Schwa: User Reviews

What a wonderful and refreshing experience
By puffy from Wicker Park, July 13, 2008

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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 and crank out amazing flavors and creations. The staff was friendly and spot on. I feel sorry for the people that mock the way these guys run their restaurant. Four stars gentlemen...well done.

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Great Value for Haute Cuisine
By WineNight from Logan Square, June 13, 2008

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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 reviews below are not even about the restaurant they are about hard feeling because they could not get a reservation.
My night was filled with wonderful and innovativeflavors and presentations. I loved every bite.

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Unprofessionalism
By Taylor from Downtown, May 22, 2008

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Some things never change -- voicemail box is full, you can't reach anybody for reservation... Is Schwa even open? I look forward to hearing about Schwa's permanent final curtain!

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What kind of restaurant has a full voice mail box that is full for an entire week?
By Barbara from Evanston, April 3, 2008

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That is all I am saying. Doesn't bode well for the customer service end, which is as important as the rumored food.
I'm already tired of trying to eat there.

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Something that should be experienced.
By MikeH from westloop, March 19, 2008

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Schwa is one of the reasons that Chicago is a great place to "live". When I say live I don't mean reside, I mean getting your arse off of the couch and out of the door to hear a new band, or see a production, or in this case visit a tremendous restaurant. Schwa is something very special. I am not a food expert, I just love experiencing as many new interesting places as possible. I have hit every one of the "greats", in this city and elsewhere, and I have yet to experience something like I just did at Schwa. Very relaxed atmosphere, yet the service was extremely attentive and prompt. We did the 9 course which ended up being 12 as they added a few extras, most of the courses were great, some were exceptional. Michael Carlson and his team are literally making history here, and they are doing it in a very laid back and comfortable way that should be experienced by everyone.

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Poor customer service
By Kristin from lakeview, February 25, 2008

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I have attempted 5 times to obtain a reservation. I have left 3 messages on the voice mail and were told it would be returned in 48 hours- no such luck. I have made 2 attempts in which the voice mail was full.
Can't help but to assume this poor service at the onset would trasfer over to into the dining experience.

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amazing amazing amazing
By susief from lakeview, February 22, 2008

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Six of us went last night and had a truly amazing dining experience. Michael Carlson and his staff never ceased having us dazzled, surprised, intrigued, humored and satiated, yet begging for more after each delicious course/creation. Five star dining, impeccable service and presentation without an ounce of the pretentiousness found at Alinea, Trotters or Tru. This place is truly a gem.

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get there
By baroness from river west, February 20, 2008

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This is just an ethereal experience. The place is like your best friend's dinner party that just turns out to be incredible people and the best food. I was there with 7 people, and I would encourage bringing others in large numbers simply because you can sit around and look at each other and say..." holy crap." I think one of the best things uttered at dinner was " wait until this dish hits the street." I am also all for everyone not being pretentious and the owner, Michael, pulls all reality all the time from the way to he and his staff interact to his descriptions of the of his dishes. This place is worth the wait, worth the reservation time and don't forget to leave your normal dining experiences at the door. This is the best of the best.

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Can I give it zero stars?
By citygirl from west loop, February 18, 2008

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Schwa was overhyped & overall a terrible experience. We went in Jan 07. We initially called for reservations in Oct 06. You know the process - they are rude, they don't call you back, then they call you to tell you that they have a spot 3 months from now on a Tuesday. What kind of restaurant isn't open on Sat night??? Apparently this one.

Let me preface this by stating that I have lived in the city for 15 yrs and have dined at most 3-4 star places in Chicago and many around the world. I have been to Tru, Trotters, Everest, mk, Spring, One Sixty Blue, Green Zebra, all of the Kleiner places, you name it. I know restaurants.

I will also state that I am fine with BYOB. But most decent BYOB places provide you with wine glasses. These guys are attempting to serve fine food; for god's sake, have some wine glasses. We asked for wine glasses but were told they didn't have them "since they would break". We looked around and saw others with wine glasses and asked again and got the same answer. So we had to drink our $70 beautiful bottle of Amarone in jelly glasses; yes, the same ones your grandma had in her house.

The chefs/servers/hosts (all the same 3 guys) were unfriendly and snotty. Since that was stated as their M.O. to give personal service, I would have thought that they would have been friendly and welcoming, that they would have thanked us as we were leaving. Nothing could be further from the truth - they actually seemed annoyed we were there. We were not even welcomed into the restaurant. If you can call it that - I felt like I was walking into a run-down home. Actually, when I think about it, we would have felt more welcome walking into a stranger's home than into Schwa.

When we didn't finish the 1st course nor the 3rd - a glass of beet juice with a truffle on the side then orange foamed caviar with red pepper, they got a little annoyed. We were polite, we didn't say anything bad to them, we were optimistic for future courses. When we actually liked the 4th course, quail buttered ravioli, and we told them so, one of the servers/chefs/hosts said, "Oh, EVERYONE does." Like we are soooo cliché. We almost wanted to leave at that point. After all 9 courses, we were absolutely exhausted. And here's the clincher - after spending $200 for 2 full 9-course meals, they had the nerve to charge us $10 for coffee! Don't get me started on the horrible water situation - can you at least offer bottled water in a clean glass? Or at least the clean glass - I would accept that.

Regarding the "reservation" process - I had the suspicion we were bumped several times for their buddies or other people in their industry and it was confirmed after being there. Everyone (the other 10 people) all seemed to be more casual about the whole situation - they didn't appear to have waited 3 months for their table (from overhearing conversations).

Overall, we knew this was going to be "bare bones" ambiance and BYOB. I thought I knew what we were encountering. But I thought at least we would have pleasant interaction and the personal touch from the highly renowned young chefs. Not at all - each of them plunked down the plates and didn't say much until we had to ask them what it was and how to eat some courses. Trust me, it was not apparent.

For this kind of money (over $300 for 2 people after wine and the coffee), I expect a great atmosphere, terrific food, and a wonderful experience. It was none of that. Do NOT waste your time with this place. Why punish yourself? Go to a REAL restaurant.

Trust me, the people that were not his friends (we were literally sitting on top of everyone, so you heard everything), were not happy at all with their food, service, nor the experience. Again - say NO to Schwa, unless you have the patience to hear them explain the dictionary definition of "Schwa" 10 times, visibly annoyed, w/o really explaining why the place has the name. We are still puzzled....

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