Smyth
Influencer Reviews1
S3
About
Smyth, located in Chicago, is a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant led by Chef John Shields. Opened in 2016, Smyth is celebrated for its innovative tasting menus that showcase seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Chef Shields, known for his avant-garde approach and farm-to-table philosophy, has earned acclaim for pushing culinary boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for ingredient integrity.
The Visit
Dining at Smyth is a journey through inventive flavors and textures, guided by Chef John Shields’ creative vision. The reviewer highlights the restaurant’s commitment to local, seasonal ingredients and its bold, contemporary approach to fine dining. Standout moments include the playful use of banana skins, candied seaweed, and a memorable pre-dessert palate cleanser. The meal is described as unique, meticulously crafted, and worthy of top accolades, with each course offering unexpected delights.
What They Ate
Quotes
"Chef John Shields and his team have created an entirely unique and contemporary take on modern fine dining that you won't find anywhere else."
"We don't doubt this meal will make it to our top 10 of the year."
"(Sourdough Waffle) You're never going to eat this anywhere else. It's a really stilton cheese waffle. Pretty subtle truffle and then just vinegar."
"(Quail Egg) It tastes like you're eating an eggshell. It's so fragile and light. It's a beautiful texture."
Our Reflection
Smyth delivers America's newest three-star through bold creativity challenging fine dining norms. Golden nose citrus caviar bowl achieving "tell people forever" status—fatty, rich, silky, decadent despite appearing empty. Tomato dish making oysters taste like guava with beach-in-Mexico intensity. Quail egg pseudo-eggshell so fragile you wouldn't guess it's egg. Banana dessert using no actual bananas (aged black peels fermented into oil, candied kombu seaweed working unexpectedly well). Recurring tropical/oceanic notes honoring Chef's Tampa childhood. Everything scoring 10/10 through meal. No negatives mentioned—service friendly and knowledgeable. Must-order caviar bowl and tomato dish showcasing John Shields's artistic signature. Top-10-of-year meal guaranteed.
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