Little A
Walk into Adeline during dinner and you’ll find a polished yet approachable space designed for celebratory meals that still feel inviting, not intimidating: dry-aged fish, handmade pastas, folks in nice shirts with equally nice manners, a cool bar, a cooler open kitchen. But drop by for lunch and that’s when “Little a” rolls in, kicks off its shoes, and reminds you why fuss-free dining can deliver just as much flavor and finesse without the formality.
Little a isn’t just a casual rebranding of Adeline—it’s a neighborhood sandwich shop with the heart of a Michelin-trained chef. Drew Adams, who cut his teeth in Washington, D.C., kitchens before earning a Rising Stars Award from StarChefs, envisioned Little a as a playful way to serve the community. And it’s working. Both Adeline and Little a were recently named among Florida’s top 12 new dining destinations for 2024 by the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Dining and Entertainment Team.
If Adeline is the grown man in a stylish suit but no necktie, then Little a is the cool cousin who shows up to family gatherings in sneakers but still knows how to make an entrance. The food? Elevated without the ego. Sandwiches? Starring roles instead of supporting acts.
“We wanted a spot where locals could grab something fast but still far better than average,” says the restaurant’s General Manager Anthony Double (one of the finest new names in Sarasotas service industry, if you ask me). “It’s about quality. We’re giving people a better option without sending them to a health-food joint or a chain with bread that’s basically cake.”
The bread, in fact, is the foundation of Little a’s sandwich game. A sesame-seeded baguette (designed in-house and baked fresh daily by a local partner) offers a crisp exterior and tender texture, perfectly balancing any filling. To the naked eye it looks potentially too tall and dense, but to the hands and mouth it’s delicate and yielding.
Take the lamb sandwich, Chef and Owner Drew Adam’s personal favorite: spiced lamb tossed in sofrito, brushed with creamy hummus, and finished with tangy feta. It’s a master class in balance—spicy, briny, acidic, and creamy all wrapped into a single satisfying bite. Or the roast beef, a sleeper potato-chip-layered hit that elevates a deli classic to something unforgettable and could convert even the staunchest turkey loyalist.
But don’t let the word sandwich box you in. Drew and Anthony are already teasing what’s next: steak frites, gnocchi, crab cakes, and other current takes on comfort classics.
Community is the driving force behind Little a. That philosophy carries into the menu’s price point too. For under $15, you can get a meal that’s not only satisfying but crafted with intention. Located just across from Sarasota Memorial Hospital, the restaurant is also a lifeline for busy professionals who can’t escape for long. (Pro tip: You can order online and have it delivered straight to your desk. No cafeteria sadness required.) And the vibe? It’s as thoughtful as the food. Inside, the space is warm and inviting, with cozy rugs, lush greenery, and a moss wall that takes the edge off Adeline’s former fine-dining seriousness.
“We want locals to see us as their go-to,” Anthony says. “A place where you can grab a killer meal, feel welcome, and leave happy."
“We’re not trying to be fancy for the sake of it,” Drew says. “We just want to make food that people love. And if we can make it affordable and approachable, even better.”
Cool, cool, cool. Count me in.
