Chi Japanese Cuisine

My husband & I used to eat here 2-3 times each month. I had noticed that the service was always bad (inattentive waiters) but the food was good. However, after this last experience we will not be going back.

I bit down on several pieces of uncooked / undercooked rice in my sushi rolls. When I nicely informed our waitress that some of the rice was not cooked she started arguing in a raised voice that that couldn't be true. I replied that I was not wanting my bill to be changed; I simply thought that they should know so that the batch of rice could be thrown out. She continued to argue that I was making it up and that nothing was wrong!

I am understanding of inattentive service or even something being wrong with my order but to argue and raise your voice to a customer is unacceptable!

Pros: good ambiance & good sushi - sometimes

Cons: horrible service

Posted 05/26/09

I run other restaurants, so service is very important to me.

We came in around an hour before they closed, we were sat at the sushi bar and was pretty much put on the back burner after that.

Drinks took forever, we had to order from the sushi chef.

Every time I asked for anything I just got a " Really?" look from the waitress.

Maybe it was because she was in the middle of closing duties, I don't know, but I probably won't go back unless someone insists that we go there. The food was good though. Place looked fantastic, host was friendly, and was impressed with the menu.

Pros: great sushi

Cons: terrible service

Posted 03/21/09

Had a great dining experience here over the weekend. I am not much of a sushi expert, so I was pleased to see that their menu had a large variety of sushi with detailed explanation. My friend and I shared the Volcano and Sopranos as appetizers and both were great. I was also pleaed to see they also had filling entrees available instead of just sushi. The teppanyaki is great and my friend loved her sea bass. The ambiance is hip and more like a lounge than a restaurant. There was "club" style music playing but it was not loud at all and very easy to hold a conversation. The wait staff is attentive but stays out of your way and is not in your face all the time. This is a place to go to enjoy food and conversation, I wouldn't go there if you are in a hurry. Great apple martinis as well!

Pros: Great ambience and food variety

Cons: Far away if you're not in The Woodlands

Posted 11/16/08

Food is great and the atmosphere is awesome. This is a really great place to kick back and enjoy an adult beverage. That and Benny dances for you on request!

Pros: Benny

Cons: When there is no Benny

Posted 11/10/08

I travel a lot and this is my favorite sushi anywhere.
Cool atmosphere, good prices, especially happy hour 3-6 pm.
The food is just excellent.

Pros: Food, Ambience, Happy Hour both early night and at late night on weekends.

Cons: Don't know.

Posted 09/22/08

Ive eaten there twice in the last month and both times the experience was great.

The servers are great, however they can be a bit slow at times. I think it was due to the volume of the restaurant.

The atmosphere is nice, good music, nice decor and very clean!

The house salad is great and its only $2
The Lychee Martini made and garnished with fresh Lychee was the bomb! The Pineapple Mojitos are great too. The drink menu does not include prices, but they are very reasonably priced and mighty tasty.

The sushi is made with only the freshest ingredients, very nice presentation.

Last time I was there the Coconut Creme Brulee was by far the best Ive had yet. I hyped it all up to my friends then when it arrived it was not torched and not the right temp. I sent it back only for them to torch it again rather than remake it so it tasted like lighter fluid and the internal temp varied from cold, to warm to lukewarm. Needless to say I was very disappointed, after looking foward to having it again and telling my friends about it.

Other than that, it was great. Its reasonable priced and better than most places in this area. Def WAY better and cleaner atmosphere than Tokoyohana

Posted 09/07/08

We ate here recently, after attending the Gipsy Kings concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion. It was one of the few places open very late, and it looked like a fun, inventive restaurant pick. We both loved the food, and the "Happy Hour" late night reduced prices on sushi and tempura. We tried the vegetable tempura, which was sumptuous and plentiful. Then I opted for the "Surf and Turf" dinner, with filet mignon and lobster tail. It was absolutely delicious, cooked perfectly, and served on a square plate with a design of creative sauce swirls, freshly cooked asparagus and roasted potatoes. My fiancee had a dish called something like "Beef Teriyaki Kobe", served with japanese udon noodles, thinly sliced onions, green and red bell peppers, served in a very delicate sauce. She also gave it a thumbs up. But the best part of the dinner for her, was the Bananas Foster desert which she claimed was one of the best, top-two deserts she has had in Houston in the past two years; quite a bold statement, coming from her.
The service was very attentive, and the waitress also happened to notice I was left-handed, always returning my tea glass to the left side of my plate when she filled my glass. The only thing I would change is the music. So many of the places on the North side of Houston try to be so trendy, by playing hip-hop, nouveau dance music while you eat, with Chi's following suit. It would be so much more relaxing and enjoyable if they would play authentic japanese music, giving the restaurant a more subdued, classy tone. Other than that, I would not change a thing. Great, creative japanese cooking (there is definately a top-notch chef in the kitchen), and very attentive service.

Pros: Creative Japanese cuisine, new age Japanese decor

Cons: Music too loud

Posted 08/31/08

My favorite place to have sushi. Their prices are awesome, especially for happy hour and lunch. The service is good and the ambiance is incredible.

Pros: Portions and presentation

Cons: When they are busy the service is ok....just go and don't be in a hurry.

Posted 04/11/08

I went on a Friday night and it was really packed. They have their happy hour late Friday too so that was good. It's really cool on the inside and a good spot to go on a date or with friends. The service was a little slow, but they were busy. We got the sushi off the happy hour menu along with some appetizers and drinks and they were all pretty good. Would definitely go back again and hope to try some stuff on the regular menu.

Pros: Cool vibe, great happy hour, cool DJ

Cons: Service a little slow

Posted 03/05/08

As a graphic artist, I place a great deal of weight on food presentation in addition to all of the obvious other factors. Chi really surprised me, as I would expect a restaurant like this to only be found downtown. The Woodlands and Spring residents should really take advantage of this restaurant to make sure it stays in business. You really won't find many places that has this good of service, taste, and presentation this far north of downtown Houston. They also have great deals for happy hour, which explains why it tends to get packed. This is a great date restaurant with a classy vibe. My only negative would probably be their prices. Lunch specials aren't bad at around $10 a plate, but regular dinner prices are a bit steep... but you definitely get what you pay for. Great food, fantastic presentation, and a happy hour you don't want to miss!

Pros: Food, Service, and Ambiance

Cons: Price

Posted 02/06/08

The rolls are great! A favorite is the Shaggy Dog roll, which can be made with white or brown rice.

Also, the Teppanyaki steak is delicious! It came out fresh, served on a steaming skillet, with carmelized onions.

The music creates a really great atmosphere. After 10:30pm on Saturday night, the DJ played club music, which was fun.

This is definitely my favorite restaurant.

Pros: Awesome music, delicious food, service

Cons: location

Posted 09/09/07

This is my second fav so far in Houston. Great ponzu sauce to go with your sushi (if you haven't tried ponzu with sushi, you are missing out!). Also have a great Thai red curry dish.

Pros: Fresh sushi, great ponzu

Cons: Location and price could always be better!!

Posted 07/30/07