Alinea (***)- Chicago

Went to Alinea while in Chicago after eating at Oriole a few days before. The food was great and the presentations were definitely fun, a long with a little bit of trickery to reveal a couple of the dishes which I really enjoyed. Can certainly say I've never eaten a balloon before. However I think the focus on presentation might cost them a half step on the actual food quality. It was an experience I'm glad I had but if I'm back in Chicago I'm going Oriole over Alinea 1. OSETRA- SMOKED SALMON, HORSERADISH, LEMON 2. EXPLOSION- BLACK TRUFFLE, ROMAINE, PARMESAN 3. CHARRED- ARCTIC CHAR, BLIS MAPLE SYRUP CHAR ROE, CARROT, SMOKE 4. PINE- MATSUTAKE, PROSCUITTO, YUZU 5. WAGYU- TRUMPET MUSHROOM, PINE NUT, OKINAWAN SWEET POTATO TURNIP, PERSIMMON 6. BLANCMANGE- POULET, ALMOND, FERNET, FIORI DI SICILIA 7. GOLD- TONKA, SAFFRON 8. PAINT- SESAME, APPLE, CRANBERRY 9. BALLOON- HELIUM, CARAMEL APPLE, TAFFY 10. The Kitchen