Elina's

The story

Elina's Chicago: Fine Italian-American Cooking by Two Chefs on West Grand Avenue

Fine Italian-American cooking served by two chefs in an intimate space.

Elina's, on West Grand Avenue in Chicago, is the work of two chefs with deep roots in the city's and New York's most celebrated kitchens. Chef-owner Ian Rusnak honed his craft at Blackbird, NoMI, and Carbone, while chef-owner Eric Safin worked as a saucier under Jean Georges and later held a Michelin star as chef of ZZ’s Clam Bar. Together, they bring that pedigree to a warm, unpretentious room where the focus is squarely on the food.

The menu reads like a love letter to Italian-American cooking, executed with precision. Start with a Caesar salad topped with garlic bread croutons, or the Baked Clams Casino with bacon breadcrumbs and lemon. Pastas are a clear strength: Rigatoni alla Vodka comes with Calabrian bread crumbs for heat and crunch, while Orecchiette alla Norcina pairs sweet sausage with Sauvignon Blanc. For a main, the 16oz Ribeye Oreganato is a bold choice, and the Dover Sole Piccata offers a lighter, classic option. Sides like Broccoli Carbonizado and Italian Fries round things out.

The wine list is thoughtfully curated, with a strong Italian bent—from a Kerner from Abbazia di Novacella to a Chianti Classico from Monte Bernardi. Cocktails are equally considered, with a Golden Negroni and a Spritz made with Miss Apertivo.

This is the kind of place that earns its Michelin Recommended status quietly, through consistent, confident cooking and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Elina's is a neighborhood restaurant that feels like a destination.