Review El Ideas - Chicago

Came here for me and my partner’s anniversary and had a really wonderful time. We were able to sit in the kitchen area, which was particularly fun being close to the action and within our own little nook of the space. The food was phenomenal across the board and the staff was lovely. What’s unique here is that they encourage a sort of “dinner party” vibe and to explore the space. Very fun! Try and find the humorous surprises/“Easter eggs” throughout the space. Overall a wonderful experience.

This was a unique Michelin restaurant. Parking can be limited if you decide to drive. When you walk in, it’s not luxurious or sumptuous looking, this makes you feel like you’re at a friend’s house. You’re just hanging out, letting your friends cook for you. They took my coat and hanged it up for me. Seating is limited. Food was very creative, innovative, and tasty. The menu changes so it’ll never be the same as the past year’s except for the shake and fries course. That one will always stay on. Dress code is casual/dressy but at least make yourself look presentable. Definitely do better than a t shirt. The staff was very friendly and service was great.

It was a spectacular experience dining in EL ideas. The chef welcomed everyone like his friends. He encouraged us to walk around, take pictures, talk to the staff and chat with other customers. The food was amazing, blending with different cultures. My favorite was the octopus, it was a very bold Japanese fusion, smoothly combining spicy and sweetness. It’s not a typical fancy Michelin restaurant, but an inviting, warm, small place that gathers foodies and explorers.

Came here on New Years 2023. Had an AMAZING time. Really enjoyed how each chef who crafted the dish had an opportunity to present it. The food was excellent. Atmosphere is so laid back and so Chicago. Just loved it. BYOB, friendly chef/team. Parking right out front. Highly recommend!

FANTASTIC RESTAURANT & EXPERIENCE! It is important to note that this is very unlike a typical Michelin Star experience in that the restaurant, its locations, and interior vibe has much more of a familial and intimate feel vs. most fine dining restaurants that are much more sterile and impersonal comparatively. Thus, we found this unique atmosphere to be very refreshing and welcomed. That being said, my wife and I having experienced several Michelin Star restaurants both stateside and in Europe, EL ideas is easily one of our top favorites that easily rival 3-star Michelin Star restaurants in our book! The staff was very accommodating and eager to please with dietary restrictions, dining preferences, and even with providing my wife and I a kitchen-side table in celebration of our wedding anniversary and her birthday. The quality of the food was excellent. Very good combinations of flavors, textures, temperatures, acidity, etc. It was clear that the head chef had painstakingly taken the time to experiment and test out various combinations to master the final versions of the dishes present on their tasting menu. Even the presentation was well-thought out and creative in the logistics of consumption (with one dish actually lacking any utensils and was required to be consumed with your mouth straight to the plate). Very thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the highly thought-out experience for the customer. Thinking back, I honestly don’t think that there was a single dish that we did not like or only found to be mediocre. This is quite rare for a tasting menu since most will have at least 1 dish that doesn’t quite hit the mark. With respect to service, dishes for all guests were created and presented simultaneously so that all guests could experience each course together. This further lent to the very intimate and hospitable environment. Overall, EL ideas was worth every penny and we absolutely plan on returning the next time we are in Chicago!

Two couples celebrating an anniversary. First, the reservation process, once you made it past the individual diner input, was easy. Relaxed and very friendly. Questions answered very quickly through email. We understood the individual diner questions and it was very helpful as we had one person who did not eat any seafood. The chefs were wonderful accommodating that for every course. The food was interesting and unique exactly what we wanted...an experience. All while still being familiar. Particular highlights were the chicken dumpling and the sausage that was part of the "Greek" entre. The only dish that none of us enjoyed (and sent finish) was the scallop. 3 of us love scallops and there was something about the shaving and the flavors that just weren't our thing. With so many incentive course, there were plenty of other options to enjoy. Parking close can be challenging; we made sure to arrive early. BYOB and we had multiple bottles to enjoy with what was served. It's an experience. Once, wouldn't do it again. For our purposes to celebrate 40 years in a unique for a couple who has everything it worked out perfectly. As an aside...theusic next door at the outdoor bar...was excellent.

Went here for my birthday and the restaurant really lived up to the high expectations. From fried snail, venison, to octopus. It was an array of cuisine I would not normally eat but oh, the innovative mixture of flavors, plating, ambiance, and the personable interactions with the chefs made it one of the best meals of my life. It’s a must visit!

The best coffee my wife and I have ever had... Also the food is good. 😉 Seriously though, Head Chef Philip and his compatriot Chef Rodolfo, know what they're doing. Everything is delectable, including the things I wouldn't normally eat!

All I have to say is wow. This place is amazing. I was in Chicago to catch a flight and I stopped at El Ideas. The food is amazing and the vibe is immaculate. Every single course worked so well and the flavors were crazy good! Chef Phillip Foss is really astonishing. I will definitely be back in the future. Thanks Chef!!

This place has been on my radar for a while and we finally went last night for my fiancés birthday. Absolutely amazing experience. I’ve had so many tasting menu experiences that either left me still hungry or too full/overwhelmed, but this was the perfect balance. The food was great and the price is also very reasonable for the quality the team delivers. Thank you!

We visited El Ideas yesterday and enjoyed every minute of it. From the moment you walk in and your coats are hung by the entrance, it truly feels like visiting a welcoming friend's house. The Chef-Owner is welcoming and grounded. The ice bucket is already awaiting our BYOB, and the decor is so easy to feel at home with. Every course is a surprise: surprise in flavor, texture, color, plating or decoration. Every experience highlights feeling like a welcomed guest, including the generous invite to join the chefs in the kitchen to watch and talk. I could not have imagined a better experience, nasty snow excluded. We will certainly be back.

Outstanding experience! An open kitchen with seating for maybe 30 people. Welcoming hospitality and superb food. The menu is unpublished, and every dish was a delight. BYOB was fun, too.

Wow….. from the creative and super flavorful food to literally walking into the kitchen and asking the chefs their inspiration, guessing ingredients, and getting to know the other diners, I couldn’t be happier with my experience. The best dinner party I’ve ever been too. Just wish I got more pictures

Truly a great experience. Exceptional dining in a most relaxed atmosphere. EL ideas is truly an unique experience. How does the chef create their preparations? With all the restaurants to choose from in Chicago, EL ideas is the only one we have returned 6 times!

Love El Ideas! One of the best Michelin experiences I have had. The concept is to make fine dining more accessible and fun. The food is very incentive (and most importantly delicious). You are allowed to walk around and see how they prepare the food, and the fact that it is BYOB means that you won't break the bank on expensive wine pairings. Highly recommended!

One of my favorite tasting menus in the city. Pricy but so worth it. Intimate dinner setting where you can interact with the chefs and the owner and watch them make your food. The decor is so fun and the menu was innovative and exciting. Seriously more of an experience than a simple tasting menu. it was byob and they provided us with a chilled bucket.

Amazing Michelin star restaurant in Chicago. Came with some friends and had a delicious meal with multiple courses for a 7pm seating on a Thursday. They were nice enough to accommodate us after I emailed the restaurant 2 days before we needed reservations. It is BYOB and we picked up medium bodied white and red for our meal. Menu keeps changing and every dish is very innovative. Milkshake and french fries was my favorite item. Scallops were excellent too. Loved our time here.

EL Ideas markets itself as a BYOB Michelin starred restaurant minus the frills, where dinner should feel more like a warm family gathering rather than a distant dinner night out on the town. To this end, they achieved this environment and then some, providing amazing, thoughtful plates while remaining rooted to their ideals. We were seated promptly at a table within a few steps from the kitchen, where everyone from their tables could see, hear, and smell the magic happening. The chef encouraged us at the beginning of dinner to get up and join them in the kitchen (up to a point so that we did not intrude the process), and see them at work up close and personal; no need to hide behind any walls. This would not be the only time the chef spoke to us, as every time a new dish made its way to our table, he introduced it with an anecdote about the genesis of it, to the final creation on the plate. It was a personal touch that is much appreciated, and not seen in many restaurants, including those labeled as fine dining. As for the food, my wife, our friend, and I were giddy and full of excitement the days leading up to dinner, and thankfully, our feelings were not misplaced! Dinner started with a couple of beautifully plated and flavorful dishes with the crab and salmon. The crab was Halloween themed in its colors, and in the flavoring, the papaya and carrot elevated the freshness of the crab, giving the dish texture but keeping it light. The follow up dish, a smoked salmon, built upon the light and fresh aspects of the opener. It was a great dish with the beet and pumpernickel making a good contrast to the salmon. Dinner reached a plateau before ramping up again for the next few dishes. The monkfish was okay for my tastes, the chicken and eggs, visually, was not as appetizing or interesting as other dishes, although the flavor was good, and the foie gras was good as well, but not a standout. Immediately after the foie gras, we ate a small bite that seemed as a palate cleanser in the form of a fancy Twix; flavors are unorthodox, but worked extremely well, providing a sweet and salty one-two punch to the palate that prepared me for what was to come. The last 3 dishes of dinner are easily the best of the dinner as well, the last course ending it all with a resounding bang! The main protein of our dinner was a perfectly cooked lamb surrounded by a supporting cast of flavors that kept transforming every mouthful on my tongue depending on what ended up on my fork. It was an exquisite, ever-changing dish with the date and lamb combo in particular making an angelic duet to my taste buds. Following that up, the second to last meal was an inspiring take on dipping fries in a milkshake, a classic savory and sweet combo, with potatoes and leek soup making the fries, and liquid nitrogen reverse poached ice cream making the milkshake. Sounds like something from a mad scientist, but all elements of the dish worked together well, as it tasted as described, but done with a fascinating and intricate twist. Finally, we got to the gingerbread rooibos, the grand finale and apex of dinner. This was the best dish of the night, as the marriage of citrus and sweet was executed perfectly. The citrus of the candied peach and caramelized pomegranate cut through the sweetness of the rooibos and chocolate in particular, bringing a masterful balance to the entirety of the plate. The problem I had with it was that it marked the end of my meal, and I could not have any more of it. In summary, EL Ideas was worth the price of admission, and provided my wife, our friend, and me a memorable dinner. I highly recommend trying it, as the flavors were on point, the service was even better, and best of all, you can bring your own wine or spirit of choice!

Such a fun and refreshing experience! The food is Michelin quality no doubt! You literally feel like you're not only in the kitchen, but also part of the kitchen. It's an awesome place for people to start that are interested in the tasting menu scene, but are perhaps intimidated by some of the 'more fancy' places. Lastly, one of my friends didn't eat seafood and they went above and beyond to accommodate :) Thank you El Ideas! We will definitely come back!

One of the best culinary adventures I have been fortunate enough to have. I liked every single dish, loved most of them and the service from the chefs was impeccable. Sitting in an open room with the kitchen and the chefs added so much to the experience, it's something I'll not soon forget. An absolute must for any foodie in Chicago.

What a great experience. The food was prepared with such artistry and precision. The flavors in each dish were so distinctive, yet meshed together so well. The chefs and the staff were fun and entertaining. I recommend that you reserve a table and savor the experience for yourselves.

Had an amazing experience last night. The food was spectacular and the energy of the entire place from dining room to kitchen, was wonderful. Thank you.

What an unexpected, amazing experience! The chefs and food were outstanding. They are certainly passionate about their art and it showed in the excellence of food, service and presentation.

We loved how the ambiance is relaxed with music in the background and the introduction to each dish opened up your palate. Thank you all for a great evening!

Inventive & edgy with a top-notch staff waiting on every need you may have. Chef's table a must (if available) & was worth it! I can't wait to go back again soon!

Incredible! Great chill atmosphere with homey service and interactive kitchen staff. Every dish was wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed the amuse bouche which was a white powder served on a mirror, and we were asked to get out our credit cards to proceed. Definitely bring Burgundy wines as the white and red we brought paired beautifully with every course. I brought a bottle of Eagle Rare rye bourbon for the kitchen and it seemed like they appreciated it so I hope it went to good use! We'll be back.

We celebrated our 24th anniversary and had an amazing experience. Chef Foss greeted us and served us alongside his creative team of chefs throughout the entire night. Every dish was mindblowingly delicious, they exceeded our expectations! Our favorite of course was the molecular gastronomy signature dish of vanilla ice cream and fries like you've never had in your life! Definitely a foodie paradise!

What an amazing place! My husband and I celebrated our 5th anniversary here last night. I keep looking back at the photos we took and reminisce of the amazing flavors! We had fun trying to guess what was on the plate before the chefs told us. Off the beaten path, and a unique laid back fine dining experience...so glad we found this place. Menu changes every 4-6 weeks, and we'd love to come back here. Amazing and unique food combos that will want you coming back for more! Well done!

Simple amazing! The tasting menu was fantastic, everyone there also made the experience even better. Highly recommend.

I really don't understand why this restaurant has a Michelin. The food was way below par for even a basic restaurant. The flavors were lacking and some dishes were inedible. Forced myself to eat them because of the overpriced experience. Service needs to improve.

If you can be a part of this experience, do it! It's not like any restaurant I've ever been to. The dishes we're delicious and unique. I've had some spectacular meals in my life and this is in the top three.

The generosity; warm welcoming hospitality lack of pomposity not to mention the most delicious interesting and beautiful food I've ever witnessed made for a night I will never forget.

Everything about this experience was spectacular. If you have a chance you should definitely have a dinner here!