Dining at Kasama - 1 Michelin Star Filipino Restaurant in Chicago
The only Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant and my personal favorite in Chicago
Kasama needs no introduction. It’s one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Chicago. A café by day, it transforms at night into an intimate dining experience with a tasting menu that pays homage to its Filipino roots through a high-end, modern approach. The menu strikes a perfect balance between comforting, familiar flavors and bold, unexpected twists.
It’s not just about reimagining traditional dishes like their lamb belly kare-kare, but about making them entirely their own, celebrating Filipino culture while embracing the diverse influences of the American dining scene.
In my opinion, Kasama offers the best high-end dining experience in Chicago, every single dish is simply exquisite. For $285 here’s what the experience looked like:
Kinilaw
The meal starts with Kinilaw, a bright, refreshing bite featuring golden Kaluga caviar, delicate kampachi, and a hint of creamy coconut. The perfect introduction.
Pulutan
Then comes one of my favorite bites at Kasama, their Lumpia, which is accompanied by a Talaba (oyster). They wrap the crispy pork roll in rice paper, which gives it the perfect crunch and chew.
Kamatis
Tomato, salted egg yolk, and crab.
Nilaga
For me this dish is the epitome of comfort food. Cabbage, wagyu and bone marrow on top of rice. A hearty, flavorful dish that feels both indulgent and familiar.
Adobo
Mussel, king trumpet, and chicken skin.
Inihaw Na Sable
Sablefish and burnt scallion toyomansi.
Sinigang
Perfectly cooked salmon with trout roe and salmon skin chicharron. Delicious.
Kare-Kare
Wow! This dish is so deliciously rich. The succulent lamb belly, creamy peanut, and umami-loaded bagoong XO create the perfect combination. It is pair with a flaky, roti-style bread to make a mouthwatering taco out of it.
Inasal
Squab, dirty rice, and foie gras sauce
Now onto desserts…
Truffle croissant
This is truly one of the best bites of food I have ever had. Super flaky croissant filled with Délice de Bourgogne cheese and honey, topped with sugar pearls and shaved truffle. Super decadent! Honestly, it’s worth visiting Kasama for dinner just for this, an absolute standout that, in my opinion, surpasses their breakfast version.
Mais con yelo
Corn semifreddo and milk granita.
Mignardises
And to end our meal, a selection of petits fours with Filipino flavors. Silvana, pandan, and cassis.
