Just impeccable all around. Vibe was perfect. Service couldn't have been better. Best tasting menu I've had in Chicago and probably in the top 5 meals I've ever had. Can't wait to go back someday. read more

I walked in and thought after having the first 3 bites before being escorted to our table that this would be the best restaurant I've ever been to. However, all of the dishes were too salty for my palate afterwards. (It may be perfect for you but search salty key word on Yelp!) I desperately needed sparking water and tea throughout the evening to get through the dishes. Even after all the sparkling water I had, they came and refilled my water cup with flat water, which was a tad disappointing for such a prestigious restaurant. For the amount you spend, I'd hate to leave the bite on the table. Golden Enoki was my favorite dish. Least favorite was the soufflé. Cocktails wasn't too great. I left most of it untouched as it wasn't cold enough & no one wants to drink a warm cocktail. PS. If you're sitting on the table at the far right corner when facing the dining room, you'll get all the noise of guests entering or exiting the restaurant. It's a nice experience but definitely not recommending to friends unless you have $500 to drop on overly salty food! read more

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Service was superb. They even had bag hooks. And the small bites in the beginning at the bar were great too. The scallop was so tender. Entrees got saltier when we got to our table but it wasn't unbearable. Everything is very soupy besides the steak. Dessert was our least favorite. It was also because we were the first to try it and I don't recommend being a Guinea pig. The soufflé would've been fine without the obvious cheese taste. I would've enjoyed it more if it was some black sesame paste or if the sesame was stronger. Mochi was impossible to cut through because it was too cold and one large layered block. They could've done the little pebbled mochi in bingsu dishes. I wasn't expecting so much south Asian spices in my dessert. But the bonbons were like a cruel joke when you have to eat a regurgitated version of your meal with a little sweetness. They incorporate a lot of foie gras in the dishes, which was fine on the bread but after that it started being too much. However they are very accommodating and call ahead to confirm food allergies. read more

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Went here for a private event - amazing inventive 5 course meal, tasty drink pairings, and great service!

The experience is unparalleled. The food is fantastic, the service impeccable and the ambience is cool. Best restaurant in Chicago if not the United States. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Amazing experience! Worth every penny! I don't drink alcohol so I had the non-alcohol drink pairing - and it just made the courses that much more special. Will definitely return! read more

One of the best meals I've ever had. I love how they move you around the restaurant, and the experience is white table cloth service but in a more comfortable, unique, and just cool environment. Every course was delicious with Japanese influences (the wagyu, Hokkaido scallop, and foie gras dishes were especially memorable) and drink pairings were on point. Definitely recommend for a special occasion. On another note - my husband and I have also made it to their nightcap a few times (starts at 10pm in their bar area), and the ham sandwich really is ridiculously good. read more

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Oriole is in such a cool space that is almost hidden from the outside. When we arrived, we were escorted into a freight elevator to enjoy a small cup of tea. I thought we would go up the elevator to the restaurant, but the doors opened and there we were. I enjoy restaurants that give you courses in different locations! It really breaks up the sitting and allows you to see the entire space. We started at the bar with a delicious cocktail and 3 amuse bouches which were some of the tastiest bites I've ever had! Next we were onto the kitchen to enjoy the first course of foie gras on a crostini topped with gold dust. Delicious but I had gold on my face for hours. :) Then we went to the dining room for the rest of the meal. The dining room was small - only about 8 tables. We enjoyed 9 courses over the next few hours, which were all delicious and very beautifully plated. Some highlights - tomato with caviar, the pasta dish was melt-in-your-mouth amazing and the wagyu beef course was incredible. The biggest disappointment for me was dessert. I think a lot of Michelin restaurants fail to put their attention on dessert or they make it too fancy. The pallet cleanser was not my favorite - though it was pretty to look at. They gave us lemon and sesame soufflés with a cheese sauce poured on top table side. It was their take on a cheese course. The soufflé was cooked perfectly but the flavor was very strange with cheese and didn't work for me as a dessert. The last dessert featured pear which was just okay but honestly forgettable. If dessert had been as good as the savory dishes, this meal would've been one of the best I've ever had. That said, it's still an amazing meal prepared for by highly talented chefs and the service was absolutely incredible. read more

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We celebrated our anniversary at Oriole tonight. It was extraordinary. Amanda and Daniel took great care of us. As we were seated at our table, Daniel asked Vito if he'd like his beverage glasses on the left, because he noticed that Vito is lefthanded. Vito loved this because he's never been able to enjoy this before, and he probably never will again because it's an affront to my sensibilities, but I was impressed that they study their guests closely enough to notice Vito's left handedness and that it's part of their culture to offer lefties their beverages on the left. Sommelier Emily Rosenfeld knocked our socks off, both with the wine selections, which were unique and exciting, and her presentation of the wines. Talking with Emily felt like a masterclass. We also enjoyed the most ripe, fragrant, and perfect truffle I've been served in a restaurant since we were in Italy. It was a Chilean Winter Black truffle, which I think is Tuber melanosporum Vitt. The team signed an anniversary card for us and displayed it on our table. For those who haven't dined at Oriole, your first course is enjoyed at the bar, the second course is served in the kitchen, and the balance of the courses are enjoyed at your private table. When I arrived, they observed that my handbag doesn't have a strap to hang from a hook, so they gave me a little table just for my handbag, and my bag's little table followed me all night. It was a really charming touch. I'm adept at putting my handbag behind me on my chair, but the table was even better. There were so many thoughtful touches. We loved our experience! read more

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How do you improve on perfection? Somehow Oriole has managed it. We attended the opening night of Oriole 2.0, and amazingly they are delivering another level above their already perfect restaurant experience. During the pandemic Oriole undertook an ambitious project to completely reconceive their space, including expanding into the adjacent building, creating a stunning new kitchen, and a bar reminiscent of affiliated Kiko. All of this was done without losing the intimacy of the original dining room, which is only slightly larger, yet considerably more spacious. And the new kitchen is simply jaw dropping awesome! The journey is different, too. You now being with some tastings at the lovely new bar, then venture to your table for a succession of ever more spectacular dishes, then make a visit to the kitchen counter for one course, and return to your table for the final savory courses, and then several dessert courses. It's difficult to pick a favorite in all of this, and Noah is still experimenting with new dishes. I lost count, but there were at least 25 different dishes, and all were hits. Julia was there with her amazing cocktails since Kumiko is not yet reopened, and Aaron his further upped the wine offerings, with a tremendous list of old world gems at very reasonable prices. Or, if you want the perfect wine with every course, no place offers a better pairing menu. Cara was there making sure everything ran smoothly. The staff includes the majority of their pre-pandemic personnel, but has expanded to handle the larger space. It was already operating with the accustomed relaxed, friendly precision of old times, even on opening night. Oriole has been my favorite restaurant in the world since their original opening, and Oriole 2.0 ensures it will remain so. read more

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A really lovely evening with friends! We booked the kitchen table, which is definitely worth the extra. It was fun to have bites in the kitchen then be able to see the chefs in action. I love that it's dinner and a show! Overall, the food was really good. One of the bites in the kitchen (I won't spoil!) was one of my favorite bites I've ever eaten and ever will. It was on par with one at The French Laundry for me. I give it four stars because a two star restaurant is always tough for me. The pricing is really expensive and like some three stars, but not every dish wowed me. Some of them were okay. For the wine pairing, we did a basic and one level up (reserve maybe?). The basic wine pairing had a few wines I did not like, so I'm glad I did the reserve. Overall it was really good but again not my favorite pairing. Compared to other two stars, I would say this was my favorite in Chicago! read more

Oriole - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wow, Oriole was truly one of the best tasting menus I've experienced around Chicago. I'll be up front by saying I'm not a fine dining guy whatsoever, but I do like to occasionally check out these tasting menus mainly for the unique experience and the opportunity to eat foods and ingredients that I didn't even know existed or wouldn't typically be willing to try. I can't pretend like I can articulate the complexities and nuances embedded within each dish, but what I can offer is a simple love it or hate it...and I absolutely loved everything I was served at Oriole. Experience: Oriole was a bit unique in the sense that you don't go straight to your table. When you check in with the hostess, you wait in this old elevator shaft area and they give you a welcome tea. Then you enter a hidden door from the elevator shaft and realize that the space is a lot bigger than it appears from the outside. The first course is at the bar, and is actually coordinated with the other parties with the same reservation time. We were a few minutes late due to traffic and embarrassed to discover that the other two couples were waiting for us before beginning the meal. They served an amuse bouche at the bar with a glass of champagne. Next, you move to the open kitchen area where you can see Chef Sandoval and the staff hard at work. The kitchen was shockingly calm and quiet...much different than the high-stress French brigade kitchens you see in the movies. They serve another canape and a glass of Vermut Rose. Finally, they bring you to your individual tables for the remainder of your meal. We were greeted with a personalized card signed by the entire staff. The service was spot on all night, which was to be expected at a high-end restaurant, but still appreciated nevertheless. Price: Inflation definitely doesn't help, but Oriole is pretty comparably priced ($285/person) to other Michelin tasting menus around Chicago like Alinea ($355), Esme ($235), and Kasama ($235). I'd imagine these prices were easily 30% cheaper just a few years ago. When you add on wine pairings, mandatory 20% service charge, and then a 12% tax applied on both the food and service charge though, then you're easily looking at a $1200 tab for two. We also had the option to upgrade the pasta to use white truffle since it was in season (extra $100/person after fees). Very steep, but hey that's the cost of fine dining these days. Food: The dinner consisted of 14 mini courses (5 canapes, 3 mains, 2 sides, 1 intermezzo, 2 desserts, 1 mignardise). If you're doing the standard wine pairing, it includes 7 mini pours at your table in addition to the 2 complimentary pours they served at the beginning. The entire meal was paced perfectly, running for just about 3 hours. I've learned that I much prefer winter tasting menus over spring/summer because of the warm and comforting type dishes that are usually associated with winter ingredients. Oriole's menu is great because it's not a rotating or themed menu, so there's not a constant pressure to experiment and re-invent themselves. They have the freedom to stick to some iconic classics and fan favorites, and then just sprinkle in any new innovations. Tasting Menu: Golden Kaluga caviar with hiramasa, wasabi, crème fraiche, beurre blanc, shiso leaf Pairing: Champagne Foie Gras mousse, toasted brioche, huckleberry, pink peppercorn gastrique, gold dusted anise hyssop Pairing: Vermut Rose Butter poached King Crab from Santa Barbara wrapped in nori Carabineros prawn, sauce americaine, saffron, sourdough paste Spiny Lobster, coconut milk, yuzu tapioca, honeydew, lemongrass Pairing: Riesling Spatlese Matsutake mushroom, black truffle, poached foie gras, tarragon, chicken broth steeped with ginger Pairing: Sake Norwegian Steelhead trout, crispy fish skin, confit potato, castelvetrano olive, caramelized artichoke broth Mini sourdough loaf, aerated artichoke a la barigoule crème Pairing: Marsannay Red Burgundy Caraway capellini, yeast beurre monti, shaved white truffle, puffed winter rye berries Pairing: Meursault White Burgundy A5 Miyazaki wagyu beef brushed with fresh tableside wasabi, charred little gem lettuce, black pepper, Hakurei turnip puree, fermented honey beef reduction; Shiso beef broth Pairing: Bordeaux Peach veil, Tasmanian pepperberry gel, spruce sorbet, mochi marshmallow, peach foam, brown butter spruce shortbread Soufflé, lemon, toasted sesame seeds, Delice de Bourgogne cheese sauce Pairing: Pear Cider Mont Blanc with charred eggplant mousse, kokuto, ginger jelly, kinako creama, burnt organge, candied ginger tart shell Pairing: Vin Santo Chianti Classico Mignardises Toasted yeast / coconut-herb bon bons Overall, whether Oriole is worth the price is completely up to you. In terms of the volume of food, I've definitely been more full at other tasting menus, but in terms of end to end experience Oriole ranks up there as one of the best meals we've had. read more

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The experience at Oriole was underwhelming and disappointing. In total I dropped about $2k for a dinner for 2. This was by far the most expensive Michelin experience I've had. First I would like to say the meal started with high hopes. The bar and kitchen bite set the bar very high. The kampachi was awesome. The foie gras bite on brioche was heavenly! However, it quickly went down hill after we went to the dining room. The potato scalloped turbo was over cooked. We received some prawn and sorbet dish that had no hint of seafood sweetness. The raw beets we received were well... just raw beets. The last savory course was a Miyazaki A5 Wagyu. The most played out fancy cut of meat. This is 2025... not 2015. I could have made the same piece of meat at home. Just a simply grilled yaki tori cubed piece of meat... where is the ingenuity?Desserts were also uninspired and forgetful. Some stroopwaffle and macaroon. To the places credit there were some successes. Milk bread and caviar and truffle pasta. But getting two dishes right out out 12+ is hardly anything to be proud of. It's like a 300lb man losing 10lbs. Yay? The bar is a lot higher especially when you are spending good money. This is not amateur hour anymore. The part that really felt wasteful was the additions on top of the dining experience. Or shall I say lack of experience. I opted for the truffle and reserve wine tasting. My wife went also did the truffle addition with the non alcoholic beverage tasting. Those additions were a good $900 extra excluding tip. The wines were weak poured. And of all the tasting there was one single glass of red. For $400 I expected more Especially volume... the truffle addition was pitiful. It cost a $300 extra for the two of us. We got a truffle pasta bite included that had shaved truffles (yes it was yummy) along with a doughnut bite with a vanilla micro planned truffle topping. Extra emphasis on the micro. For an addition $300 this felt like an insane rip off. I don't mind spending money for great food and a great experience. But after spending close to $2k for the whole meal for two people, I can't help but feel ripped off. My wife and I were seriously contemplating stopping by Au Cheval for a burger on our way home. This place does not hold a candle to its Michelin peers in Chicago (Alinea/Claudia/Grace -now closed/Acadia-now closed/Next). I can't help but to think I could have spent 1/2 the amount at another fancy restaurant and gotten a much better dining experience. read more

So we love Oriole 1.0 and 2.0 is doing what many Michelin restaurants in Washington D.C. are doing now; progressive movements throughout the restaurant as you experience dishes (see Jônt in D.C. for an incredible experience!) However, Oriole was really expensive and the 2nd visit just fell... flat. I think it's either overpriced now or just needs a much better drink and pastry review. The classic pasta dish and pâtè bite delivered again, but the wine pairing was really a miss on our night and the dessert?- one of the worst I've ever experienced. This foodie couple on Youtube (channel "S3") also had our menu and in their review, they gave the same dumb eggplant dessert a big fail. The weird thing is we paid a LOT for this dinner, so where was the Michelin-level of desserts? I'm not joking that McDonald's apple pies are genuinely better than the dessert menu we got. After that eggplant... thing... we got two bonbons that tasted like early dishes (purposefully), which wasn't inspiring. We got no take-home treat and considering the poor wine pairing, this was not money well spent on a return visit. It takes a lot for us to travel from the suburbs for an event like this, so we were disappointed. read more

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The best meal I have ever had! Was a little on the fence about making this reservation because of the cost but it was 100% worth it and I'd do it again and go back. They also customized the food for me because I don't eat sea food but my husband does. The experience was awesome- it felt intimate and special. The food was delicious. Though there were many courses, I didn't feel overly full. The service was great, we never had to wait for anything. If you want a truly special dining experience - great food, ambiance, and service- highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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Book now... stop reading and reserve your table now. The loft: could spend a lifetime looking at the cookbooks and playing really horrible drunken drum solos and wake up to that shower and the espresso machine. The staff: hands down the coolest people. The little touches they add to your experience shows what a team they have and how much they truly care and love what they do. The chef: Don't get me started... just go make your reservation already. The restaurant: there isn't enough time to take in all the hard work that must have gone into to making this place not just a culinary delight but an easy on the eyes really cool experience. Thank you, chefs! read more

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Writing an update after another visit, this time to the beautiful renovated space and the kitchen table. Food is amazing, some of the most thoughtful and composed dishes you'll find in Chicago. The setting and service is amazing, and the kitchen table is great providing views of everything happening in the kitchen and time to stare up at the amazing ceiling. Oriole is somewhere I would eat every time I visit Chicago. read more

Saying Oriole is "good" 2024 may as well be considered a trite platitude. It is already known, Oriole is an incredible experience. No spoilers--it was one of the best meals I've ever had to opportunity to enjoy in 30 years on planet Earth. The FOH staff: Billy, Raul, Leighton, Maggie et al. top of their game clinicians--masters of their craft. The chefs' cooking speaks for them in volumes. You can feel their intention and commitment to ingredients in their prep/execution. This restaurant is a temple for food enjoyers, a testament to the raw, unadulterated power of the Chicago food scene. Worth every penny, spared no expense. read more

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Superlative, world-class dining located a short walk from my Chicago apartment. I'm moving away from Chicago and mentioned this on my reservation note. I received a farewell card signed by the entire staff. I've been "writing" about food for years now, and mostly struggling to find the words or the correct balance between imagery and facts. That is especially true with Oriole: it's an engaging once-in-a-lifetime dining experience without the weirdness that leads me to discourage folks from visiting *that three-star restaurant*. Rave reviews all around, the new space is spectacular. read more

What a great experience from start to finish... truly top class. The staff here is amazing! As a vegan, I was very pleased with everything served across all courses. The effort in preparation and presentation clearly shows. Everything was very flavorful and innovative. read more

Oriole is now one of my favorite restaurants in the country. Can't wait to come back again (next year maybe) . They start you with tea in this freight elevator thing and then they move you around the space inside for the tasting and pairing experience before you reach your table for the rest of the tasting. At the end of all your delightful courses they give you the menu to reflect on or remember the meal with. They were also extremely accommodating and cautious with my food allergies to give me the best experience possible. read more

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I can't believe I haven't reviewed Oriole! I had the most amazing dinner at Oriole and at this point I've forgotten exactly what I ate there. However, it was sublime. The service was impeccable- friendly, not pretentious, welcoming and just perfect. It was as if they anticipated our needs and then fulfilled whatever we were looking for. Wine, water, where the bathroom was, all of it. The food, while I don't remember exactly what I had, I do remember that every bite was more delicious than the last. Fresh, inventive, flavorful. We visited for a special occasion and everything about the restaurant felt special. Well worth the price for the thought and attention that went into every part of the dining experience. Can't wait to return. read more

Came here for an early celebration of my partner's boyfriend pre-covid-19. All the expectations of a 2 Michelin business, plus additional added flares to make the experience unique, starting with the entrance way! but I won't give anything else away on that. I forgot the exact numbers but the seating capacity in the dining room is something around 30-40 and they time the reservations out so the room is only half filled (maybe because of social distancing or because this is not they normally are, not sure). About 14+ courses of small bites and the dinner last a little over 3 hours. The dishes were all presented very eloquently and deliberately and on some occasions one of the chefs would come by to add the finishing touches right at the table which was nice and gave you a chance to tell them thank you. Dishes were a mix of many different cultures and styles of cooking and even though small, really nicely made. We left not full, but tired because it was a long dinner. I kind of wish for some more surprises in flavor, but the food went exactly with the vibe of Oriole. Had the higher quality items like caviar, wagyu, and truffles of course. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. read more

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First time in Chicago and we heard so many good things about this restaurant so we got lucky with reservations so we we're excited to try Oriole. The experience starts right when you walk in the door and follows you all to your last bite. Amazing food and atmosphere! Worth every penny and we're definitely coming back when we visit the city again. read more

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It's not just the food that makes a restaurant, it's also the vibe. The minute you enter Oriole you know you're in for an evening that you won't soon forget. Never have had such attentive yet not overbearing service. These people are doing what they love and if not they are excellent at acting like they do! Oriole is about you enjoying the complete experience of fine dining without being stuffy or pretentious. It's been a week and I can still feel the serotonin buzz every time I think of one of the gastronomically amazing dishes or delicious wine pairings that my friend and I had. I know I'm laying it on thick but so wowed by everything! read more

Loved it! The service was impeccable! Can't say enough good things about the service. We received a tour of different stations, including the bar and the kitchen. The food was presented beautifully and was absolutely delicious! Some of the guests in our party didn't enjoy the dessert courses (possible room for improvement there), but I loved every dish. read more

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The staff went above and beyond for us. Several weeks ahead of time they let us know that they can (and love to!) accommodate vegans. I could tell that they basically made a vegan equivalent to whatever the non-vegan menu had and everything was spectacular. The hosts were so delightful to talk to and the ambiance was just gorgeous. read more

Oriole - Vegan 16-course tasting menu - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The best meal of my life. I don't want to draw comparisons, but this is better than any other Michelin starred experience that I've had. The service was attentive, but not suffocating. Friendly, not informal but not overly formal. The pacing of the courses was absolutely perfect. Each course was described very well, and everyone knew every detail of each dish. The multiple stations, starting with the bar, then the kitchen and ultimately your table was well-paced, fun and engaging. The food was perfect. What you see on the plate was beautifully presented, but still surprised you with flavor. The pasta course in particular was surprising. It was one of the absolute best things I've ever eaten. I can't say enough about this place. It's a true gem, a magnum opus for any restaurant anywhere. read more

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We have always shied away from visiting a Michelin restaurant a second time. If it was good it was fear of a letdown, if not so good we didn't want a repeat. We finally took a chance and visited Oriole for a second time. Our first visit, about 18 months ago was amazing so we thought we would go again. Clearly they knew we were returning customers, everyone welcomed us with "welcome back". As a special treat the captain of our service team, Billy, was the same one we had on the previous visit! The best part was while we know the rhythm and flow of a meal at Oriole the menu had changed enough that was it fresh and we were still surprised by each course. The service is first class, amazing teamwork. It's so much fun having the kitchen staff come out and finish certain courses. Everyone has a deep knowledge of their craft and if you ask they love to share. The standard wine pairing is top notch so original and thoughtful. We are so glad we took the leap of faith and did Oriole part 2. We will be dreaming of Oriole 3! Hopefully it will be to celebrate Orioles third star it would be richly deserved. read more

Food...bomb Drinks... bomb Ambiance and service...bomb, wait no, impeccable* Reservations booked and paid in advance, options for pairings and a la carte drinks upon arrival. You do get two included drink pairings, both at the bar and kitchen experience of the dinner. We received 14 dishes, 15 including bread and butter, with take home truffles, take home truffles might have been for a bday celebration. Never had I ever had Service in the USA where they walk you to the bathroom and open the door for you. Outstanding service! They mentioned the menu changes every two weeks. If you're in town or a local, it's a must try. If you're looking to work in the food industry, no regrets working there! Will be coming back, thank you oriole for the amazing experience! read more

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This is a fairly belated review but I can explain - You know the saying, don't let perfect be the enemy of good? Well, I failed to do so and slept on the review for way too many nights, fearing that a less than perfect review wouldn't do this place justice. My best friend and I came here at the end of October. The entrance to the restaurant couldn't be more inconspicuous. The waiting area that made us curious and curiouser was essentially a freight elevator, through which we were introduced into an intimate and stylish loft-like dining room that somehow also managed to be both upscale and cozy. Coming from New York where space is a luxury, I really appreciated the generous table spacing. The tasting menu was incredible - no weak links. My favorites were the Hudson Valley Foie Gras, A5 Wagyu, and truffle capellini. Service was absolutely impeccable. Meticulous attention to detail - simply make a trip to the restroom and you'll know what I'm talking about. We're lucky to have enjoyed a few Michelin-starred tasting menus, and while each was unique in its own way, we both agree that this is by far the best we've experienced, from food to service to ambiance. read more

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Now this is the hands down best restaurant in Chicago that we have dined at. We ate at Ever and Alinea which were nice 4 star restaurants with tasting menus with each having a dish or two that were tasty and creative but compared to Oriole they were both a solid star below. Oriole create from the start a completely creative inviting atmosphere. Very different from most every restaurant, they greet you and seat you at the bar and give you complimentary spirits (sparkling sake) to go with an morsel of uni with snow crab on top and a succulent incredibly sweet thick shrimp that was amazing. They take the time to understand what you prefer to drink at your meal before you are at your table. I do not drink much alcohol so they made a special ginger bear to my taste. Then they guide you to a station front and center to the kitchen where you get your next morsel of heavenly buttery yet crunch bread with foie gras and other amazing flavors that melts in your mouth with another complimentary drink that paired beautifully. They take the time to explain the chefs and their attention to detail, etc.. Then they take you to your table and then each new dish was steadily more amazing than the previous one. Each of the dishes provided our taste buds a "wow" and that is an impressive feat. I will not go into every dish but they were fabulous such as an incredible small but amazing capellini pasta in butter with yeast and a good amount of truffle to die for to cumulating in one of the best A5 Wagu dishes we have had ever. Now we have eaten Wagu in over 30 fine dining restaurants from the US to Europe to Japan so believe me we know good food and definitely Wagu for sure. I did not realize it but they are ranked #12 in the US and we could taste it. They also had a solid 4 or so sweet desert dishes that were equally amazing so that really provided a well rounded full experience from beginning to the end. They are in our top 10 list and to give you an idea, some of our top ten places are Ultra Violet in Shanghai, French Laundry in Yountville, Kitcho in Japan to name a few. This is place that is very fancy, but has the food to back up the price and is at a level that we would go back again for sure! read more

Two Michelin stars! Really cool freight elevator that looks sketchy and opens into a beautiful dining area Starts at the little bar area where you get a drink, then in the middle open kitchen where you get this amazing gold flake foie gras toast omg and another drink I was a little too buzzed by these early drinks and spent the rest of the meal drinking water Japanese milk bread and the most amazing butter Wagyu, need I say more? Everything was amazing Special card for our anniversary celebration Service was fantastic Really great attention to detail Such an amazing experience, I really enjoyed this. read more

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It goes without saying that this is a dining EXPERIENCE. The enjoyment goes beyond the food (which of course is extraordinarily delicious and unique). The ambiance, service, and creativity of the space also contribute greatly to the cuisine. I came here for a belated graduation celebration with my parents and it went beyond expectations (which were already quite high to begin with). This is definitely a special occasion type of place, given the price tag. I was delighted and inspired throughout the meal! I hope one day I can go again! read more

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We chose to eat at Oriole for our 10th anniversary dinner and it lived up to the Chicago foodie scene hype. I won't go too into detail about each individual item, but everything was delicious. The ambiance of the restaurant is incredible- very high-end food, but with a more comfortable feel. We started our meal with another group at the bar where they chatted with us about what we wanted to do pairing-wise (we both went with individual cocktails). They have a couple sets of wine pairings, a non-alcoholic pairing, and also individual cocktails. You also get your first few bites at this part of the restaurant. From there, we enjoyed a course with the same group in the "kitchen" of the restaurant which was very fun to watch everyone work and get to visit with some of the chefs. From there, you are seated at your table for the rest of the meal. I loved how spacious this part of the meal felt, often you feel crammed in at restaurants- that was not the vibe here at all. The staff provided a small table to hold my phone so I could take all of the fun food pictures, and a hook so my purse never had to touch the floor. Lots of high-end touches here, but it did not feel stuffy at all. The food was fantastic- we are still talking about several of the courses months later. For me, this was likely a once-in-a-lifetime meal- but I am so glad we went, and if it was in the budget I would return for sure! read more

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Having dined at Oriole 1.0 on a number of occasions I sort of knew what to expect for Oriole 2.0 and boy was I way wrong. They exceeded my VERY high expectations a thousand fold, I mean WOW! First off the space is incredibly warm and welcoming with a kitchen ceiling plastered in music posters and album covers, so amazingly well designed that it's almost easy to forget the sheer amount of work that went into making it feel effortlessly casual. Next up the vibe, so calm and cool, it starts and ends with the owners Cara and Noah Sandoval. They exude a love for their patrons and their restaurant that is palpable,, when they ask what you think they GENUINELY CARE about what you think. Now for the food, if Oriole 1.0 was a young musical prodigy from Salzburg named Mozart, Oriole 2.0 is a mature Mozart who has been to Paris and lives in Vienna and has the maturity and education to fulfill the potential of his genius. Like Mozart after Paris, Noah's dishes are now fully realized symphonies, concertos and operas. Every note harmonious and yet each stand alone. I once thought Oriole was one of the top restaurants in Chicago (no easy task), I now feel it is one of the best in the world! Bravo Maestro, Bravo!!! read more

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This is the best overall meal that I've ever had in my life. It's also triple the price of the most expensive meal that I've ever paid for. If you have the means, Oriole should be first on your list for fine dining. It's truly world class. If your income is more modest (such as myself) but you want the ultimate splurge, I'd argue it's worth it. I don't want to spoil the experience by revealing the multiple dining locations you are ushered to, or the current menu. But everything about Oriole is a perfectly choreographed routine. It's by far the best service I've ever encountered, without being pretentious. As with most Michelin star restaurants in this price range, you get your typical caviar, foie gras, A5, etc. But the presentations were so intricate and beautiful that I felt guilty even eating some dishes. And while each individual portion might be on the smaller side, after 14 of them, I've never been so full (and satisfied) in my life. Dinner took three hours, and I cherished every moment. I only have one critique. There was just a single true meat course (the A5) and no pasta dishes, so the meal felt a bit unbalanced. One less dessert, and one more savory course (ideally a nice pasta, or perhaps a lamb dish) would have somehow elevated this even further. Regardless, everything about Oriole is as close perfection as I can imagine. It's an experience of the highest order. read more

Aloha, if I could give 10 stars I would. Best dining experience I've had in a very very long time. K gang you know I'm a foodie who eats out way too often and has to experience the best of a city. Well Chicago has their best and Oriole should be tagged as their best. Serious solid food, awesome wine director Aaron guides you to the best bottles to compliment this great food for a spectacular gastronomic experience. From truffles to caviar to foam to wagyu to soufflé, yum I'm singing "these are a few of my favorite things". A true foodie experience. Don't miss it. Our group of 8 from Hawaii were lucky to get the private dining room and we were in true form loud Hawaiians having a great time. I will definitely be back each time in Chicago. Mahalo Jason for the great tip. Aaron come visit us in Hawaii! read more

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Oriole is a 10/10 I have dined at many Michelin starred spots both in Chicago and around the world and Oriole is amongst the best in the list. In my personal opinion, it is leaps and bounds more technically perfect than Alinea and I prefer the entire ambiance and experience to it in terms of comfortability and reduced pretense whilst maintaining class and elegance. There were wonderful and creative non-alcoholic pairings with the dishes that were of exceptional variety and quality. Every dish was a hit. This is the best restaurant in Chicago, hands down. read more

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Okay, this is a hard review to do. Because I've never had a $600 meal before. I don't even think I've had a $300 meal before. So going here, I expected to be absolutely blown away in every imaginable way. The expectations were so immensely high, it's almost unfair, because how could they be met. But that was the end result, was wondering, there must be something more, right? For both amount of food and general experience. Now, it was a very carefully cultivated experience and menu. It's neat moving locations from the bar to kitchen to table. It's intimate. The wine pairings are great. The food is presented really well. So why 4 stars? Again, we just left feeling like $1200 could've been better spent elsewhere. And maybe that's unfair. read more

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