Esmé
Restaurant · Lincoln Park
2200 N Clark St Suite B, Chicago, IL 60614
Highlights
Artistic Michelin-starred eatery serving elegant tasting menus.
Artistic Michelin-starred eatery serving elegant tasting menus.
"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
"Esme won’t be for everyone. Jenner Tomaska and his wife Katrina Bravo have transformed a corner Lincoln Park space into a gallery where they can showcase local visual artists on a rotating basis. The commitment extends to the tasting menu which often incorporates the artist either through the plating or another esoteric manner. There’s playfulness for this special occasion spot, which aims to show that working-class Chicago can feel comfortable in an upscale scenario full of sauce dots. A recent menu includes Dover sole, unusually presented as a rack akin to lamb. But the elegance remained. Tomaska is a Chicago native and an Alinea Group veteran. The lineage is apparent, but the chef is keen on giving customers more than just an onslaught of course. He wants to trick them into actually taking away something extra with their meals. Vibe check: Esme often hosts special events and partners with local artists so they can exhibit their work and matches their menu to the art. Check their website for more info." - Ashok Selvam
