Atsumeru

We've been wanting to try Atsumeru since it opened a couple of months ago, so my birthday seemed like the perfect excuse. Service was friendly and low key, with lots of information about the ingredients of each of the many courses. The setting is intimate, with perhaps 8 tables, the noise level was perfect. The decor didn't strike me as particularly Nordic or Japanese as I was expecting but it was pleasant. The first three "bite sized" courses were my favorites of the entire meal, the morsel of wagyu with mushroom was particularly good, The other standouts for me were the sea trout course and the mushroom course. The rest of the meal was very good (my wife enjoyed it more than me, she thought it was excellent) but I felt that many of the courses were too rich for my taste buds and had too many ingredients for any to stand out. I think I'm getting a bit jaded over multi-course chefs tasting menus, so take that in mind when reading the review. The only major disappointments of the meal were what should have been the stars; the wagyu and sun choke dish, the beef had amazing flavor from the Japanese seasoning but it was very chewy and the supplemental caviar course, the flavor of the roe was totally overpowered by the other ingredients. The krumkake with foie was a bit too much for me to handle (the richness) and the krumkake wasn't authentic (my wife's family is Norwegian, we eat krumkake often) but it still tasted good. Currently the restaurant is BYOB but they did email us ahead of time to remind us, so that wasn't a problem. My wife had informed them that it was my birthday and I received a lovely card with a keepsake origami crane. I certainly recommend giving Atsumeru a try, I'm certain my wife will go back.

I was beyond excited to experience Atsumeru, and I am glad I did. Overall, I found the dishes to be light, well-thought-out, and composed. The flavors and textures played well off of each other and kept me wanting more. I also opted for the Caviar upgrade, and I can easily say that not only was it worth it, but I wish I had purchased two. The caviar was served on sunchokes that had been fried to perfection. Easily one of the highlights of the meal. Service was also excellent, but there were a few kinks. That being said, I was one of the first customers after opening so those kinks are expected and will be ironed out eventually. I hope Atsumeru is still around in a year or so because I would like to see how it evolves. From my experience, it can hold its own amongst the heavyweights in Chicago. Definitely a restaurant worth checking out, and definitely add on caviar service.

Atsumeru delivers an exceptional dining experience in Chicago. The Northern Japanese fusion cuisine is expertly crafted, with outstanding flavors and remarkable attention to detail. The atmosphere is elegant and thoughtfully designed, creating a refined yet welcoming setting. The service is consistently professional, warm, and attentive. I would gladly return without hesitation, as the overall experience offers excellent value for its quality and execution.

We loved our dinner here, and cannot recommend Atsumeru enough. The food was very interesting and had unique flavors. The portion sizes were perfect. I had the vegetarian menu and it was so tasty. We also liked that the meal started in the basement for some light bites and then moved upstairs for the main meal. We cannot wait to go back.

Absolutely incredible experience and food. We have raved to friends and are eager to come back again. Every bite was a flavor explosion and a sensory wonder.

as an experienced diner in Michelin restaurants i can say with out a dough the team at Atsumeru is doing everything right and the food was exceptional! the atmosphere is sophisticated but not stuffy. and the service was so kind and warm! the chef is a gem of a human being! will defiantly be back. many times

You want to know if it’s worth coming absolutely! This was an amazing experience . Every dish was magnificent. The art and craf of the flavors colors and textures is beautiful. Oh and to to mention the service. You are doing right! You will be successful congratulations on your 4 weeks running .

Having traveled to both the Nordics and Japan regularly, Atsumeru brought us back to some of our favorite flavors that we encountered during those trips. We arrived for the earliest seating on a Friday which started in the basement lounge for a welcome drink and a few bites before moving to dinner on the main floor. Overall, the pacing was good and we enjoyed how many of the dishes had thoughtful textural elements added to help set them apart. The chawanmushi had both skate wing and crisp seaweed added which made each bite an adventure. The canelé had a perfectly caramelized crust which paired nicely with the savory foie gras. Another standout is the milk and pine which is reminiscent of a walk through the forest during winter. We added both the caviar course which was served towards the beginning of the upstairs dinner experience and then tea which was served with the dessert courses. The service was warm, but not stuffy and in total the experience lasted just over two hours.

This experience felt like it was designed by introverts - in the best possible way. It's detailed and thoughtful with substance over flash- in contrast to many of the other fine dining restaurants in the city these days. Even their staff felt knowledgeable and attentive but not loud or showy. On arrival you are taken downstairs for the starting courses - 3 small well executed bites paired with a complimentary welcome drink (kombucha based mocktail with option to add gin). It is currently BYOB as they are acquiring their liquor license- if you arrive empty handed (check the email you made the reso with about 3 days beforehand) the staff will guide you to online delivery options to order to the restaurant. The remaining 9-12 courses are upstairs. It is a combo of Japanese and Nordic influences which go together in a very complimentary way. There is an option for a caviar course add on that I highly recommend. It is a seafood heavy menu but also includes a a couple wagyu dishes and a couple vegetarian items. Each bite is so well thought out that you get multiple levels of texture in flavor and it somehow feels like a new item each time you take a bite of each dish. They even made foie gras (the common transition dish from savory to dessert courses) and white chocolate taste delicious. The thoughtful touches extend to things like the take home menu (it is not an obnoxiously long or oversized like many places- it is small, placed inside an envelope with a beautiful seal and you can easily tuck it into your bag) and the bathrooms (both upstairs and downstairs are so warm and cozy and beautifully done). I imagine coming back would be a completely new experience in a great way as they are so meticulous and deliberate that even eating the same items if the menu were unchanged would evolve.

We've been wanting to try Atsumeru since it opened a couple of months ago, so my birthday seemed like the perfect excuse. Service was friendly and low key, with lots of information about the ingredients of each of the many courses. The setting is intimate, with perhaps 8 tables, the noise level was perfect. The decor didn't strike me as particularly Nordic or Japanese as I was expecting but it was pleasant. The first three "bite sized" courses were my favorites of the entire meal, the morsel of wagyu with mushroom was particularly good, The other standouts for me were the sea trout course and the mushroom course. The rest of the meal was very good (my wife enjoyed it more than me, she thought it was excellent) but I felt that many of the courses were too rich for my taste buds and had too many ingredients for any to stand out. I think I'm getting a bit jaded over multi-course chefs tasting menus, so take that in mind when reading the review. The only major disappointments of the meal were what should have been the stars; the wagyu and sun choke dish, the beef had amazing flavor from the Japanese seasoning but it was very chewy and the supplemental caviar course, the flavor of the roe was totally overpowered by the other ingredients. The krumkake with foie was a bit too much for me to handle (the richness) and the krumkake wasn't authentic (my wife's family is Norwegian, we eat krumkake often) but it still tasted good. Currently the restaurant is BYOB but they did email us ahead of time to remind us, so that wasn't a problem. My wife had informed them that it was my birthday and I received a lovely card with a keepsake origami crane. I certainly recommend giving Atsumeru a try, I'm certain my wife will go back.

Second visit, and it confirmed everything I said the first time. We went back this past Saturday and brought three guests with us who are very inexperienced with fine dining. That is in direct contrast to my wife and me, who have done a lot of it. They absolutely loved the experience, which honestly says a lot about this place. To be candid, there were moments where the gap in experience showed, and my wife and I were a little embarrassed. That said, the team handled everything flawlessly. No awkwardness, no judgment, no stiffness. Just calm, polished, professional service the entire night. That alone speaks volumes about how good this staff really is. They were tested. New menu items, same high level across the board. The chef is doing serious work and exciting new dishes. There is a lot of hard work being done and it shows. The entire operation is dialed in. This place runs like it has been open for years, not months. I am actively telling people to go here. Not "put it on your list." Go now! I guarantee they are getting a Michelin star next year, and once that happens, you will regret not taking advantage of how easy it is to get a reservation right now. Also, it is still BYOB. That alone makes this a no brainer at this level. Take advantage of it while you can. Atsumeru is already operating at a Michelin level. This is the window before everyone else catches on.

New restaurant, nice lounge area. I love the relaxing start of the evening at the lounge with a welcome drink and a few bites...Love almost all the appetizers and desserts dishes. Protein dishes were just ok imo, wish they end the protein section with a bit more substantial steak or fish dish. The trout is a bit fishy imo, but I do love the steam egg and the foam the dish comes with. They don't rush you through and atm it's byob which made the evening a nice experience.

My wife and I went for a celebration. They started in the basement with smaller bites. Two of them were outstanding. Service then moved up stairs to start their larger dishes. At this point they were BYOB so we have a brought a white and a light red (which they recommended). It was perfect for the progression of dishes. The chef did an outstanding job with blending japanese dishes with the nordic sytle in each dish. There was a salman dish with a scallap that was my facvorite. The 1st desert also blew our minds! A perfect mix of sweet and savory. The only thing that can improve is their decor. It'd be good to change out the lighting and paint the walls some darker colors to match the vibe of the food. This is a great addition to the neighborhood and the city! Highly recommend!

Easily one of the best meals we've EVER had in Chicago. And at an excellent price point with wonderful service. Can't wait to return. Thank you, Chef!

Incredible food experience. Best tasting I have ever had. Each dish was complex, well constructed and absolutely delicious.

Atsumeru is the next Michelin star restaurant in Chicago. The food is focused and precise. Incredible nuance in its flavor profiles. Chef is so damn talented, beverage and wine pairings are perfect. Ambience is warm and inviting. Highly highly recommend

One of the best tasting menus in Chicago! We were excited to try this new place and it did not disappoint. Every item was intricate and delicious and beautifully presented. Chef Devin and his staff were so friendly and passionate. The interior is beautifully designed and we loved how they did the downstairs bar. Great music too! Hoping to go back again!

Phenomenal meal with even better service. This was such a well thought out menu, I would eat every single dish again. Blown away doesn't even begin to explain my experience here, I cannot wait for my next meal at this special place! The cherry on top was the staff, who were all so passionate and warm throughout the entire meal. Thank you for such an amazing meal!!