Debuting in spring 2025, Chef Justin Vaiciunas and Michael Mauro — the restaurateurs behind Canvas Hospitality, known for Detroit’s The Jackson — bring their latest venture: LIA, short for Life Imitates Art. Perched in the heart of Chicago’s River North, the establishment blends food and art in the 3,500 sq ft space located at 11 W. Illinois Street. Together, the two owners are crafting globally-inspired fare based on Chef Vaiciunas’ two decades at the helm of hospitality concepts and an experience where guests can immerse themselves in Chicago’s creative scene, surrounded by installations from local artists.
Chef Vaiciunas, a native of Detroit, graduated from the Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts Program and began his career in his home city, being named Best Chef from the Detroit Metro Times, Best Chef and Best New Restaurant from the Detroit Free Press, amongst others. All awards heralded his eye for presentation and flavor profiles, which he hopes to bring into his latest project, LIA. He has traveled the country opening hotels and restaurants from Miami, The Hamptons, Palm Beach, Dallas, and more, Chef Vaiciunas has developed an eye for hospitality and aims to deliver an artistic culinary point of view, which has become his signature across concepts.
Leading LIA’s beverage program is fellow owner and sommelier, Michael Mauro. He holds sommelier certificates from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Wine and Spirit Education, and the Sake Service Institute of Japan. Always seeking to expand his selections beyond the ordinary, he’s curating a selection of wines and spirits to complement Justin’s cooking. Mauro aims to be an accessible touchpoint to River North’s cocktail scene, serving up reasonably-priced craft cocktails that draw inspiration from artists.
LIA’s design plays a key role in the concept. Dreamt up by Detroit’s PopHouse Design Firm, every aspect of the space is intentional. Complete with a 62 x 7.5 foot canvas inspired by Jackson Pollock and executed by Chef Vaiciunas and Mauro, which decorates the back of the bar, the walls of LIA are laden with local art alongside references to figureheads of various art movements (think: Banksy and Picasso, amongst others). With a different dining set for every dish, tables at LIA are collaged with a smattering of colors and textures.
“I have always been an artist first, a chef second. To me, food is a form of self-expression, and I want to run a restaurant that reflects that,” says Chef Justin Vaiciunas. “Chicago has always been a haven for the arts, no matter the medium, food or otherwise. LIA is my love letter to those who have made it that way – it is an invitation to lose yourself in the art of the moment. I want to give people the space to celebrate good art, enjoy good food, and leave more inspired than they came in.”
Debuting in spring 2025, Chef Justin Vaiciunas and Michael Mauro — the restaurateurs behind Canvas Hospitality, known for Detroit’s The Jackson — bring their latest venture: LIA, short for Life Imitates Art. Perched in the heart of Chicago’s River North, the establishment blends food and art in the 3,500 sq ft space located at 11 W. Illinois Street. Together, the two owners are crafting globally-inspired fare based on Chef Vaiciunas’ two decades at the helm of hospitality concepts and an experience where guests can immerse themselves in Chicago’s creative scene, surrounded by installations from local artists.
Chef Vaiciunas, a native of Detroit, graduated from the Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts Program and began his career in his home city, being named Best Chef from the Detroit Metro Times, Best Chef and Best New Restaurant from the Detroit Free Press, amongst others. All awards heralded his eye for presentation and flavor profiles, which he hopes to bring into his latest project, LIA. He has traveled the country opening hotels and restaurants from Miami, The Hamptons, Palm Beach, Dallas, and more, Chef Vaiciunas has developed an eye for hospitality and aims to deliver an artistic culinary point of view, which has become his signature across concepts.
Leading LIA’s beverage program is fellow owner and sommelier, Michael Mauro. He holds sommelier certificates from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Wine and Spirit Education, and the Sake Service Institute of Japan. Always seeking to expand his selections beyond the ordinary, he’s curating a selection of wines and spirits to complement Justin’s cooking. Mauro aims to be an accessible touchpoint to River North’s cocktail scene, serving up reasonably-priced craft cocktails that draw inspiration from artists.
LIA’s design plays a key role in the concept. Dreamt up by Detroit’s PopHouse Design Firm, every aspect of the space is intentional. Complete with a 62 x 7.5 foot canvas inspired by Jackson Pollock and executed by Chef Vaiciunas and Mauro, which decorates the back of the bar, the walls of LIA are laden with local art alongside references to figureheads of various art movements (think: Banksy and Picasso, amongst others). With a different dining set for every dish, tables at LIA are collaged with a smattering of colors and textures.
“I have always been an artist first, a chef second. To me, food is a form of self-expression, and I want to run a restaurant that reflects that,” says Chef Justin Vaiciunas. “Chicago has always been a haven for the arts, no matter the medium, food or otherwise. LIA is my love letter to those who have made it that way – it is an invitation to lose yourself in the art of the moment. I want to give people the space to celebrate good art, enjoy good food, and leave more inspired than they came in.”
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