Next Restaurant

"Our dining experience was nothing short of excellent! All of the staff we interacted with were incredibly friendly and helpful. The Tuscan menu was fantastic. All of the dishes were interesting yet accessible. Lots of warm cozy feeling food. Flavors were kinda all over the place but not in a bad way. Presentation was definitely top notch. Would highly recommend for anyone looking for a true high end dining experience."

"We had the private dining experience tasting the Tour of Tuscany. We had 8 friends all indulging in a once in a lifetime experience to celebrate MANY occasions! Absolutely loved the whole experience from taking us down past the speakeasy to the private dining area with our own host and restrooms. They never once rushed us and Jessica honestly made the experience the best! I cannot speak highly enough of Jessica treating us like family and a long time friend while being so professional, intelligent, and sharing all the knowledge of the dishes! So much laughter and love in one room with the exquisite food and wine will be moments I will never forget. Thank you!"

"Next was an elevated tasting experience that wasn’t pretentious. The Tuscany menu delighted the pallet, especially the raviolo and the wagyu short rib. We got the shortened menu, and it was perfect - we still left satisfied. Going later in the evening is a great way to save on the price too. We couldn’t wait for the “next” course, and will definitely come back the next time we visit Chicago. Service was impeccable. This menu doesn’t accommodate gluten allergies, which was fine for us, but limited our ability to bring our friends here. We opted for North Pond for our time with them, which is also a great place."

"Tried their Tuscany menu with absolutely no complaints. Gave me a tour of the kitchen at the end of the night it’s completely spotless with top of the line equipment and chefs. Grew up with my grandmother who is an Italian chef from Avallino. She studied the Tuscan region extensively and I can say without a doubt the food compares if it is not better than what she has cooked for me. 10/10 would recommend trying their Tuscany menu before it goes for good."

"You have to approach Next as an experience. It will make the ticket prices easier to swallow. The experience is one that will involve all your senses (sight, sound, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and even time) as well as your relationship with your dining companions. You have to enter with an open mind, but the dishes are not as experimental as their sister restaurant Alinea. Each dish comes with a presentation by the server describing the dish's ingredients as well as the chef's inspiration, what the chef is trying to convey to the diner, experience wise, and a suggestion on how to best enjoy the dish. I suggest you taste each part individually (sauces, dish components) before mixing the components together. Don't forget to drink your beverage of choice (there is typically a non-alcoholic pairing, standard wine, and reserve wine pairing). The beverage is also part of the course. Take each course one at a time and discuss what you like and dislike, what works, and what didn't. As I mentioned before, your choice of dinner companion(s) makes a big difference here. If you go with someone with a limited palate or one that doesn'tmatch your own, you will find yourself not enjoying your experience or not enjoying your relationship. Not every course will work. I've had some terrible courses and foods that just did not work (like fried maple leaves in the Kyoto menu). But overall, we always look forward to the future season menu. The menu changes 3-4 times a year and is always based on an inspirational theme or locale. The service is top notch from the time you purchase your tickets to when you are handed your keys from the valet. They do keep a file of each diner and any food allergies. We joke that ours says, "They eat slowly" but hey, if I'm spending this much money, I want my experience to last."