Elske

“Got to try some unique dishes (salt cured anchovies, duck breast, and sunflower seed parfait) at...”

Got to try some unique dishes (salt cured anchovies, duck breast, and sunflower seed parfait) at this Michelin-starred restaurant. It was all well balanced in flavor!

Manisit Das

Oct 2025

“Had an amazing celebration dinner after my friend’s wedding and the experience was delightful from start to finish.”

Had an amazing celebration dinner after my friend’s wedding and the experience was delightful from start to finish. The service especially great from our event server. He was patient, kind, and professional although our group was quite rowdy. The food portions were larger than expected and everything we ate was enjoyable, unique, and flavorful. The private dining room is the most beautiful room I’ve had the pleasure to dine in outside of NYC, with an enormous fireplace and giant windows letting in plenty of natural light. I was visiting Chicago for this event and I will most definitely return once I am back! Omg, I almost forgot to mention that there are some extremely talented bakers in that kitchen. My friend’s wedding cake was by far the fluffiest cake I’ve ever had. I took home two pieces and I’m still thinking about it. Do yourself a favor and host your event at Elske!

Lauren Pires

Aug 2025

“I took my teenage brother here for his first Michelin Star experience, and we have nothing but glowing reviews.”

I took my teenage brother here for his first Michelin Star experience, and we have nothing but glowing reviews! Our server Chelsea was absolutely tremendous, as she went above and beyond at every moment, through every meal, to ensure that our stay was spectacular. The food is creative and whimsical, yet managed to be broadly appealing — attested by the fact that my brother ate everything without hesitation. Neither of us had a working knowledge of the menu, as many of the ingredients were foreign to us. I’d imagine they’d be foreign to many, quite frankly, even those who often dine in Michelin Star restaurants. Regardless, the results were splendid. My personal favorites were the Chicken dish (as recommended by Chelsea!), and the dessert…oh my god, the dessert. It had to be one of the funkiest things that I have ever eaten, and I fondly savored each and every bite. It’s just one of those things that I cannot imagine ever eating again; the moment was too divine, the combination of flavors changing on every single bite. It was bright, earthy, cheesy, nutty, crispy, light — it had elements of a funnel cake, nearly reminiscent of a jelly doughnut, but with just soooo many added layers. I digress. It was perfect. The ambience is remarkably unpretentious as well. It just seemed like a really fun place to be, even on a Monday night. Thank you, Elske, for a truly unforgettable evening, and a memory that my brother and I will cherish for the rest of our lives! Pictured below are the aforementioned dishes, plus a reconstructed presentation of the smoked char dish (as done by my brother).

Tyler Raub

Aug 2025

“We had a wonderful meal at Elske.”

We had a wonderful meal at Elske! Picked 4 dishes from the a la carte menu and they were all delicious. Service was great but I only wish I was informed the roast leg of lamb will come out medium rare - since I am visibly pregnant and can’t enjoy it.

Jingwei Teng

Aug 2025

“Such a pleasant dining experience.”

Such a pleasant dining experience. Beautiful indoor/outdoor spaces that play well together. Classy, relaxed, unpretentious service. Absolutely terrific sourdough and fermented butter. The smoked arctic char and roasted chicken were elegant, tasteful presentations of well-seasoned, perfectly cooked food. Bright, clean flavors and thoughtful vegetal accoutrements woven into the core concept of each wholesome dish. Creative without being challenging. Consistent balance and harmony. It’s a treat to dine out and have a meal be satisfying, yet not sit heavy. Would like to return and try the whole menu; I suspect one cannot order wrong. Bonus points for a chill 20-minute walk to the United Center.

Adam Klein

Jul 2025

“As a wedding photographer, Elske is one of my favorite venues for intimate and micro weddings.”

As a wedding photographer, Elske is one of my favorite venues for intimate and micro weddings. The natural light is stunning, the outdoor space is perfect for ceremonies or dinner, and the food is insane—their bread and butter alone is worth the hype. It’s tucked into a quiet pocket of the West Loop, close to downtown, hotels, and amazing photo spots. A total gem. @melissaferraraphoto

Melissa Ferrara

May 2025

“What a delicious special meal.”

What a delicious special meal. I had a preset 3-course consisting of smoked arctic char, striploin, and dessert. I have zero feedback. Impeccable. Everything was very ingredient forward, wasn’t shit on that plate for fun. The kombu was new to me and it added a really nice crunchy blanket on top of a beautifully cooked piece of fish. The most memorable bite of the whole meal was the ginger. I’ve never tasted ginger that that before. 10/10. That steak was so good. Perfectly cooked. The cabbage I enjoyed even more than the steak, and the marjoram came through perfectly. 300/10. Dessert was so much fun. The semifreddo in the middle was light, airy, and refreshing. I don’t even like grapefruit like that but the foam around the edges was a nice touch. Sweet but still bitter enough to remind you it’s a grapefruit. Again— ingredient forward. All staff were kind and approachable. Chelsea needs a QUICK BIG raise for handling a table of 17 people with a smile. Oh yall will be seeing me fire up that stove!!!!

Chris Eyo

May 2025

“A Northern Hymn for Elske In twilight hush, where candles glow, Lies Elske, soft as drifting snow.”

A Northern Hymn for Elske In twilight hush, where candles glow, Lies Elske, soft as drifting snow. A haven carved from oak and light, Where flavors bloom in Nordic night. It does not shout, it does not boast, But lingers like a thoughtful toast. Each dish arrives on silent feet, A secret whispered, low and sweet. The leeks—oh gods—the leeks, they sing, With vinaigrette like early spring. Aged cheddar sharp, preserved lemon bright, And oats that toast the edge of night. They haunt my tongue, they pull me near— Perfection made so crystal clear. The celeriac risotto came— A forest’s breath, a hearth’s warm flame. It cradled soul and steady heart, A quiet, earthy work of art. And Anna, keeper of the flame, Her pastry spells deserve acclaim. The parfait, kissed by seed and sun, With honey dark, the licorice spun— A bite, a pause, and then the hush Of northern skies in evening’s blush. So raise your glass, and gently nod, To craft and care, to hand and sod. Elske is not a meal alone— It is a feeling, deep and grown. A Scandinavian lullaby, That stays with you as time drifts by.

Madeleine (The Ruiner)

Mar 2025

“We did a testing menu and it was almost perfect.”

We did a testing menu and it was almost perfect. The sturgeon was the highlight along with that malted cake at the end! Worth the experience! The staff are awesome and fun. My only gripe was the last savory course, striploin. It wasn't tender at all. My guess, its grass fed, hit or miss. The sausage with it saved that meal.

Yury Panasyuk

Jan 2025

“A great restaurant that doesn’t shy away from bold flavors and ideas.”

A great restaurant that doesn’t shy away from bold flavors and ideas. We did the tasting menu for an anniversary celebration and were blown away by how fun and enjoyable the food was. The food is modern and creative with Danish influence. That being said things trended a little saltier and cured. If that isn’t your specialty the tasting menu might not be the best option. Each dish landed but the lamb tartare was especially delicious. The service was top notch. We opted to do cocktails which didn’t disappoint but reading the non-alcoholic pairings I was a little disappointed I missed out on the unexpected juice creations.

David Wirth

Nov 2024

“My husband and I dined here for my birthday and it was really special.”

My husband and I dined here for my birthday and it was really special. We opted to select from the al a carte menu. Our waitress suggested we choose 4-5 items to share. We went with four and were satisfied. Our favorites were the grilled octopus and the Frikadeller’ sausage. The brown butter hollindaise that came with the sausage was so good that I was tempted to lick the plate clean! To finish up the dinner, we had the sunflower seed parfait. My husband and I were speechless - it was that good. Just super inventive and different. We really loved it. The atmosphere was perfect, service was on point and the food was great. We really enojoyed our experience here.

Joanna Fedor

Sep 2024

“Elske is a great example of how to do clean flavors with excellence.”

Elske is a great example of how to do clean flavors with excellence. One of the few Michelin starred places that offers an a la carte menu in addition to their prix fixe tasting, their rotating selections highlight seasonal produce in thoughtful, layered dishes (including a delicious stuffed lamb saddle perfectly paired with the sweet tartness of rhubarb & almond) Their few constants on the menu are true highlights as well - the Belgian endive is a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, sour, and bitter, while their sourdough & koji butter is one of the better bread services in the city. Their signature dessert, the sunflower seed parfait, is exceptional - manages to be sweet, floral, tart, creamy with a bit of richness and crisp - truly a can’t skip dish The only letdown were the salt-cured anchovies, which felt quite flat in flavor - the salt overwhelmed any nuance from the meyer lemon and fennel pollen. The ambiance is bright, airy, and inviting, with exceptional service and a very gracious hostess - a Michelin that merits a spot on your regular rotation and not just as a special occasion treat

Amy T.

Jul 2024