Are These Chicago Restaurants Worth The Hype? - Chicago - The Infatuation

"The Verdict: Yes, if you can avoid social media spoilers—luckily Alinea is too old to be trending on TikTok. Everyone knows Alinea. Since its 2005 opening it’s been on countless worldwide “Best” lists, featured in documentaries, and helped fuel the aughts’ obsession with liquid nitrogen and eating stuff that looked like other stuff. And despite what Hot Take Harry tells you, dinner here is still an incredible time. The almost $500 per person dinner at Alinea is a delicious experience (think fog machines and edible napkins) and there’s nothing quite like it. Accept no substitutions. Bookings become available on the 15th of every month at 11am CST, for two months in advance. And by 11:01 they’re gone. So, the waitlist is your friend. You can only put yourself on the list for a limited number of dates, so tag team with your dining companion to double your odds." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen