The Tasting Room at Chicago Winery — Restaurant in Chicago

We were in Chicago for a few days and stumbled upon Liva while walking down the street. We stopped in for a cocktail and we loved it! The room was beautiful, the bar menu was excellent and the cocktails were out of this world. We liked it so much we did something we NEVER do when visiting a city - we went back again! On Friday evening we had the marinated olives (delicious) and the special of two potato croquettes - very nice. Excellent wine list and even better cocktails. We were speaking with the amazing bartender - Jason- who told us all about the place, and we were talking cocktails. My friend requested a dealer’s choice (bartender makes the drink) and Jason made a Grassy Fields cocktail. Oh, it was amazing. A complex combination of gin, chartreuse, mint, thyme and a few secret ingredients! We would have stayed longer if we didn’t have plans. On Saturday night we went back and the place was jammin! Did not matter that it was super busy and Jason was by himself managing the crowd, he remembered us, we had more wonderful cocktails and tried the burrata app (wonderful!) and the umami short rib (absolutely fantastic). Jason was able to provide us with some ideas and recommendations for our excursions despite the fact that it was busy. His recommendations were spot on! We really recommend this place and hope that you go one night when Jason is...

As a former restaurateur, it's hard for me to dine out and not pay attention to everything(a blessing and a curse). I was blown away by the attention to detail at Liva - from the ambiance, to the service, to the food and wine, I was truly impressed. What really separated this restaurant for me was the Chef's ability to curate a menu that can go toe to toe with any in the city, but allows the Winery's wine list to shine; It is clear he knows what he is doing. Dined with 5 other friends so we were able to try lots: highlights included a phenomenal build your own meat and cheese board(how many places are making house made Saba?!), Delicata squash, potato croquettes, Ricotta ravioli, Hamachi crudo, and grilled shrimp. I would love to purchase some of that house made giardiniera that accompanies the smoked fish dip. The Bistecca Fiorentina was perfectly cooked(took me right back to Trattoria Mario in Firenze) - the peppers, onions, and my favorite, Calabrian chilis were the perfect compliment. Can't wait to dine here again, and also to see what they have in...

Overpriced and mehh… I thought the concept was a really good idea and looks so nice from the outside but the ambiance is not what I imagined, the service is meh, music is really bad and food is terrible. If you just want to go here for the interior decor, then it’s ok go in take a tour and go out! I never write bad reviews but I feel so scammed after yesterday’s dinner. The waiter did say the plates were small so we should order 3-4 dishes, and we did but I feel like that is acceptable for a high price, when the food is absolutely delicious and high end chef stuff. These dishes were so average and the quality was like I made a quick pasta for kids at home… the cheese board was so tiny and not even gourmet, we ordered some heirloom carrots with labneh and they were just peeled carrots laid on the board and the pasta was so overpriced for a canned flavored red pasta. Please don’t waste your money here with some other amazing...