"Do you like a large dining room and a sea of white tablecloths? How about servers in tuxedo jackets? Well, you will find all of these things at Adalina, an upscale Italian restaurant in the Gold Coast. And even though this sounds like the ingredients of a stuffy restaurant, this spot walks the line between fancy and overly formal, both because of the friendly service, and because it’s busy and loud enough that you won’t feel like you’re eating in a library. Plus, the food is good. The menu has dishes like gnocco fritto with prosciutto, whipped ricotta, and honey (a fantastic starter), housemade pastas like mafaldine with artichokes and almonds, and entrees like a tender bone-in veal parmigiana." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen
"Hosts Somm Sessions on Friday, September 26, where top Chicago sommeliers will pair wines with songs to accompany dishes for oenophiles seeking music-driven pairings." - Jeffy Mai
"A quick online search of Adalina will show you a sea of white tablecloths and a menu full of pasta and veal chop Parmigiana. You won’t realize how fun Adalina is until you’ve spent a few minutes at this upscale Italian restaurant, sitting on crushed velvet chairs and surrounded by flower paintings that would make Georgia O’Keeffe suspicious. The bar is filled with people hanging out two hours before (and after) their reservation time, and the posh dining room gets louder and louder through the course of your meal. People from different tables will inevitably start to mingle with each other, someone might topple over in their heels, and generally things devolve into a good-natured sh*tshow." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
"Do you like a large dining room and a sea of white tablecloths? How about servers in tuxedo jackets? Well, you will find all of these things at Adalina, an upscale Italian restaurant in the Gold Coast. And even though this sounds like the ingredients of a stuffy restaurant, this spot definitely isn't. In fact, this place is kind of a crowded sh*tshow, which, frankly, is part of the fun. Plus, the food is good. The menu has dishes like gnocco fritto with prosciutto, whipped ricotta, and honey (a fantastic starter), housemade pastas like a wonderful ravioli with corn, truffle, and balsamic drizzle, and entrees like a tender bone-in veal parmigiana. Come here with a group for a fun, fancy dinner, or on a date where you don't mind the loud atmosphere and enjoy people-watching." - adrian kane, nick allen
"Glitzy and glamorous, Adalina is built to impress. The lively Gold Coast eatery has plenty of eye candy: crystal chandeliers, vintage mirrors, and plush velvet seats. Servers dressed in tuxedos echo the stylish setting, while the modern Italian menu from former Band of Bohemia chef Soo Ahn features refined staples such as cacio e pepe arancini, veal chop parm, and a truffled Caesar salad that’s prepared tableside." - Ashok Selvam