We had high hopes for this place and it delivered in ambience and drinks. We also had very good appetizers such as brussels sprouts, the shrimp, and the butter meatballs. Entrées is where seasoning was lacking... we found ourselves having to ask for salt and pepper for a pasta dish and even the filet. The best entrée that was ordered in our group was the half chicken as it was incredibly flavorful. They have outdoor seating which seemed to be popular and the ambience inside the restaurant is is a really cool vibe, service was decent. We were celebrating a birthday and were given a couple cups of soft serve vanilla ice cream w sprinkles for our group. All in all it was a nice night out, but I don't think the food was out of this world delicious or anything. I do recommend the Kokomo daiquiri! read more

What an incredible evening we had with Nicole as our server and sommelier. She recommended an incredible wine. Incredible appetizer and meal. We had praised octopus with crispy fingers, brussels sprout crust with apple Saba, ricotta, endive, and Marcona, almonds. Whipped feta and truffle, honey and golden beets, and burrata. One was better than the next. For dinner, we had roasted half of chicken and a special for the evening of ramp butter papperdelle with spring peas, mushrooms, and asparagus. I would recommend this restaurant to anybody who's in town like me. The ambience was excellent, and the setting was beautiful read more

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Fans of mine will note if I get an interaction with the celebrity owner 5 stars is possible. Alpana did not disappoint. She's there at our dinner tonight to ensure a tight ship. Steady as she goes! Loved the fact they have a menu that gives plenty of options but not too many so they can concentrate on making the offerings great dishes. Server was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. Price point for drinks and food was reasonable given big city restaurants it was not trying to gauge ahem Gibsons. Recommend the polenta and mushroom app, outstanding. The crudo very good! Squid ink with rock shrimp for me was excellent! Good wine pairings. Thank you Alpana for the greeting and hard work you obviously put into your restaurant. Will be back for sure to try other great entrees. read more

Tasty dinner last night at Alpana. To start, we had the Octopus Bravas, which was a mix of octopus and potatoes. While the menu offered a variety of options, we all choose to get pastas. I had the Squid Ink Campanelle, which I really enjoyed. Another at the table got the Short Rib Bucatini, which he also enjoyed. My sister had the Summer Corn Tagliatelle which while it was good was heavy (it tasted like sweet corn soup for the sauce). My bf got the Pasta Romero, which was not his favorite but that may have been because he realized he didn't like goat cheese after ordering. We sat on the patio which had a nice row of hedges separating it from the street. The service was good, and they properly coursed out the food when we ordered all at once. Overall, this was a good spot for an enjoyable dinner read more

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Unique fun Italian spot! I really enjoyed the pasta I got - the creste di gallo Alla grappa. It had a great variety of textures and flavors with the breadcrumbs on top and the fun noodles! I recommend adding the sausage too. We also got the Brussels sprouts which I really enjoyed! Alpana stands out because of their options for dietary restrictions - I appreciated that they had a separate menu with tons of vegan and vegetarian options and were very accommodating in adjusting other dishes! The space is really pretty, but also feels like a lot of the new river north/ Gold Coast restaurants to me. read more

Alpana - Interior - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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D-LISH!!!!! I was honestly so surprised!! The decor is absolutely gorgeous, I feel like walking into a luscious, dark room filled with green leaves and plants. Even their "outdoor" seating which is fully enclosed and heated was gorgeously decorated with couches on one side and florals on the other. Our servers were very attentive and the water was never empty. They also cleared our plates between courses! Brussels sprout crostini - a HUGE mound of Brussels sprouts on top of a crostini that had a nice creamy spread on top. Loved the caramelization on the sprouts. Pistachio pesto came with super long garganelli pasta, which helped soak up the sauce perfectly which each bite. I would've preferred a fresher tasting bite, but still loved this. Truffle Mac n cheese was only 8.95 with a rich nice portion. No actual truffles, but you can def taste the infused truffle oil throughout. Liked the cheese crust! read more

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I've been to Alpana several times- this was the worst service and just OK food! Won't return. Our service was poor- our waiter could not wait to get rid of us!! He came to the table numerous times to see if we weee ready to order when we said we were catching up and we'd place the menus at the corner of the table. Still he kept returning Too bad - the ambience is always fabulous!! read more

The food at this place is excellent - I have tried most of the pastas and loved them all. However, the service here is mediocre. I think it is a great place to order from and pick up as we live within a few blocks - but I have been disappointed with the service almost every time when we dine in. read more

Some of the best pasta I've had in a while. Seafood pasta and vegetable pasta can be very hit or miss for me but the flavor in both pastas came through completely. The steak tartare was really solid, nothing super unique but exactly what I was hoping for. It had a really rich aioli that went super great on the bread. The meatballs were also a great starter. The sauce was super flavorful and the meatballs themselves complemented the sauce super well. Our server was great and provided really helpful descriptions of the food and our glasses never went without water which I was very impressed by. Incredible ambiance, fantastic service, and delicious food. Absolutely recommend. read more

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The food was good! We had a reservation at 10am for a group of three on a Sunday morning, but the restaurant was pretty empty. We were actually the only guests there for the first 30 to 40 minutes, so the reservation may not have been necessary. The space is vibrant and full of personality with a fun, colorful, and maximalist aesthetic. I imagine it feels even more lively and exciting during dinner. read more

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I'm more than likely won't be back. Prior to arriving we checked out this reservations and they were all open. We had a party of seven at the time that ended up being five. When we arrived, they gave us a small round table that comfortably would only accommodate probably five putting seven people for three course meal at this small table. We thought it was gonna be very crowded.. there were square tables open and the hostess told us that the restaurant manager doesn't like putting square tables together. When we talked to the restaurant manager, she informed us that those were for reservations mind you the tables were still open, and the reservations upon our arrival were still open. We asked about putting the square tables together. She immediately said I understand if we can't accommodate you. And she said it three times and I looked at her. I said it sounds like you don't want our business. She said no I just understand that if we don't have what you want. Because of the weather and just getting everyone together, would've been a chore we opted to stay and our party did go from 7 to 5 individuals and so we were seated. We placed our orders and they messed up our orders the food that was on the prefix brunch menu for restaurant week looked very tasty. The cauliflower bisque was really good. The quiche Forrester was good, however, it came with an arugula salad, and they gave me potatoes that I didn't ask for. The dirty martini could've been enhanced. While the decor in the establishment is beautiful, I won't be back because of the service. read more

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Such a beautiful spot! Our waiter was attentive and helpful. I ordered the moon water cocktail with the recommendation from our waiter looking for a sweeter drink. I really enjoyed the plum and lychee flavors. For food, we got the focaccia and I had the wild mushroom ravioli. The wild mushroom ravioli had a very thin sauce, which I wasn't expecting. Aside from this, it was quite tasty. The focaccia was also good. Crispy and full of flavor. I would go back and try some of their other dishes. read more

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Have been wanting to try this restaurant forever. Finally went here last night with my girlfriends for dinner. The ambience is great, love the decor. The food was amazing. The truffle fries and Brussels sprouts crostini were both amazing. We got the Pistachio Pesto and Creste Di Gallo Alla Grappa for main course, both pasta dishes were very fresh and absolutely delicious. The service, however, could have been better, our server seemed very disinterested to say the least. Will come back again, hoping for better service next time! read more

Alpana - Pistachio Pasta - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing experience at Alpana!! I really enjoyed my Amalfi Spritz drink and the Sea Bass was to die for! Everyone at my table was absolutely in love with the food. The restaurant is also gorgeous with their decor and wallpaper. It's got fantastic white lotus vibes if you know what that means. Our waitress was super friendly and checked on us the right amount. read more

Alpana - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Excellent food at a relatively cheap price. We started with the $14.95 side of Brussel Sprouts as an appetizer. We didn't see the point of getting the appetizer version that just adds bread and some cheese. Brussels I'd rate 9/10. Texture and crispness was on point. The $21.95 beets and burrata were great. My mom love beets and thought this dish was so good. I liked it too. My $24.95 pastichao petso pasta was great. As was the $25.95 mushroom ravioli. The $10 key like pie was above average. Not as good as south Florida. Only downside was the $17.50 espresso martinis were very average. We had a great meal and great service. A very nice Eve of Xmas Eve dinner. read more

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Wow, I loved this place so much and I can't wait to keep coming back to it. The inside is so cute and the patio is perfect for a slightly cool day. The food was so delicious and we only ordered apps! They have a large menu for drinks and the service staff was so kind. Definitely would love to come back and try some mains read more

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Went here for a birthday dinner. The first thing we noticed was how beautiful the decorations were and definitely look like influencers probably come to take photos there. Service was friendly and they were able to accommodate for the party. The lighting was very dim, and I saw every table pulling out their phones to use for extra light. We ended up sharing all of the dishes. For the appetizers we got the crispy polenta and feta cheese. I wish the crispy polenta was a bigger portion because it was so delicious and I'm definitely gonna get it again. The feta cheese as you can see from the picture is a great appetizer to order for a table because it comes with prosciutto and olives on the side as well, it's a great sharing dish. For the entrées, two of the folks got the smoked bacon and corn tagliatelle, and the other folks got the braised short rib and the grappa. The tagliatelle was my personal favorite, but we had a couple people who were not fans of corn so they didn't like this dish. I will say the cream sauce sort of tastes like a creamy corn soup with the sweetness from the corn so if you are not a fan of sweetness with your savory dish, I would stay away from this one. The braised short rib was solid and the polenta that comes underneath it as good as well. I don't know if this dish is anything special compared to all the other short ribs out there. The grappa. I do understand why people like the dish. But perhaps I wasn't in a tomato sauce mood that day, this was slightly above average for me. All the pastas had great texture and I will definitely come here again when I do, I know I'll definitely get the crispy polenta And the tagliatelle. read more

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I have been to Alpana a couple of times now and the experience has been consistently good! I recently visited this place with my girlfriends for Friday night dinner and drinks. We made a reservation ahead of time which made getting a table and check in process very smooth. We shared an appetizer - whipped Feta and Truffle honey which included olives, red peppers served with sourdough bread. We ordered a Pistachio Pesto and Wild Mushroom ravioli for our main course. Both of the items were very impressive. Give me pistachio and mushroom in my dish, and I'll be the happiest person! Alpana has an impressive range of cocktails and wine selections. I ordered a French Chardonnay and my friend tried Lavender bees. We absolutely loved our drinks! I liked Lavender bees slightly more as I enjoy sour drinks. We tried a Chocolate layer cake to end the night on a good note! The desert was a little underwhelming in my opinion, and seemed a little dry. My friend shared a fun fact about this place. The owner of this place - Alpana Singh is a famous sommelier and has won multiple accolades for her culinary experience. Make sure you ask for recommendations for wine pairings as you will be impressed with their wide selection and expertise. Alpana is situated in the heart of Gold coast and has a very sophisticated atmosphere. It remains one of my favorite places to dine in Chicago! read more

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I had a very nice dinner here with my parents - the space is a nice vibe with different table and chair settings around the restaurant. The staff were friendly and the service was pretty good. We ordered the butter chicken meatballs which were amazing - I highly recommend! We also got the watermelon arugula salad which was light and flavorful and complimented the meatballs well. We then got the short rib and the pasta romero with fennel sausage. The wine was tasty and the food was all delicious. I think the pasta was the star of the night, so I will want to try other pastas the next time I come back. I also want to try the brussels sprouts! read more

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Visited for my partners birthday this year and had an amazing time, our server was so kind and even encouraged us to take our time when the restaurant was closing. I ended up order the squid ink pasta, it never fails to hit the spot. I'm not a big pasta fan but I do find myself wanting to come back for this dish. The drinks were just as good too, im pretty sure I tried almost everything on the drink list lol (we shared the drinks) and everything was so good; strong but good. I always love coming here, the decorations and the overall aesthetic of the restaurant is picture perfect, I love the ambiance and attention to the detail. I'd recommend for a date night or a cute dinner between friends. read more

Alpana - Squid ink pasta and something else - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overall solid restaurant. Service was very kind and prompt, gave a lot of good suggestions. Very large wine list with a lot of good options. Food was good, ranging from pasta to meat dishes. Ambiance is great, very charming on the inside, great lighting. read more

Alpana - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overall food and ambiance was good, a little bit inattentive on refilling water glasses or honestly just place bottles on the tables to refill ourselves. The pistachio pasta and mushroom pasta were two of my faves. The butter chicken meatball was more on the sweeter tangy side, it's missing a little bit more of that spice kick, the cauliflower au gratin was really good too. The apple dessert was more of a sundae than like an apple pie that we were expecting.... But it was good, wasn't heavy so a perfect finish to dinner. Drinks were also good read more

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We had the focaccia (5/10 -- it was warm and the butter was very good, but not the best focaccia I've had), the half roasted chicken (7/10 -- a big portion; the chicken was moist but lacked a bit of flavor, so we dipped it into the dressing that came with it. The potatoes were good), and the squid ink pasta (1000/10, so, so, so good!!! I will definitely be back for this pasta). The service was good and friendly, but the food took a while to come. The restaurant is so cute! read more

Alpana - Focaccia - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The music is really loud for lunchtime and the temperature of the restaurant is uncomfortably cold. Everyone is shouting at each other which is unpleasant. I'd give the food a B. I had the avocado toast and it was ok but pretty ordinary. Makes me sad that they aren't trying harder because it's a good location and the interior design is fun. read more

Alpana was fantastic. I would highly recommend it. ambience / interior -- a little generic (think tiktok / genz chic) but not bad in any way. the seating layouts are thoughtful and well spaced and round tables are great for groups. service -- very good. our server helped guide us with the menu and had great recommendations. food -- for starters my table got focaccia, brussel sprouts, whipped feta, and crudo. overall these were solid not amazing but satisfying. i got the venison loin done rare for my main dish. I've never had venison before so i wasnt going to order it but the server encouraged me and I'm glad he did. it was fantastic -- perfectly cooked, delicious puree sauce, and excellent taste. i shoveled it down. for drinks i had the lychee gin which was pretty good. for the venison and the service and good vibes i give 5 stars. read more

We dined on the outdoor table with friends visiting from out of town. Everything was wonderful, food, service, atmosphere, and cocktails. Lisa, our server, was friendly, professional and efficient. I liked the fact she introduced her to us more than once. Alpana assisted Lisa in delivering cocktails and greeted us warmly. We've been to Alpana about 10 times, and this visit was the best yet. All four of us raved about the cocktails we ordered (I had the 10/10), and the Strawberry and Farro Kale salads which were perfectly dressed. The salads are huge, so sharing one is perfectly acceptable. The entrees were excellent. I had the Faroe Island Salmon which was accompanied by spring vegetables. Overall, this was a perfect evening, especially when our guests said "I want to come back here everytime we visit!". read more

I visited Chicago the week of labor day for dinner. I was recommended this place by a online mutual social media follower who lives in the city. It was easy to get a reservation here since I went on a weeknight, and the weather was gorgeous so we opted to sit outside on the covered patio with bright blue and white striped pillows and one sided booth tables. The interior was also stunning with lowlight, arches, greenery and elegant decor. The bathroom was clean. I got the Senza Spritz mocktail and the creste di gallo alla grappa (their most popular pasta dish, which was also vegetarian friendly). The portions were reasonable and my pasta dish was very flavorful, I loved the spice from the Calabrian chili! My partner got the double cheeseburger since many of the other options didn't appeal to taste. Since it was my birthday, our waitress brought out a satisfying, complimentary soft serve with sprinkles, which was so cute! read more

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We went to Alpana for Restaurant Week, and it ended up being such a special experience for us--it was a sentimental day, and this dinner will definitely stay with us. We tried the Butter Chicken Meatballs with naan (so flavorful and comforting), Red Wine Braised Short Rib (rich and tender), Focaccia Bread (perfectly fluffy), Cauliflower Soup (super creamy with a nice depth of flavor), Pasta (good, but we'd probably try a different entree next time), and for dessert--Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Mousse, both of which were lovely, not too sweet, and a perfect ending to the meal. Portions are decent sized for restaurant week. The vibes were just right--great lighting, nice music, and a beautiful ambiance that made the night feel relaxed but still a little elevated. The staff was kind, attentive, and really welcoming throughout the night. We got an Aperol Spritz--it was definitely strong. That said, the food itself was consistently high quality, beautifully presented, and worth the price overall. Alpana has this elegant, cozy charm that made our night feel really memorable. We'd absolutely come back again--for the food, the feel of the place, and the warmth of the whole experience. read more

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Food and service were really good. Had a date night here and really enjoyed the ambiance. The whipped feta with honey was absolute fire!

such a cute dinner spot in chicago! they have a whole separate gluten free menu which was very appreciated! we were able to snag a last minute reservation at the end of the night. service was fine, not overly friendly but provided recommendations for popular dishes. cocktails were fine and the crudo was delicious! friends got pasta & really enjoyed it! read more

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The staff was amazing, super helpful! My friend did not like her first pasta and they made sure she got another dish she did enjoy. It's definitely on the more expensive side but it was cute! The drinks and food were good. I got the bolognese and it was good, nothing crazy. My friend didn't like her original dish but got the ravioli after and loved it! They were also super accommodating at the fact that my friend made the reservation at the wrong restaurant as there's many within the same building. We were able to get a high top table without any issues as soon as we explained our situation. read more

Alpana - Mai tai - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Alpana is a real gem! You can really feel the owner's vision and care through the inventive fusion menu and beautifully decorated interior. Although the restaurant is upscale, the atmosphere was not at all stuffy and makes for a great spot to catch up with friends. The staff was extremely professional and attentive throughout the meal. I started with the Pink Pony Club to drink, which was strong, refreshing, and not too sweet. Definitely recommend. For the food, I opted for the beets and burrata appetizer and the creste di gallo alla grappa. The beets and burrata were unlike anything I have had- the light and slightly sweet dill vinaigrette perfectly complemented the fresh flavors of the beets and orange. If that sounds like your vibe, don't skip this dish! The pasta was comforting and fairly simple, letting the ingredients shine through. I loved how the hollow creste soaked up the sauce in each bite, and the crunch of seasoned breadcrumbs brought it to another level- yum! The sauce was not super creamy, so I personally would have preferred grated cheese over shredded. The only real hiccup for me was that a staff member brought over a to-go box during the appetizer course- not a big deal, but can feel like a nudge toward the door in some cases. Overall, this was a great experience and I look forward to returning! read more

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Great wine selection and knowledge that helps the restaurant stand out. Great food, good service with a warm and comfortable ambiance. The venison was great. read more

I was fortunate enough to attend an intimate pre-planned dinner here with a small group of people. We had a pre-selected menu with sharable/family style type appetizers and desserts, and then we each got to pick an entree from a list of options. Everything we ate was truly outstanding -- and we had some lovely beverages as well! The service in particular was fantastic. The staff was very efficient and timely, and kind! Would absolutely return and recommend it to others! read more

Alpana is a neighborhood staple and perfect for those visiting the city as it is right off Michigan Ave. the service is always incredibly friendly, and the decor is cozy, yet vibrant! I've dined here several times, and I've never been disappointed by the food. The pastas are a must, especially the tagliatelle verdura. You also always have to order the whipped feta every time. It's delicious!! read more

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Thank you, Alpana for making my birthday brunch extra special! I will never forget it! Steak & eggs was delish! Xoxo! read more

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Wonderful dining experience at Alpana! The food was absolutely delicious, every dish was full of flavor and beautifully presented. I highly recommend trying their appetizers and main dishes; everything we ordered was spot on. They also have a whole menu for vegetarians as well. Special thanks to our waitress, for her excellent service, to the bartender for the support, and to the manager, who was very kind and attentive throughout our visit. The warm and welcoming atmosphere made the evening even more enjoyable. Amazing vibes and ambiance! The restaurant also has a fantastic patio, perfect for enjoying their impressive wine selection. Alpana is easily a must-visit spot in Gold Coast for both food and service. So happy this place lived up to the hype and wasn't just a Instagram vibe, but the food, wine, and service had substance and delivered. We will be back for sure. read more

-Food -Service -Ambiance ...and willingness to take us in on a whim without reservations on a busy Sunday evening was just an added bonus! Would definitely go back when in chicago. read more

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I came here for restaurant week with a large group for brunch. It took them over 40 minutes for them to take our order after somebody from our table had to flag down another waitress. The coffee that was served to us was lukewarm at best. I had the cauliflower soup and it had good flavor and was at the right temperature. The short rib hash I had was average. It needed more flavor. My friend's French toast was good and it was quite large. For my friend's bday they sent out an ice cream with a candle which was nice. read more

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Came here for a small work dinner, and it was a great time! I can't understate how amazing the ambiance is in here. Truly one of the most beautiful restaurants in Chicago right now. This would be a great spot just to sit at the bar, take in the scenery and do some people watching over Happy Hour. We got the focaccia and the butter chicken meatballs to start. Both were delicious. I kinda wish the focaccia were cut in bigger pieces so you could experience more of the inner texture of the bread, but I'm a bread nerd like that. It was really good. And definitely get the meatballs. They come with some naan wedges to scrape up that delicious sauce. The meatballs themselves were way more juicy and tender than I was expecting for chicken. I got the squid ink campanelle, and it was really yummy. The black pasta makes for such an amazing presentation. The sauce was really nice with the shrimp, and it was a nice, hearty portion. Everyone else at the table got the short rib bucatini and that looked great. We split the Basque cheesecake for dessert, and Basque cheesecake is always the right move. One of the most exciting parts of our meal was when Alpana herself delivered our drinks! As a long-time Check, Please watcher, I felt a little starstruck. Our main server was very dapper, and they always kept my water glass full. I hope to be back soon! read more