Class Act

Class Act began as a pop-up dinner series that chef Nicolai Mlodinow hosted for more than two years, often in his Chicago apartment. In July 2025, he and co-founder Shreena Amin opened a restaurant in Bucktown, bringing the dinner party format to a communal tasting menu.

On Fridays and Saturdays, Class Act’s tasting menu seats up to 16 guests at a single table beside the open kitchen. The meal moves through three rooms: drinks and opening bites in the foyer, courses in the dining room, and a finish at Nightcap, the connected speakeasy. Nightcap has its own entrance behind a black fence and welcomes guests who aren’t dining at Class Act, with cocktails and spirit-free drinks. Class Act also offers an à la carte menu at the same communal table on select Thursdays and Sundays.

Class Act changes its tasting menu every few months, building each around a theme. Past menus include Growing Up, inspired by Mlodinow’s Los Angeles childhood; Evolution, which explored the history of food; and Banquet, which featured wagyu shawarma, king crab with dill-sage oil, tikka masala squab, and cheese served with beet challah. Wine, cocktail, and spirit-free pairings are available.

Mlodinow was named to Forbes’ 2026 30 Under 30 Food & Drink list and was a semifinalist for the 2026 James Beard Award for Emerging Chef.