Pictures: menu, surf, mushroom, arroz caldo, lamb, lemon.
I had the pleasure of eating at Valhalla this past weekend, and I can say without a doubt that this is one of the best dining experiences I have ever had.
The ambiance is wonderful, the staff are knowledgeable and very friendly without being overbearing. But none of that matters if the food doesn’t deliver. And boy did it deliver.
The Turf, Surf, Arroz Caldo, Lamb, and Breakfast for Dessert courses rank among the best of my life. Of the menu, there is only one course (the mushroom), that I would consider average, and one course (the garlic tuna) that I would consider merely “good.” Everything else ranged from great to superlative. The beverage pairing (mostly sake and wine, but also a very interesting cider) was also very thoughtful and certainly enhanced the meal.
I have eaten at most of the one star restaurants in Chicago, and I would take Valhalla over all of them at this point. (Note: I have not been to the two or three stars here).
To make a long post short, Valhalla is a complete triumph and a worthy addition to Chicago’s culinary scene. I would encourage anyone with even the slightest interest to eat here as soon as possible, as I do think this place will explode in popularity once the word gets out and the Michelin guide recognizes it.
by BidetToYouSir