The most amazing service I could possibly imagine, from simultaneous water pouring for the entire table to a tour of the kitchen, every moment of the dinner was choreographed to perfection. The food, the ambience, the staff, all beautiful. The ladies room has the most fun surprise, I'll let you find out yourself. On a nine course tasting menu, there were a few dishes that I thought were only OK, and a few dishes that tasted stellar, and several dishes that had a mix of both. Wine paired was delicious, and you start the evening with an enchanting amuse bouche experience that really set an amazing tone. Menus are seasonal so if you can afford it, you'll want to return. I just cannot say enough about Service that was beyond belief!!! Cocktails at After were very surprising, decide for yourself if the unusual pairings are to your taste, but the creativity is out of this world. Another beautiful environment to enjoy. read more

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We decided to celebrate our anniversary at ever this year, because, for us, this once in a lifetime experience seemed like winning the World Cup, Superbowl, Stanley Cup, World Series, and whatever the basketball championship is called all at once. We walked up to the nearly unmarked building and thought we might have been in the wrong place as there was extreme fall decor in the form of corn stalks throughout the entrance. We were greeted by a smiling host who sent us on our way through the corn maze to a pit stop at a wall adorned with glasses filled with a refreshing pallet cleanser. Continuing on our way to the table was like walking into a space dream. Service was delivered by way of a team of smiling and observant staff in tailored suits. We were offered still or sparkling water and two gentlemen filled our glasses in tandem. A rouge pitcher of sparkling water was identified the second I took a sip and whispered to my husband "it's not still, but that's okay"... it was not okay as a fresh glass and a pour of fresh still water replaced the mistake immediately. The rest of the evening was a flourish of edible art on plates and bowls of increasingly impressive courses while servers described each detail and chatted with us. On our way out, we were lucky enough to get to pop our heads in the kitchen to see how things run as a host explained what was going on. We didn't want to linger too long or be in the way, but that was a lovely experience and I'm grateful for having been able to see it. Unrelated to my 5-star rating: I made a mistake that just kinda stung by forgetting the price of the experience and service charge and underestimating the cost of adding on drinks. Had I gone in remembering that, I don't think I would have had such an emotional reality check when we got back to our hotel that night. Again, this was a once in a lifetime experience that we were fortunate enough to afford and the wonder of it all far outweighs the sticker shock. We worked hard the last nine years to build a life together and save money to be able to treat ourselves to nice things once in awhile and this was the absolute pinnacle of this goal. read more

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This place is 2 Michelin star with good reason. Everything in this place from the ambiance to the food is outstanding. We had drinks at their bar next door after. Beautiful setting that actually serves small plates as well so if your wallet can't stretch to the restaurant next door, try the food at After. Tasty, and to the standard of Ever down to their French fries! We naturally had the tasting menu. This was our second time here and I was pleased to see that the plates were more varied than the last time we came. There was a good selection of seafood and meats. The wagyu was outstanding. Everything was beautifully plated and the wine pairings were thoughtfully curated and complimented the food. Wait staff are very attentive and the sommelier was knowledgeable and happy to explain his wine pairings. Ever is pricy but if you have a special occasion, it's worth every penny. read more

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From the moment you walk in the door, where Annie greets you, you realize you're in for a truly special night at Ever. I won't reveal details so as not to spoil the surprise for upcoming visitors, but it's the first time I've had such an opening experience. The food is imaginative and beautiful, as you might expect, and equally delicious. It also flows beautifully from one dish to the next, clearly designed to tell a story while blending and complementing flavors and textures. One thing we truly appreciated: 2 of the 4 of us do not drink, but Ever took just as much care in pairing, preparing and presenting their drinks with each course as Khalil did with our wine pairings. Service from Maddie, Sam and everyone was highly professional while also being relaxed and funny. Annoyed with myself for forgetting the names of the gentleman who gave us a post-dinner kitchen tour and the brilliant woman who expedited -- they and the entire front- and back-of-house team really delivered a night our family will always remember! read more

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Food was delicious qnd the service was spot on, very attentative and helpful. I will say, one of the servers had a really bad breath and as he was explaining the dish, I could smell it and lost the appetite. I really encourage the restaurant and their stuff to be extremely clean because this is unacceptable and disgusting read more

EVER - Ravioli - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amazing experience! Food was wonderful, each course was a culinary delight. We enjoyed all 10 courses. We left feeling full, which is sometimes a worry when going to high end multiple course restaurants. The wine pairing was more expensive than I was hoping, but really elevated the experience. The Sommelier provided a great description of each wine and allowed us to ask any questions we had. If you are able to, I recommend it. The ambience was perfect. All tables were seated, but it did not feel crowded or loud. Each table is spaced a generous distance from each other. The service was amazing as well, staff were ready and prepared for everything. Water never got empty, new napkins every time I returned to the table, etc. read more

The experience here was amazing!!!! We went to After first and got to go through their secret entrance that led to ever. Good thing because it was freezing. The staff, incredible, food, delicious! I loved that when I was returning from the restroom someone was waiting by my chair to pull it out and seat me. We also were sat in the middle and the table was large, you definitely feel like you are having a 1 on 1 dinner with your partner. I adored the simplicity yet elegant design of the dining room. Definitely worth it. Towards the end of the 10 course meal, the server joked asking if we were satisfied or planned to get take out after. We were pleasantly surprised that, while the plates are not large at all, towards the end we were satisfied and fast food was not needed. We opted to add the wine pairings as well which was a great decision. All paired very well and described beautifully and some times comically by the staff. read more

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One of the finest restaurants in the most exquisite cuisine and dishes I've ever had in my life. Chef Duffy is one of the best chefs in the world! His daring and creative flavors over exceeds what your pallet wants to feel. He knows how to make the most unbelievable food and to make you feel a certain way after you eat. The wine list, the wine, pairings, and the cocktails here are some of the best in the world. Even their mocktail selections are fantastic! And the ambience here is just perfect. You are transported into like a futuristic environment and you feel like you're in a total different place almost like a spaceship. Everything about this place is fantastic. read more

Came here for our anniversary ! Absolutely amazing. I would definitely recommended it to anyone celebrating a special occasion. Even though it's not 3 stars like alinéa I would say I prefer it over them! Form service to food to ambiance, 20/10! Can't wait to have another chance to dine at this fine establishment! read more

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Such a superior and luxurious class of dining. The venue is super sleek and slightly dark inside, but good energy with the bright kitchen. Dishes: - caviar boba dish with potato: unique taste and texture with the boba popping in your mouth - candy cover dish where you break it and drink the soup with crab was so unique and tasty; extremely well done and aesthetically beautiful - soup with barnacle looking sides: really good soup that wasn't overly hot. The chicken was cooked well and shredded - salmon dish was my FAV: perfectly seared on the top and somewhat lighter cooked under. Never tried this method and the flavoring was excellent. Haven't seen this texture elsewhere! - great Hokkaido bread with the skull butter - Peking duck dish was decent; nothing overly special but covered in truffles and different sauces. I like the onion covering spinach more than the actual meat - pasta dish with turnip ravioli was quite unique with good flavors and texture. Soft and very delicious when you dip the bread in. Small portion size. - wagyu was super fatty and soft. The pistachios on the side were an interesting addition - first dessert was not overly sweet, tasted fruity, and had good cranberry with the olive oil cake - the dry ice dessert with mango sorbet and the chocolate was beautiful and tasted really good. Especially the sorbet with nuts. Best drink was the espresso martini. Fresh brewed espresso and vodka without added flavors or batched. Well done! Overall, pace was fast and not rushed. Perfect speed. Excellent service above other venues I've eaten at. Top 5 favorite restaurants of 1,000+ I've eaten at. read more

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Food was good, enjoyed the menu, new flavors and textures I've never experienced before which was fun and the plating/presentation was incredible. Ever is second to none in service. The process is polished, refined, the choreography of the service is something to marvel at. I have never experienced anything like it Ambiance at ever is awesome and matches the description of service in its polished, refined design. We enjoyed our dinner here though to be honest the food and flavor didn't quite meet my expectations. I've had better food for lesser cost, but never experienced the type of service they provide! read more

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EVER is brought to you by Chef Curtis Duffy, and the restaurant offers you a tasting menu that you'd have to make advance reservations for. I was excited to check this place out - a friend and I decided to check this place out when I was in town. Our menu for the evening included: +Mushroom - pineapple, soy, carrot top +Sea Grapes - hijiki, celery root, nasturtium +Asparagus - caper, cardamom, verbena +Cucumber - togarashi, sudachi, lemon balm +Carrot - finger lime, ginger, blue basil +King Trumpet - black olive, coffee, frisee +Fennel - black garlic, potato, endive +Cabbage - smoked coconut, hon shimeji, sorrel +Black Walnut - passion fruit, pineapple, citrus lace +Chocolate - kiwi, black tea, mint The presentation of the dishes were okay; we were disappointed, however, with the flavors, as we thought they just weren't there. Considering the 2 stars, we just expected better. Service was fine. The restaurant itself has a chic vibe to it with clean lines. Street parking can be found in the area. +lackluster tasting menu +street parking available read more

This two Michelin star dining extravaganza is a master class in service. The atmosphere is also just lovely....formal but not stuffy, contemporary and classic at the same time. The 10 course menu is truly art on a plate. And for the most part, the execution was something to behold. We did one wine pairing between the two of us and the wine experience was just spectacular. Not a single complaint on the selections and we just adored our sommelier. There were a few misses in my opinion which I will detail below. But first, the highlights: 1. The canapés served on a log centerpiece are delectable. Such an interesting presentation too. A great wow factor to start the meal. 2. The caviar course really worked. Beautifully plated and the textures were spot on. 3. The squash dumpling soup was also quite tasty and very pretty. 4. But oh that scallop... this was no ordinary scallop. The textures wowed and the flavors were balanced and interesting. 5. The carrot terrine garden plate was beautiful, but it lacked something.... Can't put my finger on it but it was not my fave. 6. Probably the single best course was the maitake mushroom-wow. 7. The king salmon was also pretty spectacular. I've never had this tiny piece of fish cooked with such deftness. Made me wonder how they achieve this delicate crispness with almost but not quite rare inside. Amazing. 8. The richest dish, and probably the one that has the most cache, was the most disappointing for me-the wagyu beef was too fatty (yeah I know it's supposed to be...but...) and the peanut accompaniment sort of puzzled me. 9. The eighth course is 1 of 3 desserts. While pretty on the plate, the rice pudding was chewy, not creamy, not particularly interesting and the four colored purées, while bright and interesting, just couldn't salvage this dish for me. 10. The frozen tea sphere with raspberry and chocolate was by far the best sweet course. It's a wonderful creation and really wowed. 11. Sadly, the last course was an attempt at a plain fresh donut with three sauces. And while the presentation is so cool, the donut is heavy, chewy and not to my liking. Feels like this one needs some refinement. Overall, the experience was quite something. We were given a tour of the kitchen while they were in mid service so that was fun. They are really proud of their work here. The service is absolutely incredible. My napkin dropped on the floor and before I could pick it up they gave me a new one. They really know how to do service here. I am not sure Ever lived up to my expectations. It's not the very high price tag that bothers me, it just felt that for that price and Two Michelin stars, the dishes that missed should have been a bit better. But if you're in town and looking for the best service and theatre on a plate, give it a try. We enjoyed it a lot. read more

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It truly hurts me to give this amazing place 4 stars. The food and service were both incredible and the atmosphere was romantic and quiet. The best service and food I've had the privilege of experiencing. The food really stood out specifically when compared to Alinea. Hard not to compare them. But the food at Ever is just better. It's not technique for the sake of being technique. Where a star is lost is that Ever is known for their superb, world class hospitality and they had a slight miss that made us feel very... weird? They asked if we'd like to book a time at After prior to our dinner for a few cocktails. We said of course! And they forgot to book it. So we got to After and they looked at us like we didn't belong. We weren't "on the list." They did everything they could to make it right, but was just a weird feeling to start the night with. Overall, I truly recommend Ever and highly doubt that you have a slight slip like we did. Everyone has a bad day sometimes and if Ever's bad day is just forgetting to book us cocktail time... that's a pretty low stakes bad day. read more

EVER - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We arrived to Ever and felt like we were in a spa. It has a beautiful entrance. We were escorted to our table in the dining room and the tables were set up in little nooks which felt private and intimate. The first course of amuse bouches was corn 3 ways but the corn ball in white chocolate was the best bite. We then enjoyed 9 more savory courses and 2 desserts. Each course was beautifully plated and we really loved the unique combinations of flavors. You could really taste the chef's creativity on every plate. My husband did the non-alcoholic cocktail pairing which he really enjoyed and appreciated how different it was. The drinks really did enhance some of the dishes which was very cool! They said they'll be adding cocktails soon which will be absolutely delicious. Plus the servers were amazing and very attentive. At the end of the night we were offered a tour of the kitchen which is always cool to see. Definitely a great way to spend an evening! read more

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Service: 11/10 Food: 10/10 Experience: outstanding!! Coming from two very invested foodies: Ever is phenomenal. It's clear why they already have 2 Michelin stars, and that they're committed to getting the third one. I'll break it down into two parts: service and food First, the service was impeccable. Waiters were incredibly kind, patient, and professional. Everything was perfect down to the last detail. Glasses of water were poured at the exact same time. Utensils were replaced with meticulous precision. Our main waiter, Oscar, was thoughtful, attentive, and made wonderful conversation about the restaurant industry and the food itself. Our sommelier, Ryan, on top of being utterly joyful and patient with us, suggested the most beautiful wine pairings (since we decided against getting the full wine pairing with our meal), and after hearing how much we loved a certain wine, he sent one home with us for free. It was a special situation since we're not from Chicago and the wine would be very tough to get ourselves, but it just shows how much care they put into making diners feel special. At the end of our meal, we were also taken by the Maitre D' to see the kitchen, where we were able to speak to the Chef De Cuisine and get his insight on the intricacies of the job. So unique!!! Next, the food. Overall, the dishes were ingenious and delicious. Some were better than others, but that is always to be expected, and we felt that the food was chock full of creativity, comfort/warmth, and pristine execution. Their classic dish, the frozen Hamachi, was pretty good (especially once defrosted), but it wasn't our number one! Absolute favorites were: Coconut cream Scallop, Date and pickle Wagyu, Pork cheek and Pumpkin Ravioli, and Banana and Fennel Sticky Rice. I canNOT stress to you enough how impeccable these were. The meat was utterly melt in the mouth. The Sticky rice dessert was the best dessert I've had in a fine dining establishment, with flavors and textures that melded like art in the mouth. Many of the courses also came with an additional bread and butter course, so we definitely did not leave hungry! They also did really great at accommodating one dietary restriction that one person in our party had: no red meat. This experience was wonderful. A huge thank you to all of the Ever service and culinary teams-- you made the trip worthwhile! read more

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A truly one of a kind experience. Every moment of the dinner was special, elevated, and memorable. Not only was the culinary journey aesthetically appealing, it was truly delicious. read more

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There. I've given Ever five Yelp stars. Now we need to examine that last star. There are a thousand restaurants in Chicago that deserve five stars. I've given five stars to hot dog stands. But when you get into the stratosphere of restaurants -- places like Oriole and Alinea -- you need to take a closer look at what distinguishes them not just from the rest, but also from each other. That's where Michelin ratings come in. You can argue about the importance of some of Michelin's fetishes such as synchronized seating, synchronized water pouring, synchronized plate delivery, and commemorative menus on departure. Give me a comfortable chair, keep my water glass topped up, and I don't care if the menu is a QR code. But Michelin stars do enforce certain food, wine, and service expectations. Ever is the descendent of Grace, a former three star Michelin that imploded when Chef Curtis Duffy and business partner Michael Muser left. With Ever they set out to improve what was already highly acknowledged. Did they succeed? So far the answer is yes and no. (Full disclosure: I was not a big fan of Grace.) Ever has two stars. But it is obviously trying -- really, really hard -- for that third star. Maybe too hard. The first thing you notice is the stunning curved stone walls, then the dining room, with its beautiful, minimalistic lines, and matte black tables isolated in individual pools of light. The wine list and wine service are perhaps the highlight of the meal. The wine pairing features interesting, food friendly selections, nearly all from the Old World, and presented by the extremely personable Sommelier. The extensive bottle list avoids prestige areas and focuses on wines that people actually drink with food. But the food is my point of contention. There are many, many ingredients in each dish of the nine-course tasting menu. But as the meal progressed, I began to wonder if less might be more. The Hamachi course is a good example. The fish has been frozen into beautiful curls that look more like white chocolate. But attempting to eat it turns the plate into, well, a mess. The resulting taste just isn't any better than a straightforward presentation would have been. White asparagus is served two ways. The modern way results in something beautiful but uncut-able, while the traditional way, served with Bernaise sauce, is perhaps the best dish of the night. Sometimes tradition is best. The meal progresses through proteins littered with heterogeneous components. I could not find two ingredients on the duck dish that seemed to work together: duck, fresh strawberry, peanuts? A few other nits about the search for that third star: Those beautiful curved walls reflect the sounds of the kitchen directly into the dining room. Either silence the kitchen or separate the spaces with a door. There is no continuity of service throughout the meal. Dishes are delivered by the entire staff, so it is impossible to forge a relationship with a "host" during your dinner. That's why the sommelier made such a wonderful impression. He provided the only feeling of being a guest. Service staff should not wear cologne or perfume. Stop rearranging the glassware! We had this happen at two other three star places. Every single server moved the glassware -- even if we hadn't touched it since the last move. After a dozen times it just became comical. At some point we could barely reach it! It's not as if we were being served platters. Just leave it alone! Okay, rant over. Would I go back to Ever? Probably not. Should you go? Probably so. If you are a foodie who wants to experience the top end of Chicago dining, it's in a select group. It just might not be at the pinnacle of that group. read more

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Chic but not pretentious ambiance, friendly and relaxed attitudes, on point service and attention to detail, great pace for our mood. The food was creative and meticulously crafted. Flavors of ingredients came out. The wine pairings were absolutely perfect and enriched all the dishes. Wine servings were appropriately poured, and allowed us to enjoy the entire menu without being 'overserved'. We were perfectly full but not stuffed at the end of the 10-course meal. Truly enjoyed the experience! read more

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Eating at EVER was a perfectly orchestrated dance. Seamless. Having multiple people service the table so that plates are placed and removed and sparkling waters filled, all with perfectly timed silent unison, was an elegant experience. Twelve courses at each table throughout the room could have easily felt chaotic, but this was an intimate experience for all. Having eaten tasting menus at Alinea, I was curious how they would compare. I might say that some of the presentation might have a slight advantage at Alinea, the courses at EVER were remembered more, not just for their creativity, but for the food itself. As you would hope it would be. A helium balloon made of apples (Alinea) might have been innovative, but it was nowhere close to the best dessert I've ever had. I wouldn't even put that dessert on a list at all. I appreciated all of the creativity that went into planning each beautiful course, but equally (or more importantly), the food was all outstanding. Each course was a true pleasure to eat. Extra appreciation that the tables around us were all at different points of the menu. Each delivery was a surprise since I wasn't watching the same courses delivered to other parties just minutes before. Thank you, Chef Curtis Duffy and everyone who made this night so memorable. read more

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Joined a few friends for this amazing food journey. Wish I could give more than 5 stars. Certainly lives up to the hype, and then some...

The food is fantastic, simply fantastic! The service though, that's what you are going for, I have never had so much fun with a staff than I did at ever! They're amazing, engaging and full of life. It just makes this a come back again and again no matter what. The attention to detail on everything is amazing. We waited a year to plan this, and the minute reservations went live we made sure to book. We will be back again. The ambiance of the establishment is relaxed, chill and you feel at home. read more

The EVER Experience is all that it promises. We flew in specifically to visit to enjoy a special Birthday celebration. The service, superb. The ambiance, tastefully romantic. The menu, beyond words. The three hour meal with added wine pairing was perfect. Every detail and flavor, even down to the basil butter, was amazing to the taste. For fans of The Bear, the opportunity to visit the kitchen and speak with the chefs was the exclamation point to a deliciously perfect evening. read more

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I cannot recommend Ever enough. The food is spectacular, the wines are sublime and surprising but the service is beyond excellent. Attentive, subtle, comfortable and so in tune with your mood. And generous, the whole restaurant has an air of generosity. Simply put, Ever and its team are special. read more

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Went to Ever with my husband and a teenage son to celebrate. Many guests have already covered the review of food and beverages as well as ample amount of pictures and descriptions so I will skip that part. I've dined at multiple Michelin star restaurants in the US and Europe as well and must say this was another great experience. The best of all thus far. The attention to detail on every level. My son especially liked all of the non alcoholic drink pairings. They were extremely well balanced and complimented courses perfectly. I was jealous looking at the presentation of his drinks! Most importantly I must recognize the staff and service hosts. Every guest must have felt like a star because of the undivided level of attention and pleasantness. If I had to use one word to describe this dining experience I would say PERFECTION! Put this experience on your bucket list and enjoy every bite. I certainly did! read more

EVER - Drink pairings - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Regardless of the minor unprofessionalism we experience during our dinner, we still consider our dinner at @everrestaurant to be not bad, however, what happened after the dinner subverted my whole understanding of hospitality. WORST experience EVER @curtisduffy As a foodie I always take notes on the details of each dish I enjoyed. After my dinner at EVER I received their auto email asking for a rating, in which the also said "If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email us" and that's exactly what I did. I sent email regarding some of the ingredients I missed during my dinner, using polite phrases, and not digging into their "secret recipes" ( I do this all the time at more than 100 fine dining places and never had I been treated like this before). Nicole Chavez, the office manager of @everrestaurant first accused me for being "inquisitivsaid will get back to me shortly. Obviously she was not taking this seriously and the so called "shortly" took longer than another two weeks. Then after two weeks I received again an email, saying that they have too many large groups thus has no time to respond to me, without apology yet with arrogance! To make it worse, starting from the THIRD WEEK, they never respond to my email. How arrogant and hostile. I tried to reach out to their director of hospitality @acordell11 but I guess she also want to stay out of this. Deeply disappointed! No chance worth the 20% service fee they mandatorily charged, and definitely not two Michelin standard! How would they ever expect diner to dine back after being treated like this! read more

EVER - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

@everrestaurant is the experience that never disappoints. My brother and I took my mom as a Mother's Day gift. The service was impeccable. We were the lucky table chosen to sit in the private dinning room. Just a little extra special and has a peek into the kitchen. The food was unreal. Flavors and combinations that we have not had before. Favorites were the rabbit dish, truffle risotto, and of course the pea dish. Sweet peas in a dessert course!! The fun of a tasting menu is that you don't know what is coming next!! read more

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4.5 stars actually. 9 out of 10 if it were a choice. Food was great, though like many of these upscale tasting menu establishments the courses seemed to fizzle out a bit toward the end. Service of course was just shy of incredible, though as the place got more crowded our main server which we loved kind of disappeared and we started to get random people showing up. Not necessarily a bad thing just was a little odd and kind of felt like we were being ignored for the last couple courses.. but only slightly. Bathrooms were playing this strange Matthew McConaughey podcast and were so dark I could hardly see (gee I hope I didn't miss!). Kind of freaky. Too many Italian wines with the upper scale pairing. I want variety and I better get a good Pinot. I gathered the wine guy had been to Italy recently but thats no reason to subject us to a barrage of them. Quite disappointed in the wines, though they did come back and pour a bit more if we wanted (which Alinea did not do. We prefer Ever to Alinea BTW) Hit After before Ever, you won't be disappointed. Wish Yelp had 10 stars or multiple ways to rank. I've given 5 stars to places that got worse remarks but didn't cost this much. The connection to the TV show The Bear was fun, apparently our main server was in the show. Good for Ever participating in an iconic foodie show. I reviewed this in Nov 2023 but we were there in late August 2023. read more

EVER - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My wife and I just ate at EVER last weekend. This was our first time at a Michelin starred restaurant and it was everything I expected and more. The music was the perfect accompaniment to the meal, the service was attentive but not overbearing, the décor was elegant and yet comfortable, even the bathroom was an experience. Each dish left lasting memories with all my senses. I could probably wax poetic about all the courses but here were the main dishes that left an impression on us. Scallop: This dish knocked my socks off. The crisp on the scallop and creamy interior was like a perfectly fire roasted seafood marshmallow. The coconut and green curry elixir fully coated my tongue with each bite. I also, and maybe inappropriately, used the Japanese milk bread to soak up the last of the curry from my plate. The butter served with the bread is also the most buttery tasting butter ever. Pork Cheek: The smell of the broth, poured tableside, was intoxicating. The cheek was braised in a way that made it tender but still maintained its structure. I can't remember fully but I think that the small red circles were shallots pickled like pickled beets, they were a great hit of acid while eating this dish. Lamb: I love parsnips and the parsnip sauce did not disappoint. There were these tiny green Japanese peaches that looked like olives and tasted like a mix between a mango and a peach. The lamb was cooked to perfection and this dish may have set an unobtainable standard for how lamb should be presented. A5 Miyazaki Wagyu: A puffed beef tendon with Wagyu tartare and puffed millet, yes please. I can still taste the melt in our mouth fat and the feeling that I was tasting the essence of beef. On the side, there were just the right amount of sour pickles, dates that were like little pieces of candy, and grits that were silky and had just the right amount of cheese. I find myself at a loss to describe the actual steak. It was just mouth watering and without fault. Birthday Cake & Belgian Truffle Waffle: A delightful touch to end the meal. The cake was actually a Coconut Mousse with a Lychee Dusting and a thin slice of cake. To be 100% honest, save for coconut curry, I don't enjoy coconut. I loved this dish. It's like they know how to extract the best parts of each ingredient and then turn them to 11. The Truffle Waffle was a perfect last bite and was representative of our whole experience, perfectly balanced. read more

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This has been on my bucket list for several years, and New Year's Eve was the perfect special occasion to enjoy a 2 Michelin starred experience. The atmosphere was understated elegance, chic and comfortable without any needless distractions from the artfully prepared courses you're served. The staff was so choreographed, I thought I was watching a production of the Joffrey ballet. We were immediately greeted, served a choice of champagne or an espresso martini, and shown to our table. The 3 hour experience flew by as we enjoyed 12 courses with 3 bread and butter pairings and a full wine pairing. I especially loved that they served only 1 meat course (Wagu which was superb), with the other main courses being seafood. I also loved that they served 3 bread pairings with truffle butter to accompany each of the main courses. The wine pours could have been a tiny bit larger, and I was hoping to shake hands with Curtis Duffy, but I won't let that spoil a night to remember. read more

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Everything from service, food to ambience was immaculate. We had the tasting menu with the wine pairings, which is a great option since we get to try wines we typically would not select on our own. I love that I get to learn more about the different wines selections with this experience. Truly everything we were served here was excellent. Overall we had a fantastic dinner experience. read more

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MARTINI WAS NOT COLD!!!! A restaurant like this should keep their coups in the freezer and serve their martinis COLD. I specifically asked for a "supercold" martini. I received a martini that did not even have condensation on the outside of the coup, meaning the fluid in it was the only a little colder the room air. When I asked to get it shaken again, it came back watery. When I mentioned this to one of the staff, they insisted on making me another martini, which I declined, but, wanting to please me, they still made the new drink. But, the gentleman serving me the new martini made the mistake of lying to me. He said the coup "was in" the freezer. (maybe it was, for a minute) But the entire coup was literally room temperature. I said I freeze my coups at home, and they come out entirely frosty, and said so, calling him on his lie. (I do hate to be gaslit) He insisted a few more times so he would not look like he lied, and finally twisted a bit to say he had "put it in" the freezer, but even he had to acknowledge that the dang coup was NOT even cold. Also, the proper way to pour champagne is SLOWLY, and DOWN THE SIDE OF THE FLUTE. It is silly showiness when the champagne is poured from above into the center of the flute, needlessly removing some of the carbonation that contributes to the piquance of the champagne. EVER staff should know this. read more

From the moment we enter this restaurant we knew it was going to be very special. Every dish was meticulously prepared and every flavor shows the magnitude of work it requires to make it. From the general manager to the host and every waiter, our service was above and beyond. Our three year old daughter enjoyed a very special dinner and I wouldn't imagine it any other way than at Ever. Every wall texture, lighting, furniture's pieces are harmoniously combined to create a very peaceful and relaxed experience. read more

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Suitably attentive staff but not obnoxiously so. Wine service was great, and my companion got a nice extra birthday dessert. It's an investment for a special night and a special someone. read more

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Unfortunately, ever did not live up to the hype or my expectations. After finally booking it and having friends travel in from out of state to join, it wasn't the experience or food we thought it would be. Our friends had been to Grace, so they were super excited for another chef Duffy place. They were disappointed as well. I think I struggle with a lot of 2 stars. They are the price of a three star usually, but lacking the flavor and experience of a 3 star. And this was the price of a 3 star. Nothing was bad about the food, but nothing blew me away. It was a basic tasting menu with nothing exciting flavor wise or experience wise. There were no homages to good ingredients like at TFL and no crazy mind tricks like Alinea. The most disappointing part was the wine pairing. For $200 each basically, I would expect some fun and nice wines. As we looked up the wines, some of the bottles were really common and really cheap. I want to be impressed and introduced to new flavors, not given something I could buy myself. The service wasn't the best either. Our team was really nice, but they paced the dishes such that we were some of the last people in the restaurant and you could tell they wanted us to leave. We didn't get the tea service that we've seen online either when ordered. So, great design inside and vibe, but missing the mark on everything. I would save your money and visit another place. read more

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Chef Curtis Duffy's EVER is a MUST if you're in Chicago--add it to your bucket list right now! It's is a full sensory experience from the moment you step inside: the interior is breathtaking, every dish is perfectly coursed out and crafted to engage and entice all of your senses, and the service was impeccable. Favorite was the frozen hamachi ribbon that melts in your mouth! Chef Duffy is brilliant and I am obsessed. Definitely one of my top dining experiences EVER! read more

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Had an amazing meal here and cannot wait to return. The space, setting, service, ingredients and presentations are all top notch (as are the bathrooms!!). Meal from beginning to end was for the most part flawless, and our captain Paulina was perfect - the best service we encountered in a whirlwind 10 michelin star 4 day trip to chicago. Presentations and techniques are interesting and very thoughtful, dishes change as you eat them, making all of the bites fun and unique (e.g. frozen hiramasa, parmesan tuile that gradually melts). The dining room is beautifully done and a very tranquil space. read more

I had really high hopes for this restaurant since it's a 2 Michelin star restaurant and the head chef/owner is Curtis Duffy who formally worked at the now closed Grace restaurant which also had 2 Michelin stars. I've been blown away by Oriole & Moody which current also hold 2 Michelin stars and thought Ever would be equally good. Unfortunately I don't feel like the food and service was close to being on par with other 2 Michelin star restaurants I've visited. The interior design of the restaurant is so beautiful and feels very upper-scale. The tables are arranged in such a way that things still feel intimate. The food was "good" but not amazing or memorable. Of the 10 courses my husband and I had, we both only felt like one course was very good and blew us away (the duck course). I though they would have more memorable courses. Normally at fine dining restaurants the staff appropriately calibrates the timing of when courses are brought out so that it is at the least intrusive moments during the meal. While in the middle of eating my bread during bread service, I was served a course and awkwardly had to put my food down and move my plate so that the server could place my course in front of me on the table. If the bread and course should go together they should have been served at the same time, not in the middle of me eating my food. If the bread should be consumed before the course then they should have waited until I was done to bring out my course. Throughout the night the servers didn't seem like they gave a lot of thought about how they were serving us. For example, making sure the table was cleaned properly after every course, and letting us know "how" to consume certain courses is key in the experience and we almost never were told how to consume our food. Our server spoke so fast while describing courses that we couldn't even understand what he was saying. He wasn't welcoming or inviting. I honestly felt like we were a bother to him. Once we finished all courses and our drinks, it seemed to take forever to get the check. There weren't many customers since it was late during the evening and many staff members were walking around. I'm sure someone clearly saw we were done, but no one offer to bring the check even after my husband and I did our best to try and make eye contact with any staff member who passed us. I finally decided to just flag down a staff member who was walking past us to ask him to get our check. This didn't feel like a premium dining experience. Once we received the check an automatic 20% service charge was added. Totally normal and expected of course for the service provided by the wait staff. However, next to the receipt on the side I read that this "service charge" was added to pay their staff livable wages and is not considered gratuity. After charging $285 per person for dinner (this doesn't include the wine pairing) this restaurant still is unable to pay their staff livable wages and needs to add an additional 20% service charge which is not "gratuity". It's a bit confusing because while the receipt says gratuity is "discretionary", in American culture it's customary to give gratuity. Are they expecting that on top of the 20% service charge, their customers also will pay normal gratuity? That seems a bit steep to say the least. If the service charge 100% is going to the staff, I think they should make it clear that any additional gratuity added is just that, "Additional". However if 100% of the service charge is not going to the staff, as a customer, if you'd like to give your server appropriate gratuity for the service they provided, that would then put this meal at a 40% gratuity/service charge premium. That is absolutely ludicrous and is not worth it what so ever for this restaurant. Outside of the service / gratuity charge, this restaurant was not worth the price at all unfortunately. read more

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Went there in May, i can't believe how they didnt received the 3rd star after dining there. im posting on my computer but i will upload the photos, i asked at the end of the service to go to the kitchen and its pristine. i was so lucky that my partner canceled me that night so i went by myself and enjoyed the whole experience, great food, great service from a mexican young guy and fine dining ambience all the way. well done, for me you are 3*** read more

Grateful that Curtis Duffy/Michael Muser and his amazing team opened Ever. From start to finish, the service, the ambiance, the dishes, the knowledge from the staff, health/safety protocols were impeccable. Photos of the dishes don't do any justice to the flavor components and attention to detail of every dish. *Do the wine pairing! Really enjoyed the transition from rosé, Riesling, to Pinot Noir (and the sommelier was amazing- so much enthusiasm when telling you the history of each wine and was clear/concise). We went to celebrate my fiancé birthday: Curtis Duffy's previous restaurant Grace will always have a special place in our heart. Couple of years ago we got engaged and celebrated for my fiancé's birthday and a surprise engagement celebration. Fast forward- our wedding in Paris got cancelled this year due to the pandemic but so so grateful that we were able to celebrate for a round two at this restaurant! Can't wait to come back and go through another experience as the menu change and hope to see this team be more successful than EVER!! read more

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