Inside Cariño: The Chicago Restaurant Everyone’s Talking About
Chicago has a way of reinventing itself every time you visit. After more than a year away, I returned to find the city as vibrant as ever. Its skyline is just as striking, its energy is just as magnetic, and its food scene is more magical and dynamic than I remembered. With new restaurants always popping up (trust me, my list has gotten quite lengthy) and old favorites holding their own, eating in Chicago is like catching up with an old friend who somehow always has a few surprises up their sleeve.
What I love most about eating in Chicago is how much variety you can pack into a single weekend. One minute, I’m sinking my teeth into a messy, glorious slice of deep dish, and the next I’m dressed up for a tasting menu that feels like an event in itself. The city pulls flavors from everywhere- Mexican street food, Korean barbecue, Southern comfort dishes, and old school Italian. I don’t know how they do it, but it all fits together perfectly. Whether it's a hole-in-the-wall bar a friend swore I couldn't miss or a restaurant fresh off its cameo on The Bear, Chicago's food scene never seems confused about what it wants to be: bold, unpretentious, and full of character and flavor.
Cariño | Chips and Salsa | Salsa Verde + Tortilla Crumb + Licorice
Cariño | Chicharrón | Esquites + BBQ + Epazote
As I was plotting my return to Chicago, Cariño kept popping up on my radar. Not only was it very popular among my fellow Redditors, but it continued to appear on almost every listicle I came across. A Michelin-starred spot offering a Latin American tasting menu and taco omakase?
Say less. This was too good to pass up.
So let’s get into it. Cariño is the brainchild of Chef Norman Fenton, who earned the restaurant its first Michelin star less than a year after opening. Quite the accomplishment, but not at all surprising once you taste his food. He’s spent time in some of Chicago’s well-known kitchens, including Schwa and Brass Heart, and now he’s doing something that feels entirely his own: a love letter to Latin American flavors. Here, guests will experience fine dining without the stuffiness and pretention. Cariño is a place where the masa and mole get the same star treatment as the truffles and foie gras. For me, I felt like I was at a friend’s dinner party, but with much better food.
Cariño Team
Let’s talk location.Cariño is tucked into a cozy corner of Uptown in Chicago ( feel the Red Line rumble overhead as you enter the restaurant), just south of where Broadway splits from Racine Avenue—the space previously occupied by Brass Heart.
I didn’t quite put all the pieces together when I booked the reservation, but walking in and sitting at the counter, I had this weird sense that I had been there before. It took me a minute, but I realized that I had dined in this very space back in 2014 when it was occupied by 42 Grams.
The restaurant is small and intimate with roughly 20 seats available for each service, so reservations are a must.
Cariño | Michelada | Oyster +Clamato Pearls + Beer Foam
When you step into Cariño, you’re signing up for much more than a meal; it’s a full-on Latin American culinary journey. If you’re lucky enough to grab a spot at the counter, you get a front row view of Chef Norman Fenton and his team at work, turning seasonal ingredients into dishes that are as thoughtful as they are bold. The tasting menu changes frequently, but you can expect roughly fourteen courses that swing from a vibrant aguachile to a silky Huitlacoche ravioli to a decadent chocolate dessert with Dulce de Leche.
Cariño | Aguachile | Ora King Salmon + Cucumber + Jalapeño
The team keeps the service warm and approachable, with Chef Fenton himself often guiding you through the journey, sharing stories that make each course a little more personal. Whether you choose the full tasting menu or the taco omakase, Cariño manages to balance fine dining with a playful sense of theater. I found it to be the type of restaurant that surprises you in the best way possible, bite after bite.
Cariño | Ravioli | Huitlacoche + Sweet Corn + Truffle
Now on to the best part- the food! Rather than bore you with a play-by-play of each dish, I’ll share the ones that really stole my heart.
First, the ravioli. If you’ve followed Blonde Voyage Nashville for any amount of time, you know my love of corn pasta. I dedicate a portion of my summer to stalking the Rolf and Daughters menu, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Corn Agnolotti. I never thought I would have another bite that could compare, but Cariño proved me wrong. The ravioli, filled with corn smut or truffle of corn (huitlacoche) and topped with corn foam, fried corn silk, popcorn, and freeze-dried corn, blends the various textures and flavors in a way that I’ve never experienced before. This dish was absolutely mind-blowing, and if I could have ordered a second, I would have done so immediately.
Cariño | Tacos Dorados | Chicken Liver + Adobo + Petite Lettuce
Tetela | Crab + Gooseberry + Habanero
Tostada | Tartare + Al Pastor + Pineapple
Cariño | Quesadilla | Pumpernickel + Queso Oaxaca + Black Garlic
The next favorite may be an obvious choice, but we need a moment for the Quesadilla. Filled with Oaxacan cheese and topped with Black Truffle, could we have a more decadent bite? Also, peep the amount of truffle on that dish!
Cariño | Black Cod | Chayote + Mole Amarillo + Green Pepitas
Cariño | Lamb | Beets + Hibiscus + Sour Orange
Raw Oysters aren’t always at the top of my list, but the Michelada (featured earlier in the post) may have changed my mind about that. Served with Clamato pearls and Modelo foam, this bite was both fun and filled with incredible flavor.
Cariño Team
Now let’s get into the sweet part of the evening. Guests dining at the Chef’s Counter are served three desserts, all of which are incredible. The standout of the evening for me was the Chocolate dessert with the Dulce de Leche. Not only was the plating beautiful, but I loved the juxtaposition of the flavors and textures.
Cariño | Chamoyada | Mango + Lemon Balm + Strawberry
Cariño | Pineapple | Tepache + Coconut + Anise Hyssop
A few final things you need to know before you go:Tariff | For those looking to make a reservation, the costs are as follows: the Tasting Menu experience is $190.00-$200.00/person, and for those who are looking to get a front row seat to the action, the Chef’s Counter is $210.00-$220.00/person, as guests receive an expanded menu with additional courses.
For my night owls looking to partake in the Taco Omakase, it’s $125.00/person.
Imbibe | Looking to expand your horizon beyond the basic cocktails? A standard wine pairing is available for $105.00, and a reserve option is available for $175.00.
Reservations | With Cariño gaining more and more popularity, reservations are a must and can be made through their website or by clicking HERE.
Vibe Check| Intimate and relaxed. Think fine dining without the fuss.
Cariño | Chocolate | Hoja Santa + Brown Butter + Dulce de Leche
Cariño | Oaxaca Old Fashioned | Paquera Mezcal + Piloncillo + Bitters
If you have the opportunity to dine at Cariño, I’d love to hear about your experience. Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
Click HERE for a sneak peek!
Until Next Time!
