold taste like? "Tastes like gold," says Katsu.
Other standouts include the katsumaki assortment, which is an egg custard soup with unagi, and the sauteed asparagus beef roll.
Fans of traditional Japanese fare will appreciate the bento box bursting with tempura and teriyaki. "It's magical, it's perfectly balanced and absolutely wonderful," says Olson.
Overall we found Katsu's cuisine and presentation extraordinary; and its atmosphere authentic and warm. At Katsu's, you can find most entrees from $12 to 25 with specials topping out at $36.
(© MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc., All Rights Reserved.)