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Alinea vs Schwa

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
Alinea
9 / 10
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
From $150 /night
Concierge 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 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 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 Travel + Leisure
"At the forefront of the groundbreaking molecular gastronomy movement, Alinea offers meals that are quite simply unlike any others." Full review
Zagat Zagat
""Expect to be wowed" at Grant Achatz's "unrivaled" Lincoln Park New American, a "culinary experience of a lifetime"." Full review
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Schwa
Schwa
8 / 10
1466 N Ashland, Chicago, IL
From $0 /night
Concierge 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 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
Zagat Zagat
4.6
""Super high-end food without the attitude" describes Michael Carlson's "very small" Wicker Park BYO." Full review
BlackBook 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."
Gayot Gayot
16.0
"Blink and you'll miss Michael Carlson's contemporary, minimal (some would say barren) BYO storefront." Full review
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