Esmé
Restaurant · Lincoln Park ·
Art-forward Michelin-starred eatery blends cuisine and visual arts
Art-forward Michelin-starred eatery blends cuisine and visual arts
"Together with his co-owner and wife, Katrina Bravo, Chef Jenner Tomaska lays bare lofty ambitions at this airy atelier. The minimalist, well-lit space evokes an art gallery, complete with a high concept tasting that's aimed at blurring the boundaries between art and dining. The show begins with intriguing bites served at standing tables just inside. The multicourse meal that follows features a variety of dishes, each offered on custom pieces made by local artists. Flavorful compositions showcase unexpected combinations, as in "tomahawk" style Dover sole in a vin jaune sauce with spiced compressed pear and seaweed. Goat cheese ice cream with yuzu marmalade and a cynar-cured egg yolk expertly balances sweet and savory." - The MICHELIN Guide
"This fine dining spot in Lincoln Park has everything we look for in a dinner designed to make us feel as luxurious and cared for as a cherished racehorse. The $265, 12-15 course three-hour dinner never drags, courses flow together seamlessly, and (most importantly) each experiential dish is fun without being too whimsical. A singular charred rib with banana caramel, for instance, comes wrapped around a ceramic “bone” you eat like a Flintstone character. There’s also savory sweet potato ice cream topped with caviar, and a canapé that tastes like a Cheeto from the future. Plus, the magician who did the restaurant’s lighting made sure everyone looked like they were wandering around naturally FaceTuned." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen
"This fine-dining spot has everything we look for in a fancy-ass meal. The $265, 12-15 course meal never drags, dishes flow together seamlessly, and (most importantly) the food is incredible. Plus, the magician who did the restaurant’s lighting made sure everyone looks airbrushed and like they belong in an art gallery. The food is fun without being too whimsical, with dishes like charred ribs topped with banana caramel and wrapped around a ceramic “bone” you eat like a Flintstone. There’s also savory sweet potato ice cream topped with caviar, and a canapé that tastes like a Cheeto from the future. So if you’re looking for a very upscale place to celebrate a special occasion, you can confidently book a table here." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru
"Created by a husband-and-wife team known for a Michelin-starred tasting menu, this intimate 16-seat cocktail lounge offers floor-to-ceiling park views and pairs a French-style three-course menu with a carefully curated bar program. The wine list emphasizes biodynamic, regenerative, and organic producers, and the cocktail program is presented in an art-inspired booklet drawing on works from the Art Institute. Notable drinks include a plantain-mole–driven Charro—muddled ripe plantain with sesame, pepitas, chiles, and blue agave—and a layered, theatrical cocktail topped with habanero- and green-cardamom–infused egg white and edible rice-paper strips." - ByKristin Braswell
"Known for its rotating themed menus, Esmé brings a sense of play to Chicago’s fine-dining scene. One night, you may be enjoying Chef Jenner Tomaska’s refined take on a classic school lunch; and the next, you’re digging into a dish inspired by the local art scene. Have a meal here and you’re getting both dinner and a show: a cultural experience with one-of-a-kind dishes in a setting that changes to reflect the menu of the season. Short on time? Pop into Bar Esmé, an intimate 16-seat spot with a la carte options, like homemade Cheetos, celery root risotto, and a popcorn crème brûlée." - Ariel Kanter