
- What are the current COVID guidelines at The Alinea Group?
The Alinea Group follows all CDC and Chicago COVID guidelines. Please visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home.html to see states currently covered by the travel order, mask mandates, and vaccine status updates.
- I tested positive for Covid-19, when is the earliest I can dine or order?
The Alinea Group is strictly adhering to the guidelines set by the CDC. Per the CDC, we cannot welcome guests for at least 14 days after either a.) they have a negative test result or b.) the last day they were symptomatic. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work to prioritize the safety of our guests and staff.
- Are you able to accommodate dietary restrictions?
At Alinea, we try to make the fewest number of changes possible when accommodating dietary restrictions, so that our guests may enjoy the menu as Chef Achatz originally envisioned. We are not able to make substitutions for aversions, as this will compromise the integrity of the experience. We are able to make accommodations for certain common dietary restrictions (Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian, Pescetarian, No shellfish or Finfish, No Nuts, No Gluten) with at least 72 hours advance notice.
We do our best to accommodate mild allergies but can not guarantee that we work in a nut, dairy, gluten or allergen-free environment given the complexity of our kitchens and menus. There are no precautions we can take to ensure that every food item has been handled in an allergen-free environment by our purveyors during the packing and distribution process. For this reason please note, we are not able to accommodate guests where cross-contamination can trigger a reaction.
Please email hospitality@alinearestaurant.com with any questions.
- When do new bookings become available?
We typically release bookings on the 15th of the month, approximately two months in advance. Bookings will be released on the 15th of each month at 11:00 AM Central Time (subject to change).
January bookings are released on November 15th.
February bookings are released on December 15th.
March bookings are released on January 15th.
April bookings are released on February 15th.
May bookings are released on March 15th.
June bookings are released on April 15th.
July bookings are released on May 15th.
August bookings are released on June 15th.
September bookings are released on July 15th.
October bookings are released on August 15th.
November bookings are released on September 15th.
December bookings are released on October 15th.
Please visit out website at www.exploretock.com/alinea to purchase the date and time of your choice, depending on availability.
- What happens if I am running late?
Contact host@alinearestaurant.com if you are running late. Please note that arriving more than ten minutes late may result in missing part of your experience.
- Can I reschedule my booking?
We are able to reschedule your booking with at least 72 hours’ advance notice. After that time we are unable to accommodate changes.
- Can I cancel my booking for a refund?
All sales are final and non-refundable. With at least 72 hours’ notice, we are happy to reschedule your booking to a future date within the calendar year.
- I missed my reservation date, can I apply my deposit towards a future date?
We are unable to apply missed deposits to future dates.
- Why is a 20% service charge automatically applied to my bill?
At The Alinea Group restaurants, we include a service charge as part of booking your to-go or dine-in experience. This charge is applied towards operating costs (service-ware, fixed costs, food costs, wages, etc.) to ensure the highest level of excellence in our quality of service as well as to provide fair and equitable wages to our front and back of house employees. Additional gratuity paid on the evening of your reservation is at the discretion of each guest. 100% of any additional gratuity is paid to non-salaried, front of house employees who are directly in service of customers in strict accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Do you offer gift certificates?
To purchase a gift card please visit Tock's website here. Gift cards can only be purchased in $USD for any amount between $5.00 - $2,000 and used at all Alinea Group outlets for both dine-in and take-out experiences. Please note, Tock gift cards are digital and can only be sent by email.
Gift Cards are redeemable through Tock only (i.e., not in-person at a restaurant or other experience). A Gift Card cannot be applied once a reservation has already been made and balances can only be applied in their entirety or not at all.
If you have any additional questions we recommend visiting the Gift Card Terms & Conditions section on Tock's website.
- What is the dress code at Alinea?
Our dress code is “elevated casual” - we only ask guests to be comfortable yet polished. Jackets are not required, though many guests do opt to wear them.
- Do you offer valet?
We currently offer valet parking at $14.00.
**rates subject to change**
- Can I give my reservation away or sell it?
Yes. The reservation is completely transferable. Please note, however, that selling reservations for greater than face value may be illegal in your area. Anyone who purchases a reservation from another patron should take care to ensure that they have a received a formal transfer of the reservation through the restaurant’s official website. Any reservations purchased on the secondary market are at the purchaser’s risk. We cannot accept responsibility for forgeries or misrepresentations.
- How do I transfer my reservation?
To transfer a reservation, log in to your account and then select, “Reservations”. Each reservation has a transfer button next to it.
- What are the wine pairings at Alinea?
We are offering the following options:
Standard Pairing: $145.00 per person
Reserve Pairing: $235.00 per person
Alinea Pairing: $395.00 per person
Prices exclude service fee and tax. Please note that all guests partaking in the wine program must enjoy the same level of pairing, however, not all guests need to purchase a wine pairing.
In addition to pairings, we offer an extensive list of wines by the bottle or glass a la carte. For more information on the wine program at Alinea, please email the sommelier team at somms@alinearestaurant.com.
- What are the differences in each wine pairing level?
Whenever possible, the Sommeliers offer three examples of the same style of wine, often from the same producer. These selections can range from regional varietals to single-vineyard bottles (smaller production, higher uniqueness, and name recognition), to prized vintages.
Our sommeliers ensure that each guest partaking in a pairing will have a similar experience in terms of style and compatibility with the menu, but the higher the pairing level, the more exclusive and unique the experience.
- What is your corkage policy?
Per the policy set in place by the Chef and Owner, we do not allow any outside wine. We do, however, offer carefully selected and curated wine pairings to accompany each menu. In addition, we offer an extensive a la carte selection of wine by the bottle, and a limited selection of beer and sake.
The Alinea Group follows all CDC and Chicago COVID guidelines. Please visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home.html to see states currently covered by the travel order, mask mandates, and vaccine status updates.
- I tested positive for Covid-19, when is the earliest I can dine or order?
The Alinea Group is strictly adhering to the guidelines set by the CDC. Per the CDC, we cannot welcome guests for at least 14 days after either a.) they have a negative test result or b.) the last day they were symptomatic. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work to prioritize the safety of our guests and staff.
- Are you able to accommodate dietary restrictions?
At Alinea, we try to make the fewest number of changes possible when accommodating dietary restrictions, so that our guests may enjoy the menu as Chef Achatz originally envisioned. We are not able to make substitutions for aversions, as this will compromise the integrity of the experience. We are able to make accommodations for certain common dietary restrictions (Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian, Pescetarian, No shellfish or Finfish, No Nuts, No Gluten) with at least 72 hours advance notice.
We do our best to accommodate mild allergies but can not guarantee that we work in a nut, dairy, gluten or allergen-free environment given the complexity of our kitchens and menus. There are no precautions we can take to ensure that every food item has been handled in an allergen-free environment by our purveyors during the packing and distribution process. For this reason please note, we are not able to accommodate guests where cross-contamination can trigger a reaction.
Please email hospitality@alinearestaurant.com with any questions.
- When do new bookings become available?
We typically release bookings on the 15th of the month, approximately two months in advance. Bookings will be released on the 15th of each month at 11:00 AM Central Time (subject to change).
January bookings are released on November 15th.
February bookings are released on December 15th.
March bookings are released on January 15th.
April bookings are released on February 15th.
May bookings are released on March 15th.
June bookings are released on April 15th.
July bookings are released on May 15th.
August bookings are released on June 15th.
September bookings are released on July 15th.
October bookings are released on August 15th.
November bookings are released on September 15th.
December bookings are released on October 15th.
Please visit out website at www.exploretock.com/alinea to purchase the date and time of your choice, depending on availability.
- What happens if I am running late?
Contact host@alinearestaurant.com if you are running late. Please note that arriving more than ten minutes late may result in missing part of your experience.
- Can I reschedule my booking?
We are able to reschedule your booking with at least 72 hours’ advance notice. After that time we are unable to accommodate changes.
- Can I cancel my booking for a refund?
All sales are final and non-refundable. With at least 72 hours’ notice, we are happy to reschedule your booking to a future date within the calendar year.
- I missed my reservation date, can I apply my deposit towards a future date?
We are unable to apply missed deposits to future dates.
- Why is a 20% service charge automatically applied to my bill?
At The Alinea Group restaurants, we include a service charge as part of booking your to-go or dine-in experience. This charge is applied towards operating costs (service-ware, fixed costs, food costs, wages, etc.) to ensure the highest level of excellence in our quality of service as well as to provide fair and equitable wages to our front and back of house employees. Additional gratuity paid on the evening of your reservation is at the discretion of each guest. 100% of any additional gratuity is paid to non-salaried, front of house employees who are directly in service of customers in strict accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Do you offer gift certificates?
To purchase a gift card please visit Tock's website here. Gift cards can only be purchased in $USD for any amount between $5.00 - $2,000 and used at all Alinea Group outlets for both dine-in and take-out experiences. Please note, Tock gift cards are digital and can only be sent by email.
Gift Cards are redeemable through Tock only (i.e., not in-person at a restaurant or other experience). A Gift Card cannot be applied once a reservation has already been made and balances can only be applied in their entirety or not at all.
If you have any additional questions we recommend visiting the Gift Card Terms & Conditions section on Tock's website.
- What is the dress code at Alinea?
Our dress code is “elevated casual” - we only ask guests to be comfortable yet polished. Jackets are not required, though many guests do opt to wear them.
- Do you offer valet?
We currently offer valet parking at $14.00.
**rates subject to change**
- Can I give my reservation away or sell it?
Yes. The reservation is completely transferable. Please note, however, that selling reservations for greater than face value may be illegal in your area. Anyone who purchases a reservation from another patron should take care to ensure that they have a received a formal transfer of the reservation through the restaurant’s official website. Any reservations purchased on the secondary market are at the purchaser’s risk. We cannot accept responsibility for forgeries or misrepresentations.
- How do I transfer my reservation?
To transfer a reservation, log in to your account and then select, “Reservations”. Each reservation has a transfer button next to it.
- What are the wine pairings at Alinea?
We are offering the following options:
Standard Pairing: $145.00 per person
Reserve Pairing: $235.00 per person
Alinea Pairing: $395.00 per person
Prices exclude service fee and tax. Please note that all guests partaking in the wine program must enjoy the same level of pairing, however, not all guests need to purchase a wine pairing.
In addition to pairings, we offer an extensive list of wines by the bottle or glass a la carte. For more information on the wine program at Alinea, please email the sommelier team at somms@alinearestaurant.com.
- What are the differences in each wine pairing level?
Whenever possible, the Sommeliers offer three examples of the same style of wine, often from the same producer. These selections can range from regional varietals to single-vineyard bottles (smaller production, higher uniqueness, and name recognition), to prized vintages.
Our sommeliers ensure that each guest partaking in a pairing will have a similar experience in terms of style and compatibility with the menu, but the higher the pairing level, the more exclusive and unique the experience.
- What is your corkage policy?
Per the policy set in place by the Chef and Owner, we do not allow any outside wine. We do, however, offer carefully selected and curated wine pairings to accompany each menu. In addition, we offer an extensive a la carte selection of wine by the bottle, and a limited selection of beer and sake.
Location: United States, Illinois, Chicago
Employees: 51-200
Founded date: 2004
Mentions in press and media 10
Date | Title | Description |
16.08.2025 | Where do top chefs eat in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam? | Listen 13 min New: You can now listen to articles. This audio is generated by an AI tool. The culinary scene in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is nothing if not diverse. Vietnam’s main commercial hub teens with alluring dining ... |
03.04.2025 | Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: The best London restaurants | I feel privileged to have dined in the finest restaurants across the globe, from three star Michelin to ‘50 Best in the world’. My life has been a culinary odyssey which has taken my wife and I from Tokyo to San Francisco, Kuala Lumpur to P... |
24.05.2024 | Lightspeed partners with Uber Direct & Eats | Lightspeed Commerce Inc. (NYSE: LSPD) | (TSX: LSPD) the one-stop commerce platform empowering merchants to provide the best omnichannel experiences, and Uber (NYSE: UBER) today announced a new North American partnership to directly integrat... |
23.05.2024 | Lightspeed Announces Partnership With Uber Direct and Uber Eats Marketplace | Partnership provides Lightspeed hospitality merchants with direct access to Uber's extensive delivery network MONTREAL, QC, May 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Lightspeed Commerce Inc. (NYSE: LSPD) | (TSX: LSPD) the one-stop commerce platform empow... |
26.02.2024 | Vote for Chicago's best food neighborhood | Let's get a grudge match going over the best neighborhood in town for food. The big picture: Axios Chicago readers have crowned everything from the city's best newscaster to local commercial to park in recent months, but now it's time for a... |
22.04.2021 | LIFE STORAGE, INC. Life Storage : The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Chicago | Shares Are you thinking about moving to Chicago? As the third-largest city in the U.S., Chicago is the ideal city for those who want to live in a world-class metropolitan area with Midwest values. Cleaner than New York and with a richer his... |
20.02.2020 | At Tock, this restaurant group owner and former trader is building a Spotify for reservations | Tock, a six-year-old, Chicago-based culinary reservation service, has never had the kind of brand-recognition that other companies in the space have enjoyed, from publicly traded OpenTable to Resy, the New York-based company that was founde... |
30.07.2017 | Here's what it's like to eat an out-of-this-world meal at Alinea, the best restaurant in America | Advertisement Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Chef Grant Achatz owns Alinea with Nick Kokonas. Enjoying a meal at one of America's best restaurants can be an experience to last a lifetime. Business Insider recently released its list of the 50 b... |
05.04.2017 | World's 50 Best Restaurants 2017: New York's Eleven Madison Park Takes Top Honor | The number one restaurant in the world is actually number eleven—Eleven Madison Park in New York City took the top honor at this year’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in Melbourne. |
03.05.2016 | 2016 James Beard Award Winners: New Orleans' Shaya Named Best New Restaurant | The good times are rolling at New Orleans with the announcement of this year’s James Beard Awards. At the gala held Monday night in Chicago, Chef Alon Shaya’s namesake restaurant Shaya (in the Crescent City's Garden District) won “Best New ... |