Schwa: User Reviews

Managed to snag a last-minute cancellation this week. Food was stunning. All of the chefs were welcoming and fun. Got the 9-course. It came with a lot of extras. The amuse was a chinese bubble tea containing the elements of Hedrick's gin (cucumber, rose petals, etc). Wow. Other standouts included the sunchoke soup with bitter orange and rehydrated olives, maki with green curry and rootbeer, tigerfish with watermlon and red pepper. The whole dinner rocked. Do whatever it is you need to do to eat here. You will not regret it.

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This is the finest food in the city from the most creative and spectacular chef in Chicago!. How can Metromix continue to factor in scores from people who have never been there?
Roy

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As an early supporter of the restaurant pre-closing, I was looking forward to finally getting the chance to return to [the new] Schwa.

Unfortunately I had a family emergency and was unable to make my scheduled reservation. I called to reschedule within the restaurant's stated cancellation timeframe, and when after many attempts I got through to a person and asked to reschedule, all I got was a "thank you" and then silence on the line. I called back, assuming the person thought I merely wanted to cancel, and when I explained that I would like to reschedule, I was informed that I could call back another time and leave a message. Given the restaurant's notorious always-full voicemail box, I can assume what that means.

I have always been much more about food than service and had always forgiven Schwa's reservation mess as a result of their small and low-key operation, but it is difficult to forgive outright insults. There are amazing restaurants in the city that are happy to take a reservation without childish game playing.

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In this economy you would think that a restaurant would be more than pleased to have a large party with a large budget available to them. Apparently not Schwa. I left several voice messages regarding a party of 8 that we had wanted to host there. I even left the amount we were willing to pay between $750 and $1000 per person for the Chef to chose the food and assist with wine selection. I am still waiting for a call. Not only is this completely unprofessional but it certainly speaks volumes to what type of service likely would have been received. Since I value my job I have already booked my party elsewhere.

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Incredible flavor. Great value for 3 course (actually 6) meal. Bring your best wine, sit back, open your mind and enjoy the experience. Will be back as often as they will have us.

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My wife an I ate at Schwa the same night that "disappointed" was there. We probably sat across from them. I'm not sure why people go to a restaurant with the reputation of Schwa and don't try all the dishes presented to them and then get on the internet and "bad mouth" the restaurant. My wife and I eat there whenever we can and have always had a wonderful time. The chef and his staff are truly gifted and present each and ever person a unique experience in top quality food. Plus, they make it fun.

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We went to Schwa for a celebratory birthday dinner with a few friends - 4 of us in total. We heard great things and read wonderful reviews online. Unfortuntely, the birthday boy has been sick almost since we left. Thank goodness we only got the 3-course meal and not the $110, 9 course meal. I am actually appalled at the cost of the 3-course meal ($55) for the amount of food that was actually brought to our table, very small dishes, all very eclectic and, frankly, a challenge to eat. We eat out a ton and always appreciate and often find fabulous meals. Not here. Additionally, we had to ask for wine refills several times because they kept our opened bottles in the kitchen. Take your money elsewhere!

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I am unable to resist the urge to sit down at a computer, and hope that the words that I am writing will be taken as ultimate respect for Schwa. I have dedicated my career, and all my passion to food and wine. My dining experience at Schwa is night that will stay within me as an unforgetable night. Please, if you have a special occasion, or if you deserve to have a day in your life that will cause you to forget everything but the very moment that you are in, you must experience this. I am utterly humbled by the "A to Z" perfection that was presented by a kitchen staff that is committed to my happiness. Once again, please take the time to experience this restaurant.

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Half the negative reviews on the first page of this site are from people who have never been to Schwa. This is not appropriate -- whine somewhere else about that issue. The food here is sublime. There is intellect and seriousness about what is served. They are not doing pirouettes of service -- they are making amazing food for you. The complaints about the service miss the point of this place. They don't want to be obsequious and they don't have to be. I think a part of the problem is that some of the people who went here are uncomfortable with a different kind of fine dining -- one that they are unfamiliar with. The service is not fawning, it is matter of fact, sometimes brusque (getting people to eat pad that made out of jelly fish can probably be a bit hard). Get over it; change things up. If you have a curious and open mind, brave the wait and go.

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The food is morphing into Alinea-style stuff -- becoming both overly eccentric and miniscule. There were four of us who dined there recently (none of us for the first time) and afterward we went out for some espresso as they still don't serve coffee. Three of the four offhandedly ordered double-scoops of gelatto with their coffees. That just shouldn't be possible or even probable after a $105 umpteen-course meal. (And no, we're not "big" people.) The service was also an unpleasant surprise, in that it now borders on rude. I think their ego's are getting a little too big for the place. I won't return.

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