On a bustling corner in Madison Square, a new hot spot beckons diners to a fun food experience that engages all the senses. An enchanting setting for business and pleasure alike, Alara is a delightful restaurant with an adventurous seasonal menu that’s the secret sauce of its success.
One of seven local restaurants under the direction of Cincinnati restaurant group Looking Glass Hospitality (LGH), Alara offers a unique dining style that invites guests to enjoy time together while tasting new dishes.
“With Alara, we took a shift away from the stuffy, white-tablecloth service model to a shared experience—a culinary exploration,” says Scott Schmidt, CEO and founder of LGH. “We really wanted to create a model where instead of ordering to eat individually, it is more about ordering what appeals to you on the menu, and everybody at the table sharing those items.”
The concept was inspired by around-the-world fine dining but operates under the theory that fine dining doesn’t need to be pretentious to be delicious. The quiet luxury of Alara’s design was inspired by a trip to an upscale Los Angeles hotel. The welcoming and comfortable feel curated by LGH Creative Director Erin Schmidt, in collaboration with drawing department’s Alex Dever and Ron Novak, invites togetherness and celebration. With its contemporary dining room and sophisticated bar framed by billowy draperies, flourishing greenery and glamorous lighting, Alara is a destination.
“We wanted to create a fine-dining experience—with quality food, service and ambiance—but in a comfortable, approachable way to sit at the table and enjoy the meal together as a group,” Schmidt says.
No matter your party’s size or reason for gathering, there’s a spot for you at Alara.
“We wanted to create an atmosphere that gives you multiple experience points, whether you want to just sit in the bar or cocktail area, in the dining room or bring in groups and have a private dining experience,” he explains. “We have three private dining rooms for parties of 10 up to 28.”
Alara is all about creating memories. Guests especially enjoy the Chef’s Tables that flank the pass, where plates are handed from the open show kitchen to the dining room. While seated there, diners can observe the bustling kitchen and interact with Alara’s chef team. The intimate tables for two are only available by phone reservation.
“You are essentially in the kitchen, observing everything,” Schmidt explains. “The chef’s talking to you the whole meal, giving you samples, and allowing you to explore at whatever level you would like to.”
Alara’s menu items are plated so that they are easy to divide and share, ensuring that every bite encompasses each of a dish’s flavors, including sauces and toppings. The seasonal menu features contemporary American cuisine with global influences and an emphasis on prime meats and seafood. The summer menu highlights fresh corn, basil and heirloom tomatoes. From Korean Corn Dogs and Lobster & Corn Carbonara to the Chilled Seafood Platter and Wagyu Sirloin Strip, Alara’s menu offers a variety of familiar dishes with international twists.
“The menu changes seasonally,” says Schmidt. “We have a lot of very approachable items, and then we have some unique, different items that you're not going to see or hear about anywhere else. We don't put anything on the menu that we're not proud of and that we aren't excited about,” he adds.
Alara’s chef team works under the mentorship of Chef Mark Bodenstein, Corporate Development Chef for LGH.
“Mark is our corporate chef, and he led the charge on the menu and the opening of the restaurant. He is the guy who took all of our vision, all of our ideas and turned them into reality,” Schmidt shares.
For the full experience, start with a signature cocktail, but be sure to save room for dessert. Alara’s Pastry Chef Lisa Hood creates whimsical masterpieces that are as beautiful as they are tasty. Seasonal sorbets, a rainbow of mousses, one with a color-shifting glaze, and chocolate profiteroles come in servings for two.
Make Alara your next stop for adventurous dining. It’s an experience your palette won’t want to miss.
Alara
5410 Medpace Way, Cincinnati | 513.272.5315
Sunday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m. & Friday-Saturday, 4-11 p.m.
Happy Hour, Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.
“We have a lot of very approachable items, and then we have some unique, different items that you're not going to see or hear about anywhere else."
“We really wanted to create a model where instead of ordering to eat individually, it is more about ordering what appeals to you on the menu, and everybody at the table sharing those items.”