Specialty: Contemporary Japanese cuisine, fusion, sushi, Kobe prime rib
Attire: Stylish casual to full-on dress to impress
Reservations: Accepted and recommended
Hours:
Lunch
Monday - Friday: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Dinner
Monday - Thursday: 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Friday, Saturday - 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Sunday - 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Lounge
Monday - Thursday: 5:00 pm to 1:00 am
Friday, Saturday - 5:00 pm to 2:00 am
Sunday - 5:00 pm to 3:00 am
Price: Moderate to Expensive
Appetizers - $4.00 to $12.00
Dinner Entrées - $19.00 to $34.00 and up
Payment: American Express, Optima, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, Master Card
Parking: Valet recommended, Street parking possible but difficult on weekends, Pay lot available
ADA: Wheelchair accessible
Location: River North
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If you happen to have the good fortune of landing a prime table at Japonais, linger long enough before being seated to take a good, slow and appreciative look around at this trendy and transformative pearl in Chicago's culinary crown. Yes. You've arrived. Breathe in. Now take a lush, well-appointed seat and prepare to experience an extraordinary offering of new Asian cuisine beautifully complemented by an exquisite, exciting space nestled along the Chicago River's North branch.
Seeking a blend of contemporary Asian and French cuisine, Japonais partners Miae Lim's (Mirai Sushi, Ohba) and Rick Wahlstedt (Le Colonial, Le Passage) joined forces to to create one of Chicago's most hyped dining destinations. Sushi chef Jun Ichikawa and entrée chef Gene Kato have assembled a menu mix of hot and cold appetizers, and house specialties including Kobe prime rib, sushi, and rainbow carpaccio (tuna, whitefish, salmon) with sizzling yuzu dressing.
For appetizers, crab cakes, lobster spring roll and Kobe carpaccio are not-to-be-missed. Standout house-specialty kani nigiri comes with two spicy hunks of baked King crab. Maki rolls are fun, including Tuna Tuna Salmon, served with wasabi mayo. Creative and diverse entrees include Le Quack Japonais, duck served mushu-style with hoisin sauce. Desserts feature choices like a dark chocolate mascarpone cake.
There is also an extensive wine, sake and cocktail list.
Additional featured selections include Seven Spice Kobe Prime Rib, Uni Hollandaise with Satsumaimo Pommes Frites; Teriyaki Salmon, Teriyaki Glazed Salmon with Rice Porridge and Bok Choy; Chestnut Chicken, Half Roasted Chestnut-Encrusted Chicken with Shitake Rice Stuffing and Ginger Lemon Sauce; Grouper, Steamed With Shrimp Shumai And Nameko Mushrooms, Spicy Sake Broth; and "Le Quack Japonais," Whole Maple Leaf Smoked Duck, Hoisin Sauce, Mango Chutney and Mushu Wraps. |
