Has anyone dined at Alinea in Chicago?

How did you like it?

How did you like it?

Paging Jeff Grossman, Mr. Grossman to the white courtesy telephone, please...

Mark Lipton

I liked it a lot. It is a memorable experience: the ambience, the service, the food.

Rather than cut+paste, let me link you to a summary (on another board) of my dinner there: http://winedisorder.com/comment/56/4153/?all=true#61800

I see the old menu link is not working. Try this one instead: https://content.alinearestaurant.com/html/pages/menus/menu.html

Whew, that was quite an experience. I am reading his book and loving it. While I have no desire to go to Chicago, I would be interested in dining at his restaurant. Like one of your friends, I, too, would be falling asleep after that long of a sit, and eating all the food. I've read dozens of reviews on Alinea and most say, it is a once in a lifetime experience for them, glad they went, but not going again. I suspect the cost has something to do with that. I understand the menu changes every four months. It must take that long or longer to come up with the ideas and create them. Sourcing the ingredients must be a full time job and then some. Thanks for the post.

You're welcome.

It really is an amazing thing. I agree with the sentiments you read, though, that it is something to do only occasionally. (There are other things in Life that have that same quality... don't miss it, but don't do it every Thursday, either.)