Dib's on Asian-Fusion

After passing up a slew of Asian food restaurants on a long stroll through Little Vietnam, settling on Dib seemed, at first, like choosing an upscale Taco Bell for authentic Mexican cuisine. The quality of the food proved one of a few pleasant surprises, that evening. Nestled in a strip mall in Uptown’s theater district, Dib aspires to be one of those well-kept secrets of trend-spotting Chicagoans. The real secret? Dib offers a hip ambience and an authentic menu, but reasonable prices, for those who know that spending a week’s paycheck on a night out is so passé.

From all angles, Dib’s décor and atmosphere succeeds in being both practical and chic. With soft white drop lights, pale, crisp, linen curtains, and a black tufted wall-seat, one may be thoroughly wrapped up in the ambience without noticing the natural limitations of the space, like the weathered drop-in ceiling tiles and awkward alcove of restrooms. Circular mirrors of various sizes bubble up above the sushi bar, complete with retro brushed metal stools. From the sleek menu to the chopsticks, which look as if they’ve been carved from driftwood, the design is cohesive, modern, and, save the nauseatingly funky adult contemporary droning the background, pleasantly minimalist.

As the dinner hour got off in full swing, the lights dimmed, the music got a bit jazzier, and the waitress brought out tea lights to adorn the simple wooden tables. Our appetizer of Crab Rangoon came out on a triangular white dish, complete with carrot shavings and a small bowl of sweet and sour sauce. Easily the highlight of the experience, the divine texture of cream cheese and crab meat melted pleasantly with crunches of fresh celery, dropped generously into a dumpling of crisp wonton. While anywhere from Panda Express to P.F. Chang’s boasts the best in fried wonton, Dib offers a signature take on an American-Chinese favorite.

But perhaps what makes Dib a real gem among Uptown’s pan-Asian dining is the split menu, presenting both Thai and Japanese cuisine. The juxtaposition of these two breeds of ethnic food reflects a restaurant that’s well aware of its customers’ love of the unique. While my companion opted for the spicier side of the Thai menu, I delved into the unfamiliar world of sushi, selecting a maki that wouldn’t leave my tastebuds screaming from all the spice. The Philadelphia roll boasted smoked salmon, cream cheese, and avocado, tightly packed within a steamed rice and seaweed roll. Whisked to my table, within twenty minutes, in square china dish, accompanied by a dab of wasabi and pickled turnip, the final presentation was carefully crafted, reflecting the simple elegance Dib was reaching for. Though the room temperature sushi tainted the overall texture of the maki, the robust flavor of the tender salmon lingered on my tastebuds, sidled with cool, fresh avocado and delightfully whipped cream cheese. If you can take the heat, Dib advertises a handful of signature sushi, including the Halloween maki, which features a zesty black tabiko and festive orange honey miso sauce.

My other half’s Mussamun curry, however, left something to be desired in its unremarkable beef, though slathered with a welcome revival of mussamun curry. Served with lightly steamed rice, carrot, and potato, the carmeled sauce was tinged with an aromatic melding of herbs and spices, with a sweet hint of coconut milk. Despite the tough, flavorless meat, the curry proved rich and decadent almost made up for it, revealing Dib’s surprising ability as jack of both trades.

With friendly, attentive staff, more than helpful in selecting the right flavors for every palette, Dib welcomes even ethnic food amateurs into a world of savory authentic dining. It’s fortunate that the eatery continues to fly under the radar of the fine-dining masses; the hype would inevitably soil the comfortable, intimate atmosphere crafted in the confines of a commercial lot, seating just under forty. Yet Dib’s well-honed image doesn’t possess any illusions of grandeur. Well aware of its target audience, the BYOB restaurant won’t break any budget on expensive wines, and offers both delivery and carry out options to the Uptown region.

Enough noise. Check out:




1025 W. Lawrence Ave
(773) 561 0200
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat: 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
BYOB
Entrée Prices: $7-20
Credit Cards: Accepted
Reservations: Optional
Noise: Minimal