Osteria La Madia

This was a nice sport in a convenient location. I awaited my friends at the bar where service was friendly. They have a weekly wine special, which I ordered and it was nice. They were honest about recommendations between menu items. We were then seated. I had a butter lettuce salad that was very good and I ordered a white pizza (shaved artichoke). Unfortunately they do not have chili oil, which I discovered in Italy and love on my pizza, but they were kind enough to bring out olive oil and crushed red pepper, which was thoughtful (usually restaurants just bring out the pepper without thinking to bring olive oil). Ambiance was nice and not too loud. We had difficulty getting a reservation on a Saturday night but were ankle to secure a Sunday night table.

Elegant pizza in River North Chicago is famous for pizza, so the competition is fierce. La Madia is one of the best, however. It's thin-crust, with fresh toppings, and a smoky brick oven taste. Their bar is crowded after work, probably due to the free pizza which is available before 7. A friend and I had the wild mushroom pizza with pecorino with a Vesevo, Sannio Falanghina 07 from Campania.

I have finally made it here. After three years of wanting to come, but always passing it up, I MADE IT! I love OpenTable for reservations. I dont know why, but I just love clicking a button online and poof, its done. The food was pretty good. Mozzarella brushetta and the spinach fondue was amazing! I loved the spinach fondue. OMG, the dipping sauce was amazing. I could have ate all of it and more. Plus, it was HUGE! TON O CARBS. Sorry Atkins...just cant do it! We also did the three cheese pizza, which I found to be ok. It really didnt have much flavor, but overall A-OK. The carbonara pizza, which again was good, but I was expecting more. The chicken ravioli was delish. I would definitely go back for some more homemade pasta and apps. The pizza just didnt live up to the hype for me. Our server was awesome though. Very personable and informative. Unpretentious.

I honestly cannot believe I didn't find out about La Madia until recently. They make some amazing Italian dishes without the flow of grease that you often get in Italian dishes at non-top-notch locales. Ambience: Classy but casual - you can sit at the pizza counter or the dining room. Service: Our server was so attentive until after he served our dishes. Then he kind of disappeared, and we had to wait and wait... and wait... and wait....... to get a box and the check. Food: What a lovely surprise of fresh and tasty Italian food! The pizzas are a must have, and you should definitely try one of their pastas!