Every single Chicago city block seems to have its requisite sushi joint (or three). The good, the bad and the ugly sushi restaurants pop open and shut down quicker than you can taste their wares, but you must give it up to those fastidious sushi chefs; if they're honorable with their fish, the loyal crowds will follow. That said, Kite is an extremely welcome addition to the Lincoln Avenue sushi scene. These kids seem to have the formula down, offering delicious sushi, heavenly Mandarin Chinese food and a jumbo, flawlessly prepared crab rangoon appetizer.

Kite jumped squarely on the low-carb wagon and features several plates in keeping with the frenzied low-carb formula, the best being chicken in lettuce wraps, a spicy, lightly wok-fried chicken stuffed into perky little lettuce cups. Sichuan green beans are an intensive mix of crispy, vibrant green beans, spicy chili oil and sugary, sweet soy sauce, and watch out, they'll soon become a cult house favorite.

And how can you do wrong with impeccable sushi that's cheap, healthy and tasty? Bottom line is, you can't. The spicy shrimp tempura roll is massive, perfectly rolled and chock full of delicate fried shrimp, while the sweet unagi cucumber roll puts most others around the block to shame. Nothing too offbeat comes out of the kitchen here; almost all the dishes are pretty standard in name, but it's the extraordinarily clean flavor of each dish that'll have the herds of folks who love simple sushi and mouthwatering Chinese food rushing back for more.

The lighting is low, the tables are evenly spaced, the staff is friendly and the price is right. Welcome to the 'hood, Kite.

Centerstage Reviewer: Misty Tosh