Japonais
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: (312) 822-9600
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Larrabee Street
- Directions:
- Bus: 8 to Halsted
- Best of Citysearch:
- People Watching 2007
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm, Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11:30pm, Sat 5pm-11:30pm, Sun 5pm-10pm
Message from Japonais
Japonais Fuses Japanese Traditions with European Elegance
- Chic and Elegant Setting
- Diverse Sushi Selection
- Global Wine List
Paid advertisement by Japonais.
Editorial Review for Japonais – by Alice Van Housen
The Scene
Gold draping, slate steps, red tiles and waterfall wall only hint at the myriad design elements of Japonais, which blends industrial decadence with stylish understatement. Trendy, sophisticated Chicagoans revel in four dramatic environments: red (tables, with sushi bar) and green (lounge-y, with wall of flames) rooms; subterranean lounge; and riverfront terrace, a dream-like setting of draped daybeds and candlelight (enclosed in winter).
The Food
The menu takes creative license with traditional Japanese fare. Think ultra-fresh sushi and top-shelf ingredients (multiple grades of tuna; monkfish liver; Kobe beef "prime rib"), and creative maki rolls (crunchy soft-shell crab tempura; unagi roll with baked unagi and sweet unagi sauce). Six seafood "tartares," each dressed differently, arrive in a sizzling pan, paired with single maki rolls topped with various roes. Tender marinated New York strip slivers are served with a hot river rock for tabletop grilling; lobster tempura teriyaki is lobster heaven with a sweet-spicy kick.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoArrive early for your reservation to enjoy the mood-setting lounge or terrace.
What to DrinkGreat beverage options include "Floating Orchids" and other cocktails, extensive sake selections and a global wine list.
Save MoneyThe lunch menu features a prix-fixe option with appetizer, entree and beverage for $20.03.
When to GoThe lounge is open Mon-Wed till 1am; Thu-Fri 2am; Sat 3am; Sun 12am
User Reviews for Japonais
06/01/2008 Posted by malexan
I really do not understand how this is considered to be one of the better restaurants in Chicago. I here that it is Opera favorite. I have to admit that the food is good. Some of the better sushi I have had, however, the restaurant is just too loud. I wanted and expected to have a great meal instead I was seated at a table that was too small for the party that I was with and I had to strain myself to hear the person next to me. For a place that is supposed to be this nice that is unacceptable. In the end I have to mark in not recommended simply do to the atmosphere. I have never been to a place that has missed the mark by so much.
Pros: Good food and you get to say that you dinned at Japonais.
Cons: The atmosphere and thus, the price. Just as loud as the Cheesecake Factory but 8x more money.
05/11/2008 Posted by arcano
Food tastes good, but I give them one star. Actually I think they deserve the half of it. I had a dinner with a big group of friends (22 in total), the food was good, the service was just fine, and at the end of the night we decided to pay. They brought us the bill, and we gave them approximately 10 or 12 credit cards. There was an average of $120 per person, and of course, nobody was going to pay for 21 people in a Saturday night. So, somebody came back to ask us for 4 credit cards for the total bill. We could not believe that there was no possibility to pay an average of $240 per credit card, so we asked for the manager. Here comes the most important thing. The manager comes to usand instead of trying to give us options to pay, he started to discuss with some of us. Later on, it was impossible to believe, but he brought two security guys. The most of us were sitted, and they had our credit cards.. so, the story continues... instead of giving us options to pay (come on, there are even cash machines inside the restaurant) he called the police!!!! Then the police arrived in the middle of the restaurant. Probably they could see the shortness of mind of the manager, so they were very nice with us. Actually they were smiling and left soon. That was lovely police!!! So, at the end of the night some of us had to walk away from the restaurant (the cash machine does not give more than 100 dollars plus a fee per transaction) and pay the bill. Was it necessary to make this big deal for people that: 1. Was going to pay 2. Were nice to him 3. Are customers 4. Were giving a 18% of tip (more than 300$ in the check) 5. Now want to talk this horrible story to all his friends in Chicago. I dont know. Consider if you really want to go to this place. There are awesome sushi places in Chicago, go to another one. Japonais is pretentious.
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