Japanese restaurant opens in Algonquin

A chef trained in Japan decided the best spot to open his newest hibachi and sushi restaurant would be right along the Randall Road corridor.

Chef and owner Simon Shi opened the new Yo Shi Japanese Sushi and hibachi restaurant in March, saying the shopping and the number of families in the area drew him to the Randall Road corridor.

The restaurant, 2523 N. County Line Road, fronts Randall Road and is in front of the Algonquin Commons Shopping Center.

Shi said many people have seen the restaurant's prominent location and have been stopping in to check it out.

"I think they like it," he said.

Shi was born in China, but trained in Japan, he said. He's been creating dishes for 20 years. He and his wife, Yuki Shi, opened their first restaurant 12 years ago in Delavan, Wisconsin.

They've brought a mix of tastes to the family-run restaurant. Yo Shi features six hibachi grills, where the chefs will make their creations right in front of customers. It also features a sushi bar, as well as a regular menu that customers can order from.

To encourage customers to try them out, the restaurant has been offering specials such as half-price sushi Thursdays.

The owners also invite families and friends to come and try the restaurant's hibachi grills for special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.

The restaurant also will have a full bar, with features such as hot sake.

This is the largest of Shi's restaurants. He said he wanted to cater to large amount of families in the area.

"There are lots of kids and families, so I think this area is good schools and good shopping, and so it's good for business," he said. "I want people to come try it.

"We have a lot of food and a lot of specials. I think they will like it. We have been busy."

The restaurant is open seven days a week. It is located just north of the former Mimi's Café and near Menchie's Frozen Yogurt.

For information, contact Yo Shi at (224) 678-7178.

Going to the zoo?

Zoo weather is almost here, and if you shop at the Geneva Commons Shopping Center, you could go for free.

Anyone who spends $100 at the shops and restaurants at the Geneva Commons mall will get a free pass to Brookfield Zoo.

You just need to bring $100 in receipts dated April 28 or after to Learning Express Toys, which is near Mattress Firm, to get the free pass. If you have receipts totaling $150 or more, you can get two free passes to the zoo. There is a limit of only two passes per person.

Supplies are limited, so stop by Learning Express with your receipts right after you make your purchases.

• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from South Elgin to Batavia. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or at (847) 894-5036.