Message from La Scarola
Our restaurant is open for business 7 days a week for dinner, weekdays for lunch, and has been around since 2000. Our friendly valet service will ensure that parking during dinner hours is never a problem when you visit us. If you're thinking about having a party, think about letting us help with carry-out dishes for large or small gatherings. Give us a call for details. Thanks for stopping by and we hope to see you soon.
Editorial by Citysearch
In ShortWith unpretentious atmosphere and service, La Scarola is a local favorite for good Italian food at reasonable prices. Appetizers include bruschetta drenched in olive oil, spicy shrimp Armani, and asparagus salad with goat cheese and dressing. Favorites are pasta with meatballs, veggies or shrimp, and veal makes several menu appearances--served over risotto, with mushrooms and sherry, or with mushrooms and marsala. For dessert, try Italian ice or sweet cannoli with chocolate chips.
Key Points
- Authentic Italian Cuisine
- Catering
- Lunch and Dinner
The Inside Scoop
- Know Before You Go - You won't get in on a weekend night without a reservation, so call ahead.
Insider Pages Reviews for La Scarola
HORRIBLE!! My food was so overcooked that the shrimp were like rubber. Underneath the shrimp was literally a whole box of risotto. Food presentation was as glamourous as being in a rich food kitchen or where they call you to the table by yelling "SUEY!" My entree was $24 which seemed very high for pasta and five shrimp. Service was even worse! The server was unfriendly and rushed us through every course. I would not go back due to my experience.
Posted 10/11/09 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
The food here is amazing. I love it and i always come here with my friends and family. It is not expensive and you will not regret it. I recommend them to everyone.
Posted 04/11/09 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
I had a late lunch here so it was not very crowded, but as the other reviewer noted, it's a small restaurant so I can see it getting packed during dinner. My food was pretty good and they have lots of pictures of "old" Chicagoans, which adds to the experience.
Posted 04/12/08 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
If you love Italian food, then you should try to dine in this small but almost always crowded restaurant located just west of downtown Chicago. I never had anything bad in this restaurant, everything from the appetizer to the dessert are just perfect. The owner is not Italian, but Mexican, that's why the taste of the food is rather spicy compared to other Italian food, but still maintain it's authenticity. The place is always packed, you cannot come here in the weekend without reservation because it is impossible to get in. Very highly recommended.
Posted 08/22/06 | Report Abuse
Was this review helpful to you?
Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Great Italian dining
by chicago14
This is a great place for great pasta. The calamari is amazing and the pasta dishes are equally as amazing. This place is packed almost all the time. Bring your patience and enjoy a glass of wine outside while you wait for your table - its worth every second you are waiting to enjoy the food, drink and cozy atmosphere.
Pros: Great Food, Great Drink and Great cozy atmosphere
Cons: Busy busy busy
Posted 09/01/08
A absolute must
by LillyLaine
This place is absolutely fabulous. Everything is extraordinary. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I moved out of the city and will miss this place. I come back everytime I come home to visit. I love it.
Pros: food, staff
Cons: decor is a little much
Posted 08/28/08
Mangiare
by HeyNowLDT
I think I could live off of the Pasta Fagioli and Chicken Vesuvio from La Scarola. They are two of the best versions of these two dishes that I've ever had. The grilled octopus and calamari are wonderful appetizers, as well. The host/owner is always walking around giving patrons a shot of tequila. I'm not sure how the tequila fits in at an Italian restaurant, but it's befitting of the good times had at La Scarola. Be sure to make reservations, or you'll be waiting for a table at nearby Emmit's, which isn't too bad of a punishment. The wines leave much to be desired, but an abundance of tequila will make you forget all about the lacking wines.
Posted 07/06/08
Outstanding authentic Italian menu, Great wine menu
by casaccav
Outstanding food, the shrimp Armani appetizer was outstanding. The food is reasonably priced, the wines by the glass are lacking, but the wines by the bottle are superb. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who thoroughly enjoys authentic Italian cuisine. Make a reservation, I was there at 6:00 for drinks and the place was packed, I didn?t leave until around 8:30 and people were still coming in the door.
Pros: Food, wines by the bottle, atmosphere
Cons: Wines by the glass
Posted 02/18/07
Hands down best Italian in the City
by 230faw233l
This place is great!! Sometimes even if you have a reservation you have to wait but it is well worth it. Everything on the menu is delicious and they give you alot of it.
Posted 11/19/06
Seriously - Why bother with anything else
by ramlukan
I've gone to La Scarola a few times over the last few years and this place is dynamite. I still remember the first dish I ate there 6 years ago. It's that good. Not a single dish is just ok or normal. Every dish has a personal feel to it and the opposite of generic. Make sure you try the Shrimp with Mash appetizer!!
Pros: Easy parking, value for money, amazingingly tasty food
Cons: I'd be lying
Posted 07/26/06
THE BEST ITALIAN IN THE CITY. MAYBE THE BEST PLACE TO EAT IN THE CITY!
by johnnyfalvi
WHAT CAN ANYONE SAY ABOUT ARMANDO AND JOEY'S PLACE EXCEPT, WITHOUT A DOUBT A GREAT PLACE TO EAT. FROM THE PASTA FAGIOLA TO THE SHRIMP ARMANI, ITS ALL GOOD.
ENJOY THE FOOD, THE PEOPLE WATCHING, THE AMBIANCE AND WHILE YOU WAIT YOU CAN LOOK AT ALL THE PICTURES OF THE VISITING(AND REGULAR CUSTOMERS) LOCAL AND NATIONAL CELEBRITIES WHO ADORN THE WALLS.
Pros: HIGH QUALITY FOOD. GREAT ATMOSPHERE...
Cons: NONE
Posted 07/16/06
Al Dente!
by huskyduck
Great little joint serving up big time Italian cuisine. Veal dishes are superb and come with a side of pasta. Lasagna is like what grandma used to make. Portions are substantial and prices reasonable, which makes for a crowded but fun little place to dine.
The wine list can use some help, but was really the only noticeable flaw on a most recent visit. Pictures of the famous line the walls here, a great conversation starter for those on dates. If you in the mood for quiet dining, this place is not it, however.
Pros: authentic recipes, fresh ingredients, fun ambience
Cons: no parking, crowded, loud
Posted 07/14/05
Yum Yum Yum
by jenn5179
We just celebrated my birthday here and it was just delicious! The grilled calamari was delicious as was the eggplant parmigiana and the chicken/veal limone combo my boyfriend had.
Aside from the noisy table next to the kitchen, our experience was fantastic and we will definitely be back!
Pros: Menu Selection, Valet, Price
Posted 05/15/05
Perfect Food
by peterambriz
Took a large group during the holidays, they enjoyed every dish and so did I. Good wine list to compliment your food.
Forget the celeb's, need more photos of people who make the place what it is...Fantastic!
Pros: Valet Parking, Small outside, Big inside
Posted 02/07/04
Wonderful experience
by the_panda
What a hidden gem (probably not for long) we found in La Scarola. The food was excellent, the service was friendly, prompt and courteous and the atmosphere was extremely comfortable. We felt like welcome guests in a good friends home. Friends that really knew how to cook! We plan on returning again and again.
Posted 10/01/02
didn't meet the mark
by destinystreet
Visited La Scarola for lunch and it was a disaster. Long wait for menus. Waiter brings wrong soup, then luke warm soup. Shortly after soup was brought back after being heated, our entrees arrived so they could get cold. Ended up paying for soup only and left. Manager did give me his card and ensured next visit he would take care of us. Too late - will not return again.
Posted 07/21/02
Hidden Surprise!
by green_fairy
Wow, what a fabulous restaurant! The ambience was amazing, and the food was delicious. The Chicken Angelo was wonderful, as was the Bruschetta and the Tiramisu. Very comfortable atmosphere.
Posted 06/19/02