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    EL Ideas

    4.5 (405 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndNew American
    Closed 6:00 pm - 8:00 PM

    EL Ideas Photos

    Business Info

    EL IDEAS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - EL Ideas

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jeannie Y.

    El Ideas is torn between two extremes for me. On one hand, I personally didn't like it at all. On the other hand, I can see how it might be perfect for someone with the opposite taste, because the effort and the service were excellent. The first thing that struck me was the appearance of the employees. They looked too casual, and the overall space felt more like walking into a warehouse than a restaurant. It didn't feel inviting, and at times I found myself distracted, thinking about whether hair or other things could end up in the food. That sense of "chaos" took away from the dining experience. Another part I didn't enjoy was being told what to do by the chef. We were instructed to eat certain plates without utensils and even walk around the kitchen to watch them cook. Personally, I don't like being directed on how to eat during a meal. At a restaurant, I prefer to relax and enjoy without following orders. The food itself also wasn't to my taste. The flavors didn't land well, the textures were tough, and while there seemed to be some Japanese influence in the dishes, it didn't feel authentic. The final dessert especially felt childish, as if I wasn't being respected as a diner. On the positive side, the workers were very friendly and attentive, which I did appreciate. However, the location itself looked sketchy and didn't add to the overall impression.

    French fries and ice cream
    laurence h.

    We have eaten numerous times at El Ideas over the last decade or so, every meal has been memorable. Last nights dinner was very good, everything tasted great and the chefs were particularly engaging. BYOB makes El Ideas (along with Schwa) the most cost effective Michelin restaurant/tasting menu in Chicago. That said, I was hungry when I got home. Maybe its my imagination, but it seemed like there was less courses than in the past. There just wasn't enough food this time. We will return!

    Beautiful soup
    Susan W.

    Way off the beaten path, genuinely warm service, casually comfortable special evening ambiance and food that is playful and elegant ...all while you think it tastes like things you've had before, but realize you haven't had anything like this. We loved our special evening here. It started with a shot shared with the other diners and staff poured straight out of the bottle without chasers. The ability to BYOB made for the perfect occasion to crack open a hoarded bottle. All of the food was excellent, but our favorites were the soup, tartare and bread with liver mousse. My descriptions do not do any course justice, but instead of reading this review, get yourself to this restaurant! Chef and team are to be applauded for keeping it about the food and hospitality and not about glitter and hand waving. Thank you! An evening to remember.

    Kelly D.

    Very unique experience with a fantastic staff!! The food makes this experience worth every penny but the staff sure does go above and beyond to make it worth even more. Intimate quiet setting makes it also great for a special date night or a celebration

    Interior
    Jim D.

    I quite enjoy these off the beaten path, relaxed & inventive one Michelin star restaurants. Of course there's faults but I can count on one hand how many flawless restaurants I've been to. One fault is the price. Tbh the price is two or rarely 3 Michelin star territory. secondly they literally kick you out to prepare for the next seating. Parking can be tricky but doable. Loved the fact that twas byob & they offered to change glassware as well as produce aerators for wine or ice buckets for champagne. Biggest compliments go to inventive dishes such as the French fry frosty, pasta dish & the fact that you're able to literally go into the kitchen & converse with the chefs during service

    Nick P.

    This was a unique Michelin restaurant. Parking can be limited if you decide to drive. When you walk in, it's not luxurious or sumptuous looking, this makes you feel like you're at a friend's house. You're just hanging out, letting your friends cook for you. They took my coat and hanged it up for me. Seating is limited. Food was very creative, innovative, and tasty. The menu changes so it'll never be the same as the past year's except for the shake and fries course. That one will always stay on. Dress code is casual/dressy but at least make yourself look presentable. Definitely do better than a t shirt. The staff was very friendly and service was great.

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    20 days ago

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    14 days ago

    Affordable prices with high-quality food. Loved the ambiance and the tasty menu options.

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    1 year ago

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    6 months ago

    Delicious! Some of the best food we've had and such a great vibe. Truly an exceptional meal from exceptionally talented staff.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - EL Ideas

    I can't see anything about the menu. How do I see what they serve?

    It's a chef's menu, you don't know what will be served until you get there.

    Can a vegetarian (lacto-ovo) option be accommodated?

    You can email them, they're quite nice about this stuff

    Do you leave the restaurant full or are the portions too small?

    You'll leave full

    Is there a minimum age restriction for guests coming to this place?

    I've heard 25 but don't quote me

    View All 5 Questions

    Girl & The Goat

    Girl & The Goat

    4.4
    (10.7k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$

    I had a splendid dinner at Girl & The Goat. Was seated promptly when I arrived for my dinner…read morereservation and my seat had a view of the kitchen. It was so fun to chat with the chefs and watch them prepare dishes. I ordered the roasted "pig face" potatoes and the famous sautéed green beans. While waiting for my food, the chef surprised me with complimentary chickpea fritters to try. All of the dishes tasted incredibly delicious and this was the best restaurant I ate at during my trip. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. I would definitely dine here again the next time I am in Chicago.

    After so many incredible lunches and dinners while visiting Chicago, dinner at Girl & The Goat…read morestole the entire show. Every single dish was so good, cocktails were incredible, our waiter was a delight... this review is about to be a rave if you couldn't already tell. We were searching frantically for a patio we could have dinner on because the weather was too perfect to be inside and somehow, Girl & The Goat had space available last minute. After a quick wait, we were seated with menus in no time. We started off with the tropic like it's hot cocktail which was the most refreshing and delicious cocktail I've ever had. Dangerously delicious but also weirdly felt like I was drinking a healthy green juice. For dinner, two of us split a bunch of different plates like the roasted asparagus, salmon poke, shrimp salad, and kohlrabi salad. Each dish they brought out was more incredible than the last, and those four dishes were plenty of food. We left perfectly full but the food was so fresh and light, we didn't feel too weighed down. From the list, I honestly can't even say what my favorites were, but our server recommended all of them so we have him to thank. The salmon poke was delicious and so fresh and honestly such a solid choice. If you only get one thing (don't. get like 2 plates per person prob) that is the one. Only thing to note is that the patio is on a kind of busy street and if you go on a weekend night it can get crazy loud when those weird quad bikes drive past blasting music at an absurd volume. Go here, you will love it. Get all of the amazing food and at least one cocktail bc they are delicious.

    Photos
    Girl & The Goat
    Girl & The Goat
    Girl & The Goat

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    Eden

    Eden

    4.5
    (450 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$$
    Locally sourced ingredients
    Vegetarian friendly

    Yesterday, we had lunch at Eden Restaurant in Chicago…read more We arrived at the restaurant only to find our rear tire was flat. Thanks to the kindness of Moe, the GM along with a few of his crew members who changed our tire in drizzling rain. They were not deterred by the fact that our wheel key did not fit the locks on our car, they asked other Eden crew members to check their glove boxes for a wheel key. Thank you Moe and Team Eden for your kindness. Sometimes we forget how incredibly kind and generous the hospitality community truly is . And as for the food- best ever! I had the Soul and Smoke wood fired ham and cheese melt. Delicious! The Market Burgers are the best in the city! Chef Devon Quinn and his team are outstanding. Eden is an incredible example of what the hospitality industry is. We are so grateful for the kindness, the love and generosity shown to us.

    Finally made it in for brunch/ lunch today and was just as impressed as I have been each time we've…read morebeen for dinner. You truly can't beat the freshness of ingredients used and the delightful flavors that the chefs curate so well. Today j had the chicken Caesar wrap with the Eden salad & my husband had the burger with French fries- both dishes were absolutely DEVINE and we both really enjoyed the use of oven roasted tomato on each dish. The burger was delightfully savory and bursting with flavor, the fries were the perfect level of crispy and not too salty! The Caesar wrap was fresh and light while still packed with flavors, the chicken was cooked perfectly and not over seasoned. The side salad was delicious and not too big with nice touch of sweetness from crisp apples and dried cranberries. My favorite part of our meal was the pear and almond danish we finished with. The pastry was so crispy and delicious, but not overly oily or buttery & the filling was not overly sweet and perfectly balanced. Service was fabulous as always. TRULY, they exceed all expectations, every single time.

    Photos
    Roasted Duck Lasagna with
béchamel, ricotta, cara cara, pear saba, and pecorino jus - featured in our Chicago Restaurant Week Dinner Menu
    Roasted Duck Lasagna with béchamel, ricotta, cara cara, pear saba, and pecorino jus - featured in our Chicago Restaurant Week Dinner Menu
    Short Rib Pastrami Reuben 
with swiss, sauerkraut, spicy remoulade and housemade rye country bread - featured in Chicago Restaurant Week
    Short Rib Pastrami Reuben with swiss, sauerkraut, spicy remoulade and housemade rye country bread - featured in Chicago Restaurant Week
    Roasted half chicken

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    Roasted half chicken
    Daisies

    Daisies

    4.3
    (780 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    Daisies continues to prove why it's one of the best pasta spots in the city -- creative, seasonal,…read moreand comforting without feeling heavy. The meal started strong with crispy, golden flatbread paired with creamy ricotta. The ricotta was silky and lightly tangy, topped with olive oil, shaved cheese, herbs, and a sweet-savory jam that added depth. The bread had that perfect crunch on the outside with a slight chew inside -- simple but elevated. The pasta was the star. Wide ribbons cooked perfectly al dente, coated in a rich, slow-simmered ragu that tasted deeply savory and comforting. The sauce clung beautifully to the noodles, and the generous sprinkle of parmesan tied everything together. It felt rustic but refined -- the kind of dish you keep going back for.

    Great food. Excellent service, pretty humid night 78%. Wish they would've closed in the window…read more Wife was uncomfortable the whole time Came for our anniversary. Nice place with unique pasta and cocktails. The beet agnolotti was my favorite. The onion dip was pretty good but not amazing. The ice cream sandwich was also good but not cold enough. Was more like a think whipped cream not an ice cream. Would skip that and try maybe the crunch cake for desert. Our waters were never less than 3/4 full Place was pretty lively but not too wild. Would come back

    Photos
    Nice ambiance
    Nice ambiance
    Pappardelle
    Pappardelle
    Late Summer Preserves (Clarified) peaches, brandy, maple, lemon, amaro, milk, fizz

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    Late Summer Preserves (Clarified) peaches, brandy, maple, lemon, amaro, milk, fizz
    Yardbird Table & Bar

    Yardbird Table & Bar

    3.8
    (451 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$
    Full bar
    Gluten-free friendly

    Dropped into Yardbird in Chicago for their happy hour, and it proved to be a great choice. The…read moreatmosphere was lively, but what really elevated the night was the exceptional service. Our server, Miguel, was phenomenal. She was attentive, fast, and gave us some spot-on recommendations. Per her advice, we ordered the deviled eggs with jalapeño, hands down the highlight of the table. The deviled eggs with paired with that subtle jalapeño kick was absolutely perfect. For the mains, the chicken and waffles were good, carrying that solid comfort food flavor you expect. The waffles were a bit soft for my taste. To drink, the sidecar was mixed perfectly, well-balanced, crisp, and hit the exact right note. Giving it 4 stars only because while the mains were good, the starters and the outstanding service from Miguel were what truly stole the show. I'll definitely be back to hang out at the bar again nest time I am in town!

    Huge disappointment compared to the Miami location. We came here for lunch and while the deviled…read moreeggs and skillet cornbread appetizers were great, the mains and service were a disaster. We both ordered the 1/2 fried chicken (he ordered the chicken and waffles and I ordered the Llewellyn fried chicken), specifically requesting all dark meat. Round 1: The chicken arrived as all white meat. We sent it back. Round 2: My boyfriend's plate was corrected, but mine came out with two thighs and two wings. Ready to eat at this point, I just sent the wings back. Round 3: They finally brought out the correct drumsticks. The excuse given by our waiter was that someone in the kitchen couldn't read English, causing a language barrier. I'll leave it to others to decide how they feel about that as an excuse. But what I will say is that a language barrier in the kitchen is a management problem, not a customer problem, and it should never result in a guest sending their plate back twice. While mistakes happen, the food itself was a letdown once we finally ate. My boyfriend's cheddar waffle was completely uncooked and raw in the center, and both the waffle and his fried chicken thighs had a strange, off-taste to them. What really ruined the experience, though, was the lack of management. The manager was actively walking around the dining room the entire time but never once stopped by our table to apologize for the multiple mix-ups or the raw food. For the price point, the service and quality control here need serious work. I'll stick to the Miami location.

    Photos
    Yardbird Table & Bar
    Yardbird Table & Bar
    Yardbird Table & Bar

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    Maxwells Trading

    Maxwells Trading

    4.5
    (201 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    Oh this place has ambience and interesting food and overall continues to solidify Chicago as a…read moregreat food town in my mind. Service was solid. Definitely was fun even early. Challenging bc they don't open up reservations until two weeks before the date you want. The scallion pancakes were perfectly described by the server as a mix between the Chinese pancake and naan. Get the French onion soup dip for sure. Hot honey and yogurt was fine but ok to skip also. The best was the Caesar salad - different than your usual and so fresh and delicious. The bruleed yam with curry merged sweet salty and spicy perfectly. Okay to skip the toretellini dumplings in soup dish.

    Finally made it to Maxwells Trading and overall had an enjoyable meal. The menu has a lot of…read moreAsian-inspired influences, and while some dishes felt more successful than others, the kitchen clearly has a strong sense of balance, texture, and flavor composition. We started with the Prosciutto & Gnocco Fritto. The combination of the cheese and black currant-pepper jam worked beautifully together, and the fried dough was a pleasant surprise -- light, airy, and almost donut-like with a hint of sweetness. The French Onion Dip had great flavor, although the texture leaned a bit too mayo-like for my taste. That said, the grilled dipping bread was delicious and reminded me of Taiwanese scallion pancake in a good way. The Short Rib was good, though not necessarily the most memorable dish of the night. The kalbi-style flavor profile felt somewhat familiar (almost like an elevated Trader Joe's frozen kalbi), but the accompanying kohlrabi and Korean melon were unexpectedly refreshing and ended up being one of my favorite components on the plate. The standout for us was actually the Half Chicken a la Brasa. Crispy skin, juicy meat, and somehow all the different flavor influences -- ginger scallion, aji verde, yuca -- came together very well. The yuca itself was excellent. We happened to see the chef and had the privilege of chatting with him for a few minutes. He was incredibly warm and down to earth. When we mentioned how interesting the chicken dish was, he laughed and said it was basically "everything in the fridge," which somehow made us appreciate the dish even more. For dessert, we ordered the Satsuma Verrine and loved it. The meringue on top was the sweetest component, while the whipped cream stayed light and fresh. The bottom layers combined citrus jelly and maybe curd where you could actually taste the fruit itself. A very elegant and balanced ending to the meal. Debating between 4 and 5 stars. If 4.5 were an option that's what I would pick lol

    Photos
    Bar and seating area
    Bar and seating area
    Basque Butter Cake - served warm, so good, must order. Our neighbors said they could smell it!!
    Basque Butter Cake - served warm, so good, must order. Our neighbors said they could smell it!!
    4:30pm on a Tuesday

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    4:30pm on a Tuesday

    EL Ideas - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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