monteverde.

memorial day bbq? no, thanks. instead, let's talk italian food ... some of the best italian food i've had in a while, tbh.

monteverde is awesome. here are the reasons why :
   1. it is helmed by sarah grueneberg of spiaggia & top chef fame.
   2. super accommodating to me (le vegan) & my pal (gluten-free).
   3. the food is incredible.

before we get into the eats ... here's a bit more about monteverde : "cooking with a traditional heart & a modern hand, monteverde offers food that is soulful, surprising & filled with storytelling." see? you can already tell it's good.

here's what i had ...

oma's green mountain salad :

little gem lettuce, avocado & crunchy vegetables. 

vegetables crunchy as advertised. entire salad delicious as expected.

artichoke & truffle polenta :

this was originally a crostini, but it wasn't vegan or g-f, so they made us a special version. i could eat crispy polenta all day, erryday. so this was a match made in heaven. 

gnocchetti sardi :

fresh grated tomato, oven-dried cherry tomatoes & basil.

UGH.SOOO.GOOD. i inhaled this bowl of pasta. (which was actually more food than it looks like in the photo. i blame the bowl.) it was just the kind of pasta / italian that i love ... simple ingredients & full of flavor.

asparagus :

i'll never say no to a side of asparagus. exhibit a. two thumbs up.

the problem with being a foodie & having a food-centric blog is that i often only go to a restaurant once or twice, even if i want to go there more ... gotta get around, ya know? but with monteverde, i want to go back again. and again. and again. and again. and this time, i'm certain i will. it's great for a girls night out, a date night ... or whatever.

i think i just read they do a kid's menu, too. so once the chi city vegan baby is putting more into his mouth than he is throwing on the floor, i plan to bring him back, too! can't wait!

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monteverde
1020 w. madison st.
chicago, il 60607