Shallots Bistro

I was twice the service was great and food was taste and fresh I recommend on the simple burger it is great!

5* all around.
Sushi is the real deal here.
And people complaining about the price, it’s not like they’re in NY where they’ll be maxed out every night, well worth it for people who appreciate great food, service and a upscale spacious steakhouse.

Wow such exorbitant prices for below average portions and subpar food. The salmon sushi was the worst I have eaten in months (I have sushi multiple times a week). The sea bass entre was meh, and the steak looked subprime. Overall gives high class kosher dining a bad name.

I had dinner … Was great food and excellent service… Thanks. And thanks Zalman for the suggestions…

I have eaten at Shallots a few dozen times. Sometimes my experience is out of this world and other times it’s satisfactory. This review has nothing to do with the food. Yesterday I purchased $ 115 worth of sushi to be picked up; when I got there they gave me the sushi as well as one small cup of spicy mayo and teriyaki sauce. I had such a large sushi order so I requested a few more cups. If this was ordered in restaurant a server wouldn’t hesitate in bringing more upon request, however, yesterday I was told that I would have to be charged for the «extra» condiments. I didn’t fight with the lady working there, I just paid and left. I just think that something like this speaks volumes about a restaurant. Hopefully Shallots Bistro will do some reevaluation on their spicy mayo policies.

Wow! Not had a meal at a kosher restaurant any better than this! Ambiance, menu, food, service, Top notch, all the way.
The dining room is lovely and BIG, so plenty of room between tables, not like on top of each other in a NYC restaurant (where you can overhear others’ conversations). Harvey, our server, was dressed immaculately and among the most professional servers, I’ve encountered. Charming, smart, but deferential, as the best wait staff should be.
Huge menu, almost overwhelming number of special entrees and sushi options, too many good options to choose from. My only wish for the menu would have been at least one grass-​fed steak option, but I tasted my companion’s steak and it was among the best corn-​fed beef I’ve tasted.
Pricey, but quality costs $, especially with big portions. Had very good caesar salad (properly tart dressing, and with anchovies! a rarity at kosher places, but keep in mind, a kosher meat place has no cheese or other dairy), great «Las Vegas Roll» sushi (just enough spice to appreciate the heat without masking out the delicate tuna flavor), and an entrée of the Pomegranate Rack of Lamb. Great lamb, tender, cooked properly… only downside was the pomegranate demi-​glacé was a little over-​the top sweet for my taste, verging on cloying, but still very enjoyable and allowing the subtle difference between lamb and beef to be tasted.
Overall, kosher dining at its best, if you ware willing the pay the prices.

This is my favorite sushi place. The sushi chefs (may be a rumor) are from Japanaise. The best ever rolls are red crunch, spicy escolar and mexican. The red crunch is sweet, crunchy goodness. I absolutely love it! The spicy escolar is yummy. The portions are a good size. I always order too much but it’s a great experience. The mexican is fresh, light and just the right kick of spice. The atmosphere is elegant. It’s just a great spot and I always leave happy. Great lunch spot too!

I’m not a big fan of kosher but this place is over the top. The best gourmet sushi I’ve ever had. nice décor friendly service and superb staff. Their sandwiches steaks appetizers desserts and drinks were great. A great place for a business meeting, a party, or just a nice dinner.

Okay, so I’m from NYC. Perhaps I expect a lot. Feel free to take my review with a grain-​of-​salt. For starters, when we arrived the hostess said, «oh I didn’t know if you were coming» Interesting, why didn’t she call? We’re seated. I choose a sushi roll that seems interesting, the rolls all seemed very unique. The server returns to inform us that the sushi bar is closed. Hmm… What time do they usually close, he responds they’re supposed to be open. If the sushi bar closes early why wasn’t I informed about that when I made my reservation? Anyways, we proceeded with our order, appetizers came, alls good then they brought my main when I wasn’t done with my appetizers. Are you rushing somewhere? That felt very off.
Service: I did like that the server was very honest about which foods are popular and didn’t give me the generic «they are all good.» He was friendly through the night. It was a very pleasant experience.
Food: The food was somewhat excellent somewhat ok. I had the veal sweetbreads it was too sweet. My husband had the tuna steak appetizer that was delicious. I had the lamb chops and steak combo the steak was delicious, soft and juicy. The lamb chops were way to sweet. My husband had the prime steak — excellent, again very soft, juicy, and well spiced.
Overall: It was a nice experience, the décor was cool, the vibe was relaxed, we enjoyed.

Very good food. I only eat kosher and this is the only really nice and classy kosher place in all of chicago. It is very expensive but your paying for more than just good food. Your paying for a real classy dining experience.

Their sushi is amazing. so addicted. Everytime when I come here, I get so impressed. Highly recommend.

We ate at the bar side. Ambience was nice. Food was decent (I had the prime rib special). Abysmal service really made the experience unpleasant, however.

Amazing kosher menu and staff always remembers me and my boyfriend when we come and dine. I love love love their lamb, but it’s a bit pricey for one meal and I find it tacky that the receipt TELLS you what to tip…

Pros: Some of the food is quite good, nice atmosphere
Cons: Extremely poor and indifferent management, very slow service, very expensive, no kitchen coordination; spotty food
If you keep kosher, Shallots is really the only restaurant in Chicago for upscale dining. They have a large menu, especially specialty sushi, and many of the items are actually quite good when properly prepared (which, unfortunately, isn’t always). Its a nice looking place and generally fairly quiet (I suspect most people don’t want to bring children because of the prices and wait times).
Service can be very slow, especially if the restaurant is busy, It is not unusual to wait 10 minutes or more for a waiter, bread, drinks etc. that seem to have nothing to do with the kitchen.
The prices are really outrageous (they have a captive clientele who don’t really have a choice). For that price, I would have thought they would hire more staff, especially in the kitchen.
Perhaps the oddest part is the lack of coordination. The sushi is made at a sushi bar and the rest of the food seems to come from the kitchen, The two don’t coordinate so if someone at your table orders sushi, they may very well get served 5 – 20 minutes before, or after, the other people at the table. Even if everyone orders from the kitchen, food is often brought out at different times or some of the food may be cold (clearly having sat waiting for other food for some time). Furthermore, it is a rare occurrence when the kitchen gets everyone’s order correct. The last time I visited, three (of twelve) orders had to be sent back (after having waited over an hour). One hamburger was under cooked (and cold), one was way overcooked and one order of such was on the wrong rice.
But for family members who insist on eating there, I would NEVER go back,

I don’t frequently visit kosher restaurants unless I am going out with a co-​worker who follows kashrut rules. Gotta tell you I had one of the BEST meals EVER at Shallots last night. The sushi bar served some of the most outstanding and fresh food I have ever had. RUN don’t WALK and experience this place. AND ask for the Toro sushi roll. Its amazing!

It must be really expensive to make kosher good because, for the price you pay, the quality you get is outrageously poor.
Even my orthodox colleague who was the only reason we are there commented that he felt bad that he dragged me all the way to skokie for this.
The hostess was unpleasant, the server I’ll informed, the dips and bread practically in edible. The alleged wagyu beef probably has a cow in osaka rolling in its grave. I actually stopped at the hot dog stand down the street for dinner afterwards.
I grew up in NYC and have had good quality kosher food. This place gives kosher cuisine a bad name.

Amazing Kosher menu choices. Like being in France. Lovely experience! The steak was perfect. And the dessert menu is worth the trip alone! Highly recommend this dining experience.
The service is non-​intrusive, yet attentive and gracious.

Well. Two stars is enough here. I was going for 1, but the sushi was decent and the manager was nice enough to say, «it’s on the house».
Where to start? Ah yes. Edamame. Soy beans. Takes 1 minute to steam, waited 15 minutes to arrive. I ordered some rolls that were gigantic but good. My hubby got a burger and asked for medium cooked.
My sushi arrives, no wasabi, no ginger, no soy sauce…
Did I mention my food came before my husbands food? 10 minutes before? At such an upscale place, both parties dinners are served at the same time, no?
His burger arrives. It’s so well done that its hard… I tapped it with my knife. Rock hard…
Sorry but never again.

When I am given the opportunity to eat copious amounts of sushi, steak, lamb, a hamburger, and drink Maker’s Mark — I NEVER say no. There are some negative reviews on here that do not make any sense, stop eating. Everything served here was on point. Coming from a goy perspective, I do not care about the Kosher aspect but my Jewish colleagues were happy.
Each sushi roll was handcrafted and fresh. I haven’t ever enjoyed sushi that close to perfect. The lamb was the best lamb I have ever eaten — not overly gamey and seasoned perfectly. Both cuts of steak were cooked medium-​rare and did not disappoint. The hamburger was there just because I have an issue with overeating and had to indulge.
The server remembered my drink (Maker’s Mark, two ice cubes) and did not hesitate to refill my glass. I will return here to eat and drink, even without my Jewish friends.
Baruch HaShem

I’ve heard amazing things about Shallots, but I wasn’t overly impressed.
Don’t get me wrong, it was good. It just didn’t quite live up to the reputation. I’m not sure if it was that I chose the wrong sushi rolls or what…
Since it is a kosher restaurant, yes it is a little pricey… but it’s not insane or anything considering it’s sushi.