Alcove - Evanston

“Great visit to Alcove.”

Great visit to Alcove. It’s a fun location tucked under the train station. Very warm and modern interior. The service was awesome. Great food! The goat cheese tart was wonderful. We enjoyed the fish which had a delicious crispy skin yet was not dry or overcooked. Cocktails were well balanced and interesting. Save room for desert- we enjoyed the bread pudding! Overall a great meal.

Leon Sujata

Nov 2025

“First visit to this space in any incarnation.”

First visit to this space in any incarnation. Welcoming staff and very friendly, happy to talk about the menu and cocktail options on a casual friday. Really liked the octopus and the foie. House old fashioned is very smooth. Surprisingly didn’t hear much train noise. Expected that to be much louder.

Ed Brill

Jun 2025

“It is a secluded, lovely, peaceful area, and the food I order will melt in your mouth - friendly...”

It is a secluded, lovely, peaceful area, and the food I order will melt in your mouth - friendly staff and very welcoming.

mj Weber

May 2025

“Very unassuming looking place with Wonderful food, excellent service, strict attention to allergy...”

Very unassuming looking place with Wonderful food, excellent service, strict attention to allergy concerns, and a quiet environment to just enjoy the food. No ear splitting music or deafening beat. Wonderful preparations. We had pork belly and crab cake as appetizers, roasted duck breast and crispy roasted sea bass with lobster tortellini as entrées, followed by an amazing lemon cream and wild Berry Napoleon. A refreshing sorbet was also served as s palate cleanser between courses. Everything showed a delicate touch of refinement and knowledge or what works.

Howie schultz

Feb 2025

“Celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary here tonight.”

Celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary here tonight. It was a perfect evening - from warm, attentive, impeccable service, to the wonderful food. Ambiance was perfect for us - elegant, restrained decor, and no music, so you could have a conversation without yelling. Elegant, restrained decor. Our waitress was fabulous. I followed her recommendations for food which were excellent. I would highly recommend and we plan to return.

Alison Duncombe

Oct 2024

“What a great place.”

What a great place! The menu has lots of interesting selections -- the kind of menu that would draw me back over and over again to keep trying things -- if only I lived in the area! And for even more options, there's some specials each day that are tempting! The restaurant pays attention to details -- especially in the food. All items ordered were excellent and seemingly prepared without cutting costs. Additionally, the bread service is very good and they provide a sorbet intermezzo before the entrée, which is a very thoughtful touch that isn't done often enough at nice meals. The goat cheese tart and yellowfin tuna tartare were both excellent as starters. My braised beef short rib was rich and outstanding. Others in my group had a couple of fish entrees and one had lamb, and all loved it. The wine list has a lot of great selections and most bottles seem priced reasonably for what they are. The service was professional and super accommodating, with the kitchen happy to creatively work around a food allergy. The ambiance is comfortable and nice. Lighting decent. Noise level was low, though it wasn't terribly busy at the time of my visit. My only gripe is the 3% service charge for paying a card (they're very transparent about it though). Actual costs for most businesses are 2% or barely over, and for a fine dining restaurant where $75 - $100 person isn't uncommon, this should be a cost of doing business that's built into the pricing.

Bill L

Jun 2024

“What a magical spot in Evanston.”

What a magical spot in Evanston. The Deco takes you to a little French-English town in Europe. The hostess greeted us with big smiles, and the waiter brought us through the menus and course everything perfectly. The energy of this place and team makes you enjoy more of every bite. We started with fantastic steak tartare followed by foie and veal shortbread. We chose for the main course perfectly prepared Duck. I have to munch on our Apple sorbet as a palette cleansing. I felt like I just had a bit of fresh green apple. A fantastic wine selection and dessert will not leave you disappointed. One of the best places I have eaten in a long time. We will be back. Thank you to the Chef and team for creating such a fantastic food experience.

Iwona Urbanska

Dec 2023

“The Alcove earned 5-stars in Atmosphere, Food and Service.”

The Alcove earned 5-stars in Atmosphere, Food and Service. Upon first gazing at the nondescript view from the street, I wondered what lay ahead? What appeared to be a subway entrance, it led us to a handsome red door flanked my large planters. Entering, I was I disbelief. Eye candy. Subdued lighting, contemporary decor and use of color. We were warmly greeted and shown to a nice table with banquette seating. The waitstaff were excellent. The wine was overflowing and the entree’s were superb. This night was a gift for our wedding anniversary and it was such a joyous celebration. Later, we found the real front entrance. Thank you Brian and Stephanie♥️

Stephen Snow

Oct 2023

“Nice quiet restaurant in Evanston.”

Nice quiet restaurant in Evanston. Very happy with food choices and ability to get in last minute on a Saturday night.

Colm Ronan

Oct 2023

“Our third visit, the first time during warmer weather, allowing us to enjoy their outdoor seating...”

Our third visit, the first time during warmer weather, allowing us to enjoy their outdoor seating patio for the first time which we found quite lovely considering the proximity to the train station. But that is all a part of the allure that is Alcove. We had a wonderful dining experience paired with fantastic service. My wife enjoyed the risotto while I took my time savoring each bite of the duck. We opted not to share a dessert—my choice, not my wife's. I loved the bread pudding. I'll add this was our first night out since having our second child two months ago, and this was the perfect evening for it. Thank you 😊

Steven

Oct 2023

“Outstanding restaurant in a unique location.”

Outstanding restaurant in a unique location. Service was top-notch, cocktails were amazing, and the food did not disappoint. Highly recommend this Evanston gem!

Angie Lindeman

Sep 2023

“A hidden gem, literally.”

A hidden gem, literally. This resturant is tucked away under the train tracks. Believe it or not but you cannot hear them either. Alcove’s dining room was modern and clean. The menu had an assortment of options. Drinks, appetizers, entree, and desert was all fantastic. Look forward to coming back!

Adam

May 2023