Grant Achatz Opens Alinea in Chicago

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More From Food Arts

Juliet Glass
Posted: March 2, 2005

Grant Achatz will launch his first solo venture, Alinea, at 1723 North Halsted Street in Chicago in March. Achatz is an alumnus of The French Laundry who went on to gain avant-garde culinary fame manning the stoves at Trio in Evanston, Illinois.

The 65 seat, bi-level venue (named for the typographical symbol formerly used in printed text to indicate a new train of thought) consists of four distinct dining spaces, each equipped with a futuristic lighting system that alters the color wash on walls and ceilings, modifying the ambience to match the ever changing menu.

Achatz's innovative and highly conceptual cuisine is offered as six-, 12-, or 25-to 30-course tasting menus ($75, $110, and $175, respectively). Appetizers: Dungeness crab with young coconut, cashews, and mace; poached broccoli stems with grapefruit, crispy bread, and coho salmon roe. Main courses: Mediterranean rouget with tofu, schichimi togarashi (a traditional Japanese spice blend), and toasted sesame; Florida frog's leg with morels, spring lettuces, and orange rind.