The food is very beautiful and creative. However, I don’t understand why bake a whole chicken in the stone, but only take one piece. And they threw the rest of the chicken??? Such a waste. And the one piece they chose for customers is nothing too astonishing. Overall, beautiful but the taste is not memorizable. Tried July 2023.
Deniz Şahin
Apparently they use AI to come up with their dishes…? Sorry but rather take my money to a place where they have real humans putting in the effort needed to make food. Disappointed.
Sebastian Chavez
We’ll be back. Amazing ambiance, food & art was the best of all. The portions were perfect for us.
Krystal Liu
We tried this place during restaurant week early this year. I have heard mixed review about it so was a bit nervous about it. But the experience was pretty good! It’s such a modern and innovative place with very warm and professional services. Food was very well presented and we liked all the dishes from the set menu. And ordered the extra caviar which was also very great and worth it. It a great place for some fine dining event. And will come back for the tasting menu.
Julie Krueger
Intimate with a nice energy Service was fantastic (thank you, Andrew). The dishes are surprising and delightful: beautifully melded flavors and textures with unexpected twists that totally work. We had an absolutely delightful dinner experience and will be returning soon. Not to be missed - the truffle spirit experience.
Jeff Maimon
Wow. The meal I had at Esme was nothing short of spectacular. I have been to many Michelin stared restaurants but the uniqueness of this experience was top tier. Excited to head back for their next menu change!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Partridge, Caviar
Bonnie Hennig-Trestman
Our visit to Esme was an amazing experience. From the ambiance, to the service, and the food, it was unforgettable. Esme combined our love for art and food in a unique and delicious manner. The staff was so lovely and passionate about their knowledge. We will be sure to keep Esme on our list of places to revisit when we come back to Chicago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ava Wachter
My favorite hotel to date! My husband and I had the best time for our birthdays. From the location, the atmosphere and the amenities, they had it all! Valentina at the front desk was amazing and so helpful with all of our requests.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jammie Rubio
Thank you for making our wedding day so memorable. We enjoyed every minute; all the fine details and care that went into each course and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
eunji kim
Please disclose your additional menu prices! All the reviews mention the same issue, and it feels so shady.
I was disappointed with my recent dining experience at Esmé. While the mocktails were a highlight, they felt too sugary to pair with five finger foods. Aside from the steak, it felt like we were served five appetizers. In terms of steak, while the wagyu was passable, the sausage had an unpleasant smell and was inedible. When server asked us how was the taste, we have let them know but there is no explanation of the weird smell or anything. We couldn’t finish it. The first complimentary dish was overly fishy, and most of the food was served at the wrong temperature—not intentionally cold, but more like leftovers.
I was also confused when desserts like cake and ice cream were offered mid-course, which disrupted the flow of the meal. The steak was particularly disappointing
Adding to the frustration, at least five different staff members served us inconsistently. This was HUGE no for me—we were not informed upfront that adding a menu with drink pairings would cost an extra $75 per person nor caviar ice-cream is $90 per person, resulting in a $440 bill for two. For non-native English speakers, this lack of transparency, combined with no clear menu, made the experience uncomfortable.
Overall, Esmé seems to prioritize presentation over taste. There is significant room for improvement in staff communication, menu transparency, and the overall dining experience.
My favorite restaurant in Chicago was Elizabeth, the Michelin-Starred Restaurant Founded by Iliana Regan. However, they closed a couple of year ago. We decided to tried Esmé because we thought that Alina was too "experimental". Esmé looked more down to earth offering more tangible food. We paid almost $750 for two people, no alcohol.
The food was ok. Good flavor for sure, but nothing impressive to be honest, and the Wagyu was too fatty. There was a lot of "exotic" ingredients, decoration around the dishes, and a history behind how the dish relates to some artist which work was part of the dinner.
I won't come back and I would not recommended for the price. Sorry. In retrospective, I think going to Alina would have a better option. Similar price, fun experience.
Some people may say "well maybe your palette is not for the kind of food they offer at Esmé" That may be true. Here my palette profile:
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria is the BEST pizza in Chicago. Deep Dish pizza is disgusting. Au Cheval burger is totally over-rated. Green Tea is one of the Best Sushi Restaurant in Chicago.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Linda McLoon
From the description of Esme, as a joining of food and art, I had a feeling it would be very interesting. Not only was the evening conceptually interesting, the food was both beautifully presented and delicious! The meal is chef's choice, so it is an adventure!
We started off with a selection of small bites beautifully presented on a sculpture. They were yummy, particularly the waygu beef tartlet. The next dish was beautiful too. It was a sea scallop carved to look like a rose! Next up were tempura fried rose petals! They were actually quite good, surprisingly. The next course was basically a salad broom where you swept through 3 different mixtures. I know it sounds odd, but it also was yummy. And the featured artist designed the plates. The dover sole was served with a sea buckthorn sauce... beautiful plating! The partridge came out in a bird shaped clay container. This place has a very theatrical serving style. I loved it! The meat course was venison, also served like it was a painting!
The desserts were colorful and funky, as were the little candy goodbye gifts.
This restaurant has 1 Michelin star, and it is well deserved. The service was impeccable! It is, however, rather pricey.
What a fun evening of eating art and looking at art. I really love this place, and I highly recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
D Vetrano
Extremely creative. Great pace. Seasonal menu. Wonderful staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Costa
We very much enjoyed our greeting at Esme while being offered welcome drinks. Always a favorite of mine. Our server was very nice but as we learned through the night the same lines were said to all customers. Our biggest frustration was being sold on the major up charged caviar dish without disclosing the price but alluding that we should have read the menu. They were able to recover but this set an unnecessary tone. Overall the food and presentation was fantastic and the focus on detail was strong. This was a great experience but with all the competition in Chicago I would like opt for a different one.
The food is very beautiful and creative. However, I don’t understand why bake a whole chicken in the stone, but only take one piece. And they threw the rest of the chicken??? Such a waste. And the one piece they chose for customers is nothing too astonishing. Overall, beautiful but the taste is not memorizable. Tried July 2023.
Apparently they use AI to come up with their dishes…? Sorry but rather take my money to a place where they have real humans putting in the effort needed to make food. Disappointed.
We’ll be back. Amazing ambiance, food & art was the best of all. The portions were perfect for us.
We tried this place during restaurant week early this year. I have heard mixed review about it so was a bit nervous about it. But the experience was pretty good! It’s such a modern and innovative place with very warm and professional services. Food was very well presented and we liked all the dishes from the set menu. And ordered the extra caviar which was also very great and worth it. It a great place for some fine dining event. And will come back for the tasting menu.
Intimate with a nice energy
Service was fantastic (thank you, Andrew). The dishes are surprising and delightful: beautifully melded flavors and textures with unexpected twists that totally work. We had an absolutely delightful dinner experience and will be returning soon.
Not to be missed - the truffle spirit experience.
Wow. The meal I had at Esme was nothing short of spectacular. I have been to many Michelin stared restaurants but the uniqueness of this experience was top tier. Excited to head back for their next menu change!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Partridge, Caviar
Our visit to Esme was an amazing experience. From the ambiance, to the service, and the food, it was unforgettable. Esme combined our love for art and food in a unique and delicious manner. The staff was so lovely and passionate about their knowledge. We will be sure to keep Esme on our list of places to revisit when we come back to Chicago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My favorite hotel to date! My husband and I had the best time for our birthdays. From the location, the atmosphere and the amenities, they had it all! Valentina at the front desk was amazing and so helpful with all of our requests.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thank you for making our wedding day so memorable. We enjoyed every minute; all the fine details and care that went into each course and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Please disclose your additional menu prices! All the reviews mention the same issue, and it feels so shady.
I was disappointed with my recent dining experience at Esmé. While the mocktails were a highlight, they felt too sugary to pair with five finger foods. Aside from the steak, it felt like we were served five appetizers. In terms of steak, while the wagyu was passable, the sausage had an unpleasant smell and was inedible. When server asked us how was the taste, we have let them know but there is no explanation of the weird smell or anything. We couldn’t finish it. The first complimentary dish was overly fishy, and most of the food was served at the wrong temperature—not intentionally cold, but more like leftovers.
I was also confused when desserts like cake and ice cream were offered mid-course, which disrupted the flow of the meal. The steak was particularly disappointing
Adding to the frustration, at least five different staff members served us inconsistently. This was HUGE no for me—we were not informed upfront that adding a menu with drink pairings would cost an extra $75 per person nor caviar ice-cream is $90 per person, resulting in a $440 bill for two. For non-native English speakers, this lack of transparency, combined with no clear menu, made the experience uncomfortable.
Overall, Esmé seems to prioritize presentation over taste. There is significant room for improvement in staff communication, menu transparency, and the overall dining experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Awesome experience with awesome food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My favorite restaurant in Chicago was Elizabeth, the Michelin-Starred Restaurant Founded by Iliana Regan. However, they closed a couple of year ago. We decided to tried Esmé because we thought that Alina was too "experimental". Esmé looked more down to earth offering more tangible food. We paid almost $750 for two people, no alcohol.
The food was ok. Good flavor for sure, but nothing impressive to be honest, and the Wagyu was too fatty. There was a lot of "exotic" ingredients, decoration around the dishes, and a history behind how the dish relates to some artist which work was part of the dinner.
I won't come back and I would not recommended for the price. Sorry. In retrospective, I think going to Alina would have a better option. Similar price, fun experience.
Some people may say "well maybe your palette is not for the kind of food they offer at Esmé" That may be true. Here my palette profile:
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria is the BEST pizza in Chicago.
Deep Dish pizza is disgusting.
Au Cheval burger is totally over-rated.
Green Tea is one of the Best Sushi Restaurant in Chicago.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
From the description of Esme, as a joining of food and art, I had a feeling it would be very interesting. Not only was the evening conceptually interesting, the food was both beautifully presented and delicious! The meal is chef's choice, so it is an adventure!
We started off with a selection of small bites beautifully presented on a sculpture. They were yummy, particularly the waygu beef tartlet. The next dish was beautiful too. It was a sea scallop carved to look like a rose! Next up were tempura fried rose petals! They were actually quite good, surprisingly.
The next course was basically a salad broom where you swept through 3 different mixtures. I know it sounds odd, but it also was yummy. And the featured artist designed the plates. The dover sole was served with a sea buckthorn sauce... beautiful plating! The partridge came out in a bird shaped clay container. This place has a very theatrical serving style. I loved it! The meat course was venison, also served like it was a painting!
The desserts were colorful and funky, as were the little candy goodbye gifts.
This restaurant has 1 Michelin star, and it is well deserved. The service was impeccable! It is, however, rather pricey.
What a fun evening of eating art and looking at art. I really love this place, and I highly recommend it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Extremely creative. Great pace. Seasonal menu. Wonderful staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We very much enjoyed our greeting at Esme while being offered welcome drinks. Always a favorite of mine. Our server was very nice but as we learned through the night the same lines were said to all customers. Our biggest frustration was being sold on the major up charged caviar dish without disclosing the price but alluding that we should have read the menu. They were able to recover but this set an unnecessary tone. Overall the food and presentation was fantastic and the focus on detail was strong. This was a great experience but with all the competition in Chicago I would like opt for a different one.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Loading...