Blowfish looking to make splash in downtown Northfield

The tradition of dining at 310 N. Happ Road will continue in Northfield.

Blowfish Contemporary Sushi has taken over the longtime home of Tapas Gitana, which closed at the end of 2024 after 27 years in the Northfield space.

The new spot opened on Monday, June 2, according to Blowfish cofounder and chef Puje Sukh.

Sukh and fellow chef Tuvshin Sukh launched Blowfish with a location in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood in 2015. The Northfield location is their second.

Puje Sukh told The Record that Blowfish adds a style of sushi, which he described as modern and less traditional, that is hard to find in the North Shore.

A Northbrook resident, Sukh said he would often drive through Northfield and admired the location along Happ Road.

“It’s the right spot for our kind of food,” he said.

Blowfish specializes in sushi, ramen and poke bowls, and Sukh pointed to the Salmon Sunrise Bowl (poke) and Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen as two of Blowfish’s most popular dishes. The restaurant also offers a variety of signature sushi rolls.

Sukh said Blowfish’s use of Wagyu beef is one element that sets them apart. Wagyu can be found in the seared Wagyu signature roll (shiitake, avocado, cucumber, tempura asparagus, topped with Wagyu), as well as the seared Wagyu appetizer — both items are topped with the chef’s special jalapeno sauce.

Blowfish also features a full bar and selection of signature cocktails.

The restaurant can seat approximately 60 guests inside and another 40 or so on its outdoor patio.

Blowfish is open from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 Monday-Saturday, and just dinner on Sunday.

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