Allium

Decided to try this place during restaurant week this year. You know when you get through a really long day and the only thing keeping you going is the thought that you have a fun, delicious evening waiting for you? Well that was me today — I was really looking forward to this place based on the previous reviews and the photos of the dishes.
First off, the tables are weirdly large and I felt like I was stretching across the table to talk to my boyfriend. The waitress came to take our order and had an oddly forced demeanor that was pretty off putting and carried on throughout the duration of our meal.
We ordered both of the restaurant week menu options — brussel sprout salad, salmon with red wine reduction and mushrooms, steak with fries and spinach salad, and a chocolate sorbet with raspberries. It all sounded pretty good on the menu.
When the salad arrived it looked like someone literally made a large quantity of salad in a vat in the back, scooped some out, slopped it into a bowl and brought it to our table. There was no presentation to speak of, which was disappointing given all the fun pictures already posted on their Unilocal page. Also, it tasted average at best. Nothing remarkable at all.
The salmon was smaller than the size of a playing card and was barely seasoned at all. The red wine reduction was also decidedly unremarkable and tasted mass produced.
The steak was the same as the salad — mediocre. Fries were humdrum and the spinach salad was weirdly soupy.
The dessert reminded me of that dirt cake I made with my mom as a kid that’s made of chocolate pudding and Oreos and that’s served out of a flower pot. Again, not bad… but really?!
With the one cocktail each that we had our bill, with tip, came to nearly $ 150. Totally crazy price for food that I could just have easily made in my own kitchen. Again, not bad food but totally overpriced. I’m wondering if they just don’t care about restaurant week customers or if the food tonight is truly representative of their regular menu. Either way, my boyfriend and I were totally disappointed, won’t be returning, and seriously don’t recommend this place. They really need to step up their game with so many other wonderful restaurants in the area!

We came here for brunch over the weekend and had a great meal here at Allium.
Service ⁵⁄₅
Right when we sat down water was served and the waitress showed up shortly after to explain the menu options. Throughout the meal she was checking in to see if we needed anything and how the food was. Overall server was very attentive and was not very obtrusive.
Food ³⁄₅
We came for the hotdog, and we got it! It was pretty decent and came with a basket of fries. Nicely, executed. I would say the flavor was «ok» and wasn’t unusual or too special. Frankly, Jims/​Maxwells really tastes better but obviously is not displayed as nicely.
I had the duck hash and it was a little too gamey for my liking so my husband at a majority of it and we switched plates.
I’d like to come back for dinner to evaluate that menu, perhaps we didn’t order the right things.
Venue: beautiful within the Four Seasons hotel, elegant dining atmosphere.

This awesome spot in the Four Seasons Hotel fires on all cylinders. First, it has a modern feel with a comfortable atmosphere. The tables are spread out with very comfortable plush seats. One side of the dining room faces the warm cozy fireplace for the winter months and the other side faces a great view outside with a fountain for the warmer months.
My boyfriend and I have been here twice and both times we had incredible servers. Both servers were very attentive, friendly, and accommodating. They were both very knowledgeable about all the items on the menu and offered great suggestions. Also, they both really helped us out by splitting desserts onto separate plates and brought a welcoming feel to what might be otherwise construed as a stuffy restaurant.
The cheese lavosh is a must-​try! It’s hanging thin flat bread covered in cheese and is a super fun conversation starter and great for sharing. As for entrees, we’ve had the short rib papardelle and the gnocchi with veal ragu. The short rib in the papardelle is deliciously tender with great flavor. The gnocchi has delicious maitake mushrooms in the ragu that really help add depth to the dish.
But the real star of the meals we’ve had at Allium are the desserts. By far our favorite is the miso butterscotch milkshake. The servers were willing to split the milkshakes for us and they were deliciously decadent.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this restaurant for an affordable but luxurious meal with friendly wait staff and delicious food!

Located inside the Four Seasons hotel, the Allium is upscale yet relaxed for lunch. While staying at the hotel, we tried it for lunch. There are couches and tables, and the food was excellent. I tried the 500 calorie lunch and loved it. Endive salad with pomegranates (yum), Salmon filet, and dark Chocolate sorbet all for 500 calories. They were delicious (see photos). My wife tried the Brussel Spouts salad with chicken and it was excellent. The chicken was freshly grilled.
Service was excellent and pleasant, and food was great.
Note; It’s in the Four Seasons so please don’t complain about the prices. That’s not how I judge a restaurant since we live in the internet age where menus and prices are online and we go in with our eyes open.

Went for our Annual Holiday tea with girlfriends and was completely disappointed! Service was beyond slow, portions were microscopic, and the food was mediocre at best. We had to ask for hot water refills! We even contacted the manager to ask for some resolution but it was not to be. Quite disappointing.

Upscale, quiet hotel restaurant without being stuffy. Our server was very attentive and helpful.

So I don’t really eat meals here, it’s more of a drink and snack spot for me. I love the cheese tray, they give you many good things as accompaniments. Dried fruits, berries, nuts, honey, & fruit compote to name a few. The hot dog is good but don’t think you’re getting a traditional Vienna dog, it’s a gourmet version to say the least… I’ve always had good service as expected since its in the Four Seasons.

We love staying at the four seasons, and the hotel has been great as usual. Unfortunately we ordered room service breakfast which was not up to par.
I am pretty simple and love French toast wherever I go. The brioche French toast was barely cooked and still very «eggy» in the middle. It’s not the easiest thing to make, but you expect four seasons to get it right. I took two bites and put it outside. Pretty disappointed.
Otherwise hotel has been great as always and looking forward to our next stay. Hopefully they fix the French toast issue before then.

This swanky spot in the Four Seasons Hotel delivers on ambience, food and service. It has a modern clubby feel that reflects the luxuriousness of the hotel and surrounding neighborhood. The beverage program has signature and seasonal cocktails, good selection of wines by the glass and a broad range of bottled vino at all price points. We had some cocktails then selected a nice bottle to go with dinner.
The menu is smallish. There are a handful of appetizers and entrees, and some prime steak selections. They also feature some seasonal side dishes — asparagus and peas are clearly seasonal, but how «seasonal» are hand-​cut french fries and cheese curd mashed potatoes?
Our large group sampled quite a few things. The bread service is not free but you must try the cheese lavosh. It’s a cracker-​thin flat bread covered in some kind of caramelized cheese and hung on a stand like an artist’s palette. A very impressive presentation and super delicious too!
I had grilled octopus which was just ok — octopus was nicely tender but not charred enough for my taste. The gnocchi with veal ragu was tasty but I prefer a more al-​dente dumpling. I ordered the prime sirloin steak au poivre style and it was prepared perfectly medium rare; this was one of the better steaks I’ve had in recent memory. The side dish of cheese curd potatoes was oh-​so-​gooey and decadent, possibly containing more cheese than potato! Another winning side dish was the «super green chard» which is really their take on creamed spinach. As advertised, it was indeed super green, but more importantly it was super tasty. The other items we tried generally garnered very nice comments.
We tried several desserts and a few ice creams/​sorbets and were generally impressed.
Service was attentive and friendly, and we were given complimentary valet parking! Imagine that, on the Mag Mile in Chicago!!!
In summary, this is a solid place to go when you want to feel like a VIP.

This is a review for the desert menu. First off you need to know where the restaurant is located. Yes it is in the Four Seasons and you need to take the elevator to the 7^th floor which is also the hotels front desk lobby. So if are a guest you will know how to find this place. But if you are an interloper, like myself, there are no street signs directing you. I had sweets craving and Unilocal had recommend this place. I ordered the Blueberry & Peach Pavlova with a Miso Butterscotch Shake. You are given the option of adding a shot of Fantasia Liqueur to the shake which opted out on. You need to prepare yourself for the sublime complexity of this desert! I took a picture of it to help people understand it. The bowl arrives with round meringue ball stuffed inside with yogurt cream & candied fruit. In orbit around it are thin slices peaches & halved blueberries. You’ll see what appears to be jello dollops which are actually Lemon Consommé. A jar of blueberry drizzle is served with it and the server emptied all of it on the orbiting peaches. When I started I realized that besides the normal combination of ingredients that we all engage in, that this dish warranted tasting each ingredient singularly. Doing so elevated my perception of the harmonies that resulted from melding the different items before me! As light and ephemeral as this desert was the shake offset with its decadent heavy rich creaminess!
I left without any cravings remaining to indulge in.
Next time I am in town I will attempt the main menu!

Let me start by mentioning this is an unusual find, in that it is quiet and elegant, and also very comfortable. Sort of like a high class living room with great food!
We had the distinctive cheese lavash bread to start, a sorta rich but delightful starter.
Then we shared the brussels sprouts /​apple salad, a very unique and tasty dish, with a bit of spice. Good!
Then two mains, the strip sirloin steak, and the sole fish dish. Both were perfectly prepared and totally delicious!
Because this was a birthday, we received a complimentary dessert, and it was a great combination of various delights. Thanks to the restaurant for that!
Our server, Catherine, was delightful in every way. Thank you Catherine!
This was about as nice and perfect and delicious as a meal could be. Thanks to Allium!

Great burgers, great atmosphere, great ‘straunt.
I came to Allium for lunch while on a business trip in Chicago, and I have to say it’s one of the better meals I’ve had. Great, All-​American food that includes a Tallgrass burger on a pretzel bun and, with my personal guarantee, some of the best fries you’ve ever had. The restaurant itself looks magnificent and the bathroom stalls are like seperate rooms. Allium is the definitive restaurant of the Windy City.

When your feet are buzzing with exhaustion and the stomach is rumbling with hunger, the last thing on your mind is a long wait on a Friday night. An elegant, romantic place that actually connects to Bloomingdales looked like a godsend. And the food and drinks proved every bit a match.
Purple Haze cocktail with St. Germaine and cumquat captures your imagination with bright purple color and takes the worries of the day away with hearty satisfying taste. The worst thing about cheese lavosh is that you can not resist breaking off more and more pieces sending flakes flying around the huge flatbread that is suspended by a hook in the middle of the table.
Seasonal white asparagus soup was my absolute favorite — whipped into delicate foam and garnished with edible flowers and smoked trout roe. By the time ricotta pasta with braised rabbit arrived, I was slipping into a happy oblivion of being stuffed on deliciousness (appetizer-​size portion is more than generous!)
And just as you think you can not even breathe, leave alone eat, the crêpe soufflé arrives on a bed of passion fruit sauce, the crunchy black seeds in the sauce working magic with the airy dough and creamy filling.
What a find on the North side of the Mile!

I had been told that this place has the best Chicago dog. Yup. They were right. This is how you do it. I just stopped by to try it after already eaten breakfast and I ended up eating the whole thing. If you’ve got a little bit of pretention like me, come here for your dog. You’ll feel fancy.

Came here for dinner with a group of friends last year and enjoyed it. Definitely think it was a little overpriced but the food was good (just not extremely memorable). My friends and I ordered several appetizers to share: the cheese lavosh, the roasted pork cigars, crab fritters, and the cantimpalitos. The cheese lavosh is definitely worth it and the other appetizers were good but nothing special. I had the wagyu skirt steak for my entrée and it was tender and flavorful. The portion size was also decent. The service was pretty good here and the atmosphere was nice (just a little too dark in my opinion.)

Wow. The food and service are definitely 5 star, but knock off one star for the very steep prices. Still, I would highly recommend Allium for a special occasion.
I came here with a client to explore the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, so we just had to eat here — for research. We started with the Peekytoe Crab Salad: English peas, avocado, grapefruit, and radish. And crab. No lettuce. Came out smaller than we expected, but the flavors were wonderful. The two of us split the Chicago Style Hot Dog and the Wagyu Skirt Steak. Both came with fries. The Chicago Style Hot Dog was surprisingly good. Reminded me more of a meatloaf or a Filipino embutido than a typical hot dog. Everything is made in house, from the actual sausage, to the bread, pickle, and condiments. The homemade ketchup was awesome — but only for the fries, not the hot dog — this is Chicago, after all!
To finish it off, we shared a trio dessert sampler (milk chocolate slider, lemongrass macaron, and brownie bite) and a Miso Butterscotch Shake. All were decadent and delicious, but the shake and milk chocolate slider were the stand outs.
All of the staff was wonderful, from the hostess, the waiter, the busser, to the manager who checked on us often. The entire Allium /​Four Seasons staff seem very happy to be at work, which is a pleasant surprise these days. Good vibes all around.
FYI, if you are in need of a changing table for your baby, the Four Seasons 7^th floor lobby washroom does NOT have one, but the Allium ADA stall in the women’s washroom does.

Wow. The food and service are definitely 5 star, but knock off one star for the very steep prices. Still, I would highly recommend Allium for a special occasion.
I came here with a client to explor

Allium is a great place to have brunch if you want to have a place that is quiet enough for you to chat and see each other clearly. I think it’s a good place to set your business meetings as well. It’s located inside the four seasons hotel so the feel of the restaurant is comfort. The eggs Benedict and Nutella pancakes are many people’s favorites. It’s best to have them together — the salty balancing out the sweet. Though it was unfortunate that we discovered a hair on the ham of the eggs Benedict, the server took off the charge without a complaint. So it was altogether a good and smooth experience.

I recall eating at the old Allium, sometime Feb 2013 for Restaurant Week. That one deserves a 4.5 star, in food, value and service.
For only $ 33, we could pick any starter, main or dessert from the entire menu. Of course we had the foie gras, some delicious wagyu sliders and suckling pig flatbread. Oh my…, and amazing Graham cracker brownies with sugar clouds.
Fast forward 2 years.
Service: 3
Food: 2
Value: 2
What a pity. Since the chef change, the price has risen over 60%. Unfortunately, quality has declined precipitously. Coming in, we noticed the automatic and gracious coat service 2 years ago no longer existed. We had to prompt it.
We ordered the cheese lavosh. Sure it was decent, nowhere outstanding. It felt like a crispier salty cheese naan.
The tuna tartare was very fresh and well complimented with the yuzu, excellently presented in a bubble-​chair shaped glass bowl.
So were the caramelized cauliflower, much more flavorful and well balanced by the apple jam than Girl and the Goat’s version.
Unfortunately, the mains were a let down. Sure, the venison was beautifully presented on a large log-​plate, and the pasta Cavatelli was extremely rich. Elementary mistake, it was TOO DARN SALTY. There were salt crystals on the otherwise nice venison slices. WOW.
For $ 43 and $ 28 respectively, that is a severe letdown.
I know they can turn it around, but until then, it’s a pass.

The hotel and restaurant are beautifully decorated for the holidays. The bar is dark and masculine but still elegant. The bartender on this day seemed a bit disinterested and unfriendly. You must try the Haute Chocolate, it’s a whole production and well worth the price. I posted pics.
We initially came for high Tea but arrived early so we waited at the bar. I’m not a tea drinker but my friends really enjoyed theirs. I wasn’t really impressed with the tea sandwiches. I found there to be too few of them and they were very tiny. There were more sweet than than savory items. But the presentation was beautiful. It’s a great place for a holiday lunch with girlfriends. Also our server, Russell, was excellent.

Nestled on the seventh floor left of the front desk, you will find this gorgeous restaurant with delectable creations.
Bar
The bar area is adorned with bar stools and tables with traditional chairs. The bar comfortably holds 40 people even that is a tight fit which makes for low level service and no real breathing room.
Lounge area/​waiting area
It is adorable. Plenty of open space and seating. It was well lit and offers lots of areas for small groups to congregate. A nice touch.
Dining Room
The dining room is way cool. The ambiance lets you know that you are going to spend a nice nickel.
Menu
The menu offers everything from Kale salad to Chicago Style hot dogs to nice steaks. There is something for every palette.
Meal
Cheese Lavosh — $ 4
See the picture. It is a huge cheese cracker. Humongous and scrumptous.
Loaded Devil Eggs — $ 3 each
Tasty, but small
Crab Fritters — $ 12
Lightly fried morsels stuffed with fresh crabmeat. What is there not to love about fried food? … And it is served with a lobster dipping sauce. Yum-​my!
Crispy Brussel Sprouts — $ 6
Slightly charred, definitely crispy with a hint of sweetness. It was different but I would pass on it next time around.
Pot Roast Potato Gnocci — $ 18
Mmm, mmm good. It was served with veal and a vegetable assortment. Totally a 5 star menu item.
Cheesecake Sundae — $ 10
Huckleberries, grapefruit, graham cracker bits, mousse and POP ROCKS! This was quite the combination of flavors. I loved it!
Beverage
Housemade blackberry lemonade
It was pretty, but extremely bitter. It made the least favorite thing of the night list. (I should have sent it back. Instead, I kept hoping the taste would get better)
Service was pretty pathetic but we were a group of six. Our conversation and the use of space in such a cool spot helped me to discount the fact that one person received her food after we were done. Service = 1 star
Parking
Validated Parking is offered in 900 Michigan and the State Street garage. It is $ 14 for up to 3 hours. The lot itself is $ 6 dollars after 5pm.
If you valet, you are SOL. The minimum is $ 26. I made the mistake of valeting so you don’t have to!