Elske - New American restaurant in Chicago - 1350 W Randolph St, USA

We were fortunate enough to have our wedding at Elske Oct 2023. The day could not have been better because of everything the staff did for us. Renee, the restaurant manager, was excellent - so kind, accommodating, and professional! The service, food, and drinks were great! Our guests had so much fun, and we really can't thank or recommend Elske enough! Oh and the cake was fantastic too!

Full menu is offered, but went with the tasting menu, which was about 8 courses. There was not one bad bite. Each dish was a dance on my mouth, leaving a magical impression better than the last. The Northern European flavors were really highlighted with each protein. Kitchen surely out did themselves and I have to say it was the best meal I had all year. Wine, service, and most of all the unique experience was one I will never forget.

Visited elske for my birthday dinner with my husband and 2 of our friends. Our friends have visited several other Michelin-star establishments but this was my and my husband's first experience. We all were impressed. The atmosphere was warm and cozy without feeling cramped. The service was delightful. Everyone we spoke to during our visit showed a passion for what they do and a real happiness to share their passion with us. Alexa, our lead server, made wonderful suggestions as we ordered and her course pairings were magical. Yes, magical. The interplay of flavors and textures between the dishes during each course was sublime. She was the perfect guide for our culinary adventure. Which brings me to... The food: inventive yet approachable. Haute cuisine can be intimidating. The menu here is creative without being confusing. I could totally imagine tucking in with a bowl of the risotto or the rye-diatori to warm up from a cold winter day. My friend described the risotto as "a warm hug". Other standouts- the anchovies ("reminds me of the Amalfi coast" said our companions), the gouda/honey/jam ("I could snack on this all day", I said), the fjord trout ("the flavors!"), and the grilled pork ("the texture!"). The black walnut tart and the sunflower seed parfait were our top 2 desserts, although all of the desserts were delicious and surprising with how the different flavors came together. The mocktails were great- both were crisp and refreshing. Definitely worth the trip and we hope to visit again!

The service at Elske was TOP TIER. The bartender was extremely interactive and conversational with people who wanted to talk. The food was TERRIBLE. We did the tasting menu and between two people we liked 1 item out of 10. There were many strange flavor profiles with our food. It felt like the hunger games trying to finish the tasting menu. The best item was the tempura snack in the beginning and the dinner roll bread that came with an entree. If you do go to Elske I would strongly recommend ordering individual items so you have some control over when you stop dining as well as what you’re eating. We also did the juice pairing as we didn’t want to drink alcohol and the juices were amazing (I wish I had a couple shots in me to get through the experience). They reflected good flavor profiles of alcohol. Ambience was beautiful, service was great but the food was literally 1/10 especially considering the price.

It’s a lovely restaurant with good service and atmosphere. We ordered the set menu, and the overall experience was pleasant. I do think there was a lack of excitement and story behind the dishes. Some dishes weren’t very inviting. The flavors were cool and interesting but not tasty enough. In short, everything was good, but nothing stood out or impressed me.

Came here to celebrate both of our birthdays and I'm so happy that we did! The food was all so interesting and every dish that came out was bursting with flavor and creativity! The standouts for me were definitely the duck liver tart and the lamb sausage! We decided to do the "juice" pairing as we're both taking a break from alcohol and I have to say, for $30 I felt like the drinks we received were worth every penny! Each drink was served in a wine glass, consisted of multiple components, and felt like it was created with just as much thought and effort as their alcoholic cocktails! There was one made with earl grey tea, apple cider, and I think kombucha that I could have drank a 2-litre of if someone sat it in front of me! Overall just so impressed with this place and will be recommending it to any and everyone I talk to!

Tried the tasting menu, food was alright. Not exceptional, some dishes were rather bland. My favourite was the duck liver tart and the swordfish. Service was awesome though, so is the ambience.

Elske, borrowing its name from the Danish word “to love,” a culinary hot spot in Chicago's West Loop, beckons with an enchanting entrance—a courtyard fireplace and candle-lit door—setting the tone for a special dinner. The open kitchen, my love language, reveals the culinary mastery of David and Anna Posey. Their modern American cuisine, infused with Danish influences, is a harmonious dance of simplicity and seasonality. The accolades speak volumes, with a Michelin Star gracing Elske every year from 2017 to 2023. The Poseys, a culinary power couple, have garnered recognition from the James Beard Awards, Jean Banchet Awards, and more. Anna Posey, the pastry virtuoso, has earned accolades like the Jean Banchet Award for Pastry Chef of the Year. David Posey, the Executive Chef, boasts a rich history, including a Michelin Star for Blackbird Restaurant and a James Beard Award Finalist for Rising Star Chef. Elske offers a curated tasting menu as well as à la carte options. The offerings are a celebration of love for gastronomy. This is not just dining; it’s love shared to others made by a culinary duo whose passion and skill are evident in every dish. I’d say they got the name right!