4650 N. Clark
Chicago IL, 60640
What lies behind the entry doors of Blue Ocean is unimaginable. The abundance of space is striking; endless turns of brightly colored walls and a whimsical glow that adds to the illusory atmosphere. Everything from the coral like light fixtures and the submerged seating style to the intricate seaweed pattern repeated throughout, create a dreamlike feel of dining in the ocean.
Hard to miss is the impressive wine selection that encompasses the entire entryway wall. Led to our private table by the manager herself, both of the sushi chefs took an interest in immediately greeting us. Our server Da was incredibly professional and personable, gracefully highlighting the specialties page by page.
The carefully crafted beverage menu includes an extensive wine and martini list and up to 15 different flavors of sake available both by the glass and by the bottle. The 2009 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is a favorite, especially when paired with sushi. This smooth citrusy wine is not very sweet neither too dry; holding a pleasantly bitter aftertaste with a lingering affect that almost begs for a re-up when it fades away.
Blue Ocean requires at least three more visits to adequately describe its capacities. This past trip included a sampling of the seemingly succulent Filet Tataki as an appetizer; alternating layers of lightly flash fried filet mignon served over a bed of ponzu marinated cucumbers and lettuce.
Octo Roll was the heartiest of the bunch, including a mass amount of spicy salmon placed atop tender octopus bits intertwined in the center of the roll.
The blue ocean roll holds a combination of lightly battered spicy tuna, cream cheese, avocado, asparagus, shrimp, wasabi tobiko, and tempura crunch encompassed by a soybean sheet and drizzled with creamy wasabi and unagi sauce of a like consistency as condensed milk.
Refreshingly contemporary was the Ocean Drive signature roll; multiple triangular wedges including tuna, yellowtail, avocado, green bell peppers, cilantro, and spicy masago mayo, drizzled with chili oil and fresh lime juice.
Daily Blue Ocean’s Specials
Monday- buy 2 signature rolls get one half roll for free
Tuesday- All day happy hour 4 dollar maki
Wednesday- Buy 1 get 1 on any appetizer
Thursday- ½ off kitchen appetizer and ½ off
Friday- $2 dollar domestic beers
Saturday- ½ of bottles of beer
Sunday- Free edamame
Blue Ocean does offer a $5 dollar corkage fee if you prefer to bring your own beverage.
