*** (3 stars)
Okay, this place is not the best sushi restaurant in Chicago, but it’s counter service sushi and sashimi, and you can get anything you want, made fresh, and lunch is about ten bucks. That’s really impressive. If I want a quick, good sushi fix, this is where I go.
Sashimi Sashimi
640 Church St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-7274
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sashimi-sashimi-evanston
**** (4 stars)
I love the outdoor ambiance of this place on a nice evening, although inside is cozy and pleasant, too. Service is great: professional yet friendly. It’s a good sign when I see the same personnel year after year. The food is really top notch, and I feel under-appreciated, as this is a much better meal than at Oceanique, and it’s actually even more French than that place. One of the best upscale dining experiences in Evanston for sure.
Chef’s Station
915 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 570-9821
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chefs-station-evanston
*** (3 stars)
This restaurant is often on the “Best Of” lists, but I’m not sure why, Service is fine, but the food is neither remarkable nor particularly French. Both Stained Glass and Quince are better bets for an upscale meal in Evanston.
Oceanique
505 Main St
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 864-3435
http://www.yelp.com/biz/oceanique-evanston
**** (4 stars)
Quince is almost a great restaurant. The service is superb. The dining rooms are homey and a touch formal. And the food is good. There’s just no over the top dish to take it to the next level. A good reliable upscale meal in Evanston, better than Oceanique, not as good as Stained Glass.
Quince
1625 Hinman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 570-8400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/quince-evanston-2
**** (4 stars)
A pretty decent Thai restaurant that has parking, quite the novelty in Evanston. The barbecued pork skewer appetizer and the Thai salads are the stand outs, and the Pad Thai is pretty good, too. The chive dumplings were doughy and undercooked. Extensive menu, so there’s lots to explore.
Siam Splendour
1125 Emerson St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 492-1008
http://www.yelp.com/biz/siam-splendour-evanston-2
**** (4 stars)
Dumpy old furniture, cave-like ambiance, everything you expect in a college-oriented coffee house. I love it. The food, whcih takes awhile since there’s often not much staff, is surprisingly good, the coffee drinks are Starbucks-killers, and the wifi is free. My favorite coffee house in Evanston.
Kafein
1621 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 491-1621
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kafein-evanston
**** (4 stars)
What looks like a run of the mill coffee house turns out to be a gourmet sandwich and salad experience. Service is a bit slow because there are only a couple of employees, but the results are delicious.
Cafe Mozart
600 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 492-8056
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-mozart-evanston
**** (4 stars)
There’s surprising creativity here in the kitchen, and the service is much better than you might expect, too. Definitely a good choice for a fresh, fast meal.
Lulu’s
804 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 869-4343
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lulus-evanston
*** (3 stars)
I’ve never cared for places that try to do both Chinese and Japanese cuisines, because they tend to do neither all that well, and Koi is no exception. On a nice summer day it’s pleasant to sit in the front room with the floor to ceiling windows open, but don’t expect to get life changing sushi here. For the price I expect more.
Koi Fine Asian Cuisine and Lounge
624 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-6969
http://www.yelp.com/biz/koi-fine-asian-cuisine-and-lounge-evanston
*** (3 stars)
If you’d rather have a buffet than order fresh from the menu, this is a good choice for lunch. The Nepalese items are interesting, but the Indian food seems more healthy, in general, with fewer fried items and more vegetables.
Mt. Everest Restaurant
630 Church St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 491-1069
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mt-everest-restaurant-evanston