Drenched in Dreamy Design Details, Italian Restaurant Il Premio Offers a Glamorous Evening Out

Scallop “Rovigliano” with charred lemon cream, smoked oyster broth, and uni.

Custom-made windows dividing the bar and dining room nod to the architecture of Siena, Italy.

Diners can choose from Italian-leaning cocktails, wine, or delicious martinis.

Strozzapreti al Granchio with king crab, uni butter, and basil.

Reclaimed European oak floors and high ceilings add charm to the main dining room

Burrata with fig caponata, mission figs, and aged balsamic.

Astice with lobster, stracciatella, basil, and tomato

Have you ever experienced a dinner so incredible that you didn’t want to leave? Well now you don’t have to—just book a room! Located in the FORTH Hotel, new fine dining experience Il Premio brings a taste of Italian luxury to Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward district.

Upon entering the luxe cocktail lounge, guests are greeted with a custom, Renaissance-inspired mural depicting the Palio—a famous horse race held every year in Italy, dating back to the 1600s. Translated to “the prize” in Italian, Il Premio is nothing short of award-worthy thanks to executive chef John Adamson, whose creative courses steal the show.

“I started cooking at a very young age and fell in love with it,” says Adamson. “I realized I was good at it and was running kitchens by the time I was 21 years old.” Previously of Marcel and American Cut Steakhouse, the chef has established himself as a top-tier talent, and his latest venture certainly does not disappoint. “When given the opportunity to take on this challenge of not only opening a high-end steakhouse like II Premio, but also the hotel aspect of it, I couldn’t resist,” says Adamson.

In the dining room, design envy lies around every corner. Designed by Stokes Architecture + Design and taking notes from midcentury Italian modernism, the sophisticated scene is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered, featuring a glazed brick fireplace, plenty of Art Deco moments, and Gothic-inspired stained-glass windows. Complete with an open kitchen, diners have a front-row seat to the action. “It’s not always as a chef that you get to interact with guests and have almost immediate feedback on the dishes,” says Adamson. “Mostly though, it’s an opportunity to showcase the food and talent we have here and constantly challenge ourselves to grow.”

Capturing the grandeur of Italy, the menu brims with fresh pasta made in-house daily, à la carte cuts of premium meat, and raw bar selections. With a focus on sourcing quality ingredients, the culinary team takes their time to craft each dish with intention, as is evident in the Yellow Edge Grouper, poached in olive oil and served with butternut squash purée and saffron ginger broth. “We take rustic dishes and refine them into something more elevated,” says Adamson. For those looking to spice things up, order the Ricciola alla Puttanesca with olives, capers, and Calabrian chiles.

The perfect complement to your meal awaits on the meticulously curated Italian wine list, or choose a creative cocktail like the Casanova or Spritz All’anguria. Better still, what outing would be complete without a round of espresso martinis from the tableside martini service? End the evening on an even sweeter note when ordering the Orange Ricotta Mousse with pistachio praline ganache.

If the luxurious experience of FORTH Hotel isn’t enough to entice you to book a staycation, dining at Il Premio certainly will be—just to be closer to the sophisticated eatery. ilpremioatlanta.com