Reviews for EL ideas in Chicago, IL
Everything about this very well hidden spot was great. The food was inventive and each course was presented in an entertaining... and accessible way. It really pulled the curtain back on fine dining and showed how fun, thoughtful, and creative it can be. Read more
This food experience is one of a kind. The food, the vibe and the overall experience was remarkable. The chef and his team make... you feel more like in a dinner party than in a restaurant. Read more
All I have to say is wow. This place is amazing. I was in Chicago to catch a flight and I stopped at El Ideas. The food is... amazing and the vibe is immaculate. Every single course worked so well and the flavors were crazy good! Chef Phillip Foss isreally astonishing. I will definitely be back in the future. Thanks Chef!! Read more
We visited El Ideas yesterday and enjoyed every minute of it. From the moment you walk in and your coats are hung by the... entrance, it truly feels like visiting a welcoming friend's house. The Chef-Owner is welcoming and grounded. The ice bucket isalready awaiting our BYOB, and the decor is so easy to feel at home with. Every course is a surprise: surprise in flavor,texture, color, plating or decoration. Every experience highlights feeling like a welcomed guest, including the generous inviteto join the chefs in the kitchen to watch and talk. I could not have imagined a better experience, nasty snow excluded. We willcertainly be back. Read more
EL Ideas markets itself as a BYOB Michelin starred restaurant minus the frills, where dinner should feel more like a warm family... gathering rather than a distant dinner night out on the town. To this end, they achieved this environment and then some,providing amazing, thoughtful plates while remaining rooted to their ideals. We were seated promptly at a table within a fewsteps from the kitchen, where everyone from their tables could see, hear, and smell the magic happening. The chef encouraged usat the beginning of dinner to get up and join them in the kitchen (up to a point so that we did not intrude the process), andsee them at work up close and personal; no need to hide behind any walls. This would not be the only time the chef spoke to us,as every time a new dish made its way to our table, he introduced it with an anecdote about the genesis of it, to the finalcreation on the plate. It was a personal touch that is much appreciated, and not seen in many restaurants, including thoselabeled as fine dining. As for the food, my wife, our friend, and I were giddy and full of excitement the days leading up todinner, and thankfully, our feelings were not misplaced! Dinner started with a couple of beautifully plated and flavorful disheswith the crab and salmon. The crab was Halloween themed in its colors, and in the flavoring, the papaya and carrot elevated thefreshness of the crab, giving the dish texture but keeping it light. The follow up dish, a smoked salmon, built upon the lightand fresh aspects of the opener. It was a great dish with the beet and pumpernickel making a good contrast to the salmon. Dinnerreached a plateau before ramping up again for the next few dishes. The monkfish was okay for my tastes, the chicken and eggs,visually, was not as appetizing or interesting as other dishes, although the flavor was good, and the foie gras was good aswell, but not a standout. Immediately after the foie gras, we ate a small bite that seemed as a palate cle Read more
A truly extraordinary amazing dinner. Philip Foss is a genius. We brought friends who were first timers (our fifth time), who... were equally blown away and can't wait to return!! Read more
There were several elements of the meal I really enjoyed, especially the French Onion Soup explosion and the Borscht. That said,... there were a few dishes that I felt just didn't work. For instance, the french fry smoothie and barbecue rice were bothoverwhelming salty. Their BYOB policy is pretty awesome, however. Though I enjoyed the experience, I would not return. Read more
Intimate, byob, great service and amazing food. I've been here a few times and have never left unsatisfied. Chef and his crew... are worth 5+ stars. Would recommend 10 / 10 Read more