LIA Tavern Review

Yenna Chong

Despite Chicago being known for its deep-dish pizza, there are many restaurants featuring different types of pizza that similarly create a lasting impression. Last week, I had the opportunity to try LIA Tavern, a moody restaurant located in the heart of River North, with some friends. Our communal opinion was that it is the perfect place for a girls’ night out!

Of course, we had to begin with drinks. All five of us ordered different cocktails and tasted each one. We got Autumn Sweater, Earl Grey Cloud, Spicy Grinch, Vodka Vanilla, and Dirty Chai. My personal favorite was the Autumn Sweater, which, just as its name suggests, tasted like a crisp fall beverage. We opted for the sweeter drinks, but there was a variety of options to choose from!

To start, we ordered the Truffle Whipped Ricotta and the Crispy Brussels Sprouts. The ricotta was served with warm bread and a drizzle of honey. The dish had a perfectly delicate balance of honey, ricotta, and truffle. The honey provided just a touch of sweetness, and the ricotta was very smooth and creamy. And of course, a little truffle can never hurt! The Brussels sprouts were strikingly delicious. This cozy salad, served with squash purée, fresh greens, and goat cheese, was a flavor bomb that encompassed a variety of textures. It was well-seasoned, and the sweetness of the purée did not overpower the dish. I would say this dish is a “must order” if you like Brussels sprouts.

Next, we had to try LIA Tavern’s specialty: tavern-style pizza. We ordered the Chicagoan and the Funghi for the table. The pizzas had thin, flaky crusts, were served warm and soft, and were bursting with flavor. When they arrived at the table, we thought there would certainly be leftovers, but they were so good that we finished every slice. The Chicagoan pizza is topped with Italian sausage and spicy giardiniera. I love it when my pizzas have a bit of spice, so this was right up my alley. It was probably the spiciest pizza I’ve ever tasted, but it was tasty regardless.

The Funghi pizza was milder, served with mushrooms, ricotta, and truffle oil. Although you can never go wrong with truffle, I felt the flavor profile of this pizza was less unique than the Chicagoan. However, they were clearly both good enough to be wiped clean!

Though perhaps a basic choice, since nearly every restaurant in Chicago serves this dish, we had to get an order of the Spicy Vodka pasta. I thought it would taste like everywhere else, but I was truly taken aback by the texture of the noodles: so tender and thin while also being chewy. The spicy vodka sauce was perfectly seasoned, didn’t feel too heavy or overly creamy, and generously coated the pasta. I will say, though, that I could not detect any spiciness, but perhaps my taste buds were accustomed to the incredible spice of the Chicagoan pizza. One of my friends even claimed that this was the best vodka pasta she had tried in Chicago! So I would say it is certainly worth trying.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend LIA Tavern to anyone craving tavern-style pizza or looking for a vibey restaurant that’s great for both big group outings and date nights!