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Alinea Chicago Reviews
Truly a phenomenal dining experience at this Michelin
Truly a phenomenal dining experience at this Michelin restaurant. We had reservations in the Gallery which was fairly loud but great for a meal with friends. Dinner was interactive, fun, and lively. Service was excellent. From start to finish, the start of each course left you in anticipation of what was to come. Each dish was beautifully and uniquely presented but the food was short of amazing. Food was delicious but not mind blowing. Presentation definitely overtook the tastiness of the meal. My favorite part of the meal was the presentation of the Paint Dessert. This was such an exceptional experience and I enjoyed my time here but for the price point, I doubt I will be back on my dime. The food was tasty but didn't blow me away. I did leave here full but not overly stuffed. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place for an unforgettable dining experience. P.S. Reservations can be made on the 15th of the month, approximately 2 months in advance and are released at 11:00 AM Central Time.
Amazing once-in-a-lifetime dining experience.
The food was phenomenal. The service, impressive. Very memorable.
Best meal of my life.
Have been wanting to go for years. Finally saved up and went with my wife. I hope I have the fortune of going again. No complaints from the service to the food to the decor. It was all perfect. Somehow lived up to the hype.
If I could review the staff, their personal touches or
If I could review the staff, their personal touches or personality I would give this 1 million stars. In 14 courses only four were breath taking, the rest were basic or indulgent to a flaw. At three different points when I made a face in response to what I was eating different staff members seemed to be empathizing with my experience rather than championing it on. The details of how to make a great service are alive and well but the menu seemed a little sad at times or not graduated to the three stars it claims to have. All in all I got a box on my Chicago bingo card but don't know if I could would recommend to someone else.
A sensory memory that will last a lifetime!
I think about the tasting menu experience still! As I have told others if you can dine with Alinea or try the Gallery tasting menu, DO IT without hesitation! The dining experience is a memory that will last a lifetime. Traveling back to Chicago with the sole intent of tasting what new experiments have been concocted in their kitchen is on my list of things to do. Everything created by the extremely talented people who work there is beyond the words thoughtful. It is daring and scientifically balanced, not to mention being aesthetically stunning, and truly engages your sensory memory.
There's no signs or lettering outside and just a black
There's no signs or lettering outside and just a black door, so we were a bit confused until someone standing outside opened the door for us. Service was exceptional throughout - can't remember another restaurant where the hosts and servers were more attentive. We were seated in the gallery with a few other parties - together at the same table initially, then reseated into our individual parties for the rest of the meal. The overall presentation and experience was spectacular - even breathtaking at some points. This is exactly what I wanted when I booked Alinea and i was very happy with this aspect. Unfortunately, the flavor and food aspect was not as consistent. I would say I extremely liked 1/3 of the dishes, thought 1/3 of the dishes were ok, and did not like 1/3 of the dishes or thought it was doing "too much". Really liked: - King crab bite: I loved the sweetness of the corn bread contrasted with the spicy ness and saltiness of the tabasco, as well as the freshness and sweetness of the king crab itself. - Explosion: Loved the saltiness of the parmesan and the truffle flavor, reminded me of a more sophisticated soup dumpling - Egg yolk side salad (from auberdines): Loved the contrast of the egg yolk creme with the flavor of the greens and whatever else was on the bite - Honey mango: My favorite savory course of the night: The lobster cracker reminded me of a better shrimp chip and i loved the slightly sweet mango sauce paired with the pork belly, lobster, and whatever else was in the bowl. Really enjoyed the uni and mango ice cream too. - Bubblegum: Thought this dish was fun to eat and i really enjoyed the flavors, wish the boba was a bit more bouncy and chewy though - Paint: Fun to watch, fun to eat, this was a whole show. Wish the flavors were more fruity instead of tea/herbally but i still loved the various textures and flavors together - Balloon: what else can be said - it's a candy balloon filled with helium. you suck in the helium, talk funny for a bit, and then eat the rest of the balloon. Did not like: Osetra: I liked the presentation of it but to be honest i just didn't enjoy the flavors with the caviar Blancmange: The flavors were just ok together but i did not particularly enjoy this Eucalyptus: Not a huge fan of olives and this dish was almost 100% olive flavors Root beer float with black truffle: strangely enough, black truffle and root beer kind of work together. only kind of - after a few bites it felt a bit weird again. Overall i loved the service, the presentation, and the atmosphere. I didn't like a lot of the flavors that were presented, and while i don't expect to like all the dishes, i feel like they were doing a bit too much for some of the dishes when simplicity would have been better. I did have a lot of fun here, and i'm glad i came
There is dining, experiences and setting the bar.
Alinea does it all! The perfect place to celebrate, if you live in Chicago, it is a must!
Outstanding meal with an outstanding experience from start to finish
Is a Tripadvisor review really proper for a 3 * Michelin rated restaurant? I don't know, but without a doubt this was the best meal experience we've ever had. Service was outstanding, the food was phenomenal, and the staff was more than welcoming. We went as a family of 6 and had a worry that maybe the experience would be intimidating, but every person we interacted with was friendly, accommodating and welcoming. Truly at no point did we feel out of place (mixed race, mixed ages and mixed idea of dressing for dinner). Each course was explained and full of surprises on what it was, how to enjoy it and unique tastes/textures. We came unsure of what to expect and we left with smiles on our faces having had an experience of a lifetime.
What can I say about this place that hasn't been said
What can I say about this place that hasn't been said before? Incredible dining experience. Everything paired and was a full sense dining experience. The room table, the presentation the plates are fun and magical tax and tip and gratuity alone was about 300 for two meals and one pairing. I know people eat here all the time, but this is my once in a lifetime.
Finally got to book this trip to Chicago and dine at Alinea.
We dined in the salon and it was very pretty. Our servers were very kind, on point and helpful. The food was unusual and mostly delicious. Our favorite was the Explosion, hot potato and Osetra. We enjoyed most all the courses with the Blancmange being our least favorite. I honestly found the Blancmange strange, and the presentation odd. The dessert was very good and the balloon was delightful. After our meal we got to take a look at the kitchen and it is quite amazing how many workers seem to function inside such a tiny kitchen. Nice dining experience for our family. This was our least favorite michelin so far.
Thoroughly disappointed.
The service was top-notch. However, most of the food ranged from, 'meh,' to inedible. There's a palette cleanser that included olive brine and chewy orange. It was horrendous. They served a corn liquor cocktail that was nauseating. There were some bright spots. The Hot potato and the honey mango were fantastic but two out of 14 IS bad. They went through the trouble of lighting a fire on the table to warm a stuffed carrot for it to be cold. The entire meal was ornate with no pay off. I've been to some of the best restaurants in the world. This doesn't deserve to be in that. echelon. This dessert was a big show for a cucumber sandwich, freeze-dried 'sweet' with no distinctive flavors and a candied balloon. Take away the show and you're left with elements available at a mid-grade all-inclusive Caribbean resort.
Overall -- a really fun experience! I was pleasantly
Overall -- a really fun experience! I was pleasantly surprised with how many traditional flavors the tasting included as well as more exotic things. I think it was a really good mix in that we got to experience new flavors but also familiar flavors with a creative twist. The service was excellent. The portions were also a good size. We were concerned that we'd still be hungry afterward but left very full.
STUNNING PRESENTATION WITH DELICIOUS FOODS
I was truly so fortunate to come to this restaurant, if the word restaurant Dan even describe the experience had at Alinea. Went with some business friends and it was amazing! Lots of tiny little courses are served and by the end it’s very filling and I could barely finish (oh but I did). Some of my favorite things I had there although I believe it’s different for everyone but I’m unsure: A yummy soup with a little cheese truffle crouton, a truffle ravioli with with a jous inside ( so it’s like the soup is inside the noodle instead of outside!!), an apple flavored candy balloon that has helium inside so everyone at the table (even the serious people) have high pitch little voices, and a delicious deconstructed banana split dessert. Everything was presented in a fun way and there’s no room for boredom even though it’s a long experience, I was just so excited and didn’t get on my phone. Additionally I must say the staff was very nice and they were joking the whole time which was good because I bet lots of people were nervous to be at such a fancy restaurant. Amazing flavors and creativity in everything you put in your mouth. And the ingredients are amazing! Some flavors in some meals that may be controversial. Expensive. I’m never gonna forget going here it was incredible. I rode home in the Uber still in shock of the experience and thinking about it, it was so amazing. The photos I linked are the photos of a strip of chicken with amazing light almost sweet flavor in the sauce, and the soup and croutons I mentioned. 🤤
Alinea achieves and exceeds the hype!
This past week we had the true privilege of having dinner (6 of us in our party) at Alinea. IMHO it really does live up to all of the well-deserved hype and superlatives. Each course was innovative and delicious, with an amazing mix of flavors, textures, and presentation. The service and staff were not only exceptional, but fun and engaging, particularly our lead server Anna. Quite possibly the best single meal I've ever had. Bravo!!
Special night
We came for an anniversary. We had a memorable time as this was on a wish list for many years. The meals were delicious. Service was good, but we felt that the waiters were not as enthusiastic as we had hoped for.
A bucket list evening for a x0th birthday celebration.
I have wanted to dine at Alinea ever since it opened, and the stars lined up at last. After dining at a number of Michelin 3 star establishments over the years in both Europe and the US, I am delighted to report Alinea measures up in all respects. The food, service, and presentation were wonderful. The staff demonstrated a sense of humor at times without being intrusive, which added to the experience. The wine pairings were superb.
A dinner worthy of remembrance
The main door holds no sign with its name. In fact there is no red Michelin star sign either to aware the client he is entering one of the best restaurants in the world. The Gallery serves the complete menu, with a timeline of three hours. The rooms are spacious and the tables remain well separated. The couches are very comfortable. The Gallery menu consists of thirteen courses with an excellent presentation and even better taste. Innovative and creative (one of the dishes is served in the kitchen). Fantastic. The service deserves a mention appart: in my case, Hart and Rocco were the most helpful with their advices and explanations. As a little detail, it was late and I wanted to take a taxi, but they provided me with a car to bring me back to the hotel for free. In summary, no wonder why its name is always at the top of the lists of the bests diners worldwide.
Lives up to the hype
It's hard to live up to the expectations when they are so high, but this place did it. The food, wine pairings and service were exceptional. I would not hesitate to go back.
Absolutely, Positively, Amazing
Has been on the bucket list to sit at the chef's table and experience Grant and the Alinea crew. Not only did it live up to expectations; it exceeded them. Every single person in that restaurant understands how excited most of us are to be there and they take true pride in showing top notch hospitality. The food was absolutely incredible and the show heightened every possible sense. We weren't sure about bringing our kids but it was my 40th bday and we decided to see how they would do. On the way home, they asked when we were going again. We cannot thank the team enough for making this experience truly unforgettable and thank you Grant for taking a quick moment to pose with us. If you haven't experience Alinea, you are missing out.
Best restaurant
One of the best restaurant experiences. It is more than just having a meal. The food is innovative and tasted great. Fabulous!
From the moment we stepped into Alinea, it was clear we
From the moment we stepped into Alinea, it was clear we were in for an extraordinary culinary experience. The service was impeccable; attentive staff catered to our every need, guiding us through the evening with grace and professionalism. The food at Alinea was nothing short of incredible. Each dish was a masterpiece of presentation, with intricate designs and vibrant colors that made them too beautiful to eat. Yet, it was the unique flavors that truly stole the show. Every bite was a symphony of taste, expertly crafted to sing with joy on the palate. The chefs at Alinea have an exceptional talent for balancing complex flavors, creating dishes that are both innovative and delicious. What truly set the evening apart was the dessert, a spectacular finale crafted right at our table. Watching the chefs assemble the ingredients with such precision and artistry added an extra layer of excitement to our dining experience. It was not just a dessert; it was a performance that captivated all our senses. In summary, Alinea offered an unparalleled dining experience. The combination of amazing service, incredible food, and a mesmerizing tableside dessert performance left an indelible mark on us. Alinea is more than a restaurant; it's a culinary journey that I would highly recommend to anyone seeking flavors and experiences that go beyond the ordinary.
Very good food
One of a kind restaurant. The meal was delicious from beginning to end. The artistry of the plates is unmatched. Very good food.
Tasty meal
Alinea is one of the best restaurants. The food is creative. It is like art. The wines and cocktails are great too. Everything was tasty.
Had a fantastic experience dining at Alinea with my husband.
My only criticism is that for the price, we did leave a bit hungry as we found the portions and the courses to be limited. The service was spectacular and they made us feel so well attended to. The ambiance is ornate and beautiful. The highlight of the meal for us was the salmon, mole and dessert table. Recommend trying this restaurant at least once or coming back for their menu which rotates depending on the season.
As regular patrons of Alinea, we have been consistently
As regular patrons of Alinea, we have been consistently enchanted by the extraordinary culinary experiences that this Chicago landmark offers. Alinea isn't just a restaurant; it's an avant-garde performance, a journey of the senses that transcends the ordinary definitions of dining. Chef Grant Achatz is a maestro, orchestrating a menu where each course plays its part in a grander scheme, with flavors, textures, and presentations so innovative, they challenge your perceptions and delight your palate in equal measure. The attention to detail is impeccable, with every ingredient singing in harmony, and the plating is nothing short of art. The service at Alinea matches the unparalleled quality of the cuisine, with a knowledgeable and passionate team that guides you through each act of the tasting menu with poise and expertise. The ambiance is modern, yet intimate, providing the perfect backdrop to a culinary composition that is ever-evolving. Returning to Alinea is like revisiting a favorite masterpiece, knowing you will always discover something new and exciting. It's not merely a meal; it's a celebration of culinary innovation at its peak. For those who seek an unrivaled dining adventure in Chicago, Alinea is the zenith, a beacon of inspiration and gustatory delight.
Truly an amazing experience with Alinea.
We were greeted with great service from start to finish. The first course of French onion soup was served with a fire show which was amazing. Overall we really enjoyed everything and our add on white truffle dish. There was totally more than enough food because when we got to the last 2 courses I was already full. The dessert performance was awesome and tasted a lot better eating from the table. The levels of flavors in each dish gave character to each dish. I would say this is totally worth the try and would recommend getting a beverage pairing as well.
I really hate to leave this review.
I also think no one dining here reads reviews or cares lol. I'm a huge foodie and anytime I travel to others states or countries I look for the best spots to eat. I live in nyc and have been to Chicago multiple times and have been on a waiting list for this restaurant each time. This time I finally got a reservation but in the "saloon", not really sure what that meant. Still was so excited to eat here and heard all about it and the chef and what an amazing experience. I may not be very wealthy and I saved up to take my friend who lives in Chicago here for her birthday. The moment we walked in we noticed the carpet on the floor and it gave us such an old school steakhouse vibe(not what we were looking for or expecting) then we were seated in a small room with a table of 8 or 10 ppl and next to an elderly single man dining alone who was talking to himself and also me and my friend. We were laughing it off and trying to ignore him, but between him and the large table it was extremely difficult to hear what the staff was instructing us to do and how to eat the servings. We also told our waiter it was my friends birthday and he brought over glasses of rosè. We said thank you and assumed it was a nice gesture or comped bc I've been to plenty restaurants that do that. We ordered a special dish they had that night and one drink each. We paid extra on the bill for that and they updated my emailed receipt. Later that day I was charged 200$ for a bottle of rosè I did not order. I also have to add I own a wine and liquor store and knew how cheap that bottle was. When I emailed they just reimbursed half of the extra charge and didn't apologize or treat me like a person. It was an extremely disappointing experience. The waiter also said they don't change their menu a lot and the dessert is always the same and the star of the show. Most of their dishes are accompanied by fancy and outlandish bowls or plates to try to make the food taste better. One dish was an actual cracker and cheese that was almost inedible to me and my friend. Last time I was in Chicago I ate at Ever, and I was blown away. The tables are very far apart and the staff gave me a personal and amazing experience. The plates were plain and it was really about the food. There was no carpet and it was sleek and clean and a beautiful dining experience. There was no hidden charges or rudeness. Highly recommend ever over this place when looking to fine dine in Chicago. Sorry not sorry.
My husband and I enjoyed the gallery service.
The introduction to the dining experience began with a dimly lit communal table that was set ablaze as the first courses were being presented. We were pleasantly surprised throughout the evening. It was a literal performance of different dishes, presentations, and even music. The portions were nothing but generous. To be honest, there were some dishes that didn't hit the mark. Borderline inedible, from a taste standpoint. I get that it's difficult to come up with such a broadly creative menu that appeals to all palettes but some of the courses were too far reaching. Even for me and I consider myself an adventurous eater. Overall, this was a great first time experience at Alinea. Would we come back? Probably not. But we will definitely recommend it to others.
My second dinner here has been a long time coming.
In the 13 years since my last visit, the restaurant has been made over and I have "matured." Despite some real wow moments, ultimately I was disappointed this time around. I think the focus has veered too far from deliciousness to experimental. Many of the courses were visually and experientially stunning but just not that tasty. Of course, as is expected, I was given a menu of what I ate and drank that evening. When I got home and reviewed it, it was the wrong menu - an inexcusable gaffe. I contacted the restaurant and they promised to get me the correct one but it had been a month and I don't have it yet.
So if you're a foodie--this place is top tier in fine
So if you're a foodie--this place is top tier in fine dining in Chicago! You haven't seen anything until dining here. I e been a couple of times and am always wowed. Mind blowing presentations and umteen courses! Small plates but there are so many and soooo ridiculously full of flavor you'll be stuffed. My favorite was meeting Grantz and the edible balloons for desserts paired with wonderful music and atmosphere. Expect to shell out at least $500+ and there is quite a waitlist so RSVP. I believe you have to book like 2 months in advance and booking is limited.
By far the, worst Michelin star restaurant I've ever been
By far the, worst Michelin star restaurant I've ever been to let alone three star. The staff were obnoxious. Half of the dishes were mediocre. One I spat out. Nothing was perfect.
I was so excited for my first 3 star Michelin Restaurant
I was so excited for my first 3 star Michelin Restaurant experience! We reserved seats in the Saloon and were put on the waitlist for the gallery but no luck. I've been globe trotting and dining at various Michelin Star restaurants, but this would be my first 3 star restaurant and Alinea is just so well known i was ready to get my mouth tantalized by Chef Grant Achatz! I mean read up on him. He apparently can't taste because he was diagnosed with tongue cancer. Crazy right? Any way I'm sad to report the food was fun but I was not impressed with the menu items. I got the wine pairing and the fish and chips came with a Guinness. I hate beer! The best part was the interactive art piece of dessert and the helium filled taffy balloons. I would give the service, presentation, and the techniques 5 stars but the food took a backseat to all of this.
Exceptional and excellent
An incredible experience from start to finish. Fun and adventurous, the food was delicious, approachable and thoughtfully presented. Touring the kitchen was memorable and the staff were knowledgeable and engaging.
Excellent, but not Exceptional
Booked Alinea for our Anniversary and unfortunately only had the option of early dining that truly felt rushed despite in fairness being informed in advance of the time limitation. The cuisine was excellent and somewhat brilliant, but not incomparable, as was the accompanying service, but regrettably did not live up to either the hype or resultant expectations. Having dined in many a Michelin star restaurant throughout the world, Alinea somehow lacked the sophistication of the others both in respect to ambiance and servicing culture seemingly somewhat "raw". Having experienced the full tasting menu accompanied by the reserve wine pairing, the writer deemed both to be overvalued given the aforementioned lack of diminished and exceptional distinctiveness. In our minds eye, this establishment certainly doesn't equivocate to the likes of Eleven Madison Park, Azurmendi, Joel Robuchon, Den, Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama to name but a few competitive institutions. There is simply something special that sets these others up and above Alinea infusing a desire for many return engagements that Alinea did not present.
A Bucket List Spot To Eat In.
The Alinea is a superb restaurant in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. It has garnered numerous accolades including a string of Michelin 3-star ratings. It prides itself on an innovative approach to modern cuisine using on-demand ingredient building-blocks for culinary courses. Within the restaurant are 3 different dining experiences: the Kitchen Table, the Galley Menu and the Salon Menu that are home to such inventive food fare as Lamb with caper leaf, grapes & olive to proscuitto with passion fruit & zath lavana. My party, under reservation, opted for the Kitchen Table seating. A cutting edge multi-course culinary experience was had where I should have taken notes to remember what I eat. I did remember; however, the Octopus with the Asian Sauce ..........delicious, tangy ...........crying for more. One of Chicago's best restaurants..........a bucket list spot to eat in.
Alinea Chicago
First Michelin 3-star restaurant experience, over a celebratory weekend in Chicago. Staff excellent, food creative, ambiance perfect. Except for the filo layered biscuits with foie gras, none of the 6 courses blew us away, but the food and the wine pairings were perfectly balanced. Price somewhat reasonable, but we are validated that equally lovely and less expensive eats are in our own hometown SF Bay Area.
Memorable way to celebrate our anniversary
Alinea has been a bucket list restaurant for my husband and I for quite some time so we were thrilled to be able to secure a reservation for the Salon on our recent trip to Chicago. Our favorite courses were the hot potato, truffle explosion, smoked black cod, and, of course, the absolute artwork that was the dessert course. The staff were engaging, funny, and extremely attentive. Overall it was a truly memorable experience and a great way to celebrate our anniversary.
Not as expected
We were really looking forward to celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary at Alinea. I will say the ambience is very nice. That's where the compliments end. Our meal was OK. We purchased the wine pairing, and the pours were like small tastings at a vinyard. The food was very salty. The dessert was just down right icky. I don't enjoy eating directly off of the table. When I asked for a touch more sherry, I was told, "I'll have to check." Really? They were in a rush to get us out the door, as the 2nd seatings were starting. Absolutely not worth the $1500 price tag.
If you can, experience Alinea
Great celebration for my birthday, 16 courses everything so creative and memorable! Our reason for visiting Chicago!
Fine Dining
Very good food? Was served ON the table and very small portions. If my grandpa was her he'd say- this is a scam/ ripoff for notoriety.
Very good! Everything we has was well prepared and tasted
Very good! Everything we has was well prepared and tasted great! We will definitely return for another meal.
Back after 8 years! - entrance is completely different;
Back after 8 years! - entrance is completely different; feels more like walking into a house now than the dark creepy hallway- the food menu has changed quite a bit- favorite dishes: squaw duck, wagyu, the jolly rancher tasting balloon with helium (hilarious when you speak after), and truffle explosion- least favorite dishes: the fish soup where the egg drops in, the dessert they make in front of you (I remember there being more chocolate and ferrero rocher-type before; now they use butterfinger candy), the pin pulling potato where you pull the pin out and the potato drops into the soupOverall, still a highly unique experience with superior service. I feel like they increased the protein they provide so I left full.
It is definitely worth checking off your list! As the only
It is definitely worth checking off your list! As the only 3 Michelin starred restaurant in the midwest, you really are guaranteed an exciting an interesting meal. I think they played us the greatest hits- we had a lot of dishes that I've seen posted. That's not a bad thing, just worth noting that you may see spoilers in reviews as they repeat plates (such as the banana split dessert.) Overall we had a wonderful time, but it is incredibly expensive and at the end of the day it didn't change my life. Go if you have the opportunity! Also pro tip, one common dish is the Truffle Explosion which you can get any time at their bar called The Office in Fulton Market.
Sigh. Was super excited to try this 3 star Michelin
Sigh. Was super excited to try this 3 star Michelin restaurant but what a let down.... Was it an amazing experience? Most definitely, with creative and beautiful presentations of the multi course menu extravaganza. Did the experience consists of delicious food? Not so much. Alinea sacrifices taste for superficial pizzazz. More catering to photo foodies then true foodies and relying on camera hype rather than basic taste. It's rather sad and perhaps best captured by the satirical movie The Menu. A few dishes of course were tasty. It's not like the chef can't cook. But I've had far better at a fraction of the cost without the pomp and circumstance. When shelling out oodles of cash, we want both our eyes are tastebuds to be equally tantalized, not one at the sacrifice of the other or such flagrant imbalance. Don't fall for the hype and gorgeous Instagram pics Alinea can provide. Unless that's indeed what you're really there for. I, for one, will be dining elsewhere.
Very mysterious restaurant as you can only book online; as
Very mysterious restaurant as you can only book online; as well, there are no signage except a black door and in the rain, very difficult to find. However, once you enter, you feel like you are taken away on a journey. The decor and sound dampening help to set the focus onto the room and meal itself. The staff are attentive and informative about each dish. I would have prefer they didn't switch back and forth but that could be part of the experience? The star of course are the dishes as they come out one by one in a well time manner. Each one prepared to perfection with very unique taste and more exotic ingredients. The presentation was nice but not over the top. I was perhaps expecting more but they were delightful nevertheless. I enjoy the small detail with the facade egg burning incense to add to the aura of the "hunt"with the squall dish. The meat was beyond tender and succulent. They finished strong with a dessert presentation on your table top and nice helium flavor edible sugar balloon. All in all, a nice adventure for the taste buds.
Coming to Alinea has been a lifelong dream, that I never
Coming to Alinea has been a lifelong dream, that I never actually thought would come true. I'm sure you've seen the videos and the pictures, and it's very similar to what you see--molecular gastronomy, incredible service, intricate details--but the experience itself is indescribable by any medium except by actually going. I was lucky enough to sit at the kitchen table , so I got to watch the kitchen work, and it's something I will never forget.
Exceeds expectations
We had the opportunity to upgrade our reservation to the kitchen table last minute and do not regret it! Alinea has been on our bucket meal list for years now and we finally pulled the trigger for our 25th anniversary. What an experience! The glass box set in the kitchen corner, the professional service (shout out to Bruno and Bronson for an incredibly personal meal) and the food! Oh the food. All senses are satisfied with each dish. The Paint experience is especially fun! It’s definitely a monetary investment but the memories made are worth it for us. Again thanks to Bruno and Bronson for making our night truly special.
I never thought I'd be leaving Alinea a one star review but
I never thought I'd be leaving Alinea a one star review but here we go...Been there twice. Once in the Salon and once in the Gallery. These visits were pre-Covid. As a vegan, I was very impressed with their vegan accommodations at the time. On both occasions we were able to have the full Alinea experience and every course of our entire meal was vegan. I loved it. I would keep going back. Alinea used to be my favorite restaurant. I loved how creative and innovative all the courses were--especially since they were vegan. When a chef makes the bold and brave choice to offer not only a vegan menu item but an entire vegan tasting menu, and execute perfectly on that--it's impressive, to say the least. After dining there twice I could see that the three Michelin Stars were well-earned. Would have given it 5 stars. But something BIG changed...Unfortunately, after Covid, it seems Chef Achatz doesn't want to make an effort to accommodate vegans anymore. Alinea used to have a "Flora" and a "Fauna" side to their menu. The "Flora" side was vegan and the "Fauna" side was not. I thought that was such a creative take, being able to serve non-vegan food for the general population as well as vegan food that would be suitable for not only vegans, but also vegetarians, people with lactose intolerance and other food allergies, etc. Post-Covid, while they can make a meal meat-free, they no longer have menu items which don't contain eggs or dairy. They no longer have a side of the menu designed to accommodate people with special diets. This isn't a matter of "needing" to add eggs and dairy because the flavor would suffer without them; this was simply a choice of laziness as far as I can tell. Achatz can and has created literally dozens of delicious and satisfying vegan menu items in the past.For a restaurant known for pushing the boundaries of molecular gastronomy, one would think that vegan cuisine would be seen as a unique opportunity to create all different kinds of tastes and textures that either mimic foods we already know and love or go completely counter to what we ever knew was possible. Many chefs around the world are seeing vegan cuisine as the newest frontier, where new ideas, ingredients, and boundaries are constantly being pushed forward in the most unique and exciting food movement of the last century. There's a reason it just keeps gaining popularity, even among non-vegans. Perhaps Achatz is resting on his laurels at best, or at worst, either suffering from a creative roadblock, exhaustion, or just throwing vegans and those with food allergies under the bus because we don't matter to him for whatever reason. Unfortunately because of his choice to stop accommodating vegans, Alinea is now just like every other fine dining restaurant that views special diets as an annoyance rather than as an opportunity to create and innovate. That's a red flag in my opinion and is quite disappointing considering what Alinea used to represent but has slowly been losing grip of in recent years in the Chicago fine dining scene.While not yet having earned a Michelin Star, Brass Heart has a multi-course vegan tasting menu that is quite good and is a great option for vegans and others on special diets who are now being turned away by Alinea. It's apparent that a lot of thought is put into the vegan tasting menu; it's not an afterthought like in many other restaurants.Boka (one Michelin Star) also has a vegan tasting menu but it's sub-par so I wouldn't recommend.Alinea was the top of the list of these restaurants for me for a long time, but now they're just another snobby restaurant that looks down on diners with special diets and has clearly lost focus of what they used to be known for and what ultimately makes food fun: novelty, challenge, and innovation. Such a shame.
Great foodAmazing serviceAnd I learned that white asparagus
Great foodAmazing serviceAnd I learned that white asparagus does not make your pee smell as strong as green asparagus does.
Food - very mediocre, we had better mealsService - great
Food - very mediocre, we had better mealsService - great but very recited - the small talk is very forced Ambiance- great We did salon experience. Started at being very hungry and ended up feeling stuffed. There's no way I would be able to eat more that what we were offered. However we were not impressed with dishes. Nothing really stood out and in fact we had better meals at their neighbor Boka, one Michelin star restaurant. At the end of the meal my husband and I agreed that each of us will come up with one word that would describe our experience and say it out loud at the same time, here's our independent choices:1. Casa Bonita of fine dining 2. Walmart of fine dinning We were not just not impressed by the food but frankly disappointed. But oh well at least we got that off our list.
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Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Alinea Chicago at 6 PM the same day.
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* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Alinea Chicago!
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