WEST LOOP — Oriole Executive Chef Noah Sandoval has been named one of the Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine magazine.
Sandoval's 28-seat fine-dining restaurant has been repeatedly honored since it opened in a quiet stretch of the West Loop at 661 W. Walnut St. one year ago. In November, Oriole received a coveted two stars in the 2017 Michelin Guide.
Praising Sandoval as "a chef with gob-smacking vision," Food & Wine editors said the Oriole chef follows a long legacy of Chicago chefs with game-changing tasting menus, including Charlie Trotter, Laurent Gras and Grant Achatz.
"The country’s best new fine dining experience can be found up a freight elevator at the end of a West Loop alleyway," Food & Wine editors write of Oriole. "Noah’s high-wire wanderings toggle confidently between Japan, Italy and beyond."
Oriole's 16-course tasting menu, priced at $190 per person. A menu is not provided to guests prior to the meal, making the experience a surprise.
At the restaurant, guests are welcomed through a vintage freight elevator, and glowing lanterns are featured above each table.
In the review, editors also complimented the rest of Oriole's team, including pastry chef Genie Kwon and general manager Cara Sandoval, Noah's wife.
Twelve chefs from nine cities across the United States were named to Food & Wine's 29th annual Best New Chefs list, including Chef Yoship Okai at Otoko in Austin and Chef Angie Mart at The Beatrice Inn in New York City. Read more about the winners here.
Sandoval was the only Chicago chef to earn the honor this year.
Sandoval previously operated Michelin-starred Senza before it closed in January 2015.
Oriole is open for dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Reservations are required, and can be made on OpenTable or by calling the restaurant at 312-877-5339.
