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Came here for brunch during OHC and it was good. They have a really nice selection and separate vegetarian menu. The interior is super pretty! Staff was very friendly. Their cinnamon roll is a must - it's like a cake!
Got the Creste de Galloway pasta with chicken, and Chateau d'estoublon rosé. Pasta was delicious, the sauce was so flavorful! My friend got the short rib bucatini, which she said was amazing as well! We came on a Saturday brunch time, there was no wait. Service wasn't quick but it was nice.
I struggle with Alpana. It doesn't resonate enough with me but I seem to be the exception. My family had dinner for our daughter's birthday and enjoyed what they ordered. We started with the Parker Roll. They were good with honey butter but I worked in Boston and they're not Parker Rolls. The appetizers were a hit with the Polenta and Mushrooms, Hamachi Crudo, and Steak Tartare. We ate here because our daughter loves the Venison which was perfectly cooked. I struggled with Their pasta, which I've tried before, and doesn't do anything for me. Our son enjoyed his Pasta Romero but I thought my Creste di Gallo sauce tasted like Chef Boyardee. The Strawberry Sundae was shared by all. Corinne was a terrific server.
Medium size space inside. Reservation is recommended on weekend. Service was good. Patio is dog friendley. Separate vegetarian or Vegan menu. Fodd rating out of 5 for vegetarian Brussels sprouts crotini- 3- good char but do not understand need of bread underneath. Its hard to eat both of them together. Little sweet for my taste Bread roll- 3- fluffy but not worth price Mushroom Ravioli - 2 - more al dente for my taste. Spicy pasta - 1 - it has spice but had overpowering sugar.
Sat outside for dinner! The outdoor seating area is nice and secluded from sidewalk but will say ambiance is much cuter on inside. The tables outside were so close to each other. We got two appetizers to start, both were good. The butter chicken meatballs were different and tasty! The whipped feta and honey was also good. I had the short rib bucatini and was disappointed in the lack of meat. The noodles and sauce were very good but there was not a lot of protein. It was more like a meat sauce. My friend had the spicy pasta Romero, I tried it and it was very good. Lots of vegetable and a nice kick. Our server was very nice and attentive! With the tables being so close together though the servers could not go in between tables so made it hard to hear staff at some times.
Maybe I ordered wrong, but I can't believe I paid that much money for food that I thought was good but not a standout. With tip, the bill for our party came to about $400 for the same quality you could find in the suburbs. It really pains me to say that because I had really high hopes. We ordered Parker house rolls (good), the Brussels sprouts that were served on toasted bread (sprouts were good and toast was weird), polenta and mushrooms (really liked those), salmon (adequately good), 2 steaks (average to good), and a burger (good). Don't get me wrong. Nothing was bad. It was good food. But worth $400? No. The star of the show was the strawberry sundae. It was fantastic. I just wish all the food was a homerun too. Very nice ambience. I really liked the vibe
They have a vegetarian menu but wish there were more vegan options. The vegan vodka sauce pasta was pretty good.
Had the most amazing dinner out at Alana! Service was great, food came very fast. This place is a dream, great place for pictures, florals hanging from above, so pretty! The dishes were all delicious, love the numerous vegetarian options and separate vegan menu! If you like spice the spicy pasta Romero. Would definitely recommend.
Due to its location right on State, I was a little hesitant about this spot, and feared we may be walking into a tourist trap. I was glad to be proved wrong! We started for a round at the bar while waiting for the whole party to arrive before we moved to a table, so we got to see a little bit of everyone in action. Every staff member we interacted with was so friendly that it felt like we could've invited them to join us at our table. We tried a solid assortment across the menu and didn't have a single complaint. The curried shrimp and the squid ink pasta were among my favorites, but the venison (a less common appearance on most menus) was absolutely fantastic. Dimly lit but still welcoming vibe, great for a date night or girls night out.
Late Review For my birthday, I was in the mood for a delicious meal and my Auntie suggested Alpana. The restaurant is beautiful inside with soft lighting. The bathroom also has a lot of character; which I appreciate for a good mirror pic! We sat in their enclosed outdoor section (heated). Everyone on the staff was so sweet from the time we arrived to when we left. Our server was attentive, and the runner that assisted her was just as kind. Now for the stars of the show... we ordered the Butter Chicken Meatballs & Brussels Sprout Crostini, excellent starters. Our entrees were all equally delicious! Although I didn't order dessert, our server still surprised me with a nice birthday treat and I nearly cried (I was 9 months pregnant). Overall 10/10 Will be back!
Alpana is a nice place to dine with friends. We found this to be a fusion type restaurant of Americana, Italian and Indian. They do not have valet parking but we found street parking easily and there are a few garages nearby too. We had a reservation (recommend you do this for ease and not having to wait). We were greeted nicely and seated. Tables are a nice size for groups or if you like to order many things. Food overall was ok, plating of menu items was nice. Service by our waiter was very good but no one came around to refill or offer more water or drinks until the very end after our meal. * I'm rating each item 1-5 below. We had a few appetizers; butter chicken meatballs (4) were very good as was the Malabar shrimp (5) which was our favorite. The golden beets and burrata (2) tasted flat and a big miss as we didn't taste any pickled onion or dill vinaigrette as described on the menu. The burrata itself was falling apart before we even plated it. I appreciated the little dishes they had for each of us to plate our appetizers. The striped bass (4) was nicely portioned and flavored delicately. The Faroe Island Salmon (5) had a nice flavor with all the vegetables. It was a nice touch by the chef to have the crispy skin on the top. We didn't care for the Brussel sprouts (1) as they were very oily and falling apart and there was no hint of any apple saba that we could detect. The squid ink Campanelle (4) had a very good sauce and the pasta was al dente. The portion was nice but didn't have much shrimp. Even though there was minimal shrimp, I still give it a 4 as the marriage of the ingredients was spot on! The desert menu had a nice variety to choose from. We had the caramel sundaes and sorbet. The caramel sundaes (1) need help. There was hardly any caramel in the glasses. The sorbet (4) was a light refreshing way to end the meal. The key lime pie or basque cheesecake would've probably been the way to go! We liked the vibe, comfortable seating and interior design. It was a very clean establishment. There are menu items that need help and improvement. Where there were generous portions for some of the menu items, others lacked or were missing. When spending $$$, you don't expect basic elements to be skipped or missed.
Alpana is a solid spot for dinner. The restaurant has a very gorgeous interior. Service was good, not great. Food ratings - Whipped feta: 4.2/5 (needed to be severed with more bread pieces) Brussels: 2.5/5 (You can skip) Squid Ink pasta: 4.5/5 (highly suggest!) My friends enjoyed their mushroom ravioli and bucatini. The half chicken is HUGE and could be split between people for sure! Overall, good experience.
Located on State Street, the detailing of the interior design, food, and tables of this amazing restaurant were meticulously designed. The dining room had a canopy of green leaves or branch decorations, well spaced tables, and delicious food. I tried the tender short ribs with polenta and mixed vegetables. I would order again. I want to come back for brunch.
3 months ago
8 months ago
Best food, service and design vibes I've seen in a very long time. Get the cinnamon roll and bottomless mimosas; they do it right ! Will definitely be back read more
We came here randomly for dinner because we were in the area. The ambiance in this restaurant is really upscale and elegant. We ordered the whipped feta, pesto pasta and the red sauce pasta plus broccolini. The whipped feta is what stood out for me during the meal, it was the perfect balance of salty and sweet. We ordered a bottle of wine too which was really great with our meal. The service was really personable and he was knowledgeable in wines. Definitely check this place out! read more
3 years ago
1 year ago
7 months ago
Some of the best food in Chicago. The flavors are so unique and it's honestly something that I haven't tasted before. Highly recommend!! read more
Alpana, which opened in the spring of 2022, is the latest project of sommelier-turned-TV-host-turned restaurateur Alpana Singh. Given her wine background, we obviously made a mistake ordering cocktails instead of wine. The wine selection at Alpana is over-the-top. The restaurant's interior reminds me of a tropical dining room, with ferns and flowers on the walls and ceiling. Although our service wasn't as timely as I would have liked, we did find our server to be friendly and helpful. It also seemed like she had a large group of tables to service. We ordered Burrata Caprese and Hamachi Crudo from the Starters and they were both incredbile. The caprese had a honey sweetness that made it super yummy. The crudo was super fresh and the peppers were wickedly hot. For entrees, for some reason, we all ordered pasta: Pistachio Pesto, Creste Di Gallo Alla Grappa and Tagliatelle Verdura. Of the three, the Creste Di Gallo was the showstopper. We added sausage for an additional $3. It was a large portion and we loved the crunch of the pasta and the spicy sauce. We wouldn't order again the Pistachio Pesto because the pesto was so overwhelming, while the Tagliatelle noddles were incredible, but the lemon sauce really didn't work for us. If I was to return, I'd certainly want to check out the wine selection and other entrees and starters. read more
7 months ago
3 years ago
My friends and I went here and got a bunch of things to share: house-baked focaccia, winter citrus and arugula salad, pistachio pesto, creste di gallo alla grappa, Faroe Islands salmon, roasted broccolini, truffled mac 'n cheese, and french fries with black truffle aioli. and the red wine braised short rib. We also tried a bunch of the drinks including the white lotus, el cafecito, the sage bee's knees, and the tempranillo. From drinks, my friends liked the white lotus, el cafecito, and tempranillo. From food, we loved the creste di gallo alla grappa. We kept it vegetarian and it was a hit. People also liked the pistachio pesto. My friend liked the salmon but I thought it was fine. My other friends liked the truffle mac n cheese but I thought it was also fine. The french fries esp with the truffle aioli was good. I thought the red wine braised short ribs were tender. We also thought the winter citrus and arugula salad was good. The focaccia wasn't very good (the sun dried tomato dip it came with made it yummy but the bread quality was not good). I've had friends bake more delicious focaccia. Generally, I enjoyed the food and experience but didn't think it was amazing. I personally don't need to come back but had a nice (expensive) dinner here. I'm also noting that if you have a good-sized group (like 4), sharing amongst you off their regular dinner menu is probably a better deal than their Restaurant Week menu. At least it was for us. read more
1 year ago
I made a reservation with 2 friends! The interior is vibey with fake plants hanging from the ceiling & ambient lighting! There's a variety of seating for big or small groups. Our waiter was attentive! Our dishes were flavorful and arrived quickly! The braised short rib was soft and my favorite! read more
3 years ago
Stunning interior and delicious pasta! Our server was absolutely wonderful and walked us through the entire menu as well as the large selection of wines. We are vegetarian so he made sure to cater it to our taste but they actually have a whole vegetarian menu which was amazing! The whipped feta with truffle honey appetizer is absolutely a must! it's so creamy and has the perfect amount of sweetness. For the entree, we got the Creste Di Gallo Alla Grappa and the pistachio pesto. Both were amazing but my favorite was definitely the Alla Grappa! For dessert we got the basque cheesecake which did not disappoint! Must try in Chicago and I'll definitely be back! read more
4 months ago
3 years ago
Cute place with nice ambience but something was missing. What was good: whipped feta with truffle honey , fresh fig and burrata, truffle Mac and cheese , Brussels sprouts What missed the mark; rib eye with peppercorn sauce- lacked seasoning completely. Crispy polenta with mushrooms- the taste was okay but just needed a texture to it, the "crispy" in the description didn't come through in the dish. Old fashioned was too sweet but the mezcal punch was perfect. I did also feel that our waitress was getting a little short with us towards the end of the meal. The did give a comp cheesecake for a birthday but it was just ok so I wouldn't pay for it. read more
Absolutely loved the interior design of the restaurant and it's owned by a South Asian woman. Love empowering colored women in a business of such. It has a very swanky vibe. We were unable to get dinner however, we did stop in for a drink and an app. We got the Braised Octopus, full of flavor, and crunchy layers within one dish. The bartenders were very nice and informative about the menu. Would love to come back for dinner as the menu look absolutely delish! Great location, cool/swanky/retro vibes and amazing food and drinks! Can't wait to come back soon! read more
1 year ago
The service was amazing! All of the staff were so kind and went above and beyond with vegan accommodations. I tried the golden beets, roasted cauliflower, and beluga lentils. Everything tasted delicious! I will definitely be back soon! read more
2 years ago
Came back to Alpana and it did not disappoint! The food was great. The cauliflower gratin we ordered as an appetizer instead of a side along with broccolini & butter meatballs. Our group also ordered a few pasta dishes but my favorite ended up being the pistachio pesto and vegan vodka! We enjoyed it but it was a little warmer than last time inside. I will be back again regardless since it's one of my favorite places to dine with the variety of different options. read more
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Alpana S.
Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear…
A solid brunch spot in the Gold Coast. We stopped in on a Sunday and grabbed a table on the heated patio. A diverse brunch menu offers something for everyone. I opted for the braised short rib benedict while my better half opted for the crab cake benny. We also ordered their well reviewed cinnamon roll. Our entrees were substantial and definitely delivered on what we were looking for. The cinnamon roll was larger than we expected and we decided to nibble a bit and bring the rest back. It was good but not mind blowing. They offer all the brunch cocktails but will admit the Bloody Mary ordered was relatively devoid of any seasonings. Service was friendly and checked in frequently. A solid choice if you are in the area but not a destination spot for brunch. read more
10 months ago
We made a last minute reservation for a dinner date at Alpana, and it was amazing. Our server was very kind and attentive, and the food was above and beyond. We shared the brussels sprouts to start, then had the squid ink shrimp pasta and braised short rib bucatini. We finished dinner sharing the chocolate mousse. All great! read more
9 months ago
Our dinner was absolutely delicious. It's a perfect place for vegetarians and meat eaters. The interior is beautiful. I loved all the jewel tones and seating that matched the vibe. Our server was so pleasant and happy! I wish I remembered his name, but he was simply so lovely. Food: - Appetizers: we opted for the polenta starter and Burrata. There was more than enough Burrata for the four of us. There's a delicious tomato chutney on the bottom that makes a delicious spread for a hearty piece of Burrata on top. I am slightly allergic to mushrooms so I couldn't have many bites of the polenta, but the bite I did have was great. The polenta was cooked perfectly, the truffle sauce was delicious, and my dinner party cleaned up all the mushrooms. - Veg Dinner: we were dining with our vegetarian friends who got the pistachio pesto pasta and mushroom ravioli. My husband loved the bite he was able to try of the mushroom ravioli. The pistachio pesto was fresh and so delicious. The pasta was a little bit softer and not al dente, but it worked perfectly for the pesto sauce. - Meat Dinner: the salmon under the lemongrass sauce was so yummy! The piece of salmon we got was also on the bigger side. The squid ink pasta had so many shrimps, which I personally love because I feel like most places only put 4-6 big shrimp pieces, however that is definitely NOT the case here. - Dessert: cheesecake! Perfect night cap. Didn't blow my mind or anything but it was delicious. - Drinks: we tried a few different gin and rye cocktails on the menu. They all were perfectly made. read more
Came here for a birthday dinner with my family and it didn't disappoint! It's perfect for a special occasion with so much trendy decor and photo ops. The food was tasty and the service was excellent. However, I'm not totally sure if the food is worth the price tag. But I think the place is perfect for some cocktails/apps and super cute for a girls night out. read more
I was hesitant to try Alpana due to the already oversaturated upscale Italian restaurant market in Chicago. After having dinner there I take back all concerns and now rate it one of my favorite restaurants! The food is fresh and extremely flavorful. Most Italian restaurants I find myself wondering why I'm paying $25 for food I can cook at home, but not here. I highly recommend the "CRESTE DI GALLO ALLA GRAPPA". The service was attentive and knowledgeable especially around wine pairings. read more
10 months ago
The food was amazing and the service was top notch. We sat in the heated porch and were so cozy and it was romantical. I will be back here for sure. It's one of my new favorite food places in Chicago. read more
Enjoyed my dinner here with colleagues. We opted for the patio. There was a strong sewerage smell, unfortunately. Otherwise, it would have been much more enjoyable. Great wine paired with delicious food. Very accommodating to diners with dietary needs. I loved the vegan vodka pasta. read more
2 years ago
I had always wanted to go to Alpana. I've been following the owner Alpana since her "Check Please" show on PBS. Can honestly say this is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The chicken w the potatoes paired with the green sauce is phenomenal. The truffle pasta was sooo delicious. And the drinks are top tier. Overall ambiance is gorgeous. Definitely would recommend you trying this place out 10/10 across the board. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Wow. The ambiance here was energetic, lively, and a whole vibe but it wasn't overbearingly loud which was great. We sat at the bar and had a great server/bar tender. They were very knowledgeable about pairings, the menu, and all the drinks. The food was incredible. We ordered the burrata and the mushroom ravioli. The burrata was bedded on a delicious unique tomato chutney and sourdough was soft and flavorful. The mushroom ravioli was soft, buttery, and so flavorful. You could actually taste the flavorful mushrooms inside the ravioli. Highly recommended this restaurant! read more
I had an amazing time here on Valentine's Day with my girlfriend. The prix fix menu was perfect. The soup, bread, and pasta couldn't have been any better. The staff is so polite and fast that you will never have to worry about anything. To end the night they also have delicious desert options to help sweeten that palate. read more
1 year ago
Came here again for brunch this time and was unexpectedly impressed by their menu. We ordered cinnamon roll for the table and it was great - not too sweet and freshly baked. I decided on the veggie croissant sandwich and it was the star of the show - all the veggies and toppings were paired well with the soft croissant that somehow still fills you up. The avocado toast wasn't bad and the fries were very tasty. We thought we wouldn't like the brunch menu but it's definitely one of the better veg-friendly brunch menus i have seen in that area. read more
2 years ago
Alpana is absolutely one of, if not my favorite restaurant in the city of Chicago! Not only is the ambience, aesthetic and staff amazing but the food offerings are just as great. I have gone here many times since I moved to Chicago in May 2023 and have thoroughly enjoyed the dishes that I have ordered each and every time I step foot in the restaurant. Some of my favorites have been the Wild Mushroom Ravioli, Braised Short Ribs, their seasonal Corn Pasta and my all time favorite, the Roasted Half Chicken. The chicken is so flavorful and juicy with a crisp skin, served with a bed of seasoned fingerling potatoes and side of aji verde sauce that I swear I could drink a gallon of. Dessert options are just as great as I often enjoy their Salted Caramel Sundae or seasonal sundae options featuring their ultra creamy vanilla soft serve. Alpana is always an amazing time and awesome spot for a night out, celebration and more. Great street parking and location as well! P.S. - the owner is an absolute class act and always looks to offer top notch service and take care of her guests. Grade A+++ read more
Took my friend here for her birthday. They gave her a birthday card which was really cute and it reminded me I forgot to give her one lol. We went for brunch. Which last until 2 PM I think. They close and reopen at 4:30 for dinner. So I would definitely come back to see what their dinner menu is like. My friend got the braised short rib Benedict. It came with potatoes. She said it was really good. It looks really good and was flavorful. I got the vegan veggie bagel and fries and it was pretty good. Our drinks were delicious. It definitely had alcohol in it! And it wasn't a water down cocktail, which I loved it was really cute on the inside a nice place to go for photos and food. The staff was super nice. It was children in there so I will say that it's probably family friendly I'm not sure if they had a kids menu though. They also brought a dessert out for my friend for her birthday, which was a sorbet. I do wish they had more vegan friendly items on for brunch that doesn't include avocados cause I hate avocados but overall great experience will go back again to try their dinner.. read more
The decor and ambience alone merits the five stars. Somehow it was comfortable yet classy. You just feel cool and happy there. I really loved the jungle-themed wallpaper (shoutout to the tigers) and the cane chairs. Lovely. Plus, of course, Captain Keanu near the bathroom. Then the wine is delicious. The cocktails were quite good, though my husband's convinced his first one was straight lemonade and no whiskey. The octopus starter was superb, charred and tender and flavorful. The polenta tasted like naked Cheetos topped with sumptuous mushrooms, in a food way. Mushroom ravioli was exactly what I imagined/hoped it would taste like. Our friend got the short ribs and was pleasantly surprised because it reminded her of a special family holiday meal. But here's the star of the show--the double cheeseburger! We had Au Cheval last week and we didn't like it as much as this one. It's like a decadent Big Mac. The bun is "just perfect" (-my husband) with a bit of grill to it which added texture to the soft, smooth crumb. And the pickles, mmm! Really mouth wateringly good. Oh, and give me those skinny fries in a cone with truffle aioli anytime, day or night. We'd go back for the burger and fries without hesitation. One note, we did wait a while before anyone took our order. I think a manager overheard us talking about the delay and then took care of it. After that it was fine; the food came out quickly. Also, we've met Alpana before at a Chicago event and she's quirky and quick witted. Didn't see her in the restaurant this time, but as longtime Check, Please! fans it's fun to visit her place! read more
This place has a beautiful ambiance and was a great brunch option with the girls. Coffee and water were refilled often, and service all around was great. I got the American breakfast with bacon, and this was delicious and had all the right fix-ins, including a cute jam jar and pico de Gallo for extra flavor. I also got a fruit bowl, which was small for the price. The coffee was great and bold. The plateware was beautiful too. Overall an excellent experience! read more
More info about Alpana
831 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610
Near North Side
Directions
(312) 624-8055
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http://alpanachicago.com
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