Elske: A Michelin-Starred Dining Experience in Chicago

This was an amazing dinner. Fine dining but the service and servers made the tasting menu and wine pairings very approachable. My husband took me for my birthday. The vibe was intimate but not stuffy and it was a wonderful way to celebrate!

My husband surprised me with dinner reservations to this restaurant on our first night in Chicago. The food was fantastic, the service was spectacular and the ambience was great! I love open-kitchen restaurants. It was enjoyable to watch the kitchen staff all working together to produce some delicious dishes! I thoroughly appreciated that everyone who delivered our plates, explained what it was and asked if we had any questions We will definitely be back!

I had chosen to dine at Elske while planning my "divorcee vacation" to Chicago. This was the big one. Treating myself to a tasting at Elske was one of the main highlights to my trip. Michelin starred since 2017 and a James Beard Finalist? Bet. This was the splurge and as you'll read/see, it was so worth it. If I may be honest, I personally felt somewhat intimidated walking in, but this was my divorcee celebration, I was going to enjoy this. Any anxieties I may have had were quickly forgotten after I met my server and the staff. My server was so warm and attentive. I already knew what I wanted and immediately requested the dinner tasting with the NA Juice pairing. Every course of the tasting came out in a perfectly timed succinctness presented and explained by various members of the front and back of the house. Of course it was delicious. It's a perfectly balanced tasting of Danish cooking methods with locally sourced ingredients. The accolades for this restaurant have their own section on the website. The NA Juice tasting paired wonderfully and was delightful. I was glad to have this option available to me as a non-drinker. This was such a unique and creative tasting. Before this tasting, I'd of never thought I'd love frozen anise jelly. My palate had the opportunity to try foods and preparations of foods in variations I had never tasted. Every bite cooked with precision and care. I was so full that when my server surprised me with a dessert I unfortunately had to request it to go. If that act wasn't kind enough, my server left a note congratulating me on my divorce and that these next years will be my best. This was so kind. I had already paid and there was no reason to do this, but they did. That made the entire experience for me. Incredible staff, amazing food.

Elske is nothing short of a love letter to contemporary American cuisine with a Danish twist. We did the set menu as a birthday dinner but you can also order a la carte! The Set menu in itself was so meticulously curated and timed out that every new dish/course that was served had me absolutely floored. The showstoppers for me were the Øllebrød dessert (nutty and almost tangy and topped with milk ice cream) and the Duck liver tart which was so velvety and rich I was closing my eyes just trying to savor it. This was hands down the best restaurant I've ever dined at in Chicago and it was an experience that I won't soon forget. We also got a complimentary vanilla birthday cake!

I was extremely satisfied with my meal here. Only thing from tasting menu I didn't care for was the duck tart. Waitress was a sweetheart. Service was simple, but don't mistake that for bad the servers placed for food explained the dish & didn't linger which was welcome. The cabbage was the highlight of the meal. I was nervous having never experiencing Scandinavian but it was extremely approachable. If possible I'd opt for a seat on the most western side as you'll be between the gorgeous fireplace on one side & the kitchen on the other albeit a small views. One course came with a decent sized piece of bread so I doubt you'll leave here hungry. In closing it's definitely not the best tasting menu but it also is one of the cheapest.

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday. It was delicious and the ambience was perfect.

Elske, borrowing its name from the Danish word "to love," a culinary hot spot in Chicago's West Loop, beckons with an enchanting entrance--a courtyard fireplace and candle-lit door--setting the tone for a special dinner. The open kitchen, my love language, reveals the culinary mastery of David and Anna Posey. Their modern American cuisine, infused with Danish influences, is a harmonious dance of simplicity and seasonality. The accolades speak volumes, with a Michelin Star gracing Elske every year from 2017 to 2023. The Poseys, a culinary power couple, have garnered recognition from the James Beard Awards, Jean Banchet Awards, and more. Anna Posey, the pastry virtuoso, has earned accolades like the Jean Banchet Award for Pastry Chef of the Year. David Posey, the Executive Chef, boasts a rich history, including a Michelin Star for Blackbird Restaurant and a James Beard Award Finalist for Rising Star Chef. Elske offers a curated tasting menu as well as à la carte options. The offerings are a celebration of love for gastronomy. This is not just dining; it's love shared to others made by a culinary duo whose passion and skill are evident in every dish. I'd say they got the name right!

Elske is a restaurant that satisfied all my senses in the most pleasant way. The food was more delicious then it looked, as hard as that is to believe because the plating was truly works of art. When eating I was so consumed and immersed in my meal I felt like I was on another planet. Yeah, I get it...this review may seem a little dramatic and over the top. But so was my experience here. Whenever I am in Chicago I will be visiting Elske. Also shout out to the amazing bartender that served me! Don't believe me? Try them out. You can thank me later!