Adam Adrian Serves Olympia Restaurant Diners

adam adrian
0 Shares

 

By Amy Rowley

adam adrian
Adam Adrian, managing partner for The Ramblin Restaurant Group, is also an avid fisherman.

Adam Adrian picked up his first spatula at age 15.  While his first homemade meal may not have been too memorable, it was the start of a successful career in the restaurant industry.

You may better recognize Adam in his chef pants and white jacket behind the line at Mercato but the restaurant owner can actually be found in any one of his four restaurants.

Operating Four Distinct Restaurants

As the managing partner for The Ramblin Restaurant Group, Adam operates four local restaurants which employ over 300 people:

  • Ramblin Jack’s menu focuses on Americana food in downtown Olympia,
  • Fresh Italian fare can be found at Mercato Restaurant near the Olympia Farmers Market,
  • Casual family dining is offered at i.talia pizzeria in West Olympia, and
  • Travelers enjoy roadside dining at the Rib Eye in Chehalis.

A business and political science student at the University of Oregon in the 1990s, Adam worked his way through school in restaurants.  “A well known Eugene chef took me under his wing and taught me how to cook,” reminisces Adam.  “He owned restaurants with a variety of concepts.  He taught me how to run a smoker and a kitchen.”

One of Adam’s college roommates hailed from Olympia.  “My roommate’s parents convinced me to come to Olympia, knowing that I wanted to open a restaurant,” says Adam.  He opened Ramblin Jacks, his first restaurant, in 1998.

Five years later, he added Mercato.  The menu changes seasonally to highlight fresh produce.  “Taylor Vroman (Mercato chef) is creating some of the most interesting food in Olympia,” remarks Adam.

adam adrianNext up was i.talia pizzeria, a casual family-friendly Italian restaurant in West Olympia, near the mall.  The pizza restaurant opened about five years ago.  Adam wanted a place where his own kids could be rowdy without bothering other diners.  The highlight is the kids make-you-own pizza and the wide variety of Olympic Mountain ice cream.

The Rib Eye, in Chehalis, was added to the Ramblin Restaurant Group within the past two years.  The roadside diner is convenient for I-5 travelers looking for a great meal when traveling between Seattle and Portland.

Cooking For Olympia 

What better question to ask a professional chef then to pick their favorite menu item?

“When I even get a chance to eat, I’m standing at a back table, shoveling in food before getting back on the line,” he says with a laugh.

He stresses the importance of eating around all of his restaurants.  He listens to feedback from staff and diners and incorporates that information into menu changes.

Catering is another bustling piece of The Ramblin Restaurant Group’s business.  In Thurston County, Adam operates the catering business out of Ramblin Jacks.  His managers handle small catering jobs, typically for parties under 40 people.  Adam jumps into the mix when the party sizes grow.  “I like the challenge of catering large parties,” he says.

adam adrian
Adam Adrian, left, jokes with close friend and neighbor, Scott Wilson.

When he’s not mixing sauces or rolling out dough, Adam donates his time to serve as a board member for the Hands On Children’s Museum, GRuB, and the SPSCC culinary school.  Ramlin Restaurant Group food is behind many of the major Thurston County charity events including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County and other children-focused fundraisers.

“Part of what I love about running a business in Olympia is being part of the community.  I live here and know people and am proud to support organizations that are doing good things for kids,” adds Adam.

Adam also supports education by inviting preschool and elementary classes to visit i.talia pizzeria.  “During the field trip, we talk about where the ingredients come from and how we mix it all together.  Kids make their own pizza and eat it on site,” explains Adam.

Whether he is organizing the menu for a 300-person wedding, chatting with a customer to plan a large corporate event, or cooking in one of his restaurants, Adam is always busy creating memorable dining experiences in Olympia.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares