La Madia Restaurant Review

59 W. Grand Ave. (Dearborn St.) Send to Phone

Innovative thin-crust pies and attractively priced wines marry at this stylish neighborhood haunt.

La Madia Restaurant is one of our 2012 | Top 10 Chicago Chef's Table Restaurants | Top 10 Chicago Pizza Restaurants |

Cuisine

Open

Lunch & Dinner daily

Features

Kid-friendly
Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Open late Fri.-Sat.
Valet parking
Casual

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Modern, striped upholstered booths; an interactive, glass-lined pizza bar to sidle up to; low, moody lighting---it all adds up to a better-than-average experience at this wood-fired, crisp-crusted pizza place. Granted, La Madia is one of many such spots, and itâ€™s also one of the more expensive. Fortunately, it gets props for both its use of seasonal ingredients and its lighthearted approach to wining and dining. NiÃ§oise olives make for a fun first course, arriving crackling in a foil packet pulled from the fire. A bowl of half golden, half red gazpacho is as pretty as it is just-plucked in flavor. Sweet Vin Santo-roasted grapes dot the stinky-though-memorable Taleggio pizza; a triple (as in plentiful) pepperoni pie with white truffle oil blends earthy, spicy flavors in a way that feels right. House-made sausage, accenting a dish of almost airy ricotta gnocchi and wilted spinach, also specks a straightforward tomato-sauced pie. Adding to the appeal, service is friendly and chatty. Be sure to check out the semi-private wine and pizza tasting room when group dining as well as its ongoing chefâ€™s table events.