La Scarola
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Message from La Scarola

Craving Mom's Italian cooking? Second best just might be this River West storefront.
  • Authentic Italian Cuisine
  • Catering
  • Lunch and Dinner

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 and merchant content by Citysearch

Marker La Scarola

5 Star Rating - World class 16 reviews

(312) 957-4241

721 W Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60610
www.lascarola.com
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Editorial Description by Citysearch
In Short
With 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.
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Chicago, IL » Restaurants

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16 Reviews of La Scarola in Chicago

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italian  5 Star Rating - World class

By Olivia c. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 4,638

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 | Printable Version

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old-time feel  4 Star Rating - Very good

By linda B. | insider_guru Insider Guru | Rank: 934

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 | Printable Version

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One of the best in town  5 Star Rating - World class

By Barry S. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 5,800

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 | Printable Version

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Latest reviews by Citysearch: (read all 13 reviews on Citysearch)

Great Italian dining 5 Star Rating - World class

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 5 Star Rating - World class

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 5 Star Rating - World class

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 5 Star Rating - World class

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 5 Star Rating - World class

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

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