Trying Esmé — A New American Fine‑Dining Spot 🍽️

Esmé is a new American restaurant in Lincoln Park founded by Chef Jenner Tomaska (ex‑Next) and his wife Katrina Bravo. Open less than a month, it already shows Michelin‑star ambitions, though it still needs time to refine its execution. 🥢 Celebration of Small Bites A sampler of dill‑smoked salmon, oyster, grilled maitake, almond crisp with jamón, and egg custard — each bite impressively crafted. 🍦 Sweet Potato Ice Cream with Caviar A classic high‑end pairing — delicious, though not unexpected. 🐟 Tuna Belly with Melon Inspired by Spanish ham‑and‑melon combos — refreshing and creative. 🦐 Spot Prawn with Tapioca Pearls Served with peach and another small side (forgot what — sorry! 🥲). 🥟 Black Truffle Pierogi Filled with cheese — rich, comforting, and a standout. 🕊️ Roasted Quail with Foie Gras Sauce Accompanied by a poached pear — elegant and well‑balanced. 🍚 Rice Pudding with Plum & Pistachio Ice Cream Also received complimentary chocolates, but dessert felt a bit rushed compared to the savory courses. 🍷 Wine Pairing Rather underwhelming — didn’t elevate the meal as hoped. 💸 Overall Thoughts The food is tasty, but price‑to‑value feels off. Service was friendly (I even recognized servers from other fine‑dining spots!), yet pacing was slow and coordination between tables seemed messy. A 20% service charge is automatically added (even for a soft‑opening phase), which felt premature given the operational hiccups. Esmé has clearly invested in its space — with a dedicated bar area like Arcadia, Oriole, or Moody Tongue — but it needs to tighten up the experience to match its ambition. Esmé: 2200 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 #Chicago #ChicagoEats #ChicagoFoodScene #FineDining #NewRestaurant #LincolnPark