Schwa
3.6
- Neighborhood: West Town
- 1466 N. Ashland Ave.
- Chicago, IL 60622
- 773-252-1466
Schwa reopened in early February 2008.
Michael Carlson was selected as one of Food and Wine Magazine's Best New Chefs 2006 for what we like to think of as a mini-Alinea (Carlson did a stint working for Alinea's Grant Achatz at the famed, but now closed, Trio in Evanston). It offers two seasonally inflected multi-course tasting menus, which start at $55 per person, and plenty of culinary ingenuity and the occasional avant garde technique. The room is indeed tiny (reservations can be tough; it's closed on Sunday-Monday), and the chefs here are also your waiters. But because its BYOB, local foodies love to play sommelier, bringing a range of wines with them to match the chef's at times ethereal creations.
Michael Carlson was selected as one of Food and Wine Magazine's Best New Chefs 2006 for what we like to think of as a mini-Alinea (Carlson did a stint working for Alinea's Grant Achatz at the famed, but now closed, Trio in Evanston). It offers two seasonally inflected multi-course tasting menus, which start at $55 per person, and plenty of culinary ingenuity and the occasional avant garde technique. The room is indeed tiny (reservations can be tough; it's closed on Sunday-Monday), and the chefs here are also your waiters. But because its BYOB, local foodies love to play sommelier, bringing a range of wines with them to match the chef's at times ethereal creations.
Getting There
- Cross Streets:
- Le Moyne St. and Ashland Ave.
- Parking:
- Street Parking Difficult
- Public Transportation:
-
CTA bus: 9 Ashland, 70 Division, 72 North
Taxi cabs plentiful.
The Basics
- Hours:
- 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; closed Sunday-Monday
- Cuisine:
- American Contemporary and Seasonal
- Meals Served:
- Dinner
- Price Range:
- $$$$$ ($31 & up)
- Reservations:
- Required. Reservations are already scarce for the month of February
- Alcohol:
- BYOB and Corkage Fee. $2.50 per person
Features
- Carryout:
- No
- Live Music:
- No
- Food:
- The February 2008 nine-course dinner includes: Jonah crab with banana, celery and coriander; artic char roe with pumpernickel, lemon and rutabaga; Kona kampachi with galangal, lime and maple; and antelope with butternut and white chocolate.
- Features:
- Open Kitchen/Watch the Chef and Prix Fixe Meals
- Worth Noting:
- 3-star
- Specialties:
- Three-and nine-course tasting menus ($55-$105)
- Payment Methods:
- Mastercard and Visa
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
Write a review
Rate Schwa
"I liked it better last time......."
KK from a western suburb - July 15, 2008
The food is morphing into Alinea-style stuff -- becoming both overly eccentric and miniscule. There were four of us who dined there recently (none ...
Report This Comment
"What a wonderful and refreshing experience"
puffy from Wicker Park - July 13, 2008
Friday night was my first visit to Schwa and it was the most enjoyable dining experience for us in several years. They run the place on their terms...
Report This Comment
"Great Value for Haute Cuisine"
WineNight from Logan Square - June 13, 2008
I think it should be addressed that this place is TOUGH to get into. Busy phone lines, full mailbox and a very tiny dining room. But WOW, the revi...
Report This CommentOTHER American Contemporary Restaurants YOU MIGHT LIKE
-
Champps Americana
(1 rating)
- 134 Old Orchard Center Skokie IL 60077 847-673-4778
-
Egg Harbor Cafe
(2 ratings)
- 2853 Pfingsten Rd. Glenview IL 60026 847-559-9905
-
Egg Harbor Cafe
(1 rating)
- 2350 Lehigh Ave. Glenview IL 60026 847-998-1101
-
Cafe Nine 17
(1 rating)
- Park Manor/Grand Crossing 917 E. 79th St. Chicago IL 60619
-
Eggsperience
(1 rating)
- 2000 Tower Lane Glenview IL 60026 847-998-5111
