(312) 822-9600
600 W Chicago Ave
(Larrabee Street)
Chicago,
IL
60610
41.8966
-87.6432
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central
Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm
Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11:30pm
Sat 5pm-11:30pm
Sun 5pm-10pm
Price:
$$$$
Japonais
Last updated 7.24.09
What People Are Saying About Japonais
The Owner
Japonais
Owner
Since opening in 2003, Chicago's Japonais has received three stars by both the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune, and was recently named "Best Restaurant" by Chicago Magazine in 2005. With a vibrant and exciting scene, Japonais offers Chicago residents and travelers alike modern Japanese cuisine in a setting that is at once intimate and exciting. Renowned for creating the award-winning menu of Mirai Sushi, Chef Ichikawa oversees the restaurant's astounding sushi selection as well as all cold items, while Chef Kato handles the remainder of the menu. The extensive Sushi menu has both…
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
Gold draping, slate steps, red tiles and a waterfall wall only hint at the luxe design, which blends industrial decadence with stylish understatement. Trendy, sophisticated Chicagoans revel in four dramatic environments, notably a subterranean lounge and all-season riverfront terrace, a dream-like setting of draped daybeds and candlelight (enclosed in winter). The menu takes creative license with traditional Japanese fare. Think ultra-fresh sushi, creative maki rolls and top-shelf ingredients (multiple grades of tuna, monkfish liver, Kobe beef "prime rib"). Six seafood "tartares," each dressed…
11/08/09
night club or culinary experience?
by abfoodie
Cuisine remained inventive, superbly executed and presented, but the ambience and service had deteriorated considerably since our last dinner a year ago. The very loud music made it impossible to have a conversation even with the closest neighbor and considerably detracted from the culinary experience. Glasses and silverware vibrated with the music! Service was hurried and superficial, management seemed devoted to the night club ambience and did not seriously care about our repeated complaints. I was sorry to see the efforts and creativity of the culinary team ruined by the management team. This new "ambience" did not correspond to my memory of past experience here, nor to the description and press release ("Intimate setting"?) in the restaurant website. Seemed disrespectful not only to the customer, but also to the cooks and their team.
- Pros: culinary experience
- Cons: Loud night club ambience, poor service.
11/03/09
OVER RATED
by jvb2008
I love Sushi! and we were so excited to try Japonais for dinner, it was recommended to us by a close friend. and it was a true disappointment. The nigiri lacked flavor, and the rolls were mushy and tasted like they had been covered in mayonaise. Grocery store sushi has more excitement than last nights spread. A very expensive night or bland mush. Would not recommend this to anyone. I am sure there are much better sushi places in the area... check them out unless you are looking for and expensive night on the town with very little flavor and loud music.
- Pros: service was prompt
- Cons: food was tasteless
08/22/09
Bad waitress, decent food
by asimon123
My husband and I went to Japonais tonight. We love to sit at the sushi bar. While in the past we have had impeccable service, tonight our waitress had a very bad attitude. She was rude when we asked questions, and was generally unprofessional. The food was decent, but not worth the price. Worst of all, the women's bathrooms are a disaster, dirty and old toilet seats, a generally dingy environment with more of a "club" feel than a nice restaurant. The level of quality of this place has gone down and pales in comparison to new rival, Sunda.
- Pros: Good food
- Cons: Run down bathrooms, rude waitress, overpriced
The Details on Japonais
Know Before You Go:
Arrive early for your reservation to enjoy the mood-setting lounge or terrace.
What to Drink:
Great beverage options include "Floating Orchids" and other cocktails, extensive sake selections and a global wine list.
Save Money:
The lunch menu features 2 prixe-fix options: a business lunch that includes a starter and main course ($20.08) and a Bento Sushi lunch that includes two rolls and a soup ($20.08).
When to Go:
The lounge is open Mon-Wed till 1am; Thu-Fri 2am; Sat 3am; Sun 12am
Save Money:
The lunch menu features two prix-fixe options for $20.08 apiece: a business lunch that includes a starter and main course and a Bento Sushi lunch that includes two rolls, miso soup and vegetable tempura.
What to Drink:
Beverage options include "Floating Orchids" and other exotic cocktails, an extensive sake selection and a global wine list.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Late Night Dining, Waterfront Dining, Private Rooms, Romantic Dining, Fine Dining, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Business Dining, Online Reservations, Group Dining, Fireplace, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List, Bar Scene
General Info:
Open 7 Days
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
At Bar
As Seen In…
Message from Japonais
- Chic and Elegant Setting
- Diverse Sushi Selection
- Global Wine List
Since opening in 2003, Chicago's Japonais has received three stars by both the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune, and was recently named "Best Restaurant" by Chicago Magazine in 2005. With a vibrant and exciting scene, Japonais offers Chicago residents and travelers alike modern Japanese cuisine in a setting that is at once intimate and exciting.
Renowned for creating the award-winning menu of Mirai Sushi, Chef Ichikawa oversees the restaurant's astounding sushi selection as well as all cold items, while Chef Kato handles the remainder of the menu.
The extensive Sushi menu has both traditional and contemporary items. Hot entrees such as Kobe Prime Rib and Teriyaki Salmon are featured as part of this unique Japanese fusion.
The well-thought out wine list is global, featuring selections primarily from France and the United States, with Australia, Germany and Chile as well.
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