Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

New Owner Of Earth's Kitchen Looks Up To Cousin, Who Runs Cozy Noodles

By  Ariel Cheung and Aishwarya Kumar | June 9, 2016 6:28am 

 Earth's Kitchen brings Japanese American fusion to Boystown, replacing Jitlada Thai Kitchen.
Earth's Kitchen Opens In Boystown
View Full Caption

BOYSTOWN — Boystown's newest eatery is entirely down to Earth.

Noppagrit "Earth" Siripattanapaak, 27, opened Earth's Kitchen in late May. The menu fuses Japanese and American cuisine, embellishing familiar dishes such as fish and chips with an Asian flair.

In the case of fish and chips, it's a citrusy yuzu tartare sauce. Or there's an udon carbonara, complete with masago (a specific type of roe), parmesan cheese, seaweed and bacon.

Nicknamed Earth as a child, the DePaul University graduate said he learned the art of being a restaurateur from his cousin, Suppaluk Meunprasittiveg, or Tee. While studying finance at DePaul, Siripattanapaak worked part time at his cousin's eatery, Cozy Noodles & Rice.

For Siripattanapaak, the beloved Wrigleyville staple represents his goal for Earth's Kitchen: turning into a destination for both neighbors and foodies citywide.

"I always get advice from [Meunprasittiveg], because he's very successful," Siripattanapaak said. "I kind of look up to him, and I know I want to be [where Cozy] is, hopefully."

Earth's Kitchen replaced Jitlada Thai House at 3715 N. Halsted St. The restaurant closed Dec. 31 when the owners moved to Wilmette with plans to open a new restaurant there.

Earth's Kitchen features an airy, simplistic decor that owner Noppagrit Siripattanapaak hopes will be inviting to new customers. [DNAinfo/Aishwarya Kumar]

It took several months for Earth to remake the double-storefront space. White ceiling panels and tiled floors have been replaced to give the space a refined, freshened appearance. Square light boxes depict classic Americana, selected by Siripattanapaak to complement the Japanese decor and wood accents.

Entrees at Earth's Kitchen range between $11-$28. The ribeye steak in a red wine sauce and miso glaze is the restaurant's priciest dish and comes with grilled eggplant and wasabi mashed sweet potato.

Crab toast is $8 on the lunch menu at the newly opened Earth's Kitchen in Boystown. [DNAinfo/Aishwarya Kumar]

Hot and cold appetizers start with the $3 edamame and also include fried oysters ($9), tuna tartar ($11) and a $12 slider trio that includes beef, tofu and shrimp cake sliders. Soups like miso and mushroom cream join seven salads that can serve as starters, as well.

A lunch menu also offers lighter fare.

Earth's Kitchen also serves up noodles, don and a long list of sushi and sashimi. Siripattanapaak recommends the $14 beef donburi: sliced beef stir-fried over rice with scallions, picked ginger, shallots and egg yolk.

"It's very filling, and the color variety makes you like, 'Wow,'" he said. "It will put a smile on your face when the bowl is being served."

Even the sushi menu has American favorites folded into its rolls. The Norwegian River roll ($8.50 for four pieces) is wrapped in collard green and contains blue crab, salmon, avocado and spicy ponzu. Other rolls are wrapped in radish sheets, cucumber or soy paper.

"Japanese is very colorful and skillful, but it's not a lot of [food] cooking," Siripattanapaak said. "American food is more about the hot kitchen and bigger portions and presentation. So I'm bringing the best of both to one place."

Earth's Kitchen is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Dinner service starts at 4:30 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: