Inside Adalina Prime: Fulton Market’s New Steakhouse Power Move

We’re getting an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Adalina Prime, the buzziest new steakhouse to hit Chicago’s Fulton Market, and it’s clear from the moment you walk in that this isn’t your grandfather’s steakhouse.

Chef and partner Soo Ahn leads the way through the restaurant’s striking design and moody, high-glam atmosphere, a space that feels equal parts old-world luxury and modern swagger. The experience only deepens downstairs, where sommelier Colin Jones opens the doors to Adalina Prime’s jaw-dropping, two-story wine cellar, home to more than 4,000 bottles curated to match the restaurant’s elevated yet playful approach to fine dining.

For Ahn, the menu is deeply personal. “I love infusing the flavors I grew up with, fell in love with while traveling, or enjoy at home into new dishes,” he says. Guests familiar with Adalina’s original menu can taste that philosophy throughout the restaurant, from the lobster spaghetti dusted with furikake to the duck mole lasagna, dishes that quietly bend tradition without breaking it. Bringing that same energy to Adalina Prime was non-negotiable.

“It’s a key part of how we do things differently,” Ahn explains. “We’re elevating classics in unexpected ways.”

That philosophy extends beyond fine-dining convention into something more fun, more human. Ahn openly embraces his love of street food and chain-restaurant icons. “A Crunchwrap hates to see me coming,” he laughs. That sense of humor finds its way onto the menu in surprising forms, like housemade chicken nuggets served as an add-on to the caviar service, or lobster cheesy corn that bridges indulgence and nostalgia. The result is a menu that feels luxurious without taking itself too seriously.

The tour wraps with Ahn pulling Jackie behind the scenes for a sneak peek at the restaurant’s salt library and a hands-on dish demonstration in the kitchen, where technique, creativity, and personality collide. At Adalina Prime, luxury isn’t just about excess. It’s about curiosity, memory, and the confidence to have a little fun along the way.

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