Chicago | Is the 2-Star Oriole Worth It? 🤔

Chicago’s 2-star spots generally have much better ambiance than those in NYC or SF (just saying ✨). The experience flowed smoothly — from the bar to the kitchen to the table — adding a nice interactive touch to the meal. Flavor-wise, every dish was decent — nothing tasted off, but nothing was mind-blowingly memorable either. (For comparison, Ever and Smyth each had at least one dish I strongly disliked 😅). In short: a safe choice for business dinners or dates — no mistakes, each dish scored a solid 70–80/100, but no wow moments either. Not as legendary as some social media posts claim. The most memorable part was the opening trio of appetizers — beautifully blended Japanese flavors that set high expectations for the rest of the meal. 🦢 The foie gras tart that’s hyped online… I thought it was just okay. 🥣 The first course at the table was a bit confusing — a very salty, all-vegetable purée eaten plain. Honestly just wanted some carbs to go with it 🍚. 🦐🍖 The prawn, eel, and Wagyu were all delicious — worthy of 2 stars — but didn’t leave a lasting impression (felt like an upscale version of Commis in the Bay Area). 🍰 The desserts — often criticized — actually suited my taste pretty well! 📊 Quick rankings: 🏛️ Ambiance: Ever ＞ Oriole ＞ Moody Tongue (lost star) = Smyth (now 3 stars) 👨👩👧👦 Crowd-pleasing flavor: Oriole ＞ Moody Tongue ＞ Ever ＞ Smyth ❤️ My personal preference: Oriole = Smyth ＞ Ever ＞ Moody Tongue #ChicagoEats #Michelin2Star #Oriole #FineDining #FoodReview #ChicagoFoodie