First reviews of Alinea

Chicagoist has a brief one

I see on egullet that JimInLoganSquare had reservations for last night. Looking forward to the review.

And there are now lots of yellow truffle photos up at eGullet

Ann Fisher wrote:Chicagoist has a brief one

I see on egullet that JimInLoganSquare had reservations for last night. Looking forward to the review.

Mrs. JiLS and I unfortunately had to cancel due to an illness, but they were able to move us to May 25. I'll provide a report on the 26th!

I couldn't help but look at the Alinea pictures that have been posted so far. But now I kind of wish I hadn't peeked. I think that the element of surprise is such an important part of a meal like this--and sure, there is plenty left out of a photograph that can delight, but if I am going to pay almost $400 for a single meal--I want all of the drama --hell, don't even give me a menu.

So, those of you that haven't seen the pictures, or read the reviews and want to remain pure--resist the urge to look, and save yourself for that special night.

trixie

So when are your reservations Trixie?

i had dinner there last pm (sat). great looking place from the moment you walk through the door. loved the design. after a slow start (over 45 min before our food began) the pbj arrived. how could you not like it? what followed on the 12 course menu was mostly excellent. a couple things were not to our liking such as hearts of palm stuffed with 5 different fillings (prune? maybe it was just the order served) and the granola like pre dessert, but all and all an excellent evening over the next 3 hrs. when you do that many courses that someone else chooses, you're bound to not like everything as it's a matter of taste, not quality.


great wine list. we didn't do the wine flights that accompany the menu but opted for a white burgandy to start and a simply amazing oregon pinot called "bonne frerre" (sp?). outstanding. definitely a highlight of the eve. others were the snapper, the crab and the morels i think w/frog legs. can't remember it all but most were excellent to wonderful.

the service was excellent and the plates/food holders were interesting as well. very well done all around.

trixie-pea wrote:I couldn't help but look at the Alinea pictures that have been posted so far. But now I kind of wish I hadn't peeked. I think that the element of surprise is such an important part of a meal like this--and sure, there is plenty left out of a photograph that can delight, but if I am going to pay almost $400 for a single meal--I want all of the drama --hell, don't even give me a menu.

So, those of you that haven't seen the pictures, or read the reviews and want to remain pure--resist the urge to look, and save yourself for that special night.

trixie

Trixie, I think that is an excellent point. I think to a certain extent, so much of the joke, the the puns, the intellectual exercise of these places is essentially compromised with the extensive discussion.

There is the argument about whether one needs to eat at Trio or Alinea, El Bulli or whatever to comment on them. I know it is illogical and not widely accepted, but I think the intellectual aspect of these places can be appreciated and probably even judged without actually tasting the food. It's like the popcorn flavored popcorn at Moto. Do you really have to taste it to get it?

Rob

The New York Times has a long article on avant-garde/molecular gastronomy/shock cuisine/whatever you want to call it that includes a discussion of Alinea and Moto (as well as an audio slide show) titled "Sci-Fi Cooking Tries Dealing With Reality."

Another Alinea review can be found here, this one not so complimentary.

http://www.oad.typepad.com/

[Note, I moved this thread to Eating Out in Chicago as that seems more appropriate.]