After working with some of Chicago’s biggest culinary names, Spiaggia and Trio alum Michael Carlson has made quite the name for himself with Schwa: Not only was he recognized as a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2006, but he also earned a nomination for “Best Chef” from the James Beard Awards in 2010. Schwa, his ambitious and highly personal Wicker Park tasting menu restaurant, is an exploration of global flavors, pairing cornbread with leche de ligre and ramen with katalfe, strawberry tare, and tea. With its soundtrack of hip-hop, a sultry dining room, and a free-wheeling sensibility, it’s no wonder that Schwa earned itself a MICHELIN star.