Vegan
American
Pizza
International
Organic
Beer/Wine
Fusion
Gluten-free
Part of the Matthew Kenney restaurant group, this one est. 2018. Fine dining. Offers a diverse variety of globally-inspired meals, including new interpretations of traditional dishes: pizza, burgers, noodle bowls, curries, and more. Located on the 7th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue across from the Mens Lounge. Reported closed, Nov '22.
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700 N Michigan Ave (at Saks Fifth Ave), Chicago, Illinois, USA, 60611
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Last update on 04 Nov 2022 by Guest
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Added by plumshine on 12 Nov 2018
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100 Reviews
First Review by plumshine
VeganUSA
Points +9767
Upscale, leisurely 100% Plant-Based Dining Experience - Edit
We very much enjoyed this first visit to Althea's. It made for a special evening in an upscale setting.
Read moreWe started off with the appetizers, and thought that was where our dining would end, but we went on the entrees as well.
Some of the standouts from the appetizers were: baked mac and cheese and then thai carrot soup, but especially yummy was the cheese plate. One member of our group was not vegan, and enjoyed all the appetizers and was eager to order entrees.
The service was uneven: our server was polite and got our orders in right away, but getting the server to be at our table to take the orders or place orders for another round of drinks, for example, was harder. We observed service, by other servers, at the adjacent tables, but not our table. In order to place orders, one of us had to find the server.
Pros: 100% Plant-based, Delicious, unique options, Fun, upscale setting
Cons: Service was uneven, Server not available to take orders
Guest
NunyazInfo
Points +103
Such a view with delicious food! - Edit
Shared two dishes; Risotto and caesar salad. The risotto was amazing! Perfectly seasoned and the texture was so creamy. Topped off with perfectly cooked delicious red cherry tomatoes and peas. The caesar salad was nothing to sneeze at but it was definitely a spin-off of a classic caesar. The dressing lacked that strong lemony tang that I associate with a caesar salad.
Read moreThe staff seemed stressed out. Which is okay to me. Just a sign of how tough living is for most of us.
Pros: Incredible view, All vegan, High quality ingredients
Cons: Quite pricey
Guest
jadaruss
Points +2189
Enjoyable food - Edit
I enjoy the food at Althea but it is a bit overpriced. The staff are also always rude, or I just seem to always get unlucky. So they end up making the experience not as pleasant. I guess I would recommend takeout to avoid that.
Read morePros: Good food
Cons: Rude staff, Too expensive
Guest
Leo27
Points +2247
Wonderful location - Edit
Great food, beautiful inside with nice view over the magnificent mile
Read moreGuest
THT_veggie
Points +622
1st class plant-based restaurant, a must try! - Edit
The comments of the community made us want to try this place, it looked wonderful!
Read moreWe have already been to a 1-star vegan restaurant in France and it was wonderful, we wanted to compare.
ALTHEA was absolutely awesome, stunning, surprising, waouw!
We had the truffle Mac and Cheese to share to start with and it was absolutely so yummy! Lovely balanced and gourmet!
Then we shared two mains :
Kepl noodles upon recommandations in the Happy cow comments
Raw lasagnas
Both were magical and breathtaking! The flavors were 🤯
We absolutely LOVED THEM!
You should try the Kepl noodles, the flavors are such uncommon but working so well together!
As desserts, we had:
Banana sorbet : omg so good
Chocolate cake : good, but very strong in cocoa, make sure to like it!
Cheesecake : absolutely fantastic!
As you can guess, we definitely recommend this place!
For 1 starter, 2 mains, 2 desserts, including tax and automatic 20% gratuity, we paid $100.
The price was definitely worth the refinement and stunning flavors!
Guest
RachelMarieP
Points +34
All Vegan menu!! - Edit
The portions were a bit small. They automatically added a 20% gratuity. The Mac and cheese was good. The hummus was delicious, just not enough hummus. The avocado toast wasn’t toasted. I will be back. I love to support all vegan places. The place was packed which made me very happy.
Read morePros: All vegan menu , No questions about it being vegan , All vegan
Cons: Gratuity was automatically added , Portions were small for price , Understaffed, but who isn’t now a days
Guest
JulietPolaski
Points +58
My #1 favorite restaurant - Edit
I like to think of myself as a foodie and let me tell you this place os my favorite #1 restaurant I have ever been to. I’d recommend a lychee martini, kimchi dumplings and Spicy cashew Udon.
Read moreGuest
JasonManias
Points +1397
Fancy - Edit
Go here if you want to treat yourself to a pretty fancy fine dining experience
Read moreGuest
CocoButta
Points +426
Omg so delightful - Edit
Wow! This is so impressive. I can really tell when chefs are just in love with plants as a medium. And this place is JUST that!! With a fabulous city view and excellent cocktails!
Read moreGuest
mrmayer1030
Points +124
Upscale plant-based dining - Edit
Delicious, plant-based and did I say delicious? Everything was picture worthy and so good.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-07-23
Pros: Unprocessed, whole foods, Great views of Chicago , So satisfying
Cons: Limited hours
Guest
DaniTomb
Points +24
Best meal of my life! - Edit
Oh my gosh. Vegan or not - this was the BEST MEAL I EVER HAD. Visiting Chicago and wanted something a little more upscale to celebrate my best friends birthday. Outstanding service, knowledgeable staff. We got eh cheese platter starter, MIGHTYVINE TOMATO ZUCCHINI LASAGNA and the KELP NOODLE CACIO E PEPE. To die for. TO DIE FOR!! Worth every penny.
Read morePros: Everything is vegan, Fresh ingredients, Amazing food
Cons: Weird and confusing location
Guest
HenryLi
Points +1655
Fine-dining Presentation but Lackluster Flavors - Edit
Althea is located inside of Saks Fith Avenue Chicago and is the creation of famed restaurateur, Matthew Kenney.
Read moreAlthea is an upscale restaurant with fine dining prices. The staff where friendly and attentive. I went on my trip to Chicago for my birthday and found the food to be well presented. I ordered chilaquiles which were good but not great. I also had a taco which looked excellent and tasted flavorful.
Overall, Althea is worth checking out but is not the best value for a vegan fine dining restaurant.
Pros: Fully vegan, Great presentation, Nice location in walking distance downtown
Cons: Expensive
Guest
onthe_GoVegan
Points +386
Amazing - Edit
Matthew Kenney is my favorite restauranteur and Althea was a great experience with perfect flavor combinations.
Read moreGreat portion size. Unique flavors. Everything was amazing and delicious. Phenomenal service.
Can’t wait to go back.
Guest
SaraIgl
Points +394
Quick Serve Mathew Kenney Restaurant in the business of Fast Eats - Edit
Received half an order with door dash when unable to make an in person dining reservation when trying to book from out of town. Had to appear in person after the mall was closed for the other half of my order. The restaurant comped us an extra meal and dessert for the trouble. Book early for the Mathew Kenney experience and quality!
Read morePros: Excellent quality, freshness, presentation, Flavor, Professionalism
Cons: Business/ Demand/ Errors
Guest
Dinners&Donkeys
Points +296
Great food, somewhat lackluster service, strange exit strategy - Edit
The food at ALTHEA is 5 stars. However, our visit was fraught with a lot of little service issues that added up to a less than excellent experience. Then, upsettingly, it ended with yelling. We started with the Artisanal Cheese Plate ($22 GF), got two orders of Crab Cakes ($15 GF?), ordered the Baked Mac + Cheese ($12) (I tasted the sauce, and to me, it was not the best vegan mac and cheese I have had by a long shot - take yourself to Soul Veg City at 203 E 75th St for that). My daughter said the Almond Udon ($21) was the best she’d ever eaten. Husband ordered the Kale Caesar Salad ($18) - good, but basic. We got 2 sides of the Roasted Potatoes ($7 GF)I got the Kelp Noodle Cacio E Pepe ($19 GF), and got was one of the best vegan entrees I’ve ever had. Sensational. All 3 desserts were all GF: a chocolate hazelnut torte, a coconut banana pie, and a lemon blueberry cheesecake. All great - but the ice cream pie with caramelized bananas was to die for. Issues: we waited for 15-20 minutes with a reservation. (The hosts were apologetic.) Once seated, we waited 10+ minutes for a server to come by (no water proffered.) We never got our plates cleared until the next course arrived. Never got a table wipe until requested. Never had a water refill. Our waiter was not well-versed in what was gluten-free and had to continuously “go and ask.” FOUR times we were brought the wrong entrée, or in the wrong quantities. Lastly, the waiter put the check directly in front of my husband. He saw me reach over for it. I gave it back with MY card. Returning, he put it in front of my husband again. Service was friendly, but never so great as the food. Lastly: ALTHEA is on the top floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. So while the restaurant is open on a Saturday evening, Saks is closed. After dinner, a guard began shouting at my family, “GET AGAINST THE WALL!! YOU STAY BY THAT WALL!” They had done nothing. Downstairs, more threats and shouting. Same treatment: “THE STORE IS CLOSED! GET OUT! YOU MUST LEAVE THE BUILDING!” It was just ridiculous. My daughter started to cry and shake. She thought we were getting arrested. How about a rope, ALTHEA? Or some signs? This is the plan? It really overshadowed the superior food we had here. Chef Kenney just needs to plant some customers to have the whole experience, take notes, and tighten the service. Exit needs to be adapted so that patrons, leaving full and happy, aren’t effectively criminalized just for being there. Get take out - during store hours.
Read morePros: superior food, nice atmosphere, get some shopping done?
Cons: lackluster attention, inexpert/uninformed staff especially for celiac, brutal treatment by the closing security at Saks
Guest
chood13
Points +386
Pricey but delicious! - Edit
Super classy restaurant; food is excellent! We got the cheese board, truffle mac and cheese and Ceasar salad and it was all super good!
Read moreGuest
CC409
Points +281
50/50 - Edit
3.5 Some dishes are incredible and others are lackluster. I’ve been 3 times now just wanting to be amazed but it hasn’t happened. I’ve tried just about every dish on the menu over the last 4 years. The ambiance works if you aren’t seated where you can see the shoe store, the plating presentation is great, I enjoyed the chocolate cake immensely, the Mac n cheese app is decadent, taco app was lovely. The ingredients taste fresh but some are lacking in flavor profile making the fresh herbs the only ingredient you taste. If you truly enjoy(ed) a seafood profile the crab cakes (although a little mushy) and almond udon were a hit with the spouse. The dumplings weren’t on the menu this time but a favorite for sure. Still a nice experience once you find your favorites.
Read moreGuest
CoralCrumb
Points +38
Upscale delicious - Edit
My sister took me here for my birthday. Started off with an amazing cheese plate. My sister got the lasagna & crab cakes. I got a Cesear Salad & the harvest bowl. It was beautiful & delicious. The waiter surprised me with a coconut mousse & a birthday candle. So coconutty! We finished off with the chocolate mousse cake & my sister had the berry cheesecake, both equally flavorful & delicate.
Read morePros: Can order without wondering if it's vegan, Delicious Food , Great Service
Cons: Expensive, Inside a Dept Store, Small Portions
Guest
kateleext
Points +1205
Good, not great - Edit
American vegan options tend to be heavier on the junk food side, so it was refreshing to have a more refined, light vegan dinner at Althea. We ordered the kimchi dumplings, Mac and cheese, almond udon, beet and chèvre toast. The (raw) kimchi dumplings were definitely the best of the night - a very unique filling parcelled in raw dehydrated wrappers. The mac and cheese appetiser bake was very comforting with a hint of truffle. The highlight of the almond udon was the tofu - though with that price I expected more variety of toppings. The beet and chèvre toast was…not worth it.
Read moreWe ended the night with the cheesecake, which was probably the best item of the night. All in all, if you don’t look at the price, this is a decent but not mindblowing dinner spot. Seems like America is better at junk food after all.
Dailsonf
What was the total for this entire meal if you don’t mind me asking?
Read morekateleext
It was around 55 USD for each of us…
Read moreDailsonf
Thanks friend!
Read moreGuest
RodrigoMoralesStekel
Points +274
Best vegan restaurant in Chicago Downtowm - Edit
Best vegan place I’ve tried in Chicago downtown #Veganuary
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-12-31
Pros: Best vegan place I’ve tried in Chicago downtown, Great place , nice decor, great view of the city, Good enough variety
Cons: Pricey but dishes are very well prepared , strange to go trough the store to get to it
Guest
ScottAllen
Points +102
Pricey for what you get - Edit
As others have said, plating is good, the udon and the crab cakes were amazing, the desserts were a bit lacking and just ok.
Read morePros: 100% vegan
Cons: Expensive
Guest
mazinha
Points +342
Mediocre experience for an MK restaurant - Edit
I’m a big fan of MK but this was a disappointment. If you’re going to dinner after 7 pm, Saks is closed so you need to go through a police officer and multiple security guards that are constantly watching you, which is not the most pleasant experience. Then you need to wait for your Lyft outside in the cold.
Read moreThe menu was pretty limited with two raw options, a salad and udon bowl. The crab cakes were also not very impressive.
We were expecting more after a $150 bill for two people.
Guest
LauraBarilard
Points +116
Some of the most delicious meals I ever had - Edit
Found by accident, but what a find!
Read morePros: Taste, Location, Friendliness
Cons: A bit on the steep side
Guest
ElmiraDewes
Points +1787
Overpriced but great place. - Edit
The food was good. The restaurant is a good level, good service. ❤️ we really enjoyed. I would recommend. Food was healthy.
Read moreGuest
Maria_Nomas
Points +357
Luxury dining experience - Edit
Went there for my husband’s birthday and it couldn’t have been any better, the place is really nice, you forget you are actually inside of a department store. We didn’t get a table with a view but it didn’t matter because the food was amazing! We started with the crab cakes and the grilled asparagus, he had the spicy udon, I had the corn risotto, everything looked beautiful and tasted fabulous. We also had the coconut cream pie and the chocolate truffle slice, just perfect!
Read moreThey also have zero proof cocktails, which we greatly appreciate, the orange mule was my favorite. Will definitely go back if I am ever back in Chicago.
Guest
gwennam
Points +469
Had higher expectations - Edit
Was so stoked for this place and it met some of my expectations.
Read moreFor a fancier-priced place, I wasn’t expecting it to be in the shoe department of a mall. I also expected it to have better cleanliness. The surfaces in the dining area clearly hadn’t been dusted in a long time.
Missed the “raw” at the end of the lasagna description so was not expecting cold zucchini for dinner. The spicy udon (while pretty spicy) was incredibly yummy! The cheese platter was hit and miss, as usual with vegan cheeses. The crab cakes were to die for. The dessert was worth every penny. Cocktails weren’t anything to write home about.
Guest
Janenuss
Points +368
A bit overrated - Edit
I had really high expectations for this restaurant, and while I love the concept, it didn’t really live up to what I imagined. The food was good, but not great. The cocktail I had was pretty bad. The waitstaff was great, very accommodating and friendly, but they all seemed really busy. They probably could have used some more hands on deck. The coconut cream pie was to die for and the views are excellent. The vibe is a little cheaper than I expected. The restaurant space is actually pretty small. It felt a little cramped. I would definitely return for lunch, but probably not for dinner.
Read morePros: All vegan , Creative dishes , Amazing dessert
Cons: Cramped space, Not super fancy, Slightly overpriced
Guest
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