Ellie service was superb at our business dinner last night - food was excellent - restaurant was very quiet and perfect for business dinner - great wine list and very reasonably priced
Brian
Great date night ambiance; food was outstanding, as was the service. Will definitely return.
CarolLynn
Table wasn't ready at reserved time. The hostess started to bring us back, and then we turned around and headed back. Waited a short time. When we ordered, I let the waitress know I had a tree nut allergy. My son and I were sharing a salad and requested they hold the nuts. The salad came with nuts on it. Waitress apologized, but by the time she came back and offered a replacement, everyone was done with appetizers. Something happened to our main course order. We waited about 40 minutes. Staff came by a few times and told us it was coming. The rest of the restaurant was running fine, so it was our order. Someone, not our waitress, dropped 3 dishes of green apple sorbet at our table and quickly left. We thought it was meant for another table. When the waitress came, we were told it was a palate cleanser, made in house, and was complimentary. Interesting that no one else in the restaurant was being given this palate cleanser. It was not good and we did not eat it. When the food finally arrived, the sea bass (which was $48) was over cooked. The plates were artistically pleasing, but the portions were very small. I am a vegetarian and the mushroom risotto ($46 as well) was fine, but about 1 cup portion. Crazy expensive for mushroom risotto, and the portion that was served. The waitress did offer to replace the sea bass. Said they had one ready to go. I think they knew all along it was overcooked. We declined to stay for dessert. Waitress was very apologetic, said this was not the normal experience. As we were getting ready to leave, the bartender put a glass of wine down in front of me. I asked him if he was giving me the wine? He had the wrong table. So many errors, it was disappointing. We were dressed up and celebrating the holiday. For the price point on the menu, the entire evening should have been much more enjoyable.
Raymond
First time here. A lovely space and a nice menu. Three different appetizers and entrees. Loved every bite. Service was impeccable and wine recommendation' excellent. Will definitely go back.
Alice
This was not our first time dining at The Alcove but it may possibly be our last. Our redress at 5:45pm and we were seated promptly. After 10 minutes or so a waiter took our drink order which was a bottle of sparkling wine. After pouring, the bottle sat while he went to find an ice bucket. About 30 minutes into the evening, we asked for bread and finally that was served. For the first 60 minutes, that was all we had, 4 small slices of bread for 3 people. Finally our appetizer s were served and then another hour went by before 2 of the 3 main courses were served. Another 5+ minutes went by before the last main course was served. The duck was well done, instead of med/rare as stated ( but we definitely didn't want to wait for another one). A manager never explained what the problem was and in fact we also noticed that a couple was waiting so long that they got up and left. The hostess asked how everything was when we were leaving and I replied, “different, and not in a good way”. We had an appetizer and a main course and only one dessert and it was a 3+ hour meal.... WAAAAY TOO LONG! If there's a kitchen problem, then guests should be informed because that point it was hard to enjoy the meal.
Abigail
We had an amazing time! From the Hostess, the Server and the food, everything was excellent!, Looking forward to dinning there again!
Alan H
A neighborhood gem. Great food and service. Hidden under the Davis Street Metra station adds to the adventure
Kevin
First time at this restaurant. Very cool location under the tracks. Loved the atmosphere there. Service was excellent. Food was very good, but a bit expensive for what it was. I know that is true for a lot of restaurants these days, but for the $40-$50 entree prices, the food could have been better. I recommend this place, but it's just not 5 stars. I would go back there again.
Diane
Wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary! The meal was delicious, the service was excellent, and the ambiance was romantic.
james
The selection and quality of choices is always consistent. A great place for adults to go to as the noise level is fairly quiet. K
The duck was fabulous. Best ever both the duck, the roasted vegetables, and the sauces. Thank you! The French Pinot noir paired perfectly. Peach tart light and tasty. Only complaint was turtle sundae had too much ice cream relative to other ingredients. New chairs so comfortable.
Andrew
Food was excellent, as was the service. The prices are a bit high and the portions rather modest, but overall it was a very good experience. I recommend it.
Christina
This was my first visit to the Alcove, and I was impressed by the very high quality and creativity of the food. The ambience was quiet and luxurious, and the staff was outstanding. I will be returning soon again!
Phillip
The food and service were both outstanding. We have not eaten dinner there for a while and forgot what we were missing. It's a place you go to just to enjoy dinner and an evening out. Don't complicate it with a play or anything like that I had the short ribs of beef my wife had The roast duck. We shared a salad and dessert. The bill was $$$. But we felt it was worth it for such a pleasant evening. Looking forward to going back soon. 
Roger
We appreciated the quiet ambiance which permitted easy conversation, even though there were many other people dining in the restaurant. We also liked the great variety of well prepared food and wine choices, as well as the the ample cocktail choices. Service eas prompt and personable. There aren't many good restaurants in Evanston but this is certainly one of them.
Ellie service was superb at our business dinner last night - food was excellent - restaurant was very quiet and perfect for business dinner - great wine list and very reasonably priced
Great date night ambiance; food was outstanding, as was the service. Will definitely return.
Table wasn't ready at reserved time. The hostess started to bring us back, and then we turned around and headed back. Waited a short time. When we ordered, I let the waitress know I had a tree nut allergy. My son and I were sharing a salad and requested they hold the nuts. The salad came with nuts on it. Waitress apologized, but by the time she came back and offered a replacement, everyone was done with appetizers. Something happened to our main course order. We waited about 40 minutes. Staff came by a few times and told us it was coming. The rest of the restaurant was running fine, so it was our order. Someone, not our waitress, dropped 3 dishes of green apple sorbet at our table and quickly left. We thought it was meant for another table. When the waitress came, we were told it was a palate cleanser, made in house, and was complimentary. Interesting that no one else in the restaurant was being given this palate cleanser. It was not good and we did not eat it. When the food finally arrived, the sea bass (which was $48) was over cooked. The plates were artistically pleasing, but the portions were very small. I am a vegetarian and the mushroom risotto ($46 as well) was fine, but about 1 cup portion. Crazy expensive for mushroom risotto, and the portion that was served. The waitress did offer to replace the sea bass. Said they had one ready to go. I think they knew all along it was overcooked. We declined to stay for dessert. Waitress was very apologetic, said this was not the normal experience. As we were getting ready to leave, the bartender put a glass of wine down in front of me. I asked him if he was giving me the wine? He had the wrong table. So many errors, it was disappointing. We were dressed up and celebrating the holiday. For the price point on the menu, the entire evening should have been much more enjoyable.
First time here. A lovely space and a nice menu. Three different appetizers and entrees. Loved every bite. Service was impeccable and wine recommendation' excellent. Will definitely go back.
This was not our first time dining at The Alcove but it may possibly be our last. Our redress at 5:45pm and we were seated promptly. After 10 minutes or so a waiter took our drink order which was a bottle of sparkling wine. After pouring, the bottle sat while he went to find an ice bucket. About 30 minutes into the evening, we asked for bread and finally that was served. For the first 60 minutes, that was all we had, 4 small slices of bread for 3 people. Finally our appetizer s were served and then another hour went by before 2 of the 3 main courses were served. Another 5+ minutes went by before the last main course was served. The duck was well done, instead of med/rare as stated ( but we definitely didn't want to wait for another one). A manager never explained what the problem was and in fact we also noticed that a couple was waiting so long that they got up and left. The hostess asked how everything was when we were leaving and I replied, “different, and not in a good way”. We had an appetizer and a main course and only one dessert and it was a 3+ hour meal.... WAAAAY TOO LONG! If there's a kitchen problem, then guests should be informed because that point it was hard to enjoy the meal.
We had an amazing time! From the Hostess, the Server and the food, everything was excellent!, Looking forward to dinning there again!
A neighborhood gem. Great food and service. Hidden under the Davis Street Metra station adds to the adventure
First time at this restaurant. Very cool location under the tracks. Loved the atmosphere there. Service was excellent. Food was very good, but a bit expensive for what it was. I know that is true for a lot of restaurants these days, but for the $40-$50 entree prices, the food could have been better. I recommend this place, but it's just not 5 stars. I would go back there again.
Wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary! The meal was delicious, the service was excellent, and the ambiance was romantic.
The selection and quality of choices is always consistent. A great place for adults to go to as the noise level is fairly quiet. K
Restaurantji Recommends
The duck was fabulous. Best ever both the duck, the roasted vegetables, and the sauces. Thank you! The French Pinot noir paired perfectly. Peach tart light and tasty. Only complaint was turtle sundae had too much ice cream relative to other ingredients. New chairs so comfortable.
Food was excellent, as was the service. The prices are a bit high and the portions rather modest, but overall it was a very good experience. I recommend it.
This was my first visit to the Alcove, and I was impressed by the very high quality and creativity of the food. The ambience was quiet and luxurious, and the staff was outstanding. I will be returning soon again!
The food and service were both outstanding. We have not eaten dinner there for a while and forgot what we were missing. It's a place you go to just to enjoy dinner and an evening out. Don't complicate it with a play or anything like that I had the short ribs of beef my wife had The roast duck. We shared a salad and dessert. The bill was $$$. But we felt it was worth it for such a pleasant evening. Looking forward to going back soon. 
We appreciated the quiet ambiance which permitted easy conversation, even though there were many other people dining in the restaurant. We also liked the great variety of well prepared food and wine choices, as well as the the ample cocktail choices. Service eas prompt and personable. There aren't many good restaurants in Evanston but this is certainly one of them.
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