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Yoshi's Cafe
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Japanese American (New), Japanese [Edit]
3257 N Halsted St(between Aldine Ave & Melrose St)
Chicago, IL 60657
Neighborhood: Lakeview
(773) 248-6160
- Nearest Transit:
-
Belmont (Brown Line, Purple Line, Red Line)
Wellington (Brown Line, Purple Line)
Addison-Red (Red Line)
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
rachael k. said: "I love Central Kitchen. I can get home cooking style food for great prices. It is a great place to go when I don't feel like cooking and want something healthier & tastier than fast food - for not much more money. The staff is…" read more »
163 reviews for Yoshi's Cafe
Review Highlights
"The Chilean Sea Bass was incredible."
(in 10 reviews)
"The pumpkin ravioli as an appetizer is some of the best..."
(in 13 reviews)
"It was this seabass bento box."
(in 14 reviews)
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163 reviews in English
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Review from Candyxxx C.
Chicago, IL
1/31/2012
Yoshi's Cafe is the restaurant I will visit regularly until I no longer live in Chicago. Since 2006, I have had the pleasure of enjoying Yoshi Katsamura's creations and have met many of the loyal patrons who have done so for 25+ years. The menu changes seasonally, but certain dishes will always be on the menu. Such as the Wagyu beef burger with wasabi-blue cheese. Yum. During my brief stint as a "vegetarian," I did not once deny tasting the carnivorous delights from this establishment. In fact, Yoshi is to blame for opening my eyes to the delicious creatures of the sea. Yep, prior to, I could not do seafood (with exception of calamari and oysters on the halfshell). My favorite night to go is on Wednesday when bottles of wine are half off. The list is extensive with mostly fine American and French varietals. You just cannot go wrong.
Most of the restaurant is too brightly lit for my taste, but if you call ahead and ask for a darker, candle lit table they will accommodate. -
Review from Chuck K.
Chicago, IL
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I'm just finding out about this restaurant!
Rating should be 4.5 stars.
Had dinner here this past Saturday with some friends. What a great experience! The best way I would describe this place would be a mix between French and Asian cuisine. From outside this doesn't look like much, but the restaurant is quaint and allows for a nice dining experience.
The have a great wine and martini menu along with anything else you could possibly want to drink.
Here are the items that we had that were successful:
Lobster Bisque
Braised Lamb Shank
Wagyu Beef Burger
But the winner among our table hands down was the Red Snapper. This fish was prepared amazingly. There were hints of Asian spices and seasonings that makes this wonderful meat melt in your mouth.
Portions on everything were great. Service was a tad slow, but the restaurant was extremely packed that night. Waiter was very attentive and helpful.
This place is on the pricey side, but well worth opening your wallet. Give it a whirl! -
Review from Tenzo D.
Aiea, HI
12/13/2011
I have been going here for about 15 years now.
It does not look like much from the outside, but dont judge a book by its cover.
The chef here has a great skill.
It used to be one of my number one date spots. Now I take the wife. -
Review from Restaurant G.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2012
This place blows me away every time. They make this banana spring roll that is out of control. This family owned establishment has been around for a long time for a reason. It puts out the best food in boys town.
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Review from Comensal A.
Chicago, IL
12/4/2011
I've been a fan of Yoshi's since the early days when it was a top-notch fine dining venue. When that proved financially challenging, Yoshi smartly adapted to a more broadly accessible (and affordable) format. In addition to the ever-changing menu of inventive, tasty specials, we love the warmth and cordiality (especially with Tim as our server). I give it 4.5 stars.
Tonight's high points included a marvelous stone crab & grilled squid appetizer (fresh, lovely and delicious) and a fabulous whole grilled red snapper. A combo entrée of wagyu strip steak (Chinese BBQ?) and skirt steak (Korean BBQ) was also delightful, as was a green tea & cassis mousse on ganache. The only ho-hum dish was a dull pumpkin soup with too few pumpkin seeds and a resistant dumpling lurking in its depths. We likef the red wines by the glass: all were soft and low in tannins, so went well with the vibrant food accents.
We don't get to this neighborhood for dinner often, but when we do, Yoshi's is our first choice!
ps - Yoshi's gets bonus points for packing my leftovers in a #5 plastic container which can be washed and reused or rinsed and recycled (unlike the styrofoam used by many other restaurants)... -
Review from Hijo d.
Corvallis, OR
10/10/2011
Friendly, attentive, knowledgeable service. Delicious, inventive menu. Good wine recommendations. Half price bottles on Wednesdays are a great value. Food was well presented and well timed. Very comfortable space that was very relaxed and friendly. Excellent selections on the specials menu. Very pleased and will definitely return. Overall, a great dining experience.
4.5 stars if they had 1/2 stars. -
Review from Michael P.
Chicago, IL
7/22/2011
As long as I have lived in Chicago - I have never eaten at Yoshi's until last night.
Yum - serious Yum.
Very cute, very good, very fresh, lovely place - agree with everything in every review - had the special of the day nicoise salad - plenty of tuna - note to kitchen: was cut too fast after the cook seared it so the "seared" portion was a little tough - serve it uncut - or wait and let it cool -
other wise super tasty - not a gastronomic must place - but definitely the food and atmosphere accommodates dining -
cute boy factor: some limited cuteness -
Review from Bill H.
Chicago, IL
1/16/2012
This is one of my favorite eating spots, if not my favorite, in the city! Everyone from the owners to the staff are very friendly and professional. The food is exceptional! A can't go wrong place.
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Review from Adam S.
6/23/2011
Located in what can only be described as a gay/yuppie neighborhood, this place has a great, old school vibe. I really wanted to check this place out since chicago magazine rated it as the 19th best restaurant in Chicago all time. That's certainly high praise, and this place lived up to the hype.
I got the prix fixe meal. It is available on Thursdays and is an insanely good deal. 3 courses for $25. I started out with a mixed green salad with thin sliced pears and a pear vinaigrette. It was nice, although I would have liked more dressing. In fact, when it was served, I thought they had forgotten to dress it. The star of the meal was the entree which was skirt steak with Korean BBQ sauce and mashed potatoes. This was some of the best steak I can remember eating. Melt in your mouth tender with a wonderful char on the outer layer. The sauce was perfect. The dessert was homemade vanilla, green tea, and butter pecan ice cream. Also very nice.
The place was packed out, but the service was still good. And $25 for a great 3 course meal! How can you beat that? -
Review from Bill L.
Huntingdon Valley, PA
Good food , great atmosphere, but a menu that was far from what I expected ( silly me making stereotypical assumptions) . Our server was exceptional , and the experience was a really good one - though you might not have the benefit of the great company I had ;)
I would certainly go back in a heartbeat! -
Review from Karol C.
Ferndale, MI
11/26/2011
We have eaten ate Yoshi' twice. Service the first time was excellent; second visit was so-so. However, our meals were terrific. The sea bass was fresh, cooked perfectly and was full of flavor.
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Review from Michael S.
Chicago, IL
6/8/2011
After deliberating about a place to eat that I had never been and was also within walking distance of my place as well as my date, we settled on Yoshi's and I am so freaking happy that we did. When all was said and done, we had the most exceptional service and amazing food-- just a wonderful time.
ORDERED:
Oysters Appetizer (not on Summer menu): 4 out of 5
Scallps App (not on summer menu): AMAZING at 5 out of 5, could really have been a 8 out of 5-- SO GOOD
I don't fully remember our entrees as I started this a while ago and completely forgot that I saved it as a draft and have now completely forgotten what the hell I ordered. I do recall the Scallops being the star of the night for me and the entrees were pretty good but did not blow me away.
SYNOPSIS:
Yoshi's was a little pricey for two. Granted we had a martini and a glass of wine each as well as 2 apps, 2 entrees and a dessert, but it just seems for the price the value wasn't running alongside. I am not complaining by any means, more nit-picking than anything else. Our server was fantastic, food was freaking great and the atmosphere-- though slightly odd by modern Chicago restaurant standards-- was welcoming and nice for my date and myself. Expect to drop some loot, but always-- ALWAYS-- defer to the staff (in this case our server's) favorites and I am sure you will leave happy. A nice meal and hope to see the scallops back some time soon. -
Review from John A.
Chicago, IL
5/14/2011
Wow.
The night started off on the wrong foot when I made a reservation for 6 and then had to push it back. I asked them if I could do 7:30 and they said they could seat us at 8. Well we got there at 745 and the place was swamped. The hostess was really nice, but seemed to be overwhelmed. It wasn't until about 8:45 that we got seated.
We were all pretty hungry and ornery, but the server was awesome. He was really quick about apologizing for the wait, and made sure our stuff got out as soon as possible.
We had sushi appetizers, which were really good, but the star of the show had to be the entrées. Everyone ordered one of the daily specials, which consisted of fish. I had tea smoked trout that was crazy-good. No one could say a single bad thing about the food, and we were all ready to rip this place up for having to wait so long.
The menu also had a decent number of good looking vegetarian options. But it seems that everyone we talked to while waiting to be seated recommended one of the fish dishes.
Remember when I said the entrées were the stars of the show? Well i sorta lied, cause then we got dessert, and that was also fantastic.
The entire night the server and wait staff were really excellent. I am thinking whoever too my reservation was just trying to be helpful in saying they could seat us earlier. When I go back, I will aim for a later reservation, that way the place isn't so swarmed, and I'll have more time to enjoy, the fantastic food, welcoming decor, and friendly staff. -
Review from Zayd D.
Chicago, IL
11/18/2011
Ugly awning hiding an awesome place! Great food, great atmosphere. Highly recommended.
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Review from Jessica N.
Chicago, IL
6/6/2011 1 photo
I saw Yoshi's rated on Zagat's 5 Best Places for Brunch in Chicago and I was really shocked! I've lived in Lakeview for almost 4 years and have never been, so decided to visit this past Sunday. It totally lived up to the reputation!
I had the Croque Monsier which came heavily recommended by the server. It was sinfully delicious. The brioche was amazing, as was the bechamel sauce. I also enjoyed the fruit and salad on the side which somehow mentally counterbalanced the indulgent meal :)
Someone else ordered the Kobe Burger (also highly recommended by the server) and the Brioche French Toast
Kobe Burger with Wasabi blue cheese - TONS of flavor and the medium burger was perfectly cooked. Good meaty fries, too!
Brioce French Toast - Was tasty but not as knock your socks off as the Croque or the Burger
For dessert the Croque came with ice cream or sorbet. A nice refreshing way to end the meal (though nothing to write home about). We also enjoyed some lychee mimosas which were half off on Sunday (w00t!), and a nice twist on the classic.
I will definitely be back here and can't wait to try it out for dinner. I'm actually surprised it wasn't crazy packed on a gorgeous weathered Sunday. More people need to check it out! -
Review from Charles J.
Oswego, IL
6/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
When I'm in Boystown, Yoshi's is a favorite spot to pop in for a drink or light meal. While I'm sure they have their busy moments, I've been fortunate to walk right in and get a table or a stool at the bar, never waiting.
Their drinks are made just right. Not watered down and not so strong you can't drink them. I'm partial to the Key Lime Martini. OMG!! You must try that. What a great drink on a hot day.
I've only eaten there once and I remember the food only as decent and reasonably priced. I'll certainly dine there again it's just with so many choices in the Lakeview area, it seems I always go elsewhere for some reason. It's time to go back to Yoshi's for dinner!
Check em out for yourself! -
Review from Aryn S.
Chicago, IL
I went here for dinner Saturday night with some friends, and it was a wonderful dining experience.
First I will say I wasn't sure what to expect with it's casual exterior. The menu was very creative and mouth watering, although the specials all looked amazing. First we ordered drinks which were made perfectly. Then we started with apps: the Tuna tartare was a HUGE hit, not only because of the giant mound of fresh tuna and avocado, but mostly because it came with an oyster shooter which we couldn't stop talking about all night, and which one of my friends actually ordered for desert. The shooter came with sake, grapefruit juice, a fresh oyster, and a slice of jalapeno. ( I can't wait to go back and get more of these, or try to duplicate them at home).
I also had the Oven Roasted Red Beets & Watercress Salad: with blue cheese, roasted walnuts, honey, apple cider vinegar and walnut oil (mmmmmmm). Our entrees were sooooo good, not one complaint at the table! We ordered the tea smoked rainbow trout special, the apricot glazed duck with wasabi mashed potatoes and korean bbq rib eye, the stone crab and oyster cocktail, the seared scallop plate with creamy polenta and red beet sauce, and the sirloin steak with rosemary fries. HOLY YUM!!!
What an enjoyable experience we had, I very much look forward to going back soon. Great selection and quality, great service, great prices, and great atmosphere. Give it a try! -
Review from Nicholas L.
Minneapolis, MN
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
best burger of my life.
wagyu beef, to perfection.
maybe skip the bleu cheese (as it detracts from the breathtaking beauty of the beef)
double fried fries were a fantastic compliment too. -
Review from Stephanie I.
Chicago, IL
5/22/2011
I absolutely love this place. Amazing food. Warm, professional staff. Food is superb every time, the drinks are delicious and the desserts are decadent. I'm running out of adjectives.
Probably my favorite restaurant ever. No...it definitely is. The wagyu burger with brie cheese kills it. -
Review from Cara B.
Chicago, IL
10/3/2011
I took my kids there yesterday after a Sunday matiinee performance of The Blue Man Group (it's just a block away from the Briar Street Theatre). It's a bit more upscale then we had anticipated, but the menu posted outside looked good and we were hungry so we went in. We had such a great time at Blue Man Group the meal was a celebratory way to cap off a really fun afternoon.
They sat us down and gave my 6 year old son a kids menu, but no crayons. Considering it was one of those menu's meant for coloring, kind of odd...but we flagged someone down to bring us crayons. Problem solved. But looking back, it was a big hint at how they are not particularly kid-friendly.
Took a while to get our drink order in which is was strange because it wasn't busy at all at that point. My daughter said it was the best cranberry juice she ever had. Great. Then, it took even longer to place our food order. Being that I have a 6 year old with me, I was a bit miffed that the waiter was so sloooow. Luckily my son wasn't starving or cranky, so even though I was beginning to get impatient all was peaceful at my table.
Food was spectacular. Way overpriced for the portion size, but wonderfully presented and delicious. Hot sake unfortunately was so-so. Not very hot, and bland. They do have other sake brands to order so maybe it's just their house brand that's boring and room temperature instead of hot. Or, my waiter was so slow that the hot sake was luke warm sake by the time it got to my table... Also for some reason each of our meals came out at different times. Like, 5 minutes apart. So it took about 15 minutes for all of us to eat together. Very very odd. The waiter apologized so I assumed it was the cook's fault.
I decided to let my kids order desert. Big regret. The food again was spectacular...but OMG did it take a long time to come out. Worse yet was waiting for the bill...waiting....waiting...for at least 15 minutes after we were done eating. I was quite annoyed by this time and was waiting with my credit card in my hand so that when the waiter handed my the bill I could immediately place the card with it to pay immediately. I sat there with my kids, chatting. Waiting. Waiting....and waiting...then the waiter came to take the bill (I thought he already had taken it!). He came back 5 minutes later and said they don't take Discover. So basically 20 minutes or so was totally waisted trying to pay and leave. Waiting to pay a bill and leave a restaurantt is definitely a pet peeve of mine and is the main reason for this negative review. Finally, I paid with a different card and left...looked at my phone and realized that we were there for just over 2 hours. Ridiculous to be there that long for dinner because at least 45 minutes of that time was spent waiting for our super-slow waiter. (I must admit, though, the guys that bussed the tables were very prompt...in fact I left in such a rush after such a slooooow experience there that one of the busboys ran outside with our to-go bag....very nice)
The food at Yoshi's is absolutely spectacular. If you want a long, lingering date and the expensive prices aren't a problem then I'd recommend this place. But if you value your time and money, there are plenty of other restaurants in the vicinity to check out. -
Review from Stephanie H.
Chicago, IL
2/18/2011 7 photos
Since we live so close, my boyfriend and I have been here several times, usually on Tuesdays for their 1/2 priced martinis. He made reservations here for Valentine's Day and they had an adorable menu and decorated the restaurant with hearts and balloons. Even the dishes had little heart shaped beets on them. They were packed that night and also giving all of their customers a single pretty rose.
Their signature martinis are always good. My favorites would have to be the Ginger Cosmopolitan and the Chocolate Martini. My boyfriend swears by the Key Lime one though.
Off the Valentine's day menu, I was in love with my appetizer: Sauteed Hon-shimeji and Oyster Mushroom salad with Hazelnut lemon dressing and Panko crusted goat cheese served warm. My boyfriend got the Japanese Pumpkin Ravioli with parmesan cheese dome which was tasty as well. We both got the Crispy Duck for our entree which was simply delicious and had a bird's nest on the side made out of potatoes and had egg-shaped potatoes inside. I might have just been full by the end, but the dessert didn't impress me as much as the appetizer and entree.
Off their regular menu, I'm a HUGE fan of the House Special Duck Liver Mousse Pate (served with a petit salad, cornichon and mustard) and the Cream of Three Kinds of Mushrooms with brie cheese crouton. I don't think I can ever get enough!Listed in: Must Go Back!
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Review from Gabrielle S.
La Grange Park, IL
4/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Um.....SOOOO delicious!!
The chef makes each dish completely fresh and original...not a thing we tried we did not love. Everything was plated beautifully and had exquisite taste!!! Among the favorites were the crab and oyster app, the mussels, and an oyster mushroom salad.
Service was phenomonal. Great server named Jason, and quite nice to look at!!:) He made our dining experience lovely and split every dish up for us.
Ordered 4 appetizers, 2 drinks apiece, green beans and a salad and were plenty stuffed...bill came to around $110 before tip. An extremely reasonable meal for such a high dining experience!! -
Review from Michael M.
Toledo, OH
10/4/2011
We were visiting Chicago and picked this restaurant based on Yelp reviews, and Yelp reviewers delivered. Thank you to all of you who recommended the pumpkin ravioli appetizers -- it was delicious, interesting, and beautiful.
I had the steak and my companion had the snapper. Both were phenomenal. The evidence? I hate fish, he hates steak. We traded bites and both agreed that despite our preferences, both were delicious.
Thank you to our waiter, Jason. He was a consummate professional: friendly, courteous, and informative without being overbearing. We asked him for recommendations for a bar to visit afterwards for a quiet cocktail. Not only were his recommendations spot-on, but he actually took the time to jot down the names of the establishments for us.
Despite the thousands of restaurants in Chicago we are always talking about trying, we agreed that Yoshi is worth visiting again and again. -
Review from Jeff N.
Chicago, IL
2/6/2011
Shawna the server is a rock star. Rarely have I had service this attentive, honest and well paced.
The Pinot she recommended was the house pinot. Very good, even though she could have sold us a pricier bottle.
There were 6 of us. Two of us had this unusual dish, a carved out Japanese pumpkin (or is it a squash) that is filled with yummy vegetables and tasty broth. Wow! Others delighted in the vegetable dish entree, while my wife thought her Skate-wing special was deelish.
Looks from the outside are deceiving. Wander in and you'll be pleasantly surprised. We will absolutely go back!!!
Footnote: After being told by Chicago Diner (down the street) that there was an hour wait for a party of 6, we called Yoshi's and they could take us right away. Funny how things work out! -
Review from Evan G.
Chicago, IL
9/14/2011
If food were the one criteria, the ranking would be a 4. The options are creative, and the balance of flavors and textures are refined. Dont think we had a complaint on any food item, and were generally impressed with t he preparation and quality. In short - If food is your only barometer, than this is probably a stop worth considering.
The ambiance is subpar however. The decor reminds me of what a low-light senior center dining hall would look light. The tones and format do little to complement the dining experience.
The wine menu is disappointing in that it is largely disconnected from the food menu. While the food menu is relatively affordable, the wine menu is largely comprised of overpriced showcase wines rather than pragmatic pairings that are scoped to the food pricing. There are certainly a number of decent sub 50 bottles, bot given the pricing of the food the restaurant should do a better of job of complementing the dishes and respective price points. -
Review from Elisabeth C.
Chicago, IL
10/29/2010
We came here last night before Blue Man Group. It was excellent.
I had the pumkin ravioli appetizer, which came out plated on a tiny pumpkin - it was adorable. And delicious. So was the short rib entree. The sauce was perfect - it highlighted the meat, instead of overpowering it.
Our waiter thought our show was at 7pm so accidentally rushed us a bit. To make up for it, he brought us a sampler of lechee fruit and a complimentary dessert (in addition to the desserts that came with our package). The ice cream was amazing. Something about the vanilla was extraordinary - I think that it was less creamy and more vanilla-y than expected. The green tea ice cream was my favorite.
Our waiter was perfect. Personable and friendly, but not overbearing.
Overall an excellent dinner. -
Review from Glenn R.
Streamwood, IL
1/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I Came here with a friend for my birthday. As he just moved to the US and is new to the area, I was very excited to show him this place. I have eaten here a few times in the past few years. I would love to eat here more often if I had the dough, but as Im on a budget, my visits has restricted me to only a few special occasions, and my last visit was for my birthday....Woo Hooo !!!!
This place is one of the city's hidden jewels, neatly tucked away in the middle of Boys Town. From the outside, you would suspect nothing fancy inside; in fact, it almost looks like a pancake house on the outside, except for the "Yoshi's Café" sign. Once you step inside, the restaurant is subdued, nothing fancy, just your ordinary looking American style restaurant. The wait staff are very friendly and knowledgeable about their menu and are more then happy to suggest a particular entrée.
One word to describe Yoshi's Café is it is an infusion of fine French and Japanese cuisine. Ever since I have been coming here, I always order the Duck Liver Mouse Pate. It is honestly one of the best I have ever had, second only to "Le Francaise" restaurant in Wheeling. Then again, "Le Francaise" has been continuously voted one of the top 10 French Restaurants in the nation, so it is a little hard to match. Anyways. If you are a lover of Liver Pate, this is one place you do not want to miss. My friend on the other hand ordered the Wagyu Beef which was served raw on skewers. It came on a Japanese cooking stone placed on top of a fire lit slab. The intent was to place the thin slices of beef on the hot rock until it was cooked. Then you dip the meat on their homemade sauces. The presentation was fabulous but the taste was exceptional.
For my entrée, I ordered the Japanese Bento Dinner which came with a 10oz Wagyu steak served over some slightly sweetened purple potatoes with truffle, grilled vegatables and mushrooms in some red wine sauce. This taste was fantastic !!! the Wagyu steak was so meaty succulent, soft to the bite, and ever so juicy. The purple mashed potatoes was a different infusion of flavor that complimented my Wagyu steak perfectly, as well as the mushrooms in red wine sauce.
My friend, on the other hand, ordered the lamb chops which was perfectly seasoned and grilled. And the accompanying sauce highlighted the rich flavor and texture of the meat. I took a bite out of his meat and although I loved my dish, wish I would have ordered the lamb chops as well, as both entrees were really really good, and the presentation was top notch (see the pictures on Yelp)
For desserts, we ordered their version of mango tres leches and green tea ice cream. The presentation was very colorful and creative, not to mention very flavorful. The perfect compliment to end a good meal. -
Review from Carol K.
6/22/2010
What a terrific restaurant! I guess I didn't know what to expect for all the times I have driven by this location with it's blue and white striped awnings- my mind (for some reason unknown to me) always thought "Greektown" and diner.
But this is so not the case. Pull open the corner door and suddenly you 'll find yourself in a classy room with white topped tables, servers standing about to answer your every whim, and a chef who is preparing some of the best food I've had the pleasure to eat in a long time.
It was a warm night or we might have taken one of the cafe tables on their patio. The twinkling chandeliers that were hung out there added a touch of elegance even to the patio.
But we chose to eat inside and were seated in a little corner banquette- intimate and cozy- the perfect table for two. No sooner had we sat down, when the couple at the next table started encouraging us to try their favorites off the menu-elegant AND friendly? Love that!
Our server, Brad, was delightful. Funny, informative, interesting and attentive, he and his team made sure our evening was a success. He offered up suggestions and was quick to deliver whatever we needed.
We started with a couple of their appetizers- soft shell crab for me and sushi for my friend. What a great beginning! I like my crab lightly pan fried and not tempura battered the way it was offered, and the kitchen delivered on that perfectly. And the sushi was fresh and pretty to look at.
As for our entrees- I went with both our server's and our "neighbor's" recommendation of the Red Snapper. Seriously- this is some of the best fish I have ever had. And the presentation? Lovely- it comes posed on the plate with head and tail- yet the body has been totally deboned and is easy to eat. And my friend's steak, while basic- the au poivre sauce made it a treat.
We were feeling decadent on this night so we also ordered dessert. The berry tart with 7 layers and 3 kinds of berries was perfection on on a plate- and the trio of sorbet with it's cute cones was also a good choice.
If you drive- you can probably find street parking in the area but they also have valet. Dinner for two with drinks and dessert came to about $170.
I don't get surprised often but Yoshi's is one of those pleasant surprises that will have me coming back time and time again. Truly a great dining experience!Listed in: My Friends Go To List
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Review from Lauren V.
1/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Like several other reviewers, I was a bit deceived by the outside appearance of Yoshi's....but when I was invited to dinner here and finally went inside, I was very pleasantly surprised. We were immediately greeted by a very friendly hostess and then took a seat at the bar while waiting for the rest of our group. Their cocktails aren't cheap, but they are definitely tasty!
We were seated in the dimly lit dining area that feels more formal than I was expecting. We all started with the mixed green salad that was just right-I was afraid the pear and the sweet and sour viniagrette would make it too sweet, but I really enjoyed it.
I ordered the grilled chicken breast and fresh vegetables and it was very good as well. It is served in a tagine that is opened for you at the table. There are tons of veggies and the couscous is very tasty, but I did feel it was all a tad bit over-oiled.
One of my co-workers ordered the Wagyu burger that looked delish but was definitely undercooked...the fries made up for it though! Another co-worker got a whole fish (red snapper if I remember correctly) that was on special. They were able to cut the head off, at her request, but I don't think she was very satisfied with the meal-not a whole lot of edible fish on the plate. We ordered several desserts, all of which were great, I don't think you can go wrong there.
All in all it was a good meal with attentive service and a great atmosphere, I would definitely recommend trying this place out. -
Review from Ashis R.
Chicago, IL
2/14/2011
What can I say about Yoshi's? Surely, one of the finest places you can go for a meal anywhere. Great mixture of flavors from Japan and France. And on top of the food, the service was also magnificent. The server recommended great dishes and they turned out to be just that.
The pumpkin ravioli as an appetizer is some of the best ravioli I've had. I also would recommend the lamb chops. Now I'm not a big lamb guy but these were done very well and I can't imagine many places are much better as the other reviewers have mentioned.
Onto the burger--the Wagyu Beef Burger is also wonderful and so tender. They cook it properly unlike some places when it comes to this delicate meat and the fries that accompany it are surprisingly very good. It takes a lot to differentiate your fries from some other gourmet burger places, but Yoshi's certainly does that and more.
Finally, we took the server's recommendation on a dessert and she recommended some sort of concoction with lady finger and potato mousse or cheesecake (I think) of some sort. All I can say is that I've never had anything like that before, and I don't know if I ever will. I'm not a fan of anything potato in my desserts but this was obviously some different kind of potato and I wish I remember what it was called but it was magnificent along with the entire meal. -
Review from Todd C.
Cook, IL
12/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
I was a little disappointed because I was under the impression this was a sushi place. Spicy tuna was available as an appetizer and I ordered it, but it's not there specialty so it wasn't the best part of the meal.
On the other hand, I also ordered the lamb chops and they were out of this world. I'll have a hard time ordering anything else the next time I go back.
Though it's off the menu, I ordered green tea ice cream for dessert. It's a bit of an acquired taste, but very very good in my opinion.
Our server was exceptional. We were a group of 6 picky eaters and that's always a challenge. He did great. -
Review from Dennis S.
7/27/2010
Long on my Bookmark list, Yelp friends finally got us to Yoshi's. Good decision.
It's hard to rate a restaurant when you're simply having a great time with friends. Yoshi's waitstaff let us relax and visit without pushing us to turn the table. We had excellent food, but nothing unique enough to make this a five star establishment. The horribly overpriced French wines temper my enthusiasm for the place. Desserts were a bit too complicated and not that good. But the sushi starter and the fish main was absolutely delicious and worth coming back for. I'd never turn down the opportunity to go again. -
Review from Kristin S.
Chicago, IL
9/5/2010
Great fish, good burger.
Came here with a coworker for dinner on a weeknight and were both very surprised and happy with the atmosphere, which is more upscale than any "cafe" I'm used to. Just a note, it's a little fancy, so leave the t-shirts at home.
The service was incredibly friendly and attentive. When my friend and I mentioned we'd be splitting, he divided up both entrees and served them as their own courses. Bravo!
We had the salmon box which came with some great gomae and fried shrimp. Cooked perfectly and very flavorful.
We also had the famous burger which was very good, but I'm more of a flat, diner burger kind of gal, so I'll just say it was a damn good burger. Not the best, but very good.
I loved our experience at Yoshi's Cafe, and the scrumptious madeleines we got in a Chinese takeout box as we left was icing on the cake. I can't wait to go back. -
Review from Andrew W.
Chicago, IL
9/29/2010
I have lived in this neighborhood for many years but never heard any reviews either way to try this place out. I got a recommendation from a friend to check it out and we made reservations for a Thursday night the day of. The reservations were easy to make and the restaurant was about 50% full.
The menu was small enough that you had about 5 entree options to choose from. I would have liked to see another few options on the menu. I ended up choosing the Wagyu Beef Burger. It was $17.99 and had many options for toppings. I ended up getting Wasabi-Bleu Cheese and it came with condiments such as Japanese BBQ Sauce, Chipotle Ketchup, Wasabi Mayo and Ground Mustard. I really enjoyed being able to put all the condiments on and also use them to dip my fries in. The burger was fresh tasting and juicy. Next time I order the burger I would however try another cheese. The blue cheese is overpowering and takes away from the other flavors.
The service was attentive and friendly. The waiter recognized one of my friends who is a regular at the restaurant.
It was a pretty good burger. I am not going to run back or crave it anytime soon, but it was good. Overall, its a cute nice place to eat dinner and would be a great date place as well. Don't let the "Cafe" part trick you, this is a great atmosphere and high class staff. -
Review from mark s.
Chicago, IL
6/15/2011
OLD SCHOOL EXCELLENCE.
Informed, professional quality servers, the owner stops by the tables to check in, delicious top quality food, nice presentation, generous wine pours. Prices are very reasonable. The place is not hip looking but offers exactly what you want when you go out to dinner. I could go once a week and always leave happy. -
Review from Michael S.
Denver, CO
Updated - 4/24/2010
Best restaurant I've been to in Chicago in a long while for ambience, service, and food, i.e., CLASS.
Tonight's return: I had the best Red Snapper I've ever had. Everything else was wonderful but not as remarkable. Next visit I'll try the Chilean Sea Bass.
I adore this place. It doesn't hurt that I live nearby, and it really does make a difference when the owners greet you personally, and ask for your family.Listed in: Excellence
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/23/2010
Where better to test out a new crown than on a sirloin Steak au Poivre at Yoshi's. Oh! This was the… Read more »
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Review from D L.
Chicago, IL
7/29/2011 3 photos
We strolled by recently and decided to drop in. Good idea. That's one of the best burgers I've had in Chicago. Yes, it's expensive, but well worth the $17. Incredibly juicy and flavorful. It didn't need any of the sauces they provided. My only gripe was that the fries were mediocre at best.
My friend got the Japanese pumpkin filled with sauteed vegetables. A gorgeous dish. She really enjoyed it.
Service was excellent and attentive. Overall, a great experience. -
Review from Jerry C.
Chicago, IL
7/31/2011
Yoshi's has been our "special occasion restaurant of choice" for decades.
When we walk in, "Mrs. Yoshi" makes us feel like family that she really likes.
We have had birthdays, retirement parties and even a funeral brunch at Yoshi's, and every occasion has been a flawless experience.
I love the decor - elegant simplicity - warm and inviting.
Dennis is our waiter of choice - he's the type that just "magically appears" when you begin thinking that you'd like another drink or its time to move on to the next course. Actually, all the servers are first rate - knowledgeable, efficient, there when you need them - gone when you don't.
As for the food, my favorite is a tempuraed whole red snapper,
and my friend really loves their rack of lamb. We are both very discriminating eaters, and Yoshi's never fails to please.
Oh yeah - they also make an incredible martini! -
Review from Brett D.
1/15/2009
Oh Yoshi, why do you confuse me so?? The outside of your restaurant looks like a Greektown staple, the name of your restaurant oozes sushi bar and your menu intimates 5 star culinary art, yet none of the above are true. You will not find any saganaki, dragon rolls or knock-your-socks off dishes at Yoshis. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't know their food (sorry enthusiastic Yoshi's Yelpers. But you're wrong - and fired).
Overrated. Underwhelming... and (still) Confusing. Those are the words I'll use to adequately describe Yoshi's Crapfe, er, Cafe.
Head Chef (and Owner) Yoshi is really confused with what he wants his restaurant to be and the level of inconsistency shows. Take this for example, upon arrival we were seated at a nice candlelit, white cloth table and were promptly brought... bread and salsa. But of course, what else did you expect. Uhh? Salsa? What, Why? What do pico de gallo, bread, and asian french fusion cuisine have in common... I'll tell you what, NOTHING! It was not only not tasty, but strange and unappetizing. They also brought out some crostini and hummus. Oh boy, now I'm really getting hot. Not! (Who says 'not' anymore? Apparently Me.)
After my Mexican mystification, I began to peruse the menu to see lots of tasty sounding specials and some of the signature dishes I've heard so much about via Check Please and this little website I know of called Yelp. Being the optimist I am, I figured the salsa was just a (giant) misstep - all that hypey buildup can't be wrong - and begun ordering en masse for my party of 3.
Starters of kabocha pumpkin ravioli with goat cheese sauce and wagyu hibachi beef left much to be desired, unfortunately. The ravioli dough was gummy and undercooked and the filling was only lukewarm (albeit tasty) at best. And the wagyu, a $20 app, was not wagyu, I don't care what you say. It was tough. Like I can hardly bite through this tough... Why is all the other wagyu I've ever had like silky, luscious butter?? Hmmm, maybe Yoshi gets his from Walmart although I've never heard of Rollback Waygu, have you?
Our entrees provided more inconsistency and some even became the source of wisecracks... my Smoked Ruby Trout bento box was lovely to look at, but total bland city, every item tasted exactly the same. I guess I fared better than my Mom, however, with her jumbo sea scallops that were neither jumbo nor even discernibly scallops. They tasted like really strong grill ass. Just think of liquid smoke farts and there you have it. Well, at least it had flavor, sort of. Matt's oven baked Kuro-Buta pork loin was the only redeeming entree, and a truly exceptional one, at that... tender, moist, juicy, delicious and set atop a mountain of mashed purple potatoes surrounded by apricot sauce, it was finally what we had hoped for - really distinct, noteworthy food! If any lesson is learned here, only go to Yoshi's to get porked, I mean to have the pork.
Our service was great, with a waiter that was pleasant and attentive... but he serves no real purpose to me when he's just quickly bringing out things that I'm disappointed by. Poor guy, it's not his fault he's bringing out farts on a plate.
Desserts were tasty and recaptured some of the excitement I had prior to stepping foot in this greek/mexican/asian/gassy spot. The chocolate stack dealio (mille-feuille) and meringue asian pear thingy (chiboust) were subtle, delectable and quite generous in portion... but it's not really challenging to butter me up via the sweet tooth, is it?
Overall you should take your money elsewhere (ahem, Takashi) if you're looking for Asian/French/Contemp American flare. Really, Yoshi's is nothing but confusion in a cheap suit. And that's something we all really love, right? Not! -
Review from Andrea R.
11/22/2009
The original plan was to double date with Colleen C and her man at new hot spot in boystown- Hearty. Just 1 hour before dinner my husband decided to embark on a healthy kick..and healthy eating apparently does not include "comfort food". Fortunately, the easy going Colleen didn't mind changing up the plans and was happy to meet us at Yoshi's instead. I was a bit sad to delay trying Hearty, but Yoshi's has been another one on my list for a long time now.
After a few minute wait we were seated at a lovely booth for 4 and greeted by our waiter. While eating some of the most delicious bread ever, we ordered our drinks. I stuck with my usual glass of wine (Riesling), but the others were more adventurous and went straight for the martinis...a tasty "fruity" pomegranate martini for the hubby. And yes, martinis are part of the healthy eating diet. ;) Colleen & man didn't seem to like their martinis as much and soon joined me in the wino club by ordering a glass of red wine and another glass of champagne to replace their icky martinis.
Ordering apps/entrees was a bit of a challenge because there were 2 different menus. It was quite confusing, especially after my glass of wine! Finally I opted to start the meal by splitting the scallop appetizer with my husband, although they pretty much ended being all mine since he also ordered a bowl of pumpkin soup. The scallops were just OK- a bit overcooked, but the sauce was tasty.
The Japanese bento box (with chilian sea bass) that I ordered for my entree was phenomenal. I ate up every last bite of sea bass, rice, gom-ae, some potato thingee and other stuff I can't remember because I devoured it all so fast. It was SO yummy!
Too full for dessert, but hard to resist the tray of delectable looking pastries when it showed up at our table. We chose an interesting looking mousse cake for the table and it was just as scrumptious as my Japanese bento box.
We were the last people to leave the restaurant and while I"d like to say it's cause we're such party animals, it was more likely the result of our somewhat slow waiter. However, we helped ourselves to a complimentary box of almond cookies on the way out and all slowness, confusing menus and even their ugly awning was soon forgiven.Listed in: My favorite restaurants in…, Best Date Places
