Shinto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Lounge — Restaurant in Naperville

Upon our arrival we were joyfully greeted by hostess and she knew my name immediately when I said we had reservations for 3 at 8p. Since she knew my name without me saying it, I presumed she was the person that I made reservations with on the phone. She said it was actually her coworker, standing next to her, that I had spoken to. I thanked her for making the reservation. They told us to wait by the tropical fish aquarium until our table was available. It bears mentioning, that the aquarium in the past was kept very clean. On this day the tank smelled very bad and the water was a bit murky. As I'm a tropical fish hobbyist myself, I could see that there were very small babies in the tank which was possibly why they had not done a deep clean.

Here is where it starts to get interesting. While waiting about 10 minutes at the aquarium for our table, a group of 3 people came in who appeared to not have reservations based on conversation I overheard. However they were taken to a Hibachi table within 1 minute. A few minutes later the hostess that I initially made reservations with, took us to our table. We sat down and got our menus and she said someone would be with us shortly to take our drink order. We could see another table that had a group of 3 people that arrived after us, were sitting by themselves reviewing the menu. Within a couple of minutes the hostess came back to our table, apologizes and tells us the table is broken and we will need to move to another table. I thought it was strange that she even offered to get her manager in case we were upset. We said no need for a manager especially since the table is broken. She promptly guided us to another table where another group of 4 were at. We were not sitting for no more than 1 minute, when we noticed a party of 5 were being sat at our original table that was so-called broken.

Our waitress comes to our new table to take our drink order and acknowledged she witnessed us moving tables earlier. She offered us discount on our meal which I appreciated. We did let know her know that we were disappointed that we were unnecessarily told a "tale" about table being broken in order for us to move tables.

Fast forward our hibachi chef arrives at the table and reviews orders with each individual at our table. As my wife normally does, she explains that she wants extra garlic butter and lemon on her entrée while it is being cooked. The chef tells us that we need to request lemons from our waitress and he "does not have lemons" available for food preparations. At our request our waitress does bring us some garnish styled lemon wedges in a bowl with ice. As the chef is preparing the entrees he must have discovered he has lemon halves in his cart that he starts using for food preparation. The chef glares at me presuming he can see the look of bewilderment on my face of him having lemons and me pointing at the lemons to my wife. While the food is still cooking he asked how many extra garnish style lemon wedges she wants used on her food. She said just a few. Then he acts as if he does not understand what she was asking for based his facial expression and how he was gesturing his hands. So I say in his presumed primary language that she wanted 4. He appeared to then get frustrated with my response because he starts taking the 4 garnish wedges one by one flicking ice from the bowl onto my plate and on the table.

Although it was not necessary, our waitress had discounted our entire bill which again I truly appreciated. We explained in detail to her that it was truly a very disappointing experience. Although the food was not the best of quality and taste as we have received numerous times before from Shinto, we still left a very nice tip on the bill. We can only wish that the tip would not to be shared with chef or the hostess that told the tale about the table being broken. If this was our first experience here, we would never step foot in this establishment ever again nor would we patronage them again with their food...

So the husband and I decided to stop in to Shinto in Naperville on a random Wednesday afternoon for lunch. I was craving some hibachi and we've been here for dinner previously but decided to stop in for lunch. We were met by our wonderful host Tyler who was not only our host but is also the bartender or shall I say the alchemist. Tyler was warm, welcoming, super attentive and very informative. I noted I have a hard shellfish allergy and he immediately stopped and closed our table off as to have no other patrons come to sit with us to avoid any cross contamination which is a huge plus! (This single-handedly killed all reservations that I had in regards to eating hibachi because I've had my fair share of EpiPen required visits by going to other hibachi restaurants but this one hands down gave me first class service just for that little tidbit but back to my review). Tyler went over the menu options and thoroughly informed about the options for lunch and the difference, not just in regards to the portion size, but also what comes together versus separate options for lunch which was great! Our food was prepared effortlessly the show that we got tableside was amazing! The chef was talkative, jokeful and light we had a really great lunch! To accompany our lunch of course we wanted a drink and we asked Tyler for his recommendations. He gave us both vodka as well as tequila options and the husband and I decided to go with one of each. His detail description of how the spirits pair with the juices and other catalysts that makes these drinks unique was so intriguing within itself we couldn't wait for our drinks to arrive table side. Tyler went to the bar and brought out his magic wand and was back within 5 minutes with the best tasting drinks I've had in a very long time * including the ones I make myself*. So round two was upon us before we knew it... The husband decided to go with tequila with me for his second ...Tyler brought the husbands drink along with the 1st of two drinks were would get to try which he invented. I'm not sure exactly what was in it but I do know it was tequila base but it was sooo scrumptious! He said it was a shot but I can tell you without any denial that was an entire drink and it was simply amazing! While waiting on our to go order here comes Tyler back with a pink starburst inspired cocktail and again amazing. I inquired whether he went to school for alchemy like a scientist previously and he said no that he just enjoyed trying to pair different items together to bring back childhood nostalgic treats and savory and sweet options as well. When I tell you the husband and I left from Shinto full and tipsy it was a great afternoon! So Thursdays and Fridays and we have a new spot to go to not only for the tasty food, great conversation and lively ambience but also to see what else Tyler has concocted with his mad scientist alchemy train brain! I give Shinto on route 59 a 10 out of 10 Please go ask for Tyler and tell him Lesley sent you... I'll see you if you're there on a Thursday or Friday Great job you guys! Tyler!!!!...

My kids and I had a terrible dining experience at Shinto tonight....and of all times on Easter Sunday! I had made a reservation for 6:30pm. I got there early and was waiting for my kids. My son and his girlfriend live in Indiana, which is a far drive. And my daughter lives in the south burbs, also a far drive. My kids texted me to tell me that they were running late because of traffic. At one point the hostess asked me when the rest of my party would be arriving, I told her that they would be getting there at 7pm. A few minutes later the assistant manager came up to me and told me that the kitchen and the bar were closing at 7pm, so he was going to seat me at my table while I was waiting. He asked me to get in touch with my kids to see what they wanted to eat since they were closing at 7pm. I had to call my kids to get their order over the phone! I ordered a drink from the server and asked if my kids could order a drink when they arrive. The waiter had to go and ask and when he came back he told me that my kids could order a drink when they arrive and then the bar would be closed. They did order a drink when they got there, I wanted to order another drink as well as the people who were sitting at our table ....but the server told us that the bar was closed. Who has ever heard of anything like this???? Not serving your patrons any longer while they are having dinner! After dinner I went and spoke with the assistant manager to tell him what a terrible experience we had tonight in his restaurant and he asked in what way. I told him that we were rushed the whole time during dinner and why would you not serve your patrons that are still eating their dinner.?? I told him that when I was making my reservation ( I went in person) I should have been told that they were closing at 7pm and then I would have made an earlier reservation! His response was...well we put up a sign on the door....I never saw such a sign. And it should be COMMUNICATED while making the reservation.! He was making excuses the whole time I was speaking with him! He was not trying to make amends at all...is what I told him. He even told me that he did not want to work tonight but they made him come into work. I am in the industry and im completely disappointed and annoyed because our Easter dinner was ruined!! I had been bragging to my kids about this place for so long...what a shame!! I used to go in there a lot. I will NEVER go in there again....with such horrible customer service why would anyone want to go there??? To be rushed through dinner...