Bar Italia Madison delivers a taste of La Dolce Vita! Later the other evening, my girlfriend and I decided to meet at Bar Italia, a lovely Italian restaurant located at 768 Madison Avenue at 66th Street in Manhattan. Since I had no idea what to expect, I entered to find that the food was outstanding, and I plan to return as soon as possible!

Meanwhile, here are some images of the restaurant outside and inside.

Outdoor seating. Photo by Sora Vernikoff

Extended outdoor seating. Photo by Sora Vernikoff

Indoor seating. Photo by Sora Vernikoff

Bar seating at Bar Italia Madison. Photo by Sora Vernikoff

Elegant dining at Bar Italia Madison. Photo by Sora Vernikoff

So what did I decide to order?

Chicken Paillard

After checking out the menu, I decided on the Grilled Chicken Paillard with Baby Arugula, Frisee, Tomatoes, Avocado, and Corn.

A sample menu. Photo by Sora Vernikoff

The Best

It was the best Grilled Chicken Paillard I have ever had. The chicken was tender and tasted divine. Then, the assorted vegetables gracing the chicken arrived in a magical olive oil-based dressing, making the legumes light and fresh, as if floating on air when savored.

Grilled Chicken Paillard. Photo by Sora Vernikoff

Evidently, I totally recommend Bar Italia Madison, since the food and the atmosphere inspired a divine La Dolce Vita vibe!

768 Madison Ave
New York NY 10065

Menu: baritaliamadison.com

A Personal Favorite Chicken Paillard Recipe

Chicken Paillard is typically a French dish that is incredibly easy to prepare. It’s a thin, pounded chicken breast that is quickly cooked over high heat, resulting in a tender, juicy and flavorful dish. 

Ingredients:

– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– Salt and pepper
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons butter- Lemon wedges for serving

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F)
2. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover them with cling film. Using a meat mallet (or rolling pin), pound the chicken until it’s about half an inch thick.
3. Season the chicken breasts liberally with salt and pepper on both sides
4. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.
5. Add the chicken breasts to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Transfer the chicken to a baking tray and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until fully cooked.
7. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Enjoy!

Readers may also enjoy our reviews of Barbetta on Restaurant Row, Bryant Park Grill, and Los Cobos Cantina.