Allium

I have never heard anybody mention Allium but seeing as it has 76 Yelp reviews, thankfully the word has gotten out.  I discovered it when I was doing research for a celebratory dinner with my girlfriend and despite the solid reviews was still surprised by its quality.

First, and slightly embarrassingly, my favorite part of the entire meal was that my girlfriend and I both got to sit in high backed armchairs for dinner. Like REALLY high-backed, like a foot above my head (insert short joke here).  I felt like a Robber Baron eating a quick bite between some vertical integration (thank you 6th grade social studies for that reference).

The food was good, especially the bread, one of which is the "signature" item.  A wafer like cheese thing (almost a cracker?) that comes on this wire hanging tree that HAD to be specially made for Allium.  I ordered the short rib slider and the special Chicago Dog for dinner, if only because I had to try a hot dog that a nice place like Allium would have the gall to offer.  It was good, but not great. But I was a Robber Baron for a night so 5 stars!

Located in the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, Allium is an American restaurant with outstanding food in a cozy, romantic setting.  We came for dinner with a small group to relax and talk a little business.  So much looked good on the menu I trusted our server to make a few recommendations.  A very memorable experience  with shared small plates of crazy goodness.  I strongly recommend the Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Polish Kielbasa.  

For dinner I got the Crispy Brick Chick with a Hot Dog on the side.  Yes I said Hot Dog.  The server recommended it and I thought she was crazy.  It was right about now that the manager,  Lindsey Bjork, walked up to explain the menu and talk about the restaurant and Hotel.  She said the Dog was the best she ever had so the order went in.  Lindsey talked with us a while and had an amazing knowledge of the hotel and City.  

The food came and everything was great.  It was a tall order to say the Dog was the best in a city like Chicago but it really was delicious.  

A selection of great desserts topped off the meal.  In fact they were so good I'd come back for just desert and coffee.

The evening ended at the bar located directly next to the restaurant.  

A great evening at this hidden gem.  We'll be back.  Great job Lindsey and staff!

Four Seasons??? Really? Evening started ok, with our server Russell being friendly and engaging. We ordered cocktails, and the lavosh, just because it's so fun to see come to the table hanging on it's hook. My husband ordered the root veg soup, poured over maitake mushrooms.  Presentation far exceeded the actual soup.  Thankfully, hubby enjoyed it, but I personally felt pouring the soup on top of the mushrooms actually drowned their natural flavor.  I'm on a plant-based eating program, so Russell suggested the kitchen sink salad and the brussels sprouts. I agreed and asked to leave out all cheese, meat products and no dressing.  Husband ordered the walleye. The salad was small (for $12) and looked as if the kitchen truly just 'threw' leftover cut vegetables on the plate.....this is where the evening took a pretty disappointing turn.  It appeared the restaurant was getting busier, and most evidently in Russell's section. A party of 5 was seated next to us and he hurried over there, leaving us to sit for too long without attention.  The walleye was 'fishy', and sat sadly on this beet porridge and other things that were tasteless, and unfortunately, inedible to my husband.  The brussels sprouts looked fun, crispy and perky, but they were also drowning in rancid oil.  By that time, Russell was virtually non-existent, and when we did spot him, the color was drained from his face and he almost seemed to be avoiding us....yikes!
When he took our plates, and brought us the bill, he did the right thing by removing the fish dish from the tab (we didn't ask him to do so); he gets a point for that.  Summary: this hotel restaurant may be fine for tourists and travelers, but this Chicago-centric couple won't be back....too many other fine options in our city.