Eating at Alinea. Chicago. 3 Michelin Stars. An Amazing 9 Course $345 Tasting Menu
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- Опубликовано: 21 сен 2024
- I eat at and review Alinea in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. The restaurant has maintained 3 Michelin Stars ever since the guide came to the city. Alinea was created by chef Grant Achatz who has received numerous accolades for himself and the restaurant. He has been one of the most pivotal figures with regards to molecular gastronomy. I tried the 9 course $345 salon tasting menu. Alinea has been one of my bucket list restaurants, which made dining there a dream come true for me.
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About Me: I live in NYC and I’m about food, travel and work.
Your dad looked like he had such a great time. Glad you had quality time together!
Indeed! He loved it as well. It was certainly a great evening that we shared.
Couldn’t help but get choked up watching this video. It was your love letter to food and family.
This one was special to me for that reason.
I was going to leave a comment but really, you just said it all
I'm sure there's gonna be a lot of sticker shock from the viewers on this video, but look at the pure joy you expressed throughout the meal! Being able to share something like that with your father is something you'll both remember for the rest of your lives.
Absolutely! The food was incredible, but the company was even better!
@@Jamesnu That was a special gift indeed! Not only a fabulous meal but an experience u both can remember forever! Wonderful video as always!
@@girlywhirly4971 Definitely! Thank you so much!
this
I’m almost shocked at how cheap that really is. To imagine the amount of work it takes to not only produce those dishes, but to conceptually create them. And then find and curate a team of INDIVIDUALS that can replicate that level of skill seems impossible. Oh yeah, then take into account the price of the ingredients used to make that… cmon
Simply said, sharing a meal with those you love is the purists expression of love. This is only so true when one cooks & feeds a person; which now becomes the "purest" of expression of that love. No matter to what degree of classification of your personal involvement with the food preparation, , this offering does express your personal feelings & why so many of us support your efforts! Thank you, so very much, for sharing this post! This is Peter M; out!
Thank you so much for watching and sharing those excellent words!
You are a natural reviewer with your choice of music, language and video. While others are clueless to what Fine Dining as their lack of language (culinary) or have their mouth open while speaking...your natural interactions the establishment transmits to your viewers. Bravo!!!!!
Thank you! I really appreciate it! I always try my best with these videos!
Hi James. You sent a message within the last couple of days saying your next video would be extras special. Boy,you weren't kidding!!!
Thank you for watching!
I LOVE that you shared this experience with your dad. An amazing experience & review!! Thank you.
I was glad that I was able to share it with him too. Thank you for watching!
What an amazing meal. The dessert at the end was simply mind-blowing. It was so nice you got to spend with your father, so glad he wasn’t camera shy.
Yeah, that's a dessert that I'll never forget. It was amazing, but the whole meal was incredible!
Wow, the passion and meaningfulness behind the experience of this dinner is so touching to feel. Thank you for taking your viewers on that journey!!
Thanks for watching! It really was a special day in more ways than one.
James, ive been binge watching all your videos since yesterday. I get to experience the type of food I would never eat through your videos and I am grateful. Excited to watch more!
@@darkblaze373 Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support!
Your best video, James, a wonderful experience to share with your dad!
Thank you!
James, I had a huge smile and some tears watching this. I went for the Kitchen Table back in 2019 and I had the EXACT same mentality prior to dining. The food and service were immaculate, and the memories were well worth the wait and price. Thank you very much for sharing your experience with all of us.
That must've been a special experience! I would love to do the Kitchen Table one day. Thank you so much for watching!
Amazing to make memories like this with your father, what a Christmas present!
Absolutely!
Not my scene. But watching you enjoy your meal with your dad shows what fine dining is all about- enjoying and creating memories with people we care about 🤙
I agree…. It might be something special in the theater of the experience…. But in the end it looks like they payed almost $1000 for maybe 8 oz. Of protein and al lot of hocus pocus….. no wonder these establishments make money…. People are there for “ magical” experiences…. But no real substance. I really don’t get these “ 10 course “ meals when you get a bite or two “ during “ the meal. Make it make sense.
Indeed! Some fine memories were created that night!
This was incredibly endearing... a dream realized, an experience shared with a beloved parent. I thoroughly enjoyed watching.
Glad you enjoyed it! That meal means a lot to me.
Love your enthusiasm and how real it feels compared to most “chef’s reviews”. It was lovely to watch
Thank you!
Awesome review, James. You made your viewers feel like they were there with you. So glad you got to enjoy the experience with your father.
Thanks so much!
I couldn’t wait to see this one! It makes me smile to see you both so happy.
It was an incredible evening!
I can't remember the last time I smiled whilst watching a food review, but this particular episode had me beaming at the dessert.
Yeah, that dessert was pretty crazy!
There is nothing that makes me more excited than a new James Andrews video, especially when it’s a 3 Michelin Star one! Love the content, keep it up! 👏
Thank you so much!
I enjoyed every minute of the video, thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us. It felt like I was there myself eating those wonderful dishes.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
I totally understand your passion for this great Restaurants. And to be honest it is totally worth it. One of the nicest things of life is collecting good memories. And this memory you will never forget. So, kudos to you and also to your channel. I love it, still.
@reinhardalthammer3038 Well said, and thank you!
I simply could not have loved this more. Knowing how much it meant to you & that you got to share it with your dad made it even better. I'm curious, is your dad also a "foodie" / is that where you get it from or was he more 'humoring' you knowing this was your thing? Either way, just love you got to experience this together. Chef Achatz's story is really inspiring - just ordered his book. That dessert is unbelievable. Will you try for the gallery experience in the future? Thank you SO much for taking us along with you! I really loved this.
Thank you for watching! My Dad enjoys good food, but not to the extent that I do. He's only been to a handful of starred restaurants. I hope that you enjoy the book and I definitely hope to try the gallery in the future.
I actually just ate here last night! It was probably the most special, joyful, and delicious meal of my whole life.
Excellent! That makes me happy to hear!
It sounds like one of those rare occasions when your expectations were met or exceeded. Thanks for sharing this special moment with us.
Indeed! Thanks for watching!
The way she plated those sauces on the table was insane!
It was incredible to watch!
Hey James, the best part of this meal to me is simple. You were able to share the experience with your dad. I'm at a loss for words when it comes to the entire food experience. Frankly, I've never seen anything like it before. Way back in the day, I used to hang out in that neighborhood. There was a great wine bar called Chardonnay IIRC. It was an awesome place. There have been many memorable restaurants that have come and gone in that area as well. Thanks for sharing what looked like a once in a lifetime meal with us. Cheers
Thanks for watching! You're right. Sharing that experience with my dad was the best part. It was an unforgettable day for sure. Cheers!
I can't tell what I would want more, an anniversary dinner at Alinea with my wife or one last meal with my dad... great video James
Thank you so much!
Amazing time with your dad! I see you both enjoy the experience!
Definitely!
James! This makes me so happy to see. Your channel is consistently great & you have a deep appreciation for food & totally deserved this.
Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!
I think this is perhaps the greatest video you have put together
Thank you! That makes me happy to hear since I probably put the most time into this one.
I really love this that you could do this with your dad. That is a meaningful experience and enjoyed it with you and your mom being happy you bots had fun
Indeed! It was very special to be able to do this with him.
Wow! What a fantastic establishment. That dessert was a work of art!
Absolutely!
Wow! This restaurant looked amazing!! What a beautiful experience to share with your Father❤️.
The food looked exquisite, and the presentation was also a feast for the eyes! The dessert was pure joy!
Thank you for taking us viewers on this wonderful, and exciting meal!😍❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you for watching! It was an amazing experience and I love being able to share it through my video.
I’m so glad you got to share that with your dad. And thank you for sharing it with us.
Thanks for watching!
Wholesome video man! Glad you got to share this experience with your dad, what a great gift.
Thank you!
Hi James, we got to see Mr Andrews ! Well, we now know where the James Andrews charm comes from ! Wonderful video, my friend. That is one hell of a restaurant and if I was Grant, I'd ask you for a copy. Your presentation is worthy of a restaurant of that calibre. The food looked exquisite ! Thank you for sharing such a familial, heartfelt experience with us, your grateful subscribers. Seriously, I rate you amongst the Top 5 food reviewers who I see on You Tube. If I was a Food Channel executive, I'd sign you up in a heart beat. All the best, my friend, and a shout out to the wizards at Alinea from Sydney, Australia !
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words!
Wow, I've never seen anything like it - and to be able to share that with your father; priceless! You're right, it's all about the memories.
Absolutely! I definitely made some great memories that night!
absolutely love your channel and happy you got to have this experience....it's quite a pleasure to eat vicariously thru you lol and your descriptions of the meals are top notch.
@@calpoker21 Thank you!
One of your best videos yet! Place looked amazing and loved seeing you enjoy the meal with your dad
Thanks so much!
My guy James really moving up with these videos. You've motivated me to do these bucket lists restaurants myself and go experience life more. Keep up the videos.
Thank you so much! That makes me happy to hear!
for 345 it is a unique experience. I've wasted more money on less. Thanks James, cool b-roll too
Thanks for watching!
Loved this review! Beautifully narrated.
Thank you!
Great job James!Beautiful video and one of your best. Heartwarming!!! I grew up in Chi town and will definitely check this place out next time I go back to visit!
Thank you so much!
Probably one the most memorable restaurants that you've reviewed. And you got to experience it with your Dad. Treasure these times.
Definitely!
Looks fantastic. As well as researching cities that I'm visiting, I also like to do some more speculative investigation of cities that I'm not currently planning on visiting but would like to in future. The likes of Hong Kong and Singapore, but also Chicago. I think Alinea has been the only ever present on my Chicago list as other restaurants have come and gone with each successive guide. Lovely that you could go with your dad too - I was quite young still when mine passed away and my mum more recently too, just as I was planning on treating her to the nearest star at the time, but I enjoy sharing the experiences with friends and wider family, as well as solo trips. The video lived up to its promise, the question now is how do you follow something like that up?!
Alinea is a special place for sure! Yeah, this video is tough one to follow, but I feel like next week's video should still be pretty good.
Great video James! It's really heartwarming to see how much your dad appreciates your passion for fine dining. When you look back on this video in a couple of years - when your channel grows (which it will), and you are able to dine at 3 star Michelin star restaurants more often, I think you will still be humbled by this type of experience. IMO, not having the means to regularly dine at $1000 dollar restaurants is part of the reason the audience enjoys how you share your passion about food - we'll be watching!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support! Yeah, I like having these videos to look back on. They're a great way to preserve my memories.
Hi James, thank you for another great vlog, Alinea interior looked amazing, the food from presentation to plating were very well done. Thank you for sharing your dinner with us James .. Fine dining at it's best for sure. I'm eagerly waiting for the next restaurant adventure.
Jose P.
Thank you so much Jose! I really appreciate it!
Long ago, I remember watching a documentary on Grant and this restaurant, it was when molecular cuisine was just taking off. What a special place to go with your dad, and like you said, a memory you won’t forget. The service was outstanding, and the food sounded and looked divine, I am sure you will return someday for The Gallery. Thank you James, a lovely review!
Note: Loved the music you paired with this video👍
Thank you so much! It was definitely a meal to remember!
Hi James,
Thank you for your review of Alinea. This kind of restaurant leaves me speechless. The atmosphere is so beautiful and the food must be equally as wonderful.
This was a fantastic time with your father. I’m glad that you are close with your family.
Have a relaxing evening. With this review you have really elevated your presence in the ‘family of food’.
Best Wishes,
Peter
Thank you for watching Peter! This was a very special meal for me not just because of the amazing food, but also as a result of who I shared it with.
I just recently found Grant Achatz was born and raised in St. Clair, MI. The town I now call home. His family does own a popular homemade pie company in the area, offers a line of various homemade soups at local supermarkets, as well as a catering business. Great review of Alinea, will be adding to my list of must-try fine dining restaurants.
Thank you! Yeah, Grant discusses some of that in his memoir. Alinea is a must-try for sure.
My father means everything in the world to me so I feel the same way - anytime spent with him is precious to me - and I think it is just so special and wonderful that you took your dad with you. I also admire how you make it a priority to get to all of these restaurants you have wanted to try. (PS - I got to the bar exam site when I took the bar exam many years ago at 5am - when the test started at 9am - before the janitors arrived lol - so I definitely understand you showing up 2 hours for your reservation :)
Absolutely! Yeah, I always say it's better to be too early than late.
Was looking forward to you reviewing this one for a while! Loved my experience there and glad you did as well, keep up the great work!!
Thank you! I'm glad that you had a great time at Alinea as well!
Dinner for two $956.61, enjoying time with dad, priceless.
Well said!
This is a wonderful video - inspirational in so many ways! More to the point: I have had occasion to dine twice at Alinea: once some time back, and again quite recently. I appreciated the unique aesthetic experience (in some sense evven more than the cuisine itself); yet, and significantly, the view of your visit and genuine jubilation far surpassed my own recollections. You have earned our gratitude and high praise!
@@youngdoctorathlete8334 Thank you so much! I'm glad that you've had great experiences at Alinea as well.
A truly standout video! The restaurant itself was special but that's magnified so much by the pure joy you shared with your father that comes through the screen perfectly. Cheers!
Thank you so much! Cheers!
Wow, that meal was extraordinary so happy you spend it with your dad
It definitely was a great meal with great company!
An amazing video! Thank you for reminding us how lucky we are to enjoy great food and savor spending time with family.
Thank you so much for watching!
Some Michelin starred places can be really pretentious, with a lot focus being on "cutting edge" and strange. However, this restaurant did a great job infusing classic style with contemporary touches. The presentation of the food was beautiful, creative and fun. It also seemed like food you'd actually want to eat - sometimes food at these places look like miniature gardens rather than a dish. I think I might leave a little hungry, though, because the portions did look pretty small. Otherwise, it looks like a great experience!
Well said! I know what you mean!
I adore your review style and diligently watch all your videos but this has got to be my favorite so far. Alinea has been a bucket list restaurant of mine ever since my visit to The Aviary. Your review has convinced me - Chicago calls me back.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support! I hope that you get the chance to check out Alinea soon!
so happy for you, dining dream for real
Thank you!
One of your best videos. So nice to see the love you have for your Dad!
Thank you!
How wonderful you had this experience with your father!
I'm very thankful for it!
What a meal! So glad you got to experience it with your dad. That’s awesome.
Thank you! It was great to share this experience with him.
I'm so glad this Michelin Star experience exceeded expectations for you and your dad...often you can leave a restaurant of this caliber feeling it could've been far better, but the food, service, ambiance and creative & unique detail you captured is in its own league! Your food range and repertoire is an amazing achievement, and looking forward to what you keep coming up with after this spectacle!! Truly amazing James..well done!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! That was definitely a special day.
I think this just might be my favourite video in the history of your channel! The time, care and effort you put into creating it is evident throughout and I am always appreciative of the fact your filming and well-informed explanations do justice to any and all dishes that feature. Plus your passion is clear and infectious! Keep up the amazing work, I will always be here for it and am very much looking forward to seeing where you take us next!
Ps. It was great getting to meet your dad! So special that you could share this experience with him. These quality moments are the ones that count. Big love to you both.
Thank you so much! Yeah, food is one of my greatest passions and I love sharing my experiences with these videos.
@@Jamesnu ...And we love sharing your experiences with you - never stop! x
James: that was a SUPER experience! Unique & worth the time & money! Far & above like ☆☆☆ establishments ❤😅 Thanks, Dad
It was definitely pretty special!
Nice video. Too fancy for me but interesting to see. I'm in NW Illinois and just 2 hours from Alinea.
Join me next time you're here and I'll treat you to another delicacy ... Spaghetti Pizza! 😆😋
Safe Journey!
Have a GREAT DAY!!!
Thank you!
What an incredible thing to experience with your father! The meal looked so incredible. I think it's worth it, especially for the memories- and the food of course.
@@kathrynarnold313 It was definitely a special evening from the food to the company!
Love this james!! Love your channel and what a great experience with your dad
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing your love for food and honoring your Father Blessings!
@@gerport1 Thank you for watching!
I love everything about this video. The time I spend with my pops isn't nearly enough, and he's only 20 minutes from me. I need to correct that. I'm glad you enjoyed the restaurant, I've never been to Chi town, but am well aware of its culinary prowess. One day.
That makes me happy to hear! Indeed, family time is important!
That was a very touching vlog especially with your dad. My personal moment was in 2002 when I took my wife to Spiaggia at the Magnificient Mile when we stayed the weekend in Chicago. I paid around $300 for the two of us, not counting the tip. Today that same meal would have easily been $600 or more. Sadly COVID or the economy killed the restaurant in 2020. Fond memories. Glad you got to Alinia.
Thank you! Indeed, meals like that provide great memories despite the high prices.
Great video, and one of the best things on RUclips. Thank you!🙏🏻❤️
Thank you so much!
The best part really was your Dad being there too. Was so great to see that. To see him a bit too. Spending time with him as much as you can is SO important. As he gets older. You too! 👍👏
Absolutely!
Long awaited review
Thanks for watching!
I think I'm going to have to make a trip to Chicago! The food looks amazing, but the dishes that they're served on, and the presentations are out of this world!
Absolutely! It's a restaurant worth making a journey for.
Wow, part restaurant, and sort of part art museum! What beautifully crafted plates. I also like to spend a lot of time with my dad. Great memories last forever. That stone slab they served the lamb on was pretty cool.
That's a great way to put it! Everything was artfully constructed and presented. Indeed, family time is important!
Love this video above all. There is nothing more special than a dad and his son enjoying such a delightful meal. Congratulations on your dream coming true James. Excellent food, your dad and you, what else do you need 😊
Exactly! Thank you so much!
Amazing thank you so much for a GREAT review
Thank you so much!
Worth every penny! Oh....how I wish I could do this "someday"....thanks so much for this.
Thanks for watching! I hope you get the chance to go there someday.
People waste money on all manner of junk so I count your meal as not only an investment but also a bargain! Unrepeatable, great memories and delicious. We were remembering our meals - the little place in Le Havre where boats delivered mussels to the back door, an incredible quiche at Giverny, the essence of Italy at Mama's in Rome, paella in a vineyard in Portugal, a Southern feast in Nashville shared with strangers from around the world.. This video has to rank among your best!! Great descriptions and footage - Bravo!
Thank you so much! That's well said!
Chicago is an underrated city.
Definitely!
Personally, I can't afford to drop almost $1,000 at a restaurant. With that said, I am glad you shared your experience with your dad. It's not so much about the food as it is about the experience at Alinea. It is a very unique gastronomic event. I have lived in Chicago all my life. We have hundreds of excellent restaurants, but there is only one Alinea.
Well said! Alinea is a special place that not only provides great food, but a special experience as well.
Pretty awesome that you have a great relationship with your father and that you were able to share such an amazing dinner with him. I lost my father 5 years ago next month to cancer, this is a forever memory, treasure it.
Well done.
Thank you! I'm sorry for your loss. Indeed, spending time with loved ones is precious.
The dessert, the experience, what an experience. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching! It was a special day!
Wow your best video. Definitely a bucket list restaurant. And the fact you waited ten years shows you deserved it. Definitely amazing food and service. Pricey sure but still good value for what you get. And nice you got to share it with your dad.
Thank you so much! It was definitely worth the wait.
Happy you got to experience this, congrats james
Thank you so much!
Great job Dad! Beautiful video. Thank you.
Thank you!
That was quite a fancy meal! It was nice to get to see your dad in the video.
Definitely! I was so glad that I was able to experience it with him.
Amazing! Definitely need to add this to my list!
It's definitely a restaurant worth going to!
Excellent, thanks! I've eaten there a couple of times and both were amazing. The best wine pairings I've ever had, in fact the only wine pairings that I felt really enhanced the food, as opposed to just pairing nicely with it. Fantastic.
Thanks for watching! I'll definitely have to try the wine pairing one day.
As a native Chicagoian I'm glad that you say it's the best you've had in quality and memories!
Thank you! Even though I live in New York, Chicago will still always be a home to me.
Glad you had time with your dad.
Thank you! Yeah, I was happy that we were able to have such a great experience together.
To experience true masters of their craft is more than worth the money. Those bites are some of the very best on earth.
Absolutely!
Meaningful indeed, what a special experience to share with your father! 😊I was actually treated to a farewell dinner at the Salon by a career mentor several years ago (pre-pandemic) and the meal probably cost under $250 per person then, though we both left with the opinion that the dinner felt a bit dated as if it was an imitation of Alinea from a decade prior when their molecular gastronomy tricks were still uber avant-garde, and not much more. The meal you had felt more inspired and current, which justifies the price increase imho (plus you had more iconic dishes like Hot Potato Cold Potato, and your dessert course had more nuanced flavors - mine were mango yogurt, strawberry shortcake, and creme de menthe). But at the end of the day, it's the shared experience, joy, and memories with the people that matter to you most that make these meals meaningful. Aside from the Salon, my other Michelin star experiences in Chicago have all been with my parents for special occasions - that screenshot of the 2010 Chicago Michelin guide list is super nostalgic (L2O! Charlie Trotter's! Blackbird!). I really want to book a meal with them at the Gallery soon... had saved it for an important life milestone but the pandemic got in the way (we ate at then newly opened Ever instead, which was amazing and we felt safe with their special air filtration system plus reduced dining capacity). The mortality of parents... I'm also becoming more aware of it and cherishing every moment spent with them. Hope you had a wonderful time with family during this latest Chicago trip.
Thank you so much for watching! Well said! Yeah, I remember some of those restaurants too. Blackbird was probably one of my favorite spots in Chicago. I hope you get the chance to try the Gallery soon!
Well there goes my idea of spaghetti with marinara from scratch and grated parmesan (instead of bagged) on the company plates as being a fine dining experience.
Oh well, notwithstanding the house payment tab at the end, this episode was exceptional. Thanks for the journey.
Haha! Thanks for watching!
Fantastic video. That’s one of my bucket list places. Congrats on making a dream come true, and it’s very sweet to see you enjoying the meal with your dad. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching! I hope that you get the chance to knock the place off your bucket list too!
Dear James,
Thank you for sharing this gift of your dinner at Alinea with your dad. It's easy to imagine the happiness you enjoyed doing this meal together. With appreciation and best wishes, Rich
Thank you so much Rich! It really was a special day!
What a truly intimate and emotional review! This was great
Thank you!