Loved it! We came for the restaurant week menu which was a great value but we really enjoyed everything.
Patrick
The food and drinks are amazing and what you would expect at a Michelin star restaurant. That said, an automatic 22% service charge and a $250 per person wine pairing charge is excessive. I've been to much fancier places that didn't charge that much as an automatic service charge of wine pairing fee. This might have been because it was Valentine's Day weekend, but still. I will iterate that the food was incredible and very creative. I would go back, but perhaps not during a holiday weekend!
Salim
Overall an exquisite experience. My only quarrels are the beet mole overpowered the Wagyu and made it difficult to taste. Additionally the remnants of previous courses were left on the tabletop before a new course was brought out. Outside of that, the sturgeon was cooked perfectly and the flavors of the dish paired very well. The presentation of the food and decor felt spot on.
Seri
The fish was really good texture and tasty. Everything else was pretty good combination and interesting! Salad maybe could have been better personally.
Joey
Wagyu beef and caviar ice cream were phenomenal... simply awakened the palate.!! Simplicity and minimalism on point.. The whole experience was Harmonious..
Khushbu
Dined here for RW and was really impressed. The space is impeccable and the service was exceptional. Steven was a great server and really made our experience fun and was knowledgeable about the courses and beverage menu. Chris G knows how to really elevate an experience and run FOH effectively. The meal itself was delicious; we really appreciated how they accommodated for our vegetarian diet needs. The pasta with truffle was so good. The tiramisu is a piece of art in itself. Overall an exceptional and compelling experience; will definitely plan to come back for the full Esme experience.
Chong
Esmé, sì. It's me. I love the Esmé experience quite a lot. This brings Chicago Restaurant Week of 2026 to a pleasant close. I won't mention the other 2 restaurants that were terrible. Esmè did everything right. Plus their staff are among the most friendly and attentive out there. Highly recommend!
Mary Rose
Restaurant Week at Esmé was an unforgettable culinary experience that beautifully showcased the restaurant's creativity and precision. Each course felt thoughtfully composed, delivering a remarkable progression of flavor and artistry. From the opening soup, which was both comforting and refined, to the perfectly prepared sturgeon and the exceptional wagyu samplings, every bite carried deep, rich, and memorable flavor. The optional drink pairings and dessert offerings elevated the experience even further and were absolutely worth indulging in, adding layers of balance and celebration to an already outstanding meal. Esmé delivered not just dinner, but a true tasting journey that left a lasting impression. We are already looking forward to returning.
Charlotte
We got the restaurant week deal, added a desert and drinks. Meal was still over $200 but was really special. I loved their fish and the creative herb pairings. Some great mushrooms. I wish I'd known ahead of time about the menu's connection to the artist in the gallery! Don't know when it will be worth it to go again, but I wonderful night every couple of years.
Jason
Esme absolutely delivered during Chicago Restaurant Week. The experience felt elevated without being stuffy—exactly what you hope for from a Michelin-starred spot. The staff struck the perfect balance of hip, fun, and deeply knowledgeable, walking us through each course with genuine enthusiasm and insight. A huge plus was how thoughtfully they accommodated my partner's food allergies. The team handled it with confidence and care, offering excellent alternatives that felt just as intentional and refined as the original dishes—never an afterthought. Each course was creative, beautifully presented, and thoughtfully composed—clearly driven by both technique and imagination. You could feel the intention behind every detail, from pacing to plating. Esme really curates an experience. Already looking forward to going back.
It is way overpriced for the restaurant week menu, we ordered additional courses and also dessert (to be paid for separately) and still left feeling hungry. The food was alright, we have had better. The drink we ordered was the best thing we had, creative! But yes, won't be going here again, especially not for restaurant week.
Francisco
Restaurant week experience was great overall. I recommend skipping the caviar add on dish. Definitely add the off menu pasta dish if available. Desserts were overly sweet especially the sticky pudding. Tiramisu presentation is fun and Instagramable.
Michael
We had an incredible time coming for the restaurant week menu. The food was incredible and the service was excellent as well. We would love to come back again!
Julia
The pre-set restaurant week menu felt like it was prepared way ahead of time and just sent out when ordered. The wagyu shortrib was extremely tough and the salad lacked presentation. The supplementary pasta dish was the real dish that saved the meal (clearly prepared to order).
David
The restaurant week experience was delightful. We're looking forward to their regular menu in the future. Steven and associates were attentive and eager. Many thanks!
Loved it! We came for the restaurant week menu which was a great value but we really enjoyed everything.
The food and drinks are amazing and what you would expect at a Michelin star restaurant. That said, an automatic 22% service charge and a $250 per person wine pairing charge is excessive. I've been to much fancier places that didn't charge that much as an automatic service charge of wine pairing fee. This might have been because it was Valentine's Day weekend, but still. I will iterate that the food was incredible and very creative. I would go back, but perhaps not during a holiday weekend!
Overall an exquisite experience. My only quarrels are the beet mole overpowered the Wagyu and made it difficult to taste. Additionally the remnants of previous courses were left on the tabletop before a new course was brought out. Outside of that, the sturgeon was cooked perfectly and the flavors of the dish paired very well. The presentation of the food and decor felt spot on.
The fish was really good texture and tasty. Everything else was pretty good combination and interesting! Salad maybe could have been better personally.
Wagyu beef and caviar ice cream were phenomenal... simply awakened the palate.!! Simplicity and minimalism on point.. The whole experience was Harmonious..
Dined here for RW and was really impressed. The space is impeccable and the service was exceptional. Steven was a great server and really made our experience fun and was knowledgeable about the courses and beverage menu. Chris G knows how to really elevate an experience and run FOH effectively. The meal itself was delicious; we really appreciated how they accommodated for our vegetarian diet needs. The pasta with truffle was so good. The tiramisu is a piece of art in itself. Overall an exceptional and compelling experience; will definitely plan to come back for the full Esme experience.
Esmé, sì. It's me. I love the Esmé experience quite a lot. This brings Chicago Restaurant Week of 2026 to a pleasant close. I won't mention the other 2 restaurants that were terrible. Esmè did everything right. Plus their staff are among the most friendly and attentive out there. Highly recommend!
Restaurant Week at Esmé was an unforgettable culinary experience that beautifully showcased the restaurant's creativity and precision. Each course felt thoughtfully composed, delivering a remarkable progression of flavor and artistry. From the opening soup, which was both comforting and refined, to the perfectly prepared sturgeon and the exceptional wagyu samplings, every bite carried deep, rich, and memorable flavor. The optional drink pairings and dessert offerings elevated the experience even further and were absolutely worth indulging in, adding layers of balance and celebration to an already outstanding meal. Esmé delivered not just dinner, but a true tasting journey that left a lasting impression. We are already looking forward to returning.
We got the restaurant week deal, added a desert and drinks. Meal was still over $200 but was really special. I loved their fish and the creative herb pairings. Some great mushrooms. I wish I'd known ahead of time about the menu's connection to the artist in the gallery! Don't know when it will be worth it to go again, but I wonderful night every couple of years.
Esme absolutely delivered during Chicago Restaurant Week. The experience felt elevated without being stuffy—exactly what you hope for from a Michelin-starred spot. The staff struck the perfect balance of hip, fun, and deeply knowledgeable, walking us through each course with genuine enthusiasm and insight. A huge plus was how thoughtfully they accommodated my partner's food allergies. The team handled it with confidence and care, offering excellent alternatives that felt just as intentional and refined as the original dishes—never an afterthought. Each course was creative, beautifully presented, and thoughtfully composed—clearly driven by both technique and imagination. You could feel the intention behind every detail, from pacing to plating. Esme really curates an experience. Already looking forward to going back.
Restaurantji Recommends
It is way overpriced for the restaurant week menu, we ordered additional courses and also dessert (to be paid for separately) and still left feeling hungry. The food was alright, we have had better. The drink we ordered was the best thing we had, creative! But yes, won't be going here again, especially not for restaurant week.
Restaurant week experience was great overall. I recommend skipping the caviar add on dish. Definitely add the off menu pasta dish if available. Desserts were overly sweet especially the sticky pudding. Tiramisu presentation is fun and Instagramable.
We had an incredible time coming for the restaurant week menu. The food was incredible and the service was excellent as well. We would love to come back again!
The pre-set restaurant week menu felt like it was prepared way ahead of time and just sent out when ordered. The wagyu shortrib was extremely tough and the salad lacked presentation. The supplementary pasta dish was the real dish that saved the meal (clearly prepared to order).
The restaurant week experience was delightful. We're looking forward to their regular menu in the future. Steven and associates were attentive and eager. Many thanks!
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