My coworkers and I had our team dinner at Medici this past week while we were in town for work, and it was amazing. Every dish was thoughtfully balanced and well seasoned. We ordered several appetizers and entrees to share, and not a single one disappointed. We were a little surprised by the fried chicken soup, with fried meaning country style in a pan rather than breaded, but it was still delicious. Even the drinks were strong and well balanced. Service was also lovely. They also have a really cool rooftop that we did not get a chance to check out, but we definitely will next time. We will absolutely be back the next time we are in town! read more

We went here for a team lunch and sat outside upstairs. They have a great lunch pick 2 menu for $12! We shared some appetizers and I ordered a half grilled cheese sandwich, fries, and half salad. It was a huge salad. We ordered sweet potatoes tots, brussel sprouts and the pretzels for apps. I even got the green river drink that's only offered here. It tastes like a light sprite. It was fun! The brussel sprouts were the favorite. The upstairs seating is so cute with flowers and a quiet atmosphere. It was a smidge humid today but I really enjoyed it. read more

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Stopped in for dinner while in town. Walked over so can't speak to parking availability. The place was crowded even though we arrived early. Sat at the bar. They have plenty of beer and cocktail options. Had some beers and salads which were good. The fried chicken dinner was very good. The steak sandwich was also very good. The place has an upstairs but it was closed due to a wedding event. Definitely a place I will check out again while in town. read more

I have eaten here many times. I have always found the wait staff to be very good here, at least in recent years. Food quality can be a bit more mixed but overall is always okay. I had the steak sandwich with sweet potato tots on a busy Friday evening and everything was handled well, the food arrived on time, and of expected quality. They have an excellent line of craft beers on tap, one of the best tap lines in the county, that are regularly turned over for freshness. It can be noisy place but not unbearably so. Overall ambience is good. A friendly, social kind of restaurant. My only complaint is the same complaint I have with many American restaurants - excessive 'checking to see if anyone wants anything' by the waitress, at our table. (I think she intruded on our conversation 3 or 4 times while we were dining, to 'see if we needed anything'.). read more

Medici has the range--burgers, pizzas, pastas, wraps. It feels like a more thoughtful, slightly upscale Applebee's in terms of variety. Food-wise, everything we tried was solid. Service, though, missed the mark at bit. Our waitress got part of the order wrong and didn't seem all that tuned in. Not a deal-breaker, but enough to notice. Still, the place has charm, and the interesting interior carried the experience. -AD read more

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We stopped here during a Midwest road trip where we were visiting some family in the area. They suggested it as a good place to have lunch and be able to chat. It was quite a delight! It's located near Illinois State University on what I assume is one of the main streets. There's not a ton of parking outside, so if you're lucky enough to find street parking, definitely take it. It's a busy weekend, I would definitely plan on walking. It's a pretty straightforward menu with standard classics... Think cheesecake factory minus the cheesecake. We had a number of different burgers, Pizzas, ravioli, and sandwiches. The burgers were solid, the beef brisket. Sandwich was good, though just a little on the chewy side, and the pizzas were very nice. Definitely something for everybody, and the sort of ambience that makes it easy for everybody to, chat and move around a bit. There was a really cool tree in the main area of the restaurant which went up two or three stories. It's a focal piece and was super cool! This was a great local spot that's perfect as a spot to meet with friends, family or just to chill. read more

Medici - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Very, very normal stone (thin) pizza. No flavor. Basils look sad. For a Friday night on Homecoming weekend, the patrol size was small vs the Mexican restaurant across the street, and if you are wondering why, I have the answer. Overstaffed front and back. Most staff just gathered together and chichat since they had little to do. For a restaurant with good decor and featured on Resy, it was a disappointment. read more

Medici - Margherita Pizza with sour beer - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

My mother in law took me here for dinner and it was fantastic! We were sat next to the historical tree which was extraordinary and amazing to look at. We got the tator tots with different sauces. Just be aware the tots come out piping HOT! There were 3 different sauces: wasabi aioli, BBQ, and cilantro aioli. To be honest the aiolis did not have strong tastes to them, they were good but I wouldn't say they WOWed us. For an entree I had the steak and it was delicious with the teeny fries. Mmmm. I enjoyed sour beer and that was amazing too. The service was really good. Our waiter was tending to a large group next to us and made sure we were taken care of. read more

Medici - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Medici for dinner was wonderful in large part due to our server Martina B. On a business trip to State Farm dinner 2 nights in a row was excellent. Short ribs 1 night and swordfish the next were great. The atmosphere is lively, not loud, with an excellent ambience/ambiance. Being walking distance to many hotels, stores, shops and bars was a highlight. I'll walk from Amtrak to Medici on my next trip. read more

This place has fell off. From waitress not being attentive. Overpriced food and Manager Joe not listening but have a reason before hand. This place is not the same. Out dated menu and tasteless food. Wish I can give no stars read more

Medici - Fish taco with no fish - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Beautiful ambiance . The hosts were extremely kind. The food was tasty and spicier than I expected with respectable portions. And the total was not bad for the amount of food we ordered. read more

Love the pizza and the ambiance. Stopped in several times and love the variety and way the place is situated. Great customer service and manager was very friendly. read more

In town for a meeting and we wandered over from the 2 main hotels in the downtown area, next to the ISU campus. Very busy for a Wednesday night, a 45-minute wait would not have been out of the question had 2 seats at the bar not opened up as soon as we walked in. It's a unique restaurant with a huge Mulberry Tree, right smack dab in the middle of the dining area. Likewise, the furniture is all custom made from the owners farm up in Wisconsin. You'll need to read up on it's story in the menu! Specials abound for each night of the week, so I recommend starting there. The drinks are also rotating seasonally, with some interesting twists on classics and some improvised ones as well. The twist on an Old Fashioned, Nick's Bourbon Vacation is built on Bulleit Bourbon spiced with Angostura Bitters, Lemon Juice, a dash of simple syrup and lovingly adorned with a dolop of Blackberry Brandy and Blueberry apertif. For our meal we chose to share the Beer Can Chicken (how often do you see this on a menu?) that is 1/2 of a roasted chicken with a moderate glaze over a bed of homemade mashed potatoes and a plate of plentiful green beans. As an unique side, the fresh figs add a flavor burst that well accompanies the dish. Subbed in a side salad (the small was PLENTY big enough) for a few dollars more, otherwise you can enjoy what looked like some pretty tasty french fry straws. We really enjoyed the bar wait staff, the atmosphere of a college crowd (probably faculty and staff more than students) and the neat looking environment. read more

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Excellent in everyway, from taking my order, serving my food, to keeping my water glass filled, All was excellent.

Good food. Solid nicer than bar food restaurant. Had some items from the menu and some specials- both great. Cool tree as decor. read more

Medici was my absolute favorite restaurant--because of one dish: your beer can chicken. It was the best thing on your menu and the only thing I ever ordered. I always told people how amazing it was! I tried something else, and while it was good, it wasn't even close. My wife and I used to come here for date nights just for that dish, and now we'll have to find a new spot--which is really disappointing. Please consider bringing it back! I know I'm not the only one who misses it. read more

This is the 3rd time I've reviewed this restaurant. And I guess the third time is the charm as I am giving them a 5 star rating this time!! The food was excellent as was their excellent customer service. I ordered the sea scallops with risotto. 5 stars! The scallops were perfectly seared with a fork tender texture. And the risotto was creamy and flavorful. Hubby ordered the short ribs and brussel sprouts. Yum! Gotta admit I ate most of his brussel sprouts... I couldn't help myself. I asked for our server's name to include him in this review but waited too long to write the review. And now his name escapes me. He was a young African American gentleman with a unique name. He was very pleasant and served us with professionalism, promptness, and a smile. We visited on January 14th at approximately 4:30-5:30pm. We sat in a booth next to the windows facing the main college strip. Nevertheless, thank you, young sir! We will be back... Maybe tonight as we are on our way to visit our Redbird! read more

Medici - Short ribs with brussel sprouts. 5 stars. - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Food quality seems to have gone down a bit. But we basically stopped going to this place now they are closed on Sunday's. Sunday was our brunch day and Medici was such a good choice especially with its Bloody Mary bar. Sad. read more

The wait staff was amazing. The food was great, but it seemed to have an identity issue - or maybe not depending on who's asking. The beet salad was great, but I wish it was smaller - more like an app size and if you wanted it as an entree have the option to add some shrimp or something. We couldn't finish it and our entrees. We had beef stroganoff, the steak sandwich, and the lamb ragu. All were excellent, but not usually found on the same menu. The desserts were magnificent, as well. Definitely recommend - especially with great staff! read more

My sister went to school at ISU and she wanted to meet me here after she'd dropped off some artwork for an upcoming show. This had been one of her favorite restaurants while living here and she loved the little downtown area. I was feeling indulgent and ordered the short rib and it was extravagant. I loved every bite. She got some kind of chicken dish and it was equally delicious. The ambiance is really something as well. I really can't wait to come back for another visit. read more

Medici - Short Rib - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Ordered the "Short Ribs" but received "Roast Beef". When I mentioned this to the Waiter, he "gaslighted" me, saying the meal was exactly what was ordered. So I ate the meal and left no tip. Despite of all this, the meal was delicious. Won't return any time soon. read more

We had a table of 8. The service was amazing, Eric was friendly and just so polite. He complemented everyone on their choices and kept us up to date on when are food was arriving. I will come back when I'm in the area and hope Eric is our server. read more

Got to return when in town for work and this place is just so great! Tried a steak sandwich this time, loved it and such a good pretzel bun. Got truffle fries, delicious, and yummy cocktail. This is such a cool spot and service is always great. read more

Medici - Pretzel Steak and Cheese - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Great vibe. Lots of wood used throughout with a cool backstory about the owner and use of wood. Had the special chicken parm. It did not disappoint. was not the best I ever had as I like my tomatoes more broken down in the sauce. But over all. I would dine here again read more

Horrible dinner, horrible service. Fatty beef in beef stroganoff - nothing I could work through, I had to spit it in my cloth napkin in front of my dinner date. Brought to waiters attention, he didn't even offer a comp. I had to ask for one and then he only took off my happy hour wine - $4.75 off of a $5 drink - so not even the full drink. This place has never been good from day one - it's only ever been good for the ambiance, stocked alcohol and maybe the pizza if the oven happens to be the right temp. Don't know why I go back. Bad food, bad service, lots of management and employee turnover - food cooked and served by college kids - don't waste your money or time. 'The Rock' up the street is so much better and cheaper - a town staple. Would absolutely give 0 stars if I could. read more

Excellent service on a move in Saturday at Illinois State University. We were all hungry after our drive and move in. Appetizers were amazing. We had Thai chicken wraps and stuffed Jalepenos. We then had a variety of meals from shrimp po boy to brisket. We all loved our main meals. The dessert of citrus creme brulee and a chocolate mousse were devoured. The setting is serene and open. We wil be returning to taste more of the excellent entrees. read more

Went in on a Sunday and had a great time. It was pretty busy but they sat us right away, our waitress was super friendly and checked on us several times. We both got pasta dishes (the Mac and cheese and ravioli) and although they were very simple they Hit the spot. Would absolutely recommend read more

Food well flavored and hit the spot. Definitely would recommend for lunch. Good beer selection, and appreciate that they have 4oz servings if you just want a small glass or to try a couple. read more

Staff overall are nice, sometimes hit or miss. They are mostly college students. We have been coming here for a little while now and their new menu isn't as good as their old one. It seems cheaper. less care in their work. it has a nice vibe but at what cost. read more

We had Liz as our server with a big party. Great server! Quick service with team effort! Quite impressed with the food selection and super filling! Highly recommend the short ribs. Although I like my eggs Benedict or runny, my friend enjoyed them being over hard. Big portions but all of us cleaned our plates. Drink menu was stacked and they had $5 sangria special on Saturday red wine based not super sweet at all! The place was gorgeous too I'm downtown Bloomington Normal. read more

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Actually I'd give 3.5 stars, but I'll round up. The waitress seemed a little out of it or maybe just didn't know much. She didn't bring bread, we had to ask. The food was good. Everyone seemed to theirs. I had the spaghetti squash. When you serve spaghetti squash you need to make sure the sauce is really hot because the squash cools down quickly. Thus, my meal was a little cold. I didn't complain. The manager was going around, but never stopped at our table. Next time I'll get a sandwich read more

Medici - Spaghetti Squash Bolognese - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Went here with my fiance and her mother when in town on a day trip from Chicago. We were promptly seated in a nice window booth. Drinks I ordered a West coast style ipa (forget what it was). My fiance was stoked to see the dank meme ipa listed on the beer list so she tried that. Who ever curates the beer selection really knows what's up, because mother in law's drink (something fruity) was also really good, i remember it being sweet, tart and fruit-based guava??? None of us tried tasters of the beers/selzers before ordering a pint, we just went off the description on menu and were very happy with the selections. Appetizer We ordered brisket poppers. Those were great to look at and more fun to eat Entrees I ordered Italian butternut squash gnocci. The gnocci was clearly made in house and the cream sauce, garnishings and Italian sausage made it a satisfying and balanfed entree. I needed a cup of coffee afterwards lol My fiance ordered jambalaya. It wasn't too spicy and had a great flavor. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on jambalaya, but after I tried it I would have considered trading for my coveted dish. Fiance's mother ordered short ribs. The beef was perfectly cooked and the potatoes, asparagus made it look very tempting for me as I gazed at it from across the table. 5/5 We all left happy we decided to come uptown in Normal. read more

It's a great restaurant with a wonderful location and attentive staff. However, I ordered the stroganoff which boasted delicate fingers of beef tips and got chewy beef that stuck in my teeth and gristle. The flavor was good but the product was insulting. My companion who ordered the gnocchi was also not impressed. read more

We walked there last weekend from the Marriott which was really convenient! We had the brussel sprouts appetizer, shared the scallops entree & the ribeye entree. Brussel sprouts I loved, they had an Asian flare with peppers & sesame seeds. The risotto was our favorite. 10/10 I wish we had only ordered this for our entrees! The ribeye.. obviously not a lean cut of meat so that was expected. We asked it to be sliced in the back and our server said "he can ask if that's ok" in which they did. However the Gouda macaroni & cheese was AWFUL. There's no way they tried it before service to see if it was up to par because it literally had 0 flavor I was really surprised.. I asked if we could switch that for another starch & we asked for truffle fries instead which were tasty but truffle fries are so much better with an aioli & theirs doesn't have that. I'll be back whenever visiting family at ISU again for the scallops for sure! read more

Medici - Shared scallops & the ribeye with gouda Mac & cheese - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Food, service and ambience is wonderful. We had a great experience with our group of ladies. read more

Medici - Cool tree piece in the restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Wow. As we sit at the bar, just two of us. The washing of the glasses has become more important than serving the customers. We repeatedly pushed our empty glasses to the rail, and they were passed by at a minimum of six times before we were asked if we needed anything. If they were busy, I get it. Two people at the bar and nobody sitting at the 4 tops in the bar, well no excuses. Try another place. read more

Let me start with a quote from my wife regarding the Tomato and Herb Goat Cheese Crostini: "This is the best thing I've tasted all Summer!" The two of us spent the July 11th weekend in Normal. We were walking along North Street in what used to be referred to as downtown Normal. Inexplicably, it is now referred to as uptown. As we were walking, a building caught my wife's eye. It was an old, two-story building that has been renovated to include outdoor dining on the second floor. That setting was great, and the food was even better. We had a couple of drinks and the Tomato and Herb Goat Cheese Crostini. Service was excellent. The tables were spaced appropriately. All guests and employees wore masks, which enabled everyone to relax. I highly recommend The Medici Restaurant. I can't wait for my next visit! read more

Medici - The Tomato and Herb Crostini was excellent. The setting was top-notch. - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Had dinner with friends 10/31/24....the service was fine but the food was absolutely horrible....don't think we'll be back anymore.....how can you screw up a brisket sandwich?......terrible read more

Great food and outstanding service. The outdoor patio was perfect today. The unique dishes wanted me to come back yo taste them all.

This is the best restaurant in Normal from my experiences so far. They have a nice variety of dishes. I had the Brussels appetizer, and the black and blue burger, and the jambalaya. All of the food was excellent, the servers were great but I had one simple omission both nights, the cooks missed it the first night and got it the second night. The wine is not of the same caliber as Stave. I do wish they would consult with Stave on wines to stock. A perfect night in normal is two glasses at stave and dinner at Medici. read more

Medici - Okay this place is CUTE - Mediterranean Near Me - Normal, Illinois