Planning a trip to Chicago?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
Sumi Robata Bar
(Now Closed)Japanese Restaurant$$$$
River North, Chicago
The experts at Time Out Chicago and Chicago Tribune recommend this place
41 Tips and reviews
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Murielle ChakJanuary 28, 2016Very healthy balanced bento boxes for lunch at a reasonable price. A little more expensive in the evening, but with a larger choice and very interesting taste to try!
ChicagoistJune 5, 2015During soft-shell crab season, Chef Kato uses the sweeter and juicier Chesapeake Bay crabs, simply fried with a light batter and a bit of sweet & sour sauce on the side. Read more
I make a point of coming here every time I'm in town. A few standout dishes include onsen tamago, any sashimi, crab legs, beef tongue, and tofu panna cotta. Oh, and don't miss Charcoal Bar downstairs!
Although considered pricey by many, Sumi offers great food at a lower price point. Start w/the mizuna greens, get the beef sliders, chicken thigh, & skirt steak, finish w/the tofu. A great $30 meal.
Chicago TribuneAugust 1, 2014The beef tongue is a revelation. Most kitchens braise this cut, but Kato (who begins by using American wagyu-style beef) puts raw tongue on the robata and gently coaxes it to medium-rare perfection. Read more
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Chef Kato serves up an authentic, unpretentious, intimate and consistently excellent experience. Staff is fantastic and the service is impeccable. Go! Now!
Brian StraussFebruary 25, 2015Great food. Love the pate special and the baby octopus. Ignore the waiter who forgets parts of your order. He can't ruin the meal. Pop downstairs to Charcoal Bar after.
Julia ParkFebruary 3, 2014My new favorite robata bar Chicago. Everything is great- but my personal favorites were duck breast, mochi (special), and tofu appetizer. Fabulous place! amazing staff, awesome food.
Time Out ChicagoJune 19, 2013The garden here seats 20 on tiered wooden decks landscaped with Japanese red maples and a traditional Japanese Zen garden tended to by chef Gene Kato.- Chicago TribuneJanuary 6, 2017Chef/owner Gene Kato is a virtuoso on the robata grill, and that is the laser-like focus (so focused, he doesn't bother with sushi) of his 35-seat restaurant. Read more
Chris PinnerNovember 20, 2013Fantastic food, not best selection of mixed drinks. Great atmosphere and service. Worth checking out. The lamb was amazing also the king crab.- Chicago TribuneAugust 1, 2014Soy milk panna cotta topped with tofu skin, dabs of yuzu curd and candied soybeans is a yummy, light treat. Read more
- Chicago TribuneAugust 1, 2014Intense heat provides a craggy char to a pair of scallops, their sweet richness heightened by drizzled ohba butter, which settled into the fissures on top. Read more
definitely don't leave without ordering the Tofu dessert! it's a soy milk panna cotta~ delish!
Perri KofkinJuly 12, 2013Sit at the bar to watch the preparation. The Maguro tuna appetizer, beef tongue, and pork jowl were DELICIOUS.- Time Out ChicagoMarch 15, 2013The miso-marinated lamb ribs are completely unsharable, and so craveable that you should probably order two per person and resign yourself to be seen shamelessly sucking on the bone. Read more
Jisang yun★April 13, 2013Tofu is amazing dont forget to get desert. Talk to manager JADE she's the boss and let you know what is best!
Donald MonsonOctober 14, 2013If you can sit at the bar in front of the chef, it is a nice show, and quite mouthwatering!
Kirstjen LorenzAugust 11, 2013Best lamb chops ever. And I dream about the Inaniwa udon. Next time I'm not sharing either one!
MA AbdooJuly 6, 2013The Guytan is pretty close to perfect, as are the salt cured cucumber and the chicken hearts.
Caitlin MurthaJanuary 19, 2013HIGHLY recommend the sea bass with eggplant, sweet potato fries and chocolate filled donatsu
Shinya WatanabeDecember 8, 2013Loved the service & food. Definitely get the maguro and donuts for dessert.- Time Out ChicagoDecember 20, 2013The tofu at Sumi Robata Bar is one of the 100 best things we ate this year.
Pocket SunSeptember 6, 2014Well, it was fun to watch the food being prepared. The dishes are small, flavorful, but can be overcooked sometimes.
J BedsFebruary 25, 2015Not good overall. Sea Bass was 8/10. $5 for a sliced cucumber. Come on. Also. A Japanese restaurant OUT of Japanese scotch? Awful. Not good value. It's empty for a reason. Will not return.
Megan WilliamsJuly 24, 2013Expect a long wait between orders and to watch members of your party eat while you wait 15 min for your food
Shannon JeropkeFebruary 17, 2017Chef Gene Kato was nominated for Best chef: Great Lakes 2017 James Beard Award.
Chris ChoiMarch 3, 2013Everything is pretty salty.. so, request make food little less salty than original.
118 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Wed
- 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Thu–Fri
- 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–Midnight
- Sat
- 5:00 PM–Midnight
(312) 988-7864
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Drinks
Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
You might also like
Places people like to go after Sumi Robata Bar
Appears on 124 lists
Best places to eat and drink outside
Created by Time Out Chicago
31 items • 373 followers
100 best things we ate and drank in 2013
Created by Time Out Chicago
91 items • 255 followers
Created by Jeff
158 items • 48 followers