MARTINI WAS NOT COLD!!!! A restaurant like this should keep their coups in the freezer and serve their martinis COLD. I specifically asked for a "supercold" martini. I received a martini that did not even have condensation on the outside of the coup, meaning the fluid in it was the only a little colder the room air. When I asked to get it shaken again, it came back watery. When I mentioned this to one of the staff, they insisted on making me another martini, which I declined, but, wanting to please me, they still made the new drink. But, the gentleman serving me the new martini made the mistake of lying to me. He said the coup "was in" the freezer. (maybe it was, for a minute) But the entire coup was literally room temperature. I said I freeze my coups at home, and they come out entirely frosty, and said so, calling him on his lie. (I do hate to be gaslit) He insisted a few more times so he would not look like he lied, and finally twisted a bit to say he had "put it in" the freezer, but even he had to acknowledge that the dang coup was NOT even cold. Also, the proper way to pour champagne is SLOWLY, and DOWN THE SIDE OF THE FLUTE. It is silly showiness when the champagne is poured from above into the center of the flute, needlessly removing some of the carbonation that contributes to the piquance of the champagne. EVER staff should know this. read more

Best restaurant in Chicago--having gone to every Michelin starred restaurant here. Every course was intricate, thoughtful, and dynamic; a perfectly curated experience. read more

EVER - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really excited to hear Curtis Duffy is back! It is a great return to normalcy during COVID. The design of the restaurant is beautiful and they took all precautions with equal amount of hospitality. I really enjoyed the "ever" coconut jelly with king crab and caviar. Added a good balance between sweet and salty. Another dish i really enjoyed which brought me back to disfrutar a bit was the corn and truffle pasta. Pasta was al dente and great flavor. The truffles though were not very aromatic. Both meats were great. The wagyu was cooked well be extremely small. The sauces were full of flavor but didnt really go with the wagyus umami. Everything was beautiful and well executed. A great addition back to Chicago. I would definitely add ever to your list of must try restaurants. read more

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You get what you pay for, and what you get is a lot. Impeccable service. Attention to detail. 8-10 fantastic courses. The serving portions are appropriate and fill you up by the end of the evening. Each plate was paired with a nonalcoholic drink that served a purpose along the journey. The courses range from sweet to savory, from tart to earthy, from cold to hot. There were a few that were easy favorites and others that surprised me. The two clear winners were the Wagyu and the Scallop. The one that surprised was the maitake. Each dish played with the taste buds and was memorable in its own way. This is truly a must try dining experience. read more

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Curtis Duffy is a TRUE artist!! My husband and I have dined here regularly and have been blown away EVERY-time. The flavors are always perfectly balanced, light bright, composed beautifully. The interior is sleek modern and staff are extremely knowledgeable. read more

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Although this was not my favorite meal of 2023 - I believe this was the best hospitality I experienced in 2023 and I will absolutely go back next time I am in Chicago. Logistics - Parking is pretty minimal and it's not the best part of town so I would encourage using a ride sharing app (Especially if you are doing the pairing). Attire - strong recommend going formal - slacks and button down minimum for gentlemen and a nice dress or pants equivalent for the ladies. Reservations - released two months in advance on the 1st Tuesday of each month. For example, April reservations will be released on the first Tuesday in February, etc. I opted to do the wine pairing with the tasting menu and the selections and the way they were presented were outstanding. I was a single diner since I was on a business trip and I did not feel uncomfortable in the slightest. The team was welcoming and engaged in conversation with me all night. The food courses were excellent, but the bread and butter pairing throughout were actually my favorite food aspect of the night. Make sure you stop by the restroom as well. The hospitality throughout really stole the show for me. I love and appreciate a kitchen tour. Ever was a kitchen tour and then I was able to watch and ask questions which was one of the highlights of the visit. My favorite part of the entire experience was the wine I was gifted when I left. I mentioned to the sommelier that the Sauvignon Blanc from the pairing was the best I have ever had, and when I left, they gave me a bag with a bottle to take home. Extremely thoughtful. My only regret was not having time to go to After, but I definitely will next time. read more

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The long wait was finally over and we recently celebrated our anniversary with our adult daughter at Ever! After Grace was closed, I had vowed that we would dine in Chef Duffy's new restaurant when it happened. After watching the Netflix documentary, it's easy to feel that you actually knew Chef Duffy and rooted for him, and appreciated his efforts to have a successful world class restaurant. You could also tell how the coveted 3 Michelin stars meant to him and his team. I was disappointed to learn that his new restaurant "Ever" was "only" awarded 2 stars. However, after dining there last week, I would like to put in my two cents for the team, and hope that they will achieve the 3-star status in the near future. Afterall, it's the same leadership that had achieved that status with "Grace" before. As expected, the service was impeccable, and the interior of the restaurant was modern, artistic, clean, and spacious. We felt that we had the best table of the dining room. With a black table and the hanging modern lighting, it was very easy to capture the beautiful dishes in photographs. If you consider the value of the food, the dinner was way overpriced, that's why they called it the "Ever experience" instead of a dinner. However, the most important thing is still what is on the plate. The food was very good, but I still have some suggestions. I had read a review that didn't like Ever repeating 3 dishes from the menu of Grace. However, 2 of the 3 repeated dishes were like signature dishes that had contributed to make the restaurant unique and memorable, I actually was looking forward to having the "Alaskan King Crab" and "Miyazaki Beef" again. I was disappointed that the 2 iconic dishes were replaced. If Ever wanted to replace them, they need to do so with something as remarkable if not more. Both my husband and I felt that there was less "wow" factor in the new dishes, even though they were very good. We felt that the Duck being the finale dish was not as strong as the Miyazaki Beef that was on the Grace menu. The two orange drops of sauce on the duck dish were also very salty. I had suggested in my review of Grace that they could consider placing the delicate Melon Balls in spoons instead of asking the patrons to grab one with fingers. Now they replaced the Melon Balls with chocolate balls with similar presentation! I would rather them keep the Melon Balls if they really wanted to keep the act of asking patrons to have "finger foods". The Melon Balls are much more interesting, fun, and most importantly refreshing when the juice burst in the mouth. When the chocolate balls are served that way, with the waitress waiting for you to pick it up from the wooden stick, the patrons would have no choice but to pick it up and put it in their mouth. Even for a chocolate-lover, this piece of chocolate was a bit too rich after you just had a big meal. They could give the chocolate balls in tiny gift boxes for patrons to take home, that would create happy feeling of getting a grab bag. As from other reviews, some patrons were offered goodies to take home, that would create some disappointment when you have expectations but didn't get anything. It would be nice to be consistent, either all patrons would get some goodies, or just don't give out any to anyone, and make it known ahead of time that the restaurant no longer give out extra goodies. A minor incident was that my husband and I ordered cappuccino at the end of the dinner (not included in the menu), I asked for sugar, and I was offered just white sugar in a small sauce dish with a tiny spoon. There was no brown sugar offered. If they don't want to waste sugar, then simply ask the patron whether brown or white sugar is preferred. Even an average restaurant would offer brown sugar as a choice. For a 2 or 3-Michelin starred experience, it would need to be perfect and flawless with attention paid to all details. We were very pleased with the staff taking patrons' food allergy seriously. When I made the reservation, I answered their questions on the form, one of them was about food allergy. I answered that my daughter is allergic to kiwi and another food item. One of the desserts of our dinner had kiwi in it, they replaced that with star fruit for my daughter's plate. That was a very thoughtful replacement, the star fruit worked aesthetically and flavorfully for the dessert! We are grateful that they have a great system in place to accommodate patrons' food allergy! Just don't forget to let them know at least 72 hours ahead of your dinner. All in all, it was a very pleasant and enjoyable dinner, every staff member was very friendly and attentive, and Ever deserves 5 Yelp stars. I am very hopeful that the Ever team will keep on learning and improving, and will strive to be consistent, and Ever will be elevated to a 3-Michelin starred institution offering a flawless world class experience! I know that we will return again! read more

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One of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in town, with excellent decor, service, and a great choice of music. The highlight was Luke, the sommelier, who made the dinner fantastic by describing the wine pairings thoroughly. The selection of wines for each plate couldn't have been better. Luke even presented me with my favorite wine, Gini, which happens to be my name--how considerate! The best plate, I would say, was literally everything, except towards the end when I got too full for desserts. Even the tea and cortado were amazing. I would definitely come back! read more

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An amazing dinner that was highly inventive. There were some flaws in the service, but the food was probably the only experience I have had that I could call "flawless" in execution/flavors/amount of food, & that's including 3-star Michelin restaurants: Epicure and Pavillon Ledoyen (Paris), Alenia, Arzac and Abac (Spain), Atelier Crenn, & Le Bernardin. This chef is more technical and precise in his dishes than all of them! Exemplary orchestration of dishes, unique flavors, and I left full. The wine pairing was also extremely refined, definitely one of the top wine pairings I have experienced. Unfortunately there were some flaws with the service (a little surprising, considering the attention to detail of the food/wine experience). Multiple times I had plates removed while I was still eating my last bite of the dish. It was rude and needs to change. It was obvious they were rushing me to get the next course out, which is unacceptable at this level. I think of how much work went into the design of the restaurant, the extreme care given to the food and wine; and this error is odd. The servers were very nice, though at times a little cold. I think a little more warmness in the service would go a long way. Overall an amazing experience that I'm happy I had. read more

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We have been to a lot of good ones. This one was above and beyond what I thought it would be. I know it has the two stars but I've done three stars that are not as good as this one. Wow. So worth the wait and 100% one of those places I will think about for years to come. Everything was on point. Only point of potential improvement (and this is a small nit)...the cherry caramel at the end was absolutely delicious but hard to chew. Kind of a downer after the spectacular experience of everything else. If I could give this place 10 stars I would. read more

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The most memorable things to me about Ever were creative combination of flavors, and extremely fine aesthetic presentation. Grapes with chocolate mousse cake, ginger lace cookie with grapefruit, frozen hamachi with basil seeds, figure lime. Some good flavors are not traditional and I believe that's what the creative philosophy Ever is delivering. like the frozen hamachi course, gives you different flavors and texture when it's just served and after melting in the mouth. From all the details from the beginning to the end the meal, I could tell the owner and Chefs have put all of their hearts in this restaurant, and make us feel very special throughout the whole meal. Also a small detail, my husband stood up to rest room the same second our server was bringing the next dish. They immediately turned back to the kitchen while saw my husband left the table because they didn't want my husband miss the first seeing of the next course. read more

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Spectacular; truly memorable. Service is intimate and food is otherworldly without being pretentious. A special occasion meal that carries the guarantee of it actually being special. read more

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WOW. We came here to celebrate my fiance's 40th birthday, and we were absolutely blown away by our experience at Ever. I want to give a shout out to Josh, Amy, and our server - Ervin - who all helped make this evening so special for us. We were extremely impressed with the level of service from every employee we interacted with. The kitchen tour at the end of our dinner experience was the perfect way to end the evening. Thank you so much - we'll never forget this night! read more

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Ever: A Symphony of Taste, Texture, and Artistry in Chicago's Fine Dining Scene In the ever-evolving landscape of Chicago's culinary scene, Ever emerges as a true gem, offering a dining experience that transcends the realms of taste, texture, and artistry. Helmed by the visionary Chef Curtis Duffy and the equally formidable Michael Muser, this modern American restaurant is more than just a sum of its exquisite parts--it is a harmonious symphony that plays upon the senses. Upon arrival at Ever, I was immediately struck by the sleek, understated elegance of the space. The muted tones and minimalist design allowed for an intimate dining experience that focused on the culinary journey ahead. From the moment I took my seat, it was evident that the evening would be a masterclass in the art of gastronomy. The tasting menu, a thoughtfully curated progression of dishes, showcased Chef Duffy's unparalleled skill and creativity. Each course was a revelation, marrying seasonal ingredients with innovative techniques that teased the palate and delighted the eye. From the ethereal burst of a delicate amuse-bouche to the crescendo of a perfectly executed main course, every element of the meal was orchestrated with precision and finesse. One particular standout was the poached lobster, a tender morsel of succulent flesh nestled in a velvety pool of citrus-infused butter. The dish, a triumph of balance and restraint, managed to both elevate the humble crustacean and pay homage to its natural essence. Equally memorable was the exquisitely plated composition of seasonal vegetables, a testament to Chef Duffy's ability to transform the mundane into the extraordinary. Ever's wine program, overseen by the astute Michael Muser, is nothing short of exceptional. The carefully selected pairings enhanced each dish, heightening the overall experience and imparting a sense of discovery with every sip. Muser's encyclopedic knowledge of wine and his keen intuition for flavor profiles proved indispensable to the success of the meal. The service at Ever was equally noteworthy. Attentive without being obtrusive, the staff moved with a grace and efficiency that belied their extensive training. Each dish was presented with an explanation that was as informative as it was poetic, allowing me to fully appreciate the artistry and intent behind each creation. To dine at Ever is to embark on a sensory journey, one that challenges preconceived notions of fine dining and elevates the experience to new heights. This temple of modern American cuisine is a testament to the passion and dedication of Chef Curtis Duffy and Michael Muser, and I wholeheartedly encourage any epicurean adventurer to partake in the exceptional experience that awaits within its walls. Also: I got the 100th Review! read more

Amazing food and service! Each dish was so unique and love the preview decorations of what you're eating before you walk into the restaurant. Got the wine pairing and definitely felt full after all of the courses. read more

We came here in July with high expectations and we were pleasantly surprised by the exquisite aesthetics of the dishes displayed here. However, there is substance behind the flash. The dishes listed on the menu included: caviar (tarragon, celery root, nasturtium), hamachi (finger lime, ginger, blue basil), tomato (brioche, crescenza, hyssop), rabbit (caper, cardomom, verbena), lamb (black olive, coffee, pea tendrils), black truffle (maitake, parmesan, allium), duck (green strawberry, peanut, sorrel), english pea (pistachio, gooseberry, star flower), chocolate (kiwi, black tea, mint), and the tiny sweets (cherry, caramel, gold). From top to bottom, this restaurant is aesthetically pleasing. The interior, restroom, and plating of all the dishes are a pleasure for the eye. The dishes are innovative and take a fresh new take on established classics such as risotto and bruschetta. Various breads are served with the savory courses to supplement the amount of volume of food you are receiving as well. Even the butter with the bread is aesthetically presented in ribbon form. The animal proteins were all cooked to succulent perfection and the accoutrements to those dishes paired very well with them. The hamachi preparation was reminiscent of a liquid nitrogen foie gras I've had at a previously closed restaurant in DC, Rogue 24. Instead, this was prepared with hamachi; curved ribbons which added a different flair to a traditional slice of hamachi sashimi. The tomato dish had a type of brioche gel sheet which was very interesting and quite different from any traditional brioche you can have from a bakery. The desserts were very aesthetically intricate which warranted a comment to the pastry chef after service when we were given a quick tour of the kitchen. We definitely enjoyed Ever more than Alinea, so if you have to choose, I would opt for Ever. read more

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So Fabulous! My friend has been following Chef Curtis around for years now, and was eager to try Ever. I arranged a surprise dinner for her, and she - being the foodie that she is - was as overjoyed as the day she gave birth to her son. They do ask in advance, as well as the day of your reservation, whether it is a celebratory dinner; they make it extra special, if so. We had an 8pm reservation and left near 1230am without being hurried along. The interior was very much akin to Grace. There was plenty of space in-between tables, as well, to create some privacy and to protect the health and safety of patrons. FOOD: 11 course menu Ever was far more impressive with creative tastes and presentations than Grace. To my relief, the plates here had significantly less salt than those at Grace. The experience at Ever was certainly comparable to that at Alinea. The overwhelming majority of our dishes were favored, but the wagyu beef that was accompanied with a dolma-like wrap, Ora King Salmon, cardamom cake, and Peach dessert plate are unforgettable. Several of the dishes had the Skull theme, and when I inquired, I was told Chef Curtis Duffy is a heavy-metal rocker. ...I liked him even more. Service and ambiance at Ever was everything you'd imagine it to be: simply perfect. They gave us a tour of the kitchen and of the private dining spaces available for parties. When the bill arrived, it included a 20% gratuity charge, but you can (and should) tip more as that charge likely covers additional service charges due to the pandemic. For two people dining without alcohol + Sparrow decaf coffee, expect a $1K tab. The gift favor is a bottle of kombucha, and as Alex C. on Yelp said, "but liberal vegan hippies don't often have 1k laying around, so." We'll be back, Chef Curtis! Thank you! read more

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I enjoyed Grace, so I knew Ever would be excellent too. From the moment we entered, the staff were attentive and friendly, perhaps because we engaged in light banter throughout the dinner. The tasting menu for our visit progressed from cool and refreshing to warm and savory later on. The first few dishes were on the lighter side and I enjoyed the ways that the cool refreshing dishes opened up the palate. Each plate was like a work of art. The utensils were getting bigger and bigger, so I joked whether the next dish was a 22 oz steak. This lead to them giving us a free burger on the way out. I never received a burger from a two Michelin star restaurant so it was hilarious and fun. We had the burger the following day, and it was tasty - a good way to remember our fun experience at Ever. We also enjoyed the small things like the six kinds of sugar they brought out for our coffee towards the end. There were three of them that were very different and delicious - it was so good we just wanted to eat the sugar. If you are celebrating a special event or just want to experience something special, I recommend Ever. read more

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Absolutely wonderful! Deserves three Michelin stars. We have been to similar establishments and this was up there with the best. Out of this world food. Amazing and personable staff who were an absolute delight to engage with during our dinner. Beautiful restaurant. read more

We were so excited to try Ever and it was spectacular!! (We had reservations at Grace a week before they closed so we have been waiting patiently for Chef Curtis Duffy to open another restaurant). The restaurant is so beautiful and elegant. Everything about this restaurant was well thought out from the tables, to the chairs to the bathrooms. The staff were all so polite and knowledgeable about each dish. When asked where the bathrooms were, each staff walked us to the restrooms vs pointing at it. The meal was truly amazing. Ever time I got a dish, I would say, this is my favorite dish thinking nothing could be better than that dish. However, as each dish came out, I was blown away. We all did the wine pairing as well and would recommend it as it complemented each dish. Ryan, thanks for sharing all your wisdom! Scallops - I loved how the smoke came out as you peeled the lid off. What a great start and delicious too. Beans - this was a very refreshing dish. King crab - my friend said this was one of his favorites so we were so excited to try it. I loved the cucumber flavors mixed with the crab. Another great dish! Hamachi - what a creative way to serve hamachi. It was frozen and quite delicious. Black truffle - I loved the combination of the truffles and corn. I'm still thinking about this dish! This was one of my favorite dishes and my son is very jealous he couldn't try it! Tomato - So pretty and great flavors. Salmon - this was lovely as well. Miyazaki - Amazing. The smoked coconut mixed with the beef was so delicious that someone was stealing my dish! Yes, it was amazing! Melon - I'm not a big melon person but I'm a melon fan now bc of this dish. Peach - delicious Caramel donut - I don't think I can eat another donut from anywhere else. I sent pictures to my son and he was really jealous of all the good food. The waitress was so nice to pack us some donut holes for him - he was in heaven this morning + yes, he ate all of it! Overall, the food was amazing, the ambiance was spectacular and meeting Chef Curtis Duffy was truly an experience we will never forget. The Chef was so nice and we're thankful he took time out of his busy schedule to say hello. Thank you, Ever for making our double date night a night to remember. We can't wait to come back. read more

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My favorite restaurant in Chicago. Gorgeous restaurant in a nondescript building. Tables far enough from each other giving plenty of privacy; comfortable chairs. I liked the place just settling in my table at a corner of the dining room. Impeccable service. Excellent food: inventive, artistic. Far better than some Michelin 3-star restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area. read more

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We had dinner here Tuesday and it was pleasant, nice service, and good food, but not a wow level on taste. The plating was not ideal to eat the food as some of the plates made it hard to spoon all of the foods due to the odd shapes, etc. The wagu was a thin piece and a little over cooked but a good quality of meat so it was still tasty but not ideal in the preparation. Over all their food was good not great. The deserts were a let down as they were a level below the food which is why our first dinner at Alinea was better but both were good not great wow fine dining restaurants. read more

Wow! This place is a must in your list. It's worth it! Very on top of things from the moment you walk in til the end. The set up of the entry is Amazing. The food and drinks are over the top and delicious. The wine pairing was perfect and the servers were very knowledgeable. Romantic ambiance. I just absolutely can't say enough great things about this experience. read more

Without a doubt, unequivocally, the best restaurant in Chicago that I've been to so far. Possibly one of the strongest restaurants in the country (I'd put it up there with Eleven Madison Park, Joel robouchon, and guy savoy). Ever is that good, I'm certain it'll be a 3-star restaurant in the next 10 months. If you can get a reservation right now, you're getting a deal, because they can charge more and I'd still go. Food: I would say half of the dishes there will blow your mind and expectations. It is a restaurant with a lot of avant garde technique (think twist, el bulli, noma, molecular gastronomy, etc) but the food itself tastes better and less challenging compared to some of the avant garde spots. The creativity of Curtis Duffy and the fact that I saw the man cooking in the kitchen is impressive itself. You've just gotta go, don't want to give many spoilers here. Atmosphere: minimalistic, quiet and upon entering you will see all of the ingredients you'll be eating hung up on the walls. The chairs, the tables, every part of this restaurant is a notch above any 2 or 1 star places I've been. Service: outside of guy savoy this is the best service I've probably ever had at a restaurant. Every time you return to your seat someone is there to push your chair in. The water is poured in sync with the rest of your table. The attention of detail is immense. Incredible... I'd give 10 stars if I could because they would make me feel like it's unfair to give everyone else the same 5 stars I give to ever... read more

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Where to begin... been wanting to visit Ever, since it opened. Was fortunate enough to snag a prime time reservation (7:30) and had a great experience overall. Service is impeccable, what you come to expect if not better than the other two and three star Michelin Restaurants that I've been too. Everyone seems to be in sync, and extremely unobtrusive while remaining attentive and evident in wanting to help, especially the sommelier. The sommelier was patient and helped choose a wine that paired well with that specific menu. The food and presentation is extremely well thought out and executed. Maybe the first tasting menu I've had where I thoroughly enjoyed each and every course. Surprised to have had received a 12 course offering as I was expecting 10. The evolution of flavors and textures were on point. Maybe some of the most seem-less flavor transition I've ever experienced. It's honestly ridiculous. The bread service which accompany the savory courses is also a great touch. I can appreciate the attention to detail at Ever! Ambiance is also classy, modern, streamlined and insanely well thought out. The best dining room of any of the star'd restaurants in Chicago that I've been too. From the acoustics, lighting, and overall visual appeal, Ever is going to impress just about anybody. Coffee/Tea service as you can assume was as good as it can get, really. From the table side pour over, warmed cream/non-dairy options of your choice and the selection of sweeteners make drinking coffee after a nice meal very special. I already am anticipating spring's arrival so I can try the new seasonal menu. To say the least this won't be my last visit. If you're deciding on where to go next, I highly suggest this experience. Bravo, Ever and Team. read more

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Great service, but food and drinks were incredibly disappointing. The food was either undersalted or over-oversalted. And the flavor palette was both bland and overly sour. The best part of the dinner was the bread, which was just sad. If you're looking for an artistic dinner with good service, the dishes are all gorgeous. But if you're actually looking for good food, don't come here. Insanely overpriced as well. I paid more here than I have at any other Michelin restaurant. And this was the worst experience by far. read more

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If you love a great culinary experience, Ever is a must. Everything was very intentional without being obtrusive or unapproachable. Highly attentive and knowledgable staff, open space while keeping an intimate feel. read more

Had the most amazing dinner experience at Ever restaurant this past weekend. The food was outstanding - extremely fresh and pure in presentation. Amazing flavor combinations and the plates were beautiful. The service at this place is like a play - everything perfectly in sync and everyone so so friendly, I think I compared it to synchronized diving. The space is also gorgeous and the seating is spaced so you feel like you're in your own bubble of sorts. We had the pleasure of sitting near the kitchen and could hear the staff calling back to the chef throughout the night - which for us was so fun to listen to. Also highly recommend the wine pairing! Some of the best we've tried. Truly an experience and will absolutely return. read more

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He's back guys - he's definitely back. Chef Duffy new spot is fine dinning at an incredibly high level. The interior is stunning & the service was absolutely beautiful. It's definitely got that white table cloth feel, but interactions were personal and warm. As with any restaurant it begins and ends with the food (even though there is a lot in between) and this is where I felt the experience was most exceptional. It's daring & yet at times familiar, it's technical & precise but without sacrificing soul, it's magical and filled with whimsy. It's just fun guys -- really really fun food. The preparation and cuisson was absolutely top notch. I don't want to sleep on the wine pairing either, which were some of the best I've had anywhere and for our menu included all white wines. To feel like everything was precisely and thoughtfully paired to elevate the entire dinner, while limiting yourself to white wine, well it's just impressive as hell! For those of you who enjoy fine dinning and are willing to drop the $$ on the experience you will not be disappointed here. While I will admit it may not be my personal fave fine dining establishment in the city - I recognize this as personal preference rather than a knock on this team - as there is no question that they are executing their vision perfectly & have created something truly special & stunning. Really lovely meal & thanks to the whole team! read more

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Came here on a Thursday 12/2 so not during a weekend. Absolutely phenomenal and now one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. The atmosphere is just calm and serene, architecture is beautiful. Food and presentation were delightful and our service was amazing. I was actually forgetting to take pictures! From beginning to end it was a wonderful experience alongside my date and although I don't return too often to high end restaurants when visiting another state I will make an exception for Ever. We had to make it by 7:30 for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and they also accomodated for the time expediting our checks and coffee/tea service as best as they could. Cant wait to return! read more

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First outing post-pandemic Masking, spaced out seats, limited capacity Great service - welcoming and professional, synchronized wait staff impressive Lots of seafood and vegetables Wine pairings all whites Creative and unique presentation Favorite was the dry ice upon which hibiscus was poured, making bubbles and smoke - very cool! Frozen hamachi curls that melted Scallops in a little custard jar sealed with some applewood smoke Interactive, playful, great techniques Booked ahead on Tock - $100 deposit applied towards final bill (20% service charge) Michelin guide out today - they got two stars! read more

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Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite restaurants in the country. I keep waiting for Chef Duffy and Michael Muser to receive that third Michelin star. The food, the presentation, and the service are all off the charts incredible. A special shoutout to the sommeliers because one of the reasons this place is so special is because the wine pairings are also amazing. There is no point even referring to favorite dishes themselves because they change regularly and are all incredible. I come here once or twice a year when I pass through town and I have never been disappointed, EVER Thank you, Nick, Irving, Luke and Oscar! You and the rest of team will help Duffy and Muser with that third star. read more

As anyone who has followed Curtis Duffy's career can surmise little has gone according to "plan," the story by Kevin Pang that told of Chef Duffy's difficult upbringing followed by Michelin 3* accolades now adding another chapter in which he and co-owner Michael Muser open a $5 million dollar Restaurant amidst a global pandemic. Unknown when cooking at a country club in Ohio, but first met in 2011 on the tail-end of a stint with The Peninsula at AVENUES, it was a couple years later that Curtis opened the Restaurant featured in Netflix "For Grace," it's sudden shutter due to investor issues in 2017 almost unprecedented and leaving many questions. Described by Muser as "a place you come to when you don't want to question any of the 'what ifs?'," the very nature of a destination Restaurant incorporating "socially distanced" tables while Tock assures "contact-less payment," it is after a quick temperature check that Ever checks every fine-dining box, only staff clad in masks differentiating the dining room scene from what was likely intended. Bringing GM Amy Cordell and Chef de Cuisine Justin Selk along after Duffy's 2-year non-compete, 3* ambitions evident to traveled diners, Ever's walls slope and cascade into a serene yet well-lit space, and with only one menu offered the experience begins quickly atop a black Bee's Wax mold featuring Canapes ranging from salty to sweet. Growing Herbs on the roof, and displaying an immense space including at least sixteen Chefs plus unloading areas that guarantee no outsiders enter Ever when delivering Ingredients, course one has already become a photogenic favorite thanks to the Restaurant's etched name and the cooling flavor of Cucumber punctuated by everything from King Crab to Caviar and texturally modified Cashews. Pairing generous pours from an engaging Sommelier to each plate, he just one of a number of peerless wait staff, seasonality predictably influenced many of the following courses, Tomato Ice shattering to something like Gazpacho before a well-trimmed Scallop standing alongside Mango with Pork Fat and a bursting sphere filled with liquid. Ten-courses at $285 without Beverages, an exclusive price point that will undoubtedly raise eyebrows in the current economy, Ever's next four plates each arrived with accompanying Bread, the first Roll playing off Black Olives building upon the flavor of softened Squash plus Apples while a buttery Caper Biscuit worked well with an umami-soaked Mushroom grounded by peppery Nasturtium. Served at a leisurely pace, an evening at Ever currently ~150 minutes including a complete tour, Pretzel Baguettes half the size of one's pinky found themselves offered alongside barely-seared Squab accented by bold aromatics and subtle bitterness before savories concluded in A5 Wagyu amidst Citrus and earthy textural components. Seeing elements of both Grace's Flora or Fauna menus implemented, whether Ever will eventually offer separate tastings currently unknown, Dessert looks precisely as fans of Duffy might expect - Chartreuse and Pineapple Sorbet incorporating Licorice that harkens back to Tat Soi from the prior savory while Chamomile refreshes the palate in preparation for a Chocolate landscape brightened by Finger Lime and Banana. Sipping Espresso with "Tiny Sweets," an autumnal Granola Bar and Chocolate Bon Bon, it was after the tour that a Menu and parting gift were provided, every aspect of the experience already humming along in a way that feels fluid, luxurious and familiar even during "unprecedented times." read more

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When you're quarantining but the most anticipated opening of the year happens, you go. Like other high end restaurants, they take your temperature upon arrival and require masks except when you're at your table. They also have a table by the front door with sanitizer. When you arrive you first notice the incredible stone that makes the entrance appear to be a cave. Strangely both sides have the same stone but lighting makes one side appear smooth and marble-like while the other appears rough and rock-like. It is truly a unique visual experience to walk through the cave into the dining room. If you've been to Grace, the interior of the dining room is very similar. It is minimalist and modern while being sleek but not cold. The kitchen is also in the back and has a window but the window here is partially striped out so it's not as clear as Grace but you still can look at the show that is the kitchen. We were fortunate to be seated right in front of the window so I certainly took my peeks! There are three restrooms, all with different decor and feels so that is quite interesting. The private dining room is very nice and I plan to have meals there. The kitchen tour after the meal showed an exquisitely planned kitchen along with a large prep room for the staff. Overall the ambiance was a 5. Given that Grace was the best service I've ever had, it was no surprise that the service here was outstanding as well. The meal pace was perfect. Michael Muser went out of his way to tell us how appreciate he was that we braved Covid to visit them, which was very heartfelt. The food was actually better in flavor than Grace, in my personal opinion, but just as creative. I also thought the pairings were on point. The somm was someone I've never come across but she was quite impressive. Not only were the wines obscure and unique but most of the pairings were very good. The plating was gorgeous, as expected. Needless to say, the menu will change frequently but I do need to mention a few dishes. The lamb...oh that lamb. It was a small piece of loin and a small piece of tongue. The tongue stole the show for our table of 5. Everything on this plate was perfection. The maitake was so good that two people at the table who aren't mushroom fans loved it and put it as one of their top dishes, which says a lot. That was my second favorite. The corn dish was special. The truffle was perfectly balanced and not overpowering and I have no idea how they got that much corn flavor in that foam but it was impressive. The chive really added something and was not just a garnish (not that anything here is, it's all very purposeful). I also love the bread pairings. The pretzel was probably my favorite here. The one callout I have to do for dessert was the chamomile ice cream. This was spectacular. I will be craving it for a while. Overall, this lives up to the hype and I will absolutely be back sooner rather than later. If you are going to pick one place to go during quarantine, this should be it. read more

EVER - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Francis, who just posted a review is 100% spot on with this restaurant. I'm not going to go into as much detail as her, but my experience was also in line with her's. Nothing really that memorable food wise. It was okay. Definitely not worth the cost of the meal. I think we spend around $1k for dinner and didn't even feel we got a great meal. Ambience is great. The service charge thing where they ask you to basically double tip is a frickin' joke. It literally ruined my entire meal when I was asked for another $200 for another tip. F-off Duffy.... I was so pissed off when I left. Would never recommend anybody to go nor will never be back. read more

We had a wonderful experience at Ever. I got the nonalcoholic drink pairing and my husband got the wine pairing. The nonalcoholic drinks were very creative! The decor was lovely and very well-placed lighting. The service was exactly what you'd expect from such a well-rated restaurant. We had no complaints with the food, everything was very creative and delicious. I am also pregnant at the moment and they were very considerate and explicit about any adjustments that were made. I definitely hope to visit again! read more

Ever was flawless in both food and service. It was undoubtably one of the best dinners I've had in Chicago. The flow of the dishes seemed to mirror the transition from summer into fall, providing a multi-sensory culinary adventure with each bite. The service was also beautifully synchronized, friendly, and informative. I have to especially commend the sommelier for his very interesting and succinct introductions to each of the wines. I really enjoyed the understated, elegant atmosphere; it was very relaxing and kept the focus on the food. At the end of the meal, I was invited to tour the kitchen. It was incredible to see how meticulously the dishes are prepared. I have no doubt Ever will attain a legendary status in the Chicago food scene. Recommendations: Ever Experience with wine pairing. read more

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Astonishing. If I had to leave a one-word review, that would be it. From the decor and staff to the food and wine pairings, EVER hit EVERy mark. We have been to Next (the opening Paris 1906 menu.) We have been to Alinea (February 2020.) We have been to Albert Adrià's Bodega 1900 (when we couldn't get into his brother's El Bulli.) We have had tasting menus that aren't Michelin-starred. We have eaten in Paris, NYC, London, Shanghai, Amsterdam, L.A...... And while every experience listed above is one forever notched in my mind's memories, it is the evening we experienced at EVER that tops them all. There is something to be said about every morsel's molecule that Chef Duffy has crafted for your tongue. There is something to be said about the white ash slats of wood and textured walls that balance out the gorgeously moody atmosphere. There is something to be said about the sommeliers' precise picks and pairings. There is something to be said about every aspect - the bathrooms and readings, the music spilling out of the (hidden) speakers, the perfect table spacing. But at it's core, at the very thud of this establishment's heart, the most to be said is about the staff. The people. For without the people - the woman who greets you by name at the door and escorts you to your specific spot, the head server's smile, welcoming and warmth, the sommelier's explanations of how the wine will play with the dish, the servers who bring and take away dishes with effortless grace - there would be no EVER. To play on words, and a cheeky young person's game, never have I ever experienced anything like EVER. It is unpretentious. It is delicious. It is fun. It is everything you'd ever want when making plans for an event (fair to call it that) of this caliber. And it is, by far, the best meal and evening I have ever had the privilege of experiencing. I don't want to go into the meal's details or the exquisite wine pairings. That's for you to discover on your own. But I do want to say thank you to every person at EVER who made our night one for the books. And I especially want to thank the staff for two surprises that left us in utter disbelief - your graciousness and gifts will not be forgotten. There are restaurants with three Michelin stars (and I highly believe EVER deserves that third,) and there are restaurants with no Michelin stars that still manage to blow your mind. And then there's EVER; a place that ticks all the boxes - even boxes that don't exist. Thank you, again, EVER. read more

Amazing experience and spectacular dishes. We left stuffed! Paulina was very attentive, welcoming and helped make our experience even more unforgettable. Worth coming in - over and over. ForEVER. read more

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Best meal "EVER." They will definitely be granted a Michelin 2 star, I think it's worthy of 3 stars. Service was amazing, over the top and so friendly. All 10 courses were amazing. Left full but not stuffed. 10/10 on presentation. 10/10 on creativity. 10/10 on quality. For example, the Waygu beef was the best quality allowed for export from Japan. Wine pairings went perfectly with each course. 3 different types of Riesling, which are rare to find great ones. If anything to add, the pours were a little light. Chef Duffy is brilliant. I had dined at his 3 star Grace before, and his personality comes out more in the dishes at EVER. The meal ended with an amazing tour of the kitchen and getting to meet the chefs and staff. Would go here every week, if I could. Alinea definitely has some competition in the city now, and EVER takes the cake. read more

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