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    The Alston

    4.0 (88 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    The Alston Photos

    Business Info

    THE ALSTON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Alston

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    Maddi W.

    Unbelievable good and experience! I also want to recognize, Mitch, our server for the evening! He made the whole dining experience unforgettable! I hope The Alston recognizes him for going above and beyond! Everything we ate was perfect? The cocktails were delicious! We had steaks (of course!) and appetizers and sides. The corn and potatoes were delicious. We topped the meal off with the basque cheesecake. The Alston itself was stunning! The Alston will continue to be on our list when we come to Chicago.

    Beatrice A.

    Great food, good service. We told our waitress we were celebrating our Anniversary. Although acknowledged verbally, we weren't given any Anniversary treat like a dessert or anything. Ambiance is elegant, moody, and dark in the evening. Mesmerizing ceilings.

    Filet
    Lauren G.

    My husband and I had a really nice dinner at The Alston. We decided to sit at the bar as we sometimes find the service to be faster as we have small children at home. Our bartender was attentive and our service overall was perfect. The restaurant is dark, romantic and moody which I loved. Everything was clean and well maintained. The food was overall good, but I wouldn't say "Great". We each got a filet and it was cooked the perfect medium rare that we asked for. The tuna crudo was a fantastic appetizer and our favorite bite of the night. It does pack a little heat at first which we weren't expecting but it was super flavorful and fresh. We also split the truffle baked potato and the creamed spinach which were both just OK in my opinion. When I go to a steakhouse, usually the sides are the stars of the meal and these were not bad but also nothing exciting to either of us. The truffle potato lacked a bit of flavor which surprised us and the creamed spinach also could have used a little extra something. I will also mention that as a staunch researcher of menus before I eat anywhere, the menu online is very outdated compared to what was presented to us in the restaurant. There were a lot of items I wanted to get that weren't being offered anymore. Overall, it is a very nice restaurant but for the cost I couldn't say it's my favorite.

    NY strip
    Justin P.

    I came to the Alston for Father's Day, and was blown away by the experience. First off - the space is immaculate. It's a great mix of booths and tables; super high ceilings and lots of space (so you don't feel like you're sitting on top of people.) I had ribeye skewers (starter) and the NY strip for the main course. The skewer was excellent; the steak wasn't bad but candidly I've had beer NY strip in the city. All the sides (mashed potatoes and brussels) were legit. My daughter tried their cheeseburger but she likes her burgers plain (so she didn't get all the cool stuff that comes on it.) I'll reserve judgement until I try the burger as it was meant to be served. For dessert I had the apple dish and it was solid. I only tried one drink, but it was solid. Next time I go, I'll try that burger or one of their seafood options. I definitely recommend this place.

    Nerissa L.

    I came here for an early dinner the other day. As we entered we noticed the place was basically empty. Appeared to be more staff present than actual people dining there. The ambiance is gorgeous and the service was really great. The food in my opinion was not amazing. As a matter of fact the rolls were my favorite part of my meal. I wanted to love the lobster bisque but it had a weird aftertaste. The crab cakes were only ok. I would not order them again. Although the restaurant is very nice, I am not rushing to dine here again.

    Sean Y.

    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.

    Dining room area with almost floor to ceiling windows and small table spaces.
    Sue L.

    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.

    Mushrooms
    Eris T.

    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.

    Caviar bumps
    Sarah L.

    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!

    Brandy S.

    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

    Bread service
    Eda X.

    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.

    Rie U.

    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.

    Menu
    Aly M.

    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.

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    Ask the Community - The Alston

    Is it preteen-age kid friendly?

    Don’t think kids would appreciate such a fine dining experience unless they are used to upscale restaurants

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Butcher & The Bear

    Butcher & The Bear

    4.4(184 reviews)
    2.7 miLincoln Park
    $$$$

    Yes, steak houses are expensive, but here, you get what you pay for. Check out the menu before…read moregoing there's a lot to choose from: seafood appetizers, different meats and cuts including a Wagyu tasting board. Our main server, Billy, and his team could not have been better; available when you needed them and out of the way when you didn't. When my wife mentioned to one of the team, she wanted wine with our entree, Billy was there 10 seconds later with two reds for her to taste. The focaccia with beef tallow was suggested by everyone, we thought it was nice, but nothing special. We split the beef cheeks for another appetizer and it was spectacular. We also split a Ceasar salad that was good. Both of us ordered the rib eye and a side of whipped potatoes. Both were phenomenal. Nice touch with offering the option for the kitchen to slice it for you. At this point, we were pretty full and got lemon sorbet (not too sour, not too sweet) crème brûlée gelato (good) and because it was our 39th anniversary, he brought us an "Italian donut " (sugar donut with vanilla ice cream) that was great. I noticed another table getting the biscoff cheese cake, and carrot cake. They looked great and were HUGE. Coffee came a little late but that's being picky. Complimentary lemon cello ended the evening with a nice touch. My wife said the service and food made this a wonderful experience and a memorable anniversary. I agree. The atmosphere is dark but romantic and the noise level isn't bad. I do have a HUGE COMPLAINT!! My wife's idiot husband (me) left the doggie bag with a good amount of steak and whipped potatoes on the table. We look forward to coming back with family and friends.

    First off, what you're getting for your money just doesn't gel…read more I dont mind paying an exuberant amount for food if the food matches the price but sadly it doesn't here.... The good: Salad was amazing with bits of nicely cooked pork belly mixed in and the salad dressing is to die for Focaccia bread was very good but nothing special but the bone tarrow butter was fantastic and carried this bread. Brussel sprouts were flavorful but greasy and overcooked... Beef cheek ragu noodle dish was heavy yet tasty.. Rib eye steak done medium rare was fatty and very very chewy so this was a complete fail, but seasoned very well...extra 10 bucks for some dipping sauce for the steak but worth getting to elevate the steak...Definitely don't do any steak under medium here... Lemon sorbet was the true winner of the night...Delicious without being too tart..... Overall like I said, not worth the $250 price tag before tip...._

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    Penumbra - Creole shrimp, ribeye and lobster (surf & turf) with roasted potatoes and delish side salad. Delish!

    Penumbra

    4.8(1k reviews)
    4.7 miLogan Square
    $$$

    I had the pleasure to dine at Penumbra on a Thursday evening. We were celebrating a graduation and…read morethe staff were very welcoming when we arrived. I was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with the parking around the area. I asked one of the staff members and immediately they reassured me that the side street would raking was totally fine to park just so long as it wasn't the front of the building where you have to pay. The food started with a complementary potato soup which was flavorful and lovely. We got a round of drinks and one of our party didn't care for her drink and it was replaced no question. We had the flat iron steak, the chicken, and the salmon and each entree was wonderful. The proteins were all very tender and juicy. I was also very pleased with the salad that came first which was lightly dressed and very seasonal. We finished our dining experience with a slice of cheesecake. It was a nice cap to the end of a wonderful meal. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion - I would love to come back and try some of the other items on their menu.

    **Hidden gem!!!**…read more Penumbra is SUPER sexy and low-key elite. This is one of those spots that will make you look like a total restaurant pro if you take someone there or recommend it. The ambiance is intimate, romantic, and just feels exclusive without trying too hard. I took my girl there for her birthday and she absolutely loved it -- which is always the real test. We had the ribeye and the Rotini Bianco, and both were excellent. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful. The Rotini Bianco was rich, creamy, and done just right. Every dish felt intentional and well executed. Don't hesitate to book. If you're trying to impress or celebrate something special, this is the move.

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    Perilla korean steakhouse

    Perilla korean steakhouse

    4.1(225 reviews)
    0.7 miThe Loop
    $$$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Takes reservations

    One of the best kbbq I ever had. The quality was top notch. This is the type of place you go to for…read morea special occasion because it is pricey. My husband and I came here for dinner on a Fri night. The menu was misleading. We ordered the premium steakhouse set ($70), assuming that we could split it between the 2 of us, but you have to order per person. It came with picanha, wagyu hangar, prime short rib, and marinated prime short rib. They were all 5/5 fantastic quality. This is ultimately why I'm giving this place 5 stars. The meat was incredibly tender and flavorful. We also ordered the brussels sprouts which were the best I had in a long time. It had a hint of sweetness from the golden raisins and fermented honey. The pumpkin seeds added a crunchy element to this dish - I could've devoured this entire plate by myself. The japchae was good too. I like that it had more veggies than your average japchae. Perilla steakhouse was a beautiful restaurant. There's plenty of seating and I was surprised to see that they also serve breakfast. If I lived here, I would probably check it out.

    We went for happy hour (which is only available at the bar or outside patio). Everything we tried…read morewas absolutely delicious! The service was great; I'd definitely come back here. For food we had: - oysters - Argentina red shrimp (good flavor but you only get three shrimps which didn't seem worth it) - garlic chive pancake (loved the side sauces with this) - vegetable dumplings (really good!)

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    Custom built-in table side grilling

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    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Ahi Tuna Tartare*

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

    4.4(3.3k reviews)
    0.3 miNear North Side
    $$$$

    Joe's Seafood in Chicago has an unusual amount of personal history for me. It opened as a…read morepartnership between Miami Beach's iconic Joe's Stone Crab and Lettuce Entertain You, bringing South Florida to Grand and Rush. I first went when it was still a huge, buzzy Chicago spot, and one of my most memorable dinners came after my high school graduation in 2003. I even got a speeding ticket on Lake Shore Drive with my grandmother in the back seat on the way to dinner, which still makes me laugh. Chicago was an especially fun place for Joe's to arrive. Open outcry trading was still a force, and the wealth creation around it was wild: people who had dropped out of high school could become millionaires in their twenties, while math PhDs from the University of Chicago could make fortunes in the same ecosystem. It was a golden era for hustle culture, when commerce idolized Tony Montana in a way that today is more likely to idolize Jamie Dimon or David Solomon. Death Row and Bad Boy ruled the airwaves, while Michael, Shaq, Kobe, and Allen Iverson defined the NBA. Basketball was so dominant in Chicago culture during my coming of age that I still map other things, including restaurants, to NBA teams. Joe's felt like the Miami Heat coming to Chicago in much the same way Smith & Wollensky represented the New York Knicks: each brought a recognizable piece of its hometown culture into another major city. Joe's brought real South Florida sizzle to Chicago, and it landed at exactly the right moment. Going there felt like an occasion. Florida took longer for me to understand in full. My family has roots in the state going back decades, farther north along the Atlantic coast, and I didn't visit Miami until March 2007, when my sister started graduate school in Coral Gables. That trip began my love affair with Miami and helped me understand why the original Joe's was such an institution. A close family friend's father spent time around Miami in the 1960s and 1970s. He knew local fishermen who caught stone crabs, which gave me an appreciation for the older South Florida culture around the food, separate from Joe's own history. Another Joe's memory captures an entirely different moment. Looking through my OpenTable history, my July 31, 2008 reservation at Joe's in Chicago is the earliest reservation I can find at a restaurant that is still open today. I was 23, working at UBS, preparing to move to New York while the firm was already on fire from its mortgage losses, and Lehman would file for bankruptcy just weeks later. I was broke but wildly aspirational, dreaming about dinners at Balthazar, begging my way past the doors at Cain and Tenjune, hoping to drink for free, and trying to meet women comically far out of my league. Through all of those memories, the restaurant itself has been remarkably consistent. The stone crab claws are incredible, the seafood is excellent, and Joe's holds its own among Chicago's serious steakhouses. The room has traditionally felt a little more formal than Miami, with bow ties, polished service, and a darker old-school steakhouse rhythm, while still being genuinely welcoming. Finish with the key lime pie. Years later, my wife and I held our wedding reception at RPM Seafood, another Lettuce restaurant, then ate at the original Joe's during our honeymoon in Miami during COVID days later, which felt like a fitting circle back. In sheer range of venues, repeatability of quality and atmosphere, and consistency of hits, Lettuce is the gold standard in Chicago, with some of that same reach in Vegas and DC. I've been extraordinarily privileged in my exposure to hospitality, and I still repeatedly admire Rich Melman's model, taste, and execution, now carried forward by the next generation of the family. Joe's is a prime example: world-class, durable, unmistakably Chicago, and absolutely somewhere I want to return next time I'm in town with some dough to spend. While Joe's may not be French, this place still earns my highest marks: très bien!

    Had dinner at Joe's last week...service is still excellent and the restaurant is still great…read moreoverall, but the food has definitely declined in quality unfortunately. The baked potatoes and other sides were still delicious but the steaks came out dry and overcooked. The quality was very much lacking. Our waiter was kind enough to remake both steaks, which was very much appreciated and the second round was better but still not as good as we remembered. We'll likely return ... hopefully this was just a one time problem?

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    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - The dining room

    The dining room

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    Beef Tenderloin Slider

    The Alston - steak - Updated August 2026

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