I made a reservation for my wife and I based on the recommendation of a coworker. I was not disappointed. The food was amazing and the staff was as equally kind and knowledgeable. I hate to compare restaurants to one another, but it gave me a strong feeling of the first time that I went to Giant. I would highly recommend checking this place out. It was delicious. read more

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I went to Ada Street for the first time last weekend for Restaurant Week. My girlfriend and I have always wanted to give this place a go and we decided to when they had a Star Wars themed pre fixe menu! The location is a little weird as it seems to be hidden but once inside you're greeted by an extremely friendly hostess and seated right away. It was very busy on the Saturday evening we went so I do recommend reservations. The food was delicious and would love to go back for their regular full menu! read more

In a word: Amazing! When manfriend decided not to have a birthday party, I remembered several friends, whose food opinions we trust, raved about this place, I booked a bar table here. If you've never been in this area, it can feel like you've made a wrong turn. It's just far enough from Hideout and Local Foods, that you might begin to think that your GPS or Lyft driver is messing with you. Upon entering, it's dark and there's a sign guiding you back to the host stand. I loved sitting at the bar. Sure, it's not as private, but it was easy to interact with the bartender and observe the food and drinks coming and going. They started us off with a little bubbly for manfriend's birthday and we ordered a few cocktails (Chick Habit & Papa's Got a Brand New Bag), both of which were fantastic. We had a few more drinks that night, but I forget which ones; I do know they did not disappoint. Our bartender/server guided us through the menu; telling us his favorites, giving us, portion suggestions, and tips. We ordered the house bread, burrata, pao de quejo, steak tartare, meatballs, scallops and salmon. I can't speak for the steak and meatballs, but everything else was wonderful. Of the dishes I tried, the only one I'd skip the next time around was the salmon; it was good, but average compared to the rest. One dish not to be missed is the pao de quejo. Manfriend was crazy about the steak tartare; so bananas for it, he wanted to come back and just get a few plates of it. We closed out our meal with the chocolate ganache, which unsurprisingly rocked. Ada Street was a wonderful experience; my only regret is not heeding our friends' advice and making it here sooner. It's not a cheap dinner, but felt on par for the quality of the food, drink and service we received. read more

This was my favorite meal (BRUNCH) on my trip to Chicago. I found out about it through a great website Serious Eats: http://chicago.seriouseats.com/2013/10/the-brunch-dish-ada-street-adds-brunch.html That egg is Not on the menu, the waitress did not mention it, and apparently they have a limited supply, so if you want it, go early and pray they have it (ask!) The egg was amazing- The lettuce was a nice garnish, but I can't imagine how good it would have been on a plate of shaved and lightly cooked brussels sprouts! 2 girls ordered like pigs - we had: The thick cut bacon in maple syrup biscuits and gravy The scotch egg wrapped in corned beef hash the pretzel bread budding with bacon bits and maple glaze My friend had a bloody mary (spiced with pickle juice and a salted galls greyhound) Our server Allie was a doll and the meal was perfectly paced to come out as shared courses. The chef Zoe - was very hands on with the kitchen and delivered a few of our courses to the table I will note the table next to us got the steak and eggs, which looked awesome and the doughnut, 2 minor complaints - the glasses for water were two small...I wanted a BIG glass of ice water, and there were missing hood for big old winter coats and purses in the ladies room. Loved it- the space was super cool and I imagine it would be a great place in spring of summer with the outdoor patio. read more

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I'm here currently and needed to leave a review ASAP. This place is amazing: the food, the service, the ambiance, EVERYTHING. The gnocchi is the best dish I've ever had hands down. The Brussels and burrata are also superb, but the gnocchi is a showstopper. Props to the chef, this place is a real winner! Will definitely be back! read more

Ada Street - Gnocchi and Brussels - phone did not eat first - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hidden gem seems to be the theme of a lot of the Ada Street reviews and I have to agree wholeheartedly! My partner and I went there last night to celebrate my birthday and I'm so glad that we did. This place is definitely in our top 5 favorite restaurants in the city. First of all, I love the fact that it's located in the middle of basically nowhere...tucked between a bunch of industrial buildings. Parking was free and super easy to find. The layout of the restaurant is very cool with intimate tables for 2 or 4, and a very long bar. The mirrors along the bar wall give the whole room a more open/expansive feel. Our server, Hannah, was amazing! From the very beginning, she was super friendly and attentive, and offered to help guide us through the menu. She even told us that we were probably ordering too much food, but of course, we didn't listen and ended up taking home 2 full boxes of leftovers! We had assumed that shareable plate portions would be small and we are two big guys, but we were more than pleasantly surprised by how big the portion sizes actually were. Even the "small plate" portions were more than enough for two people. Everything on the menu is definitely worth the price, both for quality and portion size. We had the burrata, carrots and brussel sprouts from the small plates menu. Each dish was great but the carrots were the best I've ever had. The gnocchi was insanely good and the pasta melted in my mouth. Unfortunately, by the time the steak and pork came out, I could barely eat any of it because I was so full (should've listed to Hannah). The few bites I did have were amazing though. I can't wait to have it for dinner tonight! This place is definitely worth a visit...or two...or three. I've already made plans to go back with family and friends. Looking forward to seeing the looks on their faces when they experience what I did last night! read more

It's just a door on an industrial street. Where's the restaurant??? That's what we thought when we got out of the car. We then stepped in to a dark room with a hostess stand in front of us. We were immediately greeted by a friendly face and quickly escorted to the bar in the back while we waited for the rest of our party. The walk to the bar is interesting as you pass the wine area and shelves full of vinyl records. Sadly we didn't have time to peruse the selection and ask to have a song played (next time for sure)! The bar area shares the room with the main dining area. The back wall completely opens up (garage door style) to a courtyard with outdoor seating and of course a ping pong table (will have to take advantage of that next time as well). As for the food... Yum yum yum!!! Went here recently and wanted to try everything. We ended up sharing 9 dishes amongst the three of us and had a few rounds of drinks. I think my favorite dish is a toss up between the meatballs and the scallops. I highly recommend going to this place with an appetite and a few friends so that you can taste several dishes off the menu. Definitely looking forward to visiting Ada St. again soon. read more

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Saturday night at 9pm got a table for two immediately. Took 10 minutes for our server to stop by though. We ordered 4 dishes to share. That's probably the way to go there. While everything was tasty, nothing was great. Steak was over cooked. Hummus was a little bland. Scallops were good but we got three for two people. Wife wouldn't split the third, so I got shafted. I don't know what happened. This place used to be amazing. Tonight I was unimpressed. The highlight of the meal was the cocktail I suppose. But I left still hungry after dropping $100 for 2 people. That's just never good. Don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. read more

After attending a wedding that was catered by Ada Street awhile back at marshalls landing, I couldn't shake the craving for the Gnocchi that stole my heart that day. Thankfully, to my surprise Ada Street is not far from my house at all, amazing and dangerous! We stopped in on a Wed night around 8 and at first I was thrown by the small street and somewhat off the beaten path area, I was so pleasantly surprised when we walked in, when you first enter this labyrinth, we didn't know what to expect but the sweet jams playing over the sound system guided the way to the back where the main restaurant is. On the path you pass smaller more intimate dining areas as well as several doors that are not very clearly marked (will get back to that later). The candlelit romantic vibe was just what the hubs and I needed that night. We started with a porter for him and a fucking french martini for me, (that's what is was called and I made sure to order it with gusto :) I am a bit of a sally when it comes to tasting my booze but I do love a good cocktail and this bad boy was amazing! so refreshing and light but definitely packed a punch. Servers were very attentive, it wasn't packed but they were on it regardless and very nice, great with suggestions as well. For mains we went with ( I had to go online and look up the names) - PAO DE QUEJO $10 - this is what god intended when he created mozzarella sticks, lol these were little balls of lightly fried cheesy goodness with a spicy marinara sauce on the side, so tasty (5 pieces so you know we were both eyeing that last one, alas we split it!) - GOAT CHEESE DIP 12 - this was not your mama's goat cheese dip, it was light and decadent at the same time, the bacon jam wasn't overly sweet and the grilled crostini was perfect for dipping. SINGAPORE CHILI CRAB CAKES 11 - these were the only misfire during our entire meal, after having pao de queso aka cheese ball amazingness, these crab cakes were dense and not very flavorful and the chili sauce was heavy when I was hoping for lighter, overall I would say skip these for sure. (I knew we should have went with the scallops:) PARISIENNE GNOCCHI 13 - these little bites of goodness are just plain perfection, so soft yet had a nice sear on each one, they are so perfectly paired with brussel sprouts, kale, shallots and a light cheese. I could eat these all day every day or at least until my pants don't fit anymore. PORK ADOBO 14 - the description mentioned sweet potato hay which I was curious about but that I never found in the dish.. what I did find was the most flavorful, juicy pork I have ever had, this dish was so good, my husband recommends adding a few of the gnocchi to the tortilla with the pork but I could eat that pork solo even sans tortilla all day. And if you can believe it, we actually ordered dessert after all of that goodness! we had the chocolate ganache with sea salt and for some reason I was thinking it would be more than just ganache but nope, it was just pure chocolatey decadence a nice scoop sprinkled with some sea salt and while this was great for the first few bites it is very rich so if you aren't into that sort of thing maybe opt for one of the other desserts. We liked it but may now have diabetes, just sayin'.. Thank you Ada Street we will most definitely be back and next time we're bringing everyone! read more

I happened to be at an event in this area, and stumbled upon Ada Street for late night eats and cocktails. The restaurant is very discreet, so look for Ada Street written on the metal door and walk right into this warm and inviting speakeasy. You walk down a hallway to the hostess, and can be seated in a smaller dining room or the larger dining room/bar area, which opens up to a quaint back patio. I loved the dark and cozy ambience, and my absolute favorite aspect of the restaurant was that they only spin vinyl music. Patrons of the restaurant can pick out music from the vinyl collection on one of the walls to be played. So awesome! We sat at the bar and ordered the following cocktails: the Fucking French Martini (so yum!), Be Nice to Me (a sweeter prosecco cocktail), and Moon Glow (a dry gin drink). All of the cocktails were spot on and expertly crafted. Shout out to the bartender Chad, who was super knowledgeable and friendly. For small bites, we ordered the Pao de Quejo and Lamb Skewers. The food was very good, and we would definitely order the Pao de Quejo again (who doesn't love cheese bread??). After our small meal, we were given Amaro, compliments of the bar. Amaro is a delicious liqueur that you drink after your meal to aid with digestion. Overall, I was very impressed with the service and friendliness of the staff. We were checked in on by multiple staff members and made to feel very comfortable. Ada Street is definitely worth the visit, just for the ambience and experiences. But of course, stay for the delicious cocktails and vinyl. I am looking forward to returning! read more

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Came here for the first time on a random Sunday night. What a great decision. Cocktails - mindblowing. Just do it. Hanger Steak - a little on the sweet side but good. Lamb Skewers - FYI these are fried. Also a little on the sweet side but fall off the bone. Must eat. Steak Tartare - so good. Rich but delicious. Extremely fresh and flavorful. Loved the presentation. Crispy Black Eyed Peas - yum! Such a great snack with a drink. Pretzel Bread Pudding - one of my new fav desserts. Made with pretzel bread! So warm and gooey. read more

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Love this place. Amazing cocktails, indoor/outdoor patio area, and food (although I didn't get any of that). This review is strictly for some of the best cocktails in the city. With the awesome interior, and extremely knowledgable bartenders, I can honestly say I think its one of the best secret bars in the city. Highly recommend making a stop here. There is usually easy parking due to the strange location. FYI there's a ping pong table in the back for when you get drunk enough to challenge other patrons. read more

Ada Street - Ping pong in the rain - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Reallyyyyyyy cool spot. I don't think hipster is the right word nor speakeasy. It has those feels but more upscale? Dim lighting, industrial feel (obviously the neighborhood), intimate spaces, private front room, very limited seating and small menu. Plates meant to be shared, very small portions but very delicious food. We tried the lamb skewers, forbidden black fried rice and gnocchi. All amazing could not go wrong. Oh and we also got the chocolate dessert: it was six pieces of toasted bread and a huge olive-oil, sea salt covered glob of chocolate that melted in your mouth. Even though my friend called ahead they didn't have a table for us but we had the choice of bar seating or seats watching the chefs cook. Went with bar seating, server was incredibly knowledge and friendly and fun. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in the city. A perfect menu setup of bites, pastas, and big mains. The gnocchi is incredible, and the service is always incredible read more

We came here for dinner on a Sunday and really enjoyed all the small bites on the menu. Especially loved the lamb and the scallop. The dessert here are pretty good too, loved the banana pudding. The location is a bit weird, opposite a yard filled with huge recycle trucks and a bit hard to find. read more

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HOLY YUM!!!! Where do I start!!? No seriously, I think we ordered EVERYTHING on the menu. Came in on Friday night with a group of friends. No reservations.. we did have to wait a while.. A LONG TIME. Like an hour, no biggie . Just a small restaurant with minimal room for waiting. My ONE issue was a server came over with our drinks and dropped my glass of red wine and it got ALL over me and my new satin jacket, she did apologize but that's it. I had to rush to the bathroom to try and clean myself up and didn't succeed .. ruined new jacket. Now on to the food. Everything was great, we ordered tons of plates and just ate tapas style. The steak tartar, tuna tartar, and gnocchi where my absolute favorite, I wasn't a fan of the forbidden rice .. fairly bland and zero wow factor. On the dessert, yes. We ordered them all. Again, delicious. My favorite was the chocolate with toast. Sooooo good. read more

Ada Street - Delicious Steak Tartare. - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Tapas, originated in Spain, is all about small-plate, appetizer sized portions designed to be eaten leisurely. Remember, in Spain dinner begins late and extends even later into the night. Small plates are served and consumed over time; a long time. Ada Street is a small plate restaurant also, but they require that the entire order be placed up front, instead of ordering as you go which is characteristic the Spanish style. The result is portions are sold, not purchased, leaving too much extra food and a magnified bill. Beware of Ada Street's onslaught of small plates. Frogs may not be on the menu, but boiling frogs with is. read more

Food is great and the ambiance is perfect. The LPs are such a cool addition. Such a cool spot that is so perfectly unassuming when you walk up and amazes from the moment you walk inside. read more

Restaurant Week visit: ONE FULL STAR FOR AMBIENCE! Picture yourself walking through a smokey, blue lit hallway, and turning the corner into a cozy intimate dining area. Now picture that and STAR WARS music, memorabilia, and menu theme. The service was impressive, the savory dishes were expertly made, and the cocktails were fun and inventive. The only disappointment I had was the dessert course on our set menu. Both choices were lacking flavor and seemed extremely stale. Our Princess Leia bun wasn't warm or fluffy and our Obi One Cannolis were chewy and dry. Regardless we will return to sample some new dishes. read more

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When it comes down to decorating and drinks, Ada does a fabulous job for the annual Harry Potter dinners in its 4th year. Drink specials which cost extra from the dinner tickets have delightful theme names ie butter beer. Dinner theme prix fixe items include such as dragons eggs were very creative. The egg is composed of a liquidy hard boiled egg encased in soft and pillowy mashed potatoes and crusty outside. Dumbledor in a booming voice greets guests and sorts which house you are assigned with bowling. The floating candles are reminicent of the smoky illumination in the great dining hall in the movies and books. The flags of each house adorn the walls across the bar. Please note the tickets surprisingly does not include taxes for the dinner which are payable after dinner. The ticket for dinner only includes a prix fixe menu and not alcohol drinks. The restaurant has limited substitutes for food allergies. read more

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Really great hidden gem. We had the gnocchi truffle pasta, which was in a rich white sauce. We also had the bolanese pasta that was great. The New York strip was super tender and cooked perfectly with a great sear. Tasted like it was sous vide. Also got donuts for dessert, which were much better than the traditional hot donuts you get at restaurants. read more

4.5 stars without a doubt. One of the best dining experiences I've had in the city in quite sometime. Made reservations for a Tuesday night, was unnecessary as the place was probably 1/4 full. But the staff was extremely friendly. Started off with the Brussel sprouts and fried black eyed peas. Both were fantastic. Brussel sprouts were crisped to a perfection with a nice vinaigrette dressing. Black eyed peas were well battered and deep fried. Mussels were amazing, I could have legit just drank the coconut broth straight from the bowl. Steak tartare was very fresh and wonderfully prepared. Italian burrata was good, not my favorite, but cheese was creamy. Main dishes were octopus, steak, lamb, and gnocchi. Octopus was very fresh and not rubbery at all, only complaint was it tasted a bit more fishy than I am used to. Steak was good, well cooked, but was drizzled in a sauce that I felt was unnecessary. I usually just like a well cooked seasoned cut. The lamb was prob top 3 lamb dishes I've ever had. They were served on the bone like a rib. Was so tender and juicy, I could have eaten 2 dishes of it. The gnocchi was also fantastic, so creamy and the pasta almost melted in my mouth. I still have dreams of it. Chocolate ganache was the dessert, it was good, but I'm not a dessert guy so I could have done without. Overall wonderful food, ambience was great, I will go back. read more

Cute restaurant off the beaten path. Shared 4 plates and 1 dessert for 2 people. The ceviche was a good starter, I would skip the scallops as the portion was too tiny for sharing and the Parisienne gnocchi was a tad too salty but the pasta was cooked well. read more

Finally made it to Ada street! It's tucked back in a random location but it's a great vibe inside. Fantastic cocktails, we tried 4 and our favorites were the No Need to Argue (10/10) and the gold rush (8/1 0). The Cacio e Pepe pasta was a do not miss - so fresh and tasty! Another knockout was the pork loin dish with herbs and a sweet sauce. Super tasty. Finally, we also loved the Brussels sprouts. We will certainly be back! read more

Dreamiest patio! And the food is incredible. MUST order the parisian gnocchi it's the best dish I've had in ages. Lamb ribs fell off the bone, so good. And the cocktail menu did not disappoint! Perfect spot for date night read more

Ada Street - Queens highway cocktail! Perfectly balanced - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We randomly found Ada on opentable as a place that had reservations available very soon (we were super hungry), and I am SO happy we went. We moved to Chicago from Brooklyn about 9 months ago and as awesome as many Chicago restaurants are, I still miss the vibe of nyc speakeasies and restaurants. It definitely delivered on that feeling but was a 180 degree difference with how absolutely lovely the entire staff was. We started off with some cocktails (I had the Monkey Gone to Heaven because I'm a big pixies fan and my husband had a local beer, both great) and some food. It's suggested that the plates are made to be shared and for 2/person. We got the Brussels, steak tartare, and elote skillet dip, char siu pork, and scallops. We'll probably be coming here once a week for the tartare and Brussels alone (as long as they're on menu) but everything was fantastic. It was a rainy night so we dined indoors but the outdoor seating looked really nice also. Definitely taking my girlfriends here when they visit Chicago and I'm so pleased to have found another great spot in Chicago! read more

Ada Street - Sea scallops and char siu pork - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came for restaurant week 2018 and I was SO excited for the theme. I still love the theme but thought the meal left something to be desired. I wasn't very full. I had the broccoli, black rice, and chocolate dessert. Everything tasted VERY good but the portions were really small. I highly recommend a drink with their jalapeño tequila. I previously came in 2015 for a normal dinner and loved it so I will give this place 4 stars. Based only on restaurant week menu I would have given it 3. Ambiance is nice, dark and chill. Feels like a speakeasy. Service is pretty good. read more

Ada Street - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Thankfully, there was no wait for 3 people since we called ahead and arrived early around 6pm on a Sunday but we could still only get bar seats. Cocktails = 5+ stars. Amazingly well crafted. We tried 4 of them. In order of preference, we liked stoned to the bone, stranger than kindness, all night Nippon, in the bleak winter. Service =4.5 stars. Spot on and knowledgeable. Though we were only offered bar seats, there were empty tables during the whole course of our dinner, which was irksome. Ambiance = 5 stars. Speakeasy style. low lit with candles. You can pick from their old record collection to play the next song. Their bathroom smelled nice too. Food = 3ish or so. We didn't realize the restaurant was not offering the full menu due to restaurant week. This made our selections certainly easy. The 3 of us tried everything on the RW menu but it would have been nice to not have to order 3 desserts. The 1st courses were not too enticing...not sure if I would have selected these out of a full menu...though the crab dip was decent. the 2nd courses were better - the scallops were perfectly cooked but only 2 in a plate so it was tricky to share among 3 people. The mild curry dish with cous cous was a hit more than the chicken which was slightly bland in comparison. Both desserts were okay but I preferred the bread pudding (small portions) over the ice cream. Not sure if there was much of a value in the RW menu especially since we had to get 3 desserts. Overall, I still had a good time and I would be open to coming back to try the regular menu. Note: the location is very remote. Also we were warned to remove any valuables from the car since their parking lot has been broken into lately. read more

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Ada Street has my heart. What can I say? They came through for us when our wedding venue fell through about 6 months before the big day. We thought of Ada Street because we were smitten with them from the first time we sat at the bar with Scott. They quickly won our hearts with their personable service and our stomachs with delicious dishes. Chef Zoe Schor assembled a perfect wedding menu for us based on foods from our relationship: the first time we met, first date, and dishes we have all the time and have become meaningful to us. Scott even made a cocktail for me called "Rosemary Me, Yvonne!" now tweeked and renamed "Twentynine Palms" on the regular drink menu. Everything was incredibly thoughtful, chill, and fun. Soon after our wedding it was announced that Chef Zoe was leaving Ada Street and that Chef Joanna Stachon would take her place at the helm. Now we've returned during Chicago Restaurant Week and we were delighted that the food, drinks and service continued to be excellent. Here are some highlights: Creamy Tomato Soup: literally the best tomato soup of our entire lives. It was smoky, mature, and soothing. It was the leathery hug of a grandfather who smokes a pipe on the front porch and tells you adventures from childhood. Ribeye: perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was amazing. I could hardly get M to share only one bite with me and then that scrumptious moment was gone. Green Tea Ice Cream: the ice cream was very true to the name. It tasted like matcha which has a very strong, earthy (sometimes with a hint of delicate floral) flavor. The whipped cream on top helped to cut the earthiness and then the caramel drizzle (served in a plastic syringe) added a nice sweetness. It was absolutely lovely. Chicken Tikka Masala Pie: The server Ally told me that this was her favorite Restaurant Week menu item so I HAD to try it. I can understand why. It's super interesting. The crust is sturdy and with a slight crisp to it and inside is a sweet chicken filling. At first I thought it tasted like apple pie but then I realized that the sweetness came from the dates. The tart yogurt and fresh parsley were necessary contrasts to the rest of the pie. It was very well composed, multi-faceted dish. Shrimp Cakes: I really enjoyed these. They were like crab cakes except with shrimp and you could taste the shrimp. Although the food is top notch, what really keeps us coming back to Ada Street is the people. They are a cohesive family and they genuinely appreciate their customers. When we went to Ada Street on Wednesday and sat at the bar, it just felt really good. It felt comfortable, homey and happy. read more

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Elston Industrial District is home to one of the best restaurants in Chicago. It's obscure location is a stark contrast with the irresistible flavors and creations of Chef Zoe Schor. Dinner at Ada Street on Saturday night easily made my top 5 nights in Chicago. What a way to begin Chicago Restaurant Week! I have to admit, when I arrived at the random alley in the middle of an industrial wasteland I was a bit worried. I had to check my map multiple times to make sure I remembered the address correctly. Once I opened the black door, however, I was transported to an elegant, hip and intimate paradise. Definitely worth the one hour wait... Which is completely understandable because it was the first Saturday night of Restaurant Week. When we were finally seated, the hostess guided us to our place at the chef's table. Not kidding when I report that I almost fainted when I found out where we would be sitting. Apparently I was glowing. Imagine a child's face on Christmas morning after seeing their favorite present under the tree. The amateur food critic/blogger slowly but surely making her way into the prestigious and exclusive Chicago food & dining world. Our seats presented us with a first-class view of the preparation and passion that goes into creating a gormet meal. We witnessed first-hand the shrieks of the executive chef to her accompanying chefs. The stress and tension of the kitchen was contagious. I left the restaurant with a greater appreciation for the dedication and hard work that goes into fantastic food masterpieces. The ambience of Ada Street was very intimate. Dimmed lighting mixed with dark hues produced a sophisticated feel to a restaurant surrounded on the outside by industrial warehouses. Truly a rose among thorns. We ordered selections from the speciality restaurant week menu, featuring dishes all inspired by women as a tribute to the female executive chef. The first course, I sampled Bagna cauda with fresh mozzarella. Combining the soft, fresh mozzarella with the flavors of anchovies and garlic on toasted baguette was genius. We also split a dish of Scrumpets, crispy fried lamb shoulder served with a dipping sauce of minted malt vinegar. Amazing. The second course featured Bouillabaisse and roasted pork loin, both recommended by our waiter. The Bouillabaisse consisted of mussels, shrimp and cobia in spicy broth. It was served with a baguette. SO GOOD. The chef even offered to fetch us some extra baguette to consume the last drop of the superb and spicy broth. The roasted pork loin was served with a sauce of smoked carrots and spinach and accompanied by twice-baked fingerling potatoes. The pork loin was roasted to perfection and the flavors of the carrots and spinach meshed perfectly with the tenderness of the meat. The third course featured a pound cake topped with mixed citrus, citrus gastrique, cornflake crunch and whipped vanilla cream. You may be asking yourself, cornflake crunch? Yes. The placing of the cornflakes onto the pound cake highlighted the cake's moistness and softness. The fresh grapefruit and citrus topping contributed a tart contrast to the sweetness of the whipped vanilla cream. Simply amazing. It was at this point in the meal that the famous head chef Zoe Schor "magically" discovered that I was a budding amateur food blogger. She insisted on sending us an extra dessert and order of fried Brussel sprouts to taste, handed me her business card and invited me to contact her with any flavoring questions I may have. I figured it was socially unacceptable at this point to ask for her autograph.. I left Ada Street on Saturday with a full heart and satisfied stomach. A phenomenal dinner at a truly spectacular restaurant. read more

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What a hidden gem! I found this place through a friend and it's amazing. It's perfect for date night or girls night! I will definitely be back. The food is absolutely delicious and the cooks are very talented! I highly recommend and will be back! Nice work read more

We came for the chef's four course tasting menu with pairings, and it was superb. We would definitely be back for certain dishes we had and others we saw in the kitchen. The logistics-- Ada Street is a small restaurant and requires reservations between 5:30 and 6:30pm. Walk-ins are welcomed there after. I made my reservation the night before and they were able to squeeze us in at 6:45pm at the chef's table or the bar. We opted for the chef's table, which was essentially a bar-like seat in front of the open kitchen. It was fun seeing how they prepared various dishes and how the chefs/head chef/floor manager/wait staff interacted. Otherwise, there is table, bar and outdoor seating - all look like great options. The restaurant is very dark and makes you feel like you are in a wine cellar or speakeasy. The food-- Essentially, every main dish was prepared traditionally (salt, pepper, butter, oil, etc.) on the stove-top but was innovative in pairing them with other ingredients. This is long because it's worth talking about :) Here is what we had: First course- We both had the house-smoked lake trout with roasted beets, horseradish crème fraiche. The trout was prepared perfectly, so that it was flakey, moist, just barely not pink anymore, and served at room temperature. The roasted beets were marinated in something (I don't know what) that really made them vibrant, juicy, and smooth. We also had the option to get the cured salmon spring roll, which we totally should have bc it looked like an amazing sashimi/roll concoction. This course was paired with a white blend from Spain, which was very smooth and slightly dry. Second course- (1) House bruschetta, braised snails, white bean puree, peas, mint, and crispy prosciutto - aaaamazing - this was one of my favorite courses. The prosciutto alongside the braised snails was phenomenal and beautiful in every bite. I can't even find the words to describe. (2) The grilled eggplant and red onion, cracked tremiti olives, oregano-greek yogurt. We didn't really care for this dish. It was beautifully prepared, but underwhelming and without surprising contrasting flavors or textures. This course was paired with the Australian Woop Woop Chardonnay, which was so delicious. Chardonnay is my favorite and I made a note to get the name of this one. Third course- We both had the Denver lamb ribs, mild habanero cream, pickled peppers, which was cooked perfectly such that the lamb was tender and came right off the bone. The habanero cream and pickled peppers were creative and the opposite perk to the traditionally heavy lamb. The other option was a gnocchi, spring peas, machego cheese, which we decided to pass because gnocchi vs. lamb is an easy choice. I'm glad we did because the gnocchi looked like gnocchi. It may have been delicious but it looked pretty traditional. This course was paired with some French red. I typically don't love reds, but this one was warming, dry, and airy, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Fourth course- No option on this course and you don't need it! It was a dry-aged prime strip loin, aged balsamic, brown butter with roasted summer squash, chiles, mint. We make NY strips all the time at home because they're affordable, so when I read the item on the menu I felt a sense of "oh..", but this cut was so tender, it just absorbed the balsamic/mint sauce and took you to another world. This sauce was the highlight of the meal. This was paired with a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, which my husband thoroughly enjoyed (his fav) but I found to be too dry for my liking (especially after all the other glasses!). Dessert- A buttermilk panna cotta, rhubarb puree, lemon shortbread with brioche donuts and lemon curd, paired with a Spanish champagne. The whole course was a whirlwind of deliciousness, which took you from fluffy donut delightfulness to bright and refreshing flavors with the panna cotta and lemon. The service-- Overall, all of the staff was very friendly and courses came out timely. My one qualm was that our prior course dishes were not removed when finished nor when the next course came out! That was pretty shocking, especially for how Ada Street markets itself as a quality and unique experience. I love learning about table manners in different parts of the world, so I value it and this was duly noted. Since the food was so wonderful, I wouldn't say this deterred from the experience, but it is tucked away in the back of my head. read more

Ada Street - best dish everrr - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went to Ada Street for restaurant week last week. It's a hidden little spot with a metal door. Be sure to make a reservation. I over heard the host saying to some it was at least a 90 minute wait. It was 6:30 on a Sunday mind you. I believe they only take reservations between 5:30 -6:30 each day and the other times are walk-ins only. Upon getting seated, they welcome you to look through there records. They will play your choice during dinner. For restaurant week I chose le roule cheese flatbread, teriyaki ribeye and the chocolate "surprise" egg. To be honest the best thing about this entire meal was the glass of wine I ordered and the chocolate "surprise" egg. The flatbread it's self was good but ingredients on top were nothing to talk about. It tasted like they poured a bottle of giardiniera and smeared cream cheese on it. I asked the waitress if I could get my ribeye more on the well done side and she said no. They only service it medium. I did wind up getting it expect it was not medium it was rare and I couldn't eat it. Probably my fault and I shouldn't have got this entree. All in all. I may go back for drinks but not food most likely. read more

Ada Street - Chocolate "surprise" egg - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My mom was in town and I wanted to take her out for a really nice dinner, so Friday night we headed to Ada Street. When they arrived at the hallway had no lights on whatsoever, only small candles placed on the floor. This was remedied by the time we left, but it was a little difficult to find a way to the end of the hall! We were graciously greeted and seated on the patio. It was nice to sit outside on the patio is really not much to speak of. Our server, Adira (sorry if I spelled that wrong!) was great and offered wonderful recommendations. I could not say a single negative thing about any of the food or it's preparation if I tried. Every single thing we ate was absolutely delicious. However, some of the portions were so skimpy it was practically offensive to pay what we paid for it. The word "chintzy" was bandied about more than once. We started with the heirloom salad which was lovely, but only had about five slices of tomato along with maybe 5 cherry tomatoes that were sliced in half. Had they added just two or three slices more it would have looked like a much more substantial dish. The same goes for the fried green tomatoes. For $12, I think it warrants more than two slices of tomato, and frankly we really wanted more. It was beautifully fried and topped with a wonderful mix of corn, watermelon, and cheese. It was wonderful! Four slices would have made it seem like a reasonable portion at very little added expense to the restaurant. The next 2 dishes seemed very normal in terms of portion size. The burrata was wonderful. It had the cool creamy texture you expect from burrata with a bit of a kick from the jalapeno it was paired with. In addition, grilling the bread is really the way to go. We also tried the Parisian gnocchi. That was a hearty portion as well, and really delicious. What made that dish was the fantastic, lemony pistou. For dessert we had the pretzel bread pudding, which was good but nothing to write home about. I'd love to go back, but frankly the things I liked the best, the heirloom tomato salad and the fried green tomatoes, are just not worth the price. They were the hands down favorites. My mom and I would both have taken more of that and thrown the rest of the dinner at the window even though it was quite good. read more

You can never judge a book by its cover. From the outside I had no idea what to expect, but once you get inside this is a very cool little restaurant. I went here for Restaurant Week and loved it! The menu for 2016 was based off famous concert rider requests which I thought was a very unique cool twist. First Creamy Tomato Soup (inspired by ZZ Top) - This sounds boring, but it was Not, it had good spice and excellent flavor Second Teriyaki Ribeye (inspired by Rush) - Awesome! was perfectly cooked, and love the teriyaki and wasabi butter Dessert Green Tea Ice Cream (inspired by Prince) - Really unique, fun and tasted great We also ordered not one, but two orders of the Polenta fries with chipotle puree. The food portion was perfect, I think this was the first time in awhile I haven't left a restaurant feeling like a stuffed turkey but rather content with the portion and amazed by the taste. Ada Street is a true Chicago hidden gem. The perfect place for a date night or intimate dinner with friends. read more

Second weekend at Ada Street was as successful as the first! We barely squeezed in at the bar at about 7 pm this past Friday night and thoroughly enjoyed our evening there. The space is amazing! My husband actually said that he wanted to live in the space... Can't wait until they open their patio in May! We tried about 4 different cocktails (I know you aren't supposed to mix alcohols) but we really wanted to try it all! The one with the RHUM was my favorite, but they were all pretty damn good. The one with the pineapple and burning mescal (see picture) is especially fun. For snacks/dinner we grabbed the ricotta, salmon, octopus and the duck confit. All fantastic with just the right amount of bread with every entree to lap up every bite. For dessert, the bartender surprised us with their spreadable chocolate with sea salt. I don't even like chocolate, but I used up the warm toasty baguette to help me almost literally lick the plate clean. Perfect sweet/savory combination to end the meal. All the hosts/servers and even Michael Kornick were extremely nice and were delivering food and checking in constantly. Just perfect. Wend to the hideout afterward to grab a nightcap and walk around enjoying the 80 degree March night. So glad that we can walk to this place from our house :) Can't wait to be back! read more

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Trick or treat! You're in for a treat. Not only does the dim entry walkway and host area look eerily like a haunted house, but we heard some strange knocking coming from the other side of the wall when we entered Ada Street. I half expected a mangled, mouthbreathing zombie to jump out at me. We didn't have reservations, so we were seated at the bar, and over the course of an hour and a half, we observed the place get bustling. Ada is jumpin'! M and I shared (as this place is all about small plates) the duck, brussel sprouts, polenta fries, and fried quail, and it was all super comforting and expertly prepared. We wished the duck was more plentiful over the pasta. Polenta fries were crisp and PERFECT! I'm a sucker for limoncello, so naturally, I ordered that. OH YES, and the brioche donuts! How could I forget? Light, fluffy, and dreamy. Great meal, gem of an establishment, and I can't wait to try it again. The trick may or may not be the price point. I left full and $40 lighter. read more

1. Strange location- but there is ample parking right there which is a huge plus! 2. Atmosphere/ambiance is nice. Very small and intimate. Walk through a long dark corridor to a small indoor/outdoor dining area. Tables/chairs aren't great, but that's a minimal complaint. Nice long bar if you're there early or to have a night cap after dinner. 3. Drinks: small but well curated cocktail menu and wine list. 4. Tapas/shared plates and they suggest 2/person. Some of them could definitely be fine for 1:person if you aren't sharing. Again, it's a very limited menu so if you are picky, definitely check it out before going. Arancini is delicious with the truffle cream sauce. I wish they were a bit larger. I don't eat ground meat, but these meatballs are delicious- so that's saying something! Gnocchi are so light, tagliatelle is obviously homemade and delicious. The steak frites was also superb, even compared to some of the best French restaurants in the city- especially the frites! Definitely a great date night or nice girls night out spot! read more

Who knew Wednesday was the new Friday? And that a silent stretch of Ada would be so hopping....the line of cars to park indicated that we were at T.H.E. new hotspot of the year. Sigh...why does everyone find these places 'slightly' before me...I thought I was on the pulse of Chicago! I've clearly failed.... In any case, visited the super secret (I mean, already reviewed everywhere) Ada St....conveniently located on...ADA St! This speakeasy type new spot from Michael Kornick is worth the wait and the hype. Entering the restaurant is interesting...well, at least for us, since no one was there to greet us, so we hung out with the other folks. I noticed a cute chalkboard of wine selections and an ice bucket full of tasty beverage options....the waiting area is really fun - with metal beams, 2 chairs and a few little spots to rest your arms (I mean drinks...). The hostess came out and warmly greeted us - she was very very friendly and explained our wait and that the bar was first come/first serve. We decided to review the menu and wait a few minutes...during that time, we found out that Ada St. uses Urbanspoon reservations...so, just to see, I logged on there and they happened to have a reservation for approximately 30 min later. I booked it...and we started the race against the clock! Ada St. won because we were seated about 8 min before the reservation would have kicked in...win for Ada St...I fessed up to doing it when I ran into the hostess later. She was extremely amused and super nice about it. I just can't say enough about their service! We were seated at the bar (best seat in the house in my opinion...) where Tim helped us with drinks...Bartender's choice you say? Ok by me! He whipped up a gin gimlet...oh yes...and I told him I didn't like gin. Just teasing me I suppose, but it was GOOD. As for food...everything was delicious, but the steak tartare with the quail egg...yum yum yum. Raw meat at it's finest! We also tried the ricotta spread, cheese plate and polenta fries. I was thrilled with everything. The portion sizes aren't huge, but the prices reflect that. Tim, our friendly bartender/server/new best friend was really nice, talked about the food, and was totally honest about portion size and our options. Gotta love the honesty! The atmosphere in the restaurant is wonderful. It's dark, but warm, the lighting is great and it's quite vibrant. I think it gets a bit loud at times, so it may be hard to hear if you have a large group. All in all, a great spot. Food is a 5, bathrooms a 4, atmosphere a 4 (due to volumen level), service is a definite 5 and I will go with a 4.5 for value...everything is delicious and most items are well priced..a few are pricey and I think drinks can add up. So, everyone...I like this spot, so could you stay away! How will I ever get in again?? read more

I can't believe I've never reviewed Ada St before, but luckily here we are now to make things right in the world. Never a bad experience here. I don't even mind waiting for a table in that tiny front hallway! When you know those crispy black eyed peas are waiting for you on the other side, there's no reason to be upset about a little wait. Plus, the host staff is really great about taking drink orders while you hang out. And the cocktails are all so great so, again, nothing to be upset about! We've only ever been seated at the bar, but I actually don't mind it here. It's still an intimate experience. Regular favorites include the aforementioned crispy black eyed peas and polenta fries. On our most recent visit, the toast with seasonal mushrooms was delicious and the mussels great as always. The parisienne gnocchi was amazing and the charred broccoli also very good. I know it seems weird to rave about some broccoli, but it was perfectly charred and the sauce was very good. read more

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