Parking: We parked right outsideKid-friendliness: Very accommodating, they even made a kiddie chopstick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup, Coffee Jello
MSZChicago
New owners doing a great job. Glad because this restaurant has been a long time gem. Happy owner is from Kyushu-fukuoka, my mom's homeland so food is very comforting! Delicious. Thanks!
Scott Chaplin
It was OK, portions were small and I was still hungry after tea, appetizers and sashimi box.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup
Nori Sakata
Dependable Japanese fare in a clean welcoming atmosphere.Booths have barriers as does the Sushi bar and around the kitchen area.Unagi Don(grilled Eel over rice) was plentyful.Oyster appetizer a delight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Davis
Really enjoyed our double date here. Nice relaxed atmosphere with good service. Everyone enjoyed their food and the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tam
will be back soon
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lims
Our FAVORITE Japanese neighborhood restaurant. They use high quality ingredients and everything taste homemade and full of flavor. We always get the hamachi collar, katsudon and nigiri and maki rolls. Our son loves their teriyaki beef. The service is always friendly and warm. The ambiance is nice with a mix of people of all ages and backgrounds. This restaurant is good for groups, dates and individuals. Highly recommend it.
C. Del Rosario
It's under new management. My go-to meal was basically the same. However, there was a significant jump in price with the new management.I would go back but probably not as often.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelsey burress
Great food and atmosphere! Our waitress was great:)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JudyN
Finally went back to old favorite Renga-Tei to see how the new management was doing. Was so pleased with the food, ease of getting a reservation, and service. Prices are higher now, of course, and that might be why it's less busy than before. Still, we'll be back!
We were surprised and saddened to see the dining room empty at 5:30pm on a Monday. By 7pm customers started arriving but the dining room in the back where we sat was totally empty. The front dining room was partially empty. We hope their customers come-back soon and give the new owners a chance. Some of the menu items are gone and isn't as extensive as before but the food is still delicious. We also heard one of the chefs with the previous owner is still working in the kitchen. And, yes, they do charge a dollar for Japanese tea but it shouldn't discourage anyone from coming back. Please support this wonderful restaurant and tell your friends and family they need your support, as well. We know many people will be disappointed if they don't survive.
John S.
I am relieved that this long-time all-time favorite restaurants is back on track and holding course. What was loved about the original is largely preserved or reprised in variants of familiar dishes. The decor remains as it was though lightly refreshed and the air is no longer bossa nova but a chill vibe grandchild of sound pulses in a similar way. I have visited 3 times to see it gradually find its own voice with the subtle changes in techniques and honestly the saba shioyaki was extremely moist with the crispy skin, the pickles new in character, and the food seemingly consistent as I desired. There is definitely some updates I've yet to try, and some favorites gone, but I am happy to report it is on its way back to a top spot for me if it keeps this up. The service was notably attentive, welcoming and relaxed and the general character is slightly more upscale than the predecessor yet still warm and welcoming.
Jennifer Velasquez
The place is small yet very comfy, the servers I had were incredibly friendly and easy to talk to and I've never had a better experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kristina P.
Not the same Renga-Tei. Our food was good and the service was ok, but not worth the higher prices and smaller portions. You can get the same food somewhere else and cheaper. The original Renga-Tei gave us top notch food and a full belly, every time. It's the opposite now, we left the restaurant sad and still hungry. To make things worse, they gave us a dirty napkin that was reused.
Anthony O.
Everything about this place was fantastic! The service was amazing, the food was even better. I will definitely continue to go here for some of the best Japanese food in the city.
Parking: We parked right outsideKid-friendliness: Very accommodating, they even made a kiddie chopstick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup, Coffee Jello
New owners doing a great job. Glad because this restaurant has been a long time gem. Happy owner is from Kyushu-fukuoka, my mom's homeland so food is very comforting! Delicious. Thanks!
It was OK, portions were small and I was still hungry after tea, appetizers and sashimi box.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup
Dependable Japanese fare in a clean welcoming atmosphere.Booths have barriers as does the Sushi bar and around the kitchen area.Unagi Don(grilled Eel over rice) was plentyful.Oyster appetizer a delight.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really enjoyed our double date here. Nice relaxed atmosphere with good service. Everyone enjoyed their food and the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
will be back soon
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our FAVORITE Japanese neighborhood restaurant. They use high quality ingredients and everything taste homemade and full of flavor. We always get the hamachi collar, katsudon and nigiri and maki rolls. Our son loves their teriyaki beef. The service is always friendly and warm. The ambiance is nice with a mix of people of all ages and backgrounds. This restaurant is good for groups, dates and individuals. Highly recommend it.
It's under new management. My go-to meal was basically the same. However, there was a significant jump in price with the new management.I would go back but probably not as often.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and atmosphere! Our waitress was great:)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Finally went back to old favorite Renga-Tei to see how the new management was doing. Was so pleased with the food, ease of getting a reservation, and service. Prices are higher now, of course, and that might be why it's less busy than before. Still, we'll be back!
Restaurantji Recommends
We were surprised and saddened to see the dining room empty at 5:30pm on a Monday. By 7pm customers started arriving but the dining room in the back where we sat was totally empty. The front dining room was partially empty. We hope their customers come-back soon and give the new owners a chance. Some of the menu items are gone and isn't as extensive as before but the food is still delicious. We also heard one of the chefs with the previous owner is still working in the kitchen. And, yes, they do charge a dollar for Japanese tea but it shouldn't discourage anyone from coming back. Please support this wonderful restaurant and tell your friends and family they need your support, as well. We know many people will be disappointed if they don't survive.
I am relieved that this long-time all-time favorite restaurants is back on track and holding course. What was loved about the original is largely preserved or reprised in variants of familiar dishes. The decor remains as it was though lightly refreshed and the air is no longer bossa nova but a chill vibe grandchild of sound pulses in a similar way. I have visited 3 times to see it gradually find its own voice with the subtle changes in techniques and honestly the saba shioyaki was extremely moist with the crispy skin, the pickles new in character, and the food seemingly consistent as I desired. There is definitely some updates I've yet to try, and some favorites gone, but I am happy to report it is on its way back to a top spot for me if it keeps this up. The service was notably attentive, welcoming and relaxed and the general character is slightly more upscale than the predecessor yet still warm and welcoming.
The place is small yet very comfy, the servers I had were incredibly friendly and easy to talk to and I've never had a better experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not the same Renga-Tei. Our food was good and the service was ok, but not worth the higher prices and smaller portions. You can get the same food somewhere else and cheaper. The original Renga-Tei gave us top notch food and a full belly, every time. It's the opposite now, we left the restaurant sad and still hungry. To make things worse, they gave us a dirty napkin that was reused.
Everything about this place was fantastic! The service was amazing, the food was even better. I will definitely continue to go here for some of the best Japanese food in the city.