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. read more

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Medium size space inside. Reservation is recommended on weekend. Service was good. Patio is dog friendley. Separate vegetarian or Vegan menu. Fodd rating out of 5 for vegetarian Brussels sprouts crotini- 3- good char but do not understand need of bread underneath. Its hard to eat both of them together. Little sweet for my taste Bread roll- 3- fluffy but not worth price Mushroom Ravioli - 2 - more al dente for my taste. Spicy pasta - 1 - it has spice but had overpowering sugar. read more

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Sat outside for dinner! The outdoor seating area is nice and secluded from sidewalk but will say ambiance is much cuter on inside. The tables outside were so close to each other. We got two appetizers to start, both were good. The butter chicken meatballs were different and tasty! The whipped feta and honey was also good. I had the short rib bucatini and was disappointed in the lack of meat. The noodles and sauce were very good but there was not a lot of protein. It was more like a meat sauce. My friend had the spicy pasta Romero, I tried it and it was very good. Lots of vegetable and a nice kick. Our server was very nice and attentive! With the tables being so close together though the servers could not go in between tables so made it hard to hear staff at some times. read more

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I struggle with Alpana. It doesn't resonate enough with me but I seem to be the exception. My family had dinner for our daughter's birthday and enjoyed what they ordered. We started with the Parker Roll. They were good with honey butter but I worked in Boston and they're not Parker Rolls. The appetizers were a hit with the Polenta and Mushrooms, Hamachi Crudo, and Steak Tartare. We ate here because our daughter loves the Venison which was perfectly cooked. I struggled with Their pasta, which I've tried before, and doesn't do anything for me. Our son enjoyed his Pasta Romero but I thought my Creste di Gallo sauce tasted like Chef Boyardee. The Strawberry Sundae was shared by all. Corinne was a terrific server. read more

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They have a vegetarian menu but wish there were more vegan options. The vegan vodka sauce pasta was pretty good. read more

Alpana - Vegan pasta - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Maybe I ordered wrong, but I can't believe I paid that much money for food that I thought was good but not a standout. With tip, the bill for our party came to about $400 for the same quality you could find in the suburbs. It really pains me to say that because I had really high hopes. We ordered Parker house rolls (good), the Brussels sprouts that were served on toasted bread (sprouts were good and toast was weird), polenta and mushrooms (really liked those), salmon (adequately good), 2 steaks (average to good), and a burger (good). Don't get me wrong. Nothing was bad. It was good food. But worth $400? No. The star of the show was the strawberry sundae. It was fantastic. I just wish all the food was a homerun too. Very nice ambience. I really liked the vibe read more

Alpana - Large Strawberry Sunday (Seasonal). Very shareable - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Located on State Street, the detailing of the interior design, food, and tables of this amazing restaurant were meticulously designed. The dining room had a canopy of green leaves or branch decorations, well spaced tables, and delicious food. I tried the tender short ribs with polenta and mixed vegetables. I would order again. I want to come back for brunch. read more

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We came here during restaurant week because we had some friends visiting from out of town and it looks really cute. Aesthetically, Alpana is certainly gorgeous and there's a lot to like. The service was also fantastic and they made sure we well taken care of. Unfortunately, the food was just missing something. I won't debate that it was good because it was but it just wasn't great. I'm not entirely sure what was missing but it just didn't spark joy the way I was expecting it to based on the rest of the experience. read more

Due to its location right on State, I was a little hesitant about this spot, and feared we may be walking into a tourist trap. I was glad to be proved wrong! We started for a round at the bar while waiting for the whole party to arrive before we moved to a table, so we got to see a little bit of everyone in action. Every staff member we interacted with was so friendly that it felt like we could've invited them to join us at our table. We tried a solid assortment across the menu and didn't have a single complaint. The curried shrimp and the squid ink pasta were among my favorites, but the venison (a less common appearance on most menus) was absolutely fantastic. Dimly lit but still welcoming vibe, great for a date night or girls night out. read more

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Late Review For my birthday, I was in the mood for a delicious meal and my Auntie suggested Alpana. The restaurant is beautiful inside with soft lighting. The bathroom also has a lot of character; which I appreciate for a good mirror pic! We sat in their enclosed outdoor section (heated). Everyone on the staff was so sweet from the time we arrived to when we left. Our server was attentive, and the runner that assisted her was just as kind. Now for the stars of the show... we ordered the Butter Chicken Meatballs & Brussels Sprout Crostini, excellent starters. Our entrees were all equally delicious! Although I didn't order dessert, our server still surprised me with a nice birthday treat and I nearly cried (I was 9 months pregnant). Overall 10/10 Will be back! read more

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Pistachio Pesto Pasta was delicious. Loved the taste of the whipped feta with the dish. I was not the biggest fan of the Spicy Pasta Romero; to me, it tasted like a spicy marinara sauce, and I was expecting a bit more from it. The brussel sprout crostini was a solid appetizer. The outdoor seating is heated, so there are no worries in colder weather, but I'd recommend sitting inside because the wallpaper and aesthetic of the restaurant are so gorgeous. Our server was super attentive and constantly checking in with us. The street parking can be a bit hard since its Chicago, but we found a spout only 4 min walk away. read more

Alpana - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Alpana is a nice place to dine with friends. We found this to be a fusion type restaurant of Americana, Italian and Indian. They do not have valet parking but we found street parking easily and there are a few garages nearby too. We had a reservation (recommend you do this for ease and not having to wait). We were greeted nicely and seated. Tables are a nice size for groups or if you like to order many things. Food overall was ok, plating of menu items was nice. Service by our waiter was very good but no one came around to refill or offer more water or drinks until the very end after our meal. * I'm rating each item 1-5 below. We had a few appetizers; butter chicken meatballs (4) were very good as was the Malabar shrimp (5) which was our favorite. The golden beets and burrata (2) tasted flat and a big miss as we didn't taste any pickled onion or dill vinaigrette as described on the menu. The burrata itself was falling apart before we even plated it. I appreciated the little dishes they had for each of us to plate our appetizers. The striped bass (4) was nicely portioned and flavored delicately. The Faroe Island Salmon (5) had a nice flavor with all the vegetables. It was a nice touch by the chef to have the crispy skin on the top. We didn't care for the Brussel sprouts (1) as they were very oily and falling apart and there was no hint of any apple saba that we could detect. The squid ink Campanelle (4) had a very good sauce and the pasta was al dente. The portion was nice but didn't have much shrimp. Even though there was minimal shrimp, I still give it a 4 as the marriage of the ingredients was spot on! The desert menu had a nice variety to choose from. We had the caramel sundaes and sorbet. The caramel sundaes (1) need help. There was hardly any caramel in the glasses. The sorbet (4) was a light refreshing way to end the meal. The key lime pie or basque cheesecake would've probably been the way to go! We liked the vibe, comfortable seating and interior design. It was a very clean establishment. There are menu items that need help and improvement. Where there were generous portions for some of the menu items, others lacked or were missing. When spending $$$, you don't expect basic elements to be skipped or missed. read more

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Alpana is a solid spot for dinner. The restaurant has a very gorgeous interior. Service was good, not great. Food ratings - Whipped feta: 4.2/5 (needed to be severed with more bread pieces) Brussels: 2.5/5 (You can skip) Squid Ink pasta: 4.5/5 (highly suggest!) My friends enjoyed their mushroom ravioli and bucatini. The half chicken is HUGE and could be split between people for sure! Overall, good experience. read more

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Really enjoyed the experience at Alpana! From the moment you walked in the door, the service was amazing. Knowledgeable wait staff, very cool interior vibes, and excellent food to top it off! Would definitely recommend a visit here if you're looking for somewhere new to try. Pro tip: try the chocolate cake --- 5 read more

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Delicious flavors & great ambiance. We loved each dish we got. The flavors were balanced beautifully, they weren't too heavy , and the pasta was cooked perfectly. Our server was eager to help and make suggestions when needed. read more

Alpana - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had to modify the time of our reservation for 4 & the rep was able to change for me when I called instead of doing via Opentable. Friendly staff, resto has a nice open concept, ambient lighting & simple decor which i love. Food's a little salty for our taste, the beet salad is nice & fresh. Metered street parking wasn't hard or we just got lucky! read more

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Came for restaurant week stayed for the food and wallpaper!! Seriously obsessed with this wallpaper, one of us at the table may or may not have ordered some for their bathroom!! As a group of foodie girls we shared everything! Apps in the middle, rotating main dishes every couple of mins & dessert in the middle again!! We fell in love with the whipped feta toast, butter chicken meat balls, short rib bucatini & french chocolate mousse!! Highly recommend you get the focaccia bread and Brussels sprouts!! Our server was the sweetest, kindest, loving woman ever! She also had the most fabulous sweater!! The birthday card and ice cream dessert was such a pleasant surprise!!! Absolutely loved the small detail!! read more

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The place is really nicely done with a very forest / nature feel to the decor. There are dark wall-papers and greenery throughout the place. and they were very accommodating and have good service. I think the food overall was very OK. My favorite item was the whipped feta dip. Very nice and comes with nice crispy bread and all. The brussel sprout crostini comes one essentially a single toast and the sprouts were bitter. I know they're supposed to be bitter, but these were more bitter than usual. Then for entrees, the pasta dish was really good. I didn't have it, but I did taste it. I didn't have it, because they don't offer any gluten free past option. The sauce was good, though. And then I had the cauliflower dish, which was relatively disappointing. Not a lot of flavor to it and didn't really hit the spot. We didn't have room for dessert. read more

I've only dined here twice so far, but each time I leave wondering why I don't come more often. It's such a cool place with an impressively extensive and unique wine selection for its size. The menu seems to shift just enough to keep things interesting. I also love how many flavorful options they offer for pescatarians, vegans, vegetarians and those with gluten allergies. In my opinion, everyone can find something tasty here. That in another it's itself is such a welcomed find. The decor is also worth mentioning. Throughout each visit, I noticed a new unique detail I didn't notice before, which makes the space feel even more charming. Whoever designed their decor and seating deserves their flowers. Expect to spend around $60 per person before gratuity, but with the atmosphere, food, and overall experience, it great value for the money. read more

Alpana - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We went here for a restaurant week and had a great time. It's a really cool vibe, nice people, and the food was great. I especially liked how well the menu was labeled with gluten-free items although it was also labeled wealth for vegan. I would come back here in a heartbeat. I just came for brunch, but the full menu looked good and was reasonably priced for its location and quality. I had a ton of coffee there. Pretty decent coffee I must say. read more

We had a lovely dining experience here and this is a strong 4 rating, I wish I could give this 4.5 stars. There were seven of us so we split several items and all were delicious. Starters we enjoyed: Golden Beets & Burrata Hamachi Crudo Octopus Bravas The striped sea bass entree was good as well. The cocktail and drink list is decent and I think everyone enjoyed their entrees and our server was good. The only opportunity for improvement is that the bussers quickly took our dishes away even though I still was not finished with my appetizers. Ideally they would ask if we are finished before taking our plates if there is still some food left on them. I thought the ambiance was nice and we got a nice large booth to accommodate our larger group. This is definitely a place to try if you're in Chicago. read more

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Fans of mine will note if I get an interaction with the celebrity owner 5 stars is possible. Alpana did not disappoint. She's there at our dinner tonight to ensure a tight ship. Steady as she goes! Loved the fact they have a menu that gives plenty of options but not too many so they can concentrate on making the offerings great dishes. Server was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. Price point for drinks and food was reasonable given big city restaurants it was not trying to gauge ahem Gibsons. Recommend the polenta and mushroom app, outstanding. The crudo very good! Squid ink with rock shrimp for me was excellent! Good wine pairings. Thank you Alpana for the greeting and hard work you obviously put into your restaurant. Will be back for sure to try other great entrees. read more

If you're up to date on the show 'The Bear' then you already know that Alpana is featured in season 4. This Italian (with Indian flavors in some dishes) restaurant has been a hot commodity even before being on the Bear. Alpana is a great place for a date night. It's cozy and designed well. There is indoor as well as outdoor seating. My husband and I had dinner here and service throughout was fantastic. Our server was the perfect amount of attentive and the food was timed out well. I'm not sure if Alpana is there everyday, but she was the night we were there. It was great to see her walking around. Food portions are generous. After 2 plates I was already full, but we ordered 4, haha. We shared the golden beets and burrata (light and refreshing), butter chicken meatballs (flavorful, filling and cooked well), pistachio pesto pasta (flavorful, texture of noodles were A+), and the roasted chicken (meh). We were celebrating our dating anniversary and they gave us a cute little note and a complimentary dessert. read more

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Wow! Just wow Came to Chicago for the weekend and found ourselves here and we were so impressed. We got a reservation for the covered patio which was beautiful Our server was immediately so cool and chill with us and everything we ordered came out delicious and on time Our drinks were on the pricier side but SO delicious! I absolutely loved the short rib. The meat was so juicy and tender it didn't take much for it to fall apart and melt in my mouth. It was paired with a mascarpone polenta that was rich and flavorful leaving me wanting more with each bite. The flavors of the meat and polenta together were incredible. For dessert we ordered espresso martinis! These were divine and just what I needed for a night on the town. I would highly recommend you come to Alpana if you're able to get a reservation and are in town. The service was incredible, the aesthetic and atmosphere was very gorgeous and almost giving the TV show White Lotus vibes. I felt really fancy eating here and would love to come back read more

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5 star experience! Our server, Corinne was so warm and attentive. We mentioned that we were celebrating an engagement and she brought out complimentary champagne for the table (so sweet!) & added a little chocolate congratulations to our dessert. All around, the food was awesome - highlights included chicken meatballs, tagliatelle pasta, short rib, sea bass, and key lime pie. Portions were great and even with a large group, we had leftovers to take home. We sat inside and the decor was lovely. There was a number of cool pieces of art hung throughout the restaurant that made it feel fun. Along with Corinne being great, the rest of the wait staff were very attentive in terms of clearing up plates, adding water, etc. Lovely experience, would highly recommend you check Alpana out! read more

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I can't remember exactly why I only gave Alpana 4 stars back in 2022 but since then, I've come back about 3-4 times and have had a wonderful experience each time. Most recently, I came for brunch with a friend and had a really delicious breakfast sandwich and cinnamon roll to share. I loved the softness of the souffle egg with the crunchiness of the hashbrown patty, and the sauces went well with the sandwich. The pressed green juice was also great. I'm surprised Alpana isn't as busy as some of the other restaurants around the area, but it's definitely one of my favorite spots for any meal of the day. read more

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Cannot say enough positive things about this restaurant. The menu is creative. The ambience is playful and unique. The service is outstanding. Every single time I've come here I've had a fabulous meal. Great cocktails, and wine list. A real gem of a restaurant. read more

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We came for Brunch and had a fantastic experience. The food, service, and ambiance were great. Usually when places are decorated in an Instagram-y way it's 50/50 on the flavor, but you won't be disappointed here. We ordered: - Short Rib Benedict - Cheeseburger - Cinnamon Roll Just be ready to take a nap after, it's very filling. The cheeseburger had some thick caramelized onion and was reminiscent of a Big Mac, but in a good way. read more

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The food was delicious - definitely recommend the squid ink pasta or short rib Bucatini. Also as a charred Brussels sports connoisseur I absolutely LOVED their take on this side dish. Service was extremely friendly and nice, but we had some pacing issues, I think it was mostly our own fault though. The interior is beautiful and moody, like a luxe woodsy den with green ferns. Food was well priced but drinks a little steep Drinks - Welcome to the Jungle - delicious tropical pineapple rum drink Blueberry Paloma - very smooth! Overall recommend!!! read more

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The music is really loud for lunchtime and the temperature of the restaurant is uncomfortably cold. Everyone is shouting at each other which is unpleasant. I'd give the food a B. I had the avocado toast and it was ok but pretty ordinary. Makes me sad that they aren't trying harder because it's a good location and the interior design is fun. read more

We have eaten at Alpana on several occasions and have never been disappointed. Service is good even when crowded. The ambiance is warm and inviting. The squid ink campanelli is my favorite. read more

We had high hopes for this place and it delivered in ambience and drinks. We also had very good appetizers such as brussels sprouts, the shrimp, and the butter meatballs. Entrées is where seasoning was lacking... we found ourselves having to ask for salt and pepper for a pasta dish and even the filet. The best entrée that was ordered in our group was the half chicken as it was incredibly flavorful. They have outdoor seating which seemed to be popular and the ambience inside the restaurant is is a really cool vibe, service was decent. We were celebrating a birthday and were given a couple cups of soft serve vanilla ice cream w sprinkles for our group. All in all it was a nice night out, but I don't think the food was out of this world delicious or anything. I do recommend the Kokomo daiquiri! read more

What an incredible evening we had with Nicole as our server and sommelier. She recommended an incredible wine. Incredible appetizer and meal. We had praised octopus with crispy fingers, brussels sprout crust with apple Saba, ricotta, endive, and Marcona, almonds. Whipped feta and truffle, honey and golden beets, and burrata. One was better than the next. For dinner, we had roasted half of chicken and a special for the evening of ramp butter papperdelle with spring peas, mushrooms, and asparagus. I would recommend this restaurant to anybody who's in town like me. The ambience was excellent, and the setting was beautiful read more

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The food at this place is excellent - I have tried most of the pastas and loved them all. However, the service here is mediocre. I think it is a great place to order from and pick up as we live within a few blocks - but I have been disappointed with the service almost every time when we dine in. read more

We dined on the outdoor table with friends visiting from out of town. Everything was wonderful, food, service, atmosphere, and cocktails. Lisa, our server, was friendly, professional and efficient. I liked the fact she introduced her to us more than once. Alpana assisted Lisa in delivering cocktails and greeted us warmly. We've been to Alpana about 10 times, and this visit was the best yet. All four of us raved about the cocktails we ordered (I had the 10/10), and the Strawberry and Farro Kale salads which were perfectly dressed. The salads are huge, so sharing one is perfectly acceptable. The entrees were excellent. I had the Faroe Island Salmon which was accompanied by spring vegetables. Overall, this was a perfect evening, especially when our guests said "I want to come back here everytime we visit!". read more

Tasty dinner last night at Alpana. To start, we had the Octopus Bravas, which was a mix of octopus and potatoes. While the menu offered a variety of options, we all choose to get pastas. I had the Squid Ink Campanelle, which I really enjoyed. Another at the table got the Short Rib Bucatini, which he also enjoyed. My sister had the Summer Corn Tagliatelle which while it was good was heavy (it tasted like sweet corn soup for the sauce). My bf got the Pasta Romero, which was not his favorite but that may have been because he realized he didn't like goat cheese after ordering. We sat on the patio which had a nice row of hedges separating it from the street. The service was good, and they properly coursed out the food when we ordered all at once. Overall, this was a good spot for an enjoyable dinner read more

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Unique fun Italian spot! I really enjoyed the pasta I got - the creste di gallo Alla grappa. It had a great variety of textures and flavors with the breadcrumbs on top and the fun noodles! I recommend adding the sausage too. We also got the Brussels sprouts which I really enjoyed! Alpana stands out because of their options for dietary restrictions - I appreciated that they had a separate menu with tons of vegan and vegetarian options and were very accommodating in adjusting other dishes! The space is really pretty, but also feels like a lot of the new river north/ Gold Coast restaurants to me. read more

Alpana - Interior - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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such a cute dinner spot in chicago! they have a whole separate gluten free menu which was very appreciated! we were able to snag a last minute reservation at the end of the night. service was fine, not overly friendly but provided recommendations for popular dishes. cocktails were fine and the crudo was delicious! friends got pasta & really enjoyed it! read more

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D-LISH!!!!! I was honestly so surprised!! The decor is absolutely gorgeous, I feel like walking into a luscious, dark room filled with green leaves and plants. Even their "outdoor" seating which is fully enclosed and heated was gorgeously decorated with couches on one side and florals on the other. Our servers were very attentive and the water was never empty. They also cleared our plates between courses! Brussels sprout crostini - a HUGE mound of Brussels sprouts on top of a crostini that had a nice creamy spread on top. Loved the caramelization on the sprouts. Pistachio pesto came with super long garganelli pasta, which helped soak up the sauce perfectly which each bite. I would've preferred a fresher tasting bite, but still loved this. Truffle Mac n cheese was only 8.95 with a rich nice portion. No actual truffles, but you can def taste the infused truffle oil throughout. Liked the cheese crust! read more

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Food and service were really good. Had a date night here and really enjoyed the ambiance. The whipped feta with honey was absolute fire!