Kiku - Naperville

First things first...

1. I'm not a huge fan of hibachi style dining.

2. I'm somewhat new to sushi.

3. It is located in a strip mall - near Menards - close to Rt 59.

Our first trips to Kiku were for the hibachi. We never really strayed from the Hibachi Filet for Two - minus one trip where I opted for the Filet/Lobster combo. The wife and I compromise on how the steak is cooked - I prefer medium rare - she prefers medium - so we get medium The meat is always tender - and cooked as requested.

Originally, we'd start with the asparagus beef roll for an appetizer. Then we added a California roll just for fun.

We have our favorite cook (Hong) - who always greets us with a smile - even if we're sitting at the sushi bar (more on that later).

My wife wasn't a big seafood eater but is becoming a convert. Her idea of seafood was Long John Silvers. After a trip to the ER for gallstones - we're cutting out fats, eating more natural and adding fish to our diets. Enter sushi...

Personally, I think this is where Kiku shines. We've now been there for sushi four times. It started fairly simple - California rolls, Kappa Maki, Philly Roll (salmon with cream cheese - delightful) - I'd order something slightly more adventurous (remember I'm new) - Lobster Dynamite (Lobster, Scallop, Crab & Cucumber - with some warm topping), Ecuador (Tuna, Hamachi, Jalepeno, Cilantro, Tobiko) and most recently the Seared Tuna with Spicy Tuna.

After reading some different articles on sushi etiquette - I now leave the soy & wasabi alone. Occasionally taking some ginger to cleanse the palate. Our meals have gone from each of us ordering our own - and splitting another to each of us ordering 2. What started as a $40 dinner (including cocktails) - is back up to $60, $70...

We'll go later so we can chat with Yamada - one of the sushi chef. He's been a sushi chef for 25 years. We're given Japanese lessons by the owner (Steve) - and it always brings a smile to the chefs' faces (I think they're laughing at us).

The service from the wait staff has never been outstanding - average at best. I've always felt welcomed by management and the chefs (hibachi and sushi). Still a fun place for dinner. I'd recommend reservations for hibachi - we've never had to wait if sitting at the sushi bar.

Kiku
2764 Aurora ave
Naperville, IL 60540
630-305-3355
mykiku.com

It has been mentioned here but never given its own thread.
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=18042
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=6975

Thanks for the review. Kiku is a place I drive by every so often but have never stopped into -- if I want sushi and I'm in the Fox Valley area, I inevitably keep going a few more blocks past the Fox Valley mall to Momoya, a fantastic little Japanese restaurant which really makes excellent sushi at comparable prices to places like Sushi House.

I'm a little less for hibachi than I am for sushi, though my experience at Domo 77 was very disappointing and I've never been much interested in Benihana.

How do you find the consistency of Kiku? Do you generally get what you want how you asked for it prepared? I've had a few instances where the doneness of steak I've asked for was way off the mark, sadly.

Lilya wrote:..if I want sushi and I'm in the Fox Valley area, I inevitably keep going a few more blocks past the Fox Valley mall to Momoya, a fantastic little Japanese restaurant which really makes excellent sushi...

I was at Momoya a few years ago - more when sushi was an appetizer than a meal to me. I was disappointed with their 'meal' options - so I haven't been back. We've mentioned going back - just haven't. Thanks for the tip - we'll give it a shot.

I'm a little less for hibachi than I am for sushi, though my experience at Domo 77 was very disappointing and I've never been much interested in Benihana.

I've had managed to boycott both Domo 77 and Benihana - until last week on a Sunday afternoon quest for sushi. We were going to try Yamado - they don't open till 4:00. Same for Momoya. So we went to the Naperville/Aurora Domo...I won't go back. I enjoyed the sushi. Service was horrible. The overall vibe of the restaurant was bad. Horrible layout/design for a brand new building.

How do you find the consistency of Kiku? Do you generally get what you want how you asked for it prepared? I've had a few instances where the doneness of steak I've asked for was way off the mark, sadly.

If you like your meat medium to well done you'll be happy. I order mine medium rare - and its a decent medium. I did have the lobster which was very good. I've never had a bad piece of meat - the doneness generally leads toward more done than what you want.

I've never taken anyone there who has been disappointed - but I've never recommended it to a 'foodie'