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Schwa Restaurant

Address
1466 N Ashland Ave Chicago IL 60622
Phone
(773) 252-1466
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Average Rating
4
Total Reviews
(77)
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What the community has to say about Schwa Restaurant

Information about this business (3)

Chef Michael Carlson opened Schwa in 2005, turning a small 26-seat establishment in Chicagos Wicker Park neighborhood into a restaurant dedicated to fine cuisine. Schwa continues to garner accolades and has become one of the premiere restaurants in the country

Schwa is an acclaimed, upscale restaurant run by chef-owner Michael Carlson in Chicago, USA. It is located in the West Town community area and is considered a leader in the emerging molecular gastronomy style of cooking. Schwa is known for its unconventional approach to business. Simple table settings match the building's drab exterior and its tiny 26-seat interior. The restaurant employs no...

Schwa offers top-notch food in a laid-back environment. The focused, meticulously prepared menu is stunningly presented. Also, the minimalist atmosphere, lacking affectation and excess, consists of just fourteen tables. Both attributes combine to ensure that the emphasis is on the food and the restaurant's mantra of "food as art" is made apparent. At Schwa Restaurant bring along your favorite...

Reviews of this business (123) view all

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Overall review sentiment

Score
69%

Top 3 sentiment words

food
Count
4
Score
100%
place
Count
2
Score
100%
courses
Count
2
Score
100%

Overall review sentiment

Score
69%

Rating distribution

5 stars
40
4 stars
6
3 stars
4
2 stars
4
1 star
12
No rating
72
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Editorial reviews from the web (15) view all

"Super high-end food without the attitude" describes Michael Carlson's "very small" Wicker Park BYO where a "hyper-creative", "well-executed" New American tasting menu is delivered by the chefs themselves; "less than minimalist" decor "fits the vibe", and it all adds up to a "singular dining experience", so even with spendy tabs, reservations are "nearly impossible to come by."

Chicago's Michelin-Starred Restaurants, Mapped

The Michelin international director summed up the expanding local scene this way: "What we've seen in Chicago more so than New York or San Francisco is that people are really adventurous." Maybe restaurateurs will continue to adventure to different neighborhoods when they open upscale restaurants.

Intelligentsia Logan Square Opening April 25; Gilbert vs Carlson Chef Battle

LOGAN SQUARE—The highly-anticipated eighth Intelligentsia Cafe will be at 2642 N. Milwaukee and open April 25. Details are still scant, but representatives promise "lots of exciting details." [EaterWire]

BUCKTOWN—The chef battle between Theo Gilbert (Ripasso/Red Headed Stepchild) and Michael Carlson (Schwa) will take place at Red Headed Stepchild (1619 N. Damen) on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. Visit...

Senza Rolls Out Strictly Prix-Fixe Menu

An all-gluten-free restaurant is impressive enough, but now there's a an all-gluten-free restaurant with a rotating nine-course tasting menu. Executive Chef Noah Sandoval's East Lakeview gem Senza has done away with every a la carte item on the menu in favor of two tasting menus, a four-course and a nine-course. Sandoval says that the size of the 42-seat space, specifically in the kitchen where...

Sous Rising Underground Chef Launches Kickstarter

Jake Bickelhaupt has been hosting the Sous Rising underground dinners in his Uptown home since last spring and he's getting ready to break out. The former Alinea, Charlie Trotter's and Schwa chef just launched a Kickstarter campaign with the hope of raising $125,000 to build out a Dyne, a 36-seat BYO restaurant.

Other reviews from the web (123) view all

Average Rating
40

I agree almost entirely with David's review.I have heard of Schwa through research, and thought it would be a must try Michelin Star restaurant when the time was right. After several call...

I had always wanted to go to Schwa...it was one of those Chicago restaurants that I wanted to try but never tried hard enough to get a reservation. Typically, scoring a reservation at Schwa is tough. They only accept reservations via phone and are notorious for not answering the phone, or not clearing their voicemail so you can leave a message. Fortunately for us, the BF was able to fairly...

Average Rating
100

I loved it! Best meal I've had in Chicago.The whole experience is very private and intense-- be ready.I cannot comment on the reservation process since my date took care of that, and I just...

The food is amazing. The service professional and quite often by the person who cooked your food. (Be sure to bring a six pack of beer for the kitchen) The food is presented to blow your mind. And the music is so loud that it will literally blow your mind. From start to finish the meal will take about three and one half hours. There is no cocktail or wine list so be sure to bring enough wine to...

Average Rating
100

Absolutely totally ridiculously in love with Schwa, its food and great staff (platonic philly brotherly type of love).Lucky again to manage a reservation. I'm so comfortable there - delicious...

Business description (9) view all

Schwa Restaurant can be found at N Ashland Ave 1466. The following is offered: Restaurants: Continental. The entry is present with us since Sep 10, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Chicago there are 31 other Restaurants: Continental . An overview can be found here.

Located on the fringe of Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, it's easy to miss but hard to forget. Stepping through the storefront entrance, the city dissolves into an intimate world where the artistry of fine cuisine unfolds throughout the evening. The barrier between patron and chef fades. Dinner becomes a night to explore and fully engage the senses. A fluid menu of vivid courses, crafted by...

Chef Michael Carlson opened Schwa in 2005, turning a small 26-seat establishment in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood into a restaurant dedicated to fine cuisine. Schwa continues to garner accolades and has become one of the premiere restaurants in the country

Enjoy an intimate atmosphere, drinks, apple pie soup, tagliatelle, botarga, tiger fish and more.

Chef/owner Michael Carlson (Spiaggia, Trio) purchased the restaurant and transformed it into Schwa. Creative, seasonal American cuisine is offered in two tasting options: three courses for $55, nine for $90. Menu may include quail egg ravioli, heirloom tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, basil, and a dollop of tomato sorbet, and amuses like skewered marshmallow and dehydrated...

Tips about this business (3)

Know Before You Go

The restaurant is B.Y.O.B., so diners on a budget can splurge on the food and not the beverages.

The Extras

The $85 per person tasting menu consists of an eight- to 12-course sampling of the entire menu.

Where to Sit

Foodies will want the table next to the large open window overlooking the tidy kitchen

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