Sunshine Cafe Finally Re-opened! You won't believe it!!!

So, after a long hiatus since last Oct of 2006, Sunshine Cafe has finally re-opened and has gone through quite a transformation. I guess they figured they have to go with what's IN and trendy these days to compete with the plethora of Japanese restaurants in the area. What has resulted is a trendier, flashier Sunshine Cafe... Had a fabulous kaiseki dinner that would rival Chiyo last night.

So, we'll start with the decor:



Quite a change for those who have visited Sunshine in the past.

Started off with an ever-so-trendy saketini as we mused over the various kaiseki menus they now offer.



We decided to go with the 5-course kaiseki which is a steal at $55.



For an appetizer you can either start with a seared sea urchin and salmon roll with egg yolk dressing and roe (above) or the seared prawn and seaweed salad (below).



The sashimi course included either sashimi w/ kingfish or oyster.





I had the wagyu beef entree with vegetable tempura and seared scallop with roe salad (below).



My lovely dining companion had the soft-shell crab entree.



Dessert is a nice assortment of items:



All in all a wonderful meal, and I'm somewhat glad they did make the change; There are so few good kaiseki places in Chicago.



















On a final note, I found it exceedingly funny that they even imported a new commode from Japan. I couldn't resist posting this picture, even though it might ruin the "ambiance" of the post, but truly this last pic is very appropriate given the theme of this post.

HI,

Unbelieveable is right. I drove past yesterday late afternoon to see a close sign post prominently in the window. I never expect to find a post today heralding its' re-birth today.

What are the hours? Did you see the elderly owner or anyone from the past? It is such a substantial change, I wonder if it has a new generation ownership or simply new owners. Do you have any feel for this?

Regards,

Jay K wrote:So, after a long hiatus since last Oct of 2006, Sunshine Cafe has finally re-opened and has gone through quite a transformation.

Jay K,

How fantastic, I can't wait to go, and I mean that in terms of both the New and Improved Sunshine and the cool looking Toto.

Enjoy,
Gary

You're right. I don't believe it. April Fool's on us.

Dumb question, but what's that appendage on the side of the commode (left side of photo)? It's not an "armchair" is it? If it gets too comfy in there people will be falling asleep after big meals.
---
Yeah, I was afraid this would happen....

April Fools is right.

I walked past there Friday night, just as closed as ever.

LOL - nice April Fool's joke! I just walked by Sunshine Cafe before brunch in Andersonville, and I looked inside at the abandoned-looking place with sadness.

I wonder if the folks at Tanoshii or other Japanese places in the area would know what happened (not that they're all owned by Japanese people anyway). My Japanese expat connections don't work in the Japanese-American community.

asami

Cogito wrote:Dumb question, but what's that appendage on the side of the commode (left side of photo)? It's not an "armchair" is it? If it gets too comfy in there people will be falling asleep after big meals.

My parents have a "Washlet" -- the armchair is a command center for your seat, allowing you to choose the advanced cleaning features that come with it. You can adjust temperature, pressure and location for the water, and some even come with a drying feature. The seat can also be set to warm, like some leather seats in luxury cars. A fancy toilet seat sounds crazy, but once you try it, you'll love it.

Sorry, not the best conversation for a site focused on food!

asami

asami wrote:

Cogito wrote:Dumb question, but what's that appendage on the side of the commode (left side of photo)? It's not an "armchair" is it? If it gets too comfy in there people will be falling asleep after big meals.

My parents have a "Washlet" -- the armchair is a command center for your seat, allowing you to choose the advanced cleaning features that come with it. You can adjust temperature, pressure and location for the water, and some even come with a drying feature. The seat can also be set to warm, like some leather seats in luxury cars. A fancy toilet seat sounds crazy, but once you try it, you'll love it.

Sorry, not the best conversation for a site focused on food!

asami

It's missing a seat belt.

asami wrote:

Cogito wrote:Dumb question, but what's that appendage on the side of the commode (left side of photo)? It's not an "armchair" is it? If it gets too comfy in there people will be falling asleep after big meals.

My parents have a "Washlet" -- the armchair is a command center for your seat, allowing you to choose the advanced cleaning features that come with it. You can adjust temperature, pressure and location for the water, and some even come with a drying feature. The seat can also be set to warm, like some leather seats in luxury cars. A fancy toilet seat sounds crazy, but once you try it, you'll love it.

Sorry, not the best conversation for a site focused on food!

asami

The question burning on my mind since seeing the image as well as your description. Do you still need toilet paper?

Regards,

Toilet paper? You don't use the three shells?!?!?

Just add the TSIP link, and I am ready to move in. Glad to see Sunshine is back, too.

I wonder if the commode features internal closed circuit t.v. as do some other high end Japanese models.

Jay.. you sick bastard...

OK, it's April 2 now. Where are those pictures really from?

Cathy2 wrote:

asami wrote:

Cogito wrote:Dumb question, but what's that appendage on the side of the commode (left side of photo)? It's not an "armchair" is it? If it gets too comfy in there people will be falling asleep after big meals.

My parents have a "Washlet" -- the armchair is a command center for your seat, allowing you to choose the advanced cleaning features that come with it. You can adjust temperature, pressure and location for the water, and some even come with a drying feature. The seat can also be set to warm, like some leather seats in luxury cars. A fancy toilet seat sounds crazy, but once you try it, you'll love it.

Sorry, not the best conversation for a site focused on food!

asami

The question burning on my mind since seeing the image as well as your description. Do you still need toilet paper?

Regards,

I think most people still use toilet paper, but you feel *extra clean* when using the wash and dry feature. Kind of like the European bidet, but much more comfy!

asami

For real! It is 4/2 now... could we put a disclaimer in the subject? Oh and where are those photos from? If it is a place in town that is currently open, I'm there!

Very nice, Jay K!

Did anyone read the Trib's new blog "The Stew," which debuted yesterday. They had a short item on Sunshine Cafe, and say it will be reopening in May.

http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/ ... nshin.html

That's great news! They also cleared up the mystery of why Sunshine Cafe has been closed for so long.

We found out the reason today: owner Joni Ishida has been recuperating these last two months from surgery, in which doctors removed a tumor from her head.

Wow! I have never been to this restaurant...back in the fall I had plans to attend when I heard they were closing. I have been anxiously awaiting their reopening ever since and had gotten to the point where I figured I'd be out of luck.

I hope her reopening goes right on schedule!

Say, Jay... next year, would you mind playing an April Fool's joke about the city council repealing the foie ban?

Please?

your pics look fabulous! Thanks for posting... I hope to visit this place soon!

bad news
not only is it not sunshine
its not even a single place

the saketini.jpg was found here
www.63flyingcloud.com/images/2006/saketini.jpg
and apparently is from some place in Utah!?

and to find the decor I typed "upscale japanese restaurant tree" into google images and this was the first hit!
http://chaxiubao.typepad.com/photos/unc ... 250021.JPG

The sushi tree is apparently from Harakan in Hong Kong
Hysan Road, Causeway Bay

No easy hits on the food images... but I think I've spent enough time on this diversion

griffin's wife, you are some detective!

I hope you never investigate me!

griffin's wife wrote:bad news
not only is it not sunshine
its not even a single place

the saketini.jpg was found here
www.63flyingcloud.com/images/2006/saketini.jpg
and apparently is from some place in Utah!?

and to find the decor I typed "upscale japanese restaurant tree" into google images and this was the first hit!
http://chaxiubao.typepad.com/photos/unc ... 250021.JPG

The sushi tree is apparently from Harakan in Hong Kong
Hysan Road, Causeway Bay

No easy hits on the food images... but I think I've spent enough time on this diversion

Nice detective work indeed!

I did find the rest of the images on this site: http://sydfoodblog.blogspot.com/2006/06 ... -mino.html

Looks like we'll only have to travel to Sydney, Australia to get a taste of the food!

Dmnkly wrote:Say, Jay... next year, would you mind playing an April Fool's joke about the city council repealing the foie ban?

Please?

Talk about tempting Serendipity 'eh?

P.S. Griffin's Wife & Chanterelle: Bravo on the detective work re: the pics! Now, did somebody find my source for the toilet?

P.P.S. Maybe we should make this a game like the mystery restaurant section... Cobble together a fabulous restaurant from various google images and find the sources.

Jay K wrote:Now, did somebody find my source for the toilet?

Not exactly, but I did come across this:

From the BBC
Free repairs to flammable toilets

Japan's leading toilet manufacturer Toto is offering free repairs to 180,000 toilets after some of them caught fire.

"The fire would have been just under your buttocks," she added.

Jay K wrote:Now, did somebody find my source for the toilet?

You can find a dealer for the TOTO Washlet at:

http://www.washlet.com/default.asp

Click on the link for "dealer locator." For inquiring minds, you can check out the FAQs.

Okay, no more toilet talk on a food site, I promise!

asami