incite wrote:Sweetbreads orange, ginko nut, mustard


Delicious sweetbreads disguised as orange chicken. cinammon sticks with the ends slightly singed served as chopsticks as well as aromatic

Any idea if this is a preview of the Modern Chinese menu at Next? Seems like it would fit.

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:Any idea if this is a preview of the Modern Chinese menu at Next? Seems like it would fit.

I'll bet you're right. There's definitely precedent for this sort of preview.

=R=

No black truffle explosion?

I really want to go to Alinea but what has been holding me back is my party is three people and I hate the idea of buying four tickets. What is the best strategy around this. Some say posting something on their facebook page, but how does that work?

I could put the extra ticket on ebay and anyone interested could buy it via pay pal. Then I could mail it to them. I have a good rep on ebay but I don't know how Alinea would feel about this. It would be an easy way to exchange stuff.

toria wrote:I really want to go to Alinea but what has been holding me back is my party is three people and I hate the idea of buying four tickets. What is the best strategy around this. Some say posting something on their facebook page, but how does that work?

I could put the extra ticket on ebay and anyone interested could buy it via pay pal. Then I could mail it to them. I have a good rep on ebay but I don't know how Alinea would feel about this. It would be an easy way to exchange stuff.

They address resale on their website:

Can I give my ticket away or sell it?
Yes. The ticket is completely transferable. However, selling tickets for greater than face value may be illegal in your area. Anyone who purchases a ticket from another patron should take care to be sure that the ticket and times are as claimed by requesting both an email confirmation from us as well as a printed ticket from the seller. Any tickets purchased on the secondary market are at the purchaser's risk. We will not be held responsible for forgeries or misrepresentations.

toria wrote:I really want to go to Alinea but what has been holding me back is my party is three people and I hate the idea of buying four tickets. What is the best strategy around this. Some say posting something on their facebook page, but how does that work?

I could put the extra ticket on ebay and anyone interested could buy it via pay pal. Then I could mail it to them. I have a good rep on ebay but I don't know how Alinea would feel about this. It would be an easy way to exchange stuff.

FYI there would not be a "ticket" to mail the fourth person - the ticket you purchase would be a single ticket for a table for four; you certainly could sell a seat at your table on Ebay, Facebook or what not (provided you do not sell for more than face value), but this person would be joining your party and sitting at your table (they would not be issued their own ticket).

Alinea frequently has not been selling out of late, especially on weeknights. As such there is a possibility Alinea may bend on their policy and sell you a ticket for three people if you are willing to dine on a weeknight (at least it does not hurt to ask if they will oblige). You may contact them via e-mail ([email protected]) or phone (312-867-0110) - they only field phone calls on Fridays (10am-3pm).

Good. I did not realize they would be sitting at our table. Unfortunately I don't have any friends that would go probably, too expensive.

toria wrote:Good. I did not realize they would be sitting at our table. Unfortunately I don't have any friends that would go probably, too expensive.

Why not offer the seat here? I'll bet someone would like to go.

toria wrote:I really want to go to Alinea but what has been holding me back is my party is three people and I hate the idea of buying four tickets. What is the best strategy around this. Some say posting something on their facebook page, but how does that work?

I could put the extra ticket on ebay and anyone interested could buy it via pay pal. Then I could mail it to them. I have a good rep on ebay but I don't know how Alinea would feel about this. It would be an easy way to exchange stuff.

I would join you. I have wanted to experience Alinea as a party of four. I don't bite, I promise.

Dlongs wrote:No black truffle explosion?

Yeah, I'm not sure what the deal with this is. I was content thinking that this was just not on their latest menu, but I know one diner who has had it since my meal, as well as a few other decadent courses.

Perhaps black truffle is back on the menu, but it could be something else...

incite wrote:

Dlongs wrote:No black truffle explosion?

Yeah, I'm not sure what the deal with this is. I was content thinking that this was just not on their latest menu, but I know one diner who has had it since my meal, as well as a few other decadent courses.

Perhaps black truffle is back on the menu, but it could be something else...

Last time I was in we ate it. However we were told that it is going off menu currently because next is soon to do Trio and it will probably be on that menu.

toria wrote:I really want to go to Alinea but what has been holding me back is my party is three people and I hate the idea of buying four tickets. What is the best strategy around this. Some say posting something on their facebook page, but how does that work?

I could put the extra ticket on ebay and anyone interested could buy it via pay pal. Then I could mail it to them. I have a good rep on ebay but I don't know how Alinea would feel about this. It would be an easy way to exchange stuff.

I'm flying in from Australia for the first two weeks of May and have been looking for a way to get back. I have a few things booked, but with some planning I could likely coordinate depending on day/availability.

I will look into this and see. I will consult my family and see what an optimum time would be to go. We could probably do a week night with planning, I would have to see about availability of tickets.

Alinea Pop-Up To Open In New York

http://www.finedininglovers.com/blog/ne ... rk-pop-up/

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I have 2 tickets at 5:30pm on May 11, that I unfortunately will not be attending due to a family crisis. The total cost was $623.22 (includes service charge). I would be willing to sell them at a loss. PM me for more info.

dwang520 wrote:Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I have 2 tickets at 5:30pm on May 11, that I unfortunately will not be attending due to a family crisis. The total cost was $623.22 (includes service charge). I would be willing to sell them at a loss. PM me for more info.

Out of curiosity, did you contact them to see if they'd let you switch dates in light of the emergency?

dwang520 wrote:Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I have 2 tickets at 5:30pm on May 11, that I unfortunately will not be attending due to a family crisis. The total cost was $623.22 (includes service charge). I would be willing to sell them at a loss. PM me for more info.

Sorry about your family crisis. Do contact the restaurant as Disagree advised; they sometimes will accommodate. Also if you have not posted on Alinea's Facebook page do so; that is where most people seeking to purchase tickets look. Alinea has picked up momentum with their moving back to the top ten in the World Restaurant Rankings, so they are selling out in advance most nights and you likely could sell the tickets at face value through their Facebook page. I'd recommend trying to get face value and if you have no takers within 48 hours of the reservation then offering a bit of a discount.

I returned to Alinea on June 8th. My most recent prior visit was March 20th. The ability for them to reinvent themselves is just flat out insane. It's actually beautifully crazy. The kitchen is pushing really, really hard and it seems that dishes are really a moment in time.

Other than Hot Potato-Cold Potato, Black Truffle Explosion, WAGYU - parsnip - black trumpet - kombu, Baloon - apple - helium, and table side chocolate tart, our tasting menu was entirely different than two months before. It was also twenty-two courses, so it is again a true "Tour de Force" length menu. In my opinion this is an excellent balance and ratio of "playing the singles" and "playing some new songs." Amuse-Bouche to sipping a digestif/coffee, I think we were at over four hours.

If you went a year or so ago and are now worried about repetitions, popular courses of 2013 that are now gone (but replaced with equally delicious and fun ones!) include:
-Scallop ceviche, clam, 14 textures (this is honestly the best scallop dish I've ever eaten...insane level of flavor, texture, and emotion with this dish)
-Duck five ways, sixty garnishes on a glass plate
-Ginger, 5 ways
-Chocolate piñata (still ranks as the most delicious, scientific, surprising, and beautiful preparation of a dessert that I've ever eaten)

I won't spoil the surprises on what those have been replaced with/what the current menu is because you really have to experience it for yourself. But, if you are worried about it not being different enough I can honestly say that there is so much firstly delicious... but secondarily beautiful, creative and fun stuff coming out of that kitchen. That's why I'd rather tell you what's not on the menu anymore than what is, in the spirit of going and checking it out for yourself...

Alinea is really, really strong right now. It's my opinion that always are, but as Chef Achatz says, "Creativity Forward!" is still the underlying and inherent guiding principle at the restaurant.

The cut to the chase cliffs notes are that if you ate there a year ago... it really is an entirely different restaurant today... if you have the opportunity I would suggest going before the restaurant closes for renovations. I imagine that that in and of itself will be a mind blowing comparison to experience.

Royal

P.S. - The only spoiler that I will provide is that if you like espresso... get the cold pressed espresso. Flat out deliciously insane. Never had cold espresso anywhere in the world. The coffee guy said I was the first guest he tried it on. De-lish. Perfect way to end a meal with no alcohol.

Glad you had such an excellent meal. I wonder if they did butter your table some though, was the entire restaurant being served 22 courses or did you receive some bonus dishes?

I am still a bit irritated with Alinea for my barely over two hour subpar meal last fall, but since my previous meals were so amazing I do want to give it another try at some point (and am happy to see so many new menu items as well as a welcomed return to a longer menu). Grace and Moto have replaced Alinea as our special occasion venues; our last few all around experiences at Moto and especially at Grace have been vastly superior than our last meal at Alinea. I definitely have to concede that Alinea is a hot ticket again and is selling out far in advance; perhaps the struggles last fall and winter were more a temporary slump than a sign that the restaurant has passed her prime.

I am hoping the chocolate tart dessert changes soon as I did not care for that at all; if they swap that out I very well might book a return visit before Alinea makes her road trip to New York and possibly beyond. I probably will have to dine with you though, as my wife has sworn off Alinea and Next.

Wow, sounds like they're even surpassing their already-amazing offerings. My dinner there in December was the best in my entire life, anywhere, so just the thought that it might exceed that high bar boggles the mind!

Gonzo70 wrote:I am hoping the chocolate tart dessert changes soon as I did not care for that at all; if they swap that out I very well might book a return visit

I'm sure they would be happy to exclude/substitute for a particular dish you did not care for in the past, if you mention it when making your reservation. (FWIW, if you are referring to the dish made on the table, I thought that - quite aside from the theater/artistry involved - it was a wonderful-tasting dessert.)

nsxtasy wrote:Wow, sounds like they're even surpassing their already-amazing offerings. My dinner there in December was the best in my entire life, anywhere, so just the thought that it might exceed that high bar boggles the mind!

Gonzo70 wrote:I am hoping the chocolate tart dessert changes soon as I did not care for that at all; if they swap that out I very well might book a return visit

I'm sure they would be happy to exclude/substitute for a particular dish you did not care for in the past, if you mention it when making your reservation. (FWIW, if you are referring to the dish made on the table, I thought that - quite aside from the theater/artistry involved - it was a wonderful-tasting dessert.)

Yes, the chocolate tart. I loved the various incarnations of the chocolate piñata that preceded he tart, but the tart I found to be a very disappointing end to one of my worst fine dining experiences. I found it so overly rich that a couple of bites was all I could muster despite being quite hungry still. The presentation was wonderful and I did like some of the accompaniments such as the violet candy, but the tart itself was almost inedible as far as I am concerned. First time out of five meals at Alinea I left hungry and that I left underwhelmed.

Typically I give restaurants a pass after a single subpar experience, but at this price I expect consistently outstanding experiences and myself and others I know in real life and from food message boards were also disappointed this last fall/winter. Sure many other people were blown away, but a $300 - $600 per/person venue needs to be batting near 1,000 IMHO, not .500. That said I am glad to be hearing virtually all positive experiences the last few months from people.

I thought the chocolate tart was amazingly delicious. And I'm not one of those "it must be chocolate" types. However, not everybody likes the same things, and when you're getting 14-23 courses, if you think most of them are terrific but someone doesn't care for one thing or another, that's still pretty darn great.

Our party last December included several friends with extensive dining experience comparable to ours. And we all thought it was the best dinner, the most delicious food, and the most amazing experience any of us had ever had in our lives. No one in our group had any quibbles whatsoever.

Disclaimer: I am not a "friend of the house" and we didn't receive special treatment any different from others around us.

Gonzo70 wrote:Glad you had such an excellent meal. I wonder if they did butter your table some though, was the entire restaurant being served 22 courses or did you receive some bonus dishes?

I am still a bit irritated with Alinea for my barely over two hour subpar meal last fall, but since my previous meals were so amazing I do want to give it another try at some point (and am happy to see so many new menu items as well as a welcomed return to a longer menu). Grace and Moto have replaced Alinea as our special occasion venues; our last few all around experiences at Moto and especially at Grace have been vastly superior than our last meal at Alinea. I definitely have to concede that Alinea is a hot ticket again and is selling out far in advance; perhaps the struggles last fall and winter were more a temporary slump than a sign that the restaurant has passed her prime.

I am hoping the chocolate tart dessert changes soon as I did not care for that at all; if they swap that out I very well might book a return visit before Alinea makes her road trip to New York and possibly beyond. I probably will have to dine with you though, as my wife has sworn off Alinea and Next.

I wasn't able to tell, honestly. We were upstairs in the back. There was only one other table sat before we arrived, and then a six-top about 1/2 or 2/3 way through. I wasn't paying much attention to the other tables...just wanted to relax and enjoy our time.

FWIW, FYI, I think they have tweaked the chocolate tart a bit. The first time I had it I remembered it being sweeter than it seems to be now. Very savory and delicious, now, in my opinion. The hazelnut bits are so delicious. It is very rich though (which I like), so if more dainty desserts are someone's taste, they may not like it. I devour that thing even after 20 or 21 courses.

What a joint. Truly an incredible, nutritionally, emotionally sustaining meal.

I love Alinea - as an idea, a place, a meal.

Thank you Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas.

Hello! I don't know if this is the right place to post but I have an opening in a table of four for Saturday 9/6 at 8:30pm for any single diners that are interested. The face value is $350 (tax & tip included) but would be willing to sell for less than that as it is last minute! If interested please email at [email protected]

Twenty-Two courses? I've been 3 times in 2013 and fifteen has been the max. I'm not exactly complaining, but I do miss the 20+ course menus and would be happy to pay more for an extended tasting. I was really glad to see they pulled some stinkers from the menu like the ginger progression, but I'd be happy to see things like the balloon and table made dessert go away as well.

Even though it isn't quite what it was, I still think Alinea does a great job with combining aromas from sources other than the food to truly offer a one of a kind experience. I could smell the wagyu beef log for days even if the meat itself wasn't cooked perfectly. When Alinea is on, they make some amazing dishes. Chef Bagale is close to that level, but just like Gonzo I'd rather see closer to 1.000 than .500.

Here's a nice little window and morsel as to what's going on at Alinea right now.

http://www.foodandwinegazette.com/?p=1687

Also, the new table side dessert that hit the menu approximately a month ago is delicious. Flavors include tropical fruit, rum, kaffir, and lime. The chocolate tart is now gone and replaced by this. One of the components of this dessert is a delicious golden pineapple piece. Literally looks like a piece of gold. Tastes far more delicious though.

Any news on the NYC pop up? Did they shut down in October for renovations as planned? I can't seem to find any info since that news broke in April. Have a friend that wants to experience Alinea but we might wait for the renovations or meet up to experience the pop up in NYC.

brokenspatula wrote:Any news on the NYC pop up? Did they shut down in October for renovations as planned? I can't seem to find any info since that news broke in April. Have a friend that wants to experience Alinea but we might wait for the renovations or meet up to experience the pop up in NYC.

October was put on sale back on August 15th and is basically sold out I think.

The most recent insight as to Alinea via NYC is this:



I think that it is probably taking some effort to sort it all out. Knowing the Alinea way, I'm sure the experience will be exactly that of what is offered on Halsted.

What is just as exciting is that they are going to be renovating 1723 in a very significant way!! Grant alluded to this in a recent interview!

Hi folks,

We have an extra ticket to our 6-person table at Alinea for this Sunday evening 11/9 at 6:30pm. You'll dine with 5 interesting and fun 20-,30-, and 40- somethings! (Includes good friends of our very own dmnkly!) $310 is face value all-in (already includes tax and gratuity but no alcohol pairings, which can be purchased at the restaurant if you want) -- or best offer.

Please email at mptam78 AT hotmail (dot) com if you are interested in joining us!