Kaminari

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perspective is everything

Joined 4 years ago

seriously exceptional. Yep, you will notice the dingy looking strip mall but as others have said you have nothing to fear!

The first time I dined here I was suspicious of the low/romantic lighting. Why don't they want me to see my food? Being from Chicago I have seen it all. (snicker)

The staff is always exceptional and polite which is SUCH a treat and the presentation just makes you feel like you are dining somewhere special.

The food...well...you will wish you lived next door. Actually maybe not, that might be pure torture to smell what would waft out of that kitchen if you were stuck with leftover meatloaf?

I don't eat sushi because just cannot get my head around raw fish after having once fully experienced bad shrimp. If I ever decide to then this will be the place!

Hmmm...I am calling in a reservation tonight.!

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seoulover

Joined 4 years ago

Chic Sushi Restaurant with the Freshest Fish.. Ok. This small restaurant hidden in a mall is the real deal.

The music and the vibe of the restaurant is very modern and hip. The booths are good for a romantic dinners, but i personally like to seat at a bar carrying a conversation with the chefs.

And if you become a regular like me, you will get to enjoy some amazing treats from the chefs;)

They have an extensive list of rolls, which i've almost tried all! It's very traditional but still with a twist which suits us americans' taste.

They carry the freshest fish everyday and i know it's Kaminari if i have to trust for qualities and honesty.

Yeah..yeah I've been to bistro, sushi station, ra, wildfish

but i just can't stop going to kaminari.

i've known to tell other sushi restaurants carry amazing appetizers and such but, as for rolls and sushi...

Kaminari beats them all.

their sauces used on rolls even taste so much better!

Just overall, an excellent sushi guaranteed.

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trispy

Joined 7 years ago

Hidden Treasure. Thefood was above and beyond our expectations!! The waitstaff was friendly, the hostess was kind of a B!! The specialty rolls are amazing and the dessert was out of control good!! Make reservations and ask for a both, they have no waiting area for customers.

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rfound1

Joined 6 years ago

Pretty darn good sushi!. Hey, ok so here is a little about me. I just moved to Lake in the Hills from Los Angeles a few months ago. Now let's just admit it up front....LA has some damn good sushi! I mean we live ON the water right!?!? We moved here and lived in Champaign Illinois for three months before picking LITH's to buy at. After living in Champaign I thought Illinois was going to be the end of my sushi eating. It was so disgusting I s pit out my sushi several times.

FAST FORWARD TO NOW...

This place is great! It's third on my list of favs but still darn good! I found a little place near Chicago that is THE bes..then Bistro Wasabi and then KAMINARI!!! The sushi is very fresh and the decor is right on! Check this place out for sure!

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samara267

Joined 7 years ago

Unbelievable!. The sushi was phenomenal. The fish was so fresh. My sister and I ordered yellowtail and scallion roll and took a taste and were both floored by the texture, flavor, and freshness of this fish. It was outstanding. The decor was pleasant, if dark. It's a little pricy, but well worth it. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Creative urban sushi served in a strip mall in the northwest 'burbs.. The Scene
Talk about cognitive dissonance: patrons walk from a bland strip-mall setting into a hip, minimal sushi scene with black walls, white chairs, trance music and a giant sparkling fish made of CDs behind the sushi bar. Grateful locals (including a surprising number of kids) chow on sexy sushi at the bar, tables and secluded booths.

The Food
Going above and beyond the norm in both selection and presentation, Kaminari's extensive menu of sushi and cooked Japanese fare holds some surprises, including a lobster tail grilled in Bacardi 151 for a candied exterior, then replaced in the shell; grilled yellowtail cheek; and crawfish tail in Hawaiian aioli. "Triple sashimi flowers" is a beautifully plated presentation of pristine maguro tuna, salmon and super-white tuna. Special maki abound, including a sumptuous Thomas roll of braised tuna, salmon and snow crab rolled with seaweed, lightly deep-fried and drizzled with a spicy mayo-based sauce.