Akai Hana - Wilmette

It used to be soo soo good at this restaurant, but ever since they changed the owner/management, the food is less yummy than before. Service was decent, but no one thanked us or said anything as we left. One of the servers was on her phone, avoiding eye contact. I miss seeing the other workers feeding us the best handrolls and chef's handcrafted sushi sets maki rolls. They waved a big goodbye and told us to come again; they knew us personally because we had been regulars for a long time. My family and I can't come back here again after they served us a bit poorly. My aunt got a spicy tuna handroll, but they only stuffed it with a heavy load of rice and regular tuna.

I was there yesterday with my fiancee having lunch there. We often come here to eat for last 10 years if we visit Old Orchard Mall etc. However, the lunch bento box we ordered tasted so bad. My fiancee has Tune and I have chicken with tempura. First of all, the miso soup is not even hot or hot to warm. It was just little bit warm. The tune seems unfresh with the taste. Chicken is okay but tempura is bad that some items not even well deep fry enough. The only items are okay would be the sushi roll.

Salmon teriyaki dinner has been family favorite for years. The way it is cooked- the fish is buttery and sauce is balanced and I eat the skin- so delicious. Tempura, shrimp and veggies, is light and crispy. Love unagi Q, New Mexican role and Bob's roll with the smoked salmon, cucumbers and cream cheese. My favorite is the mackerel, broiled and also teriyaki. Have had sashimi dinner and the fish has always been fresh. Love Akai Hana- have been coming for years. Kid-friendliness: If you ask, the waitress will give extra tofu in the miso soup. My son has been doing this since he was 3, and the waitress remembers. He loves the gyoza and can eat two orders. He is now 17.

One of my favorite Japanese restaurants, been coming here since I was 12. Won't find a better lunch deal around.

Friendly staff, nice decor and delicious Japanese food.