I thought the food was pretty good (not as good as a Sushi Roku, but pretty good), but the crowd is quite pretentious. Everytime I went there I always ended up sitting next to someone who kept saying things like “I’ve had this here four months ago, it’s so amazing” and “I had this here last time too, it’s soo amazing” or “Did you see Brad and Angelina here last night”. Totally discounted the experience… Service was always good though.

Sexy and high-energy by night, languid and sophisticated by day, Japonais is dressed to impress with prices to match.

The kitchen is double-teamed by chef/partner Jun Ichikawa, primarily on sushi, and chef/partner Gene Kato on the hot side. Located along the Chicago River in River North, Japonais is a particularly smart pick during summer, when the downstairs lounge opens onto the riverside patio with its colorful, cushioned furniture and filmy curtains.

Read the rest of the review at ChicagoBusiness.com/dining