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Japonais

600 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: (312) 822-9600
Japonais
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

Japonais Fuses Japanese Traditions with European Elegance

  • 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.

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 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 a prix-fixe option with appetizer, entree and beverage for $20.03.

When to Go

The lounge is open Mon-Wed till 1am; Thu-Fri 2am; Sat 3am; Sun 12am

User Reviews for Japonais

Citysearch (61), InsiderPages (1 ), Trip Advisor (1 ), All (63)

2 Star Rating: Below Average

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.

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

04/13/2008 Posted by Cris2008

- the place is a night club, not a restaurant - crowded, loud music and impossible to get a drink - almost 2 hours waiting to be seated when we had reservations - during the endless wait, floor manager kept asking us to "be compact" - what's that suppose to mean?? we were already more close to each other then we wanted because the place was uncomfortably crowded!!!! - almost 1hour for somebody to finally come and take our order - before our food even came, they let us know it was the kitchen's last call - how could we possibly know if we would want more food before anything arrived??? - finally, just for a perfect closure for the nightmare evening, they refused to take more than 4 credit cards to pay for the check - we were sixteen people! If that's their stupid policy, they should have let us know before making our reservation! And the annoying manager tried to convince me this was a "system defficiency" - please, don't insult me!!!

Pros: The food was ok I guess

Cons: bad service, extremelly crowded, very very long wait

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Editor's Review

A sensuous scene and Eurasian-chic cuisine take Chicago's fashionable foodies by storm.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

Know Before You Go

Arrive early for your reservation to enjoy the mood-setting lounge or terrace.

More Insider Tips

Restaurant Information

Smoking

  • At Bar

Parking

  • Garage
  • Street
  • Valet

Hours

  • Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm
  • Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11:30pm
  • Sat 5pm-11:30pm
  • Sun 5pm-10pm

Cuisines

  • Japanese
  • Sushi

Payment Types

  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • American Express
  • Visa
  • MasterCard

Meal Price

  • $$$$

Amenities

  • Business Dining
  • Open 7 Days
  • Fireplace
  • Waterfront Dining
  • Local Favorites
  • Notable Wine List
  • Private Rooms
  • Romantic Dining
  • Dine at the Bar
  • People Watching
  • Late Night Dining
  • Bar Scene
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Group Dining
  • Online Reservations

Recognition for Japonais

2007 Audience Winner - People Watching

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