Fab Happenings: Fab Food Chicago at Lure Izakaya – CLOSED

We came (with hungry appetites). We saw (through our camera lenses). We conquered (the food). 

Last week, in celebration of Fab Food Chicago’s launch and Lure Izakaya’s relaunch, we hosted our first tasting event. Some of our favorite food bloggers and Instagrammers came together to sample Lure’s modern take on traditional Japanese kaiseki (haute cuisine).

The décor is minimalistic and sleek. The walkway that leads to the main entrance is adorned with basket-style wooden lights.

In late July, two visionary chefs, Kee Chan (Strings) and Macku Chan (Macku Sushi), relaunched Lure’s concept in the former Macku Signature space after closing its original Chinatown location in 2012. Izakayas, commonly referred to as sake houses, are casual pubs in Japan where people can go for food and drinks after work.

With Lure’s informal atmosphere and long communal tables, it’s a great place to relax with friends.

Lure’s new menu is focused on carefully crafted smaller plates with attention to balancing taste, texture, color, and design. Choose dishes from a variety of categories such as konomono (pickled), sunomono (vinegared), yakimono (grilled), nimono (simmered), kobachi (small bowl), shirumono (soups), agemono (deep-fried), gohan (rice dishes), and wagashi (served with tea).

Here are a few highlights from the event…

The Oshinko Moriwase (Mixed Pickles) are preserved in a mixture of vinegar, salt, and sake and can last for months.

Here’s super-talented Kelly (@kallisonphoto), taking the perfect shot. She was one of our Instagram winners who came to celebrate with us.

The cucumber rolls with beets, in a green tea medley, were refreshingly light and beautifully shot by Ashley (@mushroomstew).

So proud and honored to be celebrating the launch of @fabfoodchicago tonight at @lureizakayapub! Four of my absolute favorite Chicago foodies united together to create one fabulous account inspired by their love of FOOD — follow them for some 👌🏻 #foodporn. Many thanks to @vegtourist for letting me steal her delicious first course for this shot too! || #fabluretasting #fabfoodchicago #thrillist #buzzfeedfood #eeeeeats

A photo posted by mushroomstew (@mushroomstew) on Sep 30, 2015 at 8:29pm PDT

Deep-fried avocado? I must admit, I was a little skeptical at first but the consistency was perfectly crunchy and full of flavor. You can’t just eat one.

The hotates (scallops) were fresh and beautifully presented. May I please have one of those, Erin (@312food)?

One of my favorites from the izakaya tasting last night. Thanks for hosting, @fabfoodchicago! 💗 | scallops from @lureizakayapub | 📍Lakeview. #FabLureTasting #FabFoodChicago #scallops A photo posted by Chicago Food 🍴 (@312food) on Oct 1, 2015 at 6:01am PDT

Fried foods can be greasy and heavy but the squid legs had a nice crispness and airiness. Don’t let these little tentacles scare you! Give it a try.

Lure also offers a variety of vegetarian dishes such as this delightful fried tofu dish taken by Adam (@adamsoko). If you ever need vegetarian recos, follow Sapna (@vegtourist) on Instagram.

Big congrats to my friends @sherriesavorsthecity, @chelsias, @vansventures, and @fabsoopark for launching @fabfoodchicago with a celebration last night at @lureizakayapub worthy of their name. #fabluretasting #fabfoodchicago #sokophoto This was one of my favorite dishes: fried tofu with green tea dressing. Catch more on Snapchat 👻 snapadamsoko

A photo posted by Chicago Food Dude 🌭 (@adamsoko) on Oct 1, 2015 at 10:31am PDT

The chef serves unique preparations for a variety of different types of fishes, including flounder, grouper, red snapper, trout, and more.

The pompano, a mackerel-like fish, was a crowd favorite. The fish was perfectly cooked and charred. Every part of the fish was edible. Just ask Kheng (@strangefoodschicago). He ate the head, skin, and tail.

The salmon cerviche garnered rave reviews. Starr (@chicagofoodiegirl) said it was “one of the best salmon dish she’s *ever* had”.

Don’t let its unassuming nature fool you – this Salmon Ceviche from last night’s @fabfoodchicago tasting @lureizakayapub is one of the best salmon dishes I’ve *ever* had. The buttery fish, the addictive vinaigrette… *swoon*. If you’re a seafood fan, you need to run, not walk, to Lure and stuff your face with delicious Japanese tapas! 👍🏻👏🏻🙌🏻 A photo posted by Starr N. 🍸🍜🍳🍩🍹 (@chicagofoodiegirl) on Oct 1, 2015 at 3:36pm PDT

As with a lot of Instagram events, there was no shortage of photos. Here’s our adorable friend, Uyen (@fromuyenwithlove), getting up close and personal with her food. #phoneeatsfirst

FAB TIP: The udon is a must-try! It wasn’t served at the event but it’s one of my favorite items on the menu. The soup is served piping hot and packed with a lot of flavor. It hits the spot every time.

No event would be complete without Sherrie’s (@sherriesavorsthecity) fab cupcakes. She made four kinds…cookie monster, banana, red velvet, and snickerdoodle for our friends to take home. I ate mine on the spot. Do you blame me?

Fab Food Chicago’s first event was a huge success! Thanks everyone for coming out and supporting us at the #FabLureTasting!

FAB BLOGGERS. FAB APPETITES. LIVING THE FAB FOOD LIFE. Our love for food and taking photos of food brought us together to launch Fab Food Chicago. Our first week performed beyond expectations. We know we couldn’t have achieved these successes without this wonderful community. Thank you all for your encouragement and kind words! We feel truly blessed.

Follow us on Facebook and see more photos from the Fab Lure Tasting Event!

Live the Fab Food Life,
Soo

Note: This meal was complimentary. However, the views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer. Lure Izakaya is CLOSED as of June 2016.

//Special Thanks//

Thank you Lure Izakaya Pub for hosting the event!

Thank you for coming out and supporting us!
@312food @adaateit @adamsoko @akoreangirleats @agirlblownaway @alexjewellalex @chicagofoodiegirl @christinaslaton @connieeatscake @fromuyenwithlove @ms.rosie.mo @mushroomstew @publiclivessecretrecipes @strangefoodschicago @tina.poon @vegtourist

Congrats Instagram winners! We’re so excited you could join us!
@chicagomunchies @foustarfoodie @kallisonphoto @missyoou @what.allison.eats

Thanks to our contributing photographer!
@stenny_sten

Thanks to my FAB team!
@sherriesavorsthecity @vansventures @chelsias @roneng1