Best Historic Restaurants in Gold Coast / Streeterville

As fans of Rose Mary we were eager to try El Carciofi and willing to take a 4:45 reservation. This is as fun and as delicious as Rose Mary and shares the same approach to dining—shareable small plates. Interesting craft cocktails, sufficient wines by the glass, exceptionally well trained wait staff and very flavorful food. Gus menu was all Rome inspired so it was a little less diverse than Rose Mary. The artichokes were spectacular crisply Rome style. Every inch was edible. Two to an order but they bring you a serrated knife if you want to have them. We had one other appetizer (calamari), one pasta and one seafood main. The portions are great for two to share but if three or four order another something or two and expect to get just a couple bites not full servings. They have $8 servings of gelato and sorbet and a couple amazing deserts they offered to checkout coats.a nice touch in Chicago’s winter. It’s easy to spend $100 per person if you gave two drinks each and desert. We found street parking but forgot to feed the meter since the sign wasn’t obvious so double check

We had the absolute pleasure of dining at Alpana on Christmas Eve, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Nestled at 831 North State Street, this gem delivered a meal and an extraordinary dining experience. The ambiance struck a perfect balance between elegance and comfort. The warm lighting and chic decor made it feel festive yet relaxed—ideal for a memorable holiday evening. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about perfecting every detail. Now, let’s talk about the food—truly phenomenal! We started with the Butter Chicken Meatballs, which were tender, flavorful, and downright addictive. Then came the Whipped Feta & Truffle Honey platter, featuring house-marinated olives, pistachios, roasted peppers, rustic sourdough, and prosciutto. It was an absolute standout—if we could eat this daily, we would! The Kale and Farro Salad was a burst of flavor, refreshing and hearty all at once. For our mains, we shared the delectable Short Rib Bucatini with its luscious red wine-braised short rib ragu, herbed ricotta, and parmesan. Paired with the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, every bite celebrated rich, savory perfection. The wine and cocktail list deserves its applause. My son and I enjoyed a glass of bold Cabernet while my daughter sipped on Prosecco, which perfectly complemented the meal. The selection is thoughtfully curated, with something for every palate. As tempting as the dessert menu was, we had no room left—but we’ll return to explore it next time. This was hands down the best meal I’ve had in a long time. Alpana is a must-visit for anyone seeking incredible food, top-notch service, and a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere. We can’t wait to come back!

Wonderful experience with excellent service and ambiance

A unique dinning experience. It was our first time and the staff did an excellent job of guiding us to a wonderful experience. We got to enjoy several different types of seafood and tried two different steak types. Everything was prepared well and tasted fantastic. The sommelier was helpful and paired our meal with very nice wine.

We had an amazing experience all in all! I made reservations noting that we had a child in our party so they made sure to seat us somewhere that wouldn’t create issues for other customers. Our server, Mike, was attentive even while managing the bar on his own. He accommodated all our unique requests without hesitation. I would highly recommend 909 North for family or date night! Cocktails and food were spot on and service was superb!