LINCOLN PARK — The North Side is about to get poked again.
ASAP Poke launches Tuesday as a delivery-only "digital restaurant," the latest outlet from Lettuce Entertain You.
Poke is a trendy Hawaiian raw fish salad, and Lettuce Entertain You enters the fray with ASAP Poke, a collaboration between three chefs: Tim Hockett of M Burger, Naoki Nakashima of Naoki Sushi and Hisanobu Osaka, who's done at stint at Lettuce's Intro.
In fact, Lettuce gives the address for ASAP Poke as 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, where it already has Intro, Naoki and Mon Ami Gabi.
"The idea for this concept came about as we were sourcing some the best quality fish for our restaurants, and we thought it would be great to be able to share this product with our guest in a more convenient, affordable way," Hockett said. "With ASAP Poke we are not only able to get creative with our signature bowls and rolls, but also give guests the option to choose from an extensive list of ingredients, toppings and sauces to create their own."
ASAP offers four "signature" poke, as well as the option for customers to create their own from a base of sushi rice, brown rice, quinoa tabouli or greens, topped with tuna, salmon, hamachi or gingered beets. Then they add up to six more ingredients including soy beans, sliced cucumber, watermelon radish, seaweed, tomato salsa, avocado, shredded lettuce, pickled ginger, pickled mushrooms, sliced jalapenos, ginger, sliced scallions, tobiko and more.
Finally, sauces include classic poke marinade, spicy mayo, soy dressing, ponzu sauce and sesame vinaigrette, or keep it “naked” and finish it off with sesame seeds or crispy shallots.
Prices are set at $12.95 for a 24-ounce bowl, $9.95 for a 16-ounce "shorty" or $11.95 for a six-piece maki roll.
ASAP Poke will be open for delivery from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays and 11:30-9:30 Fridays and Saturdays.
Aloha Poke has led the way on the trend in Chicago, with 14 outlets opened or planned, including one coming at 818 W. Fullerton Ave.
