Experts' Choice Award Schwa
What the experts agree on
Behind Schwa's graffiti-tagged, unassuming exterior is inventive, boundary-pushing fine dining with a loud, playful, hipster energy—chefs joke and blast music tableside. Notoriously hard to book, and worth the effort.
“Carlson's artfully displayed entrées... are so good we'd eat them on the curb in front of the tire shop across the street.”
– Concierge
Travel + Leisure "Known for his artful presentation, chef/proprietor and Chicagoland native Michael Carlson creates a rotating menu using fresh, seasonal ingredients from around the world." Full review
Zagat4.6
""Super high-end food without the attitude" describes Michael Carlson's "very small" Wicker Park BYO." Full review
BlackBook "The lackluster Microsoft-Word-looking logotype announcing the corny name on the dingy awning above the stained fabric port-hole door belies the culinary genius of Michael Carlson."
Gayot16.0
"Blink and you'll miss Michael Carlson's contemporary, minimal (some would say barren) BYO storefront." Full review
Time Out "At some point during a recent meal at Schwa—between the pad thai and the arctic char roe, I believe—a chef came out of the kitchen with two small plates." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Coming to Chicago next year? Start calling Schwa now." Full review
Afar Magazine "Schwa is kind of a difficult place to describe, because it's such an eclectic bundle of everything, that you just have to experience it yourself." Full review
The Infatuation9.5
"Schwa offers a bit of everything, including some molecular gastronomy, a fun atmosphere, rotating menu, and great music." Full review
Not For Tourists "Innovative fine dining with a hipster vibe."
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"First-timers who have survived the byzantine reservation process to score a seat at Schwa shouldn't be taken aback by the graffiti-tagged exterior." Full review
