The Alston
Chicago
Consider visiting The Alston for a laid-back yet stylish dining experience when exploring the vibrant North State Street area.
The Alston, situated on the lively N State Street in Chicago, offers a sophisticated dining experience catering to modern tastes. Nestled in an area known for its vibrant atmosphere, this venue embodies contemporary elegance with a touch of urban chic. The Alston is an ideal spot for those seeking a refined culinary journey without the need for pretentiousness. Guests can expect a menu that favors creativity and quality.
The restaurant's interior combines sleek design elements with a comfortable ambiance, providing diners a space where they can unwind and enjoy. The stylish decor is well-suited to social gatherings, business dinners, or intimate meals, making it diverse in its appeal. The Alston's commitment to high standards is evident in both the cuisine and service, ensuring that each visit is memorable.
The menu at The Alston showcases an array of flavors, embracing both traditional and innovative culinary techniques. Its offerings demonstrate a careful balance between familiar favorites and novel culinary creations, making it suitable for a wide range of palates. The chefs at The Alston emphasize the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients, resulting in dishes that are as visually appealing as they are flavorful.
Whether one is a local or a visitor to Chicago, The Alston provides a dining experience that celebrates the richness of contemporary cuisine in a metropolitan setting. Its location on N State Street places it within easy reach of the city’s attractions, offering a convenient dining option for those exploring Chicago.
Reviews
I came to the Alston for Father's Day, and was blown away by the experience. First off - the space is immaculate. It's a great mix of booths and tables; super high ceilings and lots of space (so you don't feel like you're sitting on top of people.) I had ribeye skewers (starter) and the NY strip for the main course. The skewer was excellent; the steak wasn't bad but candidly I've had beer NY strip in the city. All the sides (mashed potatoes and brussels) were legit. My daughter tried their cheeseburger but she likes her burgers plain (so she didn't get all the cool stuff that comes on it.) I'll reserve judgement until I try the burger as it was meant to be served. For dessert I had the apple dish and it was solid. I only tried one drink, but it was solid. Next time I go, I'll try that burger or one of their seafood options. I definitely recommend this place.
I had a great experience at The Alston. The service was excellent, the waiter and busser were both very polite, attentive, and professional throughout the meal. They made sure everything was taken care of and created a welcoming atmosphere. Although the scallops and lobster bisque were a bit on the salty side, the raw dishes were wonderfully fresh and well prepared. The waiter even brought us into the wine room so we could take pictures. We would definitely come back again.
We enjoyed our dinner here! The vibe was great, and staff were very attentive. The steak was good, and we liked the difference sauces. The pomme puree was amazing! The caviar bump was such a fun and delicious cheers for our table. I did not like the crab cake. But I would go back here to try more dishes next time!
Came to The Alston for a company event, and it was a solid meal overall especially given the scale. The beef tartare was rich and well seasoned, and the king crab cake stood out with generous chunks of real crab. The filet mignon was nicely cooked - tender in the center and well complemented by the black pepper sauce and red wine reduction. The chocolate lava cake was incredibly decadent and a great way to end the meal. A very enjoyable experience, and I’d consider returning for a special occasion.
My wife and I have eaten at all of the major steakhouses in downtown Chicago, and we were talking after our meal about why someone would choose to go to the Alston instead of another steakhouse. Here are a few reasons why the Alston is unique. 1. We ordered the porterhouse and it was perfectly cooked with a smoky char on the outside that was absolutely delicious with a perfect cook - medium rare. One of the best steaks I’ve ever had. Chicago has so many steakhouses that if you mess up the steak you can’t recover. This was excellent and the smoky char was addicting. 2. The dining room is the most beautiful of all the steakhouses we’ve been to. You feel special and the seating arrangements are comfortable and smartly laid out. 3. The welcome cocktail and bread service are wonderful and a nice way to greet a guest.Some places no longer serve bread or the bread is an afterthought. The Alston serves delicious, fresh bread presented beautifully. There were some misses though. 1. We ordered 3 starters and only one was good which was the foie gras tourchon. It was smooth, decadent and delicious. The king crab cake and steak tartare were both pasty and both had a gummy consistency and the crab/beef flavor were not pronounced. Both were not to our liking and IMHO need to be reworked. They aren’t good enough to stand up to the thousand tartares and crab cakes in the city. 2. The truffle fries were shoestring and served with a green sauce that felt disconnected from the fries. It’s hard dipping tiny stick fries into a sauce so I would either make the fries thicker like frites (my preference) or get rid of the green sauce that does nothing for the shoestring fries.
