We made the mistake of coming with tired, underdressed tweens on a weekend evening this time. While we got looks from a few of the other patrons, the staff couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. The food was delicious, the drinks great, and the decor endlessly interesting. This is a treat for foodies, an excellent dress-up for date-night spot, and is great for smaller groups, too. Highly recommended. read more

I was beyond disappointed with The Alberts experience for Thanksgiving "dinner." The online menu advertised that it would showcase a buffet with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, stuffed pork loin, red snapper, prime rib and much much more. However, when we arrived at the restaurant, we werent even properly sat and more so pointed to our table. Much to our surprise the "buffet" included NONE of the items listed on their menu and only displayed cheap excuses for charcuterie, eggs and the most bland pasta with vodka sauce I have ever had. The waitress made us pick only one meat Item that was suppose to be included in the buffet. I ordered the prime rib and received the thinnest slice of meat possible and was only allowed one serving! I was assuming they would at least offer to have as much of the single meat item on the menu that you could eat as it is the only protein item and was very disappointed when they only allowed a tiny single serving. the device was mediocre at best and took way too long for drinks to come from the bar. I would absolutely never come back or recommend this place to ANYONE. Stay away from this deceitful restaurant at all costs! read more

I gave Albert 3 stars for the nice ambiance and different look on the decor. It is very trendy and very Einstein looking. The only thing I did not like was the fact that you had to take an elevator down to go to the bathroom their is no restroom on the restaurant floor which I think is an inconvenience for those that have a time walking to get to the elevator so no I do t think is handicap accessible. That said let me tell you about the food. We Had to return one item because the pork was too tuff and chewy and extremely cold. The other dish was way too salty I was very upset too because our server was not around and she was the only server so I could not tell her about the saltines plus all the food that we got was COLD. The only Thai g I loved was the chicken second option to returning my pork. The desserts were really pretty the secret garden was so delicious and it was like a plant and a carrot growing also we had something that was in a shape of a taco key lime flavor was too tart read more

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We started with the forbidden fruit cocktail and it was very good. Not very alcohol forward, but tasted like a good apple cider. The charcuterie board with meats and cheeses was decent, but a little lackluster. It came with two small slices of cheese, but the meats were plenty. The smoked duck was not good. Finally, the $30 risotto was blah. Slimy texture and all you could taste was mushroom. The waiters were nice, but overall, I would recommend staying away from this place. So many other options for good food in Chicago. read more

Amazing service, great foods, and overall great atmosphere! Highly recommend for a drink and chill dinner

We came here for brunch and sat outside at their lovely sidewalk patio, but moved inside after it started raining. The interior is very nice, with copper accents and interesting artwork, and cool bookshelves. The food itself was not the best but not the worst. The menu is exactly what you'd want for a brunch selection: pastries, tartines, omelets... what we ordered: Birthday cake croissant (special) - flaky, decadent and delicious with sprinkles and a warm glaze. Heirloom tomato tartine - the relish was a bit heavy handed Short rib omelet - just fine but nothing too special read more

Cute perfect place to grab dinner located right inside the hotel. Decor is very hotel chic, beautiful. Great vibe. Not a very large place so seating is limited. Recommend reservations just in case. It was a wonderful dining experience. We come to Chicago often for work and always look for new places to try as the food experience in this city is amazing.. a must try if your in the area. read more

the Albert - Tagliatelle - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very cool ambiance & decorated very well. Food and service could use improvement. Took 10min to get a drink and it wasn't crowded at all. Cute spot though. read more

My first time visiting the Albert was over this past weekend and I was not just pleased but throughly impressed with the food, staff and entire experience. The food was outstanding, so much so, that I took too big of a bite and ended up choking. This has never happened to me before and was a very scary experience. The staff not only acted swiftly but went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable and at ease with the situation that had occurred. Afterwards, I was extremely embarrassed and upset. The food and beverage manager, Adam Jennings not only saved my life via the Heimlich maneuver but took time to sit and talk with me and make sure I was okay. He also made a point to give me his card and told me not to hesitate if there was anything I needed or if I ever needed someone to talk to. I highly recommend coming to this establishment. Their chicken dish, specifically was "to die for" LOL. It was well worth every dollar and minute. I cannot thank Adam Jennings & the rest of the Albert staff enough for not only a great night but also for saving my life. read more

The Albert: contemporary and upscale, hold the pretentious. It really managed to be a trendy swanky restaurant without feeling the "air" of snottiness. I didn't feel like dressing up, and thankfully I was received like any other patron. Service was kind and sincere. The decor was interesting with cool pieces of artwork, lighting, and a pretty bar. The Albert sits inside the hotel we stayed at, the Hotel EMC2, which if you come to Chicago, I highly recommend staying here, too. I'm typically wary of hotel restaurants because they are overpriced and disappointing as far as their food. This place was different in a good way. The food was excellent. Still a bit overpriced but terrific food. I had a gastronomic experience here, and loved the fact that they handmake their pasta and even their cheese in the pasta. Let me start with the cocktails, creative and delicious. I had the V. Special Boy, a St. Germaine concoction with lemon, mint, and vodka. It was not too strong and not too sweet. Yummy. For starters we decided to try the bread. This isn't any ordinary bread folks. This bread reminds me of popover bread minus the cheese. So soft but with a light flaky crust on the outside, slight sweetness to taste and cultured butter to lavishly spread inside it. The slight sea salt addition added the right touch to the sweetness. I could have eaten this bread all by myself. I wasn't very hungry so I just decided to take a bite of my bf's meal. He decided on this homemade pasta called the Tajarin. If you come here and it's still on the menu (apparently they change their menu items every so often) get it. It was to me a thinner version of a linguine pasta (the waitress said close to angel hair but the texture was a bit heavier than angel), and it was cooked to perfection, perfect al dente. It was served with basil leaves, grape tomatoes, and stracciatella cheese. The waitress said it's similar to Burrata, which if you like cheese, Burrata is one of my favs with its creamy and rich texture. They handmake their cheese, stretching the mozzarella and adding in heavy cream. It made a creamy goodness that complimented the dish. The only drawback was I would have liked more basil with in the dish. Otherwise it was a tasty goodness in my mouth. It was one of the best pasta dishes I've had in a long time. Despite not being that hungry, I found myself trying to take more than a few bites of the dish. He did order a side of chicken to the pasta which to me was a bit over charred and also a somewhat paltry portion. Don't expect a whole breast, it's more like a quarter or less of one. We couldn't pass on dessert after having such a fantastic dish. We got the four cookie platter with an oatmeal chocolate, chocolate chip, some kind of elongated sugar cookie and a fig bar. The cookies didn't do it for me. The only one I even really liked was the chocolate chip which tasted reminiscent of a Tollhouse cookie. The other dessert was super innovative and delicious. Eat the Cake, Ann Marie. I wanna be Ann Marie. It was beautifully plated and tasted just as good as it looked. It came with these petite little moist biscuits and a whipped cream with elderflower, a cherry sauce, and strawberry shortcake gelato. Pairing it all together was music to my palate. Wow, was it good. I thank you, genius dessert chef, for that experience. Thanks The Albert for showing me that a hotel restaurant can be good, in this case, exceptional. The only drawback was the somewhat limited menu, but it's totally worth checking out if you are in town. read more

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Absolutely love this place! ALWAYS excellent 5 star service and attention to every detail and each customer. Food is delicious! Best Octopus I've ever tried. Drinks are tasty and unique. That what makes us come back 3 years in row. Highly recommended. read more

the Albert - Poached Halibut - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We appreciated having this fun and stylish little bar in the lobby of our hotel. Great to stop in after a long day of shopping or before our evening dinner reservations. We didn't eat here, unless you count the mixed nuts we had with our drinks. Of the drinks sampled we were extremely pleased. They were classy and delicious. Also liked that they had a hard cider option. Happy hour prices are great, check them out M-Th from 3-6! We wanted to do brunch but unfortunately the timing didn't work for us.... Next time. Make sure to check out the stylish decor. Super fun and it's exactly what you would expect in a hotel like this! read more

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If your a fan of Einstein, you'll appreciate the inspired art and decor - mesmerizing. My eyes couldn't keep up with every detail adorned on walls. Interior is unique, posh, modern and eclectic but not pretentious. Worth a visit just to explore and while you're there, have a cocktail too. Was here on a week night for my bf's company holiday party. I must say his Co. has good taste. You enter directly in the bar area, private rooms located in back. Intimate space yet comfortable when busy. For a weeknight, it was hustling. I arrived late for dinner and by the time I got there, dessert was being served. Pressed grilled chicken with mashed potatoes was served and everyone I spoke to said it was nothing exciting and they were left hungry. I needed to eat, he was still hungry, so decided to go to the restaurant. Again, intimate - warm vibe, warm lighting, polished, loved the artwork. Server was attentive. Modest menu. Starters such as fries $7. No we didn't order them but I thought, wow these must be really really good fries. Took some time to receive our starters so we ordered the Housemade bread (4 total). This came out quickly. I don't know if it was because I was starving, but this bread was warm and so good. Not anything mind blowing in terms of flavor yet texture was supreme. Diver scallops atop sauteed cabbage - excellent. Simple. Pure bliss. I could eat these all day long. Perfectly cooked, perfect in every way. Cabbage was cabbage. Spanish Octopus (seems to be very popular among reviewer's) very tender, nicely done with shishito peppers sitting in a flavorful Harissa sauce. Grilled Meagre bass with couscous - bass was outstanding. Moist, meaty white flesh. An entree I would order again & again. While fish was served warm, couscous was cold. Yes cold. Not sure if this is how the Chef wanted it to be served but it was off putting to me. Didn't think about sending it back because I was so into my fish. Wasn't worth it. All of the above plus glass of wine + 2 cocktails $100 pre-tip to be expected here. You're paying for the beautiful space, food presentation & preparation and it's in a hotel. Servings aren't large, so don't expect them to be. While I didn't find the food to be complex in flavor or super stimulating, I didn't need it to be. Props for excellent execution (with the exception of the cold couscous). We thoroughly scarfed down every morsel. read more

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Loved this place! Want to come back! Had the Penicillin cocktail and it was tart, sweet and scotchy. What made it or me though was the service. I originally ordered the Persimmon cocktail and did not love it so the bartender got me a new cocktail without making me feel bad. Now, that's good service! I'll be back. 11/2 - Came back for food and everything was outstanding! The eggplant was out of this world delicious! The duck was also amazing and the tempura mushrooms were so savory. Everything was also beautifully plated. Will be back again. And again. read more

We came here on day 3 of a Chicago birthday tour and it was not what we expected. The menu has been reworked in the last year but it was a pleasant rework. Now it is mainly Italian and they do it very well. The romaine, a very nice remake of a Cesar salad was great. Croutons more fried crumbs and a lovely dressing with anchovies and sun dried tomatoes. The Burrata was equally well done. The pork chops and fillet was great, my only problem was the server didn't realize or didn't encourage that the ribeye was a two person entree at 24 ounces, not entirely his fault I acknowledge. Deserts were great and they had 20 year old tawny , always a great end. And I must say, Adam, the manager and beverage specialist was excellent. Funky vibe , great people , probably a 4.75 but can't do that so have a 5 read more

Needed to find another place for dinner with the team and so I YELPED. Of course I found this restaurant with high reviews , so I told the team... I saw the octopus and I said to myself, I had to have it...... This restaurant is located at the lower level of Hotel EMC2 with Cielo and Leo greeting you in the lobby (robots) So we come in and was warmly greeted by the hostess. For starters we ordered the following: Veal Sweet breads with green curry Scallops Kampachi Spanish Octopus Burratta All the appetizers were delish. My favorite ofcourse was the octopus. Crips on the outside and tender as you bite into it. And they were served with shishito peppers so that was a plus! For entrees, three of us ordered the porkchop ribeye and the other two ordered the grilled white fish. I love the porkchop with the nice amount of fat and cripsyness to it. All the portions are small which is perfect as you don't want to get full from just trying one dish, right? For dessert, the team ordered the crème brulee and chai dessert. I had no room for dessert but according to the team, they were both good. Service was great. Ambiance was very modern and chic. Intimate lighting and cool décor. Stop by if you have a chance. TRUST!!!! read more

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Beautiful restaurant with elegant food. As soon as we step into the restaurant, we feel the atmosphere of romance. A very good place to go on date! We ordered grilled octopus, its well-reviewed scallops as well as lamb shoulder. Our impression is that their seafood is amazing whereas the lamb didn't taste good. The dessert secret garden was super creative. Ice cream made in the shape of carrot buried in cake soil. read more

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I love this restaurant and even chose it for my wedding (less than 10 people) and brought a group of 12 colleagues here and they all loved it as well! The decor is so chic and nerdy with books and chemistry everywhere. Food is fantastic! Dishes are small but dense. It's definitely caloric but completely worth it for the taste. They don't make clear what is vegetarian or gluten-free, but the staff is so friendly and willing to make accommodations for us. Great and strong cocktails. This is a great place for a date, or if you make a reservation in advance, for a larger group. read more

This was a great date spot! I loved the science theme, it felt very modern and the decor was really cool. Service was friendly and attentive but gave us our space. We did the restaurant week menu and I enjoyed the food but wasn't blown away. I particularly liked the appetizer I had, which was green papaya and passionfruit with peanuts and mushrooms. It was very unique and delicious. I enjoyed my pasta and citrus meringue dessert but the pasta was a little dry and the meringue was pretty sour. I would recommend maybe going here for appetizers and drinks instead of dinner but I did have a good time! read more

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I ordered the hummus and pita chips. The hummus was good but the pita chips were way too deep fried. I would've liked plain pita chips instead of greasy bread. read more

Excellent food and service. Would recommend to anyone looking for a great night out near Michigan Avenue.

Nice space, off the lobby of the Hotel EMC2. High end decor and very comfortable chairs, though not sure all the servers quite live up to the overall refined environment. The food was great though on an initial visit, I would have expected a bit more along the lines of molecular gastronomy but it was just very good food with a few unique flavors. The wine list was decent on glass pours and was a larger and more expensive bottle list than I would have expected. Cocktails were very well made and the bar program is excellent. Well worth a visit, especially if you're in the area. Don't be fooled by the hotel location which historically throws off some Americans, this is the type of restaurant you'd expect in Europe where hotel/restaurants are a great and natural combination. read more

Spanish Octopus starter with harissa, shishito peppers, coconut basmati & pistachios. I like spicy however, I felt the harissa sauce was a little overpowering for the octopus. Perhaps a tad less sauce. The octopus was perfectly prepared and the basmati was balancing to the spice. Green Papaya "noodles" in a delicate passion fruit sauce, hen of the woods mushrooms and peanuts. This dish was described as being vegan and somewhat "Pad Thai-esque." Words escape me...I inhaled this and will be looking to replicate in my own kitchen. Both dishes were fresh and unexpected. Full menu at the bar. The service was 5 stars as were the cocktails. Don't come here looking for a burger or other American fare. This kitchen is pushing the boundaries and delivering unique and tasty plates. read more

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The Albert is a witty restaurant named after Albert Einstein nestled in Hotel EMC2. Its eclectic interior decor with a copious collection of books and shelves! They offer ingenuity when it comes to American contemporary fare. Their dinner menu highlights the chef's creative dishes with excellent flavor profiles. Let's take the Spanish Octopus for instance. The grilled octopus coated with quinoa adds more pebbled texture and is complimented with tahini yogurt, avocado purée, cilantro and mint leaves. I also absolutely love their savory maple foie gras and recommend it for those with sweet tooth. Our waiter, Chris, delivered excellent service and was very thoughtful throughout my whole photography session. I really appreciated and satisfied his recommendations. read more

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I really enjoy going to the Albert, we've become regulars at the restaurant. Our server Elizabeth is always attentive to our table and takes good care of us. She is super nice and the reason why we are reoccurring customers! read more

Great atmosphere and beautiful restaurant. Went for a work dinner .. meals were ok but my steak was great

"An empty stomach is not a good political advisor." -Albert Einstein I cannot remember the last time I was as thrilled for a new restaurant opening as I was for the Albert. Located on the ground floor level of the new, dazzling EMC2 Autograph Collection Hotel here in Streeterville, I had walked past this property too many times to recall since it was first being built. Once I found out that Chef Brandon Brumback was responsible for the menu before the concept was officially released, I knew that this would be a hit. His accolades expand as far as Lake Shore Drive itself, and he has spent time in and around the kitchens of several of Chicago's Michelin star rated restaurants. the Albert has officially only been open for 2 weeks and my, oh my, how they've bust out the gate swinging! I opted to visit on my lunch hour. Upon entry into the hotel, I was greeted by their bellman and valet both of which greeted me with a warm and sincere "Welcome back, sir!" "Welcome back.." Two words so small, yet carry a quantum amount of impact. As the bellman ushered me into the dining room, I was again greeted by a very bubbly host who quickly sat me at the table of my choosing. Entering the dining room was how I'd imagine those 5 kids felt in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory - except this room was centered around Einstein (so think science, books, industrial lighting, etc). I have to first commend the stellar customer service I was provided by my waiter. He was very attentive but did not hover. He knew just when to visit to follow up on the meal, refill my water, and ask if I needed anything additional to the two items I ordered: Which were the charred Spanish octopus to start and the pimento cheeseburger for my entree. I wish I would've known how big the burger was! Had I known I would have to double hand it, I would not have ordered the octopus. Nevertheless, I am thankful I was unaware of the size, because that octopus made my eyes roll to the back of my head. The flesh was very tender and juicy and had just the perfect amount of bite (thanks to the char) but was not at all rubbery. Paired with the delicious quinoa salad and the avocado mousse and then the acidity of the orange cucumber, this created an absolutely refreshing and zesty experience. The burger was quite tasty. It was nothing extraordinary (like Au Cheval) however, the homemade pimento cheese definitely elevated it above the sandwiches found at (un)Epic burger or Shake Shack. Also..the fries were insanely tasty! I will definitely break my rule of not visiting the same sit-down restaurant twice in order to come back and try dinner and dessert! read more

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The restaurant is very modern, the staff is very nice. Although the restaurant is not too much choice, but the appetizer are delicious, better than the main course . I love the papaya salad and the octopus ,the yellow tail and the scallop are good too. read more

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Very disappointed. Night one Friday evening, kitchen closed early. Night too- not even a dinner menu. This place is not relaxing. I can't enjoy my stay... I have run out and look for dining in the area, when I just wanted room service. Not some robots that deliver beef jerky. Really!! read more

It was our first time there, my girlfriend and I went there for my birthday and it was fantastic. There was a very large party in the back that caused a slight delay in our food, but we didn't even notice because the atmosphere was charming and fun - only reason we noticed was because the stuff was so accommodating and gracious in their offerings. I cannot recommend this place enough read more

the Albert - Birthday cake - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Awesome spot. Did the Albert burger and truffle fries. Absolutely killer. Great and attentive staff.

I've been wanting to go this place for about a month. Wish I would have went sooner! I would have been back at least 3-4 times already. Great atmosphere and service. The food was amazing! I highly recommend the lamb shoulder and the lemon taco-about it for desert! Yes it look to good to be real! It was amazing!! read more

the Albert - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came here for a birthday dinner. Service was incredibly slow. The entire meal took a little over 4 hours. Literally became anxious from sitting there so long. Drinks were average but unfortunately presentation was below par. Waiter spilled most of the drink before it came to table. Brought a cake for the birthday girl and was charged a $60 cake cutting fee without being informed about prior. I have been to multiple birthdays at upscale restaurants and have never been charged a Cake fee like this especially with no warning. I mean our group bill was over $1000 so did they really need to sneak in an extra $60? I give an extra star because the noodle over a lobster was pretty bomb. I was just starving after and had to run to Taco Bell... read more

The brownie desert with ice cream was one of the Top 10 BEST THINGS I EVER TASTED! It was so sorry and sweet, but not overwhelming. I can't remember the exact name but it was the only thing with a sweet and ice cream on the dessert menu so it should be easy to find. I came here after a bad dinner experience at TCG and was quickly cheered up! -The music was great! -The art was impressionist and fit in perfectly with the theme. -You can see the kitchen and chefs work and there's a chef's table although when I was at The Albert no one was eating there. I only had dessert and water here which is the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. I have to come back and try their dinner! read more

the Albert - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Background: Business traveler, mid-30s, solo. This used to be my go-to spot in the Streeterville area for breakfast when in town, even when I was unable to get a hotel room at the EMC2 hotel. Unfortunately, they have decided to do away with what was previously a decent breakfast buffet. Now, they have a borderline inedible menu with minimal service. Why management decided to make this change clearly indicates that they have lost touch with the business traveler. I do not have 5 minutes to wait to be seated, 15-20 minutes to sit around and wait for table service, another 20 minutes to eat my breakfast, and 10 minutes to sit around and wait for the check. Advice to management: Go back to having a breakfast buffet with the previously high quality items you once had, and this review will easily convert to 5 stars. read more

This place is instagram/Facebook picture worthy from the setting to the food. The services was wonderful and the breakfast was delicious. Highly recommend. read more

the Albert - Breakfast - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

To be continued if you have a special drink of the month check your bill. Maybe charged regular cost. I was now waiting on refund. read more

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I went there tonight again. I had the same cocktail but the bartender today was not good :( I learned that it really depends on who makes. read more

Came here for a nightcap and enjoyed our visit. We were staying at the EMC2 hotel and wanted to check out the downstairs restaurant on our way back from dinner. The restaurants vibe was really cool and matched the hotel perfectly. Their bar set up was really neat as well so that where we posted up. The bartender was very friendly and gave us great service. Their food menu did look pretty good so we're going to be dining in the next time we're in town! read more

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The atmosphere in this restaurant is amazing, every little detail in place. Has a science library feel (in the bottom of ECM2 hotel, which is Marriotts autograph collection with an Einstein feel). The drink "with passion" was sweet, citrusy and delicious. However, the hummus was not my favorite. It was topped with a TON of seasoning... I'm talking 15 different seasonings... they should have stuck to just a couple. I had to scrap off the seasoning to even slightly enjoy this. read more

the Albert - With passion and hummus snack - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois