the Albert Reviews

Friday Evening, 9:00pm. Without reservation, we (3 adults) were attracted by the appearance of the Autograph collection, EMC2 hotel and street level restaurant "Albert". Great decoration. Several tables available. Comforting lights. Creative menu. We ordered 3 dishes. Wine list of interest even if on the pricier side. Our first choice (Cahors, France Malbec) was not available, the second attempt was succesful (Malbec, Argentina). Our dedicated waiter was truly the "issue", faking a French accent while insiting heavily for us to order appetizers and dessert when truly the main courses were sufficent. The last hit was the bill: 3 bottles of wine were charged. I noticed and ask the waiter to correct it. he did and asaid: Sorry my fingers mistakenly billed 3 bottles when I was willing to key 3 guests... We did have a good time enjoying each other's company.

We had a fabulous experience at the Albert. Great food and drinks. Amazing design and art. Wonderful service from Mariah...super attentive and friendly. Manager Adam gave us a wonderful tour of the property.

Since we were staying at the EMC2 hotel where the Albert is located, we snacked on the chicken salad and a side of fries. Both were very good. The staff were interesting to talk to. A very nice experience.

Great modern food set in a funky bookish interior. We loved it and ate there twice in as many days while staying at the excellent EMC2 hotel. The octopus starter is a must have and the cocktails are definitely worth trying.

Elizabeth was the bomb! 💣she provided her signature mimosa with tajin on the rim it was perfect! Her recommendations were on point for dinner as well. Her drink should be on the menu 😂

Supercool decor, great location (off Mag Mile in Streeterville), good brunch quiche, average eggs Benedict, good Champagne by the glass; service is exceedingly nonchalant.

We had previously tasted samples of this restaurant at a different area, and because of this, they gave us two free appetizers. This was amazing! Additionally, they had top-notch service and a great atmosphere. Would recommend. 9.2/10

Was staying at the hotel, so decided to have a cocktail. Did not eat, but I'd go back for the drink experience. Fantastic and friendly staff!

Wow let me just start by saying Heinrich was the best server we have ever had. He helped us to plan our days in Chicago while we were visiting. He was on top of always assisting when needed. He took time to go over how the breakfast is set up. The description of the taste of coffee and blend were spot on too. The Albert had fantastic food and best service EVER. Thank you

We had the chef's tasting menu and it was possibly one of the best meals we've had in a long time! The meal, service, and venue were phenomenal. We were treated to five courses (really ended up being eight) that were all unique and flavorful. Kudos to chef (Larry?) who manged to visit our table and remained humble despite his culinary excellence. It was a great gastronomic experience and we will certainly return. Oh, and the venue is very hip with servers who were very kind and competent.

Your eye goes everywhere, so many interesting things to look at here. We enjoyed a quiet late mid-week dinner. Portions not large, but delicious, lovely presentation.

We went to this restaurant as its was in our hotel EMC2, We went on the first night, the food is good even if it's super pricy. I would even say the food is delicious and totaly original. A LOT of creativity in every plates no doubt about that The ambiance is very original and modern. You will never see a place like this The only negative points is the services.... So slowwww Staff need a lot of training. The restaurant offers high end menu and drinks... service need to be as well as the menu! If you don't mind of slow services with a waiteress that will explain you all the menu wihtout asking Than ask you if you have some allergy, go ! If you stay in the hotel I suggest you try for lunch or dinner.

We found The Abert based on several great reviews, and it did not disappoint. Our party of four arrived, we were seated immediately. The service was excellent. Adam, the Manager, made sure we were well taken care of. He helped us decide on the aps and desserts, and his humor and professionalism made the evening special for all of us. The food was fantastic, unique, flavorful, and scrumptious without being pretentious. The overall experience was exceptional. I will be going back next time I'm in Chicago. Highly recommend. The only suggestion is to improve the wine menu, though the craft cocktails were excellent.

My husband and I were excited to be staying at EMC2 in which TheAlbert is located, so of course we were looking forward to the experience TheAlbert provided. The attention to detail in the decor is nothing short of sublime. Breakfast in Bed: dark rum, allspice, ginger and sparkling wine. This was a delicious blend of flavors which reminded me of a less sweet version of cola that tickled the tastebuds, but that really doesn't do it justice. It was so good, I ordered a second throughout out stay! V. Special Boy: vodka, elderflower, lemon and mint. This was as refreshing as a warm summer morning. The elderflower got a little lost in the lemon, but the mint added the perfect enhancement to the drink. I was able to taste, but not drink entirely, my husband ordered them: Penicillin: scotch, ginger, lemon and honey. This was also a wonderfully designed cocktail A Quarter French: cognac, rye whiskey, vermouth, and amaro. This was my husband's favorite of the evening and I loved it as well. It was garnished with a orange peel that was lit on fire. The smoked orange peel changed the flavor profile in an unusually delightful way. Naked and Famous: mezcal, lemon, and yellow chartreuse. I was not a fan of this drink, now, that could be because I only had a sip between my own drinks. My husband enjoyed it. We also ordered the cheese board which offered a variety of. Cheeses, meats, and some caper berries. It was good and exactly what you would expect from a cheese board. The highlight of the evening was really the bartender, Casey. She was phenomenal at her craft. We watched her make up these beautiful drinks effortlessly while taking orders, seeing to guests needs, and maintaining a very clean bar. I was thoroughly impressed. If we find ourselves back in Chicago, we will certainly venture back for drinks!

We were able to dine outdoors and the inside dining room looked very nice as well. We started with a cocktail for my wife and glass of wine for myself. Both were very good. We shared the Crostini appetizer with Ricotta and Prosciutto, which was delicious. For our entree, we each enjoyed the Tagliatelle. The sauce reminded us of delicious sauces we have had in the past, but this sauce had something extra and was wonderful. For dessert, the Chocolate soufflé cake was great! Our overall experience from service to food was great, start to finish. One word of note: This was one of two Italian restaurants we experienced while visiting Chicago. The other being “Francesca’s on Chestnut”. If you have a choice, please take a pass on Francesca’s (see my review for that restaurant).

While staying at EMC2, we ate at the Albert restaurant there. Four of us shared 6 appetizers, 4 entrees and 3 desserts. Every bite was a stand-out experience. It is difficult for me to choose but my favorite appetizer was the charred octopus. And the scallops were very slightly my entree choice over the cassoulet. The carrot cake sorbet stood out among the very creative desserts. This chef is so good I thought we were at a 3-star Michelin restaurant. We are going to go out of our way to return and try the chef’s tasting menu. GreenRiver was our usual go-to in Streeterville but they moved. Good news for us because we now have discovered the Albert. Chef Larry Feldmeier came out to our table a couple of times. What a fun and smart personality! It shows in his food. And a shout out to Whitney, our waitress. She describes the menu items as a chef would and easily discussed the cooking techniques that are used for each. Whitney is a delight and compliments the style of the chef. If you can get a table, try the Albert!!

It was amazing service! Loved my server Elizabeth. We had a pleasant brunch and food was great! Will for sure be back. I loved the outdoor seating as well.

The menu at the Albert is very special and cannot be found at other restaurants. Each food preparation is a form of art. My wife had the octopus salad which was one of the best she ever ate. (And she has eaten it all over the world) I had the venison dish which was prepared in a very different fashion as usual and had ingredients I had never eaten before. Most delicious food and wonderful experience. The waiter explained all of the items and their preparation in detail and made it for a very interesting wonderful night. The interior of the place is very cosy and artsy.

I took an out of town guest here. The service was exceptional. The scallops were perfectly cooked as was the duck and the beef. Drinks were interesting and I would like to go back to try the White Negroni. I think the decor was nice but did not live up to the hype.

I simply cannot praise this beautiful restaurant enough. The ambience, the fabulous and unique decor, the people and of course the cuisine.....!! Absolutely impeccable. So delicious, inventive and elegant, with fresh flavours exploding on the palate. We LOVED it! We ate there 3 nights out of our 6 and each new recipe was to die for. Thank you Brandon Brumback, you're an outstanding chef. You made our trip x

The choice of this restaurant turned out to be excellent. The food was exquisite, though on the pricier side. David, our server, was not only very knowledgeable but also quite handsome. His attentive service added to a wonderful dining experience.

This place has great food, cool artwork, and significant martinis. We had a great server. Outstanding chef and prices are not crazy

This is the new restaurant in the EMC2 hotel. Open with outside dining if desired. A full bar. The new American cuisine is inventive and very tasty. The Karachi, the ribeye, grilled octopus. Very nice with complimentary sauces. Service was excellent. My only problem is the size of the portions. The quality and presentation were excellent.

Burger and fries were delicious, cocktails were very good, service was fast and friendly. No complaints at all.

You go to a upscale restaurant for the experience and the food that you can't make at home. We got neither here. My husband and I ordered Green Papaya ($12) appetizer, Black Cod ($32) and Potato Pave ($24). We did not like any of it. The portions are very small and the food was not good. The worst part, our waitress never checked on us. She only came to remove some silverware and bring our check. We sat there with empty drinks and no "how was the food" ever!! We will say, the Manager Yesenia Lopez went above and beyond customer service! She did not make us pay for the over $100 bill. We were shocked. We didn't expect to not pay. She gave us her email and said if we ever come back to visit and eat here let her know and she will take care of us. She also offered us a free drink if we come back to the restaurant later that night. With her going above and beyond we may try it one more time down the road when the cooks/staff have had more customers and reviews. The atmosphere is awesome, just hope the servers and food can match it next time we come.

We had a wonderful experience at The Albert for dinner. The food and drinks were delicious. The staff was so kind and attentive, they really made dinner extra enjoyable. We would gladly return.

Mexico wife and I had a great time at this restaurant. We shared and appetizer and main dish. Food was excellent, so as beer and wine!

We had the chef's tasting menu and it was phenomenal--one of the best meals we had in a long time. The service was excellent, the venue was trendy, and the overall experience was just awesome!

This restaurant is amazing- the decor is all based on Einstein-books everywhere, old beautiful wooden file furniture. The MENU!!! The SERVICE WAS BEYOND excellent. Wish I had another opportunity to go back- will certainly go back when I visit again! Manager was so attentive and super friendly.

Excellent food, everything we lost from excellent taste and quality, excellent David's attention. All excellent, a great choice for any time of day.

This restaurant in the lobby of the EMC2 hotel surely impressed us. Loved the high ceiling and modern decor. We ate there twice - a Sunday brunch and a dinner. Everything we ordered was outstanding. Very creative and at par with some big name Michelin star restaurants ... Prices are reasonable for the quality of food, service was warm and efficient.. we will be back !

This was our fourth visit to this neighborhood restaurant. We continue to be impressed by the creative menu, their professionalism and their attention to detail. David, our server remembered our drink preference, took the time to answer any questions we had, while not being at all intrusive. We will be returning. A great addition to the neighborhood.

After checking at several other restaurants and finding wait times up to an hour 45 minutes, while standing around debating about what to do next, we noticed a sign high above head level that said The Albert. We walked in and found it just as crowded but the hostess offered seats at the Chef's table. We accepted and what a great experience from that point forward. The staff was awesome, the food was fantastically prepared and the flavor was superb! The selections we made were the Lamb, Duck, and a chicken mixture. There is also a relaxing lounge which we never made it to because we were stuffed and ready to get back to the hotel. The drinks choices were unique and refreshing. The Albert restaurant is part of the hotel EMC2. The environment is very contemporary and presents an upbeat atmosphere.

First time at the Albert, but definitely won't be the last. We had an awesome experience here. Great decor, great service, and most importantly the food was phenomenal. We started out with the Spanish Octopus, Scallops and the bread plate. Without question, best Octopus I have every had. Scallops could not have been more fresh and the citrus glaze was excellent. I had the duck and it was prepared perfect. Our server was excellent and very attentive. He really knew the dishes well, which was important as the preparations were unique. Everyone in my party were very pleased. For desert, I highly recommend that you get one each and share. Awesome preparation and the quality as well as the creative effort was appreciated by our entire group. I would recommend the bar if you are traveling by yourself and want a top notch meal in a great atmosphere.

We ate both breakfast and dinner here during Thanksgiving holiday. All times found food fresh, ample and flavorful. The smoked duck small plate is amazing! Found all pastas fresh and good. Breakfast menu has something for everyone at reasonable price points. Atmosphere is unique and comfortable.

I had such a terrific experience at The Albert! One of the best espresso martinis from Patrick that I have ever had. Fantastic environment…truly one of a kind. Attentive service that is not intrusive and high quality ingredients and products. I can’t wait to come back!

We stayed at the hotel so we had breakfast in the Albert. The choices were very nice and the prices weren't crazy. We also stopped by for happy hour, which they had just started up again. I would say they needed some snacks at happy hour. Either just some chips or peanuts would have been nice while we were paying for drinks and the discount seemed a little small for "happy hour". We were told they are working on it and hopefully this small improvement can be made. I would eat here again for sure

We were blown away buy the interiors at the Albert. Extraordinary design coupled with delicious food makes this a must stop. Just a block and a half off Michigan Ave. Crazy good.

A cozy ambiance, breakfast at an antique library. excellent buffet with many healthy choices. My favorite the parfait with berries. Maylen is a great host.

Dropped in unexpectedly for an afternoon glass (or 2) & wow! The quality of craft cocktails and wines by the glass are a cut above, and priced reasonably. Trust the bartender. You won’t be disappointed. The space is beautiful in its artistry, its music and comfortable seating. Will return for menu options!

We were so pleased we dined here. It’s relaxed fine dining. We had Luna piena which was a sheet of pasta over seafood and perfectly judged flavours and a vegetarian pasta in broth with fennel pollen which has just the right amount of gentle fennel flavour. It was light and delicious though I’d have liked a bigger portion! I loved that the food at The Albert is different but in the most delicious way.

We walked in and thought we were on a movie set. The decor is truly bold. The menu was varied and interesting. The wine list was strong. The presentation of the dishes was elegant. The food had a unique and intriguing taste. We will definitely go back. I had the pressed lamb and my wife had the trout. Both were great.

Great restaurant for drinks. Loved the espresso martini. The service was wonderful. David was especially helpful and was a great server. We’ll be back!

I must admit I feel less enthused about the hotel restaurant. I think the concept is overzealous. Sometimes a guest just wants a drink, and not a concoction. I found the menu options ... unfun (yeah I made that up but it's accurate). The drinks were very old-timey in taste and while quite strong, I just wanted a drink. Even my replacement drink- a martini- had a splash of olive oil in it... why? ! Mike's service was excellent, but the options were few at this establishment and we moved on quickly to spend the erst of the niight having deep dish pizza and margaritas. My only negative feedback is that I wish they'd taken an innovative spin on the fare of this era (it seems like an upscale speakeasy) and make the food less out-of-touch.

Perfectly reflecting their claim to be “restlessly curious and unconventional.” The Albert is a nice, little restaurant in Hotel EMC2 for daily dining or for a get-together at the bar. Enter through the main EMC2 entrance for seating by an attentive host staff—reservations recommended as this small restaurant can get very busy at prime times. The tables provide configurations for parties of various sizes and include heavy, comfortable chairs and upholstered couch-style seating. The ambiance is dim and hip with up-beat music, fanciful art, and a mix of bookcase décor, including the big wall of books, that really just feels fresh, fun, and a little romantic. Serving and bar staff is busy but seems a bit overwhelmed at times. The bar is small but nice and perfect for small get togethers. The drink menu is interesting and inventive. The drink Her Name was Vivian (vodka, lemon, egg white, violette) was tasty and foamy. The drink Don’t Tell Your Mother was a strong martini with spicy and mescal laced hints (if you like mescal and martini’s, get this one). The dinner menu is not large but is interesting with a variety and inventiveness that makes decisions difficult. The quality of the food shows the kitchen is staffed with very skilled professionals. Definitely get the Housemade Breads with Cultured Butter—great variety of breads and good butter. I did not like the General Tso’s Spiced Nuts—very nice presentation but the cooked coating on the nuts was just too bitter to really enjoy. The Saffron Pressed Melon, Quinoa and Cashew Butter was simply incredible—get this appetizer! The Colorado Lamb Shoulder with Black Garlic and Lentils was dark, heavy, and deep—get this dish if you’re feeling like something that’s excessively meaty and rich. The Fjord Sea Trout Dill, Golden Beets and Creme Fraiche is overwhelmingly good with crispy skin, luscious fish, and one of the tastiest fish dressings I’ve ever encountered. The Southern Fried Goodness (Bread Pudding Doughnut, Vanilla Anglaise, Brown Butter) was absolutely delightful and fit perfectly with a strong espresso. The prices are good; overall, I rate this restaurant as a good value for great location, bustling staff, great ambiance, inventive menu, good food, and good price. Recommended for a nice evening for couples in downtown Chicago.

We were very happy to discover that the restaurant in our hotel was serving thoughtful seasonal food. The dining room is beautiful and upscale. Service was a little slow but it looked like there was only one server on so that may have been why. Food was excellent. The appetizers sounded so good we decided to just share several for our dinner. The heirloom pumpkin soup tasted fresh and light rather than like pumpkin pie. The sunchoke beginner (small bites similar to an amuse bouche for $2 or $3) was delicious; I was tempted to order a second one it was so good. Housemade breads were good, although the 'English muffin' was really more like a very good American biscuit, and the accompanying cultured butter was excellent. Burrata was creamy and delicious. We ordered the cookies (good but not great) and the creme brulee (really good) and shared them for dessert.

I loved everything about this place. The meal, romaine salad with shrimp. The lettuce was smoked with the most delightful anchovy Cesar dressing. Fresh Parmesan cheese and large grilled shrimp on top. To die for!!! Served with an Italian Barolo. Our server was Steven and he completed the experience, which took place in a very chic, eclectic setting with some very unique artwork and a nice undertone soundtrack. I’m from out of town, and hope to make it back soon.

We visited the Albert for breackfast. The restaurant is cozy and fun. The menu has great options, very tempted to have more food. We had the cinnamon brioche, overnight oats, hot chocolate and mimosas, everything was delicious. The best part of our experience was the service. Maria was looking after us and she is very friendly, you can tell that she really enjoys her job. Our visit was that good, that we decided to go back the day after for brunch. Highly recommended

WE had a quick lunch with innovative lunch sandwich. Service was quick and efficient. I recommend this as a quick lunch if you are in the EMC2 hotel or in the area. The salad was fresh and tasty.

A lovely aesthetic with the perfect decor and the right amount of books. Try the pork chops and the chocolate cake for the dessert. You won’t be disappointed!

The decor in this restuarant is over the top -- think Einstein's lab or library. One could spend a long time noticing all the details. Beyond that, our dinner experience was vbery average. The service was soooo slow. I noticed the other tables were having the same experience. We shared the green papaya salad and were encouraged. It was light and tangy and left our appetites sharpened for the main course. My bass was served with poached (I think) tomatoes and green beans. These were served cold. The bass was on a "smear" of olives, subtly sweet and very good. But, as a whole, it lacked cohesion and seemed to be trying too hard. My husband's "sea trout" was a kind of salmon, which he doesn't care for. It was served with eggplant, cooked al dente, which isn't a good think for eggplant. Bottom line, would we go back and try something else? Probably not -- there are too many great places in Chicago. But do drop in for a drink just to see the place.

Splendid dining experience. Lovely cocktails followed by main course dinner which was very tasty. Ambience was very good. Service was spot on

We were staying at the EMC2 Hotel connected to the Albert. Since it was a cold winter evening and my husband and I were looking to have a simple but romantic dinner, we decided to give the Albert a try. We loved the cozy atmosphere and found the decor very inviting. The food was truly extraordinary. My only complaint for dinner would be that the service was not in line for a restaurant at that price level and especially for how delicious and well thought out the food was! To the contrary, our service experience the following morning during breakfast was superb. We were taken care of by a server named Heinrich who went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed even though it was a continental style (serve yourself) breakfast. He made us feel like we were his guest. As I said above the atmosphere was so cozy, comfortable and inviting. This restaurant is the reason I would consider a return to the EMC2 hotel!

Exceptional breakfast. We had breakfast a la carte, with great detail (juices, coffees, cheese omelettes, vegetables or mushrooms...pancakes or waffles...fresh fruit...) and everything was very good. But if the quality of the products was good, the service is exceptional. Angélica almost always looked after us, and we couldn't have felt better treated. Always making it easy for us with everything, always with a smile and being our children's favorite throughout the trip through the USA. Without a doubt, we want to return to Chicago and we will stay at the EMC2 Hotel again, so we can have breakfast again at The Albert. Thank you so much!

Food and service were exceptional. Octopus as good as I've had, beet salad, rack of lamb, black cod all excellent. Wine list well thought out, excellent cocktail. Only the room fell short, more hotel bar than fine dining.

Let's start with the good -- the atmosphere is great. Loved the decor. The service was also good. The scallop ceviche had too much dressing. While I generally applaud new interpretations of classic ceviche, we couldn't taste the fish. It was smothered in the dressing. The steak and lamb dishes were both overcooked and dry. The filet was not quite well done but it also surely was not medium rare. Lastly, the sides on the mains were smaller than expected. Yes, I am well aware that the portions are smaller at fine restaurants, and I usually appreciate that. But we were still hungry and ended up ordering more food -- after the mains. It seems this restaurant has many other very good ratings. Perhaps our meal was an anomaly. HINT: In any case, I strongly recommend you clearly specify how you want your meat cooked. I was trying to remember at dinner if I was even asked how I wanted my filet prepared, and I don't think I was. So maybe the chef has a certain approach or view on how it needs to be cooked. Dinner for four, with alcohol for half the table, was $348 with service but before tip.

This review only pertains to the bar and not the adjoining restaurant (though most everyone at the restaurant seemed to be enjoying themselves). Bar staff is uber friendly and incredibly attentive. The place was packed, yet I don’t think anyone felt underserved. I ordered a Perfect Manhattan, and it was honestly one of the best I have ever had. I couldn’t get the entire story, but it had everything to do with the ratio of sweet to dry vermouth. Glad I discovered this place on day 2 when I still have 2 days more to enjoy this great spot.

The Albert was beautiful, tranquil, and inviting! The server was sweet and the chef was amazing! The quiche is like no other. You have to try it! The lamb omelette was fluffy and smooth. The donut was heaven. The mimosa was delish! Everything about the Albert was perfection!! A must try!

Definitely the cuts of meat, cheeses, and desserts are quite a gastronomic experience. I loved the service and friendliness of all the waiters, I would definitely come back. It is a good place with good prices and very well located.

We were staying across the street and decided to walk over to check it out. The staff couldn't have been more friendly, and the food was absolutely first class. I ordered the pork chop, and my wife ordered the burrata. We both loved our dishes. The pork was fried to perfection crispy and juicy. My wife is a burrata fan and said it was the best that she has had. The food combined with the incredible staff led up to come back the next day for drinks. Really enjoyed the Decore and the whole experience. This is what all dinning should be.

An art-filled space in a Boutique Hotel (EMC2) that is in a perfect location for whatever you are doing in Chicago. I have eaten at hundreds of restaurants in Chicago, and at least two dozen Michelin stared/recognized restaurants in the area; DO NOT MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EAT HERE! Alas, finally a place that you can eat and converse without a crowded space and with the lovely food presentation and awesome food. The chef has already hit his stride in just a month. Definitely the best Hanger Steak I have ever had in my life - OH, do order a cocktail!

This bar serves Happy Hour priced mocktails from 3-5 PM and I was very pleased with the quality of them! The interior was nice and cozy and the bartenders were very hospitable. I hope to be back next time I'm in Chicago!

Not the best experience. Our daughter ordered pancakes and when we commented that they were burnt, the staff said they were well done. We asked for new pancakes. See attached picture for the second set of pancakes. We gave up after this effort.

Amazing atmosphere and the cocktail list is awesome, everyone can use a little penicillin! Definitely a must, menu is a bit specific but you certainly can’t go wrong!

Interesting explanation of the peculiarities and uniqueness of the hotels; excellent presentation of the menu, competence and courtesy

Too bad that they were not ready for breakfast service when we were there. Coffee should be available at all times. Seems that wait staff not trained for weekends.

This is a very cool and unique bar. I did not have any food here but had different drinks. They do have a happy hour.

Christmas day. Ruined the day. Worst food ever had anywhere. I have traveled the world. 40 plus countries. Worst food anywhere. Charge 95 dollars a person, prime rib was brutal, drum stick harder then a rock, head chef should be embarresed Charge kids same. No option on Christmas. Pay that much not even a drink coffee or tea. But worst was the food. Not sure where there learned to cook. Owner is robbing people. Should be ashamed. Photo below. Would not give this to an animal. Felt like left overs. Would not recommend to anyone.

My family had the most incredible experience at the Albert last weekend. It was a last-minute find and we slipped in a little later than the dinner crowd, but it was such a gorgeous surprise! The restaurant is so beautiful, clean, and welcoming. The staff was efficient and handled my teenagers with extra special care. And the food- I am still dreaming about the FOOD! We had the polenta board (my Nonna would be proud!), the smoked duck, and the tomato garlic soup- FANTASTIC! And I swear to all the heavens above that the risotto is the best I have ever tasted. My son loved the ravioli and my husband loved the ribeye. All cooked to perfection and all wonderful presentations. We will be back and we will tell our friends!

I am in town for business and took the opportunity to take my son who lives here out to dinner. The minute we walked in the door, the wonderful aromas of baking and cooking made us think that we would be eating well. The meal surpassed my expectations. We had a phenomenal dinner ordering the trout and Black Pepper Garganelli at the suggestion of our wonderful hostess, Queen. Service was very attentive. We also had the Spanish Octopus which I will make a special trip back just to order this dish. A very nice selection of French wines. I highly recommend eating here.

I am not one of those people who walk into a restaurant close to closing. I don’t even like coming in with less than a couple hours before closing. I inadvertently walked into the Albert an hour before the kitchen closed (the bar is open later). I offered to leave once I realized the time, but the hostesses were very welcoming and encouraged me to stay. I did stay and told my server, Liz V, I would be quick. She was so nice and didn’t rush me at all! She was super personable and gave me great recommendations. I had the ravioletti, made with braised short rib, truffles, cacio e Pepe, and candied walnuts. It was delicious! But it’s a fairly small portion. That’s why I ordered a side of Brussels sprouts with Parmesan and mushrooms with chili and herb crumbs. The ravioletti was rich and scrumptious. The mushrooms were savory and spicy. The Brussels sprouts were crispy and smoky. This was more than enough food! I had a couple of delicious cocktails. The noethern lights (vodka, elder flower, lemon, chamomile). And Quixote (tequila, chambord, lime, ginger). Both were refreshing, but the Quixote was moodier and more interesting. I would choose it over the other. This spot is mostly Italian. They have several delicious looking pasta dishes—tagliatelle, gnocchi, risotto, and much more. All appear to be creative and full of flavor, and I can’t wait to try them again. They also have salmon, pork, chicken, and steak dishes. I didn’t try the dessert menu, but it also looks killer. I have a stay booked here in a couple of weeks and looking forward to trying out this hip hotel, eating more tasty food, and sipping more sophisticated cocktails!

Stayed at the EMC2 hotel and went down for drinks and some food. The food menu just didn’t speak to me. However, the ambience and service at the bar was good. Drinks were well executed.

A bit expensive but food was really good (ate there twice). Hanger steak was fabulous. Cod really good. Had a guitar player Thursday night.

I found the service and decor to be great, but that fact that they have no beer on tap downgrades them. Bar bites were pretty good.

Yes, it is noisy and the live music can be loud but the drinks are great and it is a very pretty, lively bar/restaurant. We had Cooper? as our waiter and he was a delight. We would return here.

We were seated right away close to 6:00 pm without reservations. I didn’t know if that was a good thing (no waiting), or a bad thing (not a popular place with questionable food). The menu is a bit exotic in descriptions and flavors/ingredients. My husband isn’t as adventurous as I am and wanted to leave, but we stayed and had dinner. This was my pre-race meal, so I needed a good protein with vegetables. I had the sea bass with purple potato purée and radishes. It was very good. My husband had the chicken, which was more mainstream than the other menu items. He liked it. Turns out being seated right away was just fine. The food was delicious and sat well in my stomach. I think it’s a bit off the beaten path being in a hotel lobby, but I would eat here again.

We returned to The Albert after being out of town for 8 months and were once again impressed with their creative, wonderfully prepared menu. We ordered the halibut and hanger steak and both were as pleasing to the eye as they were to the palate. Thanks to all for a great evening. We will be back.

We dined here on a Friday night. The cocktails were good especially the old fashion. But food was not only average but weird. The chicken was very dry and was served with 1/2 soft boiled egg and a cluster of greens which I think was kale(tasteless). We also had the cheese and charcuterie board which was also average. In addition we were barraged with 4 or 5 different servers which was intrusive and annoying. Food was nicely presented but not especially tasty. I don’t recommend this restaurant for dinner. It seems to be more of a bar scene.

The best thing about the restaurant was the painted dog statue outside. Sadly, the food was mediocre - we had a sampling of chicken and vegan dishes. The starter salad was tasty, but nothing special. The chicken was moist but bland. The vegetable dishes (eggplant, mushrooms, bok choi) made me want to never eat vegetables again - bland. Desert was even mediocre (flourless chocolate cake and fruit gallette. The service was good. With so many choices in Chicago, you probably want to go elsewhere.

We ate lunch at the EMC2 hotel restaurant, the Albert. The lunch menu has limited selection. I enjoyed the Spanish octopus appetizer. The burger and chicken salad sandwich was good, but we didn't think it was any different from other restaurants. The library decor was in keeping with the "Einstein" scientific theme. I would try this restaurant for dinner which looks like their menu had more choices.

Really enjoyable evening at the restaurant! Service was great, fun cocktails & starters, followed by entrees offered in both small and large portions. Nice scene and would return!

The Albert boosts of great food and atmosphere on the website, but it was completely the opposite for us this weekend. Brunch for many means an incredible breakfast and lunch altogether with coffee and cocktails. The cauliflower soup they served us was gross. We couldn't eat it. We ordered eggs and they brought eggs but so little of a portion, with a huge bowl of potatoes covered in mustard sauce, we didn't like. They place was empty and that should of been a sign. They don't care about the customers who are hungry. Try to be fancier by giving us better food options. The chef can eat all the cauliflower soup as far as we are concerned. They can keep the truffles too, just give better tasting food.

It is next to the Lobby of the EMC2 Autograph Collection Hotel in Chicago were we stayed. 'Library' atmosphere is warm and inviting, with lots of fun art work to look at. Personel in general was very friendly but a few need to be better trained. We went in past midday on a Saturday informing and looking forward to having lunch and after choosing our meals we were told they only had breakfast or brunch available. We ordered Eggs and a Fritatta a la Carte and weren't impressed at all; Fritatta looked more like a plain Omelette and had no taste whatsoever. Ordered Beer thereafter and waitress asked us if we wanted ice in it! Incredible...She was very attentive but lost as to what was available to offer... We did not have the opportunity to dine there but based on our experience consider this place better suited just for drinks and snacks; the bar is very nice in the evening and there is a small terrace outside facing the street which surprisingly felt cool in the midst of summer!

The Albert is a chic restaurant in the EMC2 hotel. The happy hour is awesome. We enjoyed a number of the cocktails while snacking on the pimento cheese and grilled sourdough with pickles. The lavender lemonade spiked with vodka is a refreshing taste of spring and summer. The General Tso nuts were tasty but should not be the only snack while drinking. The food looked amazing, but we were only enjoying happy hour.

This restaurant is in the EMC2 hotel. It is a play on Albert Einstein, therefore the name. Everything is ala carte, so it could be expensive. However, my wife and I picked our entrées and shared a vegetable. The entrées appeared to be small portions for the price, but the vegetable was a generous portion and we ended up both feeling very full. I added a glass of wine and the bill turned out to be quite reasonable. We were concerned when we came in because it was a Saturday night and the place was almost empty. We thought we had made a poor choice, but the food was well prepared and the service was very good. It was also quiet enough, even as they started to fill up, to have a nice, quiet conversation. Overall, it is someplace a little different and worth trying. As an aside, they have a good selection of vegetarian options too.

The ambience in the Albert was amazing. Because this is based off of Albert Einstein, the bar area had rows of books, old card catalog drawers, etc lining the walls. I loved the look. The service was great as well. My husband's drink was very good, he said, and for him that means excellent.

Excellent hotel, excellent service. Aubrey was especially helpful. Our son loved Leo and Cleo. Great location, close to everything, dining options galore, but definitely eat at the Albert

I had a great time at the Albert. My friends and I wandered in off the street after shopping on Michigan Avenue and we had.drinks and dinner. The cocktails were amazing, and Martin, our server, was so nice and knowledgeable about the menu. You can tell that he really loves the food and loves what he does. I personally had the most amazing ravioli I’ve ever had in my entire life. I will dream about it for a very long time. We all decided to come back and celebrate the holidays together together at the Albert.

We were staying across the street and popped in for a cocktail. They have a wonderful cocktail list and great, knowledgeable, friendly bartenders.

A five star experience, food, service and drinks. They reservations were on time and the meal was excellent.

As tourists we came upon The Albert because it was near our hotel but it was a fantastic find. The decor is fun and supplied by a local artist. The cocktails are well made and the wine list is small but finely selected and reasonably priced. Both of us had pasta and both were impeccably prepared. But it was the service that was so outstanding. Our server as well as Adam the manager spent lots of time with us helping us with our menu choices as well as tips for us out of town tourists. It is great to find a restaurant staff that is genuinely friendly and helpful without being overbearing or obsequious. A fantastic dining option.

Stayed down the street and stopped in for a cocktail. Bartenders clearly experts at their craft. Had a Moscow Mule that was totally different than I had ever had. Open kitchen with really good food coming out. Will be back for dinner.

Business lunch that turned into unexpected fun and great tasting experience. Limited menu with intriguing options, very reasonably priced. Elegant, inspiring ambiance -will do great for romance. I will come back and recommend this place for sure. One of my buds is a true foodie and he was in tears as we tasted each other's selections.