Esme is a must visit for anyone who loves creative fine dining experiences and is visiting Chicago. The dinner was a progressive journey, and the combination of art and food was done tastefully (though not overdone like Alinea). From the artwork to the plateware, the experience was intentional and cohesive. The service was amazing with enthusiastic servers and bartenders, excited to share each course and beverage pairing. The food and wine pairing were delicious and presented well. Best of all, they change their menu and artwork periodically so I imagine every experience is unique and delicious. read more

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We went to Bar Esme and let me be the first to admit, we put them to a slightly challenging test, asking to be in and out in an hour flat so that we could go to a play. Unfortunately Bar Esme did not ace this test. To be clear, the food and cocktails were delicious -- especially the vegetable courses and a cocktail made of bourbon, falternum, and grapefruit. But everything was just too slow, and we had to walk out of the door, ten minutes late, without being able to taste our last course. I understand that we had made a special request and that these things happen. But as the minutes ticked by, they kept ignoring our time constraints, and even insisting that the food would be out any minute when we still had fifteen minutes to go. If at 6:10 they had warned us that we weren't going to be able to eat and leave in an hour, I would have thanked them and proceeded accordingly. If at 7:04 they had apologized and given us our last course in a box, I would have left happy. Instead we left eleven minutes late, still had to get that last course in a box, arrived late for our play, and nearly missed it. That's not what I want out of my Saturday night, delicious though it may be. read more

Restaurant Review: Esmé, Chicago I came to Esmé with high hopes -- after all, a Michelin star carries with it the promise of culinary excellence, innovation, and, above all, a delicious meal. Unfortunately, this was the absolute opposite of delicious. Even the most adventurous and ambitious palates would struggle to stomach some of the swill we were served. Bitter dessert candies? Sauces that tasted like dirty dishwater? Ugh. It makes me seriously question: Who, these days, at Michelin is judging these restaurants? The meal unfolded over many tiny courses -- so exceedingly meager, in fact, that I doubt even a small child would walk away feeling remotely satisfied or sustained. The space itself feels sterile and cold, resembling more of a middle school lunchroom than the kind of inviting, intimate atmosphere you'd expect for the price point. As for the art -- supposedly inspiring each of the dishes, most of it looked like something made by five-year-olds.The connection to the food was strained to the point of being gimmicky at best, distracting at worst. One particularly ridiculous moment involved being handed a "find the hidden objects" picture, sealed inside a plastic bag filled with water. Rather than enhancing the dining experience, this nonsensical diversion only served to alienate us further from what should have been the star of the evening: the food. And here's the heart of the problem -- this chef seems to have abandoned the number one rule of dining out: restaurant food should taste delicious. Every bite -- savory, sweet, salty, fiery, umami -- anything but bland, sparse, and, in some cases, downright awful. At one point, the waiter even acknowledged that the current menu was "challenging." I couldn't help thinking, "Now you tell me!" I love dining out, and I live for creative culinary experiences, but Esmé missed the mark entirely. I kept thinking that we were in some kind of hidden camera TV show waiting for the host to say, "got ya." My advice: stay away from Esme. read more

Among the finest culinary experiences we have enjoyed. Our 50th anniversary celebration was taken to new heights by Esme. The Oishi Omakase, Honeynut Squash with Burnt Maple Consumme' and Wagyu delicately seasoned with huckleberry, coffee and sage were show stoppers. Wine pairings were outstanding. Team Esme was exceptional in every aspect of what fine dining can be. read more

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Esme is as much into the artistry of presenting food as the actual flavors. That is not to say that the food isn't great; it is. But each course is accompanied by a description of who made the very beautiful dishes it is served on. You probably don't care. We certainly didn't. But they were beautiful. There are also descriptions of the artist who created the paintings currently on display, and the sculptures that accompany some courses. You probably don't care about those either. We didn't. But it's fine. If that's their passion; props to them for sharing it. I'd be less forgiving if the food wasn't both breathtakingly lovely (all of it) and very tasty (most of it). But then there is the wine. Problems with the wine abound, and threaten to ruin what would otherwise be a Michelin quality meal. The first problem began before we even arrived. The on-line winelist is missing the page for white wines. Since the current summer menu features mostly fish, this is a rather big problem. Fortunately, when we arrived we discovered the real wine list contains that missing page, and we ordered a nice white to accompany the meal. The second problem was that it seemed as if they had never served a bottle of wine before. Not only was the wine not ready because it hadn't been chilled, once it was served, it was as if the glasses were invisible. No one ever refilled our glasses, and at one point one of them, when emptied, was actually cleared from the table. We finally resorted to putting the bottle on the table so we could serve ourselves. I realize that the emphasis here is on wines by the glass, and a pairing flight, but come on. Speaking of the pairing flight, one of us had that, too. And not just the regular flight, but the "reserve" flight. I can't imagine what was reserve about it, other than the $250 price. Not only were the wines mostly pedestrian, they were, with two exceptions, laughably, colossally poorly matched to the food. The white bottle we ordered literally went better with every course. So how can I give a restaurant five stars with such ludicrous wine service? Because the food is beautiful and delicious. Just order a bottle of wine you know, or pay the corkage fee to bring your own, and you will have a much better experience. One final suggestion: at the end of the meal we received the obligatory menu describing our courses. At least we think we did. There was almost no relationship to the descriptions we'd heard through our servers' masks. Please stop making these trendy. And please just hand them out at the start. We know you want us to focus on the food, but with such complex dishes, and masked servers, it helps to have a reference to understand the ingredients of the dish as we're eating it. Plus, it would be the perfect place to list who made each dish, for those who care. read more

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I decided to try Bar Esme on a whim after zoo lights, and wow was I delighted Andrew made sure we were well taken care of from the moment we walked in and Steven made us some of the best cocktails we have had. I recommend having Andrew make you a dealer's choice cocktail where you tell him about your day and cocktail preferences. I had an upset stomach and he made me a tequila cocktail that cured me. I was shook! The yuzu merengue was a pleasure to eat as it melted on my tongue and the flavor profile was amazing! Great experience! Great Staff! Definitely recommend! read more

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We recently tried Esme for the first time. The gallery-style space was really cool, and we enjoyed looking at the art while we ate. The food was clearly creative, but some of the flavors didn't live up to the visual. Some dishes were excellent, while others had odd flavor pairings or felt too simple, like I could pick out the individual ingredients, if that makes sense. Also, we left hungry. The portions were really small, and we ended up stopping at another restaurant afterward for second full meal. The hostess was great, but our server felt too casual for a Michelin-starred restaurant, if that's important to you. We're glad we tried it, it was a fun experience regardless. While the food was 3 stars, the gallery concept was 5. read more

It is hard to have enough words for Esme. This review is particularly about Bar Esme (the more casual component and not-tasting menu). Jumping into the food first: The bar menu isn't extensive, but it is EXCELLENT. Oysters- delicious but small. Cheeto- Yes, yes, and yes, you have to. This eating experience was so fun. And don't fret, if you can't finish it, they are able to seal it and keep it fresh. Cheese board- curated by the chef, but sooo delicious (and pungent). The jam was a highlight. Kampachi- ok, so the fish was good, but the fried tofu cracker was a revelation! Mushroom Tagliatelle- very yummy and fresh Whole fish- flown in directly from GREECE! They bring you the fish before they debone it and then the final product is actually a work of art. Plus, the green beans are delicious. The bar space is very unique with several 2-seater tables, 1 high top 4-seater, and a bar for 6-8. The flatware (plates and utensils) are amazing, so far to the extent that my bf has requested an order of the plates and will be purchasing the utensils, which are ergonomically designed to support a better eating experience. The only downside is that I'm left-handed and the bar didn't offer the left-handed utensils (but the tasting room does!). I forget our server's name but she was exquisite. She was friendly and so knowledgeable. She made us feel that she was personally invested in our experience. Final note, the bathroom is very cute and the soap smells great. I wish I could get the candle in there! read more

Went for restaurant week. Not impressed at all. They should go to boka and try their restaurant week menu. They'd learn a lot about food and much more about service. read more

As always it was flawless. Not only is the food impeccable, but the service is so good. Chef Jenner always makes really interesting and creative dishes. Esme is right up there with all of the top places in Chicago, well deserving of the Michelin star status it has. All of the waitstaff is always so friendly approachable and informative. I hope you win the Beard award it would be very well deserved! read more

Stellar service and delicious cocktails. We also had oysters and tried the really playful "flamin hot cheeto" appetizer. Everything was fantastic! We'll definitely be back. read more

Esme - Flamin hot Cheeto - Party & Event Planning Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Quiet & elegant hidden gem tucked away in Lincoln Park. We loved the cultural food journey Esme took us through on this Michelin experience. Started off with Canapés accompanied by complimentary champagne at a waiting area. What a great way to start a meal - classy!! You are then sat down and served several rounds of dishes throughout the evening. Coffee was served alongside our desserts without asking. You really feel taken care of without having to ask for anything extra. Love love love it. I was truly impressed how the chefs could elevate Latin American cuisine to a fine dining Michelin standard. Truly unique! read more

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Came her with my wife celebrating my 29th wedding anniversary. Eating here was a truly amazing experience. Besides the food being delicious, it was very artfully presented. Will definitely be coming back. Service was top notch as well. read more

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Discreet location, beautiful interior, attentive (if a bit too eager) service. Food looked fabulous, and sounded great on the $60 Chicago Restaurant Week menu. Sadly, everything was over-salted or overly sweet, sometimes both, especially the sauces. Any actual flavor of the food was overwhelmed. And, sin of sins, they overcooked the sturgeon. I took a Pepto after a three-course tasting menu that wasn't all that much food (thank goodness) because I was tired of burping up salt. I'm glad I did the $60 tasting menu and got out of there for $100--if I had spent the $300+ version, I would be furious. read more

We went for restaurant week, $59 is a good deal, you do have to pay in advance for the spot. Really unique restaurant. The art both from a restaurant and a food perspective was very cool and unique. Excellent service. Wish there were more drink options, but this may have been limited due to restaurant week. When we can afford it would love to come back for the normal experience! read more

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We came here on new years eve and this was the most perfect way to celebrate the new year! I just can't get over how creative yet full of flavor every single bite I ate was. There were so many fun table-side and interactive presentations. My favorite dish of the night was probably "en papiollote", I can't even begin to explain how amazing it was. I loved how there were so many different courses! I also really love their concept of collaborating with and getting inspiration from local artists. I'm so excited to see their future collaborations and I will definitely be going to check them out! It was so much fun to be there while it turned to the new year and the live music was such a great vibe. This was one of my favorite Michelin restaurants in Chicago for sure! read more

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Went here for my birthday dinner. Love the atmosphere! Love that they had pair with a children art thing. It definitely reminds me of NEXT. Rotating menu, whimsical, different, upscale. The food was great. It was like the childhood menu so my hubby really enjoyed that. Some of the prix fixe stuff can be really stuffy. This place was pretty chill. I did the wine pairing and my husband did the nonalcoholic pairing. Let me tell you, they crushed the nonalcoholic pairing! We both loved it! The service was pretty good. I'll say this, sometimes my food came out before my wine was poured, etc. There was also some long periods of waiting. Again, it was good service, but when you are paying $1200+ for dinner and drinks, you really expect EVERYTHING to be perfect. Overall, I actually really liked it. read more

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We have been to almost all of the Michelin star tasting restaurants in Chicago. We were very excited to try Esmé. When we arrived there were 6 or 7 open tables so it was not busy. The whole meal was incredibly slow- terrible pacing. It seemed to be 15 minutes between courses when they were not crowded. A few of the waiters were obsequious. They were very over the top, swarmy and did not make us feel at ease. The course with chorizo was extremely spicy. The food was not up to the standard that it should have been for a restaurant at this price. I was disappointed overall. read more

Unpretentious, whimsical, adventurous dishes, with wonderfully friendly staff make for a unique, fun evening. With lots of options for tasting menu experiences in Chicago, come here at least once to get a taste of the casual vibes but thoughtful dishes that are fun for the eyes and the tastebuds. We had a school lunch themed menu which was so clever, with yummy bites throughout. There were hits and misses but some great standouts were the foie gras cup, the waffle, the tuna belly, and the fish and chips courses. I love that the restaurant supports the local community and especially local artists. read more

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Strictly reviewing the restaurant week menu: it was good, but not amazing and nothing stuck out for me. The Flamin' Hot Cheetos and kale bouquet were presented in an artistic manner, sadly the overall flavors fell short for me. The wagyu short rib was tender, but slightly on the saltier side. The winter velouté was probably my favorite menu item. The different textures worked well with the overall flavor profile of the dish. I could taste the apples, granola, and blackberry fairly well and nothing was too overpowering. For drinks, I would recommend the Aviation; a strong cocktail yet refreshing like a lemonade. Overall service was paced well and our server John as well as other staff were great, engaging, and informative. The restaurant itself and the concept of the menu items were certainly presented in a beautiful artistic manner, however, taste wise I just was not as impressed as I thought I would be. Although I didn't like every menu item, I still had a good time and would still recommend Esmé to try and experience at least once! read more

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So this is a review for Bar Esme which is the more casual sister restaurant to Esme Chicago. Major difference is that Bar Esme offers a la carte menu which is served family style. However, the quality that you get at Esme is carried on. Chef Jenner's creativity shine through from the appetizers (you have to try their massive flaming hot cheetos) and cheese plate (the homemade apricot jam should be bottled and sold) to the absolutely delicious and juicy roasted chicken. Another great dish is the fish which they bring to your table whole. It is then filleted and brought back to you so you don't have to worry about picking too many bones. Don't forget to order a cocktail with your meal. They have a very creative bar staff. Service is outstanding making the whole experience extremely enjoyable. read more

Esme - Homemade flaming hot cheetos! They're massive and delicious - Party & Event Planning Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had the fixed menu. I enjoyed the preset menus except that I requested a pescatarian menu and was told I could be accommodated. However, I still received the duck liver tart which I elected not to eat. Otherwise, the environment was welcoming, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and the price was fair. read more

The food was very nice I did enjoy everything that was served. The ambiance is very simple/neutral. I would say the customer service was not as great as I expected it to be, but restaurants have their days. read more

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Amazing. Art + Food. Can't go wrong. Highly recommend the cocktail pairing. Came for our anniversary dinner and really enjoyed our time spent at Esme. read more

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I made a reservation on Resy for Bar Esme (the a la carte dining) about a month early. When we arrived, the restaurant was full. There was not a formal host stand, but one of the team members behind the bar came and sat us quickly. We sat at a high top with four chairs (only two people in our party) near the window. The table was quite tight for two people, and I couldn't imagine having four people at that table. The restaurant is cozy and inviting. There was a buzz from everyone talking, but each table was able to still hold its own conversation without getting too loud. The room was quite warm -- I imagine due to the open wall into the kitchen. The service was generally good! There were a few occasions where it took some time to track down our server, but two people were working the whole space and the bar. It did not take away from our experience. The food was delicious and there was a wide array of dishes to select from. We selected the tuna belly, oysters, ravioli, trout, and sunchoke frites. All were fantastic and I would order them again. The tuna belly was a bit on the small side. We had one hiccup with a chicken brought out rather than the trout as we had ordered. The server quickly corrected the mistake and the kitchen boxed up the chicken to go for us as an apology for the delay. Bar Esme was a great way to be able to try Esme but in a different format. I would definitely recommend dining here for a laid-back and upscale dining experience. read more

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My friends and I were looking for a fun place for a bday and stumbled upon Esme's Chicago Restaurant Week menu. 3 courses for $59 and to experience Esme for the first time sold us! The ambiance felt bougie yet welcoming and the staff were so nice. Our waiter, John, was the BEST. So knowledgeable and gave great recommendations for each course. Out of all courses, the winter veloute was 10/10, i'm still dreaming about it. A lovely evening!! read more

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Solid 4.5/5. Esme has been on our radar for a few months now, and we were fortunate to be able to snag a reservation for the Paul Octavious menu before it ends its run. We were even more ecstatic after Esme earned their first Michelin star just a few weeks ago. While we're not fine dining experts, my wife and I have previously tried the tasting menus at Alinea and Next, so they'll be our primary basis for comparison. Ambiance Esme definitely gave off a more casual and less pretentious vibe. The interior was bright and minimalistic, with white décor and plenty of natural sunlight. It had a very different ambiance than the dimly-lit, romantic atmospheres elsewhere. I also liked that there was music playing instead of being so quiet that neighboring tables can hear your conversations. Some people dressed to impress while others were dressed for comfort. The servers were very friendly and had more personality than the overly polished execution at Alinea. One style isn't necessarily better than the other, just different. Experience The overall dinner experience was both fun and exciting. The fusion of food, art, and philanthropy created such a unique experience that you couldn't get anywhere else. It almost felt like we were eating in a mini museum. I liked the idea of having the original artwork that actually inspired each dish hanging on the walls. In addition to the food, the serving dishes and ceramic-ware were pieces of art themselves. I also loved that they embraced technology and created an interactive guide accessible on your phone that gave more visual context and insight into each dish. Food The dinner had a total of 14 different courses: 3 canapes, 6 lighter seafood dishes, 3 meat dishes, and then 2 desserts. You enjoy the canapes and a glass of champagne at the high tops near the entrance, and then you're led to your table for the rest of the dinner. The entire meal ran for just over 3 hours, and it honestly didn't feel that long by the end. The pace of the courses was perfect. At Esme, I felt like the food itself wasn't necessarily the star of the show, but rather each course was more of a complementary piece to Paul Octavious's art. Judging on just the food alone, not every course was a hit for me, and it was missing some of the same "wow" factor of Alinea. However the whole experience was like a dining adventure, which was extremely memorable and fun. Wine Pairing The wine pairing was the only underwhelming aspect of the night. I personally enjoy wine pairings to be able to try different types of wine, as well as to add another element of flavor that complements the food in that course. As someone who's far from a wine connoisseur, I'm fairly easy to please. I was a bit disappointed that two of the wines were repeated for multiple courses. Given that the base-level "Exploratory" wine pairing was even more expensive than Alinea's, I would've expected that they had a wider variety of wines. Paul Octavious Menu: #1 Magic Mushroom | Fermented black trumpet mushroom dusted Danish filled w/ La Tur cheese #2 Flower Boy | Kombu croquant filled w/ wagyu tartar topped with shaved radish and truffle #3 51 Love Stories | Beet consommé, chive oil, thyme tips Pairing: Drappier Champagne #4 Rescue Rainbow | Kampachi hand roll w/ Osetra caviar, popcorn custard, rice, miso paste, wasabi, togarashi popcorn, calamansi Pairing: Sparkling Gamay #5 Same Hill Different Day | Beets, tuna belly, apricot puree Pairing: L'Avion Roussanne #6 Magic Mushroom | Turbot layered w/ king trumpet mushrooms, sauce vin jaune, clam emulsion; Cooked en papillote with Cherrywood smoke Pairing: L'Avion Roussanne #7 Sulz Kotelett | Panko crusted prawn, saffron rouille, piperade puree, jamon Iberico. Served on sous vide bag charger plate. Pairing: Morgon Gamay #8 Play Food | Eggplant 2 ways: grilled eggplant, eggplant croquette, chimichurri #9 Bubble Gum Pop | Cod stuffed w/ potato and spinach, fennel curry, hearts of palm Pairing: Albarino Lodi #10 Cloud Maker | Cloud dumpling, chicken skin lightning bolt, chicken jus, truffle, celery root Pairing: Dofi Priorat Red #11 Lace | Peking duck roulade, almond lace, duck leg confit, burnt orange, huckleberry gastrique Pairing: Dofi Priorat Red #12 Same Hill Different Day | A5 wagyu wellington w/ swiss chard, sausage, balsamic veal jus Pairing: Brega Grenache #13 Primary Dish | Whipped paesanella cheese, champagne ice. Choice of Yuzu curacao, spearmint, apricot madeira, and huckleberry syrups Pairing: Shoyu Limoncello #14 Like My Bananas? | Banana glazed donut, coffee cremeux quenelle, oatmeal ice cream, puffed rice, walnut, granola Pairing: Amontillado Sherry Overall, our dinner at Esme was great. My favorite dishes from the night were the turbot en papillote and the wagyu wellington. While it was one of the most expensive dinners we've ever had, it was an unforgettable experience. read more

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Have ever watched the scene from Always Be My Maybe in which Ali Wong plays chef, Sasha Chan, and is dining alongside food snob, Keanu Reeves? They make fun of the world where existentialism, art, and culinary experience merge. I totally felt like I was in that movie dining at Esme! This unique dining experience connects visual and culinary art. The crisp and clean back drop allows the individual to experience the creations of Esme's featured artist. During our experience, oil paintings, sculptures, and table top serving pieces highlighted the abstract artwork of Courtney Jean Shoudis. We opted to the experience of wine pairings and also selected a Manhattan. While they did not have a selection of craft cocktails, their Manhattan was properly made with a large solid cube and their single barrel pick of Old Forrester. The service was very attentive. A story was provided about the artist or inspiration of each serving dish. Each course was beautifully plated and tasted delicious. I prefer offering of savory dishes followed by a sweet ending. The courses offered were a mix of what could be sweet in the middle of entrees. Portion sizes were enough to taste a rich bite, but I also wish the portion sizes would have allowed feeling full at the end of the meal. I would highly recommend this venue as the owners of Esme use their talents to contribute back to their philanthropic efforts. I appreciate how a portion of their proceeds help with community food security and mentorship to at risk youth. For that reason, this place is a definite plus to dine again. read more

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Wow. (I could stop there because words won't do what we experienced, justice) From the moment you walk in the service and warmness is felt. Great people, excellent food, tremendous journey. It's everything you grow to expect of a fine-dining tasting menu (and wine paring) without the pretentiousness that often intimidates many. I've dreamt of the food for three days straight now... read more

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Esmé was surreal. It shares commonalities with other fine dining experiences but with eccentricities to offset them. Those eccentricities created a whimsical and distinct escapade. Everything from the ambiance to the food to the plating had a spin that made the food fun and delicious! Our delightful dinner started right as we entered the space; it was unlike any other upscale restaurant. The walls and lights were bright, contrasting the dim lighting found in archetypal intimate settings but not cloying like a dentist's office. An art piece welcomed us at the entrance, and photographs lined the walls, making the vibe feel more akin to an art gallery rather than a restaurant. A waitress met us as we walked in, escorted us to a high-top first, and explained the journey we were about to embark. What made this meal incredibly intriguing were the creative plates, many, if not all, sourced from local artisans that helped accentuate the story each course told, and the online interactive guide. The guide showcased artwork from artist Paul Octavius. Each dish corresponded with a photograph Octavius took and included an excerpt explaining the correlation between the two. Offering a fresh way to add another element to the dinner, the guide drove home the interpretation of each photo, illustrating the thought that went into each course. Dinner opened with a resounding bang, as our first course was borscht that was diminutive in size only. It packed warmth and flavor to the brim and made us feel cozy after the first sip. The other two courses of our initial trilogy were great on their own. The mushroom Danish was my favorite of the two for its flakiness and creaminess, as the rose dish was too earthy. That said, the borscht was something else! The fourth course was a crowd favorite, as it made us feel like chefs. A plate of diverse ingredients appeared, cutely referred to as ingredients the chef's dog loved to eat. They included peanut butter, popcorn, kampachi, and caviar. After explaining them, we were left to our own devices to make a kampachi hand roll as we pleased. It was a risky gamble to have a choose-your-own-adventure dish, as it could have led to a confounding mess of Frankenstein rolls, but paid off in spades. Each element worked well with any other and was foolproof. Fun, interactive, creative, delicious, and the seaweed paper had a picture of a dog etched in. Can't ask for more! Once course six came, dinner went up another level. A pearlescent bag embodied the food and was cut open in front of us. Smoke rose from the plate and filled our nostrils, setting the baseline of flavor for the dish. The trumpet, clam, and broth tasted incredible. If I could have licked the plate without receiving judgment from others, I would have. The next course was good but did not achieve the same level of flavor as the previous course. Though, the presentation was unique. Dinner continued on with gorgeous and delicious dishes, but the one hiccup was with the Cloud Maker course. It was chicken and dumplings-inspired, and was the single menu item where the presentation took precedence over taste. The components represented a cloudy day, establishing the theme well. Despite that, the lightning bolt made of chicken skin tasted okay. The cloud dumpling tasted and had a texture that felt too ordinary compared to the rest of the meal. Finally, the black truffle, normally something I am excited to see in a dish, came off pungent and overbearing. It felt out of place. Luckily, things got back on track with the last two savory courses. Course eleven was a duck roulade with almond and huckleberry sauces, with an intricate, lavender, edible lace topping the duck. Lavender can be tricky to nail for flavor, but in this case complemented the richness of the duck and sauces. It was like eating an elevated version of pulled pork, which we all enjoyed. The final savory dish was a wagyu and veal liver sausage dish, reminiscent of a Beef Wellington. Balsamic and Hennessey XO sauce with red onions toned down the fattiness and saltiness of the wagyu and veal, respectively. While the last couple of bites did have an overpowering flavor of salt from the sausage, I enjoyed it. The last two desserts were a take on shaved ice and a classic combination of bananas and chocolate. The shaved ice was refreshing and served as a transition to the banana dessert, my favorite of the two. This last dish was more memorable to my taste buds than the shaved ice. It packed a punch of chocolatey and nutty goodness that brought the banana to the forefront. I cannot speak highly enough about the entire package of service, atmosphere, and presentation at Esmé; it was top-notch. By the end, we could not take another bite and left discussing each dish. Intricate, imaginative, and inspired, Chef Jenner Tomaska delivered a one-of-a-kind meal. Esmé is at the top of my list for one-star Michelin restaurants, and I am excited to see what other menus are in store! read more

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Esme delivers on food, service and ambiance. We went for restaurant week for a late dinner and the experience delivered. I am excited to go back for the full menu. The art program and the way it plays into the meal was an appreciated surprise. The food left us cleaning our plates and talking about the uniqueness of the dishes. read more

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Everything about this food and beverage experience was phenomenal, delicious, visually stunning and unique. Highly recommended

An experience to remember. Where art and experience meet with food that is not only creative but delicious. The service was fantastic. The environment is a modern hip not stuffy. Tables are privately spaced. Wine list is creative and experiential. Non alcoholic pairings are creative and delicious. I can't say enough about the experience. Worth the price and time. read more

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Knowledgeable and friendly staff, excellent food, great cocktails, only wish is that the barstools had better backs to them, but get that's part of the aesthetic ;) read more

It was an absolutely amazing dining experience! All of the courses were creative, appealed to all the senses, tasted delicious and fun. If you are a fan of Alinea and Next, you will appreciate the detailed creative approach. Special thanks for all the effort that went into coordinating the surprise engagement for dessert! The champagne and flowers were special souvenirs of an incredible night! We can't wait to come back read more

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I went to Esme for my birthday dinner and it was a truly unique experience. We tried the tasting menu and each dish was a work of art. Not only was the food itself a work of art but the actual dishes they were on were also special pieces of ceramic and other media that tied in with the featured artist's vision. They do change the menu from my understanding so the dishes for the tasting menu I experienced may not be the current menu but that being said, I think this is all the more reason to visit Esme. The service was impeccable and the interior included an amazing art installation. It was an experience like no other and if you have an appreciation for the arts this is the right experience for you. read more

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I'll never stop going back to Bar Esme. The food, the drinks, the people, truly everything is amazing. For me, the giant Cheetos are a must order every time for the fun experience alone. How good they are is definitely an added bonus though. I love that there is no cocktail menu. It's a great opportunity to connect with someone, have a conversation about what you like, and have a cocktail tailored to your taste. I don't think I've ever had the same cocktail there twice but they've all been phenomenal. For me, there's something really special about that experience. In my most recent visit a friend ordered the scallop dish and I didn't think much of it because I'm not a big scallop girlie but HOLY COW it was by far one of the most incredible things I've ever tasted. I really could go on and on about how good all the individual dishes are but my words really won't do them justice. I truly cannot recommend enough! Go in, have some great food, meet some cool people, have some good drinks, and see for yourself. read more

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3rd time is...always amazing. If you haven't experienced Esmé you are missing out. From the cocktails to the food to the service you will not be disappointed. Everything is thoughtful and interesting, delicious and new. To be able to have staff (Cassady, Jon Lee, Jackson, Christine, and Stevan) greet you as if you are family is a special touch that cannot be overstated. The combination of art and food at Esme is on par with the finest restaurants is the world. My Family and I will of course be back, and recommend to anyone who will listen, that Esme is always the answer for any occasion. read more

Esme - Party & Event Planning Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My first Restaurant Week visit for 2023! $59. Three courses - the first course only having one selection. I came with a friend, so we got one of each item off the menu. Flamin' Hot Cheeto: an obscenely large and unrefined take of an actual hot cheeto. each cheeto was approximately the size of a small rolling pin. y tho? i would not pay $12 to get cheese dust all over myself when i'm at a nice restaurant. actually, i wouldn't really pay for that anywhere. huge miss for me. Butternut Squash Soup: velvety and rich. i quite liked this! it would have been nice to have been offered sharing bowls for this one. Mushroom Conserva: this was a pleasant surprise! loved the unexpected combo of golden raisins and mushrooms and the generous slices of bread. Trout: i loved the sauce on this one. the fish was perfectly cooked. the portion size, while somewhat expected, was pretty small. Wagyu Pithvier: served as being similar to a beef wellington, the meat in this was beautiful! however, it did fall to pieces as we were eating, and the pastry was a bit eggy. We also ordered the Mushroom Tagliatelle, and it was pretty good, though a bit oily. The drinks were also not super memorable. I was very excited to finally be able to try Bar Esmé! Weighing the cost of the meal ($120/pp with the mandatory 22% service charge) and the overall experience, I'd give it a pass. read more

This dinner was a wonderful experience. Went there for my birthday. The food is tasty and service is outstanding. Love the concept of bringing painters, photographers and pottery makers into the experience. The food presentation is an art in itself . We had a tasting with many courses. It's hard to remember everything so it's nice that they give you a little printout at the end to take home with the list of the foods. Wish they would also include a QR code or websites about the pottery makers too to follow up later since those were pretty and unique. Apparently the menu changes frequently and some are more interactive. Can't wait to be back. read more

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