Jenner Tomaska and Katrina Bravo, husband and wife co-owners of Esmé, met when they were both starting out in the industry at MK, a groundbreaking Chicago restaurant that has since closed. The pair eventually married and ventured out on their own, opening Esmé in 2021.

The Chicago fine-dining restaurant embodies their vision to marry Bravo’s passion for art and Tomaska’s passion for culinary artistry with the shared goal of providing first-rate hospitality.

Esmé offers an evolving tasting menu inspired by Chicago’s rich cultural scene. The couple collaborate with local artists and creatives, and each quarter, Esme’s menu, servingware, décor and music reflect the current artistic collaboration.

Listen as Bravo and Tomaska describe their one-of-a-kind Michelin-starred dining destination and share how they tell their story through a culinary and artistic lens.