Alinea Group Reviews

Incredible Experience! I would recommend for any true foodie!

Amazing experience! This was a wonderful dinner, and it lived up to all expectations. The food was amazing and it is all presented in unique settings. I would definitely recommend to those looking for an experience and not just quantity of food.

Loved the experience. Matt, Noel, Chris and Kevin were great servers. Would go again in a heartbeat!!

Nice place and amazing environment and very relaxing atmosphere.The staff were neat and friendly. Most especially this place was providing the best food in town.Thank You!!

We started with a bowl of clam chowder for the two of us. It's a lot cheaper than ordering two bowls. The chowder was really good, and went well with the sourdough bread and real butter that arrived with it. I love San Francisco sourdough. There is no other kind.

I had the salmon and rock shrimp cake sandwich. It came with a side of greens and fries. It was excellent! The bun was nicely toasted, so every bite along the edge was crunchy. The fish was spiced nicely and did not taste greasy at all. Imagine a Filet-O-Fish on flavor steroids, and that's what it tasted like.

At the end of our meal, we were both stuffed silly. The problem was it didn't seem like that much food when it arrived. My only other comment is that our server hardly spoke to us during our meal. He chatted up the patrons at the three tables next to ours, but ignored us for the most part.

Absolutely stunning meal - it was one whimsical sensory surprise after another. The service was top notch. We had a really great time with the staff, especially Anna, who was a hoot. I was not expecting Alinea to meet my, admittedly, high expectations, but it did, and then some.

Words cannot describe the experience you receive here.

This place was pretty awesome. The customer service itself deserves 5 stars. Staff was friendly and attentive.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere here, it was very personal and only a few tables around you. The surprise effect in all of their plates was really neat.
The only reason I give it 4 stars is because the plates didn't feel so... innovative. I was expecting my mouth to be bursting with flavors considering other restaurants I've been to similar to this (Next). Regardless the food was still delicious and it was an amazing experience.

It's hard to put into words how amazing the experience was at Alinea. We sat at the Kitchen Table, and on top of the amazing food we had an absolute blast. The courses were stunning both in their preparation and precision but also in the innovative presentation. I hate spoilers so I won't get into specifics, but some of the presentations were practically magical, and there were surprises throughout. If you can plan far enough ahead and get together six people for it, I can't recommend the Kitchen Table at Alinea more highly.

(edit: Kitchen Table, not Chef's Table, oops)

Ok spot for tasty quality meals. Great ambiance & decor. The staff was very welcoming and observant. Prices were fair for the quality of the food.

I have eaten in a few 3 starred michelin restaurant around the world, especially in Europe. I have heard so much about Alinea so I decided to go here the last visit to Chicago. All I have to say is: wow I am beyond speechless. Best restaurant experience I have ever had.

Food was outstandingly good, yet, one of the servers (a young blond lady) should be thinking twice on how she treats her customers, who virtually pay her wage: what an attitude and offending behavior. Also, everyone in my group had their serviette replaced with a new, folded one when leaving the table; everyone but me (!). - This place is fantastic if you are looking for a spectacular culinary show; just don't let the service/ waiters ruin it for you, as they have for me.

The reviews of this place were on point. What an experience. Would love to go back but$$$. Regardless, you HAVE to do at least once.

Unparalleled. If you re considering it, you already know. If you have the opportunity, seize it!!

I never thought I d be able to eat at Alinea but their take out menu during covid has been phenomenal!! Thank you for sharing this experience with us - this was a great birthday treat and the food was amazing and affordable. Don t miss the opportunity!

Amazing experience here with my wife. I would highly recommend this place for anyone who likes to experience a totally new style.

I actually liked this dining establishment, the food is impressive, plus the shower rooms were tidy. It was a little cold inside, really was not the best. The service is great too. I will most definitely take into consideration returning once more if I get the possibility. Me and also my buddy purchased the works and also we were not dissatisfied. My one idea is to maintain the cold outside. Cheers!

Great service, nice ambiance, very nice wine pairing
Very nice food presentation, but food left much to desire ...

This isn t a restaurant... it s more like an entertainment.

It was so much fun. We were like kids excited and wowed with every new presentation. It was definitely an interactive meal. We were also taken to the kitchen to experience handmade shaved ice cocktails and a treat. To see behind the curtain was really special. So many beautiful and tasty surprises. The three hour dinner just flew by.

There are no words that can adequately describe the experience even at their lowest price point. I can't even fathom what the Kitchen Table experience would be like.

Going to Alinea was a wish come true and a bucket list item to check off. My wife and I had seen the story of Alinea on Netflix, purchased the book as a gift for her and had seen most of the YouTube videos from others who have dined there. Going here was a birthday gift for my wife. From the moment we got there to the moment we left, the service staff was on point, utterly and completely friendly, accommodating and extremely professional. These people were highly organized and knowledgeable about the food and our sommelier was charming with every pour of wine and spirits. All that said, my experience at Alinea left me wanting more. The creativity, pageantry and artistic measure used in producing our meal was unforgettable especially with the lengths they took accommodating my food allergy. However, the food was not memorable. It is that simple. It was delicious but not mind blowing nor earth shattering. All that technique, preparation and skill only to produce a meal that was 'good'. I believe that the hype and showmanship that revolves around an evening at Alinea is partly to blame and it did not help that they tried to upsell us on an additional course just after we were seated. All this said, my wife and I still had an amazing evening but I can attribute that to the staff at Alinea and how they exceeded our dining experience. The food took a secondary position to all that. It was just 'good'.

Long wait to get a reservation. Incredible good. A true "foodie" experience.

Wow what can I say that has not been said. It's Alinea.

The food was absolutely wonderful, from preparation to presentation. It was very pleasing. We also enjoyed the special drinks and the cucumber/cilantro was great. The wall theme was beautiful. Perfect for Instagram since we all love photography. We thank you for all the staff members who served us nicely. You are all great!

This was one of the most amazing experiences I ve ever had! Every course was like an explosion of flavor and the presentation was a work of art! We had outstanding service and I can t wait to go back for their next menu offering!

Exceeds what you would expect. An amazing set or courses that you feel slightly guilty about eating because they are each amazing works of art.

This place is just in a different league, the whole experience was amazing.

The best food i Chicago !! A must go to on the weekends

So incredibly special - it's rare to get such inventive food that appeals to all the senses (smell, sight, touch..) that tastes as good as it looks and in such an unstuffy atmosphere. The tasting menu threw up treat after treat, from my favourite veal's cheek with pinenuts in a heavy rich blackcurrant sauce to apple taffy edible balloons and duck four ways, accompanied by 60+ flavours in small doses on a board so you can mix and match your duck individually. You're clearly in extremely good hands here; service impeccable, room chic after the thrill of wandering through a hallway of dried flowers and hanging antique vases. Absolutely top notch.

Very clean and beautiful place. Great services, good menu selection and super delicious food.

An amazing experience from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you walk out.

Amazing dining experience. The courses started out very strong with very complex yet complimentary flavors and textures. The wine pairing was spot on for each course. Only the last few courses were hit or miss. More hits than misses.

The staff was extremely accommodating and the service was impeccable.

Would definitely return to see what the menu is line when it changes.

My husband and I were SO looking forward to this meal--but we left very disappointed. The food was tasty, and the presentation is certainly over-the-top. But was any of the food life-changing? No. And for $1000+ for a meal, it ought to be.

Regardless, we would have had enjoyed ourselves if the service had been better. Instead, we received flippant and often incomplete explanations of the food from our servers. Throughout the evening, we found ourselves constantly frustrated because we were confused on what food we were receiving as well as how to eat the food we were receiving. To make matters worse, the table next to us was one course behind, and we noticed that they consistently received better explanations of the food than we had.

In sum, this restaurant as currently staffed needs work. Until their staffing improves, save your money and go to 5 dinners at Girl & the Goat for the same price.

Quick trip to the windy city, and what a delight to find Alinea for lunch. Chorizo Stuffed Dates wrapped in Bacon; Brussels Sprout Salad, and Hummus Plate were delightful. Great service and always available to help, from a foodie, fantastic!

I was really disappointed with my meal at Alinea. Firstly, we did the reserve wine pairing which was ordinary at best. The service was far too casual for a three star; the sommelier did not explain the wines or regions, he simply poured the wine and said the country and the year. We sat at a table in the corner and it felt like we didn't really exist so we didn't go out of our way to ask for anything or question the servers about the dishes. I will admit the presentation of the food was interesting but the flavours were a miss for me. I know Alinea's concept is to make food taste like other food to sparks certain memories or nostalgia, but I was reminded of cheap things like bubble gum, craft dinner and other random tastes that simply did not work well together. Maybe my expectations were too high seeing as I ate at Grace the night before and was blown away. I wouldn't recommend Alinea because $1000 for two people is too much to chance possibly getting a bad meal. I should have listened to my friend who told me a week earlier that it wasn't anything special. I wanted to like this restaurant I really did!

Best dining experience I have ever had! The dishes were very interesting and unusual yet still delicious. If your pocketbook can handle the cost, it is worth experiencing at least once.

the service ranged from pleasant to pretentious. the food ranged from very good to lyophilized tidbits that lacked identity and taste

The experience is worth the price. You don't know what to expect except for the helium balloon. It's definitely a fun experience and the food is very unique and flavorful. It's a place you should go at least once in your life. Just make sure you have enough money!!!

Breathtaking & overwhelming! Had the highest expectations ... and these were exceeded. The evening was a unique Gesamtkunstwerk that I will not forget!

I love the experience. Dinner was creatively designed and presented. The wine was matched nicely with each bite.
Sadly, the chosen fare was not to my liking at all. I did love the performance and the staff was excellent. ..

Great experience! It's a tasty dinner, of course. The food is amazing, all in a unique environment. I certainly recommend it to those who are looking for an experiment, not just the amount of food people. Excellent company. There's a great experience here! All the food was delicious, excellent service, the chef was very welcome. We strongly recommend Toast to uni, valve Graz, any pasta. Thank you all!
5 Shining Stars! I highly recommend it!

Wonderful Food Beautifuly presented, in a great setting.

The most interesting restaurant in Chicago, ever. And one of the best in the country. If you like innovation.

If you're even remotely a foodie, this place should be on your bucket list. There is a different surprise around every corner, and the flavors vary from dish to dish. The wine pairings are definitely worth it as well. Service is second to none with more people working in the restaurant than there are diners themselves.

I decided to get the chefs table and prepay myself with the knowledge I could find five other coworkers who would commit to the experience during a company trip to Chicago. Now I will preface my review with the fact that everyone has to appreciate what they are getting into or no one will enjoy themselves. That being said we were all blown away by the theatrics, food and service throughout the evening. At times we were amazed and others we were laughing ourselves silly from the playfullness of the corse. They even handled a coworker's dietary restriction without making them feel like they were getting a lesser exprience. Not every dish was a home run but they were all interesting and there was healthy debate on which dishes were loved and which ones were lacking for an individual. It came down to individual tastes rather than lack of execution. In fact, the whole meal felt executed as intended. We all left satisfied as money well spent for an excelent experience. Tip, if you are so inclined purchase the cookbook for everyone as a gift. It is a nice surprise at the end of the meal and a great momento.

One of the coolest meals of my life.

But my favorite part about Alinea? Reading the negative reviews. You are dining at Alinea this year, and yet you had NO IDEA that it was all about presentations and theatrics, not just food? (Side note: the food is all incredibly tasty, not just cool. We had one dish out of 24 that was over salted, everything else was exceptional.) You were surprised by the edible balloon? You don't "need" all that fancy presentation? How the heck did you end up at one of the most famous restaurants in the world with no concept that it was a considerably different experience than every other restaurant you've been too??

Bottom line: if you have a bad time at Alinea, I'd bet the house that it's you that was the problem.

The famous sour apple edible balloon was the highlight of my life. Roasted pork stew, cucumber and mint shooters, smokey meats, edible ash, coconut and caviar and various other delicious things that are better tasted than described in a review. Get to Alinea and find out for yourself.

You go for the experience, not the food. The food was gross and I left hungry but man, what a cool show/experience. With Covid, they have some really good to-go options that are worth trying.

Food as an art form. Unusual flavors with exotic plating served by investment bankers. Worth every penny.

First time eating Alinea food. Was very excited to try AIR. The food was an Extreme disappointment to say the least. We have tried 5 other 3 Michelin restaurants and are very adventurous eaters. We found it difficult to finish many of the courses. The food was quite horrible. It is very hard to appreciate technique when the flavors are so off. I have enjoyed Roister, the office and aviary all much more. I will never dine again at alinea. Horrible texture balances and even more off flavors. Do not waste your money. They must have had an extremelyyy off night or this whole event in general because I can t imagine how it received these high accolades if this was on par with their normal food. The food being so bad it was actually laughable and we probably will remember it more because of this. We also waited a while for a couple courses and service was not good to top it off. Servers seemed to be going through the motions and were unhappy. Ours at least. Not on par with the expectation or price whatsoever

My daughter and I just celebrated my birthday at Alinea, we have been wanting to go for a very long time and it was worth the wait. The staff was amazing, they educated us on every bite, we were able to interact with them the entire night, it was like having friends on our journey. In the dining room, we met several couples from our home state, California, the atmosphere provides the opportunity to engage with others, we laughed and shared our experiences with the food.

Now to the food, omg FABULOUS!! It brings back memories of your childhood-like when they brought a plate of fall leaves and you need to search for your tasty mouthwatering food as if you were diving into a pile of leaves, or the amazing flavorful bites of foods cooking on a wood log as if you were camping with your family, I could see my fam all hanging by the campfire when I was 10. Desert on the table, it s ok to color outside the lines and as we were eating the oh so flavorful desert, we made sure we moved the colors all over the table until every last drop of yumminess was gone. When the balloons arrived we were giddy, I took the first bite and with the helium I sounded like a child agin and the green apple melted in my mouth. Every smell, every bite, every experience was like a party, an explosion, a found memory in your mouth, happy times relived. The variety and unique food was so scrumptious. Make sure you do the wine pairing, it enhances the food and the experience and come hungry! By far my best birthday ever, thank you Alinea, there is a reason you are in the top 50. Do yourself a favor, try it, you won t be disappointed. We will be back!

There's a reason this is the best in the world. WOW

Don t come here for good food. It s not a true restaurant. It s about presentation over taste.

Very unique experience. It is a culinary journey and all your senses were awoken with the food. The visual aspects as well food was incredible. The waiters were knowledgeable and the ingredients were unique and proportioned to perfect amounts. The wine pairing was very sophisticated and were matched well. I would go again.

Everything was fantastic, no hype, just delicious well designed food

Everything was great but it just didn t have the Wow factor I was looking for. I might have built it up too much in my head but I really was hoping to be wowed. The wine pairing was very disappointing and missed the mark on multiple dishes. For the most part the dishes were spot on but struggled in direction. The staff deserves five stars they made our night great. I recommend the experience but don t know if I would return for a second time.

A sensory perambulation aberrant of prosaic victuals.

Food menu was good. Interior was beautiful. Great services. Staff were nice.

An unforgettable experience. Well worth the price of admission.

Very good food and work with you can get it is that the world of me and I have

Five is too few stars. Two parts delicious, one part theater. Greatly recommend.

Best restaurant in America - staffed by creative geniuses. I was blown away by the green apple taffy balloon that floated out of the kitchen.

This review is from our dine-in visit in 2018. The service is top-notch and the presentation is impeccable. Most courses were delicious with a couple misses. There needs to be better dessert than the fancier dipping dots ice cream and the sticky balloon but overall, a great experience. I took my dad here for father's day and he was wished as soon as we entered. Attention to detail is impressive.

This was a pretty incredible experience. If you appreciate exquisitely prepared food with a touch of magic, this is the place for you. We watched fires cook our food at the table, swallowed pallette cleansers that looked like glow sticks, and got to travel to the kitchen to get a glimpse behind the scenes. The chef/founder was present! We finished with the classic "Nostalgia" dessert: caramel corn and an edible balloon. It is pricey, but if you are the type of person to indulge in once-in-a-lifetime fine dining experiences, take the plunge!

My food was very good and the customer service was great. However, I feel it's a little bit to pricey. I spent about $16 for a pulled pork sandwich, fries and a drink. I feel that its worth about $10. Also, the atmosphere was very crowded. However, my dining experience was not worst than other places I went to.

I was there on Labor Day 2008 and still remember most of the dishes as if I were there last week. Alinea was an experience I will not forget!

Absolutely phenomenal! Engaging and witty servers who clearly loved their job and didn't take anything too seriously. The evening was theatrical, entertaining, and absolutely terrific. Sit back, eat everything, don't ask what it is (you won't remember anyway), and just enjoy. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I hope to enjoy again and again.

The best restaurant experience I've ever had! Love this place and cannot wait to go back when they get their new menu

I like the chef artist and I look forward to dinner with him