LOGAN SQUARE — A new restaurant along Logan Square’s busy Milwaukee Avenue strip is catching the eyes of curious neighbors and cyclists.

Rasa Indian Cuisine and Bar opened in March at 2763 N. Milwaukee Ave., bringing a variety of North and South Indian dishes to a Logan Square storefront that’s seen frequent turnover in recent years.

The owners, a group of four friends, have slowly been getting familiar with the neighborhood. They said they hope to get a patio and liquor license in the near future to get more customers in the door.

The location was previously home to The Basement Bar and the vegan Don Bucio’s Taqueria — a pair of short-lived businesses under the same ownership team.

One of the first things Rasa’s owners changed after moving in was to transform the space into one large room and let in the light so neighbors could see inside, said co-owner Asish Shaji.

A table at Rasa Indian Cuisine and Bar, 2763 N. Milwaukee Ave., is seen April 28, 2026. Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago

Outfitted with terracotta-colored booths, big windows and dark floors for contrast, Rasa offers traditional Indian cuisine made by chef-owner Antony Jessil, who is from the state of Kerala on India’s tropical Malabar Coast.

Having worked at Indian restaurants in the city and in Boston for close to 20 years, Jessil has long wanted to own his own restaurant and be the top chef, he said.

“This is my dream,” Jessil said. “When I work, I work from my heart. I wanted to own my own restaurant, but I didn’t have enough money.”

Shaji and business partners, Robby Singh and Amit Vikram, pooled their resources to make Rasa a reality — contingent on Jessil coming back to Chicago for the job.

The tandoori chicken from Rasa is one of the most traditional items on the menu. Credit: Provided

Jessil, who was living in Boston at the time, received the Rasa offer and a job to head up an Ohio restaurant around the same time. Friendship won out, and he chose Chicago, he said.

“When something is meant to happen, it’s going to happen and work out,” Shaji said of collaborating on the restaurant. “It’s more than about just the money; it’s about friendship.”

It’s also a personal endeavor, he said, as he used to own a liquor store on the South Side but wanted to run a business that could celebrate his culture.

Rasa is a Sanskrit term meaning “juice,” “essence,” or “taste.” That felt fitting for the spot, he said.

Rasa Indian Cuisine and Bar stands at 2763 N. Milwaukee Ave on March 24, 2026. Credit: Jeremy Battle/Block Club Chicago

Rasa has already developed regulars, with Jessil creating Indian staples and newer dishes for the menu that have been a hit, the owners said.

Favorites so far include the chicken ammwala curry bowl, a mild Indian creamy curry with chicken, mango puree, coconut milk and spices; lamb bhuna punjabi curry cooked with tomato and herbs; and popular street food dishes like samosa chatt and banana fitter chatt, a crispy banana topped with chickpeas, yogurt and chutneys.

“We have a customer who comes here to eat the lamb bhuna punjabi at least three days in a week,” Shaji said. “That’s kind of thing that shows you really, really know how well the food is made.”

While dinner has brought in customers, Rasa owners want neighbors to know the restaurant has two curry lunch specials: a vegetarian and non-vegetarian curry bowl that comes with a bread and dessert.

Rasa opened across from Chiya Chai, which serves a small Indian-Nepalese menu, though the restaurant is moving next month, owners announced in a newsletter last month. A new location has not been announced yet.

Rasa is open 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for lunch and 4-10 p.m. for dinner Tuesday-Sunday.

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