Cariño, the modernist Latin-inspired tasting menu restaurant in Uptown, blasts beautiful culinary love ballads by a driven chef whose hands work in Chicago while his heart beats on the coast of Mexico. Norman Fenton, chef and co-owner with restaurateur Karen Young, opened his debut restaurant last December. The small storefront remains unmarked outside, and dark yet airy inside with just 20 seats. The chef’s counter commands the spotlight with its tasting menu dinner and late-night taco omakase. Every dish is served with a detailed description that’s fantastically impossible to follow. Tap on our bio link to read the full review. —— Photo 1: The aguachile with dry ice smoke at the restaurant Cariño (@carino_chicago), 4662 N. Broadway in Chicago, seen on Aug. 29, 2024. Photo 2: The suadero taco. Photo 3: Chocolate and ice cream. ? Louisa Kung Liu Chu / Chicago Tribune ? Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune

Cariño, the modernist Latin-inspired tasting menu restaurant in Uptown, blasts beautiful culinary love ballads by a driven chef whose hands work in Chicago while his heart beats on the coast of Mexico.

Norman Fenton, chef and co-owner with restaurateur Karen Young, opened his debut restaurant last December. The small storefront remains unmarked outside, and dark yet airy inside with just 20 seats. The chef’s counter commands the spotlight with its tasting menu dinner and late-night taco omakase.

Every dish is served with a detailed description that’s fantastically impossible to follow.

Tap on our bio link to read the full review.

——

Photo 1: The aguachile with dry ice smoke at the restaurant Cariño (@carino_chicago), 4662 N. Broadway in Chicago, seen on Aug. 29, 2024.

Photo 2: The suadero taco.

Photo 3: Chocolate and ice cream.

? Louisa Kung Liu Chu / Chicago Tribune
? Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune