Alinea
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (312) 867-0110
- Cross Street:
- Willow Street
- Directions:
- El: Red Line to North/Clybourn
- 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
12/23/2007 Posted by kodani
excellent food, service and wine. go when you can spend money on a great memorable meal without worrying about the bill which will come out to 800+ for 2. Do not skip the wine pairing...they are all excellent. Service is flawless and far from pretentious. If you are a steak and potatoes type or if you are watching money, this place is not for you. This is a place for the adventorous foody type who loves wine.
Pros: food wine service
Cons: price
08/29/2007 Posted by changeagent
Let's face it, different people have different tastes so Alinea isn't for everyone. Alinea certainly is not a place I would want to eat every day (even if I could afford it) but it does rank in the top five food experiences I have ever had. The dishes are likely to be like none you have ever eaten before and are full of surprises. A simple piece of bacon can be turned into a melt in your mouth savory sensation. Sweet, salty and savory are combined for a unique but wonderful sensory event. The service was friendly and unpretentious. Frankly, I'm baffled by some of the negative reviews. I'd would return to Alinea long before going back to the raved about Charlie Trotters where I felt like I was being taken for granted and that they were doing me a favor by serving me. As a point of reference, I've eaten at many great restaurants around the world including the French Laundry and most of the well know places in the SF area, Paul Bocuse's in Lyon, the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, etc. Anyway, Alinea offers a great food experience. If you want a big steak or other standards, or you don't like innovative food, don't go.
Pros: How do they do that with food?
Cons: Expensive.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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