iNG is a wonderfully entertaining restaurant specializing in global flavors and flavor tripping with the miracle berry. Chef and Owner Homaro Cantu (from Moto Restaurant) heads up this gem with Executive Chef Nate Park and Director of Culinary Innovation Chris Jones. Together they offer one of the most unique and delicious dining experiences in Chicago, as iNG is currently the only restaurant in the world to offer a flavor changing menu. Reservations are not required but strongly recommended.
"I had "The Wonder Years" menu at iNG, based off dishes from Chef Cantu's childhood. Some of my favorite courses were the duck waffles and banana split course, as well as the Hidden Valley ranch dressing inspired course, and I don't even like ranch dressing! Miracle berries are strategically used a couple times through the meal so you'll "flavor trip" on the first course as well as the duck waffles. Service was just incredible, very on point, friendly, knowledgeable and not at all overbearing. I could appreciate the whimsy and thoughtfulness that went into creating each course, even those I did not particularly enjoy flavor-wise. They'll be switching menus soon and I can't wait to see what the new theme will be. I'd definitely come back!"
Dined on 5/21/2013
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"Great service with fun and delicious food. It is not just dinner, it is an experience. You can tell that the manager truly cares about his restaurant."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Everything we drank and ate was amazing. We especially liked the duck & waffles and the bannana split courses. The drink pairings really accentuated the food. It was a fun and tasty dining experience. My son had the non-alcoholic drink pairings and they were amazing. The bartender should receive a PhD in mixology for their creativity and bold flavors."
Dined on 4/27/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"The food was a wonderful blend of flavors and a feast for the palate as well as for the eye. All of the servers were very professional, knowledgeable and genuinely seemed to enjoy themselves. There were ten courses; my son had them with the alcoholic beverages and the bartender made special non alcoholic beverages for me what were creative treats as well. From appetizer, soup, two entrees and four desserts, I was very full but still did not want the experience to end. My son is a hospitality major at Kendall College who chose iNG among any restaurant in Chicago when I came to visit. This exceeded our expectations!"
Dined on 04/17/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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"This was our second trip to iNG and I can't recommend it enough. Our first time was NYE, we were blown away then, and wanted to see how they did on a 'regular' night. We've been to a lot of the great restaurants in Chicago (Next, Alinea, Spiaggia, etc.) and this ranks right up there with them for less money and in a far less stuffy atmosphere! The wine/alcohol pairings are hands-down the best I've ever had. Looking forward to next time."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Interesting concept and fun menu and environment. The miracle berry is a bit gimmicky and I did not find that it worked well in the course itself (in this case to transfrom vinegar into something sweet like maple syrup - rather it simply made it less acidic). it did work wonders on a slice of lemon (making it taste candied - got lost in the dish though. Vegetable course was on par with the best I've had at Green Zebra and was the most memorable (and I am a meat eater). Too many desserts (4) in a 10 course - with three being "good" and one ("bana split") brilliant. A solid recommend to go and try it, but highly unlikley I would ever return."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2000
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"My wife and I had such a fun double-date at iNG for the new Wonder Years menu; really fun menu that will bring you back to childhood. Enjoyed all ten courses with a few stellar dishes including the duck n' waffles, the salad course and the banana split dessert. With the miracle berry the desserts are actually fairly healthy, so you can consume ten courses guilt free! Nice ambiance and as always the iNG staff will truly pamper you; such a wonderful group of people. Really enjoyed the included pairings as well (variety of wines, craft beers and some whimsical cocktails). This is not just a great meal, but a true dining experience; this menu is not to be missed!"
Dined on 04/03/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"This was quite an interesting experience. I really enjoyed the themed dinner of The Wonder Years. The food was good, but I would not say outstanding. It was an interesting take on childhood favorites. If the price was cheaper, I would definately come back. Because the meal is pricey, I do not think that the food was worth it."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"This was definitely an interesting place!! The miracle berry sour to sweet was a neat experience. We did the 10 course dinner with drink pairings. The food was delicious, the drinks were just ok. The service was outstanding."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Absolutely one of the best meals of my life! Each course (we had 10) was more extravagant then the next. The flavors were amazing, and flavor tripping was amazing! The food is fun and inventive while being brilliantly delicious. The staff was top notch and incredibly accommodating! I can't pick a favorite part because everything was excellent!"
Dined on 03/20/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"This place is absolutely amazing. Feels like fine dining combined with the magic of something out of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Definitely a must do at least once in your life, and with different options ranging from $70 to $105 per person I felt like I definitely recieved value. Yes it is pricey, but it was dinner and a show combined in one and a truly memorable experience."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Unique, fascinating,edgy. Mixologist, Emilia is a superstar. Created non-alchoholic pairings for each incredible course since I do not drink. Flavored Tripping is wild and Chef Cantu's molecular gastronomy is wild. Highly recommended."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"The tasting menu was filled with such a wide variety of taste it was to pick a favorite. They meaning iNG played with your senses in a fun and interesting way. I would highly recommend this place."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"ING cannot be beat for imaginative food at a reasonable cost. 10 courses of great food with drink pairings for around $100 is a deal in Chicago. What really makes ING stand out to me is the food, which far exceeds the food at many higher priced restaurants I have tried."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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"Had the 4 course 3 pairing meal which was a great deal. Great waitstaff, but they did not explain to use that there was another option to have a 6 course, which would have been better as the portions are very small. I love the concept of a cost effective place to sample fantastically creative food as the little brother to Moto. Food was great, pairings were good, just left a little hungry. It's worth it for the food, and the miracle berry is something really cool to experience, but I did not need to see the front cover of the menu printed as an advertisement for a miracle berry book (and printed quite poorly at a low resolution). I felt that diminished the experience, but only a bit. Come for the food."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2008
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"Interesting and engaging cuisine. Wished they would price out the beverage/alcohol separately on the menu and give the price a course selection for less than 10 courses"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"My first dining experience with iNG easily makes my top 5 dining experiences ever. Perhaps that's going to sound a little extreme, but I assure you as someone who has traveled the world, I don't take that lightly. The food was absolutely brilliant, and the genius behind the menu was evident from the first few courses.
The thing that people need to know going to this restaurant is that the miracle berry experience doesn't change how amazing the food is without the miracle berry. It's not a gimmick, but rather the same way that an amazing sauce or seasoning would do to an already great meal, it simply enhances it.
The staff, from hostess to waiter, to the guy refilling your water, were all friendly and extremely friendly and helpful"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion, hot spot
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"Novelty of the miracle berry wears off fast. Then you are left with okay food, very small portions and some things that seem more like a science project. Ended up having to grab a late night bite after the theater. In the battle of gimmicks versus good food I would take good food anyday. I enjoyed 3 out of my 6 courses. Not a bad experience, just not great either. Would recommend as a novelty trip for guests from out of town or hosting guests from out of town.
The service is great, very attentive and willing to make special accomodations. Given the fact that we had theater tickets at 8pm the server and hostess were sure to get us out and on our way on time. Allowing for a smaller tasting menu (6 courses) versus their recommended"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"The service was good but not amazing. The food was very good but not incredible. The reason that I'd recommend this restaurant is because chef Cantu creates such a unique dining experience that is unparalleled by other places for the price that you pay ($105/pp 10-course w/ pairings)."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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