Schwa Restaurant
 

I've read a lot lately about chef Michael Carlson, things like "is he the next Achatz?"

Has anyone been to Schwa?

Schwa
1466 N Ashland Ave
773.252.1466
http://www.schwarestaurant.com

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Sweet Willie, I haven't been yet, but it's on my list of places to check out. You might want to check out these two threads about Schwa on LTHForum.com, which is a great board for Chicago-area foodies, and eGullet.org, which is a more general board for foodies.

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic...ighlight=schwa
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=74792

Haven't been but would like to. Read a review (CHICAGO or TIMEOUT magazine) which said he's turning out amazing food without the amazing prices or pretension or the preciousness. And I think it's BYOB for now.

How about a FT do, Sweet Willie?

Have a date for this month; will report, but definitely looking forward to it. I loved the two prior restaurants on that site -- both eclectic (or eccentric) and BYOB, although Schwa has raised the price point considerably.

I'm up for it, but the last few "upperscale" dining Do's I've tried to organize have fallen flat, I think maybe that many FT'ers if going to a fine upscale restaurant would rather do that with their sig other instead of a FT'er. No worries, I'm happy to get together at SuperDawg :)

^ :cool:

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just a bump, anyone been ?

I found a good excuse to go in a couple weeks, so if not I'll be able to report back.

Schwa is a bring your own wine place as well^

I have tried to go to this place 3x within the last 6 months; they never pick up the phone nor do they respond to voicemail!! :mad:

I really want to like it, it's not even 5 minutes from home, but how can I if I cannot make a reservation? :)

Willie, were you able to get through to them? What's your trick?

you are having the exact same experience that some friends of ours are having, they too live nearby and can't get anyone to answer the phone.:eek:
from what I've read/heard, they do not have much seating at all and only turn out a limited number of plates each night.

No trick, seriously, I simply picked up the phone and called. For the record it was mid afternoon when I tried. Got the date and time we wanted on my first call. Needless to say this really PO'd our friends.

Clearly the type of place one needs to be flexible with dates/times if and when you get through to someone.

I had actually thought about stopping by if calling had not worked. good luck.

I'll just throw up a post-it on my desk and call when the mood strikes me. :)

Also, not sure if you've ever been by the restaurant, but don't be scared of the outdoor appearance. :)

I've heard from a few other locals that they don't like it when you stop by the restaurant. Unfortunately, my phone dropped the call the one time I actually got through and I was never able to get back in touch.

From what I've been reading here and elsewhere, this place is sounding more and more like the Seinfeld "soup nazi". "You will eat here when we care to serve you, on our terms, and you will like it. Don't bother us with little things like trying to actually make a reservation".

Is the food THAT good? How does he stay in business?

no kidding I had similar thoughts, apparently the food is supposed to be that good and it is assumed that the quality can be maintained as so few plates are prepared each evening. From United959's comment about don't be worried about the exterior, it sounds as if their rent/upkeep is not too bad:)

My understanding, tho I haven't been in awhile and this could've changed, is that there is no hostess, no waitstaff...it's just Carlson and the other dude (partner? sous-chef?). They have a VERY small number of tables, and a HUGE demand for reservations... these two things put together are why it's so hard to get through... I imagine with the sheer volume of calls they get, a night fills up fast, and they don't call back if there's nothing available.

Tip: If you can be flexible, your best bet is to call and leave a voicemail saying you'll take a reservation whenever they have one. That will generally get you a call back.

And yep. food's THAT good!:)