El Ideas — Spring Visit to a Chicago Michelin-Starred Adventure

It’s been a year since my last visit — thankful to my friend for bringing me back to celebrate my birthday! Still the delightfully quirky Chef Philip and his emotional support model Veronica, but the food remains as memorable as ever. 🍴 Foie gras mousse with black garlic, Asian pear, and fried snails — served without utensils, meant to be licked off the plate 🫣 (supposedly to “break the ice” on first dates??). Tasty, but… I’m not sure I’m onboard. 🍴 Snapper crudo with green papaya, red cabbage, and herb confetti — fresh and tropical. 🍴 Plump scallop paired with Middle Eastern-inspired sauce and dates — a perfect sweet-savory combo. 🍴 Lobster dumpling with spring bamboo shoots and Seattle morels, resting on a flaky biscuit in a savory broth — delicious, though a bit salty. 🍴 Bone marrow custard with spring pea shoots and beans — a clever transition between savory and sweet. 🍴 Honey-cocoa bread with chicken liver mousse — rich and tasty, though by this point, three liver/bone marrow courses felt a bit heavy. 🍴 Venison — lean and pleasantly chewy, served with pesto and king oyster mushrooms. 🍴 (Not pictured) Their classic ice cream with hot hash browns — a staple that never changes, so I skipped the photo this time. 🍴 Red velvet cake with licorice ice cream to finish — simple but satisfying. Overall, still a fun and flavorful experience — one-star consistency with a few playful surprises along the way! El Ideas: 2419 W 14th St, Chicago, IL 60608 #ChicagoEats #MichelinStar #ElIdeas #InteractiveDining #TastingMenu #QuirkyVibes