JNK Concepts is proud to announce the opening of restaurant sensation Roka Akor in Chicago’s chic River North neighborhood on Monday, July 11. The new branch of this contemporary Japanese restaurant will join locations in Hong Kong, London, and Scottsdale, Arizona. The restaurant is located at 111 W. Illinois St.(at Clark Street.), in the center of Chicago’s bustling restaurant scene.
Named one of the top ten sushi spots in the United States by Bon Appétit, Roka Akor offers sushi enthusiasts a beautiful selection of fresh sushi and sashimi hand-crafted and perfectly sliced by executive chef Ce Bian. Formerly the executive chef at Roka Akor in Scottsdale, Chef Ce Bian has traveled the world to master Japanese cuisine in such cities as Hong Kong and London, and now brings his expertise to Chicago.
Dominated by the centrally located robata grill, Roka Akor's dining room provides a stunning backdrop for the fish, poultry, meat, and vegetables being prepared in open view of the diners at the surrounding counter and tables. Roka Akor’s award-winning menu focuses highly on dishes from the robata grill, which takes its name from the Japanese word for “cooking with open flames.” Specialties such as yuzu miso-marinated black cod, wild jumbo tiger prawns, glazed pork ribs, and prime rib eye with Wafu dressing are prepared on the charcoal grill and Chef Ce Bian is sure to tempt even the most seasoned taste buds with his two signature Omakase menus. The Japanese phrase “Omakase” means “entrust” – which is precisely what guests are invited to do as Chef Ce Bian personally selects each custom dining experience.
Roka Akor’s Sake & Shochu Lounge offers an informal yet sophisticated environment where guests can enjoy Japanese-inspired cocktails, sake, and an extensive variety of premium wines, liquors, and beers from around the world. Roka Akor’s unique beverage offerings include shochu cocktails, made with a vodka-like distilled spirit infused in-house with a variety of fruit flavors and served with signature hand-carved ice sure to keep cocktails cold to the very last drop.
Roka Akor seats 238 guests in the dining room and patio seating will be introduced on Clark Street later this summer. The stunning private dining room will seat up to 50 guests with a private bar and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at 312-477-7652 or through OpenTable. For menus and additional information, please visit rokaakor.com/chicago.
