New Nordic-Japanese Eatery Atsumeru Opens in Chicago 🇺🇸✨

I was so excited to hear about this Nordic-Japanese fusion spot finally opening in Chicago—I’ve been waiting forever! 🙌 Visited back in October (yes, I’m that late with reviews 😅) for their first menu, just two weeks after opening. 🍽️ Started downstairs with three small bites: 1️⃣ A thin wafer with celeriac purée, oyster + parsley… cute but not too memorable. 2️⃣ Delicious Gougère filled with gjetost cheese—yum! 🧀 3️⃣ A bite-sized Wagyu with kimchi, egg yolk sauce, and seaweed—pretty good but not mind-blowing. ✨ Upstairs, the real meal began: 🐟 First course: Sturgeon with tom kha foam and crispy rice crackers—fish was great, sauce tasty, but the Southeast Asian twist felt a bit random 🌶️. 🐟 Second course: Another fish dish with sudachi butter and Japanese-style cucumber salad… two fish courses in a row? A bit much. 🍤 Pan-seared scallop with pumpkin foam and veggie caviar—so good! 🍵 Classic chawanmushi with skate, mushrooms, chicken oil, and skin—umami overload! 🤤 🦆 Foie gras mousse and mango jam on crispy Canelés—interesting combo! ❄️ The highlight: "Snowball" dessert! Chef shared a story about licking snow off pine trees as a kid ❄️🌲. This was milk ice cream with fermented pine needle liquid and apple powder—one bite and I was transported to a snowy forest! Magical ✨. 🍃 Also loved the aloe vera foam with yogurt shard—so nostalgic and rare in fine dining! 🍡 Post-meal treats: Mochi with soy glaze and shiso + mini tacos with seaweed caramel—so tasty! Overall, a super creative little spot 🍴💫. Hoping the chef dives deeper into the Nordic theme! 📻 Just a note—the playlist was a bit random (Johnny Cash during dessert? 😂). #GlobalFoodCriticContest #ChicagoEats #HiddenGems #FoodieAdventures #AmericasFoodCorner