Food is meant to be enjoyed but food can also be an experience and I have never been anywhere that did this quite as well as Schwa. Every dish was both beautiful and delicious and you could see the intentionality behind every decision. I particularly loved both the wagyu and the quail which were probably the best meats I’ve ever had.
As far the experience itself, I can acknowledge it’s not for everyone but it was certainly for me. The music is loud but not overwhelming and I felt like they were playing one of my playlists. Really I just had a lot of fun dining here. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday experience and hopefully I can come back for another special occasion soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hank Hardhat
Great restaurant. This is a tasting menu. Some people do not get it. Just a amazing food!!!!
Alee Kolbus
Creative and impeccable presentations, delicious food, and a unique atmosphere. We loved every bite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Frank Hodges
It’s great. Do it. Period.
Rick Stepanovic
The most laid back tasting menu in Chicago. These guys serve incredibly good food without the pretentiousness of a fancy restaurant. There are no waiters, the chefs serve the food themselves. 10/10 would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Simon Shook
Outstanding creative food in a super cool atmosphere. Every course was fantastic and super interesting. We also appreciated the friendly but no-frills service. Had high expectations and they were exceeded in every way.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christopher Davis
Overall, the food is amazing. The general theme of each course will feel familiar to those with experience at other fine dining courses menus but the execution at each stage is exemplary. It is almost as if the chefs are showing off with the degree of complexity and level of technique of each course but never at the expense of how enjoyable the food is. I consider myself a relatively sophistacated diner and still feel like I didn’t fully appreciate everything they were offering.
In short; everything was delicious and it stands out as perhaps the best tasting menu my wife and I have enjoyed in Chicago, including prior experiences at Alinea and Smyth.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hector-Priscilla Cervoni
Excellent food taste, quality and presentation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kort Williams
Absolutely fantastic. The quail might be the best bite of food I've had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Huynh
Probably should have expected it from its location in wicker park, but its a hipster vibe for a tasting menu. Not super fancy but intimate/casual. Music is a little loud. There is one bathroom, and you go through the kitchen to get there which was cool. No valet parking so just street parking. BYOB, and they don't have champagne glasses fyi and just a standard wine glass for red or white wines. I had to message the day of due to an issue, and the staff was very responsive and helpful. I felt like the staff serve but do not cater to you, but not in a disrespectful way, more like taking the fluff out of it, less hoity toity (for example, they did a shot of whiskey with us after).
The atmosphere is a nightmare. Super loud music that makes me feel physically uncomfortable. Absolutely impossible to hear each other talking. BYOB. And you better do because if you are like us don’t like drinking alcohol, you will not be drunk. If you are not drunk, you will hate this place. Service is cold too. The food can be a 4/5 if they can shut down their music. Tried this place July 2023.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Xiao Meow
The atmosphere is a nightmare. Super loud music that makes me feel physically uncomfortable. Absolutely impossible to hear each other talking. BYOB. And you better do because if you are like us don’t like drinking alcohol, you will not be drunk. If you are not drunk, you will hate this place. Service is cold too. The food can be a 4/5 if they can shut down their music. Tried this place July 2023.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Thomas Cera
An incredible food experience from beginning to end. Upon entry, a new customer may question their choice by looking at the place. It is simple and plain. The staff is casually dressed and there is borderline loud music playing. It is obvious that this place is all about the food. Every course is well thought out, explained by staff and delicious. The music tapers off, the tables fill up, the wine (BYOB) flows, the apprehension among newcomers falls away and the experience becomes more and more fun. Enjoy a talented staff, superb service, creative courses and lots of fun!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott de Marchi
You've probably seen other reviews and know there's no wait staff, there's not that many seats, Run the Jewels (or whatever they feel like) is going to be played at volume, and the food is made by self-described pirates who are much cooler than you are. And yes, the quail egg ravioli is a sexual experience.Every dish was a tiny plate filled with big ideas. I swear some of the courses had a sense of humor. Overall, the best meal any of us has ever had and we've eaten everywhere.It's the fanciest, most intellectual food I've eaten -- served by the least fancy crew in a barebones building. The bathroom in the middle of the kitchen was surprisingly nice though and it gives you a chance to SEE the chefs doing their thing. They did diss Apologies to the Queen Mary, but I can't complain given the food.We were the last table of the night. I think we saw Carlson leave the restaurant and head off to wherever he dreams up his food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Manuel Sanchez
The ratings are relative to the price in / what you get for it. Forgettable place overall. Unoriginal and uninspiring.
Food is meant to be enjoyed but food can also be an experience and I have never been anywhere that did this quite as well as Schwa. Every dish was both beautiful and delicious and you could see the intentionality behind every decision. I particularly loved both the wagyu and the quail which were probably the best meats I’ve ever had.
As far the experience itself, I can acknowledge it’s not for everyone but it was certainly for me. The music is loud but not overwhelming and I felt like they were playing one of my playlists. Really I just had a lot of fun dining here. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday experience and hopefully I can come back for another special occasion soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great restaurant. This is a tasting menu. Some people do not get it. Just a amazing food!!!!
Creative and impeccable presentations, delicious food, and a unique atmosphere. We loved every bite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s great. Do it. Period.
The most laid back tasting menu in Chicago. These guys serve incredibly good food without the pretentiousness of a fancy restaurant. There are no waiters, the chefs serve the food themselves. 10/10 would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Outstanding creative food in a super cool atmosphere. Every course was fantastic and super interesting. We also appreciated the friendly but no-frills service. Had high expectations and they were exceeded in every way.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Overall, the food is amazing. The general theme of each course will feel familiar to those with experience at other fine dining courses menus but the execution at each stage is exemplary. It is almost as if the chefs are showing off with the degree of complexity and level of technique of each course but never at the expense of how enjoyable the food is. I consider myself a relatively sophistacated diner and still feel like I didn’t fully appreciate everything they were offering.
In short; everything was delicious and it stands out as perhaps the best tasting menu my wife and I have enjoyed in Chicago, including prior experiences at Alinea and Smyth.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food taste, quality and presentation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely fantastic. The quail might be the best bite of food I've had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Probably should have expected it from its location in wicker park, but its a hipster vibe for a tasting menu. Not super fancy but intimate/casual. Music is a little loud. There is one bathroom, and you go through the kitchen to get there which was cool. No valet parking so just street parking. BYOB, and they don't have champagne glasses fyi and just a standard wine glass for red or white wines. I had to message the day of due to an issue, and the staff was very responsive and helpful. I felt like the staff serve but do not cater to you, but not in a disrespectful way, more like taking the fluff out of it, less hoity toity (for example, they did a shot of whiskey with us after).
Restaurantji Recommends
The atmosphere is a nightmare. Super loud music that makes me feel physically uncomfortable. Absolutely impossible to hear each other talking. BYOB. And you better do because if you are like us don’t like drinking alcohol, you will not be drunk. If you are not drunk, you will hate this place. Service is cold too. The food can be a 4/5 if they can shut down their music. Tried this place July 2023.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
The atmosphere is a nightmare. Super loud music that makes me feel physically uncomfortable. Absolutely impossible to hear each other talking. BYOB. And you better do because if you are like us don’t like drinking alcohol, you will not be drunk. If you are not drunk, you will hate this place. Service is cold too. The food can be a 4/5 if they can shut down their music. Tried this place July 2023.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
An incredible food experience from beginning to end. Upon entry, a new customer may question their choice by looking at the place. It is simple and plain. The staff is casually dressed and there is borderline loud music playing. It is obvious that this place is all about the food. Every course is well thought out, explained by staff and delicious. The music tapers off, the tables fill up, the wine (BYOB) flows, the apprehension among newcomers falls away and the experience becomes more and more fun. Enjoy a talented staff, superb service, creative courses and lots of fun!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
You've probably seen other reviews and know there's no wait staff, there's not that many seats, Run the Jewels (or whatever they feel like) is going to be played at volume, and the food is made by self-described pirates who are much cooler than you are. And yes, the quail egg ravioli is a sexual experience.Every dish was a tiny plate filled with big ideas. I swear some of the courses had a sense of humor. Overall, the best meal any of us has ever had and we've eaten everywhere.It's the fanciest, most intellectual food I've eaten -- served by the least fancy crew in a barebones building. The bathroom in the middle of the kitchen was surprisingly nice though and it gives you a chance to SEE the chefs doing their thing. They did diss Apologies to the Queen Mary, but I can't complain given the food.We were the last table of the night. I think we saw Carlson leave the restaurant and head off to wherever he dreams up his food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The ratings are relative to the price in / what you get for it. Forgettable place overall. Unoriginal and uninspiring.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Loading...