Comments and ratings from John Burgess

The World-Wide Sushi Restaurant Reference
Comments and ratings from John Burgess

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John Burgess has contributed information about 4 restaurants: Pacific Cafe, Kabuki, Ringo, Hatsuhana.

About Pacific Cafe (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
Last visited February 2002.

Variety of sushi: Usual selection.
Freshness of sushi: Fresh.
Presentation of sushi: Average.
Generosity of sushi portions: Average.

Promptness of service: Slow.
Courtesy of service: Very rude.
Accuracy of service: Inaccurate.
Cleanliness - dining and visible kitchen areas: Clean.
Cleanliness - restrooms: Clean.
Quality of nonsushi food: Adequate.

``Gotta say that I have eaten at Pacific Cafe four times in the past three years and have been progressively disappointed each and every visit.

``Though the sushi was ok, the tempura was very greasy and limp. Yuck!

``Mostly, however, the service was the real problem. The wait staff are exceptionally rude and even spilled food and served the wrong food, twice - with no apology. And the table right next to the bathroom door is just plain nasty!

``I have told my friends that I will never return here again and intend to keep that promise. It is a thoroughly unenjoyable experience.''

About Kabuki (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
Last visited April 2002.

Variety of sushi: Usual selection.
Freshness of sushi: Very fresh.
Presentation of sushi: Somewhat nicer than average.
Generosity of sushi portions: Average.

Promptness of service: Prompt.
Courtesy of service: Very courteous.
Accuracy of service: Accurate.
Cleanliness - dining and visible kitchen areas: Clean.
Cleanliness - restrooms: Clean.
Quality of nonsushi food: Very good.

``Kabuki was suggested by a friend.

``Although it was a bit pricier than other area sushi restaurants, it was absolutely the best-flavored sushi I've had in Chicago.

``The sushi arrived a bit warm, room temperature, compared to most that arrive cold. This was new to me. And the toro was absolutely amazing. It simply melted away in my mouth.

``The sushi master at this location was generous in his gifts, offering his own `pizza' flavored sushi roll of salmon and tuna with a fusion tomato and spicy mayonnaise sauce. This was in addition to a crispy salmon skin and seaweed salad that started it all off just right.

``Portions were normal. Not too big like some and not too thin like others. The wasabi was not strong at all.

``Staff were very, very attentive and me and my guests simply had a great experience here.''

About Ringo (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
Last visited April 2002.

Variety of sushi: Usual selection.
Freshness of sushi: Fresh.
Presentation of sushi: Somewhat nicer than average.

Promptness of service: Prompt.
Courtesy of service: Courteous.
Accuracy of service: Accurate.
Cleanliness - dining and visible kitchen areas: Clean.
Cleanliness - restrooms: Clean.

``I had heard about this sushi restaurant from a friend and went recently. He said the food was good and reasonably priced.

``Though the usual sushi selections were good, Ringo has some very nice maki rolls. Their specialty is called the "`pring Roll' and after one bite, it indeed was better than average rolls. The `Spring Roll' is an inside-out tuna roll with panko bread crumbs rolled over the outside. It was yum-yum and lives up to its Spring flavored name.

``I wanted all of the sushi to be as good as the `Spring Roll' but it was average.

``Otherwise, the service was very attentive and very friendly.

``Definitely go for the `Spring Roll.'''

About Hatsuhana (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
Last visited January 2002.

Variety of sushi: Broad range of uncommon items.
Freshness of sushi: Very fresh.
Presentation of sushi: Somewhat nicer than average.
Generosity of sushi portions: Somewhat smaller than usual.

Promptness of service: Very slow.
Courtesy of service: Very courteous.
Accuracy of service: Accurate.
Cleanliness - dining and visible kitchen areas: Cleaner than usual.
Cleanliness - restrooms: Cleaner than usual.
Quality of nonsushi food: Very good.

``I have only eaten here once but remember it for two things:

``1. The quality of the food was overall much higher than most any other sushi restaurant I have eaten at before.

``2. The cost was also overall much higher than any other I have eaten at before. Knowing I am an American, the amount of food was not a lot at all, but it was the most I have ever paid for sushi.

``Given those two facts, the experience was very different than other sushi restaurants. My guest and I were treated very respectfully. The long time for service was actually pleasant. The crowd seemed very business-like, almost as if it was a meeting place for Japanese business men.

``Dishes were presented very nicely. Even the gom-ae was wrapped beautifully and presented in nice dishes, not plastic.

``I recommend this for anyone who is downtown and wants to splurge on sushi once in awhile or all of the time. ''

Disclaimer. Make sure you have read the full disclaimer located in the overview to this restaurant guide. Basically: I cannot vouch for the accuracy of any information on this page; remember that the comments are no more than the opinions of strangers; before you venture out to explore the places listed here, it would be a good idea to make sure they are still open, and to verify their exact locations.