Yesterday we went to the Meiji Restaurant in Randolph Street. I must say it was a huge disappointment, especially after receiving a Zagat rating of 25. We ate the Asparagus Ribeye Roll starter, which was more like eating the sole of a shoe and had lots of stringy and fatty bits. The Hamachi nigiri tasted as if it had just been defrosted. The Shogun Maki were ok - to be honest, not that exciting, but I would not trash it. The Green Tea Mille Feuille is a great idea: layers of thin puff pastry with green tea and vanilla cream in-between, but if you need a knife and lots of muscles to cut it, it really isn't a pleasure!
Ambience is not great, just the kinda-trying-to-be-trendy place with minimal decor and light techno music in the background. The tables are so close together that it was impossible not to overhear the 15 minute conversation about dogs of our neighbors who were clearly having their first date.
Avoid it if possible since the price ($50 per person) certainly does not reflect quality. If you want to find something in that area, Avec which is practically next door is certainly a much better bet - they have consistent quality and similar prices.
623 W Randolph St Chicago, IL 60661
www.meijirestaurant.com
