Alinea - A Name To Be Reckon With !

I know that it is early in the year and I should not be busy with the "Best Of" just now. Nevertheless I cannot resist the temptation to introduce to you what I consider "The Most Exciting" restaurant in America at the time! Please note the name Alinea. Owner and Chef Grant Achatz is receiving worldwide attention for his hyper modern, emotional approach to dining. Alinea is a true restaurant of the new millennium, with a crisp modern approach to cooking and an incredible amount of care that goes into presentation and pleasing all the senses.


Born in Michigan in 1974, Grant Achatz grew up in the restaurant industry, literally, his parents and grandparents being restaurateurs. Naturally curious and always driven, he could be found in the kitchen by his twelfth birthday and over the coming years spent most of his free time there, learning the basics and developing the skills that would allow him to become one of the foremost innovators in the field. Early on he realized he wanted to be a chef, and upon graduating from high school immediately enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America.


Excelling at the C.I.A., Achatz graduated and ascended the culinary ladder at several prestigious restaurants, including the acclaimed French Laundry in the Napa Valley. Working closely with Gourmet Brother and Top Chef Thomas Keller, Achatz thrived in this highly creative and dedicated environment, and after two years became sous chef to Keller. After four years at the French Laundry, Achatz chose to broaden his knowledge and worked as an assistant winemaker at La Jota Vineyards. In 2001, he accepted the Executive Chef position at the four-star restaurant Trio in Evanston, Illinois.


Achatz flourished at Trio, garnering accolades including being named the “Rising Star Chef in America,” James Beard Foundation, 2003 and one of ten “Best New Chefs in America,” Food & Wine, 2002. Under Achatz’ lead, Trio received four stars from the Chicago Tribune and Chicago magazine and garnered five stars from the celebrated Mobil Travel Guide in 2004. Known by now in culinary circles as one of the top promoters in the forward-thinking movement, Achatz realized a lifelong dream by opening Alinea in Chicago in May 2005. The restaurant received extraordinary attention from day one, and was nominated by the James Beard Foundation as the Best New Restaurant in America that same year.


This restaurant under this young and exciting Chef is a true upgrade for Chicago and that is a grand statement for a city that has so many culinary gifts already. It is time for all of us to acknowledge his name and to start pay attention to Achatz. When in Chicago you definitely need to try this place!