,url-https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripexpert.com%2Fimages%2Fmarker-fade%402x.png(-87.66777,41.908985)/-87.65806004405022,41.911235433195735,14.115803425983122/1280x214@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidHJpcGV4cGVydHdlYiIsImEiOiJja2Fud3l2MDcwbXZ0MndyeGF3eGI3ZWhzIn0.zLqNa1RECyZZadF8zfQM5w)
AlineavsSchwa
Both establishments are rated highly by professional travelers. Overall, Alinea is the choice of most reviewers compared to Schwa. Alinea ranks #1 in Chicago with endorsements from 18 publications including Zagat, Atlas Obscura and Concierge.
Alinea
Concierge
Frommer's
Insight Guides
Travel + Leisure
Zagat
BlackBook
Gayot
Time Out
Forbes Travel Guide
Fodor's Show All Reviews
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
From $150/night
Concierge "Rising star and culinary rocket scientist Grant Achatz (formerly of Trio and Napa's French Laundry) raises the bar on New American cooking at his techno-chic Lincoln Park restaurant."
Frommer's "Alinea -- anointed the best restaurant in the country by no less than Gourmet magazine -- is a place no serious foodie should miss." Full review
Insight Guides "Topping many a best-of list, Alinea is a constantly changing, experimental marvel. The prix-fixe menus transform familiar flavors with cutting-edge technique."
Travel + Leisure "At the forefront of the groundbreaking molecular gastronomy movement, Alinea offers meals that are quite simply unlike any others." Full review
Zagat ""Expect to be wowed" at Grant Achatz's "unrivaled" Lincoln Park New American, a "culinary experience of a lifetime"." Full review
BlackBook "The gem in Chicago’s molecular gastronomy crown, Alinea is a prix fixe tour de force of carefully composed culinary microcraft by award-winning chef Grant Achatz."
Gayot18.0
"The experience begins at the doorstep when one enters into a post-post-modern, bare set-up, evocative of a museum of modern art." Full review
Time Out "Gourmet magazine anointed Alinea the No. 1 restaurant in the country. What’s all the fuss? Chef/mastermind Grant Achatz serves food the likes of which you’ve never seen." Full review
Forbes Travel Guide 5 Stars
"Alinea’s chef Grant Achatz is widely regarded as one of the most creative chefs in the world, and his kitchen is at the center of some of the food world’s most innovative dishes." Full review
Fodor's "If you have four hours and $265 to spare, the 18-course tasting menu that showcases Grant Achatz's stunning, cutting-edge food is a fantastic experience." Full review
Schwa Concierge Travel + Leisure Zagat BlackBook Gayot Time Out
Condé Nast Traveler
Afar Magazine
The Infatuation
Not For Tourists Show All Reviews
1466 N Ashland, Chicago, IL
From $0/night
Concierge "Carlson's artfully displayed entrées... are so good we'd eat them on the curb in front of the tire shop across the street."
Travel + Leisure "Known for his artful presentation, chef/proprietor and Chicagoland native Michael Carlson creates a rotating menu using fresh, seasonal ingredients from around the world." Full review
Zagat4.6
""Super high-end food without the attitude" describes Michael Carlson's "very small" Wicker Park BYO." Full review
BlackBook "The lackluster Microsoft-Word-looking logotype announcing the corny name on the dingy awning above the stained fabric port-hole door belies the culinary genius of Michael Carlson."
Gayot16.0
"Blink and you'll miss Michael Carlson's contemporary, minimal (some would say barren) BYO storefront." Full review
Time Out "At some point during a recent meal at Schwa—between the pad thai and the arctic char roe, I believe—a chef came out of the kitchen with two small plates." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Coming to Chicago next year? Start calling Schwa now." Full review
Afar Magazine "Schwa is kind of a difficult place to describe, because it's such an eclectic bundle of everything, that you just have to experience it yourself." Full review
The Infatuation9.2
"Schwa offers a bit of everything, including some molecular gastronomy, a fun atmosphere, rotating menu, and great music." Full review
Not For Tourists "Innovative fine dining with a hipster vibe."
