First time at a Michelin star and I have to say - I didn't know food could be so indescribable. The tasting menu gave a variety of flavors and textures that was unforgettable. It was a whole elevated dining experience. My favorite was the foie gras mouse - lightly and creamy. Definitely gotta spoil yourself once a while. Service was excellent and attentive. I would recommend this place. read more

We were exploring new restaurants in Chicago and planned a dinner at Sepia. The ambience is rustic, warm and cozy, and everyone was very attentive. Our server was really nice and walked us through the 4 course meal and the additional options. We went with the 4 course meal and opted in for the cheese experience, essentially making it a 5 course meal. Every bite was delicious. The presentation was beautiful, the cocktails were pretty good as well, and the cheese course was absolutely worth adding. The only thing I would skip is the petits fours at the very end. After everything we had eaten tasted so good, it somehow spoiled that great lingering taste from the meal. A very small miss in an otherwise excellent experience. Sepia is definitely worth the experience. Great food, great service, cozy ambience, and a meal that felt worth the price. read more

See all

Ok I'm gagged that this place only has a 3.9 on Yelp, because it was easily the best tasting menu that I've had in years (??) We were visiting from out of town and decided to celebrate our anniversary here // right off the bat service was amazing, they gave us a menu saying happy anniversary and throughout the night consistently gave us freebies to celebrate which was super nice (got to the point where we were flabbergasted that they were still giving us more food). Overall the service was very wonderful, our server was very attentive and super sweet. Onto the food - so so many incredible bites!! Caviar service is amazing - definitely recommend doing it. My fav of the night was easily the scallop and uni with the pea shoots - such an amazing flavor combination, the seafood here is insanely fresh and delicious. What I love about fine dining is when I can eat a flavor combo that I'd never even imagined before and have it hit, this was happening consistently throughout the meal Definitely opt for the seafood options over the red meat ones IMO - feels like seafood is their speciality. Come hungry!! We left feeling stuffed beyond belief but very happy read more

See all

CAN I GIVE THID 10 STARS!?!?! I can't even remember who recommended this restaurant, but I am forever grateful. While I'm not crazy about pre fix menus, this is the exception. Each course was perfection, the service was great and while we sat outside, the environment was great too. This was definitely one of the best meals of my life. will be dreaming of this meal forever. AND I was full after, I feel like that is so uncommon with pre fix menus. DIVINE. read more

See all

I took my husband here for his birthday and we got the tasting menu. I did not take a picture of our drinks. I had some kind of Mezcal drink and my husband ordered the hamburger martini because we were curious about it and it was delicious. Highly recommended very unique, very subtle and not anything what you would expect when you order it.. The service was great. Our server was very attentive and kind. I really like the vibes in there kinda like old school Chicago looking. The food is exceptional and very unique. The portions were also adequate and we were full after we were done eating there. It is definitely a place to stop if you are in Chicago or you are from the Chicago area because everything was great and we really enjoyed it. read more

See all

Came by for dinner the other night and it was an interesting experience. Sepia is located near the West Loop area of Chicago and is a Michelin 1 star restaurant. Dining is available in the dining room, at the bar, or outdoors. Managed to get a seat at the bar walking in which was a surprise. I was presented the 4 course menu despite the host mentioning that the tasting menu was also available... interesting. Meal started off with bread service consisting of sourdough along with some butter. The amuse bouche was a doughnut version of a croque madame, topped with black truffle. The crudo course was light and refreshing. The stuffed chicken wing was presented well although I found the sauce a touch on the heavy side. The short rib that the staff recommended was interesting. The marbling from the short rib was decent and the meat was cooked to a medium. There was a slight sear on the outside. The morrel mushroom was stuffed with crab and served over a hashbrown that was surprisingly stale and cold...yikes... The roasted vanilla cheesecake was on the richer side. The final bites of the evening didn't taste too fresh...hrm. ~$170/head after tax, gratuity, 3.5% employer mandates for dinner. read more

See all

Took my wife for her birthday and we had a great time. Our server was friendly and attentive. Service was relatively fast, which I prefer. It sounds a bit silly, but we both really enjoyed the endless bread and butter. I think we got three rounds while we waited for our first course. The food was very good, with a focus on seafood. My only complaint was our table. We were informed that we would be seated outside when I made the reservation but our small table was literally on the sidewalk. People were walking by inches from us all night. It was a beautiful evening weather wise so not the worst to be outside, but I wouldn't sit out there again. read more

See all

I made dinner reservations for 5:15pm at Sepia. When I walked into the restaurant, I realized that what I really wanted was a light meal and a few drinks. I asked the front desk receptionist if it would be OK about switching out my dine-in reservation for a seat at the bar, and they were happy to oblige. The bar was located right at the front foyer of the restaurant. If you sit at the bar, you have the option of ordering whatever was on their 4-course prix fixe menu as a la carte. This was exactly what I was looking for as I only really wanted to try a few things. I got the osetra caviar and hokkaido scallop & sea urchin. I got a delightful amuse bouche before the first item, osetra caviar, came out. The caviar was the best item. Loved how the shiro dashi butter leveled out the caviar, giving it a much more mild taste. I wanted more from the hokkaido & sea urchin. Their cocktails were brilliant. Really innovative and creative. Found out that my bartender at the time was the mind behind the cocktails. I tried the Fortune & Glory, Keith's World Famous Cheeseburger Martini (do not sleep on this unique, savory cocktail!), and Wrong Turn at Albuquerque. read more

See all

Coctails are interesting but a bit pricey. Tried the cheeseburger tini being someone who loves savory drinks but it was a little strange tasting. Service was good, nice place to grab a drink at the bar. They have an excellent selection of teas here too read more

Sepia - Cheeseburger martini and coctail menu - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

This was my boyfriend & I's first michelin star experience and we absolutely loved it! The staff is amazingly attentive once you step in. It is dimly lit at the front and perfect for an intimate dinner. Each course is explained in detail and you are able to have a menu to follow along or to be surprised with each course. Our favorite bites were definitely the hiramasa crudo, osetra caviar, and the poached oysters. They were phenomenal. The flavors were all so bright and bold and complemented each other nicely. I absolutely loved our experience and the way they made our night special. We were surprisingly quite full after everything as well! They also provided us a slice of cake for our anniversary! I would totally recommend and come again :) read more

See all

Loved this place. Very nice, elegant and good was amazing. The staff was great. My friend hosted his birthday here, and everything about it was exceptional. Truly recommend this place. read more

Sepia - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I celebrated a birthday with a four-course dinner at Sepia, and it was absolutely phenomenal! The dishes were beautifully presented, and full of flavor, paired with excellent drinks and truly impeccable service. Even going in with high expectations, I was still blown away by my first one-Michelin-star restaurant experience. Standout dishes included the prosciutto amuse-bouche, the short rib, and a surprise birthday cake slice, which was such a thoughtful touch. The optional cheese course was delicious as well, though unnecessary as we were more than full from the other courses by the end of the night. The cocktails were outstanding, though they did add up after a few hours of lingering and savoring the evening. Next time, I'd opt for the wine pairing or bring a bottle or two of wine and just pay the corkage fee. Overall, Sepia delivers a fine dining experience that feels really special and intimate - it's the perfect spot for an elevated date night or celebratory dinner. And it's easy walking distance from either Ogilvie Transportation Center or Union Station, making it an ideal spot to visit from the Chicago suburbs via the Metra. read more

See all

We had the tasting menu. The variety offered was delicious, each course was nicely prepared and had good flavor and texture. We did not get the wine pairing, but I imagine it would have been perfect as well. It was a complete meal, a few of the courses were sweet for a nice end. read more

Sepia - Bacon with horseradish - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Whenever I see a two-star review on Yelp, I automatically default to narrative, as a one-star review seems to be blatantly bashing and non-constructive. The reason why I awarded this rating is that it's exactly what the star describes, "Could've been better." For the service and solely the experience, it overshadowed the food offering, which I will get into in a bit. Had this been any other restaurant, I would have awarded a minimum of 3. Considering their food, maybe a 3.5 if the option was available. Reason: You are awarded a Michelin Star. This is an honor that should reflect in both your food AND service. When bringing food to the table and people are conversing, please wait until they are finished before you start announcing the dishes. Also, be clear and proud of what you are serving. Mumbling it and walking away before asking if we have questions does not sit well. This element detracted from the food experience. You could have served the rarest ingredients, but your patrons will never forget how you made them feel. Food: Some of the dishes were outstanding. Smoked Beef Carpaccio was outstanding. Amazing how it immediately reminded me of an animal-style burger from In-N-Out. This one threw me a left field. Crudo was also a highlight of mine. Bread and canapés were also memorable. Of all of the desserts we tried, Apple Mille-Feuille was the best. The rest does not belong on the menu as it lacks creativity, flavor, and character. While the overall meal could have been pleasant at best, the service just didn't deliver, which resulted in a poor experience and the restaurant being an afterthought. Inside decor was ok, but the tables could have been dressed in white cloth for visual and cleanliness. Seeing worn-down table edges and hinges was another detractor. Several marks were missed, and I hope the establishment considers these points to improve. As for our server, who we do not know your name, take constructive criticism and be better. Any business welcomes highlights from patrons, and as a Michelin Star establishment, this is your reputation. Best of luck to this establishment and your future journey. Unfortunately, we will not be returning to your restaurant. read more

See all

Sepia was such a great experience! We had a prior reservation. The day prior to our reservation, they called and checked in with us and asked about our dietary restrictions and allergies to ensure we could easily consume the food they offered. They even asked us to choose the type of pre fix menu we wanted. They easily offered to do vegetarian substitutions for me. In the day of our reservation, we were just in awe of the ambience when we entered. Such a soy yet upscale place! Everything was tasteful. The cutlery, tablecloth everything was in the theme of 'sepia', a shade of brown. My only complaint is the slow service for the courses to come by, so I would give this place a 4.5. Our server was super sweet, explained the dishes well, even made some drink recommendations. The courses were delightful. I got the delice de Bourgogne omelette, crispy cream cheese gnudi, potato and cheddar pierogi and the sourdough crepe cake. Each and every element on every dish was amazing, expect for the actual sourdough cake itself. We were just amazed at the finesse of the dishes. I highly recommend everyone to try sepia atleast once. read more

See all

Superb staff service. Came here for a private event and had a few entree options, went with the short rib. Salad and bread were good. Old fashioned was tasty with some Elijah Craig, there were a couple more ice cubes in there than was needed so it was watered down towards the end but overall was good. Short rib was good and melted when eaten, it was a bit red for me in the center but thats just my own bias so I ate the sides. Loved the mushroom and little potato latke it came with. Had the keylime cheese cake but didn't taste the key lime much, it tasted mostly like a plain cheesecake or cream cheese spread. Other than that - very nice private dine venue. read more

Sepia - Key lime cheesecake - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Fabulous meal here with coworkers. The wine pairing was divine. The caviar pairing is definitely worth it- while a bit overly salty in my opinion (caviar is already salty and whatever it was resting on as well as the potato chips with it made it a bit too salty), but a very generous serving of caviar and don't get me wrong, it was delicious. The hamachi quality was a bit disappointing- not melt in your mouth. The duck was the standout for me- so tender, rich, and succulent and perfectly paired with the glaze and potato pancake. Sadly, I had to leave before dessert but I heard it was also wonderful. On top of that, ambiance is great as is service. We had multiple bussers taking care of us as well as a very knowledgable, dedicated server. Will definitely recommend. read more

See all

Had an incredible dining experience at Sepia! The crudo was absolutely delicious -- fresh, delicate, and perfectly balanced. The mocktails were just as impressive as any craft cocktail, with thoughtful flavor combinations that paired beautifully with the meal. I had green drink at the bar while waiting for my bestie, I don't recall the name but it was green chartreuse, lime, cucumber and parsley soda. Delicious! And the dessert game was next-level. Creative, decadent, and the perfect way to end the night. I opted for the à la carte menu, which was a great way to explore a range of dishes at my own pace. Every plate felt intentional and well-executed. Service was warm and attentive without being overbearing. A beautiful balance of elegance and comfort. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a Michelin experience that still feels inviting and relaxed. Glad this was my first stop fresh from SF. read more

See all

Phenomenal. The meal at Sepia was beyond words. Evening about the evening was more than expected. The vibe was classical upscale but also chill. Every server was attentive, filling water cups, delivering the tasting menu and explaining the food and how to eat it, the wine pairing was delivered with detailed notes about the flavors and how they paired with the tasting. The presentation of the food was a wonderful sight. Perfectly designed for the best delivery of taste, and impeccably the same between multiple dishes. The wine complimented each dish beautifully bringing out additional depth of flavor. While expensive (knew this going in), it was absolutely incredible and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fish forward dining experience, epic presentation and tasteful food. Note: my extremely pedestrian photos don't do the food justice. Take a look at Sepia's IG- those photos are 100% what the food looks like IRL. read more

See all

The industrial feel and muted colors of the restaurant served as a backdrop for the vibrant flavors coming out of the kitchen and the quiet chatter of guests at neighboring tables. I quickly decided what I wanted from the 4-course tasting menu, whereas my sister and niece took a more deliberate approach. We enjoyed the rye bread, tangy butter, and a delicious amuse-bouche of prosciutto on olive oil-soaked crouton as we caught up. I had the buttery, roasted foie gras, served in a wondrous ginger consommé for the first course. While I loved the foie gras, I was even more impressed by the many flavors in the consommé. To me, this was a flawless dish. I was torn between getting the scallop or the ocean trout for the next course and I am so glad I went with my first instincts. I was equally impressed by the firm scallop served in its shell, in a pronounced green curry custard, with coconut milk foam. I'm familiar with curries, of course, as part of Thai and Indian cuisines but never expected this preparation. It was so good that I'm still dreaming about it. However, I enjoyed my third course less. The monkfish, a favorite, was well prepared but the horseradish-ranch sauce was too assertive for the delicate fish. Of course, I had to have the chocolate torte for dessert. Chocolate! Caramelized bananas! Each complemented the other. As I look back, what struck me was that the menu offered distinct flavors prepared in unexpected ways, with various textures, all of which added up to a memorable meal. A big thanks to the restaurant for pushing back our reservation (on a busy Friday evening, nonetheless) when my sister's flight came in 6+ hours later than scheduled. The hostess was so gracious about our delay. read more

See all

When I say best meal of my life, I do not take this lightly. The plating was whimsical but high class. We had best friends in town and had never had a Michelin star experience before. We opted for the four course tasting menu with the wine paring and one was a mocktail pairing! Honestly would've preferred the mocktails, so if we go again, I will choose that. Firstly the individuals working inside the restaurant are top notch. The moment we walked in the hosts were funny and inviting. We get sat down and meet our lovely server. If you leave your seat to go to the bathroom, someone folds your napkin up for when you get back?! It was unlike any high end restaurant experience I've had. With that said! The AC was out during our meal. We were all very uncomfortable and were fanning ourselves. Even went outside to grab one of our own. It felt like something we should've brought up because it was definitely the worst part of the experience. Towards the end of the meal as we were paying I think it was fixed, but not really sure what could be done to make up for that. Now, the FOOD!!! It says four courses but it's more like 7. We felt obligated to get cocktails while we waited because there were so many options! And ended up being glad we did. Mine was the favorite of the table. It tasted like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, bubbles of honey and came in an old school thermos. Couldn't have been more perfect for me! We had a corn donut with prosciutto on top as an amuse bouche. That was somehow my favorite bite of the night. My first course was the hiramasa crudo. Super fresh fish that looked like a rose with a tiki masala broth. It was great, but my friend's tomato bisque was probably my fave first course. Her husband and My partner opted for the scallop and sea urchin. The presentation of their courses were so fun watching the soups be poured over! Second course three of the 4 of us got the lamb saddle and it was definitely a highlight of the "main dish" for a couple of us! Green mole had so many complex layers of flavor. My partner got the crispy cheese gnudi and WOW! I loved the lamb but was glad she got another option to taste. The presentation was *art* and they were crisp on the outside but a fluffy pillow of a pasta. Incredible. Third course most of us got the short rib which was very flavorful! The béarnaise sauce and the zucchini crab Rangoon was something unexpected and unlike anything I've had before. My partner opted for the sweet corn cappelletti, which was perfect for her! The truffle flavor felt so fancy but not over the top. My besties husband got the duck and it was stunning, complex and filling. We got the cheese course and I just have to say... GET IT! I read online someone was mad it felt more like dessert but I didn't feel the same. It had a cornmeal sponge cake, cashew brittle and a shaved cheese that looked like a delicious cloud or coral you would see under water. This was my besties favorite part of the meal! The dessert course we all decided to get different ones to taste them all. The white sesame Mont Blanc was my favorite! It looked like a spaghetti plate but tasted like a complex strawberry ice cream. Her husband got the honey pavlova. It was beautiful, reminded me of an ambrosia salad. It was fluffy and light. He enjoyed it. My partner was extra corny this meal and got the churro and this was a very close second best of the dessert. Mine was the jivara milk chocolate "frosty" and it had the funniest looking plate of the night. It definitely felt like a frosty! But had chocolate covered crisps. Not my favorite but only because the other desserts were so incredible. The final snack they give you is a coconut marshmallow and a macaron. Absolutely would eat 2000 of those if I was able to. The meal overall between four of us was around $600 with wine pairings, extra cocktails and added cheese plate. If I had disposable income, I've would've been back already. Once in a lifetime meal for us all! I'm sorry I can only share 20 pics because we have SO MANY. read more

See all

Came here for valentine's day prix fix menu with the standard wine pairing and I was absolutely blown away!! Top 5 restaurants of the year for sure. Service was excellent and the courses were spaced out well -- with our server keeping an eye on us throughout our meal to see how we were doing. Loved the cozy intimate setting as well. Everything was delicious and the wine director definitely knew what he was doing! - amuse bouche: truly an explosion of flavor like I don't know how they do it??? I personally preferred the smoked trout roe cannoli but that and the black truffle & country ham donut were excellent - osetra caviar was an additional $20pp but soooo worth. one of our top favorite dishes. so light and fresh. the sauce really pulls it altogether - hiramasa crudo: I just can't do raw fish unfortunately so this was a pass for me - hokkaido scallop & sea urchin: scallop paired with the gochujang consommé and sticky rice........ THE MOST FLAVORFUL COURSE. and the paired white wine was dry and helped to really cleanse your palate in between each bite. 10/10 pairing!!! - baked potato carmelle: tasted exactly as you'd expect, most warm and comforting part of the meal imo - rohan duck breast: paired excellently with the red wine ofc. and I loved the duck confit pithivier!!!!! - pomegranate sorbet: perfect palate cleanser - araguani chocolate tarte: least fav part of the meal. the black licorice in the chocolate reminded me too much of arak and was just so overpowering read more

See all

I've been here so many times and each time they knock it out the park. This is the first time I got the tasting menu, and my. God. Amazing. Our server, John, was very attentive and accommodating. I will always appreciate being able to enjoy such amazing food in a beautiful space with low noise. Highly highly recommend. read more

See all

Excellent experience, Went there Saturday (with a reservation of course) at 5pm. Service, ambience, food were all great. I had the 8 course tasting menu without wine pairing. Cost was about 260ish with the 30 dollar tip I think they may have an entree based menu also but I did not ask read more

See all

We got a last minute reservation and were there right at 5, which I'm glad we ended up doing because the tasting menu took us til 7:15! The hosts and everyone we came into contact with were very friendly. Our waitress was very good, friendly and knowledgeable about the restaurants offerings. The other waitress staff was on top of you to clear plates, fold napkins, and clean up your mess when you dropped something on the table. The vibes were vintage and beautiful, simple and tasteful. Down to the bottom of the menu page being cut out to have the same shape as their logo at the top. --it's the little things. Don't worry guys, we notice! The cocktails and coffees were phenomenal. I got the Hanna-berbera which was so fun and special, I had to get another. Highly recommend, wasn't too sweet and had the right amount of everything in it. Plus how it's served, right up my alley with the nostalgia. The tasting menu was exactly what you want if you want to get a literal taste of what this chef has to offer. The waitress said it was his favorites and I can see why. There were a few things I would have rather tried that were on the pre fixe menu instead but overall happy with our choice because it was the first time coming here. I was FULL by the end of the night, which I wasn't expecting given the idea that it's just a bite (sometimes a few bites) of things all night. All of the amuse bouches were phenomenal. Favorites after that were the caviar and crudo dishes. Both of the squab dishes, in my opinion, weren't my favorite so i wish I could have replaced those but you don't know until you try! My husband liked the squab breast a lot so to each their own! We both thought the grilled short rib tasted like a high end burger which was fun and then one of the deserts was a play on an order of French fries with a chocolate frosty --so very thoughtful execution and again, nostalgic!! And then to finish off, I had a vanilla latte which was out of this world. Smooth and delicious. That went so well with the little dessert bites...my favorite being the chocolate taco. Again...nostalgic! It's like a 90s kid who can't grow up (oh wait, that's me!) Overall, very good and I'd recommend. I know there's so many places to try in Chicago, but I'm not at all disappointed in this choice. read more

See all

Our experience last week was a series of highs and lows. On the positives - the food was truly spectacular. We did the chefs tasting menu and every single bite was delicious. Exceeded our expectations. I could go on an on about the duck, short rib, and credo. The cheese course was amazing too as it prepared us for dessert. Ambiance - really nice. Interior design was amazing and the lounge was perfectly situated while we waited for our guests to arrive. On the negatives - service left a little to be desired for a Michelin star restaurant. Our greeting at the host stand felt impersonal. The server in the lounge felt annoyed with us. And our server for the night was always in a rush and a bit unorganized. Even the other servers who brought our dishes felt like they were reciting recipes instead of inviting us into an experience. Not what I would expect for a $1500 dinner. Grace - people have bad nights and there is a curse of having a star. If we don't know it was a Michelin 1 star our expectations would have been lower on service and it would have just been a truly delicious meal. But, Sepia does have a star and that means the service is supposed to be elevated; not just in coordination of dishes but in how we feel through the experience. I'll be back for sure - the food is THAT good. Hoping that the experience matches the taste buds. read more

Fun Michelin experience! We came with a group of 6 people and had a nice cozy corner table. The ambiance is great in the restaurant. All the courses were delicious and my husband loved the amuse bouche. Would recommend! read more

Came by to try Sepias tasting menu and cocktails. Overall, felt like the experience was okay but not amazing. It is one of the more reasonably priced tasting menus in Chicago but seems like the flavors and dishes weren't quite for us. Reservations were fairly easy to come by, and the restaurant was bustling and busy by the time we left. Service was prompt and attentive as expected of a Michelin star venue. Unlike a traditional tasting menu, you are able to select an item out of 4-5 courses so there is some choice. Drinks were excellent and creative. Food was a bit mixed for us and why we docked a star. The menu is more of an actual mean versus some tasting menus that tend to be more experimental. However, everything was so unbearably salty that some in our party didn't end up finishing certain courses. Everything was just a salt bomb in a bad way and we were hoping for more nuanced flavor profile. The caviar course (extra from the regular menu) suffered from this greatly. Although you got a very heaping scoop of caviar, the broth and sides the caviar was served in completely drowned out any flavor or texture. It should have been served with more delicate flavors. Even the dessert had sea salt on it which ended up just being a bit funny. Overall, a great experience and still solid value. However the menu was too salt forward to an extreme for our tastes. read more

See all

This is a 4 course menu with a complimentary dessert.... The portion of the course is very small. They do have a 8 courses menu but most of the courses are desserts... I think the stablefish & sea urchin and the Rohan duck breast taste the best. Service is average and ambiance I would give it a 3 out of 5. read more

See all

It had been many years since I dined at Sepia (I blame suburban life), but it was better than I even remember. In my last review, written 14 years ago, I spoke about missing out on their delicious cocktails since I was carrying my first of 3 kids. Those days are over so I was ready to toast my husband's bday over an incredible food. My husband began our meal with an old fashioned while I ordered my own version of a skinny gimlet, which the bartender made with perfection. In fact, I had 2 more! We were torn between the 4 course or 8 course menu, but opted for the 8 course because thought it made the most sense financially since we planned to get the caviar with the 4 courses. While 8 courses sounds like an insane amount of food it was very small portions and I didn't get too full until around course 6. And then it was time for dessert and I can always find time for dessert. Everything was so delicious, but if I had to choose favorites: hiramasa crudo, bbq'd sablefish, crispy cream cheese gnudi, grilled beef short rib. It was all so good- there wasn't anything we didn't like! Our server was super friendly and kept the meal moving at a perfect pace. I worried we would be there for 3 hours, but they kept it moving and we were done a little after 2 hours, which was just perfect. It was one of the pricier meals we had in a long time, but well worth the splurge. We don't dine in the city as often as we used to and I'm always intrigued to try the new restaurants, but this night proved that sometimes you need to stick with old favorites. read more

I'll preface this review by mentioning that I don't have too much fine dining experience. My partner and I happened to be in town and were excited to try a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant. We were debating between the Chef's Experience ($185/person, 8 courses) or the Prix Fixe ($125/person, 4 courses) and we were so glad that we ended up choosing the Prix Fixe. We also added the optional caviar course (+$25/person). They served a few small bites in between the four courses + caviar, so we ended up extremely full and couldn't imagine how we would have gotten through 8 courses. Since there were two of us dining, we also got to try many different selections from the Prix Fixe menu, which largely covered many of the options offered for the Chef's Experience. I thought the service was excellent and appreciated the variety in flavors. The dishes were presented beautifully. Some of the dishes came with a sweet sauce which wasn't exactly my preference, so if you do not like your dishes too sweet then I would recommend asking your server for specific recommendations. When I visited in late June, they had duck breast and short rib on the menu. I was surprised at how the meat was a little bit tough to cut and chew. I would recommend the caviar course with hesitation. The smoked fish that it came with had a very strong smokey flavor, to the point where the smokiness overpowered all the other flavors in the dish. This would be a nice add-on if you love smoked fish. I would also add that the caviar course is a substantial amount of food so I probably would have been less stuffed by the end of the meal if we had not ordered it. We really loved the desserts at the end. I would even say that the dessert was my favorite course! I got to try the hibiscus pavlova and white sesame mont blanc. The hibiscus pavlova had a great balance between sweet and tart flavors with the most satisfying combination of crispy, cold, and creamy textures. The white sesame mont blanc was a great contrast to the pavlova, which was also sweet, but had more bitterness and nuttiness from the puree. They also gave us little macarons and cakes at the end which were sweet and delicious. read more

Food is out of this world, the drinks are further beyond. This is a must. We plan on doing a tasting every time we're in Chicago

This place is beyond five stars! From the pricing to the service to the food quality, Sepia is top notch. It's probably the best fine dining experience I have had in years and surprisingly not the most expensive one either. We came here on a work trip and were able to squeeze in a date night to celebrate our anniversary here, which was a fantastic decision! Thank you Chef Kyle for making our evening unforgettable. I got an old fashioned for the night and it was strong and smooth. The food menu was preset with the typical 4-course dinner, but everything was truly scrumptious, my mouth was definitely experiencing food orgasm. The dishes were well presented and everything tasted exquisite - they're like delicious art pieces. I truly appreciate the chef and his staff taking their time making everything flow. Additionally, the chef spoiled us with additional tasting items totally free of charge, What a guy! Honestly, I didn't expect to be full from a 4-course meal. You know how piggy I can get, but I was so full walking out! Your restaurant definitely made my eating experience in Chicago very memorable. Until next time Sepia! I apologize for the late review Sepia, your restaurant deserves better! Please save this review as a congratulatory post on your 2024 Michelin star! Well deserved! Honestly, I wish there was a Sepia in LA.... Overall, I highly highly highly recommend everyone to check this restaurant out if you're in Chicago! read more

See all

No notes! One of the most affordable and delicious Michelin tasting menus in the city. The staff are knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. Came here for an anniversary dinner and unfortunately booked last minute so only outdoor seating was available, but it was so lovely to sit outside and not noisy at all. My husband had a dietary restrictions which were well accommodated; instead of repeating a course they were able to thoughtfully swap out ingredients that allowed him to still enjoy a new dish. Everything was delicious and I especially loved the cocktails! They gave us such wonderful complimentary touches for our anniversary, would highly recommend for a special occasion! read more

Sepia - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Consistency of execution, service and vibe all felt like a typical dining experience. While there were some nice bites and cocktails, I'm surprised they have a star. There was a lot of corn on the menu but the corn didn't taste in season, so perhaps they are hanging onto the summer menu too long. Cocktails - 4/5. Margarita fun and original, old fashioned with Hibicki lovely. Bread - 4/5. Full of texture and earthy nutty flavor Amuse bouche - 4.5/5. Bread, cheese, prosciutto. Lovely, homey warmth from the bread and cheese balanced by the saltiness of the meat. Tomato gazpacho - 4/5. More like tomato soup, but creamy and tasty. Nice bread side. I didn't taste horseradish at all. Hiramasa crudo - 3/5. Nice sesame broth and surprising spice kick. But didn't come together for me. Monkfish and oyster - 2/5. I found the monkfish bland. Oyster had a nice fry. Stuffed chicken wing - 3/5. Decent sauce and cook on the chicken, but didn't pop in the way I was hoping with xo sauce. Duck breast - 3.5/5. Well executed with nice bbq peach sauce. But I found the duck pretty livery/gamey. Sweet corn cappelletti - 3.5/5. Tasty cheese and sauce, but the pasta was on the thick side and the corn lacked sweetness. Sweet corn churro - 2/5. Churro was OK but the overall dish felt confused. Jivara milk chocolate frosty - 2/5. Overpowered. Too salty, too dark on the chocolate base. read more

Had a wonderful experience at Sepia for our anniversary. We tried the 4 course tasting menu. We also ordered their golden kaluga caviar and it was the best caviar I've ever tasted. For our first course we got the smoked tomato gazpacho and the scallop & sea urchin. The gazpacho was delicious and I loved the taste of the "broth". For the second course we got the crispy cream cheese Gnyda and the lamb saddle. The gnudi was unlike anything I've had before in terms of blending textures. I definitely recommend. The third course was the halibut (surprisingly large serving) and the Rohan duck breast. Everything was delicious and the pricing was to be expected. The service was great and they also brought out complimentary dishes and deserts. The ambiance was nice and I like how the tile was the original tile to the building from their printing days. read more

See all

Located in west loop, this was a great option for birthday celebration. We booked dinner 2 weeks in advance. We were quickly seated and the waitress was really attentive bringing us the drink menu and introducing us to drinks and food. We had a 4 course dinner and some highlights include the beef carpaccio, monkfish and scallops, and Rohan duck. The duck was perfectly cooked and the peaches paired really well. The beef carpaccio was so flavorful with the onion soup. We ended the night with a birthday dessert on top of our dessert course. Overall, a great place for any types of celebrations and food was amazing with a cozy vibe. read more

See all

Second year back, this time for an anniversary dinner! Wonderful as always . Service was fantastic everyone who came to check on us was respectful and friendly. Ambiance was very "sepia" for a packed restaurant it was romantic moody and we didn't have to shout - there has to be some sort of sound engineering going on there. Food was superb as always I love how this experience was completely different from my previous experience but but equally amazing!!! read more

See all

We went to Sepia last night for my boyfriend's birthday. It was a wonderful experience! We came in almost an hour early and they seated us which we were very thankful for. Out of many other Michelin star spots we have been to this would be my top 3. They welcomed my boyfriend with a menu with "happy birthday" on them which is a great touch. They also gave us a dessert for his birthday with chocolate writing. The food was wonderful and picking the chefs menu was a good choice (we initially came to get the pri fixe). The $60 increase is well worth the splurge (185pp). The food was delicious and each item the chef or waiters explain the dish as they place it on the table. The drinks that we got were delightful and was well fitting for the hot heat in Chicago. I liked the ambiance, it's a great spot for a nicer date or a nicer meal. I would for sure recommend coming and trying their chefs menu! read more

A delicious and romantic meal to end our chicago trip. Service was good, and each dish was very well-curated and made with high quality ingredients. While each dish was delicious, I would say the Lamb Loin (with the lamb belly donut!) and the Roasted Foie Gras were my highlights! I also got the wine pairing with the meal, and each wine selected was both delicious and paired perfectly to the dishes. Would recommend to anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion. read more

See all