Ever Restaurant

This was my first Michelin Star experience. The thought and detail that go into the service and dishes are impeccable. Do yourself a favor and get the non-spirit pairing instead of the wine pairing. Each drink was related to the dish and each was delicious. Menu is seasonal and I went during the winter menu so ingredients used are what is most fresh this time of year. My favorite dish was coconut chicken soup and the grilled hiramasa fish. At the end they offer a tour of the kitchen and I was able to see the chefs at work and got a quick explanation on how they make this flawless service possible. The owner and chef, Curtis Duffy, was also there! Very expensive but worth the money in my opinion!

Wonderful food, really would suggest adding the beverage package to the experience. If you haven’t been to the after bar that’s also a good addition to the experience. Really enjoyed the complexity of the flavors, creativity of the dishes and plating, if you’ve not experienced a Michelin star restaurant yet, definitely give ever a try. 10 courses and they do fill you up.

I’ll admit it sounds a bit lame going to a restaurant that was featured in a TV show. But that’s exactly what I did on my 72nd birthday. I’ve been wanting to go to a Michelin-starred restaurant for years, but had a hard time justifying the cost. Then I saw “Forks” on The Bear and knew it was time. My dinner was absolutely worth the cost. Joined by my wife and two adult children, it was a celebration to remember. When the staff overheard that I was impressed with “Forks” they took us on a kitchen tour to show us where it was filmed. Then, without a word, included a fork. Hokey as it sounds, that surprise really made my day. I had the wine pairing which really enhanced the artful, and very tasty, food. I would add a couple $$$$$$ to the listing, but for a bucket-list meal, it was with every penny.

Decisions are always difficult at a two-star Michelin restaurant like Ever. But every once in a while, to celebrate a birthday or anniversary or special occasion, you have to splurge by making a very expensive dinner reservation at a four-star restaurant like Ever. In the past, my wife and I have dined at Charlie Trotter's, Tru and Grace, all now gone. And Patrick O'Connell's Inn at Little Washington. So here we are at chef Curtis Duffy's Ever restaurant at 1340 West Fulton Street, between Carroll and Lake, off Ogden Avenue, east of Ada, in Chicago's West Town neighborhood. What will we order, the eight-course or 10-course tasting menu? Is Ever as good or better than Smyth and Alinea, Chicago's only three-star Michelin restaurants? One thing is for sure, you can't afford to eat regularly at these venues. Just on special occasions. Very special. Ever is an elegant surrounding with impeccable service and a menu of creative, one-of-a-kind dishes that you don't see anywhere else. Blue prawn with butternut and pepitas. Artichoke with caviar and bernaise sauce. Romaine with parmesan and anchovy dressing. Little Gems with manchego, date, almond and mustard vinaigrette. Potato with bacon and scallions. Scallop wih parsnip and caviar. Wagyu with potato. Aged New York strip with truffle and potato puree. Iberico tenderloin with maitake, braised endive and polenta. Ora King salmon with lemon, broccoli and black olives. Strawberry chiffon cake with vanilla and lemon verbena ice cream. Coconut panna cotta. Chocolate tart with vanilla, strawberry and mint. These are the kind of decisions you like to make.