Jenner Tomaska first entered the world of cooking at 14, working in kitchens across the country before returning to Chicago, his hometown, to focus on fine dining. “I like to give an experience,” he once said. “Rather than consuming food, I’m more about crafting something for someone.” In his 20s, while working at the now-closed restaurant MK, he met Katrina Bravo, who had moved to Chicago from Miami in 2009 and was picking up small jobs whenever she could. “I got called in [to be a hostess] for a night and stayed for four years,” she says.
The couple got married in the summer of 2021 and opened Esmé later that year. By 2022, they’d earned a Michelin star, which they’ve kept ever since. While Tomaska conceptualizes Esmé’s meticulously crafted tasting menus, Bravo has propelled the restaurant into a cultural force. The couple use the kitchen as a platform to highlight artists from the local community, creating a new tasting menu every 12 weeks inspired by a different artist’s work.
Today, Tomaska and Bravo split their work between Esmé and Petite Edith, a French bistro they opened this fall, while taking care of their son, Roman. Here, they share the guide to the city they call home.
Doma Cafe
We were newly introduced to Doma Cafe, which is just a stone’s throw away from our new restaurant, Petite Edith. This Croatian spot is everything—we often joke that our team will soon be paying their electricity bills. The coffee and pastries are amazing, and the food is out of this world. When Jenner and I last stopped in for breakfast, he said, “The next time I get asked to do one of those ‘where to eat in Chicago’ lists, I’m telling everyone it’s Doma.” (domachicago.com)
Lula cafe
Lula, in Logan Square, never disappoints. Jason Hammel and his team serve the best breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner in the city—there’s a reason you can never get a seat. (lulacafe.com)
Kumiko
The World’s 50 Best Bars named it one of the best in North America … how could you not stop in? Julia Momosé and her team do an incredible job. (barkumiko.com)
Cariño
We are huge fans of Chef Norman Fenton and have been eating his food since he took the lead at Schwa in 2018. Cariño is spectacular, and you can really see his passion for Mexican flavors shine through. (carinochicago.com)
The Breakfast Club and Grill
A Chicago institution offering a delicious breakfast—make sure to get the stuffed potato pancakes! Jenner gets the ones with sausage, and I get the ones with bacon. (thebreakfastclubchicago.com)
Daisies
What started as the place we went when we couldn’t get into Lula has since become one of our go-to spots. It’s amazing and worth all the hype. Want amazing pasta? They have it. Pastries? Yup. House-made potato chips with onion dip and caviar? They have that, too. In other words, there are no misses at Daisies. (daisieschicago.com)
Buena Vista
This is our favorite neighborhood restaurant. I (Katrina) have been eating there since moving from Miami 16 years ago. It’s family-owned, and I’ve had the pleasure of watching their children grow up. Now, they’re watching our son, Roman, grow up. Jenner and I have been together for 13 years, so it’s safe to say that it’s a very special place for both of us. The owners treat us like family, and we all feel it; they know my parents and met my grandmother last summer. Roman feels so at home there that he’ll try to clear the table when he’s done eating. (buenachicago.com)
Mako
We love Chef B.K. Park and the work he does. Mako is our favorite omakase experience in Chicago. B.K. has a way of making upscale dining feel intimate and personal. (makochicago.com)
ANDERSONVILLE
If you want a break from the feeling of city living, Andersonville is the place for you. There are so many amazing vintage shops, bars, and small neighborhood businesses. Wandering its streets is the perfect way to spend a beautiful day in Chicago.
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