119373 Wed Mar 22 09:32:53 -0800 2006 11 7 Chicago Area 0 651417 Never been to any of them...Moto looks like fun to me, but seems like a lot of people say the food at Alinea is better. Should I consider Avenues? Wed Mar 22 09:32:53 -0800 2006 0 Elrushbo 1 651419 I love Avenues, but then, I've never been to Alinea. I've been assured Alinea is not too "gimmicky," and the great taste experiences are worth the sometimes self-consciously "avant" presentations. I would at this point have to say, go to Alinea - just to see what all the shouting is about. It's not as if you won't get a great meal. As for Moto, I personally am not as enthralled by the process, or seeing the science behind the taste, as Mr. Cantu is. Just as I enjoy seeing an Olympic-class skater making it all look so easy, I just want my food to be wonderful. I don't want to see the science experiment that got it that way. Wed Mar 22 09:56:48 -0800 2006 651417 0 Akatonbo 2 651440 What did you like about Avenues? Also, I'm considering Tru-should I? Wed Mar 22 16:52:06 -0800 2006 651419 0 Elrushbo 3 651456 Can't tell you about Tru - haven't been there yet. Avenues we liked because the meal was faultless in every single detail, and the food was all delicious. Isn't that what it all boils down to? The service was excellent (though the choreographed pouring of water and wine made us smile - it was sort of stage-y) - everyone was very friendly, without being chatty (which I hate). We ordered the longest (most expensive) of their degustations, which rated a visit from Chef Bowles after the meal - which was nice. We got to shake his hand and tell him what a genius he is. For me, atmosphere does count - I'm an architect, so I appreciate a well-designed interior space. Avenues is in a hotel, and so the room is very conventional. There's nothing showy about the room - the food is the star. There are no test tubes or glass staircases involved - the most far-out presentation that I remember was the sashimi that consisted of paper-thin slices of fish (can't recall what) stuck to the inside of a very deep bowl with other items at the bottom of the bowl, and other stuff along the inside. But it looked very Japanese (and beautiful), as opposed to "avant-garde." I've said before that my husband won't go to Alinea because he's gotten the impression it's all about the gimmickrey of the presentation - maybe he feels Chef Achatz tries too hard to give the food a dimension beyond mere taste (aroma, ambiance, whatever), and other people have said, "Yes! Exactly! That's what's special about it." Well, at Avenues, you only get taste - lots of it, and all of it stellar. Thu Mar 23 08:47:41 -0800 2006 651440 0 Akatonbo 1 651427 Go to Alinea. One can make a very strong argument that it is in the top 5 of North American restaurants right now (some would argue it's number one). While Avenues is very good, the same argument just can't be made. As for Moto, I haven't been, but friends whose tastes I trust just haven't been that impressed. Wed Mar 22 11:25:27 -0800 2006 651417 0 Josh 2 651432 I appreciate the input, I've heard that from a lot of people on the net about Moto, and I can't stand the thought of paying that kind of money for less than the best. I love the pics of Alinea, the ambience is definitely what I'm looking for. So many people have great things to say about the food. Wed Mar 22 13:00:35 -0800 2006 651427 0 Elrushbo 1 651442 We're coming to Chicago in May, and we've signed on for Alinea. We haven't decided on the 12 versus 24 courses -- it will be a closer to game time decision. But I am looking forward to the experience and to see how Mr. Achatz's little diner compares to The French Laundry, which we visited last May. I also hope that by the time we sit down at Alinea, we'll have finished paying off the credit card we used to pay for our French Laundry meal. If you decide on Alinea, report back. Link: http://www.runninggags.blogspot.com Wed Mar 22 17:58:01 -0800 2006 651417 0 Lance Martin 2 651464 If you're not sure if/when you'd be back, go for the 24-course and spring for the wine pairings (unless you don't drink). It really makes for the ultimate experience. While almost all of the courses stand on their own, the drink pairings definitely "complete" some of the tastes. As a local, I prefer the smaller tasting menu...that way I can justify going back a bit more often! Thu Mar 23 11:04:51 -0800 2006 651442 0 Pugman 3 651471 Do you know if, at a table for 2, they will allow one person to do the 12-course and the other the 24? Do you both have to go "all in"? Are the wine pairings w/ the 24 basically shots? LPM Link: http://www.runninggags.blogspot.com Thu Mar 23 14:24:05 -0800 2006 651464 0 Lance Martin 4 651474 You both need to do the same menu because it would be a timing nightmare otherwise. If you're worried about food volume being too large with the 24-course (or too small with the 12), it's not an issue. There's actually a similar volume of food with each. On the 12 course, the protein portions are a bit larger. Most of extra food in the 24 are one or two bite courses and the "main" dishes are a bit smaller. The wine pairings are very small pours, some maybe even less than a shot, but with the 24-course there are about 16 or so. Some of the pairings span 2 courses and they will then pour a larger amount. I've also seen them refill if it looks like your wine won't last as long as the course...they are THAT attentive (without making you feel like you're being stalked). It's just amazing and I'm an extremely jaded fine-diner, yet I never cease to be blown away by Alinea. They may offer you the chance to "upgrade" one or more of the wine pairings. Warning, it can be a fairly hefty upgrade. Last time, my upgrades included a stellar Boisrenard white Chateauneuf du Pape (one of the the best white CDPs), D'Arenberg's knockout "Ironstone Pressing" Shiraz and if I'm not mistaken, a lovely Vougeot (red burgundy). But even the standard pairings are outstanding. But sometimes it's fun to be able to have a few tastes of something that you'd normally not be able to get without buying a whole bottle (and these would be $100+ bottles at the restaurant normally). I do know people who have shared one wine pairing if they were concerned about alcohol volume (and maybe price). Thu Mar 23 15:25:28 -0800 2006 651471 0 Pugman 1 651443 OK, you're way overthinking this. When all is said and done, it's just dinner. At the very least, you'll have a memorable meal at any of them; likely you'll have a fantastic meal. At worst, you may have had a better experience at one of the ones you didn't pick...but it will still be reeeeally good. It's like choosing between a Bentley Continental GT, a Ferrari F430 and an Aston Martin DB9...I'd gladly take any one of them! Having said this Alinea is still the way to go. It's where I'll be celebrating my dining goddess' birthday this weekend. Wed Mar 22 17:59:56 -0800 2006 651417 0 Pugman 2 651445 Yeah...way overthinking it. Thing is, I'll end up going to all those places over the next couple years anyway. Wed Mar 22 19:24:33 -0800 2006 651443 0 Elrushbo