Choosing a Chicago Date Restaurant: Ever 🍽️

The second post in the series is here — time for a fair, no-hype review of the Michelin two-star Ever, which gets mixed opinions online! Since I’d heard some say Ever’s seasoning is heavy and salty, and since my partner isn’t a fan of overly salty food, I requested less salt in the reservation notes (chef might not love that 😅). It worked — flavors were balanced just right. ✨ Caviar: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The chestnut purée stole the show — fresh and creamy, arriving subtly after the first bite. A lovely start. 🦀 King Crab: ⭐⭐ An odd creation — served in a tall glass with a transparent sugar shell on top. Sweet and salty clashed, and cucumber made it all soggy. Questionable innovation. 🥥 Mystery Coconut Chicken: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A standout! Rich coconut broth with Southeast Asian spices, prepared almost like a comforting Chinese chicken soup. Crispy white spheres added fun texture. We both loved it — memorable and creative. 🍞 Bread & Butter: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A comforting bread break 💀. The skull-shaped butter had a story, but we were too eager to eat to listen closely 😂. 🐟 King Salmon: ⭐⭐⭐ Safe and well-executed, but forgettable. 🐟 Black Garlic Black Cod: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My favorite! A delightful, layered main. The black garlic grid paired beautifully with the fish, giving a Japanese-inspired flair. Hidden pumpkin purée was silky and subtly sweet — bridging the fish and bold garlic perfectly. A chef-driven choice where sides harmonize rather than just support. I adored it, though my partner thought it was just okay — definitely a dish for specific tastes. 🥩 Miyazaki Wagyu: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The grand finale — instead of light seasoning, it came with a rich, intense sauce. This might be why some find Ever too salty. The beef was lush and melted in the mouth, with black rice balancing the richness. My partner’s top pick. 🍰 Desserts: ⭐ Ever’s weak point — all three disappointed. First, a strawberry plate was a disaster — poorly plated, and the strawberries were worse than chocolate-covered ones from a street vendor. Second, a banana dessert was just okay. The final “tiny treats on a log” felt random and confusing. 💑 Date Night Vibe: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Undeniably five stars. The entrance is discreet near an industrial building, but inside it’s a whole different world 🏭➡️✨. Likely no side-by-side seating — all face-to-face. Lighting is dim and romantic (though finding photo angles takes some maneuvering 📸). Service is attentive — a team ready to assist. We skipped alcohol and went for the non-alcoholic pairing — lots of little drinks between courses, leaving us happily hydrated 💧. As a two-Michelin-star spot, Ever’s flavors are a mix of divine and puzzling — but as a date restaurant, it gets a big 👍 from us. We took tons of photos and enjoyed the whole experience! #ChicagoDateSpot #MichelinTwoStar #EverChicago #FineDining #FoodReview #DateNightGoals