Sakana Has the Best Sashimi Lunch Deal in Town
Sushi is one of my go-to lunches. If you steer clear of the deep fried, mayo-drizzled monster rolls, it's a fresh, light, protein-packed meal that rarely necessitates a food coma nap. Also, lunch is the best time to get a killer deal at sushi joints. So, I was thrilled to see that Sakana Sushi Bar and Grill was opening a new location on State and Glenwood streets, not too far from where I live.
Sakana's interior is bright and modern, with red brick flourishes and sandy beige walls. There's a number of cherry red and black booths and a scattering of four-top tables. In addition to a 10-or-so seat sushi bar, there's an actual bar with six tap handles pouring everything from the classic Kirin Ichiban to Sockeye's Dagger Falls IPA and Oakshire's Espresso Stout.
The lunch menu is littered with specials, but the Sashimi Bento Box seemed like the best deal of all: Miso soup, iceberg salad topped with the ubiquitous pulpy carrot-ginger dressing, nine pieces of sashimi, a California roll, a mound of warm sushi rice and a few slices of melon, all for $8.99.
Sakana also offers a ridiculously good deal on wine-by-the-glass: $3.50 for house wine (Estrella Merlot or Chardonnay) or $4.50 for slightly better brands. All told, with a glass of wine and a sashimi bento box, my meal came out to $13.24. Now that's a pretty sweet lunch deal.
Sakana serves lunch Monday-Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more info and the full menu, visit their website.
