Alinea

Alinea's reputation as one of the world's top restaurants is well-deserved. Celebrity chef Grant Achatz, whose kitchen is filled with the country's most-prestigious culinary awards, elevates what some would call sci-fi food by offering elegance, depth and, most important, flavor. There are two degustation menus: The 13-course Tasting menu ($145) and a menu known as "The Tour," a marathon of 20-plus courses ($225), which could take anywhere from three to five hours to finish. The wine list is lengthy; we suggest turning yourself over to wine director/general manager Joe Catterson, who always has a surprise up his sleeve. The ambience is suitably sophisticated, with muted grays and earth tones dominating, and an upper-level dining room, which on some evenings fills with soft shades of pink from the setting sun. Servers have garnered a rep for severity as these well-trained acrobats try to manage the perfect timing and pacing for these made-to-order culinary works of art.

Be aware: There is a 48-hour cancellation policy for reservations.

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Sheffield/De Paul restaurants, Lincoln Park restaurants, Chicago restaurants, American contemporary restaurants