Description: Alinea is a world-renowned and innovative fine-dining restaurant located in Chicago, Illinois. Established by Chef Grant Achatz, it is one of only 14 restaurants in the U.S. to earn the coveted Michelin 3-Star rating. Alinea has been named the Best Restaurant in the World by Elite Traveler, the Best Restaurant in North America by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and the Best Restaurant in the U.S. by Gourmet and Business Insider.
The gorgeous and delicious food at Alinea pushes the boundaries of culinary creativity. The restaurant offers a multi-sensory dining experience, featuring elaborate tasting menus that showcase inventive dishes and presentations.
It's a destination spot for foodies looking for a unique and cutting-edge culinary adventure.
Cost: $$$$ ($385/pp with optional wine pairings starting at $155/pp. Seasonal white truffle courses available to add.)
Tips & Hacks: If you can book a reservation, any of the three dining areas are worth it! Watch for reservations 1-2 months in advance and be prepared to plan your schedule around whatever time you can reserve.
There is a dining table in the kitchen for a small group to eat in the center of the action. Dietary restrictions were meticulously and graciously accommodated.
The wine pairing was one of the better pairings we've ever had, complementing the courses beautifully. Splitting one wine pairing was enough for a party of two and lets the food be the star of the show.
If you're celebrating a special occasion make sure to tell them ahead of time. It may result in a course presented in the kitchen with an extra bite of something prepared by one of the chefs.
Dining Details: The menu changes often according to the season, but all of the 14 courses were conversation starters and silence-inducing when eaten.
Important to note: the menu is set, so other than dietary restrictions discussed beforehand, no changes are allowed.
The wait staff is friendly and their conversation made the evening even more enjoyable. Courses are well spaced and dinner lasted 2 hours.
Don’t Miss: Every course was full of mystery and even if you don't like an ingredient, skip nothing.
The black truffle explosion brought a tear to my eye (and when we were lucky enough to go to the kitchen, we were able to experience a second explosion).
The Green Apple Helium-filled taffy balloon was a tasty, novel, and laughter-inducing trick of culinary perfection.
Meh, skip it: Though a fun and creative idea, the bubblegum-flavored boba shot took us slightly out of the meal's flavors. It was the only not-so-bright spot in our Alinea Chicago review.