The team behind downtown Italian favorite Adalina is aiming a little higher in the Gold Coast, quite literally, with plans for a new rooftop restaurant called Arla that would bring skyline views back to the Oak-and-Rush corner once home to Fred's and Barneys.
According to City of Chicago liquor-license records, 15 E Oak LLC filed on March 10 for a caterer license, a consumption-on-premises license, and an outdoor-patio permit under the trade name "Arla." What Now Chicago reports the paperwork lists the sixth floor of 15 E. Oak Street and quotes partner Phil Siudak saying the group expects to lock in an opening date soon.
Rooftop Space at Oak and Rush
The sixth-floor space, roughly 12,000 square feet, was leased by the Adalina group as part of the post-Barneys redesign of the building, according to reporting on the deal. The Real Deal detailed the lease, while building manager Development Management Associates notes the recently renovated property now hosts luxury retail at street level, including brands such as Balenciaga and Cartier. If Arla moves forward as planned, that would put a skyline-level dining room right above one of the neighborhood's flashier shopping blocks.
The Team and Culinary Pedigree
The project comes from the same ownership group behind Adalina: partners Phil Siudak and Matt Deichl, along with Miles Muslin and Jonathan Gillespie, who originally backed chef Soo Ahn at the Walton Street restaurant. Eater Chicago profiled the Adalina team when that Italian spot opened, and local coverage has since noted that the partners went on to open Adalina Prime before turning their attention back to the Gold Coast with this rooftop venture. What Now Chicago adds that the team has not yet released a menu for Arla.
What to Watch Next
No formal opening date or menu has been announced yet, and the project appears to be working its way through the city approval process. The March 10 filings are publicly available on the municipal liquor application portal, and City of Chicago records show applications for both a caterer license and an outdoor patio, which points to a mix of indoor dining and rooftop terrace seating. Expect more details once the ownership group clears permitting hurdles or submits additional paperwork, at which point this Gold Coast perch could quickly become one of the more talked-about reservations in the neighborhood.
