Sushi craving? Inari satisfies

Inari Sushi offers traditional dishes and surprising delights. The intimate restaurant, located at 7428 W. North Ave. on Elmwood Park’s famed Restaurant Row, is suited for both a quick lunch and a sophisticated night out.

Sara Kate opened the location with the idea that both tradition and innovation could exist side-by-side. Her sushi knife was honed through work and collaboration with many of the well-known downtown sushi destinations. Bringing that same dedication to quality was a goal when she opened Inari. Another was to make sushi, sashimi and all their related dishes more easily accessible than a trip downtown. 

For more than a decade Inari has satisfied the sushi cravings of local diners.

Sushi for lunch! Mid-day combos include a 5-piece sushi platter with a spicy tuna maki (roll); a sushi and sashimi combo with five pieces of sashimi, three pieces of sushi and a California maki; and an option to suit vegetarians.

As evening rolls around, drinks from the bar are 50% off from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. during Inari’s daily happy hour. Cocktails range from traditional to those tailored to the menu. A lychee martini comes chilled with a flavor that belies its Asian heritage. The lychee fruit is sweet with citrus and melon overtones mixed with a strawberry and pear essence.

There are specials throughout the week. Monday’s offer is half-priced bottles of wine and sake. On Tuesdays there are $6 martinis and $3 Inari sushi specials.

The restaurant features the freshest ingredients possible in their both traditional and innovative menu. Tonkotsu Ramen is a warm and hearty dish that is a meal itself. The Sushi Ume combo mirrors a lunch special with five pieces of sushi and a tuna maki.

There is a full selection of sushi and sashimi by the piece. Maki options include the ever-popular Dragon roll that wraps up shrimp tempura, eel, cucumber, avocado, sweet soy sauce and sesame seeds. If diners want a dramatic presentation, there is the Flaming Dragon roll, which is a chef’s specialty that, yep, is set on fire at the table.

Angry Dragon maki gets spicy. As does the Butterfly, Diablo, Fiesta and Latin Bliss rolls.

Chef’s specials show that while sushi has a long tradition, it can be creative. The BLT roll surprises with a pop of salty tempura fried bacon, spring mix lettuce and ripe tomato, all topped with spicy mayo. The Man in Black maki gets serious with super white tuna, spicy mayo, cilantro, tempura crunch, all covered with nutty, rich, black tobiko caviar and sesame seeds.

Robusta maki is a statement: lobster, fried banana and red tobiko caviar are wrapped inside-out with crispy rice, then topped with micro greens and a spicy, honey mayo.

Inari also offers a selection of increasingly popular poke bowls. This Hawaiian dish respects the island’s deep ties to Japanese culture. Think of the bowls as deconstructed Maki. Cubes of fish are served over rice, accompanied with a variety of vegetables and toppings.

Other entrees include beef, chicken, shrimp, salmon and veggie teriyaki. Grilled chicken or garlic lobster tail are among the other options.

The desire to linger over dinner at Inari is helped by an exciting dessert menu. Green tea ice cream is a staple that is loved the world over – as is mochi – served in mango or green tea flavors. But then, just like the main course menu, desserts get adventurous. Chocolate cookie dough is rolled up in rice paper, same as an eggroll, fried to golden perfection and served with a side of pureed strawberries. Banana Tempura is flash fried and served with side of green tea ice cream.

Sometimes the cozy comforts of eating at home are the best. Inari offers carry out and delivery with a standing coupon, viewable on their website, for a free salad and roll for all carry-out and delivery orders.

Sara Kate’s goal to put sushi in easy reach has succeeded in satisfying cravings day and night.

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