Mangia at Medi

Originally known as Bice (Bee-chay), Medi is a wonderfully popular Italian restaurant just off Michigan Avenue in Chicago.  I had the pleasure of being asked there for dinner a little while ago, and I was thrilled.  I love Italian food (uhem, note the last name) and I love the really good, homecooked, lots of flavor but not necessarily all the fat, kind of Italian food.  Sure we can all go to The Olive Garden or Maggianos, but I love trying new restaurants, and I love when the new restaurants give old plates new spins.

Much like other upscale restaurants, the decor is stylish and welcoming, the wood a dark cherry and the lighting just dim enough to make you forget how much your eating while still allowing you to read the menu and see the person sitting across from you at the table.  The cool thing about this place, though, is it has a great (albeit Tiny!! make reservations) outdoor patio.  Our party took up the corner of the patio and had a beautiful view of the hundreds of people passing along Michigan avenue not more than two blocks away. 

The staff?  Extremely friendly.  The food?  To die for.  Unfortunately when we arrive (and started eating at 9pm) some of the specials were so good they were already sold out, so I had to opt for another fish dish as opposed to the tuna that had captivated my tastebuds initially.  I chose the salmon with asparagus and oh . . . my . . . god.  I literally took a bite and then had to stop myself from falling over in ecstacy.  I felt like the rat from Ratatouille when he tries that lightening-y cheese and mushroom combination.  Transported.  That's a good word for it.  Transported.  Aside from my dish, I had the chance to sample the Risotto di fruti di mare (seafood risotto) which I also equally recommend.  We even had the ricotta cheesecake as a dessert, and I would eat that over a Cheesecake Factory cheesecake any day (and I LOVE the Cheesecake Factory).

Anyways.  It will set you back a pretty penny, but if you have the opportunity to go, for a special occasion or because you just, well, deserve a treat darn it! I say go!  Take a friend and enjoy a nice, two hour, well-deserved, home cooked, perfect meal.  And maybe even indulge in some dessert.  Mangia Mangia!!