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Stuff yourself with sushi and take in a monster movie.

Thursday Mar 10, 2005.     By Erin Brereton

Lifestyle Feed

Sushi, Mothra and me: It wasn't the easiest sell for a Tuesday night, but two of my ever-kind friends agreed to trek down to Ra (as in "uncooked,' and not as in "ancient sun god") at 1139 N. State with me to check it out an on-the-cheap sushi and celluloid pairing. Because nothing says friendship like raw fish.

Which was one of our major problems that evening. I actually don't eat any kind of meat, including fish. And one friend accompanying me is four months pregnant, making fish in general, especially the raw type, a major no-no. The third friend announced while were we being seated that he really wasn't so into the whole sushi thing.

We don't sound like the most dazzling trio, kicking things off with our apparent sushi bias, but I love sushi sans fish. And at most eateries, there are plenty of non-fish options. (I mean, isn't vegetarianism something Godzilla would appreciate? He is, after all, just a few lucky breaks away from being transformed into many, many, many stylish purses.)

A discreet restaurant tucked just off the Rush and Division bar district, Ra's weekly sushi special and monster movie night seemed to me to be an unbeatable combo. Big red Ra is actually part of a chain, with locations in places such as California and Las Vegas. Each Tuesday from 8 p.m. to midnight, our local Ra screens Godzilla flicks and offers up food specials (several rolls, most ranging from $7-$10) and drink deals. Who doesn't love the hysterically dramatic Japanese films of years past, with swollen lizards and birds duking it out over Tokyo? Nothing is lost in translation there: It's just good, old-fashioned, uncooked fun.

That said, Ra's weekly movie and maki night wasn't quite the crazy time I was hoping for. The restaurant's layout is much to blame. Most seats don't offer up a great view (if any view) of the TV screens, though the servers excitedly point out that special films are being shown. Interested viewers would do well to call ahead and reserve a front-and-center table. Secondly, the food wasn't the best sushi I've ever tasted. The vegetarian sushi options were extremely limited and somewhat dry; the side dish we ordered came so coated in soy sauce and salt I feared I would be breathing out more fire than the giant lizard threatening Japan's future behind me. However, there is some kitsch value (Ra serves the appropriately named Godzilla roll) and the drink specials are decent. (Who could say no to a Fire Monster cocktail, made of vodka and Red Bull and sold for less than a 10-spot? Well, my pregnant friend, of course, because that would be wrong, and bad.)

Flaws aside, the place was packed for a late Tuesday night in that area, and the staff is extremely friendly and very excited about having monster movies in the hizaus every week. The best sushi in Chicago? Probably not. But if you'd rather upgrade your free side of ginger for some free Godzilla flicks, Ra seems to be the best place to do so. After all, it's hard to find a dinosaur to hang out with these days, thanks to nature.

Freaking meteors ruin everything.

Call Ra to find out what movies are showing next week at (312) 274-0011 or just stop by and dine after 8 p.m. on Tuesday nights to enjoy sushi and screenings.

Erin Brereton is our resident urban cowgirl on a bi-weekly search for life on the cheap.