Chicago｜El Ideas — A Michelin-Starred Show

Birthday month calls for another creative one-Michelin-star experience in Chicago — and I absolutely loved it! 🤩🥰 The biggest highlight? A fully open kitchen where you can step in anytime, watch the chefs work, ask questions, and feel part of the process. Each course is served simultaneously to all guests, introduced by the chef, and then everyone digs in together 😝 It was my first time experiencing this style of Michelin dining — so special and fun. I genuinely want to recommend it to everyone! 🌽 Corn The first course came with no utensils — and the chef said: no hands either! So… we licked our plates clean 🐶👅 Fun and tasty, though I prefer using utensils (for dignity’s sake lol). Still, a memorable and playful start! 🥩 Beef Tartare Fresh, tender beef with no odd taste — light and bouncy, served with crispy little crackers. Perfectly seasoned. The vegetarian version used beets and was equally refreshing and tasty. No complaints! 🐟 Halibut Silky and tender fish over morel mushrooms, adding an earthy aroma. The squash underneath was dried and arranged like a flower — beautiful and flavorful. Later found out this was many guests’ favorite dish! 🐙 Octopus Good but not mind-blowing. Served with cheese-filled ravioli, sausage, frisée, capers, and basil. Lots of flavor layers, but I found it slightly on the saltier side. 🔥 Smoked Scallops A richly textured dish — the scallop had a texture like chilled jelly, soft and translucent. Roasted baby potatoes were crispy outside, tender inside. The black beans weren’t my favorite, but overall, a satisfying plate! 🍗 Chicken and Waffle Waffle was standard, but the fried chicken liver was incredibly smooth despite being breaded. We did find it a tad gamey — maybe foie gras next time? 😝 🦆 Duck Surprisingly Japanese-inspired, using Asian ingredients and a matcha-infused sauce! I really enjoyed it — the plum added sweet-tart notes that balanced the matcha perfectly. Unique and delicious. 🍟 French Fries & Frosty A whimsical and fun dessert! 😉 The chef’s daughter loves it, so it stays on the menu permanently. No spoilers here — go unlock this delicious surprise yourself! 🍒 Cherries Felt like a cherry sorbet, served with chocolate, pistachios, and other little treats. A thoughtfully composed dessert with lovely plating 👍🏻 The restaurant is BYOB 🍾 Total for two was around $500 — I’d say it’s delicious, entertaining, and good value for the experience! 📍 El Ideas 2419 W 14th St, Chicago, IL 60608 #ChicagoMichelin #ElIdeas #MichelinDining #OpenKitchenExperience #InteractiveDining