Alpana
Nathalie Alarcon · 163 Google reviewsAlpana — Gold Coast italian that sets the standard. Contemporary look with thoughtful details. Good cocktails round out an already strong menu. "The Brussels sprout crostini was hands-down the best I’ve ever had…crispy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced" — Bradley Cochran [$$, patio]
What 724 diners keep saying
What 724 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“It was wonderful and it has so much yummy foods the service was fantastic and the building is beautiful.”
“Had such a great experience at Alpana! The restaurant itself is beautiful with a gorgeous atmosphere, and the service was amazing. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. I also loved that they offered a full vegetarian menu with so many great entree options. Everything we tried was delicious, especially the whipped feta, Creste di Gallo alla Grappa, crispy polenta & mushrooms, and truffle mac ’n cheese. Definitely recommend checking this place out for a special meal!”
“Worth Returning For the Pasta Alone Booked Alpana for two on a Friday night through OpenTable and had an enjoyable dinner overall. The cocktails were nice, and the meal had several highlights. The Squid Ink Campanelle was the standout: flavorful, well-cooked pasta in a rich sauce, and the added fennel sausage brought just the right hint of spice. The chicken was also better than expected—juicy, served over potatoes, and paired with a nice gravy. The Strawberry Crunch Salad was fresh and well-balanced, with good texture from the nuts and a vinaigrette that offset the sweetness nicely. The Malabar shrimp was the only miss for me, as something in the curry tasted oddly sour, though the naan itself was soft and enjoyable. For dessert, the Key Lime Pie was pleasantly tart, though the crust was just okay. I also appreciated that the glass of Vintage Port was well-priced. Overall, Alpana delivered a solid meal, good value, and a few dishes I would happily come back for—especially the pasta. Recommended.”
“I planned a visit to the restaurant for my anniversary since it had a GF menu. We began with the Malabar Shrimp. This appetizer was so good I almost regretted sharing. The sauce, shrimp and Naan were amazing. I could've made it THE meal. 😋 I followed with the Squid Ink Campanelle. It was another delicious hit. While trying decide if a dessert would fit, Alpana treated us to a complimentary selection. So nice. The restaurant had a lower light and very nice lively atmosphere. So for this night, not so quiet evening. When we're back in the area, it will be on our to visit list.”
“Wonderful food, service, and ambiance. Everything we had there was incredible. Thank you for two wonderful nights!”
“We’re from Miami and came to Chicago for the restaurant expo and found Alpana through a Google search for the best restaurants nearby. Safe to say Google did not disappoint us this time. We went with my husband and our two daughters (16 and 17). We had a reservation and were seated right away, even though the restaurant was packed for a Monday night. The ambiance and decor were beautiful, upscale but still comfortable and welcoming. For appetizers we ordered the beef tartare and whipped feta. Both were excellent, but the whipped feta absolutely stole the show. I think all four of us were ready to fight over the last bite. For mains we had the squid ink pasta, which was very good, although a little spicy (something I wish had been mentioned on the menu), the half chicken which was delicious and a huge portion, the short ribs with polenta which were excellent, and another pasta dish I can’t remember the name of because my daughter inhaled it before I could properly investigate. She said it was very good though. For drinks, my husband did the wine tasting special and loved every wine that came with it. My daughters had the mocktail margarita and the mocktail spritz. The margarita was very good. The spritz wasn’t bad, just not something I would personally order again. Service was friendly and attentive throughout the night. The only downside was that our entrees came out while we were still halfway through our appetizers, so the mains sat on the table for a bit before we could really enjoy them. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely come back next time we’re in Chicago. Total bill with a 20% tip came out to a little over $400, which honestly felt fair for the quality, service, and amount of food we had.”
“Loved their food and especially their interesting cocktails. Came here on a Monday night, the service was great. Lisa was very attentive towards us. We ordered the venison, steak tartare and the tagiatelle, all were very flavorful. The venison was cooked perfectly, the tagliatelle tasted fresh and herby, and the steak tartare tasted very fresh. We had their chocolate cake and key lime pie for dessert. Over all a good dining experience.”
“Great service!! Loved the food - we tried the 8oz filet mignon and the harrisa cauliflower for dinner as well as the basque cheesecake and key lime pie for dessert. Would recommend all but the basque cheesecake was my favorite. As for drinks, the espresso Martini was one of the best I’ve had. My partner got the mango mule and drank the whole thing despite not particularly liking mixed drinks. We celebrated our anniversary and were complimented with glasses of dessert wine. If you get a chance to eat here, go for it, inside or on the patio- both are great scenes.”
“Alpana is hands down one of the best spots for roasted chicken in Chicago. If you love wine, this place definitely hits the mark, and there are plenty of options to pair with your meal. Must-try dishes : -The pistachio pasta is creamy and nutty with a subtle richness that lingers, -roasted chicken is perfectly cooked juicy on the inside with a beautifully crisp skin. the staff is attentive and friendly. Prices are reasonable, making it a great spot to enjoy. Overall, definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for delicious food, good wine, and a welcoming atmosphere.”
“Spectacular brunch service! Staff is super attentive, food is delicious, portions are obscene. If your schedule permits, opt for the bottomless mimosas.”
“What a night to remember in Chicago! The experience at Alpana restaurant blew my girl and I away. Eleanor was such a delight, she served us and the bar with the same high quality of service. Thank you Eleanor and Alpana for making our anniversary a night to remember!!!”
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