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Lincolnshire’s Kona Grill targets all palates
Kona Grill's executive sushi chef Ryan Yoo of Glenview makes one of the restaurant's speciality rolls.| Michelle LaVigne ~ Sun-Times Media
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Updated: November 26, 2012 2:18AM
LINCOLNSHIRE — A group of diners with different cravings can all find dishes at Lincolnshire’s Kona Grill.
Kona Grill is an American-style restaurant that incorporates a sushi bar with an environment fit for business lunches, group dinners, dates and parties.
Located at 940 Milwaukee Ave., in the Lincolnshire Commons, Kona’s floor-to-ceiling windows in its cocktail room offer diners with a view of the lake on the west side of Parkway Drive. As the weather turns colder, a fireplace will turn on to heat the room. During warmer months, the restaurant adheres to an open-window policy to allow diners to eat and sip while enjoying the fresh breeze.
General manager Miriam Kelly reported that the restaurant’s happy hours and later-in-the-day “reverse-happy hours” are fan favorites in the community. Specials include reduced-price appetizers and a variety of drinks. In addition to sake, beer and a multitude of wines, Kona serves “slender” drinks that are all under 115 calories.
The menu certainly mirrors the environment, in that it’s designed to satisfy a variety of tastes and needs.
Diners looking for a hearty meal can do so for less than the price of the average American grill, said executive chef Sal Fasano.
Seafood lovers may rejoice to find that Kona’s menu also features fresh fish everyday and signature sushi rolls. Kona also offers unique and raw items, like seared sockeye sashimi and the omakase sashimi served with miso soup.
For first-time diners hoping to play it safe, Kelly recommends trying the macadamia nut chicken, which is served with house-mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, shovu cream and pineapple papaya marmalade.
Chef Fasano explained that Kona’s menu also can be adjusted to accommodate those with allergies and special diets.
“We go above and beyond to accommodate our customers and make sure that they leave here happy,” Fasano said.
Kona’s menu features plates that are gluten-free; vegan; vegetarian; 200 calories; and kid-friendly.
For those curious but nervous about trying sushi, Kelly suggested trying the restaurant’s cooked sushi rolls to make the transition to sushi easier.
“People can be nervous about trying it for the first time, but we have a lot of rolls that are cooked that will give them an opportunity to try it without having to worry about it being raw,” Kelly said.
For more information about Kona Grill, visit www.konagrill.com.
