Alinea
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (312) 867-0110
- Cross Street:
- Willow Street
- Directions:
- El: Red Line to North/Clybourn
- Specialties:
- Fine Dining
- Hours:
- Wed-Sun 5:30pm-9:30pm
Editorial Review for Alinea – by Alice Van Housen
The Scene
Down a narrowing, sci-fi passageway, motion-detecting metal doors part to usher you into posh-tech environs. The momentary disorientation announces: Prepare for something completely different. Generous tables and comfortable chairs ease the multicourse, multi-hour service.
The Food
Achatz wows with his well-honed balancing act of progressive flavor pairings and wondrous presentations on startling serving pieces. A hearts of palm flight arrives on a row of pedestals, each hollowed hunk stuffed, sauced and sprinkled with ingenious surprises involving vanilla pudding, coffee, pumpernickel and truffles. Parcels of dehydrated coconut are wrapped in a film of carrot juice gelee next to melting morsels of Maine lobster capped with eggplant mousse. A crayon of black licorice is shaved tableside over squab and watermelon; cinnamon smokes on a hot rock, an aromatherapy accent to a juicy hunk of bison with blueberries and beets. This meal is long--and you'll never want it to end.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Look GoodJackets are recommended for gentlemen.
What to DrinkThe world-class wine list will thrill well-heeled oenophiles; wine novices can enjoy glass, half-glass or tasting pairings with each course.
The ExtrasA post-prandial kitchen visit reveals a nexus of hard-working young chefs operating with the precision of a Swiss timepiece.
User Reviews for Alinea
07/27/2008 Posted by jpappas2
On a recent visit to Chicago, I was excited to have gotten a reservation at Alinea. I had heard a great deal about the chef and his food, and since I've yet to get a coveted reservation at Per se in NY (my hometown) I was eager to try Chicago's much-celebrated restuarant. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met, and the whole evening was a bit too contrived for me. From the sliding door upon arrival to the hushed tones of the wait-staff that take themselves way too seriously, the evening was a disappointment. The food was good, but not outstanding. You don't get a menu so you don't know what's coming out, and there's no full bar, so you really have to go with the wine pairings (which were very good). It's just as well, since it would be impossible to select a proper wine to accompany the many courses. Maybe it's me, but I just don't go for having to be instructed on "how" to eat my food, which it was happens with just about every course. I have spent $600 for dinner for 2 before at top restaurants and have done so gladly, since I really do appreciate a fine dining experience; it's just that Alinea wasn't one of them. Everything was okay, but just not stellar. And for the prices charged, the bar should be set at stellar or above. I can still tell you every course I had at a meal at Lespinasse 5 years ago, and yet I'd be hard-pressed to recall more than 2 or 3 of the courses I had at Alinea just 1 week ago. Overall I'd say that Alinea is a good restaurant, but I'm at a bit of a loss to "get" what all the fuss is about. My meals that same week at MK and Copperblue in Chicago were better and much less expensive, and I'd recommend those restaurants over Alinea if you're visiting (or live in) Chicago.
Pros: Interesting food
Cons: Over-rated and very expensive
07/27/2008 Posted by FoodLovernSF
So I ate at Alinea several months ago, and am surprised to see some poor reviews on this site. Hands down, Alinea is the best restaurant in the United States. If you can go to one restaurant, go to Alinea. And yes, I'm from San Francisco and am quite familiar with Gary Danko, French Laundry, Chez Panisse and all the other wonderful food offered in the Bay Area. BTW, these places are wonderful too, but Alinea is truly the most innovative with their food, creating magical treats for the fine diner. Alinea is so special -- it's hard to find the words to describe their food to a mass audience. Go there, try it, you've never experienced anything like it. My only caution is this -- beware the wine pairings. The wines are great, but there's just so much quantity...don't drink too much too early. OK, enough said. For folks who don't enjoy Alinea, don't return. Try the more gimmicky Charlie Trotters and enjoy your curry conch chowder basil red finger lime foamed layer cheescake there. Ugh. You'll leave more open reservations for us true foodies. Seriously, the best genuine advice for folks is to enjoy Alinea -- it's expensive, and it's sublime.
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