Sura Asian Bistro

(Chicago) –  I used to love this place.  My first dinner at Sura was about 4 years ago and came back for many more lunches and dinners afterwards. However, a common observation among friends, which I seconded, was that the food dwindled somehow in quality while the price inflated. Perhaps, the people behind the kitchen changed or whatever. But I think the food remains palatable and still looks pretty on the plate.

Crispy Ginger Calamari –  toasted chili & coconut, jalapeno with avocado-green onion emulsion – I always order this for appetizer but the number of calamari is slowly decreasing as time goes by. The center of this calamari mound is padded with lettuce. Isn’t that smart?! But this is still a good starter.  I like the breading and the emulsion.

Nikki Fried Rice – crab meat, shrimp, chicken, beef, egg & mixed vegetable in a banana pouch – This is my favorite here at Sura.  I like the presentation which reminds me of “binalot” Filipino dish. Just like the calamari issue above, the amount of meat that are mixed in the rice greatly reduced. But more peas are added, if that will compensate for it.

Crispy Duck Confit – bake garlic bread, fried egg, pickled carrot, curly endive with plum sauce – Everywhere I go, I order duck if it is on the menu. Though I appreciate the big portion of duck on the plate, the meat is a little tough and chewy.  I still think that duck is supposed to be pre-sliced before putting on the plate.  Also, the fats underneath the skin is not completely rendered and the sauce is too sweet. It did not help elevate the flavor of the meat. It killed the duck actually. I like eggs but I don’t see the connection of the boiled, then fried egg, which doesn’t make sense to me in the first place.

Sex on the Moon – unagi, cream cheese, avocado, shrimp tempura, masago, topped with tuna and special house sauce – This is like Sura’s special sushi and a bestseller according to our waiter. But sadly, I didn’t find anything special with it. I can get a better tasting one in all-you-can-eat sushi places within 5-block perimeter.  It’s not bad but “special” is an incorrect description of this dish. And what’s with the name?  Absurd.