Valhalla — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

There are meals that you remember as remarkable, but the details fade with time. The specific dishes contributed to the whole, but weren't in and of themselves exceptional enough to burn into your memory.

And then there are dishes that you'll remember forever on their own. The first time you had botan ebi in 2006, drizzled with lemon juice and a pinch of salt, smeared with fresh wasabi and a wisp of soy sauce. The capellini with truffles at Oriole in 2016. The spaghetti with caviar and bottarga at Momotaro.

And then there's that rare beast, an exceptional meal made up of incredible and memorable dishes served by a friendly and polished but unintrusive and professional staff in a clean, minimalist modern environment.

I'm not going to do a play by play of each course. Suffice it to say that I was amazed across the board by the experience. Even the course that included cooked salmon (possibly one of my least favorite things to eat) was well above average and worth devouring.

It's pretty obvious that Valhalla is a labor of love by a genuine team trying to craft something really, really special. And they've succeeded. It's Michelin level execution and service, but the menu bursts with bright acidity and funk, fish sauce and citrus, umami and hints of bitterness. I frequently find fault, even at a starred restaurant. I'm incredibly picky, although I strive to actively enjoy the positives in whatever I eat. Literally the only complaints I have here are that I don't really like cooked salmon, and the non alcoholic pairing (which was quite interesting) leaned very sweet to our palates.

Otherwise, it blew Smythe out of the (very well executed) water, and at a bargain price, relatively. I told the Chef as I left that it was the best meal I'd had in 13 years. Happily with Valhalla in town, that frequency should...

My husband and I shared one of the best meals we've had in a long time here. Is was amazing and fun and I can't wait to go back. We love trying new restaurants and have eaten our way through the Michelin starred restaurants in the city and then some. I read about Valhalla in a random article about the best places to try in the city and it did not disappoint.

It combines alot of familiar fine dining touches (tasting menu, pulling out your chair, folding your napkin when you gonto thr bathroom, servers at attention at all times if you need something) without feeling stuffy or formal.

The set up is almost like that of sushi bar with you facing the host and chefs working behind the counter. While the host and chefs chatted a blow torch and and liquid nitrogen made a few appearances. The bar set up also so added a communal aspect to the meal. It had an interesting vibe that I hadn't quite experienced before.

This was especially true of the food. Thing like truffles, wagu beef and lobster made appearances but unlike I had ever tasted before. There were Japanese, Filipino and Spanish influences (to name a few) that just exploded with flavor and creativity. There were a couple of dishes showing the chef isn't afraid to add a little spice which I very much enjoyed. The presentations were equal parts beautiful and fun. This is also one of the few places I've tried where the desserts stand shoulder to shoulder with the savory dishes in quality, flavor and creativity.

The stand outs for us were the braised beef, Crab and croquetta dishes...but that's really a matter of taste. Everything we ate was amazing. Those were the ones that took us on a spiritual journey..but the rest were very close.

I can't recommend...

I first visited Valhalla when it was in the Timeout Market and thought the food was genuinely some of the best I'd ever had. Now that they've opened in their new space (stunning, intimate, and well designed), I was excited to come back. Somehow, the food was even BETTER than the first time. I've been to Michelin-starred restaurants that fell short on a second visit, but not Valhalla. They vastly exceeded my expectations the first time and blew my mind the second.

The menu was incredible. Every dish was perfection, with the perfect balance of salt, flavor, acidity, and texture. The menu progression made so much sense; each dish played off the last perfectly. And it was a ton of food! You absolutely get your moneys worth here.

This visit, I opted for the non-alcoholic pairings while my husband went with the wine pairings. Both were exceptional. I was served a spirit-free "Honey Bee," and it was the best drink I've ever had. The entire beverage program was flawless, and the explanations were just right—detailed but not overboard.

The dinner was interactive, and watching Chef and his talented team put together a beautiful meal was amazing. Despite it being opening weekend when I visited, service was perfect. Every detail was covered, and it's clear they worked hard to ensure complete satisfaction.

A small thing but worth mentioning: the bathroom was stocked with every amenity you could need. No detail was overlooked in opening this restaurant.

Valhalla is the GOAT of restaurants. They deserve all of the stars and accolades that I am certain will be coming their way. I WILL be back, and Chicago is lucky...