Adela's Italian - Phoenix

From the moment we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised. First and foremost, the kitchen excels! Owners Pedro and Adela take great pride in their incredible offerings. Since discovering our favorite Italian spot in Alexandria, VA (check out my review of Via Venetto), we've struggled to find anything comparable in the Valley, especially when it comes to Piedmontese or Northern Italian dishes. Our experience began with glasses of smooth and delightful Bellini Prosecco and Querceto Chianti. The garlic-infused house bread was simply delightful. For our appetizer, we ordered some of the best fried calamari we've ever had—lightly crispy and accompanied by an excellent arrabbiata sauce, which lives up to its name meaning "angry," thanks to the kick of chili peppers. For the main course, my wife enjoyed the Pollo Marconi: a thick, juicy chicken breast topped with sliced mushrooms, perfectly cooked eggplant, cheese, and ham, all drizzled with a smooth tomato marsala cream sauce. I savored the Vitello alla Sorrentino, a lavish dish featuring veal with chopped olives, diced mushrooms, bacon, and mozzarella cheese, all covered in a delightful Marsala wine sauce. Although I was tempted to try the Tiramisu, my wife and I decided to share her Limoncello Mascarpone Cake instead. Despite not being a fan of Limoncello, I found this cake—filled with Limoncello Mascarpone cream—to be absolutely fantastic! To wrap up the evening, I treated myself to Adela’s Caffe, a double espresso blended with steamed milk, Bailey's Irish Cream, and Frangelico, an Italian hazelnut liqueur. Wow! Additionally, it’s remarkable to learn that Pedro, with over 30 years of experience in Italian cooking, along with his wife Ximena and daughter (the Delgado family), opened Adela's in 2014 and bring their Mexican heritage into the mix. Experiencing their hospitality, kindness, and reasonably priced, exquisite dishes feels like hitting the jackpot in Italian cuisine. The Delgado family has truly achieved their dream of creating a fantastic restaurant while infusing authentic Italian gastronomy into their exceptional cooking. We highly recommend Adela's as one of the best dining experiences in the Valley of the Sun. We feel like we've found a new home away from home at Adela's. Grandi avventure! Bon appétit, everyone!