I’m disappointed to write this review because the atmosphere and service were good, the food was underwhelming, it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t impressive, we ordered quite a few dishes and not one of them was impressive, these flavors wouldn’t have us coming back, we were very excited for Elske but it fell
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Gubbini
We greatly enjoyed the set menu. Portion sizes were perfect (most offerings were tasting size), variety was wide (everything from chicken croquettes to hamachi to striploin) and presentation was impeccable. Tables are very close together and it was a bit noisy but otherwise the ambiance was pleasing.
Shaira Riemenschneider
One of our favorite places. Food is truly exceptional and the menu varies often enough to invite return trips. Drinks are great, service is outstanding. The quality of the entire experience is well worth the money spent. Already booked another evening. Can't wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Frozen Fennel Jelly with Mint, Duck Liver Tart with Buckwheat and Pickled Ramps, Smoked Fjord Trout with Beets 'Golden' Honey and Oxalis, Roasted Lamb Saddle and Sausage with Cauliflower and Smoked Dates, Tasting Menu, Duck Liver Tart with Salted Ramp and Buckwheat, Juice Pairing, Wine Pairing
Cullen McMillan
Had a wonderful time at Elske. We had the tasting menu with the wine pairing. Each dish was unique and had a pleasant profile, we were a bit disapointed in the wine, as none of them were very special. The service and ambiance were perfect however and all members of the party had a wonderful time. Price was somewhat reasonable for what was provided. Compared to other michilen star restaurants it was just good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tasting Menu, Wine Pairing
Andrea Bielli
Loved this place with its open kitchen and a great ability to select and combine ingredients in sharp and convincing recipes full of taste and flavor. The tasting menu is well balanced and allows a great journey into different cooking styles, textures and temperatures. Wine list has some very nice small natural producers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tasting Menu
RMB2024
We had the loveliest meal at Elske. The food was great, and the service was even better--everyone we interacted with was lovely and helpful and our server in particular made perfect wine and dish recommendations. (She also very kindly comped us a sunflower seed parfait that was probably the biggest hit of the night--do not sleep on the desserts.) The space itself is gorgeous--clean, light-filled, and comfortable. Wish we'd been around for slightly warmer weather, so we could have spent more time on their patio. All told, a pretty magical experience.
The food was good and very interesting. It sure was a great experience for me and my partner. Our waitress Zeida was also very nice and informative and attentive. We arrived 20 mins early and they gave us our reservation. We'll come again.
KatieZ
Elske was absolutely delicious. Outstanding service, quality and presentation. I wasn't sure I would enjoy the set menu but the sever worked with me to offer alternate suggestions for some of the dishes and they were all terrific! Very unique experience.
A C
Vegetarian options: Excellent vegetarian options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Creamy Milk Chocolate Feuilletine Black Garlic Caramel and Salted Blueberry
Alex Cullen
Ya….maybe I don’t like Scandi/nordic food, we had a hard time finishing the plates. Pretty bad flavors compared to other cuisines.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Liver Tart with Buckwheat and Pickled Ramps, Steamed Halibut with Turnip Pomelo and Pecans, Salt-Cured Anchovies with Fennel Pollen Lemon and Grilled Bread
It was a wonderful experience at Elske, the tasting menu was delicious. From start to finish, each item was cooked to perfection and served beautifully. Big thanks to the chef, team and pastry chef for a great time and the birthday dessert for my girlfriend! This was her first tasting menu and she absolutely loved it. Thank you for this unforgettable experience!
Tom Budzen
Came here for an anniversary dinner. The Elske team did a phenomenal job making sure that the occasion was a special one. The food was delicious and the ambiance of the restaurant itself makes it feel as if you’re in Scandinavia. Highly recommend this to anyone!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tasting Menu
The food was subpar. The fish with beans tasted like plastic, and the quail lacked flavor. The food presentation was minimal, demonstrating no effort by the chef. However, the server was pleasant, and my cocktail was lovely. I have been to Elske before, and the food was excellent. Unfortunately, the restaurant is no longer michillan star quality. Chef Jeremy Ford's Stubborn Seed far exceeds Elske.
AliceT
What a delightful spot! We had high expectations for Elske, and it did not disappoint. We had the tasting menu and wine pairing. Every course was truly delicious, and all the servers were very attentive. Monica, our server/bartender, was a gem. My husband had the pickled cucumber martini and it was perfect. Thanks for a great night!
JuliaS
Went with the tasting menu. One item (the “risotto” which was subbed in to make it pescatarian friendly) was just meh, but everything else was absolutely incredible. Our group does tasting menus around Chicago frequently and find them worth the hype probably a third of the time. This was well worth the hype, and a decent value. Will be back.
I’m disappointed to write this review because the atmosphere and service were good, the food was underwhelming, it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t impressive, we ordered quite a few dishes and not one of them was impressive, these flavors wouldn’t have us coming back, we were very excited for Elske but it fell
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
We greatly enjoyed the set menu. Portion sizes were perfect (most offerings were tasting size), variety was wide (everything from chicken croquettes to hamachi to striploin) and presentation was impeccable. Tables are very close together and it was a bit noisy but otherwise the ambiance was pleasing.
One of our favorite places. Food is truly exceptional and the menu varies often enough to invite return trips. Drinks are great, service is outstanding. The quality of the entire experience is well worth the money spent. Already booked another evening. Can't wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Frozen Fennel Jelly with Mint, Duck Liver Tart with Buckwheat and Pickled Ramps, Smoked Fjord Trout with Beets 'Golden' Honey and Oxalis, Roasted Lamb Saddle and Sausage with Cauliflower and Smoked Dates, Tasting Menu, Duck Liver Tart with Salted Ramp and Buckwheat, Juice Pairing, Wine Pairing
Had a wonderful time at Elske. We had the tasting menu with the wine pairing. Each dish was unique and had a pleasant profile, we were a bit disapointed in the wine, as none of them were very special. The service and ambiance were perfect however and all members of the party had a wonderful time. Price was somewhat reasonable for what was provided. Compared to other michilen star restaurants it was just good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tasting Menu, Wine Pairing
Loved this place with its open kitchen and a great ability to select and combine ingredients in sharp and convincing recipes full of taste and flavor. The tasting menu is well balanced and allows a great journey into different cooking styles, textures and temperatures. Wine list has some very nice small natural producers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tasting Menu
We had the loveliest meal at Elske. The food was great, and the service was even better--everyone we interacted with was lovely and helpful and our server in particular made perfect wine and dish recommendations. (She also very kindly comped us a sunflower seed parfait that was probably the biggest hit of the night--do not sleep on the desserts.) The space itself is gorgeous--clean, light-filled, and comfortable. Wish we'd been around for slightly warmer weather, so we could have spent more time on their patio. All told, a pretty magical experience.
The food was good and very interesting. It sure was a great experience for me and my partner. Our waitress Zeida was also very nice and informative and attentive. We arrived 20 mins early and they gave us our reservation. We'll come again.
Elske was absolutely delicious. Outstanding service, quality and presentation. I wasn't sure I would enjoy the set menu but the sever worked with me to offer alternate suggestions for some of the dishes and they were all terrific! Very unique experience.
Vegetarian options: Excellent vegetarian options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Creamy Milk Chocolate Feuilletine Black Garlic Caramel and Salted Blueberry
Ya….maybe I don’t like Scandi/nordic food, we had a hard time finishing the plates. Pretty bad flavors compared to other cuisines.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duck Liver Tart with Buckwheat and Pickled Ramps, Steamed Halibut with Turnip Pomelo and Pecans, Salt-Cured Anchovies with Fennel Pollen Lemon and Grilled Bread
Restaurantji Recommends
It was a wonderful experience at Elske, the tasting menu was delicious. From start to finish, each item was cooked to perfection and served beautifully. Big thanks to the chef, team and pastry chef for a great time and the birthday dessert for my girlfriend! This was her first tasting menu and she absolutely loved it. Thank you for this unforgettable experience!
Came here for an anniversary dinner. The Elske team did a phenomenal job making sure that the occasion was a special one. The food was delicious and the ambiance of the restaurant itself makes it feel as if you’re in Scandinavia. Highly recommend this to anyone!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tasting Menu
The food was subpar. The fish with beans tasted like plastic, and the quail lacked flavor. The food presentation was minimal, demonstrating no effort by the chef. However, the server was pleasant, and my cocktail was lovely. I have been to Elske before, and the food was excellent. Unfortunately, the restaurant is no longer michillan star quality. Chef Jeremy Ford's Stubborn Seed far exceeds Elske.
What a delightful spot! We had high expectations for Elske, and it did not disappoint. We had the tasting menu and wine pairing. Every course was truly delicious, and all the servers were very attentive. Monica, our server/bartender, was a gem. My husband had the pickled cucumber martini and it was perfect. Thanks for a great night!
Went with the tasting menu. One item (the “risotto” which was subbed in to make it pescatarian friendly) was just meh, but everything else was absolutely incredible. Our group does tasting menus around Chicago frequently and find them worth the hype probably a third of the time. This was well worth the hype, and a decent value. Will be back.