Rise Sushi & Sake Lounge

This used to be my absolute favorite sushi restaurants. It was great quality for a decent value. Over the last couple of months they have cut the sushi roll size in half for the signature rolls ($18/roll) and the appetizer portions keep getting smaller while prices keep going up. I am sad because I can no longer justify spending $100 to feed two small people. It’s a shame because it doesn’t cost that much more to keep the sushi rolls the same size they always were. It’s mostly rice. My favorite roll was the pink spider roll and last time we ordered it, they had cheaped out by not using a real soft shell crab along with the mock crab stick. They only used some poor quality fried bits that had no soft shell crab in them and they left the crab stick out entirely making the roll half its usual size. The sesame tuna dip is very expensive and you only get enough to cover 4 crackers. Guess we need to find one of those all you can eat sushi places because for $100 we walked away hungry from Shine.

This is really two restaurants in one. Typical Asian american, from Chinese to Thai to sushi with full bar. Seems quite popular although I didn’t try. Then on the side is a Shanghai regional home cooking menu. Chinese only menu and for full selection you need to call ahead or wechat owner. This is what we had. Only Shanghai cuisine I know of in Chicago. Crab was the highlight. Meaty crabs Covered with light breading and served with rice cake in savory sauce you suck off the shells. Pork belly and bamboo soup. Outstanding bok Choy.

This restaurant is located in a nice area, in a cozy town that has a college feel (DePaul University is nearby). Our daughter, who we were visiting from out of town, recommended it, so we tried it. The restaurant is very clean both inside and out. It was a beautiful evening, so we requested outdoor seating, which turned out to be a pleasant experience. The menu offers an extensive selection of Pan-Asian dishes, from hot entrees to assorted sushi and sashimi. The food we ordered was prepared perfectly. We particularly liked the fresh duck wrap appetizer, which contained shredded duck and cucumber rolled in soft rice paper with plum dipping sauce, and the Neptune's Delight entree -- a delightful combination of shrimp, scallops, calamari and mixed vegetables in a light wine sauce, served in an edible crispy basket which perfectly soaked up the sauce. Service was excellent. We look forward to our next visit, we will be sure to return to this restaurant.

I loved Shine Rise and it was cool to see that they have an authentic Shanghai cuisine menu. Really talented sushi chefs and we had some really good nigiri. Rolls are good too, their flaming maki was awesome. Service was on point, we went on a slow day but they were attentive. Try their Dungeness crab, but for Shanghainese menu items you have to call 24 hours in advance for preparation. Also get some nigiri, and the lychee martini. Fantastic and will go back.

Have been here several times for the Shanghai menu but honestly might not be coming back in a while. The food is rather authentic and so it really helps to come here when I miss my hometown flavors terribly. The menu carries lots of traditional and “real” dishes which is what we love and crave for. However, lately the quality has been inconsistent. The fish 熏鱼 and the pork 红烧肉 are both soft and tender one day, but hard and over-cooked the next. Soups can be super bland one day and way too salty on another. We have tried to put in notes when ordering (e.g,. Less spicy/salty) but felt that they were never honored. Overall, it feels a bit “try your luck” each time. The other thing is that sometimes when you order ahead the person who answers the Wechat messages can be a bit rude… finally, it can get a bit pricy if ordering seafood (crabs especially) and from the Shanghai menu only. We’ve been here 5+ times and it’s always been ~$200 or more for 4 people. In short, I truly have mixed feelings for this place and wish that the quality can be more consistent. If that can be achieved we’d be more than happy to make this place the go-to for every occasion.