If you are thinking of making a gastronomic tourism trip, one of the most recommended destinations would be Chicago, United States. The city is home to what has been considered the best restaurant in the world, Alinea, awarded international awards of all kinds. This is not a restaurant of luxury modern cuisine, but one of haute cuisine that aims to take the gastronomy to the highest level, combining it with creativity and sensory experiences.
Gastronomic turism
This type of tourism focuses on activities related to the gastronomy of the site being visited. More and more people are choosing this type of trip, looking not only to know the destination, but also to know its culinary habits, flavors, textures and smells. According to Alejandro Perez Ferrant, CEO of The Blueroom Project, around 40% of the revenue generated by tourism worldwide comes from the gastronomic sector. It seems that I’m getting a little hungry… Anyway, let´s continue!
Alinea
Founded by the prestigious chef Grant Achatz, by executive chef Douglas Alley, it is located at 1723 N Halsted St, in Chicago. Its menus combine creativity, technique, molecular gastronomy and quality of products, characterized by being changing to offer a more surprising experience each time.
Not only the variety of the menu, but also the different ways to taste it. There are several options depending on the preferences of diners and what they want to experience at that time. The options are:
- The Kitchen Table. It consists of an intimate dinner in which contact with the culinary team is constant throughout the visit.
- The Gallery. You will have to go through a multi-sensory stimulation tour, through which you can taste the menu and experience new sensations.
- The Salon. It is the most traditional in terms of stay, but still retains its surprising feature.
The main objective of Alinea is to create experiences that diners never forget.
Prizes and Awards
The showcase of awards received by this establishment will be small. Winner of no more and no less than three Michelin stars, has also topped numerous global food rankings. Media such as Gourmet and Business Insider define it as the best restaurant in the United States, while also has been awarded by Elite Traveler and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, as the best restaurant in the world. This extensive list of awards has transformed that small Chicago establishment into a valuable asset for citizens and tourists alike. In fact, it has become a must-see for cooking lovers.
Why so special?
You will never see anything like what Alinea offers. It’s not just about eating, but creating an emotional experiential through flavors, textures and advanced culinary techniques such as molecular gastronomy. Its main goal is to create a sensory experience that awakens emotions in each dish. To ensure a surprise at every visit, you have a menu that is constantly changing and evolving. Getting a table in Alinea is not something to be sneezed at. The waiting lists are long and it is preferable to book through its official page in advance.
After the pandemic period, the team expanded its offer by enabling a home delivery service. Even if this way may lose effect the staging of the place, it is very worthwhile. To enjoy haute cuisine, awarded with countless awards, cooked by which is considered the best restaurant in the world, from the comfort of your sofa, is also a multi-sensory experience, isn´t it? So, have you decided where your next holiday vacation is going to be?
