Alinea

Reviewed by PengZ6046 on 10/21/2009.
Member since December 2006, Total Reviews: 20 (20s, Chicago, IL)

Big surprise both times we visited. It is worth mentioning that we were more impressed the second time than the first. For a restaurant who heavily relies on innovation, the ability to keep pulling out the stops and besting itself is beyond impressive. Watching chef Achatz working with his team is also truly inspiring. It looked like a neural surgeon carrying out life critical operations by drawing an impressionist painting.

1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Reviewed by Mat1171788 on 08/17/2009.
Member since June 1999, Total Reviews: 10 (Singapore, Singapore)

Solid and strong performance on all accounts. Not as much molecular as I would have expected. Great.

1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Reviewed by LisaG6848 on 07/27/2009.
Member since February 2008, Total Reviews: 32 (Chesterfield, MO)

I honestly do not know where to begin. Having dined at L'Argege, Les Crayes, Louis XV in France, plus many well known highly rated U.S. restaurants in the past year, this was the best meal we have had in our lives...ever. If you can afford it and you can get in, just go. From the frangrances mixed with the tastes and the textures mixed with combinations that just work, the food is incredible. This was a dinner and show all in one. Perfecto!

Reviewed by StanC9019 on 07/18/2009.
Member since July 2009, Total Reviews: 27 (Carrboro, NC)

Solid experience but somewhat disappointing. Some dishes are great but many of them feel like mechanical brute force creations. Also, grand tour is not well-balanced. Would take Schwa over Alinea any day.

Reviewed by JeffreyC8657 on 07/10/2009.
Member since July 2009, Total Reviews: 6 (30s, Chicago, IL)

Good experience but very long. The wine service and pairings are very interesting and the staff is incredibly well-informed.