I get asked all the time what my favorite restaurant in Chicago is. That’s a tough one. Chicago has some of the country’s best food (in my opinion) and just an unbelievable culinary and restaurant scene. When I start trying to pinpoint a favorite place, there’s an immediate barrage of questions that goes through my head: What type of cuisine? What meal (i.e., dinner, brunch, etc)? What neighborhood? High-end or hole in the wall? Then I end up asking these same questions to the person that asked me the question in the first place.

La Madia

But, as I have thought about it more, there is one go-to spot that really has become a favorite of mine since it opened 5 years ago. And the more I go there, the more I realize how much I love their food and am never disappointed.  I am finally going out on a limb and stating it is ONE of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. This is huge. So, ok…..here goes. The coveted title goes to La Madia in River North!

I have been to La Madia A LOT! It is about a 10 minute walk from where I live, was just two blocks away from where I used to work, the place I have celebrated numerous birthday parties (including my own) and taken many, many out-of-town guests. Each and every time it has been a hit amongst friends, family, co-workers, birthday boy or girl and the like. Seriously, the place is the bomb.

La Madia touts itself as “A Contemporary Pizzeria in Chicago” with wood-fired pizzas and other great Italian specialties. What I love about La Madia is that it has a great selection for us veggie folk. And I have narrowed the list down to my two favorite items that I get each time I enter the restaurant; the Arugula Salad and the Taleggio and 3-Hour Roasted Grape Pizza.

La Madia Arugula Salad

The Arugula Salad is described as; 3-Hour Roasted Grapes, Local Apple, Spicy Walnuts, Shaved Parmesan and Walnut Vinaigrette. All I can say is YUM! It is a very light salad, but with a lot of flavor and the apple and grapes really add a different twist on this salad. One of my favorite parts is actually the freshly saved parmesan that adds a unique bite and nuttiness to the salad. You really can’t go wrong with this choice.

La Madia 3-Hour Roasted Grape Pizza

The second absolute must-have is the Taleggio and 3-Hour Roasted Grape Pizza. Please do not leave without having this one! It is LaMadia’s amazing pizza crust (seriously, one of the best), Taleggio cheese (somewhat of a saltier cheese) and the 3-hour roasted grapes (the roasting process gives the grapes a great sweetness and juiciness). That’s it. It’s sounds a little simple and maybe a little weird, but there is something about this pizza that is so amazing that I find myself craving it often. It really epitomizes sweet and salty all in one.

Honestly, I have tried most vegetarian items on La Madia’s menu and always have enjoyed them, but these two favorites are my standard order now. I don’t even bother looking at the menu!

So, if you and I are ever going to dinner you can bet we will be ordering at least these two dishes. You have been warned:)