Chicago｜Valhalla — Where “Ritual” is Woven into Every Dish ✨

Finally getting around to posting about our Christmas Eve dinner from late 2025 — celebrating 5 years together! 🎉 Valhalla isn’t super hyped online, but the ambiance, plating, and reviews caught my eye — and it did not disappoint. ✨ The open kitchen counter is a major plus Watching the chef prepare each dish right in front of you is quiet, focused, and precise. It makes you slow down and truly anticipate what’s coming next. 🍽️ Possibly the best tasting menu I’ve had overall 👍 Highlights: ▪️ Seafood was incredibly clean and fresh — you can taste the quality. ▪️ Meat cooked to perfect doneness every time. ▪️ Simple ingredients elevated through creative seasoning and plating — every bite held a little surprise. ▪️ Desserts were full of ceremony and clearly designed with care. ▪️ Portion control was just right — left satisfied, not stuffed or still hungry. 👎 Minor letdown: ▪️ A few later courses leaned too acidic — refreshing but slightly overshadowed the natural flavors. 🍴 Even the tableware felt intentional Each plate and utensil seemed chosen specifically for the dish — like a quiet reminder: “This one deserves your full attention.” 🎂 The anniversary touches really hit home Handwritten card, candles, even an instant photo 📸 — those little details make you think, “Yeah, we’ll remember this meal.” 💰 Pricey but worth it Per person: ~$300 (depending on wine pairing) But honestly? Felt like every dollar was well spent. I’m already thinking about coming back for their summer menu next year! 📌 Who’s it for? ✔️ Special occasions — anniversaries, birthdays, proposals ✔️ A genuinely intentional date night ✔️ Experienced fine diners looking to be pleasantly surprised #ValhallaChicago #ChicagoEats #ChicagoFineDining #TastingMenu #SpecialOccasion