Alinea Is Re-Opening After An Extensive Renovation
By Anthony Todd in Food on May 17, 2016 2:04PM
We were surprised when Alinea, the establishment generally described as one of the ten best restaurants in the United States, closed for a renovation. After all, why mess with a good thing? Originally scheduled to be a six week closure, the restaurant is reopening this week after five months. What has changed?
The Trib got a look inside the new space, and says pretty much everything has changed. Phil Vettel notes that regular guests wouldn't even be able to find the bathroom anymore. Pretty much none of the former dishes are still on the menu, the furniture is replaced, and even the menu design itself is different.
Alinea books tickets through the Tock system (created and owned by Alinea co-owner Nick Kokonas), but no tickets are currently available. Some prices have actually dropped, in part thanks to dynamic ticketing. Tickets mid-week can go as low as $165 per diner, while tickets for the "kitchen table" experience will run you $385. Louisa Chu reported a couple weeks ago that at that kitchen table, guests might be able to get up and work in the kitchen, cooking and plating.
No word on exactly what day the restaurant will be open for business.