L20/TRU/ALINEA, overall which is the best to impress...

...my date? I've never been to any of them and it's difficult to judge based on Yelp reviews. Please help.

jayrech wrote:...my date? I've never been to any of them and it's difficult to judge based on Yelp reviews. Please help.

It really depends what you are looking for and what kind of food you and your date will enjoy.

Alinea, IMO, is hands down the best overall experience of the three. From food to service, everything is absolutely outstanding. That being said, it you and/or your date aren't into the style of food you'll have less than an enjoyable experience.

Tru is probably the most "traditional" of the three in terms of food. I haven't been in a couple of years, but I wasn't nuts about my last meal there (things may be better now, it really just depends who is in the kitchen these days).

I'm a big fan of L2O, especially when sticking to their 4 course menu. Probably not as polished service-wise as Alinea, but the food is good to excellent (with the raw fish preparations really making the restaurant stand out). But again, if you're not that into seafood, this wouldn't be the place for you.

Its usually the NAV MAN's casual dress and suspect table manners that fail to impress the ladies.

Really, really depends on the date. If she's very selective about what she eats then Tru. If she's adventurous and will try anything then either Alinea or L2O (Alinea will certainly accommodate special requests, but you need a certain level of adventurousness to dive in).

Just out of curiosity, is this a first date? If so, these 3 may be a bit too formal of an atmosphere.

pastry643 wrote:Just out of curiosity, is this a first date? If so, these 3 may be a bit too formal of an atmosphere.

In the L20 thread, jayrech mentioned that he wanted to take his fiance to L20. So I hope this thread refers to the fiance, rather than a first date with someone else.

Haha yes it's with my fiancee'. It's a tossup between L20 and Alinea. According to some, L20 is a bit more suitable for younger people than Alinea so we're leaning more toward L20.

I haven't been to either restaurant. But I don't think Alinea is the type of place you want to go if you don't have much experience with that style and price level (maybe you do have this experience?). A lot of these four star places are best appreciated if you have a good basis for comparison. For example, you might try Schwa and then, if you liked it, try Alinea. Schwa isn't cheap, but it is considerably cheaper than Alinea. For example, the larger tasting menu at Schwa is around $100 per person and it is BYO.

I understand what you mean but I think it's definitely time to take it up a notch.

I haven't been to L2O, but Alinea has always been super welcoming. It's a very progressive restaurant, and I haven't heard of a single report of snooty service or anything of the sort. I think I first ate there when I was 18, with my girlfriend at the time. Our welcome couldn't have been warmer. Same with later meals solo and with my family.

jayrech wrote:Haha yes it's with my fiancee'. It's a tossup between L20 and Alinea. According to some, L20 is a bit more suitable for younger people than Alinea so we're leaning more toward L20.

I hate to throw a monkey in the wrench, but what about Schwa? It's a great culinary experience but is somewhat geared toward younger folks due to the loud music.

I've been to both Alinea and L20, and I don't think you can go wrong with either, as both are amazing. However, I think that Alinea is a bit more playful, a bit more entertaining. And, of course, you have to like seafood pretty well at L20 -- though I will say that the pork belly is unbelievable, so it's not all fish.

I think part of the reason I lean toward Alinea is simply because I've been a fan of Chef Achatz since his days at Trio, where I indulged in lots of his inventiveness before it got to the level of sophistication it has now achieved. So I feel connected.

But you really can't lose with either. Both have great food and splendid service.

I think Alinea is a bit more theatrical -- in a good way. It's a whole evening's entertainment. L20 seemed a bit more intimate, and a bit more elegant.

There is no bad choice, however.

Tru is good, too, but a bit less special. However, Tru does have the coolest ladies room of the three.

I'd definitely like to try out Schwa however for this time, it may be a little too casual 'tho I've read some nice reviews on it. L20 four-course seems to be the most popular choice.

Alinea is better for both culinary and style. By style, I mean, as others have said, they're more "playful" and fun--to me, better of the 2 for someone younger.

Alinea is the best restaurant in Chicago, hands down, and one of the best in the world. It is certainly impressive, but I wouldn't say it is at all romantic. If you're looking for something more intimate, Schwa might be the choice for you. I didn't find it 'casual' so much as relaxed. The chefs are serving you, so it's not going to be as refined as a Parisian ***, but at the same time it is a much more personal experience, receiving the food from the hands that prepared it.

I would not put L20 or Tru in the same class as Alinea.

I don't find L20 romantic. I find that the dining room has a corporate feel in its design. I would select Alinea, even though Chef Gras makes many outstanding dishes.

I don't think any of these restaurants are particularly romantic. I believe that to be enjoyed as they intend to be enjoyed, they each require a level of engagement that occupies the diner's primary focus. That doesn't necessarily make for a romantic experience, though it will likely lead to a memorable one.

That said, between these 3, I'd choose Alinea without hesitation. It's absolutely in a class of its own.

=R=

Actually, it occurred to me that it might be worth asking what sorts of things impress her. If you could run the episode of "No Reservations" where Bourdain and co. are gasping about L20, would it then blow her away to go to L20? Or are we just talking about best food or best overall experience. If food, then Alinea.

Just a few things...

I like North Pond for a romatic date, Alinea for the ultimate date and Schwa for a great time. I couldn't book Schwa again for a date because they canceled on my last big dinner in Chicago prior to moving across the country. Hours before one of the biggest meals of my life and a 2k mile move I get a call saying "sorry we've decided to close, would you like to reschedule?". Luckily working in the industry gives you the benefit of a quick reservation and most restaurants in the city. (Trotter, Cantu, Gresh and a few others were more than willing to accept us that night on short notice for a fond farewell)

*going along with Cynthia's post above, I believe L2O would be a huge hit with a date/fiance. It looks amazing as far as food and very elegant to impress the women. Something I'd love to try in the next few trips back to the city.

Mellonhubby and I have been to both and liked both very much. Although I agree that Schwa would be a great place if you're going for 'romantic', if given the choice of L2O or Alinea I'd choose Alinea.

L2O had a cool new take on lots of flavors that I'd had before but not prepared in that way (the lobster dish or tuna "checker board" dishes come to mind.) and it was great.

Alinea had a more whimsical take on food with things that were not only texturally interesting but flavorful and unique. However Alinea was the one that we'd definitely go back to. L2O, while excellent, didn't leave us with that "I've got to do that again sometime!" feeling.

Is your date into food at all? Speaking as a young woman who pays attention to these kinds of things, if I heard my date was considering a list like this and *didn't* choose Alinea, I'd be disappointed. (Exception: if you two have already been to Alinea, then choosing something else for a different experience is totally acceptable, but I don't think that's the case here). If she's not as interested in food, then either one of the other two will also provide a lovely experience (and at a potentially lower price point, particularly if you're thinking about the prix fixes rather than the tastings at the other two).

FWIW, I used to be a big fan of the TRU dessert tasting, but recently went back, and not only had the prices increased, the number of mini-goodies had SERIOUSLY decreased, and the flavor combinations were not as stellar as I remembered. Take this with a grain of salt for your purposes, though, as I have not been back to TRU for anything savory since 2005.

These are some very helpful posts. We plan on trying out Alinea & Schwa in the near future also. BTW, my fiancee has been to Ambria so I hope L20 has a whole new look to it.

jayrech wrote:BTW, my fiancee has been to Ambria so I hope L20 has a whole new look to it.

Oh, it definitely does.

=R=

jayrech wrote:These are some very helpful posts. We plan on trying out Alinea & Schwa in the near future also. BTW, my fiancee has been to Ambria so I hope L20 has a whole new look to it.

So you chose L2o? Curious, since it seems Alinea has been the virtually unanimous answer to the OP.

FWIW, the room is indeed completely different from Ambria. While I'm not a big fan of the food at L2o (full post about last night's dinner coming soon), I do think the service - especially the wine service - is outstanding enough to impress all but the most curmudgeony dates.

Not so sure now. Alinea's 12-course sounds very intriguing.....

jayrech wrote:Not so sure now. Alinea's 12-course sounds very intriguing.....

Never been to Alinea, but I'd encourage you to strongly consider it, after the less-than-stellar meal I had last night at L2o.

Kennyz wrote: While I'm not a big fan of the food at L2o (full post about last night's dinner coming soon), I do think the service - especially the wine service - is outstanding enough to impress all but the most curmudgeony dates.

That was not my experience. In fact, I had the worst wine service I've ever experienced in a restaurant that has a sommelier at L2O.

kl1191 wrote:

Kennyz wrote: While I'm not a big fan of the food at L2o (full post about last night's dinner coming soon), I do think the service - especially the wine service - is outstanding enough to impress all but the most curmudgeony dates.

That was not my experience. In fact, I had the worst wine service I've ever experienced in a restaurant that has a sommelier at L2O.

Can you elaborate?

Who's got the best interior? At L20, how are the tables? Would it be necessary for request for any special seating in the dining room?

jayrech wrote:Who's got the best interior? At L20, how are the tables? Would it be necessary for request for any special seating in the dining room?

If you mention when you make the reservation that it is a date, they will set you up at one of the tables with a couch-like bench against a wall. Those are cozy/ comfy and let you set next to each other with a nice view of the whole dining room.