Thu. September 16, 2021
By Jerry Nunn
Located at 912 N. State Street in Chicago's Gold Coast, is a modern Italian restaurant called Adalina. Word of mouth was already good from several friends that had experienced the hot spot previously. The Michelin-starred chef Soo Ahn didn't hurt things either and keep in mind these things come with a price tag, although well worth it.
As guests climb the stairs, a beautiful chandelier hangs above and a contemporary mural grace the wall leading to the host stand. A bustling bar with intricately placed tables adorns the room. The large dining room has open-air windows and a private back room for parties and special events.
We began our journey into high-end cuisine with the gnocco fritto with 24-month aged prosciutto di San Daniele and whipped ricotta. It is made from high-quality pork legs and sea salt. The prosecco washed it down and the rest of the meal was paired with fine wines that all contained just the right finish.
The ravioli was exquisitely handmade and was bathed in a summer truffle sauce with ricotta and pearl onions. The veal chop parmigiana was the main event and quite filling thanks to the amount of cheese on a large bone-in portion.
The dessert was an unexpected treat of cinnamon donuts mixed with apples. This was the perfect ending to a night of Italian flare.
The staff was quick and efficient, including the food runner who was polite and the support staff who cleared the dishes. You know when a company has the plates personalized no expense is spared. Everything showed this level of detail from the gold instilled in much of the decor to the material used on the comfortable chairs. Restaurants are full of accidents and spills, so hopefully, Adalina has a strong clean-up crew to keep everything in tip-top shape.
This is a place to impress a date or have a grand celebration thanks to a well-thought-out plan to deliver a taste of Italy to Chicago.
Visit AdalinaChicago.com to make reservations and explore all the Adalina has to offer.
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