Esme*

Strawberry

Chicago

Tucked along a quiet stretch of Lincoln Park in Chicago, Esme is less a restaurant and more an immersive art installation, where every plate is a brushstroke, and every course a conversation. With its deeply conceptual approach to both food and space, Esme has earned its place among the most avant-garde dining destinations in the country.

For lovers of modern art, Esme is a dream. The restaurant partners with local artists and reimagines the space and menu regularly around curated themes. It’s an ever-evolving gallery, where creativity spills from the walls onto the plate. Even the menu presentation feels like a nod to a contemporary exhibit.

For us, as lovers of more classical art forms where composition and tradition take center stage, the experience leaned more toward appreciation than resonance. We admired the thoughtfulness and innovation behind each course, even if it didn’t speak to us in the same way a timeless still life or Renaissance fresco might. It’s a tasting that asks to be interpreted, not just tasted.

Sev - Amuse-Bouche

Sev - Amuse-Bouche

Sunflower

Egg

Supplemental Caviar

Scallop

Rouget

Squab

Supplemental Truffle

Lamb

Horchata

Sweets

The service was polished and warm, striking that perfect tone of casual elegance. Each dish was introduced with context often referencing the artist collaboration or the deeper meaning behind its elements. The culinary craftsmanship was undeniable, with highlights that included delicate fish preparations, surprising textures, and unexpected ingredients that challenged and intrigued.

While Esme may not have been designed for traditionalists, it undeniably honors the spirit of fine dining in a thoroughly modern voice. For those open to a sensory journey that doubles as an artistic dialogue, Esme is a must-visit. And even for those of us who lean classical, stepping outside the frame was a welcome shift in perspective.