I've been eating at Renga Tei since 1993. It had been a few years since my last visit but happily, it remains as great as ever. Last week, the wife and I met the G Wivs there for a stellar dinner . . .
Renga-Tei - 3956 W Touhy Avenue, Lincolnwood, ILLarge KirinSplit this with the missus.
Grilled Asparagus & Enoki Mushroom SaladGreat flavors, textures and aromas. Wonderful, interesting dish.
Tuna & Avocado SaladExquisite tuna and rich, ripe avocado accented by a wonderful dressing, which incorporated miso and mayonnaise.
Grilled SquidTender with just the right amount of resistance. I guess this could be described as al dente. Delicious.
SashimiMackerel, blue fin tuna and octopus, among others. I don't think words can describe how tender this was and how fresh it tasted.
SushiA delectable assortment, which included California Roll with real Crab (special order), Horse Mackerel, Fatty Blue Fin Tuna and Eel. These pieces were wonderful and the Fatty Blue Fin was on a level all its own.
SaladThoughtfully-prepared salad with quality greens and a snappy ginger-citrus dressing.
Spicy Tuna Roll Inside-Out with MasagoI love this particular roll and I order it just about everywhere I can. This was pretty much the best rendition I've ever had and it was really spicy, which is not usually the case at most places. It was like tasting an old favorite for the first time.
Salmon Yu-An YakiTender, moist salmon, with a nice sear, crispy skin and a wonderfully bright citrus-based marinade, which foiled the fat in the salmon very well. The veggies -- especially the broccoli -- were very well-prepared and delicious. They were tender without being mushy.
Berkshire PorkNot a great picture but the pork was very fatty, almost bacon-like in appearance. It was very tender and tasty.
MackerelThis oily fish can be a bit too much if it isn't well-sourced and expertly prepared. Here, it was both. A really sensational plate.
Cold Soba Noodles with TempuraWonderful noodles, a tasty broth and top-notch tempura'd shrimp and vegetables, which were hot, crispy and light.
Orange JelloThe semi-famous orange jello, which is a real treat. I loved how it lacked the fakey orange note, which is encountered in many lesser gelatins. The flavor notes here are smooth and mellow, like a juicy orange.
CandyNot only were we served these standard candies, but since it was Halloween, we also received small packets containing American candies, like Baby Ruths and Tootsie Rolls. Score!
Dancing WitchOur Halloween muse, who followed Ms. Wiv to our table.
There's not much to add about this place which, in spite of its well-deserved
GNR status, probably doesn't get as much love as it deserves. Every aspect of our meal was excellent, including the friendly, informative and thorough service. The sushi, sashimi and maki served at Renga-Tei are all outstanding and the cooked dishes are distinctive and delicious, too.
I won't make the same mistake of letting a couple of years pass before returning. In fact, I can guarantee that my next visit will be no more than a couple of weeks in the future. Renga-Tei is just too excellent to not have on my regular rotation.
=R=
Renga-Tei3956 W Touhy Ave
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
(847) 675-5177
Same planet, different world