Juno

My husband and I had a terrific meal at newly opened Juno last night. I don't have a menu for reference (and my memory is faulty), but highlights for us were the "smoked" maguro sashimi with ankimo, and fantastic hamachi collar. I was feeling the need for something green, so we added a green salad which was far from common -- included tender leaf lettuce, shaved breakfast radish, pear, and crispy almonds. There were some great looking cocktails on the list, but we'd already had drinks so opted for glasses of riesling with our meals. We were fans of Arami, but I have to say I enjoyed this meal even more than any we ever had there.

The room was lively but not noisy, the welcome and service warm and enthusiastic. We feel very lucky to have this addition to our neighborhood -- i'm usually the last one to suggest sushi in our household but have to say I can't wait to get back to Juno!

Juno
2638 N. Lincoln
Chicago, IL

872-206-8662

We had a very different experience at Juno. Three of us went to dinner after seeing the rave reviews. The main dining room was pleasant, but very loud even early on a Sunday night. (Ask for a seat in the bar if you don't want to shout at your dining partners to be heard. Our waiter needed a great deal more training. While we overheard one of the waiters in the bar area reviewing the menu with other patrons, our waiter basically dropped by and said nothing other than "What can I get you?" Reading the cocktail selection was next to impossible given that the drinks were printed over a pretty graphic but trying to read black print on top of a dark picture was challenging. When asked what the ingredients of a drink were and explaining that it was difficult to read all of the ingredients, our waiter's response was, "vodka and sake." Not helpful.

We ordered a tuna tartare appetizer. He recommended ordering two. It was good advice. They were beautifully presented but the portion was the size of an amuse bouche. Literally, there was less than one teaspoon of tuna in each serving. We were interested in sharing several items - including 2 of the 3 entree sized items. Our waiter neglected to inform us that the lobster entree was not available. The wagyu beef was sliced rather thick. It was average in terms of flavor.

We found the nigiri offerings to be pedestrian. The rolls showed more imagination but the majority of the items in the rolls were cooked. The presentations were beautiful and yes, you may eat with your eyes, but..... We were expecting a great deal more.

The bottom line was we had an appetizer and shared the wagyu an left and went to Macku for our sushi. The offerings at Macku continue to be far more creative.

I made it to Juno last week with a couple of other lth friends and enjoyed it very much, though I can understand some of the criticisms as well. Our service was excellent until the room filled up and then dropped off a bit. I didn't mind it that much, given how new the place is but, then again, our waiter was engaged and very knowledgeable when we needed him, during the ordering phase.

As for the food, I really enjoyed the pea soup (a VERY small portion as well but at $4, not that surprising), the aji (beautifully presented and pristinely fresh), the smoked tuna sashimi and the grilled soft shell crab roll. I, too, probably prefer the nigiri at Macku but not everyone enjoys that much manipulation of their sushi--for me, so long as the number and application of ingredients doesn't mask the flavor of the fish, I enjoy a bit of topping here and there but Macku definitely pushes that envelope. At Juno, the nigiri had only the most minimal of additions (hirame with a bit of lemon zest and sea salt I think, shrimp chopped and mixed with some slightly vinegary peppers. zuke sake (marinated salmon), etc.). The uni I had was very flavorful (in the good way ) but a bit chillier than it probably should have been.

All in all, I am really happy to see Juno enter the fray and look forward to returning. If you enjoy Macku, I'd say it's probably worth heading back, maybe on a weeknight and on the earlier side, to get a better introduction to the menu from, hopefully, one of the more experienced servers. But Macku is never a bad call either!

I was at Juno last week also and really enjoyed my experience. We were lucky to have a very knowledge waiter who patiently explained the menu, described the dishes and generally helped with ordering. I think without that help it would have been a different experience navigating the menu for the first time. Just as our last item was due the service dropped off as the dining room filled and our waiter was flat seated, they should have these growing pains worked out soon hopefully. We were in the back dining area and it got vey loud as the room filled, they wisely turned down the music so people didn't have to talk louder to be heard over it.

The food was a level above what I've had in Chicago before and I look forward to trying more of the menu. A stellar special that night was the pea soup as boudreaulicious said, and the aji (a highlight). I got the chefs choice sashimi and was very pleased with both the quality and quantity of my plate. The omakase at Katsu is still my benchmark for Chicago and it's nice to see Juno add to the game.

I think it's a mistake to compare Juno to Macku. They're going for completely different things, yet both are very good examples of their particular styles.

If you're a fan of Japanese food, you can't help but be excited by developments in Chicago in the last several months. First, the opening of Sumi Robata Bar and now Juno. Juno has only been open for a few weeks, but I've already been twice and think it is an outstanding addition to the Chicago Japanese food scene, and in my opinion stands head and shoulders above all other Chicago sushi options, with the exception of Katsu. In fact, even if you're not a sushi fan, Juno will definitely please.

But with respect to their nigiri offerings, I wouldn't say there is anything pedestrian about them, even if there are currently no offerings I would describe as exotic. I don't really even understand this criticism when comparing Juno with Macku since Macku doesn't have more exotic fish on the menu. Most importantly though with respect to Juno, the preparation and cuts of fish are first rate - precisely cut, not stringy, beautifully presented and minimally seasoned. The aji was one of the stars of the show for me, delicious and artfully presented in a glass bowl, with the whole fish as a backdrop. The ikura, uni and Hawaiian blue prawn wre likewise stunning and must orders, but really, all of the nigiri I tried was quite good. My lone complaint concerns temperature of some of the nigiri offerings - the chef's choice sashimi is stunning in presentation (in a beautiful glass bowl), but many of the pieces get too cold placed atop ice, even if not placed directly upon the ice. They need to work this out. The uni was also delivered just a little bit too cold for my liking on both visits, so I let it warm up a bit on my second visit. But it is a generous serving and some of the very best uni you will ever taste. One more small concern is that although I've learned to appreciate the beauty and intricacy of tamago, the pictures Juno has posted on its Facebook page have not convinced me that they share the same passion when it comes to tamago. I would hope that's one of their next big leaps.

Aside from the nigiri, there are many other excellent raw choices. One of my favorites was the charcoal handroll with tuna (they also offer lobster). Two pieces of nori, a miniature charcoal grill to lightly heat the nori, and a small dish of delicious spicy tuna, sufficient to fill two rolls. Juno also offers what they call smoked sashimi - I've tried the tuna and hamachi - which is delivered on a glass-domed platter, filled with smoke. When the dome is lifted, smoke perfumes the air and leaves some of its scent with the fish and accompaniments. I thought both the tuna and hamachi were very good.

Juno also offers both east and west coast oysters, but I haven't tried any on my two visits. And I've only tried one maki, which featured both unagi and soft shell crab, and while I enjoyed it, I can't say it wowed me. The same goes for the shrimp shooter I tried - respectable but the shrimp was a bit hidden among the ingredients. I also tried one of the few non-Japanese offerings, the pea soup with crispy pork, mint and preserved lemon, and it was outstanding - spring peas in all of their glory.

Back to the Japanese portion of the menu, another excellent choice is the lobster chawanmushi, which features plenty of lobster and crab, along with dashi and shiitake. I wouldn't go so far as to compare this version to the brilliant chawanmushi served at Katsu, but it was still terrific, with a silky smooth custard. There was also an amazing roast halibut, with a beautiful light crust and cooked as perfectly as I've ever had halibut cooked.

Finally, on my last visit we shared the vegetable ramen, and it was easily the best vegetable ramen I've ever tasted, and just a terrific bowl of ramen regardless. The broth was a mushroom-leek broth and very rich and meaty from the mushrooms. The noodles were properly chewy, with more texture than I typically find in ramen noodles. To cap it all off, a gooey egg to mix in. I can't wait to try their non-vegetarian ramen. If they can make vegetable ramen taste this good . . .

I'll also say that I've tried two desserts at Juno and both were outstanding. There is a chocolate dessert, with chocolate mousse, chocolate cake (or brownie), miso caramel sauce, roasted peanuts and tofu ice cream. This dessert was probably the most delicious dessert I've tasted this year. If you enjoy chocolate at all, you must order this, maybe even two. Also fantastic was the coconut dessert, which also included pineapple, lemongrass ice, tapioca and red bean puree. It's perhaps a little more cumbersome to eat (the way it's plated), but don't let that stop you.

As for atmosphere, I like the design of the restaurant quite a bit, easily a good choice for a special night out. Though I'll note that it gets very loud and might be difficult to hear someone speak even among a table for four. Service has been decent enough on both of my visits (better the second time really), though definitely not yet up to the standards set by the food. But, three weeks in, I'd say Juno is off to a terrific start and I predict many more visits in my future.

We just returned from a delicious meal at Juno. The sushi was first-rate. In particular the Hikari Mono Special (3 different mackerelesque nigirL Kohada, Sanma and Saba) was the best of its kind I've ever had. The non sushi dishes were also very good to excellent. The lobster chawanmushi and Crab salads were standouts. Everything was beautifully presented. Drink menu was original and well balanced.
We were not fans of the space, however. The main dining room managed to be both fusty and quite loud, at a two top, we would not have been able to carry on a conversation if we had not moved our chairs to sit on the diagonal. Apparently the waitstaff had trouble hearing us too, because they missed some of our order. They were very gracious and quick to make it up to us though.
The portions are not large, and the tab adds up, but you get what you pay for.

Dined at Juno last evening with my wife. We ate, to quote our fun and on-point server Jake, "..at least 40% of the menu"

Everything was exemplary. Some standouts: The smoked hamachi was a whirlwind of sweet autumn flavors, butter yellow tail and corn. Pineapple Spring Roll, lots a fun, and perfect chew on the octopus. Tako Maguro - beautifully spicy & vibrant, again, great textures. Some of the best sushi rice I've ever had, especially when peppered with puffed sushi rice. So many great textures last night.

Two HUGE standouts:

-Duck Ramen - Crispy & tender nuggets of duck confit, generously swimming in a silky and salty broth anchored by toothsome noodles. So intensely warming and satisfying. I will be thinking of this dish for days to come.

-Wagyu/Kobe Rib Eye Special - 4 oz of pure indulgence. Imported Japanese beef, from a certain prefecture, which I cannot recall. Seared, medium-rare, and so fatty and smooth, teeth were unnecessary. The most memorable bite of beef I've ever experienced, next to my first true Wagyu experience at Alinea 5 years ago. I savored each chew and let the buttery beef fat drip down my gullet. Glad I splurged on the $80 bucks for this dish. It made a truly great meal, legendary.

My new favorite restaurant in the city. I love the subdued vibe, the service, the cocktails (Mezcal/Shishito beverage), and Jason Chan and staff couldn't have been friendlier or more deserving of continued success. It will take everything in my power not revisit on tuesday for Chef BK's omakase.

Juno owner collars iPhone thief
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sectio ... id=9323419

leek wrote:Juno owner collars iPhone thief
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sectio ... id=9323419

Knowing this, I actually made it a point to shake Jason Chan's hand and say he's a true inspiration.

Fire overnight in the building that houses Juno.

Don't know the specific impact to Juno but the front is boarded up.

Noooooooooo!!!!

Fire in Juno building.

"It won't just be a Juno 2.0," Jason Chan says of his rebuilt acclaimed Japanese restaurant, "we want it to be a brand new Juno."

Chan and chef B.K. Park are turning a tragedy into an opportunity to change their restaurant, which they're now hoping to reopen on September 3 following a January fire that resulted in the gutting of the whole front bar area. Buildout is now complete and they've moved on to cosmetic touches and menu tastings, which will begin in a matter of days.

http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2014/ ... etails.php

Having had two of Sam McDermott's excellent dinners, I'm excited.

Re-incarnated on Sept 17!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertain ... story.html

Well folks, Juno is indeed re-opened, and it looks exactly like the old Juno. But the food -- particularly the hot items -- may be better than ever. There's now a lobster miso and it is stunning, combining the very best of a lobster stock and miso soup and in perfect ratios.

There was also a fantastic version of takoyaki. What it slightly lacked in sea and nori richness, it more than made up for with its delicate texture and great flavor, the latter thanks in no small part to the dehydrated hot dog grated on top. (sorry for the crappy cell phone pics, but perhaps better than nothing.)


Takoyaki




Sam McDermott, previously of Elizabeth and Buttermilk Social underground dinners, is now in charge of the hot food side of Juno's menu, and if the couple of hot items I tried last night are any indication of what to expect from him, I'd say you're making a huge mistake by only ordering sushi.

As for the nigiri, this was mostly very positive too. Some of the very best rice preparation and seasoning I've experienced in Chicago, and better than I remember from Juno previously. Arami hasn't missed a beat in terms of fish quality since BK Park left, but its rice prep is not the same. The only exception at Juno last night was a single shrimp that came out later in the meal, by itself, where the shrimp was too cold and many kernels of rice separated immediately. I wonder if this was just a lesser experienced sushi chef who prepared this piece.

But most of the nigiri was fantastic, with absolutely pristine fish, and ikura better than I've ever had. There are a couple of items I wouldn't recommend, however. There's a shrimp on the nigiri/sashimi menu (that comes two pieces to an order) where the sauce (though delicious) overwhelmed the briny flavor of the shrimp (actually brought out in error). You'll recognize it on the menu because it's the shrimp that comes in two pieces. And I didn't particularly love the flavor of the tamago, though its texture was close to perfect. Here's a picture of my first several pieces, salmon, fatty tuna, saba and the two pieces of shrimp:






Fresh wasabi is still the norm here. But be careful with the gari. At least last night, a few pieces were too assertive in ginger flavor and needed more pickling. Minor issues aside, I was pretty thrilled with the dinner and excited about Juno's reopening. Note that the current online menu is very different from what's offered in the restaurant. Also note that while reservations are accepted on Opentable, reservations last night (Friday) hardly seemed necessary.

I'm contemplating an omakase night tonight, and am torn between kai zan and their reasonably priced option, or splurging on Juno and getting better fish and rice prep. Has anybody had both (has anybody had juno omakase since they reopened?) and care to push me one way over the other? I'm terrible at choosing, so would love for LTH friends to save me the burden!

We had the omakase at Kai Zan earlier this summer and thought it was by far the best sushi we'd had in Chicago (we are regulars at Arami and Maku but have tried most of the reputed spots). We had some great meals at Juno before the fire, and returned this week (the same night as the Nagrant scuffle, as it happens), but we really felt a number of elements were off. The lobster miso was too salty, and just too challenging to eat an entire claw in a bowl with only a soup spoon; the takoyaki tasted only of mayonnaise and really lacked any texture; the "puff pastry" it was described as was nowhere in evidence -- I found this a total failure and could only eat one bite; the smoked hamachi was in our opinion improperly sliced (too thick) and didn't taste of much; aside from pickles, there was not a single salad or vegetable to be had (the waitress confirmed this with some embarrassment); my dining companion felt that the rice in his nigiri was insufficiently sticky.

Terrific dinner @ Juno last night. We ordered all Nigiri/Sashimi, so can't comment on any composed or hot dishes, but the fish was extremely fresh & served at the proper temperature. One stood out: the absolutely pristine Chutoro (medium fatty tuna). Best piece of fish I've had in the city. We mentioned this to the server, and she mentioned that they have customers who come specifically for the Chutoro - highly, highly recommend ordering if go.

I'll also mention that the "Chef's Choice Sashimi" is a great bargain at $38. 18 total pieces of fish (2 each of 9 selections). The Chef's choice included the Chutoro, for instance, which was otherwise $7/piece.

I saw on Sam's Instagram that last night was his last at Juno. He says his sous chef Jake Demars will be taking over the hot kitchen: http://instagram.com/p/yTyx_enLKo/