Lauren had said "let's go out for Valentine's dinner... before Valentine's Day and avoid the crowds."  Like cupid's arrow, the idea hit the target and that's exactly what we did.  Upon entering the restaurant, I was struck by two things: a decided lack of diners and the wonderful warmth of the impressively simple decor.  Muted rust and olive colored walls with few items to obscure them, and stone tile floors.  Gentle orange flames rose quietly from a brick fireplace in the corner and thick, darkened glass windows rose from floor to ceiling on two sides of the restaurant.  Conversations were muted and the professionally-attired waitstaff went quietly about their business.  

As I mentioned earlier, Adelle's is on the intimate side (I actually prefer smallish restaurants) with about twelve-fourteen tables, only five of which were occupied.  We were in no great rush; since there were several tables available, we decided to have a seat at the bar and enjoy a cocktail prior to being seated.  The manager (an owner perhaps?) was gracious and friendly and served as maitre 'd and bartender as well.  Grey Goose on the rocks worked perfectly and the evening was off to a great start.

We were later escorted to a four-top with a great view of the fireplace.  The white table cloth was topped with a sheet of heavy white paper; an oil candle, salt and pepper shaker rested on the table.  I had just removed the silver from it and placed the starched, white cloth napkin in my lap when I noticed the Metra train leaving the College Avenue stop, heading towards Chicago; as close as we were to the massive engine, there was an incredible lack of sound.  Our assumption was that the serenity resulted from solid construction, great noise suppression materials and wonderful acoustics.  The trains were but a faint remainder of the outside world.

Adelle's menu provided ample opportunity for palate pleasures -- in the appetizer portion, entree section, specials and even dessert.  We began the affair however, with the delivery of ice water and thin slices of warm sourdough, hidden neatly in an intricately folded white cloth napkin nestled in a wire basket and accompanied by softened butter, piped and swirled into a ceramic ramekin. 

The Tuna Tartar with its lemongrass-ginger-sesame oil, mint-avocado-cucumber salsa and peapod-carrot salad was chosen as an appetizer; it arrived beautifully plated, the thick, dark red round of tuna perched atop a moist crouton and semi-surrounded by the julienned peapod-carrot salad.  Outstanding in flavor, the difficulty would be to avoid inhaling it... immediately.  But we took our time with the tuna and tried to decide on an entree.

A special for the evening -- Red Snapper, Oscar style with crab and lobster -- was screaming my name, and somehow I talked myself out of it.  Also loudly calling out was the Osso Bucco and Pistachio-Crusted Salmon.  A long explanation I am skipping here (could the morning's acupuncture actually have affected my thought processes?); instead I selected the Herb Crusted Lake Superior Whitefish, with lemon butter sauce and julienne vegetables -- this mostly because I have never ordered it at a restaurant and it sounded good.  Lauren's German heritage spoke up, and the resulting choice was Veal Schnitzel with lemon-caper butter sauce, cheddar & parmesan polenta, applewood-smoked bacon Brussels sprouts.  Lauren also decided that a glass of Malbec would nicely accompany her meal.

The bottom line on Adelle's is this:  The food is excellent (excellent job, chef John Anderson!), the service is professional and attentive and the venue has a marvelous (there are no distractions) atmosphere in which to enjoy all of this; Adelle's is a solid Four Zins.  I highly recommend it and would go back in a heartbeat.  Make a reservation through Open Table and earn some points for your Dining Cheque!  Until next time...

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