One of my favorite new restaurants I've tried this year. The Alston is one of the newer additions to the an already strong Chicago steakhouse scene. I was very impressed by the interior decor and food. In terms of vibes, I'd say it sits between RPM (classic, formal) and Maple (flashy, sceney). The prices are also comparable between the three, with the large format steaks between 200-300$. Dry age, wagyu, truffle, caviar, they cover all the bases on the menu. The apps here are all also 20$+, definitely paying a premium to dine here. They do run small, so order extra! The bone marrow pasty was unique and a standout to us. The wine and drinks were great as well. The service while strong leans towards casual. I think it comes down to preference. They're still professional and friendly. Definitely a must-try if you've been looking for something new! I'll personally be returning. read more

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The Alston, in my opinion, is simply okay. The place is a lot larger than I imagined, and the vibe inside is very trendy. I thought the tables were well spaced; I hate feeling like I am sitting on top of other people. Since it was restaurant week, we opted to do the restaurant week tasting menu. I did like that they still had the full menu available to enjoy as well. Overall the food was decent. I wouldn't say it was spectacular but it wasn't bad. I don't know if I'd care to come back for the regular menu--I think I'd leave thinking it was an overpriced meal for what it was but who knows. read more

The Alston is like that dating profile your so excited about for weeks, and then you show up for the date and it's a let down! I really wanted to love this place, as I had heard so many great things about, BUT I would not be doing the city of Chicago or this community any justice if I didn't tell the truth. I booked a reservation for my 40th birthday on a Sunday. Not very crowded at all, maybe about 13 tables being serviced in the main dining room. Service was okay! Our waiter was kind! He was running multiple tables and took time to get back to us. For my wine drinkers, the sommelier is where the service was lacking! I asked for a recommendation on a bold wine closer to a Super Tuscan. He had nothing close, but en route to find something he had an attitude and acted as if we were waiting his time. When he couldn't suggest a wine that close to that. Food- Cavier bump genius idea! Probably the best part of the menu! The dressed eggs were great, but for the price they could've given us two eggs. We had the lobster bisque, nothing special, and serviced a tad cold. The burger was good, but I've had better. Why didn't I get steak at a steakhouse? Well in my experience, if you see others ordering a steak, you know it's great. Not what I observed. Most tables were ordering the duck, the burgers, and gnocchi (do not order). We saw a table get steak and two were sent back. Value: Our bill was $611 with tip. Don't mind paying it at all, but the food and the service have to be great, and this wasn't. Final thoughts: Just know they're are other options that will give you excellent service and food for that value. Also, any high end restaurant that's rated a 3.8 and you see no management feedback, not a good sign. read more

Great atmosphere, service, and food/drinks. No complaints. I ordered a steak and it was cooked to perfection. read more

The Alston - Martini - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Located near State and Chicago, this brand new seven month restaurant is well decorated with intimate and large tables. The gilded room is for large parties. The wood work, soft lighting, floor to ceiling windows, and chandeliers add elegance to the dining room areas. I ordered the Chicag Restaurant Week dinner special. I upgraded $20 for the steak. The wait staff were friendly and attentive and knew the menu well. read more

The Alston - Dining room area with almost floor to ceiling windows and small table spaces. - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Alston serves a steakhouse grade burger right! From the high quality beef patty, firm brioche bun, shoestring truffle fries to a very flavorful sweet onion, I truly believe they have knocked it off the charts. The waiters here are amazing--extremely attentive to filling your water glasses. You will certainly leave well hydrated. Beautiful steakhouse. Amazing service and trendy instrumental music. read more

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Beautiful luxury space in high end location. Comfy, cozy and full of energy when you walk in. The service was excellent. The servers know the menu very well and are knowledgeable on the preparation and source of items. Everything I tried was excellent. read more

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A Stunning Setting That Struggled to Deliver I so wanted to absolutely love this place. We dined at Alston with a party of four for a 5:30 PM dinner reservation. We were seated right on time, and from the moment we walked in, everything looked like a five-star experience. The attention to detail--from the floors to the ceiling, the elegant décor, the lighting, even the restrooms and personalized candles--was truly stunning. Visually, Alston delivers luxury in every sense. But unfortunately, the beauty didn't quite extend to the full dining experience. Let's start with the food. While some dishes shined--the New York strip was cooked to perfection and the potatoes au gratin, though extremely salty, were rich and flavorful--many others fell flat. In fact, several dishes were overly salted, to the point that it masked the ingredients and dulled the overall flavor. The lobster bisque which we all got was one of these dishes. Although very nicely presented and served it was overly salted and very curry forward. The mushroom side was underwhelming, and the Caesar salad was especially disappointing. Instead of a shareable plate, it was literally an intact head of lettuce--not exactly practical for a table of four hoping to enjoy a classic dish. The service also left much to be desired. While it started out promising, things took a noticeable turn as the restaurant got busier. Our server missed two of the appetizer dishes we ordered, and while we initially thought he was pacing them with the meal, it became clear he simply forgot. We didn't see him for a full 25 minutes, and it was the manager who ended up checking in with us. To top it off, we were charged for one of the missing appetizers on the final bill. The manager did take care of our check and adjuster bill accordingly. That was greatly appreciated. Two highlights - a complimentary bread service, and complementary beverage when you first sit down at the table; which were a thoughtful and tasty touch. To be fair, Alston is still relatively new, and some bumps are to be expected. But with the elevated price point and luxury aesthetic, expectations are understandably high--and unfortunately, they weren't fully met. It's a gorgeous space with potential, but the experience needs to catch up to the surroundings. read more

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Fabulous food if you're a foodie Ribeye and rack of lamb were exactly what you would expect from a top tier restaurant. We were over the moon and so impressed with the staff, service and attentiveness from the sommelier to our waitress. Highly recommend this restaurant for whenever you are in Chicago. read more

The Alston - truly exceeded my expectations for service, food, and ambience. Servers/chef were super accommodating to our dietary restrictions and were very knowledgeable about the menu. We were started with complementary bread and champagne (and ended the meal with another!) Staff was super attentive and checked in frequently. Overall food was really great, I especially loved the steak burger! I also liked that you can get caviar bumps instead of committing to a full ounce or more, and I enjoyed it with the rye bread. I wasn't a fan of the "Caesar" salad which was just a head of lettuce with whole anchovies laid over. It had a vinaigrette dressing instead of a traditional Caesar dressing but our server did mention this beforehand. Everything else was great and I'd definitely come back! read more

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If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Chicago, look no further than The Alston. From the moment you step inside, the interior immediately sets the tone--elegant, moody, and effortlessly sophisticated. The service? Impeccable. The wait staff was knowledgeable, attentive without being overbearing. The Bar Manager even took time to get us a tour of the Members only section. It was so elegant and luxurious. We started with a caviar bump, followed by escargot, which both were perfection. The Baked Scallop Saint Jacques was a rich, velvety delight--beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. For mains, the Filet Mignon was cooked flawlessly. The Boeuf Pithivier--a flaky, golden pastry filled with tender, flavorful beef--was an absolute standout, both in taste and presentation. On the side, the wood-fired asparagus added a lovely smoky char that complemented both mains. From start to finish, The Alston delivered an exceptional evening and you should definitely add it to your list! Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 read more

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TLDR: This review is for the NOT steak dinner that was pretty great otherwise. We came here for the steak and we didn't get it bc the server forgot to bring our steak--but we got an amazing Duck Press dinner which ended up being more than enough for the two of us... but our gluttonous fat child inside still wanted the dry-aged steak, dammit! We were also seated at first right next to the kitchen in a corner, which kind of sucked, bc it was so loud. (I usually don't care about seating, but constant loud ambient noise makes it hard to hear conversations so we asked to be moved to a better seat that was more date night appropriate.) Don't get us wrong, our server was super friendly and sweet but she forgot several more things here and there throughout the night (e.g. cocktail, pre-alcohol, etc.) and the business just didn't seem to be running smoothly--yet. The manager (?) came over several times to check in, and brought us a welcome drink bc we probably were seated for 15-20 min before our sever came over with our dinner menus. We thought the Seared Foie Gras was pretty good, but a little cold, and the escargot was a little too salty (but the puff the individual puff pastry was a nice touch, instead of the classic en croute). The Duck Press (very Paris 1906-esque from Chef Achatz) is definitely a show stopper and absolutely worth getting, but our duck legs were cold; the duck breast was perfect!! Would absolutely order again...and again! The Scallops were tasty but didn't realize they were going to be cooked. Oysters were excellent, but wouldn't expect otherwise from a steakhouse at this caliber. Also, oddly loved their really long fries! It's like when you get that one long fry, except it's every single one of them. Am I the only one who gets a kick out of that? Whatever. We would love to come back for the dry-aged ribeye but, we had a pretty great wet-aged ribeye at Joe's Seafood (unexpectedly) the following night for really reasonable price, so we're not in a big rush to return. Definitely would love to see them succeed and would love to return when they're up and running smoothly. read more

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I don't rate many places 1 star, but I felt like this this place warranted one. My sister and I arrived to grab a quick bite and some drinks to end our weekend. When we arrived for a walk-in spot, the host told another employee to escort us to the "members-only" room as the restaurant part was completely empty. When we were told to sit anywhere, we waited 10 minutes and no one came. When we were about to leave, the bartender in this designated space asked what we were doing and my sister and I just said we wanted some apps and drinks. He told us to go to the other part of the restaurant without escorting us. Confused, we went to the other part of the restaurant where we decided to leave the restaurant as the miscommunication of staff members left us confused and disappointed. I would avoid this place at all costs. read more

Went to the Alston last evening and was blown away by the staff, amazing food and classy and modern ambiance of a French influenced speakeasy Cozy feel with rich textures surround you while you experience fine dining. The waitstaff is knowledgeable and impeccable with speed and service From the bread that was specially cut at the table, to fresh oysters, crab legs, and scallops .... I could barely make it to the trout (which was also fantastic)! And don't miss the lobster bisque-the best I have ever experienced in my entire life Thank you for an amazing culinary journey awaiting my next visit read more

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Second visit. Easter Sunday. Another amazing experience. The family loved it. Alston, you've done it again! read more

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found this place while looking for a good steakhouse in chicago loved the atmosphere the first thing you do on the way to your table is pick a votiv to set your mood. i picked the lotus first place ive ever been to where they cut your bread tableside. such an interesting thing to do just to elevate your experience. we got: seafood tower, which is kind of basic but i love shellfish so definitely tastty crab cakes, loved all the garnishes that came with it house salad, large and filling and can definitely be shared potato gratin & asparagus, sides. waiter also added on brussel sprouts for us, which turned out to be superb. and i got the center cut filet, which was thick and fat but still super tender and juicy i was also glad for such a high end restaurant, that they actually have yeungling. i had been searching for the beer since we got to chicago, since we dont have it where we're from. for dessert we got the basque, and i loved that it was a real basque. ive been to places where it said they had basque but then it just turned out to be a regular cheesecake. i would definitely go back here again. read more

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Great ambiance, perfect for date night! Service was good, not amazing, but it was very crowded. Now the food, it was ok. Maybe we went on am off night, but no dish was outstanding. Presentation also left something to be desired. read more

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The Alston is a very opulent, architecturally beautiful place. Its attempt to be a throwback to the fabulous 1920's is very successful. Our server Stephanie was a gem! She helped us navigate the menu and expertly paced our dinner selections. We ordered the pressed duck which was a table side presentation to behold. All in all a wonderful experience. read more

Back for a second meal and torn by the ups and downs of our meals. The place is beautiful, the service is spectacular, especially when they slice the bread at your table, and many parts of our meals were great. Our group of 4 started with the escargot which was delicious but was on a flat plate which made it hard to share by scooping them up to another plate. The dressed eggs(deviled eggs) were also delicious. The wine list had a remarkable selection and we had a terrific Pinot Noir. The downs were the entrees. Last time I ordered the Dover Sole and didn't like the presentation or how thick it was rather than as filets. This time I had the Trout and we realized you had to pry it open like a book. One side was overly salty and the other side was ok. You also don't need to serve trout with a sauce. It smothered the trout flavor. One of our group ordered the pork chops which were good except he had more fat than meat. My wife had the hamburger which was fantastic! It seems the best thing to order here is beef! We ordered the eggplant pasta to share and it was overly salty and so rich that as a single entree I don't think I could have eaten all of it. There is great potential here when the kitchen settles down. read more

The Alston - Trout - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We dined with a group of 7 at The Alston to try out this new restaurant. I believe they have only been opened a few weeks when we had reservations. Looking at the menu prior to dining, we were really excited, a French steak restaurant is right up our alley. I'm giving some grace in my review knowing the restaurant has just opened recently and most likely has some kinks to work out. If this were an established restaurant the rating would be a 3 star. With that said, there were some quirks with their processes that threw us off. Nothing super crazy, but at the level they are positioning themselves and at the price point, you are putting yourself with the likes of Bavettes, Steak 48, RPM Steak etc. where the service is impeccable. A few of the key things that stood out to all of us; We had two people who are wine connoisseurs, we let them take control of wine ordering with the som. The som was knowledgeable and between them we had a few bottles that were great. The weird thing to note is the Alston has a different wine process, rather than the traditional table side bottle opening and taste or decanting, they do it in the back away from the guest. We all found that odd, different is ok, but something that has a meaning to the ritual it's odd they'd change that. We've dined at similar level restaurants where they inadvertently brought wrong bottle vintage to the table, and our friend knows wine and caught the mistake. One reason for showing and opening the bottle in the presence of the guest. My friend did explain that he'd like the rest of the bottles opened at the table and they obliged. One of the 10oz filets were ordered medium rare and it was prepared medium or warmer. We figured the wait staff were getting the hang of operations, but they weren't really on top of bringing the rose bottle to refill, they had the bottle chilling on ice. Our waiter didn't ask to refill the non alcoholic drinks, had to ask for a refill. And a few other small things like this. Again, nothing that ruined the dining experience, but anyone who's dined at some of their competition understands the subtle differences in customer service are what set good restaurants from great restaurant experiences. I personally assume the quality of the food will be great to exceptional when we're paying $400+per person, so the customer experience is what sets each restaurant apart. With the service things out of the way. I'd have to say the food was very good. We ordered at least 6 starter dishes and 4 sides. These were all very good. The purred potatoes 50/50 were a stand out! The au gratin potatoes were also a hit for the sides. I personally really enjoyed the "deviled egg" I can't remember what it's called on the menu. I believe everyone at the table ordered either boneless ribeye, fillet, or a fish. Everyone said their main dish tasted very good and prepared well, with exception of the one filet that was a bit overdone. Overall, our group will probably try The Alston another try in a few months to see if the service cleans up to give a fair shake. read more

How much are you willing to pay to get the best duck you've ever had in your life? Hint: it's a lot, but you get what you pay for. That really describes the whole menu. It's hard to believe how expensive this place is, but boy it delivers. The Saint Jacques Scallops were exceptional. The escargot has a puff pastry around it so I didn't try it but consensus was just ok. Seared foie gras was delicious. The Caesar salad was refreshing and different. We had the wet aged strip and the dry aged ribeye. Both were ordered medium rare and came out medium. Nobody cared because the crust was terrific on both steaks and great flavor overall. But the duck. It's crazy expensive. It's a tableside show. And it's exceptional! Get an order of the duck for the table, it feeds 3-4 people and it's as good as any duck you'll have. Also, not mentioned in any previous reviews is the gluten free experience. The menu is not marked but our server knew what was and was not GF. They have a dedicated GF fryer which is pretty awesome. read more

Outstanding food outstanding prices service is the best ambience couldn't get any better

Full disclosure: steakhouses are my jam. I have been to almost every establishment in Chicago, and I do a week of steak dinners each year when my family skips town, known as "The Steakcation" to those in my circle. The Alston is one of the two new-to-me steakhouses I hit this week, so I was very excited to see the space. And, to the team's credit--almost as if they knew I was going to write about it--we were posted in a very handsome corner booth that overlooked the corner of State and Chicago. That meant our three-person group had a great perch to see the scene both inside and out. That's the one area where The Alston shines--the space. The curtains are dramatic, the seating is special, the table spread is nice, and everyone on the staff is decked out. (A question posed by our group: should I wear a red or purple tux jacket the next time I visit?) In many ways, this is a brighter version of Maple & Ash, with prices to match...which we will come back to. The service was also a highlight, and the service staff was everywhere. A bit like the downstairs/upstairs host station arrangement at steakhouses like Gibson's Italia, I was greeted in the building lobby by one person, who confirmed my reservation before sending me upstairs to do the same thing with a different host station. Getting seated was a swift process, and between near-constant water service and an attentive server, there was always someone lurking nearby waiting to help. For me, these are the basics of fine dining, and The Alston has the basics down--the look, the feel, the service level are all on point. Now let's talk food. We tried a few different small plates--oysters, the artichoke en crepinette (pardon my lack of French!), the dressed eggs. One of our diners got the caviar bump, which suggested that it would be served, cocaine-style, on a mirrored platter with a $100 bill to move the product. In some ways, we were right; a server showed up and placed a small sample of Siberian caviar on the side of my friend's hand, and we made a big show of him taking down a bump of "the good stuff." Was it good? Hard to say. Was it cool? Absolutely. That carried on throughout the night; the glassware used to serve cocktails was magic, but I thought the cocktails were not as magical (good, but not "wow"). The dessert presentation (basque cheesecake) was exceptional, even if we thought the flavor profile of the cheesecake was less so. The best food dish I tried all night was the potatoes au gratin, a true standout. Perfectly cooked, perfectly gooey, and the gruyere's flavor certainly didn't come across as strong as I initially feared. It was just right. The asparagus was only OK, and the endive was reportedly average. The only genuine miss for me was the steak. I blame myself for going small, but still, I thought the six-ounce filet mignon (I ordered it rare, it came out a little warmer than that) would be more flavorful. I was wrong. The lack of char didn't help, and the $10 helping of "Sauce L'Alston" (a peppercorn addition) also didn't bring home the goods. Across the three side sauces we added to our steaks, neither Sauce L'Alston, the "perigourdine" nor the "bavaroise" landed in quite the way we had hoped. Worse, that choice added $44 (for the three sauces) to our bill. That bill, all in, led to each of us paying $285 for this meal, just shy of $900 in total. Let's pause for a second. Yep, I get it--I walked into a steakhouse in Chicago. Remember, I do this a lot, to the tune of five times this week alone and maybe once or twice a month across Chicagoland and the US when I travel for work. So, I'm comfortable with the spend. I am not comfortable with the *value* offered by The Alston. The space is sexy, sure. Even the small bar adjacent to the main lobby on the third floor is quite handsome. And the staff is decked out. But it often felt like the $24 price for the truffle sauce was being used for the dry cleaning bill of the staff. There are multiple $20+ cocktails, in a city where most of the time, I can find a good drink for $15-$18. There's a $34 short rib pastry...which is about double the price of the short rib beignets at Boeufhaus. Some of that is the location, so again, I get it. But the reason why I stopped hitting Maple & Ash is the same reason I am unlikely to return to The Alston...$300/person for a steak dinner in Chicago is about $100 more than you will need to pay at a lot of other great spots in town. While we didn't do ourselves any favors by lopping oysters and caviar onto the bill, those items were strangely NOT that expensive at The Alston. A caviar cocaine bump only sets you back $15. That is totally reasonable! $16 for a steakhouse veggie side dish is absolutely market price as well. The space is gorgeous, and if anything, go for drinks and try out some of the smaller plates to see the restaurant in its glory. But in terms of a steak dinner, you can do a lot better in a lot of great locations in town. read more

Chef Jenner Tomaska never disappoints. The Alston is the right amount of dim and light in the restaurant. It has a very jazzy French vibe. My partner had an old fashioned one word INCREDIBLE. I was very jealous I didn't get that. I had the sweet peach, the sweet peach is a little too sweet for my liking but, it was still really good. They gave us butter and bread to start. Butter tasted like it was made with beef tallow. So the sour dough bread didn't pair well however the French and the multigrain went perfect with it. The baked Scallops are delicious. The king crab cake was sooo good. loved the flavors I think it needed a little more citrus that's just my opinion. Baby sweet potato is the real star here. When I tell you I can eat a whole bowl of them! Took a couple of big spoonfuls of them. We split the dry aged porterhouse. Cooked to perfection. We combined it with the mushrooms I personally think it needs more sauce but still very good a little bit of too much parsley. All in all foods great here. Staffs extremely friendly and attentive. Food was so good I forgot to take photos. read more

Perfect place to celebrate an occasion, will be back! Everything was top tier from Matt our server to the Waygu Tomahawk- the star of the show was the French onion soup and the scallops. 10/10. Only small detail is it is darker than I would have liked. read more

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My family and I braved a blizzard Saturday night because we had to try this new steakhouse we heard about on Instagram. We were blown away by how stunning this restaurant was decorated! My wife was absolutely obsessed with the wallpaper choices the owners made and can honestly say we'd be more than content having happy hour at the bar just to take in the décor alone. We started with what seemed to be every appetizer on the menu. The date night tower was incredible with King Crab that tasted unlike anything I've had before. Turns out they fly in Norwegian King Crab - Fresh. Every. Day. No idea who else is doing that in Chicago...The Seared Foie Gras was fire, but the Scallop Saint Jacques stood alone as the single best appetizer I have ever had at any steak house. The Alston House Salad is a can't miss (big Hearts of Palm fan!), and the Dressed Eggs should've been the end of my appetite but we soldiered onto the main courses. We ordered the Wagyu Boneless New York which was cooked to a perfect medium rare but the real star of the show was the Duck A La Presse. Not only was the duck to die for, the chef put on an incredible show fileting and pressing the duck right in front of us into the most savory of sauces. Our night ended with a tour de desert, ordering all three on the menu. I was most excited for the Apple Tarte Tatin which was nothing short of fantastic, but the Pistachio Entremet blew me away and might be a contender for top 5 desserts I have ever had. 10/5 stars for Alston - we will be back! read more

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Amazing service, delicious food and wine, special experience. Highly recommend for an unforgettable dinner!

Alston, is the best dining experience of any restaurant in America. The dining room has a digital ceiling that brings art work from around the world. The Presse Duck made at table side brings a level of creativity and great food. Just added the crepe Suzette also made table is amazing. Add the Wagu steaks simply the best Food and service is a 10 read more

The ambiance and the views are stunning. Dimly lit but you can still enjoy your surroundings. The service is impeccable from the moment you walk in. You're greeted and acknowledged and they do a great job at making you feel important and welcome. They have a live dj but I felt the music was too loud for an intimate dinner. The food was not worth the price unfortunately. We ordered the lobster, the New York bone in steak, the Brussels sprouts and French fries. The sides were great but the steak and lobster were just okay. Overall it was a great experience but if you're coming here for the food I wouldn't have high expectations. read more

The Alston - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went back to the Alston. Wonderful experience, Gorgeous place with Food and Service to match.Started with both Pate's which were rich and savory. Had some great wine suggested by stellar sommelier Rya. Pork chop was big and most tender I've ever had. All made for fantastic evening. Great value. read more

Still working out the kinks in a massive new Chicago venture. Very good steak, very good wine. Upscale ambience on the third floor betrayed by a staff still in training. read more

3 percent service charge for using a credit card was sprung on me when presented the bill. Ugh! It felt like a car dealer springing extra charges at the last minute. read more

Amazing space, both the restaurant and members club and awesome experience and hospitality (special thanks to Tatiana and Mitch). Really enjoyed the bread presentation (very cool), welcome cocktail and our pastas and the Dover sole (best I have had). Great cocktails and wine too. Excited to go back soon and highly recommend! read more

The food at The Alston was fantastic, fresh, innovative and delicious. The service impeccable and attentive. This is definitely an upscale restaurant that is perfect for a special occasion to celebrate an event or a terrific place for a date night read more

The Alston - Scallops, dressed eggs and tomato/beet salad - Steakhouses Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We loved being at The Alston on its opening night. The space is gorgeous, the service is extraordinary, and the food is scrumptious. read more

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I left underwhelmed, For the price there's better options. Bone in ribeye mid , Dover sole mid Steak tartare mid, cheese cake was the best part of the meal. read more

The Alston, circa Dec 2025, delivers an outstanding restaurant experience. I have eaten here five or so times since they opened, and each experience has exceeded the last. They had a couple misses on their menu in the early months, which have been cleaned up nicely in recent visits. I think they still tend to overcook their steaks by 1 full notch (rare+ comes out med rare; med rare comes out medium), but one can adjust for that. As a Bavette's / Gibson's Italia loyalist, I confess that the Alston's Vander Farms Wagyu cuts are incredible! I can't easily name one steak of this caliber that you can find in Chicago at the price point. The flavorful duck is also a special item that delivers on high expectations. The service also is much-improved since the opening months, when one might have thot them overmatched on busy nights. I have recently found the servers and managers to be highly attentive, clearly making our visits extra special with little touches and attn to detail. Importantly, the decor and interior design have always been flat-out second to none -stunning. There is no equal in Chicago. You can find a well-heeled, good looking scene here on weekends. It is great to see that the Alston has become a restaurant executing at a high level. read more

Our experience was exceptional from start to finish. The dining room was stunning and there were many locations for a good photo op. The menu had something for everyone. We were not disappointed by the recommended 'dressed eggs', and really enjoyed the oysters. Caviar bump- was buttery and had a good salt to it. Steak sauces - the bordelaise had a nice savory but sweet balance . Steak was cooked perfectly. For dessert, we also were not disappointed by our lovely server Stephanie's recommendation of the apple tarte (with carrot ice cream- yes I said carrot ) . Would love to go back to try more of the menu. read more

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A Memorable Opening Night at The Alston I had the pleasure of taking my wife to The Alston on its opening night, May 30th, 2025, and we were absolutely impressed by the experience -- from the ambiance to the wine to the impeccable service. Service & Atmosphere From the moment we arrived, Amir, our server, made us feel welcomed and well cared for. His attentiveness and warmth truly elevated our evening. Jordan, the sommelier, was equally excellent -- his recommendations were insightful, and he guided us to an exceptional bottle of Keenan Capstone Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa. It was a standout selection from The Alston's impressive wine list. The ambiance of the restaurant is something special. The decor is elegant yet inviting, with stunning views that add an extra layer of magic to the dining experience. It's clear that a great deal of thought went into the design of the space. That said, finding the restaurant was a little tricky -- it's tucked next to Sophia Steak and near the Lifetime building signage, so look out for those landmarks. Drinks & Starters We began our evening with a refreshing surprise -- a bright, citrusy spritzer made with Tito's vodka, St. Germain, lemon, and lime. It was the perfect palate opener, paired with warm, crusty bread and deliciously creamy butter that had us hooked from the first bite. For starters, we shared the Fire Roasted Tomato Niçoise -- an artful plate accented with beet, cucumber, and citrus oil -- and the Seared Foie Gras, which was expertly prepared and deeply flavorful. Main Course & Dessert For the main course, I chose the 10oz Center Cut Filet Mignon with a rich, velvety bordelaise sauce, accompanied by a side of roasted mushrooms. The flavors were on point, and the sauces were especially remarkable -- complex, balanced, and clearly crafted with care. The only hiccup was that our steak, ordered medium, came out slightly rare and lukewarm, but we chalked it up to the understandable kinks of opening night. To finish, we indulged in the Apple Tarte Tatin topped with a unique grilled carrot ice cream -- an inventive and satisfying close to the meal. Final Thoughts The Alston is already showing great promise. With a talented team, a thoughtful menu, and a showstopping ambiance, it's poised to become one of Chicago's next culinary gems. We even saw Chef Jenner Tomaska himself making rounds and performing tableside service of Duck à la Presse, which looked incredible. We'll definitely be back soon -- next time with a group to explore more of the menu. read more

Incredible decor, food was 10/10. Ceaser salad, crab cake, center cut filet were amazing, service was great.