Urban charisma meets authentic Japanese fare at this trendy Wicker Park restaurant. Since its opening in 2011, this spot has received continuous buzz and acclaim, appealing to local food gurus and sushi specialists alike.

Walking into the restaurant, I prepared myself to see the calming Asian-inspired décor typical to well-known sushi spots in the city – which is why, after entering what looked like an upscale barbecue bar, I was fearful we were at the wrong restaurant. After seeing the colorful sushi and sauce designs atop every table, my fears were quickly (and thankfully) squashed.

Upon being seated, I was eager to explore the menu and pair items with the deliciously displayed plates I almost grabbed while walking to our table. To accompany the lively atmosphere of the space, the menu including quirky names and descriptions for the various concoctions offered. With guidance from our server, we ordered the Breaking Bad and Moton Effect specialty rolls. We also ordered the Robata Sampler, which we learned was the restaurant’s most popular item.

Thankfully, the one similarity Yuzu does hold to some of my favorite sushi spots is the quality and consistency of the food served. Each dish offered an array of both traditional and unique flavors, allowing me to explore new tastes while savoring the flavors I’ve come to cherish in traditional Japanese fare.

The cherry (or tobiko) on top of this great spot is the restaurant’s BYOB alcohol policy, allowing diners to add their own personal touch to this unique trendy spot.