Alpana

“Worth Returning For the Pasta Alone Booked Alpana for two on a Friday night through OpenTable and had an enjoyable dinner overall. The cocktails were nice, and the meal had several highlights. The Squid Ink Campanelle was the standout: flavorful, well-cooked pasta in a rich sauce, and the added fennel sausage brought just the right hint of spice. The chicken was also better than expected—juicy, served over potatoes, and paired with a nice gravy. The Strawberry Crunch Salad was fresh and well-balanced, with good texture from the nuts and a vinaigrette that offset the sweetness nicely. The Malabar shrimp was the only miss for me, as something in the curry tasted oddly sour, though the naan itself was soft and enjoyable. For dessert, the Key Lime Pie was pleasantly tart, though the crust was just okay. I also appreciated that the glass of Vintage Port was well-priced. Overall, Alpana delivered a solid meal, good value, and a few dishes I would happily come back for—especially the pasta. Recommended.”

“We’re from Miami and came to Chicago for the restaurant expo and found Alpana through a Google search for the best restaurants nearby. Safe to say Google did not disappoint us this time. We went with my husband and our two daughters (16 and 17). We had a reservation and were seated right away, even though the restaurant was packed for a Monday night. The ambiance and decor were beautiful, upscale but still comfortable and welcoming. For appetizers we ordered the beef tartare and whipped feta. Both were excellent, but the whipped feta absolutely stole the show. I think all four of us were ready to fight over the last bite. For mains we had the squid ink pasta, which was very good, although a little spicy (something I wish had been mentioned on the menu), the half chicken which was delicious and a huge portion, the short ribs with polenta which were excellent, and another pasta dish I can’t remember the name of because my daughter inhaled it before I could properly investigate. She said it was very good though. For drinks, my husband did the wine tasting special and loved every wine that came with it. My daughters had the mocktail margarita and the mocktail spritz. The margarita was very good. The spritz wasn’t bad, just not something I would personally order again. Service was friendly and attentive throughout the night. The only downside was that our entrees came out while we were still halfway through our appetizers, so the mains sat on the table for a bit before we could really enjoy them. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely come back next time we’re in Chicago. Total bill with a 20% tip came out to a little over $400, which honestly felt fair for the quality, service, and amount of food we had.”

“Loved their food and especially their interesting cocktails. Came here on a Monday night, the service was great. Lisa was very attentive towards us. We ordered the venison, steak tartare and the tagiatelle, all were very flavorful. The venison was cooked perfectly, the tagliatelle tasted fresh and herby, and the steak tartare tasted very fresh. We had their chocolate cake and key lime pie for dessert. Over all a good dining experience.”

“Dinner at Alpana in Chicago was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The evening truly showcased thoughtful cuisine, great wine, and impeccable hospitality. We started with the French Onion Soup, which was deeply flavorful and perfectly balanced. The Whipped Feta was a standout appetizer—light, creamy, and incredibly satisfying. For the main courses, the Venison Loin was beautifully prepared and rich in flavor, while the Half Chicken was tender, perfectly seasoned, and cooked to perfection. The wine pairing with the Luli Pinot Noir elevated the entire meal and complemented the dishes wonderfully. And to end the evening, the Caramel Sundae was the perfect indulgent finish. A special thank you to Ellenor, who was easily one of the best waitresses we’ve had in Chicago. Her attention to detail, warm personality, and knowledge of the menu made the experience seamless and memorable. Alpana delivers exactly what great dining should be—excellent food, thoughtful wine, and outstanding service. Highly recommended.”

“We have been trying out new restaurants during Chicago Restaurant Week, and Alpana was our 4th destination. The interior design was stunning, and the place was very busy on a Thursday evening. For the RW menu, I ordered butter chicken meatballs, chicken mushroom roulade, and French chocolate mousse. My partner chose beets & burrata, red wine-braised short ribs (+$9), and tiramisu. We also added focaccia, which was delicious. While my partner's dishes were all very tasty, I was not impressed with my choices. We've had better butter chicken elsewhere, and my entrée arrived lukewarm. Maybe I should have ordered a pasta dish. The chocolate mousse was tasty, but it was quite small—the smallest dessert we had among all the RW restaurants. The cocktails were fine, and our server was attentive. Our table was next to the glass doors, so it was a bit chilly on a winter night.”