JMK Notsomuch
After Cheesefest yesterday, we ended up going to CherryVale Mall in Rockford, IL. After that, we went to eat at JMK Nippon, not too far north of the mall. We had been to this restaurant before, but never eaten. 2-3 years ago we went to get a table but the line was out the door and the wait for a table was even longer. This time we went with the mindset that we might have to wait a bit. We didn’t.
The restaurant is split into two parts, the cafe and then teppanyaki style area. The former is open and bright and serves a number of Japanese dishes. The latter is darker, gimmickier and probably the part of the restaurant that is the big “draw.” We ate at the cafe area.
We ordered a “tokkuri” of sake, and it turned out to be incredibly sweet. I’m not sure I would order it again, but it was something new so I can’t complain.
With the Yakitori House at Epcot not quite hitting the spot a few weeks ago, I ended up ordering tempura shrimp/Udon and a rainbow roll. The udon was pretty good, if not a bit bland in the broth department. The tempura was served as a side, which is fine because the breading didn’t get soggy then. And for $8, the amount of tempura and noodles you got was substantial.
The rainbow roll was a different story. It came out first and was mediocre at best. The rice was somewhat wet and the fish didn’t adhere to the rice like it should. The fish was a bit wet too. Perhaps it was due to the Mexicans dressed as sushi chefs behind the sushi bar. Apparently JMK was thinking that Mexicans cook at every other restaurant in the US, why not a Japanese one? I’m going to go out on a limb and say that they probably didn’t have any sushi-making training and certanly don’t have the years and years of experience most sushi chefs have.
Ross had a fish combination that came out in a psuedo-enamel box. On it was a white fish with a slightly salty sauce, some strir fried vegetables, seaweed salad (I’m really starting to like this stuff, does anyone know it’s Japanese name?), and some rice with raisins in it. He really liked it and considered the restaurant choice a success. I can’t complain too much, but I wouldn’t race back.