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Alinea: My dining experience
- Thread starter IAmtheFMan
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The thing is, Nick Kokonas has mentioned this a couple of times, Alinea's very much close to break even due to the level of ingredients and preparation that goes into every plate. I believe he said they wouldn't be profitable without the wine pairings. El Bulli was the same.
I mean, think about it, the seatings for 2 take up at least 3 hours. Your seating for 4 took up 5 hours. You open at 7, it's not a particularly large place, and you can really only do two to three waves a night.
They put out a video into the preparation for the Hot Cold Potato, and it was a ton of effort for one fun bite.
Shared plates places - like The Publican - are much more profitable apparently.
But tasting menus are more than about the food, although it's absolutely great and, when you're eating at Alinea or The French Laundry, you're certainly enjoying the best ingredients. I mean, damn, look at those black truffles. Eating is one component of it.
And Alinea is in no way stuffy, based on people I've talked to that eat there. Chicago as a whole is not a stuffy dining experience at all, unless you're eating at Naha or Everest.
I mean, think about it, the seatings for 2 take up at least 3 hours. Your seating for 4 took up 5 hours. You open at 7, it's not a particularly large place, and you can really only do two to three waves a night.
They put out a video into the preparation for the Hot Cold Potato, and it was a ton of effort for one fun bite.
Shared plates places - like The Publican - are much more profitable apparently.
But tasting menus are more than about the food, although it's absolutely great and, when you're eating at Alinea or The French Laundry, you're certainly enjoying the best ingredients. I mean, damn, look at those black truffles. Eating is one component of it.
And Alinea is in no way stuffy, based on people I've talked to that eat there. Chicago as a whole is not a stuffy dining experience at all, unless you're eating at Naha or Everest.
Zuhzuhzombie!!
Member
Correct. Wine is basically where all of these super haute restaurants make their money. All these restaurants started disappearing/losing money when the economy hit the tank. Just no way of slimming down to bear through it.
lol pretentious food
That's just sad then. I pity people who can't appreciate good food, since it's one of the most joyful experiences in life.
Only because you haven't actually tried it.
aorange999
Member
Great post, even if its years old. I've done a few tasting menus in my time but Eleven Madison Park about 2 or 3 years ago right when they got their 3rd Michelin star was the highlight of my food experience. Highly regarded palates at the time called it the best dining experience in the US and I can't disagree. Alinea is on my list when I next get to Chicago.
I enjoy this kind of food but can also appreciate tin shack BBQ or Chinatown dim sum. If you have a true appreciation for food you can have great experiences at any price point.
I enjoy this kind of food but can also appreciate tin shack BBQ or Chinatown dim sum. If you have a true appreciation for food you can have great experiences at any price point.
Yep.
fredrancour
Member
Many have the option of fewer-course tasting menues or just an entree. It's pretty much the following logic: "I am paying for the time of a very skilled kitchen staff. I want to experience the widest variety of foods that I can while I have the abilities of these guys to prepare food." Its as much about entertainment as eating.
radios shipping overview
Member
Because every person calling this kind of thing decadent also has a huge monthly habit in gaming, or anime figures, or selvage jeans, or audiophile gear, or toy dogs, or faberge eggs, or whatever.
Some people prefer a simple lifestyle. If you enjoy decadence, at least own it.
highrider
Banned
That specific place no, but I've had gourmet food before.
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
Since the thread was bumped recently anyway...
Real Kitchen dresses up as Alinea for halloween
http://vimeo.com/77976339
Real Kitchen dresses up as Alinea for halloween
http://vimeo.com/77976339
Anything similar in downtown DC? How about Plume, is that similar?
http://www.plumedc.com/
Need ideas for fine dining. Only day dreaming, may not actually happen.
http://www.plumedc.com/
Need ideas for fine dining. Only day dreaming, may not actually happen.
first, apologies for the "fucking shut ins" part
second, taking that one character trait in a vacuum (likes weird as fuck, decadent restaurants) and damning the rest of them for it would be a pretty shitty and immature thing to do. A good person will recognize when you're trying to do something nice out of the kindness of your heart. If you're doing it as a last ditch effort or in an effort to make them like you/sleep with you, that's obviously a bad look. A random "hey, i got reservations at Alinea, lets go eat some weird shit" for someone you love because you know they'd find that kind of thing fun is nice.
basically, it shouldn't be your first move or your last one.
Thinking about taking a friend out to fine dining. No sex needed.
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