This Buzzy Illinois Restaurant Does One Dish Really, Really Well

Sometimes, nothing beats a steak dinner. Whether celebrating a big promotion or just wanting a succulent meal, steak is often my go-to. So when I get the opportunity to try steak somewhere, I leap at the chance. And I have never eaten a steak as tender, flavorful, and exquisitely charred as the one I had at Alto, an Italian steakhouse in East Hazel Crest, Illinois.

Located on the 17th floor of Wind Creek Chicago Southland, Alto is a vibrant spot. Decked out in jewel tones, matching the casino hotel's glamorous visage, the steakhouse is a feast for the eyes. So I was a bit surprised when the petite filet I ordered didn't arrive also dressed to the nines. It only took moments for me to learn that fancy garnishes were one thing this dish did not need. It was already perfection on its own.

My knife sliced into the medium steak like butter. Its tenderness, I learned, was due in part to the restaurant's in-house aging process. The cuts of steak are wet-aged for 28 days, a process that tenderizes the meat. By the time it's set on the table, it is covered in a light, crisp sear all along the outside, with an exquisite, juicy interior. You can get a sauce on the side as well; I chose truffle butter, but be prepared not to need it.

Alto opened in May 2025, shortly after the hotel opened in April. It is a modern Italian steakhouse created by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani. Viviani is known for his Italian cuisine, as well as his best-selling cookbooks and appearances on Top Chef seasons five and eight. Chicagoans are familiar with Viviani's work as he owns several other spots in the city, including Siena Tavern, Bar Siena, Prime & Provisions, Bombobar, Seville, and Jars. What can we say? Chicagoans love Italian-inspired food. If you can't get enough Italian, be sure to take some time to explore Chicago's Little Italy.

Even beyond the restaurant's signature steaks, the menu is a veritable smorgasbord of comforting goodness. If you're a fan of housemade pasta, you'll really love Alto. The baked gnocchi was pillowy and decadent, smothered in Parmesan cream and coated in a mozzarella gratin with black truffle. Cheese lovers, I tell you the charred cauliflower gratinée is heaven—especially when paired with the restaurant's baked rolls.

In the Prairie State, it isn't hard to find a steakhouse: We've got our fair share, placing Alto in good company. Surrounded by huge windows, you can see for miles. Patrons pop outside for a glimpse at the Chicago skyline in the distance, magnified by the patio barrier. Although Alto offers an upscale dining experience, it remains well-informed by its location in the heart of the Midwest. And its incredible steak certainly won the heart of this Midwesterner.

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Amanda visited Alto as part of a hosted stay at Wind Creek Chicago Southland. However, all opinions are entirely their own.