Deciding whether to stay in for dinner or go out to eat can be a nightly dilemma for many. Some people firmly believe in preparing home-cooked meals almost every night. Others rarely venture into the kitchen beyond reheating last night's takeout leftovers. Regardless of your cooking philosophy, one thing we can all agree on is that dining at a local Mediterranean restaurant in Loop, IL, is a fantastic way to treat yourself to a delightful meal and take a break from the cooking. Eating out gives you the chance to unwind and connect with friends over wonderful food, all without the hassle of cooking or dealing with the cleanup afterward.
And when it comes to eating at a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in The Prairie State, Nia Restaurant and Wine Bar is one of the most popular and fun dining experiences you can have.
In the past, finding a great Mediterranean restaurant and patio wine bar was like trying to find a needle in the biggest sports arena in Loop, IL. It seemed impossible. Nia Restaurant and Wine Bar broke that mold, and today, it stands tall as one of the most renowned locations in the world for authentic Mediterranean food and Roman-style pizza.
As soon as you walk through our doors, you'll be greeted by an atmosphere of unmatched warmth and hospitality. Our talented chef takes great care in crafting a delectable menu that reflects a true passion for Mediterranean cuisine. Whether you're in the mood for succulent Branzino or Roman style pizza in Loop, IL, our food will delight your palate. Nia truly shines as one of the top dining spots in the West Loop, beautifully blending the delicate flavors of seafood with the comforting appeal of pizza.
To enhance your experience, our knowledgeable sommeliers are ready to guide you through our extensive wine list, expertly pairing the finest Mediterranean dishes with the perfect glass of vino. Whether you're enjoying a crisp white with your seafood or a robust red alongside your pizza, our selection is sure to impress. Our steadfast commitment to excellence shines through in every sip, ensuring that each glass of wine elevates your meal to new heights.
If you're new to the Chicago area or you've never dined with us, you're probably wondering what makes Nia such a sought-after place to eat and imbibe. Simply put, we strive to create an unforgettable atmosphere, serve delectable food, and wow you with our 5-star service.
At Nia Restaurant and Wine Bar, impeccable service is at the heart of what we do. From the moment you sit down, our attentive staff is dedicated to meeting your every need, making us one of the top-rated restaurants in the West Loop. Whether it's recommending a dish, providing insightful explanations, or suggesting the ideal wine pairing, we strive to ensure that your dining experience is truly unforgettable.
The best way to celebrate special occasions is at our patio wine bar with friends and family. We pride ourselves on offering outstanding cuisine and an atmosphere that whisks you away to the Mediterranean. Our rich seafood dishes and mouthwatering pizzas provide a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.
Wondering what kind of events we host at Nia? From birthday parties to corporate team-building exercises and everything in between, our Mediterranean restaurant is perfect. Whether you're looking for a spot to eat after visiting the most popular monument in Loop, IL, or you want to treat your spouse to a special night out, we can help.
For private dining experiences, our team is dedicated to ensuring your gathering is exceptional, regardless of whether you're hosting an intimate group of ten or looking to impress a larger circle of friends and family.
Corporate team-building events can do wonders for office morale and productivity. Unfortunately, finding a venue for your corporate event can be challenging. Whether you want to host an intimate gathering for 10 in our main dining room or make a lasting impression on 80 seated guests at your next corporate event in Nia's private dining room, we have the perfect space for you.
Whether you're the beautiful bride or the stunning groom, you can rest easy knowing you've got a reliable, private, flexible space for your rehearsal dinners. While you're practicing your vows and going over your wedding day schedule, we'll prepare an unforgettable meal for you and your guests. That way, you can focus on prepping for your big day while we keep your belly full and your heart happy.
Planning your next big event and need a large space for celebrating? Host your private events at Nia Restaurant and Wine Bar, where we offer a remarkable selection of options for private dining and gatherings. Our intimate main dining room beautifully captures the essence of the sunny Mediterranean with its iridescent tiles, elegant stained-glass sconces, and textured walls. The rich burgundy curtains and upholstery, paired with warm wood tones, create a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere, making it the perfect setting for your private events.
Getting married is one of the most important and happy times in a person's life. If one of your friends or family members is getting hitched, why not celebrate with a bridal shower at our Mediterranean restaurant in Loop, IL? Our staff helps make your party easy and streamlined, so you can focus on having fun while we serve up tasty food and wine. Whether the wedding bells are ringing for you, a close friend, or a family member, one of the enjoyable events leading up to the wedding is definitely the bridal shower.
As the year begins to wind down, thousands of individuals and families flock to the Chicago area to celebrate the season with family and loved ones. Of all the ways to enjoy this time of year, holiday parties top the list. Organizing a holiday party that truly makes a lasting impression can feel overwhelming, but with Nia's outstanding private event services, you can create an unforgettable celebration effortlessly.
Located in the bustling West Loop, Nia Restaurant & Wine Bar has been a top choice for private dinner parties in Chicago since 2008, combining affordability with sophistication seamlessly. Whether you're looking for an intimate setting with private rooms for small gatherings or need budget-friendly dining options, Nia offers customized packages to suit every budget.
Our Mediterranean-style restaurant offers a variety of customized private event packages designed to suit the distinct needs of each client. Whether you're organizing an intimate gathering or a lavish celebration, we provide flexible options that accommodate different group sizes and budgets. We offer both large rooms for lavish parties and a selection of cozy, private rooms ideal for warm connections and memorable moments.
Like the most popular football team in Loop, IL, our private events team works together to customize every aspect of your event, from seating arrangements to special dietary requests. This hands-on approach ensures that your holiday party not only meets but surpasses expectations, reinforcing Nia's standing as one of the leading choices for affordable private dining in Chicago.
One of the best things about being an adult is having the financial freedom to go out to eat occasionally. Of course, you've got to keep your budget and priorities in mind, but everyone needs to let loose now and then. Here are some of the top reasons why you should shut off your oven and hop in the car for a night out at Nia.
Once you've been to a real-deal Mediterranean restaurant in Loop, IL, it's only a matter of time before you go back. The food, wine, and flavors are just too delicious to ignore. Life is too short to spend another evening trying to make do with a makeshift recipe or whatever leftover ingredients you have lying around. The food in your pantry will still be there tomorrow, so why not seize the opportunity tonight to step out and truly satisfy your hunger? How much longer can you resist the allure of fresh, local ingredients transformed into your favorite dishes?
Dining out presents a wonderful chance to engage socially beyond the confines of home and work. This kind of leisure time is vital for nurturing a healthy lifestyle and supporting your mental well-being. It's refreshing to chat, share a laugh, and enjoy the company of others, allowing you to momentarily set aside your worries. Whether you choose to head out solo and meet someone at a wine bar or invite along your favorite person, living socially is a key ingredient in the recipe of life.
Supporting local businesses like Nia Restaurant and Wine Bar is a fantastic reason to dine out more often. When you choose to eat at a nearby restaurant, you're not just enjoying a meal; you're also helping to sustain the livelihood of everyone involved, from the owners to the servers to the sommeliers and everyone in between. Your patronage contributes to the growth and vitality of your community, making a positive impact on the local economy.
After a long day of hard work, you deserve a well-earned break. Why add to your stress by messing up your kitchen with dinner preparations? Even if you love to cook, everyone needs a chance to relax and let someone else take care of the meal occasionally. It's important to carve out time for yourself. What could be more enjoyable than savoring a delicious dish crafted by an executive chef like Daniel Echevarria? Allow someone to wait on you for a change; you've certainly earned it.
Exploring new experiences, flavors, and cultures is one of the best parts of living life. For those who find it hard to avoid a strict menu, hopping on the busiest highway in Loop, IL and dining out is a wonderful chance to try something different. Over time, restaurant cuisine has evolved to include innovative and distinct dishes that you might not whip up in your own kitchen. With delectable Roman-style pizza and incredible Mediterranean cuisine, Nia fits that bill to a T. So, don't hesitate to head out this evening and sample something entirely new; you just might be pleasantly surprised!
Our innovative chef and attentive servers are committed to bringing you the freshest ingredients, all skillfully prepared with love. Whether you're enjoying a romantic dinner, having a fun evening out with friends or family, or treating yourself to a solo date night at Nia, we can't wait to welcome you. Join us for a wonderful evening filled with exceptional food and delightful company. Don't forget to check out our Mediterranean dinner menu and reserve your table today!
Stepping into a wine bar can feel a bit like embarking on a treasure hunt. Sometimes, you might be caught off guard by a bad selection, a misguided theme, or, even worse, uninspiring wine. Add to that the fact that wine bars come in all shapes and sizes these days, from dim, abandoned spaces to bustling venues, and it makes wine bar hunting even more fun. Yet, when you stumble upon a gem like Nia-one that exceeds expectations and shines on multiple levels-it truly transforms your sipping and dining experience.
Here are some of the top qualities of an exceptional wine bar.
While it may seem obvious that a great wine list should be a standard feature, you'd be surprised by how many wine bars stumble on this essential element. A top-notch wine list is as carefully curated as an exhibit at the most popular museum in Loop, IL, state - meticulously chosen and always diverse. It should allow you to explore wines from across the globe, showcase a variety of vintages, and include both well-known labels and hidden gems from afar.
A wine bar should have a captivating concept that draws people in. It's important to offer enough variety, including seasonal menu updates and special promotions. Whether it's the cozy atmosphere, the overall vibe, or the delicious food and wine pairings, all elements must work harmoniously together to create a memorable experience. At Nia Restaurant and Wine Bar, we're always rotating our wines and looking for the newest and most popular choices.
A well-trained staff is essential for a quality wine bar. They should possess a solid understanding of the wines they serve and beyond. Familiarity with the regions and other similar wines is key. They don't need to be certified sommeliers, but they must be knowledgeable about the menus and wine lists. There's nothing more frustrating than inquiring about a restaurant's wine selection and being met with a vague response like, "We have white and red." Or worse, asking about different varietals and receiving a confused look in return.
Here's an instance where size really does matter. Every wine has its own distinct flavor profile that you can experience at different points on your tongue and throat. As a result, the shape of a wine glass influences how each sip of wine interacts with your taste buds.
To create an inviting atmosphere in a patio wine bar, the lighting should be understated yet bright enough for patrons to appreciate the colors of each wine. The music needs to be at a volume that's enjoyable and can be heard over chatter but never loud enough to drown out the sounds of glasses clinking in celebration. The overall vibe should make everyone feel relaxed, welcome, and comfortable to minimize any feelings of tension or discomfort.
Discover why Nia Restaurant and Wine Bar stands out as one of Chicago's premier dining destinations and a favorite for unforgettable meals. Make a reservation today and embark on a delightful culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and create cherished memories. Whether you're a seafood enthusiast, crave Roman style pizza in Loop, IL, or love wine, Nia Restaurant and Wine Bar promises an exceptional dining experience. Don't forget to take advantage of our enticing happy hour specials in the West Loop, adding an extra touch of enjoyment to your outing at one of downtown Chicago's best restaurants.
The chef talks about his approach to the Roman cuisine at the new restaurant.One of my favorite restaurant genres is the travel-inspired restaurant; a chef goes abroad, sometimes for a vacation, sometimes for much longer, and comes back so inspired by the cuisine that they decide to dig deep and learn it. Us mere civilians might buy a cookbook or two after our travels; chef Joe Flamm decided to open an entire restaurant, il Carciofo, based on the Roman cuisine that he fell in love with.Back in 2017, Flamm worked at several rest...
The chef talks about his approach to the Roman cuisine at the new restaurant.
One of my favorite restaurant genres is the travel-inspired restaurant; a chef goes abroad, sometimes for a vacation, sometimes for much longer, and comes back so inspired by the cuisine that they decide to dig deep and learn it. Us mere civilians might buy a cookbook or two after our travels; chef Joe Flamm decided to open an entire restaurant, il Carciofo, based on the Roman cuisine that he fell in love with.
Back in 2017, Flamm worked at several restaurants in Rome, and the cuisine got under his skin. But, for whatever reason, it never quite felt like the right time to open an homage to Italy, and in the meantime, he opened the acclaimed Rose Mary and took the reins at BLVD. The space for il Carciofo, in a new building on Fulton and Aberdeen, inspired him to give it a go. “It reminded me of places in Rome on the piazzas,” explains Flamm. “For me, it was an itch I had to scratch, something I knew I wanted and couldn’t find in the city.”
Flamm’s goal with il Carciofo is to introduce Chicagoans to real Roman flavors, not to create a personal version of the classics. “Americans love riffing things — taking them home and reinventing them,” Flamm laughs. “We want to focus on the products and the techniques and do them in the best way that we can, and try to create something that feels really true to form.” Think of classic Roman pastas like cacio e pepe or aglio e olio without a lot of extra fluff but done just as well as possible.
The name, il Carciofo, means “the Artichoke,” and is inspired by Flamm’s visits to Roman markets. When he arrived in the city, it was springtime and he went to the famous Campo de’ Fiori and artichokes were everywhere. “It’s a dish that is synonymous with Rome and Roman cuisine,” Flamm explains. So of course they will be on the menu, and Flamm is importing artichokes straight from Rome, frying them slowly, and tossing them with pecorino romano cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. A Roman restaurant has to have pizza, of course, and Flamm is particularly excited about making pizza al taglio, the Roman-style of rectangular pizza with a light crust.
Beverages are under the watchful eye of veteran bar manager Kyle Davidson, who in addition to an all-Italian wine list (with a focus on, surprise, the area around Rome), has created a cocktail menu designed to take guests through a meal. With an extensive selection of drinks designed as aperitifs and digestifs, you can stick to liquor without burning out your palate.
Flamm has watched the West Loop change over the last decade, and his idea of the perfect restaurant for the area has changed with it. “I was part of the opening team at Girl and Goat, and people couldn’t believe we were opening there,” Flamm remembers. Now, the neighborhood has become much more residential, and at Rose Mary, Flamm sees a ton of families dining out every night. “I never in a million years when I was at BellyQ would have thought you’d see that many kids out in the West Loop at 5.” That informs the style of il Carciofo; not that it’s particularly kid-focused, but that it is aiming to be a more casual dining experience. He says, “You can come sit at the bar and have an appetizer and a glass of wine and be out the door, or you could come do it up, sit at a table and order big Italian wines.”
Reservations for the new restaurant are live now and opening day is December 12. Things are booking up pretty quickly, so snag your seats now if you want an early look.
Location: 211 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60604HistoryIn 1960, Congress authorized the U.S. General Services Administration to construct a new office complex in Chicago’s Loop District. The Federal Center consolidated over thirty agencies formerly scattered throughout the city in substandard leased space. Four Chicago architectural firms joined forces for the commission. The world-renowned architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) serve...
Location: 211 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60604
In 1960, Congress authorized the U.S. General Services Administration to construct a new office complex in Chicago’s Loop District. The Federal Center consolidated over thirty agencies formerly scattered throughout the city in substandard leased space. Four Chicago architectural firms joined forces for the commission. The world-renowned architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) served as the chief designer with Schmidt, Garden and Erikson; C. F. Murphy Associates; and A. Epstein and Sons all working on the project.
German-born Mies was a pioneer of Modern architecture and the last director of the influential Bauhaus school, which operated in Germany from 1919 to 1933. He utilized new materials and technology, most notably industrial steel and plate glass to create austere yet elegant buildings. Calling his buildings “skin and bones architecture,” he was well-known for his maxims, “less is more” and “God is in the details.”
The original plan for the Chicago Federal Center called for two towers. The first was to house federal agencies including the U.S. Department of the Treasury and U.S. Department of Defense. The second was for the courts, U.S. Department of Justice, and U.S. Postal Service. However, vehicular access for the post office required a street-level loading dock that would have intruded on the openness of the plaza between the two buildings. Upon further study, Mies designed a separate post office building with its own, below-grade vehicular access.
The site for the new Federal Center included the block occupied by the Beaux-Arts style U.S. Post Office and Courthouse (1898-1905) designed by Henry Ives Cobb, which replaced an 1879 government building in the same location. It was in Cobb’s domed building where Al Capone was tried for tax evasion in 1917.
Tenants occupied the new U.S. Courthouse, the first of the complex’s three buildings to be completed, in 1964. The government began demolition of the old post office in 1965 to clear the site for the two remaining buildings. The Loop Station Post Office and new Federal Building were completed in 1973 and 1974 respectively. The courthouse was renamed for Everett M. Dirksen to honor the longtime Illinois Senator after his death in 1969. The Federal Building was renamed in 1975 to honor John C. Kluczynski, U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1951 until his death in 1975.
The simple and well-proportioned steel-and-glass design of the Chicago Federal Center epitomizes the minimalist architectural approach favored by its architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Considered one of the greatest architects of the twentieth century, Mies is best known for such projects as the master plan and buildings at the Illinois Institute of Technology (1942-58), Farnsworth House in Plano, Illinois (1946-51), Lake Shore Drive Apartments in Chicago (1948-51), and Seagram Building in New York (1957-59). Works such as these helped bring the International Style, for which Mies was famous, to the forefront of American architecture. Highly geometric and devoid of extraneous ornament, Mies’s designs are elegant in their simplicity and illustrate his mastery of spatial composition.
The Federal Center extends over two blocks; a one-block site, bounded by Jackson, Clark, Adams, and Dearborn streets, contains the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building and U.S. Post Office Loop Station, while a parcel on an adjacent block to the east contains the Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. A glass-enclosed great hall, 100 feet wide and 25 feet high, spans the center of the courthouse, serving as a visual gateway through the complex. From State Street on the east, one can look west down Quincy Street, through the courthouse, across Dearborn Street to the central plaza and post office beyond.
The structural framing of the buildings is formed of high-tensile bolted steel and concrete. The exterior curtain walls are defined by projecting steel I-beam mullions covered with flat black graphite paint, characteristic of Mies’s designs. The balance of the curtain walls are of bronze-tinted glass panes, framed in shiny aluminum, and separated by steel spandrels, also covered with flat black graphite paint. This organization emphasizes the impressive height of the sleek towers. Franz Schulze, a scholar of Mies’s work, has praised “Mies’s uncompromising devotion to principle, together with his vaunted sensitivity to proportion and structural detail and the organizational scale, [that] combine to give the complex a monumental urban presence.” The entire complex is organized on a 28-foot grid pattern subdivided into six 4-foot, 8-inch modules. This pattern extends from the granite-paved plaza into the ground-floor lobbies of the two towers, where the floors and elevator lobby walls are also granite. The lines of the grid continue vertically up the buildings, integrating each component of the complex.
The 42-story, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building is the tallest of the three buildings. It has a total of 1.2 million gross square feet of space, and rises 562 feet above grade with three basements below grade. Both the Kluczynski and Dirksen buildings are elevated on open colonnades, called pilotis, at the plaza level.
To its northwest is the freestanding Loop Station post office, which is one story with two workroom levels below grade. Directly across the street from the Kluczynski building is the thirty-story Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. The courthouse contains 1.4 million gross square feet of space and is set at a right angle to the Federal Building high-rise across Dearborn Street. The Dirksen courthouse was designed with fifteen, two-story courtrooms located on the top ten stories of the building. Courtrooms were located away from the curtain walls to reduce audio and visual distractions. The simple but elegant book-matched black-walnut paneling and molded-plywood spectator benches are lit by ceiling fixtures covered with an aluminum grid. During the 1990s, additional courtrooms were created within the building in a style complimenting the original details; Mies’s initial design planned for future expansion of this nature.
In the early 1970s, the U.S. General Services Administration, under its Art in Architecture program, commissioned a steel sculpture for the plaza from the celebrated artist Alexander Calder. His creation, entitled Flamingo, was unveiled on October 25, 1974. The 53-foot-tall steel stabile, with its bright red color and graceful curves, provides a striking contrast to the dark, angular steel and glass curtain walls of the Federal Center buildings. In 1998, the stabile was conserved and lighting was added.
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