Dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant naturally comes with elevated expectations, especially when it comes to flavor development and culinary complexity. Atelier delivered a solid experience, but one that ultimately felt a bit restrained. The service was attentive and knowledgeable, guiding us through the menu with confidence, while the wine pairing stood out as a strong addition, enhancing several of the courses nicely. When it came to the food, each dish was good and thoughtfully prepared, but many courses felt too simple in execution. The flavors were clean and pleasant, yet they often lacked the depth, layering, and progression you hope to experience throughout a tasting menu. With each new course, I kept anticipating a buildup--something bolder, more intricate, or more surprising--but that moment never quite arrived. The menu did offer an enjoyable journey through different regions, which added variety and interest. Still, while the dishes were well-balanced and enjoyable, they didn't reach the level of complexity or memorability expected at this level. read more

Great service and great selection of wine. The ambiance is very intimate, in a close dinning area with open kitchen. Food was presented extremely well. Each dish is a work of art. While there was some wide variety of texture and display of food, I wish the flavor of each dish would be a little bit more powerful than what they are. The reason behind 3 stars is due to the LONGGG dinning experiences had. It took us 4 hours for a dinner and had to miss our after dinner plans. read more

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What a unique experience! I absolutely loved my experience at Atelier. The courses were creative and delicious, flavor combinations unlike any other i have had before. When you walk in you feel like you're going into someone's cozy kitchen, the feeling of being at home is further felt through the kind staff that welcomes you in and the servers. We had such a great experience dining and the service made it even more memorable! I really loved the menu here, I've been to several Michelin star restaurants and I totally see how Atelier is on that list. I will definitely be coming back to try another menu soon! read more

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Chicago offers an abundance of culinary spots and tasting menus, making it such a food hub. My friend and I decided on here to celebrate my husband's birthday. Right away I noticed the farmhouse-style ambience, which was fine. It is an intimate space with only a few tables. However, our table happened to be very large and round making it feel like our party of 3 was very spread out and honestly making it difficult for our servers and som to navigate. I think that is what led to an unfortunate incident: our som spilled a full glass of white wine on my friend. While the glass was quickly refilled and no damage was done as it was a white wine, there nothing else was done beyond that. We did our best to assure the staff that everything was fine, but the atmosphere turned quite awkward after as if everyone was trying to just ignore what had just happened. Our som seemed relatively inexperienced, and while staff was polite, they didn't really engage with us, which impacted the overall experience despite the quality of the food. On a positive note, the dishware were works of art and plating was visually stunning. A standout dish for me was the jibarito paired with gazpacho. Unfortunately, the tasting menu, while on the pricier side, didn't feel worth the cost given this experience with the service. Although, there was a birthday card signed by the staff, the day did not feel special as I had hoped for. The encounter felt awkward and the lack of banter or connection with our som was disappointing. My review is heavily influenced by service, but I genuinely hope that others have a better experience! read more

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This is the first restaurant that I've tried during my first trip to Chicago. It was beyond my expectations. The restaurant was located at an inconspicuous location. Who would've ever knew that there was a Michelin restaurant there. There was nothing to complain about the service. Our tasting menu consisted of a Miso Soup, which according to the kitchen is the first day they were serving it and we happened to be the first guests to taste it. It was waaay too salty and they did not hesitate to remake the soup for us (it was perfect the second time around - because of this they also gave us extra drinks on the house ). The food was delicious each dish was very different and memorable and creative. The portion sizes were great! We were all so full by the time we finished all our courses. The server told us that the menu changes every 5-6 days so there's different dishes all the time. We did think all our dishes were Asian inspired so I'm very excited to come back and try other dishes they have to present. read more

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We came up n for my husband's birthday. I let them know ahead of time and upon our arrival there was a birthday card n the table signed by the whole staff. They greeted us and verbally said happy birthday and thanked us for choosing them for his special day. It was a very quiet little place with limited seating. Cara was our server and she had great energy and knowledge about the food and the wine she was serving us. She cleaned up after us after our first course because we dove into the food! All of the food and wine pairing were well thought out and were great! Our favorites were the Thai peanut rutabaga noodles, and the carrot gnocchi. We also loved the rabbit fries, and Brie pancake for dessert! We loved the experience and would Love to come back! read more

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Came here for soft opening of new location , all the dishes were amazing and the staff is beyond friendly. Mocktail selection is top notch! Can't wait for the relaunch of the tasting menu ! read more

We have been fans of Atelier's tasting menus and wine parings for many years so we decided to try their new a la carte menu as well as their bar cocktails to see if they measured up. The answer is a resounding yes. Whether you are looking for a formal tasting experience, a more casual a la carte dinner, or drinks and snacks at the bar, I highly recommend Atelier. read more

The meal was great! The Sommelier was not just knowledgeable but really fun!! Can't wait to see the new place read more

Chef Christian Hunter of Atelier popped on my IG trending page when he took over as EC back in the spring. I had never heard of Atelier before, but after doing research, I was excited to learn great things about this Lincoln Square Diamond. I was especially excited because Hunter is a Black chef. I put Atelier on my hit list and was determined to go one day to show my support. Lo and behold, I'm on IG soon after the Michelin awards came out in October and saw it earned a star!!! Wow! Now I was even more determined to get there. Since my birthday was coming up, a friend asked what I would like to do and I immediately said I want to go to Atelier. I checked my work schedule for an off day and asked if he could try to make a res for that day. Within a matter of minutes of trying to coordinate times, 7:00, 7:30 and 8pm reservations were available and immediately disappeared. Finally, he clicked the button in time to nab the last res of that day! Score!!! Furthermore, nothing else was available on my off days. We pull up to Atelier on an extremely cold, Tuesday evening and we're surprised at the modest, neon green sign in the window. The place was clearly small but as we walked in we immediately felt the electric energy circulating throughout the space. I was SO ready. We were greeted by two friendly women one of whom seated us immediately, made us feel welcome and informed us our first libation of the evening was coming soon. We received our first glass of vino and moments later our server told us we were being moved to the table right by the open kitchen in full view of all the magic. Yes!!! Let me just say...glass after glass and course after course, each with a lively story of its origin and inspiration, were equally magical. And because I did my research and knew Chef Hunter came from Connecticut to Chicago, I asked him why he made the move, to which he confidently replied, "Because I wanted a Michelin star." Okaaayyy Chef! Gon witcho bad self! Mission accomplished!!! My experience at Atelier was like going to a friend's dinner party. Atelier's cozy, welcoming vibe was complemented by the smooth, neo-soul grooves floating through the space; the sexy lighting and simple decor; but most importantly, the warm and inviting staff. Observing the other diners, there was no pretension, but true foodies there to experience extraordinary culinary moments. And I was so happy to be one of them. read more

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Stopped to by to try the a la carte menu before the restaurant's grand re-opening next week. Every dish was superb - especially the tomato tart and bacon and egg. The mousse cake dessert was delightfully fresh way to end to a wonderful meal. The service was excellent as well. read more

I really wanted to like this place, but the food was a big letdown. The restaurant is located in a small, intimate space where Elizabeth used to be. I got the tasting menu with a nonalcoholic-drink pairing. The non-alcoholic drinks were outstanding and very creative. Also, the service was very attentive and quick. Now on to the negatives. The food was all plated well, but it felt uncreative and safe. The flavors were fairly bland and plain. There were no bold flavors or interesting combinations. Somehow, even the churro was bland. It was very airy and tasted mostly like fried dough. Usually, tasting menus will have at least one standout course or item, but atelier didn't have one. I think with some tweaks, this place could be amazing, but, as it is, I don't recommend it. read more

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We visit Chicago often for work and have been trying to make time to come here for a while and we finally did! So worth it. Every tasting is beautifully prepared with great flavors and textur Our favorites included the starter dumplings, which burst in your mouth with a delightful savory flavor and the black sea bass with the noddles. Fish was perfectly prepared. I want to go back just for that! The place is not too big, like 8 tables, not recommended for large groups, great for date night and family dinners. read more

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It's been awhile ..... A while since having a FANTASTIC dinner ! In between tire shop and soccer store , infront another of those two Golden Arches.... You can find one of the BEST Chicago restaurant that needs to get attention. Flavorable , Imaginative, sophisticated and so delicious! Liked the attention to localism and the play with spiciness at the right way so it's not overwhelming. I added the non alcoholic drink pair to go along with the menu (changeable) and it was fabulous. Friendly & detailed service and you get the menu at the end in case - and you will - forgot what were the dishes. A MUST ! either of you visit and definitely if you lucky enough to live in this great city . Highly recommended Definitely A Destination! read more

Chef Christian Hunter and his team have created a gem of a restaurant right in Lincoln Square taking the place of Michelin star Elizabeth. They only opened in Feb of 23 , but making their claim to being in the discussion for best restaurants in the city! The tasting menu is incredible and you can see them preparing it in the kitchen. There are only 7 tables in the restaurant so it is cozy and intimate. You can have a wonderful conversation over 2 hours while being served by the wonderful staff! Highly recommend the non alc drink tasting as it is exceptional! Go here before it gets it's own Michelin star and everyone wants to go! read more

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I've got to say that this experience was disappointing on several levels. We went here to celebrate a couple of birthdays with another couple and were very excited to try Atelier. Since Goosefoot left our neighborhood (tear down my cheek as I say that) we've been hopeful that another great dining experience would come along.. especially Michelin Star! Well, this was a huge let down. Every course, while well-plated, was nothing special. One of the starters was arancini. We were really excited to see their take on it. It was not only nothing special, it was really dry and bland. From there, the mediocrity continued, plate-after-plate. It's not that the courses weren't good (though some were) it's that there was nothing special or standout about them. I was really thinking "..dessert has got to be the saving grace", but it wasn't. It was a small cube of zucchini bread. SERIOUSLY?? The wine pairing was quite good, but the person who brought the wines out (that I cannot in good conscience call a sommelier) knew only the 'script' to describe the wine. If any question was asked beyond that, they were clueless. Now, here's the kicker. When we sat down, and before the other couple arrived, I asked our server clearly (and twice) to ensure I was brought the check at the end of our meal. He assured me, twice, that this would be done. The dinner portion was already paid for and I wanted to ensure that I covered the pairings enjoyed by all of us. Well, come check delivery time did they not only completely ignore my request, but they set it down right next to the person next to (and his partner). I couldn't even reach it. This just topped off our already poor experience. In conclusion.. shame on you Atelier for getting comfortable after receiving your star (I have to think it was better than this at some point). Your lack of concern for feedback from your patrons that pay a hefty price for poor service and mediocre food is telling. People give their feedback in hopes that A- others will know what to expect when planning a visit to a business (both good and bad) and B- that the business owners will listen to their customers and take action. Given the lack of response to any of the recent reviews (again, both good and bad) is very telling. When people speak, you should listen and take action. read more

Fantastic new restaurant taking over the space that Elizabeth left and at this time is making waves in food discussions. The tasting menu is fantastic and focused on food locally sourced and changing based on what is available and fresh. You will find an intimate small space with staff that is attuned to making your experience great. You get a walk through elevated Midwest cuisine which is not easily found. The wallet in miso was a fun new way to eat a delicious fish. The chowder exploded with flavor. The opener larder was a spread of 5 dishes. And they finished off with a delicious foie gras creme brulee and homemade churro. Overall a truly enjoyable experience. read more

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To say that our experience at Atelier exceeded expectations is an understatement! The service was super attentive, very professional, and everyone was well informed on all of the components involved in their dishes. The staff somehow tended to your every need without being too much in your space! . This is definitely one of our most impressive restaurant experiences all over the world ( and we have dined in at least two handfuls of one-star Michelin restaurants, a few two star Michelin restaurants, and two 3star Michelin restaurants. )The chef and his support staff inside and outside of the kitchen went over and beyond to please our palettes and needs ! It is not every day that you meet a Michelin starred chef and team that is humble, has fun doing what they do , and still loves their job as this team We will be back !! read more

Atelier - Cannot wait to return !!! - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

3.5 stars- A Michelin night at Atelier! November, 2023 We were a group of 4 friends here to celebrate a birthday. It is a 1 Michelin restaurant in Chicago. The vibe of the place exuded cozy and it gave that "homey" feeling. The service was outstanding. We were greeted when we arrived. They took out coats and we were seated at our table facing the window. The inside of the place does not give "Michelin" per say because it supposed to give that homey feeling. One of our friends got the non-alcoholic pairing and one got alcoholic pairing. Two of us decided to share a bottle of Chardonnay which was yummy. The non-alcoholic drinks were amazing. The sommelier explained each drink and how it paired with our food. I'd say the food didn't meet our expectations. Some were amazing and some tasted just average. The steep price tag for this place had set our expectations higher, but we were left somewhat disappointed. We each paid around $300 and we booked this reservation a month in advance. Overall, we had a lovely time here as we spent 2+ hours talking and enjoying our food. We didn't feel rushed at all. We were given the Atelier menu and some chocolates to take home. This was a one time experience. read more

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Small restaurant with modern american decor. Street parking around the area. The staff were amazing and so nice, knowledgeable about the food and drinks. We did the tasting menu with the spirit free pairing. I thought the food portions were acceptable. The appetizers were great as were the desserts. The drinks were great too. Although there were multiple savory courses, my friends and I thought it was still lacking. Overall a great night still. read more

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My husband and I wanted to try a tasting menu for our anniversary, and I am so glad that a friend recommended Atelier! Behind an unassuming exterior is an intimate dining space with amazing food. Each course was visually stunning and a delight to eat. I loved the emphasis on seasonal and local produce. We were seated directly next to the open kitchen and had the pleasure of watching the food being prepared. Although I was initially hesitant on adding the non-alcoholic beverage pairing, both my husband and I agreed that it added so much to the experience. Thank you, Chef Hunter and team! read more

Emailed the team to share my experience and got a prompt reply which is great - asking if I can come back - provided a date - emailed them 4 times over the course of a month with no reply. Continued disappointment and this time not with the restaurant but the management - specifically Tim Lacey. read more

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We were significantly underwhelmed by our experience. Service and atmosphere were up to par for this type of dining experience. Multi course menu did not meet our expectations. Nothing really memorable except for the paw paw dessert. Flavors not exciting or intense - ate single and a couple bite servings and wasn't craving more like we have at other dining establishments of this level. Appreciate their commitment to local purveyors and artisans yet this menu was a miss for us. read more

Amazing spot for a unique dining experience. The staff is extremely welcoming and the food is divine.

We went on Saturday with a group of 4 and we all had the wine pairing. I've got to start by saying the service and wine pairings were spectacular - it's the food, which should be the star, that fell short. Each course was nothing special and some of them were down right bad. The orecchiette pasta add on was so under cooked it was inedible , although the ragu that covered it was really tasty. The buckwheat pretzel was tasteless and even the butter served with it was bland. For such a hefty price tag ($1700+) we expected so much more. Won't be back and can't recommend. read more

I ate at Atelier the other evening, and it was one of the best-tasting, most interesting and wonderful meals I've ever had in 50 years of eating at restaurants all over the world. The creative combination of fresh ingredients, innovative preparation methods and gorgeous presentation literally blew my mind. My senses reeled! I don't say these things lightly. The chef here is a real star! Service was impeccable, ambiance was comfortable with an understated elegance. If you are interested in an amazing dining experience, GO THERE!!! read more

As an avid patron of Michelin restaurants this one just didn't quite compare. The service and presentations were wonderful but there was just nothing unique about any of the flavors. Without the visuals it would've tasted like dinner anywhere else. read more

My husband and I ate here last night and we had an incredible experience. The owners/chef took the old Elizabeth location and almost completely renovated the dining room. It looks stunning, and the renovation was incredibly well done and what the space deserved. This is a small, silly thing, but I very much enjoyed that they left the bathrooms much the same, with bobby pins, safety pins, etc., for the patrons. That was a thoughtful touch from Elizabeth that I'm glad they retained. Other thoughtful touches include the bag of treats you get to take home with you and the individual menus in envelopes as keepsakes. Atelier feels classy without being pretentious. Artful without being out-of-touch. The wax seal on the menus, for example, is the absolute perfect shade of blue, but the inclusion of the seal on the menu envelope doesn't feel precious or overwrought. This is a place that respects itself and its patrons and gives due attention and care to serving those things. Every single course, for example, was absolutely incredible. One of my favorites was the fra diavolo with mushrooms--it was the best pasta I have ever had. I joked with the waitress that I would like a never-ending pasta bowl of it! I also very much need to highlight the sticky toffee pudding (new to the most recent menu as of last night). It is addictive and they should consider offering this as a holiday special order. With tasting menus, there is sometimes the concern that you'll leave hungry, only dining on small bites throughout the night. You will not have that issue with Atelier. We left feeling incredibly full and having enjoyed every single course. Another review mentioned that the food was overly safe and had no stand outs--I could not disagree more. My impression of Atelier is that they wish to elevate and make special the familiar, and they succeed. Atelier is a place that wants to serve an incredible dining experience, but also wants to feed you and ensure you don't leave hungry. They deliver on both points. The wait staff and sommelier were also phenomenal and so thoughtful. They all seemed to be truly enjoying their work and were very passionate to show their expertise and to be of service to the patrons. If I could make a suggestion to anyone looking to make a reservation, allow the sommelier to select drinks for you or opt for the wine pairing. She's incredibly knowledgeable and seemed to really enjoy it when we let her take the reins. Her amaro selections for us were wonderful! The entire experience--the staff, the interior design, the food--feels homey and cozy while still feeling special and elegant. We will 100% be back in the near future. read more

Atelier is amazing. The cozy, contemporary dining room opens on to a beautifully elegant kitchen where you can see and appreciate the work and concentration of the staff. Each plate of the tasting menu was a masterpiece - locally sourced, incredibly fresh, beautifully presented with a perfect and creative blend of textures and flavors. All of the staff were welcoming and friendly. Chef Christian Hunter is exceptionally talented and Chicago is lucky to have him - I'd rank him and Atelier at the very top of our city's restaurant scene. We were fortunate to get a last minute reservation - my guess is they'll be hard to come by before long.... read more

Atelier - Beautiful open kitchen - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Incredible dining experience. Outside is very unassuming, once you walk through the door you are immediately greeted by friendly staff who remain that way through the dining adventure to ensure you are absolutely catered to. I am not a foodie or adventurous when trying new food but was blown away by the food. I tried things that I would never have ordered and was surprised by items that were very enjoyable! Unlike any restaurant I've ever been to before, truly an incredible experience. Couldn't encourage trying it out more! read more

The food was so scarce. I actually thought it was a vegetarian place. We finally were served an ounce of octopus which was mediocre but the highlight of the meal. Then we got a beef heart sausage half the size of a Jimmy Dean patty as our final savory dish. A sausage?! Let me tell you this place shouldn't charge half of what they charge. If you have been to Next or Alinea, you will be pissed when you leave here. It's shocking what mediocre restaurants charge now and amateurs go there and think it's great. It's not! It's offensive. read more

Our dining experience at Altelier was absolutely incredible! The food is sophisticated, exciting, creative and fun. Plate after plate comes out with elegant service. My favorite part was that you don't know what is coming next. Everything was delicious and our party left trying to figure out what our favorites were. A beautiful space, friendly and attentive staff, and of course, a satisfying meal. A perfect experience! read more

We went to Atelier for our 10th wedding anniversary celebration dinner. It did not disappoint. The service was top notch. Each course took us on a culinary tour around the world but also played well together and told the chef's story. When we made our reservations we didn't book the drink pairing but decided when we got there we would, and it was as a great choice. The pairings were spot on and were different from any food/wine pairings we've previously had. She's got skills. They were highlighting women owned wineries and distilleries and we were happy to support a socially conscious business. Icing on the cake - the playlist was and not your typical fine dining music. All of it combined made it feel like we were invited to a friend's house for dinner. We are so happy we got reservations at this fantastic neighborhood restaurant before reservations become impossible to get. Highly recommend. read more

Run, don't walk, to Atelier. Ok, maybe make a reservation first. This is the restaurant formerly known as Elizabeth. Elizabeth helped brighten Covid lockdown for us with their amazing multi-course takeout. We were big fans and pretty devastated when they closed. Let me tell you, Atelier is even better! The new chef is obviously incredibly talented. The flavors are absolutely mind blowing. If Elizabeth was one star, I fully expect Atelier to snag two stars. We just ate at 3 star Arpège in Paris, I'd choose Atelier 10/10 times over the meal we had there. Chef Christian Hunter went totally out of his way to accommodate my vegetarian wife, on opening night no less (this review is a bit delayed). Usually a restaurant will leave out a protein or substitute a sub par course for a non-meat eater. Not Chef Hunter, he found delectable and creative ways and at times the vegetarian version of a course was more intriguing than my standard meat preparation. The sommelier remains from Elizabeth and as always presented elegant wines that surprised and delighted us. Service is top notch, simultaneously fine dining and down to earth, like you're eating in the home kitchen of a world renowned chef that you've been friends with since childhood. Get in while you can, because once the word is out on this new iteration, Atelier is going to be a hard reservation to get! read more

exceptional tasting menu with varied flavors and ideas ! great wine pairing as well. this wa any second visit since opening , and WOW! the menu has really been transforme, more adventurous and great flol or profiles , yes very coherent journey that Chef and team took us on. can't wait to come back soon ! keep up the great work, team! we look forward to your STAR! read more