Schwa - Chicago, IL Review

There are roughly three levels of restaurants.  The first is run of the mil ordinary food that satisfies your hunger but does not delight your senses.  The second is the product of well trained chefs, fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation.  The third, and very rare, is when food moves to a level of a an experience and is the product of sheer brilliance fused with a manic and creative mind and passion.  I am happy to report that Schwa is just such a rare and wonderful restaurant.   As a someone who loves eating out and appreciates the magic that chefs can perform in the kitchen, I can honestly say that the magicians in the kitchen at Schwa are among the most creative and interesting in the city of Chicago.  I would put Schwa in the same rare tier as Alinea and Avec. 

In someways that have nothing to do with the amazingly creative food, Schwa will surprise you.  It is on the 1400 block of Ashland Ave in Chicago, just across from a tire dealer that has fake palm trees out front.  The front of the restaurant would lead most people to conclude that this restaurant closed long ago.  There are rusted metal grates on the windows and a very unassuming door.  When you walk in there is no hostess, and you might be surprised about how intimate the restaurant is.  I think I counted 26 seats.  There seem to be about 6 people in the kitchen, who both cook and serve.  You can see them through a cut away in the wall and through a large opening. 

But don't let any of this fool you into thinking that Schwa is not one of the most interesting fine dining experiences you will ever experience.  As you can see from the pictures I have attached, the plate is a canvas for an amazing variety of unusual combinations. We got the nine course tasting menu and every course would make you close your eyes and savor the moment.  From the dried prosciutto to the home made to the lobster and duck, each one had unique flavors that we amazing together.

The menu changes often and I did not take detailed notes so I would have a hard time recounting for you the many unusual ingredients such as several different forms of coco nib, or an incredibly delicious chicken liver and peanut brittle dish (sounds crazy right!) or the totally cool "green cone" desserts.

If you are a foodie, Schwa is a must try.