I went to Ada Street last night for my second time with my fiance and man, we were glad to be back! To start, I ordered the Ruby Slippers to drink which was very refreshing and tasty. I am typically a Lemon Drop Martini gal so this was a very lovely substitute. For an appetizer, we ordered the Crispy Brussel Sprouts which seemed to somehow get better with each bite - the outside was crispy while the inside was a burst of flavor thanks to the gochujang glaze. For my main dish, I got the Spicy Vodka Lumache which was probably one of my favorite pasta dishes that I've ever had in the city - the pasta was cooked perfectly and that spicy vodka sauce is something out of dreams! For those concerned about spice, it had a hint of spice but it was not overwhelming (which I appreciated personally)! To round out our meal, we finished up with the Brioche Donut with Blueberry Jam. When I say do not skip the donut, I mean it!! It was warm and SO delicious and the blueberry jam took it to a whole other level. Delicious food overall and our service was also phenomenal and attentive throughout the meal, despite being short staffed. I also want to add the vibe is amazing - love the dimmed lights with the indoor/outdoor seating. I cannot say enough great things about Ada Street and if you are looking for a nice date night or meal with friends, definitely give it a try! I'm sure glad we did and cannot wait to be back! read more

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A true hidden gem tucked away in a pretty unexpected part of Chicago. The atmosphere was lively and the place was packed. Service was excellent and our server was super helpful in guiding us through the menu. The food was flavorful and well-executed. Standouts for me were the PEI mussels and the sweet pea paccheri, both were incredibly delicious and had layers of flavor that made them memorable. read more

Ada Street - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Spectacular first meal at Ada Street. With six of us dining, we managed to sample 11 dishes--and not a clunker in the bunch. As you may have heard, most servings are tapas-style and arrive whenever the kitchen sends them out. The good news? Every dish landed on our table piping hot and fresh from the stove, like they had a VIP escort from chef to plate. Here's what we ordered: * Brussels Sprouts - Crisp, with a glaze that had just the right balance of sweet and savory. * Steak Tartare - Loved the French onion sauce and those housemade chips. * Shishito Peppers - A long-time favorite, perfectly blistered. * Fried Green Tomatoes - The pimento cheese and roasted corn gave them an extra pop of flavor. * Mussels - Generous portion, though the nduja sausage was bold enough to steal the spotlight. * Bolognese - Comfort in a bowl; rich and deeply satisfying. * Gnocchi - Heavenly pillows that almost melt on contact. * Sweet Pea Paccheri - As a pea lover, this was my sleeper hit of the night. * Rolled Pork Belly - Plum mostarda brought a tangy-sweet note that played beautifully with the richness. * Lamb Ribs - My personal favorite--perfectly charred with a killer char siu glaze. * Brioche Doughnuts - Warm, airy, and a sweet ending I'd happily repeat. The vibe? Ada Street hides in an off-the-radar location that feels a little mysterious. You enter through a dark hallway--part maze, part speakeasy--before the space opens into a warmly lit dining room, bustling open kitchen, and a gorgeous outdoor patio that makes you want to linger. Drinks? The cocktail menu is worth a visit on its own. My Cosmonaut was just okay, but The Killing Floor and Diamond Rico were standouts--creative, balanced, and dangerously drinkable. Shout-out to Meagan for keeping our table happy and well-hydrated with both skill and charm. Ada Street nails the food, atmosphere, and service trifecta. Already planning my next visit. read more

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I went here for a monthly dinner with my friends and it is by far the most randomly located nice restaurant I've been to in Chicago. Truly, it's on a side street by warehouses and if you did not know it was there you would never see it. However, I'm glad I found it because the food here is excellent portion, extremely flavorful and has great attention to detail. My favorites by far were the carrots and the bread pudding dessert. We tried most of the menu and I would say the biggest pass for me were the mussels and the pastas. The inside of the restaurant feels somewhat like a warehouse, but also intimate at the same time the service was decent overall, but we did have a big group. I would definitely come back to share some small plates again and get some cocktails. read more

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After having Ada Street on my place to check out list for quite some time, I finally made it, and it was well worth the wait. No wonder why it's been around as long as it has, It offers a cozy, intimate vibe with a small plates format that's perfect for sharing. They recommend ordering 3 to 4 dishes for a party of two, which might be slightly ambitious unless you're extra hungry or just in the mood to sample. For us, a slightly lighter spread would have sufficed. We started with the shishito peppers, and honestly, they stole the show right out of the gate. Mild, tender, and packed with flavor, I could've happily had an entire bowl to myself. I'd return to Ada Street for those alone. Next up were the carrots, which were unexpectedly amazing! They seasoned and full of flavor. Then came the lamb ribs.... tender, perfectly cooked, and rich in flavor. The only challenge was holding back from devouring all of them, especially knowing the salmon was still on the way. Each dish held its own, but the peppers and lamb ribs were the standouts for me. Items arrived without any particular order (dishes are brought out as they're ready), which kept the pace of the meal casual and fun. read more

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Went for birthday dinner. Beautiful atmosphere, very cozy vibes. The carrots were amazing! Great service.

Made a last minute reservation on a Friday and got in for an early dinner. Ada Street is definitely a spot that has carefully and thoughtfully curated it's ambiance. As you walk into it's unassuming building, you are greeted with unique decor and the speakeasy experience. The food and drink did not disappoint with well thought out recipes executed to perfection. I thought the eggplant was especially yummy and the donut to be a great way to end the meal as well. I will definitely be back for another date night. Bar seating is available as well. It's only a matter of time before this place becomes a household name. read more

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Such an unassuming spot from the outside of the restaurant! Ada street is located in an industrial area and opposite from some pickle ball courts. You wouldn't know there was a highly regarded restaurant there just by walking by. It does have it's name on the entrance door but nothing fancy. It does have plenty of parking spots right outside. When you walk in, prepare to walk down a very dark long hallway, then turn a corner to walk down another dimly lit hallway where you can check in with a staff member and be seated. Reservations are recommended as it's quite popular! We had reservations for two on their outdoor patio on a Thursday evening. The outdoor patio is covered and enclosed so you're mostly protected from the sun except for the heat. My friend and I ordered several dishes to share, and while some were really delicious, others didn't quite meet expectations, especially for the price. - Seared Scallops: These were the star of the snow! Packed with flavor, perfectly seared so that it was caramelized and crisped on both sides, and topped with a refreshing garnish. Absolutely recommend. - Parisienne Gnocchi: This was my second favorite. Perfectly soft and pillowy bite-sized gnocchi! The texture and flavor was so good. Creamy but not too creamy. Not too heavy either. Perfect for sharing. - Rolled Pork belly: This one had good flavor but given that it's a very large piece of pork belly (literally rolled up, and almost the size of my hand), it would have been much more balanced with either a side of rice or some veggies or greens. It was much too heavy and savory to be a main dish on its own. It was also a bit difficult to cut with the knife they provided and was a little chewier than tender. - Tuna ceviche: This one missed the mark, as it unfortunately lacked flavor. I wanted to like it more but it was just okay. The cosmonaut cocktail was delicious and reasonably priced for its quality! Lastly, the service was attentive but almost too attentive. The server checked on us quite often, and I found it a bit unnecessary, though I appreciated the effort. read more

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After spending 8 days in Los Angeles and going to every restaurant I've been to 20 times, it is refreshing as hell to be back in Chicago and trying new places. Tonight was just another fabulous restaurant that the city of Chicago keeps throwing at me! Ada Street Restaurant, just west of Bucktown, is this super hip, dark, fashionable place that at first looks industrial but after you walk in it's actually quite cozy. The menu is short and to the point. I had just driven in from O'Hare, so I was by my lonesome, grabbed a bar stool and ordered three things, two of which I haven't had this century: * Lamb Ribs Charred to fall off of the bones had sesame and scallions in a glaze sauce - this plate was remarkable * My roasted eggplant dip with sambal, labneh with naan bread was very very good - This could have been my favorite dish this year * A Doughnut that was cinnamon-sugar coated brioche with blueberry jam. I haven't had a doughnut in 25 years. It was excellent * To top off this rather exceptional dinner I ordered a Miller High Life beer that I also haven't had for decades The Ada Street Restaurant was very special. I cannot wait for my wife to come back to Chicago so I can share my experience here with her. I'm positive she will love Ada as much as I did. I must call out the bartender Kyle. He curated my dinner wonderfully and the Miller High Life Beer brought back a lot of memories. read more

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We celebrated a friend's birthday at Ada St., and it was truly one of those nights that just flows--incredible food, cozy ambiance, and everything so thoughtfully curated. The custom menu was such a nice touch, and the evening kicked off with a punch-style cocktail that was both fun and delicious. The Food - Elegant, Flavorful & So Satisfying Vegetarian Appetizer - Light, fresh, and beautifully plated--a perfect start to the meal. Gnocchi - Absolutely fantastic. Pillowy soft with a rich, flavorful sauce. Easily a standout dish. Donuts for Dessert - Next-level good. Warm, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweet--the perfect ending. My friends loved every single dish, and the menu catered well to all dietary preferences, which was a huge plus. The Vibe - Warm, Private & Just the Right Amount of Cool The setting felt exclusive and intimate, and we loved that we could control the music--a super fun detail that made the evening feel even more personal. The space is stylish but not pretentious, and the service was top-notch--attentive, kind, and genuinely excited to make the night special. Whether you're hosting a celebration or just want to enjoy elevated, thoughtful food in a beautifully curated space, Ada St. is an absolute gem. Can't wait for the next excuse to go back! read more

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Probably the best restaurant I've tried recently. The interior is DARK when you enter so be wary. The drinks are DELICIOUS (the martini) and the steak was cooked perfectly. Everything that came out of the kitchen smelled delicious and this place does fill up! Would come back in a heartbeat. read more

Ada Street - Steak frites - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best hummus and great ambiance! We came for a friends birthday celebration and ordered a bottle of champagne and some appetizers. The hummus was by far everyone's favourite read more

Ada Street - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Celebrated my birthday dinner here and I'm glad we did! It is located in a very unassuming area and for sure is a hidden gem. There is a pretty spacious patio area connected to the back of the restaurant too. The waitress had suggested 4-5 dishes for two but since we were pretty full from lunch, we opted in only sharing two dishes. I love love mussels so I was super excited to try the mussels everyone raves about. And oh my gooooodness. Moving from California, I have missed boiling crab soooo much. The mussels reminded me of boiling crab.. so much flavor and garlic. The closest thing to boiling crab in Chicago that's for sure. A must get.. I'll be dreaming about this dish and I will be coming back for it. The foccacia that it comes with also is so soft.. almost like a cheesy bread without the cheese? I'm not sure how they do it. But I'm all for it. The NY strip with shoe string fries was also good but I think because usually I go for a ribeye, the meat felt a little chewy to me but that's really a me thing. The shoestring fries were tasty and the portion was insane. So glad to have had such a great celebratory dinner with Ada! read more

Ada Street - prime New York steak - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Overall had a tasty experience but nothing blew us away. The carrots and eggplant were probably favorites. We also had the bolognese, mussels, and lamb ribs -- all well done but again, nothing incredibly memorable for us. Also, service was friendly but some of the random details left us a little wanting (no water until we asked halfway through, one of the drinks took 20 minutes, took away our plates before asking, etc.). Not wanting to nitpick because overall it was a nice experience but it was just an adding up of small things that puts this at 4 instead of 5 stars. The ambience was cool and a great vibe. Overall good, but went in with very high expectations and was just not blown away! read more

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My wife and I came back on a Saturday night after a number of years away from this spot. From the moment you walk in you're met with intrigued. The location is inconspicuous and the long hallway leading up to the host stands builds anticipation. Dimly lit and intimate, it's a great date spot. Scott is the epitome of a hands on owner, touching tables and making recommendations. Truly a great dude, the Chicago food scene is lucky to have him. The wine selection is fantastic, but the cocktails are what really set this place apart. The mixology program is highly refined and creative. The Cosmonaut, Fucking French Martini and Psycho Candy are tops in taste, flavor and name. They also have orange wine which is huge for me. The food menu is always changing and evolving so there's always something new to be excited about. Tartare, ceviche, carrots, burrata, bolognese, and Porchetta are my current recs, but ask Scott or your server for advice and they'll make sure you're well fed and delighted. And save room for dessert! We will be back often and I will keep recommending this place to people. Can't wait to try their new pizza place SHARPIES! Also have a feeling when Lincoln Yards finally gets built this neighborhood will be super hip and the next west loop is my prediction. read more

Ada Street in Chicago, located on Ada Street, offers romantic ambience, fantastic food and superb service. We enjoyed the New York Strip and shoestring fries with garlic aioli. Huge portions and absolutely flavorful and tender! Cooked to perfection. Enjoyed a wonderful martini and could not pass up dessert! We shared the pretzel bread pudding with maple whip. It was equally wonderful! The bread pudding was creamy and the maple whip complimented the pudding. read more

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Some of the best food I've ever eaten. The original vibe was to do a food tour around Bucktown/Logan/Wicker. I started with the spring peas and eggplant - truly some of the best food I've ever put in my mouth. I had to keep eating there and ended up just doing a food tour of Ada Street instead! Staff is super knowledgeable of dishes and cocktails. Would definitely like to go with a larger group to taste more things. read more

Dined in on a Saturday night. The area around the restaurant is a bit random, but the interior is dimly lit, small and a pretty cozy space. We were seated right at the bar, with the bartender attending us. He was very attentive, frequently checking in on us and refilling our water. The menu is small, but I prefer that as it helps with narrowing down what to order. They recommend ordering 3-4 plates to split between two people and they course out the dishes. We ordered 4 plates, which I felt was more than enough food for 2 people and we could have gotten away with just 3 plates. We ordered the carrots, mussels, squash agnolotti, and black rice. I was very impressed with the portion size of everything, especially the mussels! That was the standout dish for me: the charred focaccia it came with was especially delicious when dipping into the broth. Every dish however was tasty and had a different flavor profile to it. I would love to come back and try their other dishes, such as the mushroom rotolo. read more

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My boyfriend and I had a lovely dinner here before a show the other night. It's a great space that's kind of hidden away. Service was friendly and attentive and they gave good recommendations. The wine selections were lovely. My boyfriend really liked his cocktail. We loved the harissa carrots, and the mussels were tasty. I thought the lamb ribs were a little too sweet, but they were cooked beautifully and it was a nice big serving. He loved the Bolognese. We'd come back for sure. Seems like they do some really nice things for groups from what we saw. I look forward to a cozy winter dinner inside sometime. read more

Just left here from Valentine's Day dinner. Chose to come here bc it's one of the only places in Chicago that we find to be consistently good every time. Until tonight. Dinner tonight was sub par at best. First off we always come for the mussels. There was nothing on their website indicating a reduced menu but tonight it was the only thing they didn't have specifically bc it was Valentine's Day. We ordered the shaved vegetable salad. There were no shaved veggies. There was shaved apples and fennel on a plate of greens that tasted like sand and was gritty in my teeth. The sauce on the pasta was a bland unseasoned white sauce. And-the cocktail menu has changed and there is no longer any interesting cocktails just a menu filled with basic cocktails you can get anywhere. I hate to say it but overall extremely disappointing-especially for one of our favorite places in Chicago. read more

This place is ah-mazing! Our Uber driver was confused trying to find it. If you're looking for a traditional restaurant storefront, you won't find it. This restaurant is masked as a speakeasy in a brick building. Enter the door and you make your way through the hallways and to the back of the restaurant. There is both indoor and outdoor dining. We shared a number of plates and they were spaced out nicely throughout the night. Every dish was amazing as was the service and cocktail menu. I couldn't pass up the fucking French martini. Our waitress and servers were equally amazing and the chef came out to say hello. If you're in the area, this is an excellent option. Oh! And the donuts! Save room for donuts! read more

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First time was great, second time was very mediocre. The pork belly doesn't belong on the menu... super dry and fatty. I can't believe our server described it as porchetta. It was an overcooked pork chop doused with jam. Bolognese has wayyyy too much black pepper. It was all we could taste Eggplant is awesome. read more

Some of the best service I have had in a very long time. All of the servers and host make you feel very comfortable and make the dining experience more enjoyable. It's like you've been long time pals! The food was great. The olive juice in the martini was weird. I did not love that, but everything else was as pretty exquisite. read more

The ambience was immaculate as was service. From the moment you walk up to the door, you know this place is special. The menu is concise, which I take to be a good sign. Usually the roasted eggplant was delicious and the fresh pita bread was perfect. We ordered the Seabass, which was very flavorful if a little salty. Our steak came out underdone, but they had no problem adjusting the temp for us. My biggest complaint is that there are no hooks underneath the bar and I hope someone from Ada Street sees this and can address. It seems like that would be an easy way to elevate the dining experience; I had to balance my purse on my lap the entire night which makes me think not a single woman was involved in the planning of the dining space. read more

Ada Street - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great food! Medium rare steak was cooked perfectly, mussels broth was truly delicious, the miso sweet potatoes and gochujang brussels were really comforting. I appreciated that everything was not over salted, and actually made to showcase the flavor profile of each dish. Just a great restaurant with clean execution - we'll be back for the spring menu! read more

Cool ambiance. Amazing cocktails. DELICIOUS food!! Great staff. Daryn was absolutely wonderful. OMG read more

Ada Street - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Nice place but was a little surprised with the rave reviews for food. It is a small menu which is fine if those are their specialty items. But, everything was ok. Carrots inconsistently cooked. Lamb ribs burned and too much fat. Gnocchi was good but small. Left hungry and unsatisfied read more

Service was spectacular. Ambience was very nice. Music selection was excellent. Food and drinks were also amazing mussels 10/10 must have along with the eggplant dish. read more

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Yea okay. Nothing was bad perse but nothing warranted a return either. Vibe is the best part as it's dimly light, playing excellent music from Outkast to Michael Jackson. Lobster was lacking in the lobster dish. Fried green tomatoes were decent. Gnocci was the most perturbed dish as past pictures showed real truffles & this was merry oil. Waiter was rushing a tad but nothing unbearable. Brioche donut was reminiscent of a churro as far as flavor. read more

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Honestly some of the best food I've had in a while! We were majorly impressed by the Black Rice and Parisian Gnocchi. The Brussel Sprouts and Sea Bass were also really good. Our waiter (Chris, I think) was chill and friendly. The downside was definitely the setting - the intended ambiance seemed great, but in reality it was too warm (maybe iced water would've helped?) and the tables too close together (to the point that it felt like we were sharing a meal with the people next to us). Because of the location, I don't think you'd stumble upon Ada Street but I would say it's worth stopping by! read more

We dined here about a week ago. I hadn't visited in probably 10 years (not sure how I forgot about it!) and was so happy to return. The speakeasy vibe is so unique and cozy while the service and food is outstanding. I wish that I was still in the neighborhood but we'll definitely be back soon. Great date place and also really ideal if you're looking for a dinner spot before heading to a concert at the Salt Shed! read more

I held my birthday party here last night (group of 10) in their private room, and everything far exceeded my expectations - which were high to begin with. I chose the "light dinner" prix fixe menu, but with the amount of food they brought out, I honestly think the classic dinner would have meant we would have needed naps before we left. The Brussels sprouts were possibly the best vegetable dish I've eaten in my entire life, and the gnocchi was heavenly - I didn't realize pasta could melt in my mouth. The service was equally fantastic - the perfect balance of attended to and offered us space to have conversation. Speaking of the space: it felt almost like being in an Agatha Christie murder mystery. Private, set aside from the rest of the restaurant (I couldn't even tell you what it looks like), mostly lit with candles and closed off with velvet drapes. The ambiance was stellar. The only very minor quibble I have is that the water glasses were extremely tiny (verging on the size of shot glasses) - I'm not sure if this was meant for us to order cocktails, but it certainly was frustrating for those of us who enjoy drinking water with our meals. read more

Great for date night? Yes! Great with friends? Yes! Great for foodies? Yes! This has been a favorite for awhile but I hadn't been since pre-pandemic days and moving out of state, but I could not have been more excited coming out of a dinner with friends on a recent visit. I'm still talking about the food with everyone I talk to days later - that's when you know it's that amazingly good. We had the Brussels sprouts which weren't your typical everyone does Brussels sprouts now kind but had a great gochujang sauce. The carrots were also a phenomenal balance of flavors. The gnocchi melts in your mouth and the real standout is the branzino fish - so light, a bit sweet, and balance of textures with the fennel. I wish I could make this at home, but this dish reminds me why it's great going out to eat to get things I just can't replicate at home. And ... the donuts! So yummy! I also like this place because you can't go wrong with the wine list and the servers actually know what they are talking about when you ask about the menu and wine. Love it! To top it all off, this speakeasy feel of a restaurant with indoor and outdoor flow is contemporary romantic and cool for friends. It's hipster too with the records that you can select to play and the cool cocktails too. Oh and did I mention It has free street parking wifely available if you need it? All in all this place has a small menu of curated food with excellent execution. read more

A very small intimate setting that made me feel at home. You can see the chef cook your meal and the server was attentive. Our drinks were delicious but were a bit pricey. Highly recommend the lamb sticky ribs! read more

Ada Street - Pei Mussels - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really did their best as every aspect of the dinner. Exceptional service and great food!

This place is GREAT! Food was phenomenal, service was outstanding and the vibe of the place was awesome. To top it off, the parking situation is great. Will be back soon! read more

This restaurant is tucked away between a bunch of warehouses so don't panic when you think your Uber driver made a wrong turn because this place is well worth it. The service is friendly, the food is exceptional, and the atmosphere is casual but cool - the perfect place for both a date night and to hang with friends. The scallops with chili crunch and a sweet corn emulsion were so unique and amazing. I actually stopped talking after my first bite. The steak portion is large but perfectly cooked with a heap of thin cut, crunchy fries (the best kind). We also had the bolognese which definitely did not skimp on the meat. It was the ultimate comfort bowl. The only thing we were upset about is that we didn't come here sooner and often. We'll fix that going forward. read more

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Came here totally randomly after looking for a sit down restaurant close by for dinner before a concert. We didn't have a reservation when we arrived at about 6:30 but they said they could seat us but the table did have a reservation for it at 7:30. Which was no issue since we would be out within the hour. The place is small and has great atmosphere. Great for a date night. We got the Brussel sprouts and pierogis, both of which was fantastic. The sprouts were easily the best I've had in my entire life and that's not an exaggeration. I got a glass of white wine and my date got a beer and with tip our bill was $80. Which isn't exactly an inexpensive night out. Just be prepared you are going to spend a bit here as this is a finer dining establishment. Truly my only complaint is that the lighting is so low that it's incredibly difficult to even read your menu as there was only one votive candle at the table and the lights are turned way low. I basically had to turn my flashlight on my phone to see the menu and that sort of temporarily kills the vibe for everyone around you. Other than the challenging lighting, we had a very positive experience and look forward to returning! read more

I've always meant to come here over the years but im last minute when it comes to picking restaurants so given this place doesn't usually have same day slots open - we've never made it in until the week of christmas. I loved the ambiance, it was warm and dark, lively but not loud. The food was solid too. We ordered the burrata, mussels and strip steak. The burrata had a jalapeno basil topping which was phenomenal, the mussels were solid and the strip steak was solid too, cooked perfectly (med rare) but pretty salty - and I love salt so if I'm commenting on it, it means it was salllty. Overall it was a fun night and we'll def be back. read more

Ada Street was one of my favorite meals I've had all year. A spot with a small menu, but where every dish is good. The two of us split the burrata, black rice, Brussels sprouts, gnocchi, and a donut. Even though the dishes all had different flavor profiles, they somehow went together really well. The Brussels sprouts were my favorite by far. The black rice had a compatible flavor, while the gnocchi was more Italian and melted in your mouth. The one donut between the two of us after all that food was more than enough, but it was so good I thought about another! All in a really cool (albeit, dark) space with quick service. Such a good spot for a small dinner or date night if you're inside, or a good group if you're on the patio! read more

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