New Sushi Restaurant Boasts Fish Tank Tables, 'Best Quality' Fish

Henry Zhang has always wanted to own his own restaurant.

So when he saw the chance to fill the vacant space that Lazy Parrot left behind on West North Avenue, he jumped right in.

He began working on his new restaurant, Runa, in mid-July, and one month later, his dream will become a reality.

Although the Wicker Park neighborhood boasts many popular sushi and Asian-fusion restaurants, Zhang is not worried.

"I believe my sushi is different, because I care about the quality because I am the owner as well as the sushi chef," he said.

Zhang also assures that the seafood will be quality. He orders fish from Hawaii, and within 24 hours of being caught, it will be shipped to his doorstep.

The cuisine, covering mostly Japanese dishes, will focus on sushi rolls. But Zhang is also considering serving a dimsum brunch on weekends.

"There's nothing like it in the area yet, and it would be interesting," Zhang said.

Another characteristic that will add to the restaurant's uniqueness is the see-through sushi case at the bar. Traditionally, a customer can sit in front of the see-through case of fish.

At Zhang's restaurant, customers will actually be eating over the case of fresh fish, on clear glass.

Zhang wants the restaurant to have a casual atmosphere.

"I want to say hello when they come in and get to know my customers," he said. "I love this area, it's energetic and fun, and I want to be able to have that relationship with my customers."

To help achieve the feel, Zhang is also looking to open up the enclosed backyard area as an "outdoor lounge," where customers can "chill outside on comfy outdoor seats with BYOB drinks."

Zhang has been a sushi chef for 13 years. He began in New York when he discovered the art as a server in a sushi restaurant. Now, on the brink of opening his new eatery, that art has become his passion.

"I'm very picky. I will not serve a dish that makes customers go 'eh' because that is an embarrassment, I only want to serve the best quality," Zhang said.