Hama Matsu – The Freshy Fresh (in fish)

Have you ever had great sushi? I know the majority of those who have lived through the eighties and nineties have at least sampled a piece during the Chicago sushi boom. You’ve had to be living under a rock (or been on a deep space mission) if you are still a sushi virgin. But then again, have you ever had great sushi? I am talking about fresh fish, fresh flavors, and a smack of “holy crap that was awesome sushi”.

Well if you have not been lucky enough to have this experience or think you have had it, if you haven’t have Hama Matsu then I challenge you to rethink. I bet most of you have been eating fish freshly out of a jock strap, but its not your fault, you just don’t know any better or have anything to compare it too. It like drinking Milwaukee’s Best all through college and then getting your first taste Bell’s beer, Delirium Tremens, or any fine ale. You think to your self, why did I waste all that time? How could I have abused my self so?

Let’s start with the ambiance, it is quaint and relaxing, you could find Jazz or good old Mr. Sinatra spinning in the CD player. Subtle Japanese décor helps make Hama Matsu feel warm and inviting, with the capacity to fit only forty people, you don’t have to worry about a loud buzz to have a great conversation.

Plus, if you can find a more creative sushi chef in the Chicago, let me know. First of all, a female sushi chef is a diamond in the rough, but to find some one who is willing to push the art of maki making to a whole new level is like finding the crown jewels. Bang, makes her own sauces which line up behind the sushi counter, she prepares her own mackerel, and cuts all the fish at Hama Matsu, so you know its done right. The stuff on the menu is great, but if you can get to know Bang and Jason behind the counter, you can get unique creations that will make you give up your crack addition and eat sushi instead.

On to the food, the menu has a wide selection, you can chose from Korean or Japanese designs, while I was at Hama Matsu spending a night with my friends who are the multi-ethnic (4 to be exact) interracial couple of the year, we had a little bit of both to celebrate their diversity. We started with a traditional kalbi, beef short ribs served on a sizzling platter. Damn, you will want every last piece of flavor right down to marrow out of the bone, so don’t say I didn’t warn you, not to be advised for eating on a first date.

Maki (rolls) are very creative a full of flavor and very artistic in presentation. We had a roll with shrimp tempura and it was a piece of art that I really can’t describe, but look at the picture above, it is more intricate than a Rubix cube. We also ate what appeared to be a dragon or maybe an anteater, but it sure look like it could be alive, filled with squid and fish roe, perfect sweet and salty combo. Our third roll was a spicy tuna roll, but not your traditional looking spicy tuna maki, think pieces of tuna drizzled with a spicy mayonnaise mixture will help you imagine the possibilities of what is ordinary.

Sashimi, to top everything of for a refreshing finish, we got a specially prepared thin slice sashimi combo, tuna, salmon, flounder, mackerel, so fresh I swear it was still moving. Not picture was the Mochi-Ice cream we had for desert, mango, peach, and greet tea ice cream wrap in a thin layer of dough. So after unbuttoning my pants and smoking ten cigarettes, I am able to write this.

In summary, if you have been living a life of bland, crappy, uninventive sushi eating, continue to do so if you don’t want a profound change. This place will change how you look at sushi in general, you find your self, comparing everything, and the world of eating will not be so easy anymore. Your palate will reject badly cut fish, your eyes will reject looking at placard sushi, your nose will ignore the ordinary aromas, and your mouth will poo poo things that don’t make the grade. You will eat sushi after that does not cut the grade and after Hama Matsu you will know it and feel the pains of guilt run through your conscience for subjecting your body to an inferior product. If you continue to eat bad sushi after eating Hama Matsu you may as well order up the McRib at McDs and really be self-destructive. So if you are not ready, stay ignorant and keep your bliss. Don’t say I did not warn you!!!!!