Two places in Chicago’s Bucktown/Wicker Park area and two in the Lincoln Park neighborhood made it to the 2022 Michelin Guide Chicago, this month.
Receiving one star each, they are Claudia and Kasma in Bucktown/Wicker Park and Esme and Glait in Lincoln Park. One Michelin star is defined in the Guide as “High quality cooking, worth a stop!”
The Guide described Claudia, a contemporary restaurant at 1952 N. Damen Ave. as “Uber cool.” The Michelin view recommended, among other items, the pâté en croûte and the bento box with a scallop cracker of preserved egg yolk, squid ink madeleine and a caviar-topped potato beignet. For more information and reservations visit Claudia Restaurant.
Kasama, a contemporary Filipino restaurant at 1001 Winchester Ave. has already made it to the James Beard foundation Awards as a finalist in the Best New Restaurant category. Beard winners will be named June 13, 2022 at a ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Noting that the restaurant was a reflection of husband and wife chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon’s talents and heritage, the guide recommended the evening tastings now offered. They may include maitake mushroom adobo with mussel emulston and an interpretation of “halo-halo” that combines Asia pear granita, pandan ice cream and freeze-dried mandarin. For more information and reservations visit Kasama Chicago Restaurant and Bakery.
Esme, co-owned by Chef Jenner Tomaska and wife Katrina Bravo, the restaurant opened at 2200 N. Clark St., August 2021. A fine-dining place with art gallery vibes but is also community focused, the restaurant is described by the Michelin Guide as “minimalist” with “high-concept tastings” that combine art and dining. Dishes mentioned by the guide include a seared rouget fillet atop bean puree and shaved matsutake mushrooms. For more information and reservations visit Esme Chicago.
Galit, a Middle Eastern restaurant at 2429 N. Lincoln Ave. is owned and operated by Andrés Clavero and James Beard Award-winning Chef Zachary Engel. The Guide characterizes the ambiance as “rustic-chic” and recommends prix-fixe meals to taste salatim (spreads and pickles) with “flame-kissed pita.” or “creamy hummus” or “crackling-crisp falafel with mango labneh.” For more information and reservations visit Galit Restaurant.
- Dishes pictures here are courtesy of Galit Restaurant.
