the Albert
Quick info
About the Albert
On Ontario Street in Chicago, the Albert occupies the ground floor of the Einstein-themed hotel it's part of, with a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf and book-and-art decor running through the room. The American menu spans 46 dishes, including pasta such as veal tagliatelle, with Olive Oil Cake on the dessert list. A full bar runs alongside with a cocktail menu, and breakfast is served in addition to dinner. Reservations are recommended, though some walk-ins are accommodated. A private dining room is available for groups, and outdoor seating extends the dining space. Families with young children are accommodated with high chairs, and dogs are welcome in the space. Valet parking is offered, and the entrance is step-free for visitors with mobility needs. The kitchen also offers takeaway for those eating off site. Restrooms are located in the basement, reached by stairs rather than the elevator.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid street parking · Difficult to find a space · Valet parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsHigh chairs available
- DietaryServes vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
46 dishes · mains $59–339- Olive Oil Cake$64.00
- Chocolate Soufflé Cake$64.00
- Tiramisu$64.00
- Affogato$59.00
- Peach Crostata$64.00
- Torta Di Mais$63.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention olive oil cake, veal tagliatelle, polenta board and crudo.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention olive oil cake, veal tagliatelle, polenta board and crudo.
Customer Review Summary
Pasta dishes draw the most consistent praise at the Albert, with the veal tagliatelle, risotto, and crudo singled out alongside standout plates like the Polenta Board, pork chops, lamb chop, and egg bake at breakfast. Cocktails also earn repeat mention, especially the smoke-topped Vesuvius and a strawberry drink from the new Brunchissimo menu, and the olive oil cake and Nonna cake come up often as memorable endings, with several diners recalling servers who went out of their way, offering free cake, dog treats, or a chocolate cake surprise for an anniversary. Against this, a recurring worry surfaces: a few reviewers who loved it on earlier visits found the food had turned generic and "mass produced" on return, and one describes a nearly hour-long wait for an overpriced, underseasoned steak that was mostly bone, though staff comped dessert and were called phenomenal despite the kitchen miss. One other visitor found an afternoon bar visit merely average, with slow service and no clear happy hour menu. Most describe leaving with plans to return, often citing a specific dish they'd order again.
Customer Review Summary
Pasta dishes draw the most consistent praise at the Albert, with the veal tagliatelle, risotto, and crudo singled out alongside standout plates like the Polenta Board, pork chops, lamb chop, and egg bake at breakfast. Cocktails also earn repeat mention, especially the smoke-topped Vesuvius and a strawberry drink from the new Brunchissimo menu, and the olive oil cake and Nonna cake come up often as memorable endings, with several diners recalling servers who went out of their way, offering free cake, dog treats, or a chocolate cake surprise for an anniversary. Against this, a recurring worry surfaces: a few reviewers who loved it on earlier visits found the food had turned generic and "mass produced" on return, and one describes a nearly hour-long wait for an overpriced, underseasoned steak that was mostly bone, though staff comped dessert and were called phenomenal despite the kitchen miss. One other visitor found an afternoon bar visit merely average, with slow service and no clear happy hour menu. Most describe leaving with plans to return, often citing a specific dish they'd order again.
Featured reviews
- Andy B
“The Albert is a hotel bar so located within EMC2. The floor to ceiling bookshelf is great for photos and everything else about this place is just average. Admittedly visited in the afternoon but service was slow and there’s no obvious happy hour menu (the QR code links to the website which just has a blurb saying happy hour exists). While the host will tell you take to the fire stairs to basement to use the restroom, you can actually just use the elevator within the hotel. Emmy Spritz was nice but just average.”
- Ashley Novak
“It is such a beautiful place and we had the BEST food. It was my girlfriend’s birthday and they came out with a massive piece of cake and a card that the employees signed. Such a great night!!!🩷”
- Yasmin Infante
“Stopped by for a quick dinner - had the Ravioli and Brussels. Ravioli was rich and creamy. Flavor was a little flat, the balsamic on top was a good highlight but barely offset the richness of the cream sauce. Presentation could be better. …”
- Dominique Whitney
“Our waiter was extremely friendly and attentive- BUT the food was NOT very good. Expensive for such small portions. My friend also said her pasta felt like it was out of a chef boyarde can, while mine the cheese had a very off taste to it. The decorations in some spots were nice and the books as well.”
- Sanchez
“The service here is fantastic from the moment I stepped inside. The hostesses, Lorena and Chelsea, greeted me with warm smiles making me feel right at home. Sebastian, the server ensured that I had a wonderful dining experience, even though I was dining alone. The restaurant’s decor, featuring books and art, creates an enchanting atmosphere of Hogwarts. I highly recommend this hidden gem.”
Hours
- Monday
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Highlights
“Chic spot offering chef-driven, Italian-inspired fare plus cocktails in an Einstein-themed hotel.”
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Serves local speciality
- Popular for popular for dinner
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Paid street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
Show more amenities
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Has bar on site
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Offerings· 8
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Serves happy-hour drinks
- Serves late-night food
- Has private dining room
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves wine
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
- Planning· 2
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Dining options· 6
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves dinner
- Has counter service
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Popular for· 2
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Accessibility· 2
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Highlights· 4
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Serves local speciality
- Atmosphere· 4
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Parking· 2
- Difficult to find a space
- Valet parking
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs available
Location
American restaurants near the Albert
- RL Restaurant4.61,5390.3 mi$50–100
rl burger, chopped vegetable salad, crab cake
- The Dearborn4.79,5180.8 mi$30–80
fish and chips, truffle fries, burger
- Remington's4.52,7530.8 mi$30–90
prime rib, crab cakes, carrot cake
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the Albert | 4.4722 | — | $20–60 | olive oil cake, veal tagliatelle, polenta board |
| RL Restaurant | 4.61,539 | 0.3 mi | $50–100 | rl burger, chopped vegetable salad, crab cake |
| The Dearborn | 4.79,518 | 0.8 mi | $30–80 | fish and chips, truffle fries, burger |
| Remington's | 4.52,753 | 0.8 mi | $30–90 | prime rib, crab cakes, carrot cake |
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