+1 847-382-1988
Nestled in the heart of Barrington, IL, PL8 Restaurant presents an exceptional fusion of Asian flavors with a distinct spotlight on Chinese, Japanese, Sichuan, and Ramen cuisines. This culinary gem artfully balances tradition with innovation, creating an inviting dining experience that is both cozy and refined.
Step inside and be enveloped by a peaceful, culturally rich atmosphere that perfectly complements the sophisticated yet comforting dishes served. The ambiance is warm and welcoming, ideal for everything from an intimate dinner to a lively gathering with friends or family.
The menu at PL8 reflects a masterful blend of authentic ingredients and inventive takes. Standout appetizers like the Spicy Garlic Edamame, lightly steamed and wok-tossed in a house-made chili garlic soy, awaken the palate with a perfect balance of heat and umami. Seafood lovers will delight in options like the Honey Walnut Shrimp—crispy, sweet, and nutty—as well as the delicate Sashimi Sampler and the enticing Red Dragon Roll. For those craving heartier fare, the Italian Beef Fried Rice by Chef Chris marries East and West in a tantalizing harmony of flavors.
Savor comforting classics such as the Hot and Sour Soup or the unique and richly aromatic Chong Ching Noodle Soup, which offers a generous bowl of sliced whitefish fillets simmered with pickled mustard greens and fresh chiles—an experience one customer aptly described as "every table should experience this unique soup."
Vegetarian and vegan diners are thoughtfully accommodated with dishes like the Poke Bowl Vagen Lunch and lighter choices like Asian Stuffed Mushrooms, showcasing PL8’s dedication to diverse palates. The kitchen's commitment to fresh, quality ingredients shines through every bite, allowing the true essence of each dish to stand out without being overpowered by excessive seasonings or sauces.
Service at PL8 is expertly attentive without ever being intrusive. Guests repeatedly praise the friendly and knowledgeable staff, highlighting memorable visits where servers enhanced the dining experience with their warmth and expertise.
Families will appreciate the specially curated kids menu featuring favorites like Kid Sushi Pl8, Kid Chicken Tenders, and Kid Fried Rice, ensuring younger guests enjoy the meal as much as the adults do.
End your meal with a nuanced selection of desserts and handcrafted cocktails. Whether it's the zingy Lemon Torte or the refreshing Blood Orange Martini or Ginger Peach Mule, PL8 elevates the dining experience through every course.
Patrons often describe PL8 as a rare find—a place where the authenticity of Asian cuisine is boldly presented with fresh, quality ingredients and careful craftsmanship. As one delighted guest put it: "You feel the taste of the ingredients, not just the seasonings and sauces," and the result is simply unforgettable.
Whether you’re craving spicy Sichuan heat, delicate Japanese sashimi, or soul-warming ramen, PL8 in Barrington welcomes you to a vibrant yet tranquil culinary journey that leaves you eager to return.
What an amazing place it is! The atmosphere is peaceful and cozy, service is unobtrusive and the food is sooooo delicious! It's a rare case when ordering meat or seafood you get fresh-cooked, flavorful, quality meal that tastes exactly like it should - you feel the taste of the ingredients and it's not deemed by seasonings and sauces. We ate shrimps with asparagus, scallops with peas and mushrooms, beef with rice and broccoli and two giant rolls with plethora of stuffing. Everything was fresh, tasty, balanced. Now I can say it is one of the best restaurants of asian food I know.
First time tonight and everything was great. I had the Mongolian beef and my friend had the chicken pad Thai. Both dishes were very tasty and I’d order mine again. Our server was amazing too! Will definitely return.
Such a great place to taste Chinese food, well combined with light healthy dishes as well, such as pockets Tofu. My favorite is Tea flavored smoked duck, golden crispy outside, tender juicy inside, hard to find in any other Chinese restaurant. Highly recommend!
Excellent food, value and service. Beautiful cultural interior decor. We had the lunch specials that came with soup and egg roll. Very large portion for reasonable lunch price. Extra plus that they offer an extensive selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes. We will return! Update: Hot & Sour soup contains egg and is not suitable for vegan. Sesame Balls may also contain egg.
I had dinner with my golf team a couples of times. And I went with different friend group. Chef Bo always provides the best dishes to us. Delicious with plenty of food. The source and ingredients are very authentic. Maggie, the manager, always did the best to serve us. Great place to go to. Ken Che
Best Chinese food I’ve had since China! Amazing food, quality, service, and atmosphere. You can easily tell each dish was made with care and had its own delicate flavor profile. The chef’s signature bobo beef was incredible! Highly recommend.
It was my birthday, and I had a wonderful evening here with my friends. The dishes were absolutely delicious. As someone from Sichuan, I can say this is the best Sichuan restaurant I’ve had in the Chicago area in the past ten years. The Japanese dishes were also made with the freshest, carefully selected ingredients. They serve great cocktails, and with such a wide variety of flavors, this restaurant is perfect for gatherings—everyone can find something they enjoy. It was definitely worth the 45-minute drive to get here. And by the way, their backdrop makes for really beautiful photos too!
This restaurant deserves a five-star review. I have been to birthday parties a couple of times here and the food was amazing, everything was very fresh, and the sashimi used the highest quality fish that simply melts in your mouth. I don't typically drink, but for the celebration, we ordered some drinks the waiter recommend, and they were extremely good and as you can see from the picture, they look pretty too. Have I mentioned the dessert? We ordered 3 types of dessert, and they were all super yummy. I will be back soon!