Adalina - Chicago
Adalina is a traditional Italian restaurant, with some major twists of creativity and imagination. At the head of the kitchen is Chef Soo Ahn, formerly of Band of Bohemia, which under his direction became the first brewpub to score a Michelin star.
The Adalina menu graviatates between traditional and more innovative renditions of Italian -- and Italian American -- favorites.
Gnocci Fitto is kind of a pillow of fried dough, hollow at the center, and served with San Daniele prosciutto, whipped ricotta and Italian honey, a beautiful appetizer or accompaniment to a glass of wine.
Chicken Vesuvio, a Chicago original dish, is made in the traditional manner of this Italian-American innovation, with bone-in chicken baked with potatoes, oregano and peas.
Accompanying Ahn is pastry chef Nicole Guini, formerly of Blackbird where she won Pastry Chef of the Year in the 2019 Jean Banchet Awards. In the works are her take on cheesecake with olive oil sorbet aas well as take-and-bake cookies that you can bring home to wow your guests (or yourself).
Available for before- or after-dinner refreshment, there will be a collection of Italian aperitifs. A floor-to-ceiling wine cellar holds 3,000 bottles, so you're sure to find something you like.
