Ever since Ada opened its doors in conjunction with The Convent Hotel almost one year ago, the Grey Lynn restaurant has been a firm favourite in the city for its Italian-inspired dishes and striking yet welcoming dining space. If you can get a table (it is often quite hard to do so, so in-demand is Ada), we can’t think of anything better than spending the evening elbow to elbow with a date at the bar, or sharing a meal with a group at one of the tables underneath the soaring atrium.
Head chefs Hayden Phiskie and Johnny Price have a knack for creating decadent yet balanced fare that centres on exquisite handmade pastas, signature pizza frittas with various toppings, and sides like beef short rib with ‘nduja.
Currently, due to restricted alert levels, Ada of course can’t open for dine-in customers — but it does have an excellent takeaway offering to be enjoyed in the comfort of our own abodes.
Take home the aforementioned pizza frittas, topped with the likes of tomato and stracciatella; asparagus, lemon and ricotta; ‘nduja and taleggio — and more. Pastas change regularly, but expect something akin to ricotta cavatelli with saffron, mascarpone and asparagus, or fazzoletti with beef cheek, fennel and chives. Sides-wise, that beef short rib is sublime when paired with a baby cos, creme fraiche and lemon salad, or perhaps some duck fat potatoes if you’re feeling extra decadent. And why not finish off with a chocolate panna cotta or ricotta and pistachio cannoli for dessert?
While we wait eagerly to return to Ada in person, we’ll happily enjoy its enriching provisions in any form — luckily for all of us, its takeaways are just the ticket.
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