Had a family dinner here, and had been enjoying the lively crowd (albeit noisy), "at home" atmosphere, and good attention by our waiter. As mentioned, the bathrooms were dirty, cramped, and unkempt with a clear need for attention with negative comments from both the men and women in our party. The food portions were generous, and with each of the dishes presented well, albeit the Chop Gabe was too salty. In end, I would have left the restaurant with a very positive experience and highly recommended it. The issue which turned a good experience into a bad one was when I presented an American Express gift certificate (which was provided to me by my credit card company in electronic form), but where it can be used for both online and in-person transactions. To make the transaction easy, I printed to the certificate so all required information was readily available for our server. The owner came back and said he would not accept. This was a $500 plus meal, prior to the tip, and where I have a certificate to pay. Needless to say, I paid for it with another credit card, but this totally killed the vibe for me, and will probably make this last visit my last to the restaurant. read more

We were seated not long after our reservation. Food and service was great and atmosphere was cozy and felt very European. The pasta fagioli soup was really excellent, I could eat a quart of that! read more

Came with a girlfriend here last Saturday. Snagged an early Saturday evening reservation. The space was smaller than I anticipated but very lively. The staff, ambience, and decor made me feel comfortable and confident I was going to get a good meal. We started off with the shrimp appetizer and it was delicious! It was a very generous portion for just us two. For dinner I ordered the pasta Madeira and it was flavorful, hearty, just right. The portions again were generous so we had plenty leftovers. For drinks I had an Appletini. Can't wait to go back and try other dishes. read more

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No matter how many times I visit this place, I still am blown away by how amazing it is! The ambiance is very authentic Italian Chicago with pictures all over the walls, proper mood lighting, and all of the hustle and bustle of a thriving restaurant. The service was amazing as always! Very direct, very friendly, very Chicago. I've tried to order other things from the menu and every time, I do, I always regret not getting the meat lasagna. This time, I just ordered what I love. The MEAT LASAGNA! It is absolutely amazing. No matter how many times I have it, I always leave wanting to come back and have it again asap. This is THE Italian restaurant in Chicago. Make sure you call ahead and reserve a table. Otherwise you might miss out on an amazing experience. read more

La Scarola - Meat lasagna - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Not delicious at all. dont like any dishes I ORDERED today. grilled calamari is bitter. The pasta is large but not delicious

Cute cozy restaurant with very crowded seating. They have a lot of photos hanging on the wall. Service and food is quick. The portion verse the price is amazing in my opinion. Realistically, the pasta was delicious but it wasn't rememberable where I would think about it from time to time to come back often. Worth checking out for a cute date night with either friends or significant partner. Make sure to make reservations. read more

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It always goes well and is the very best place to go for dinner. We had the shrimp Armani, minestrone, pasta , chicken vesuvio, caprese salad and drinks. The atmosphere is the place to be, to be seen all hosted by our favorite guy, Armando, truly a treat! read more

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The egg plant parm is to die for you have to try it. I've gotten it as many restaurants since and there is no competition. I dream about it. You need a reservation and it's super loud in there. read more

We came here after our niece, who lives in Chicago, raved about this place. We came in on a Friday night, a bit early for our reservation, but we were sat right away. The vibe is like an old school New York Italian restaurant with lots of photos on the walls. We were greeted at the front door by a woman that I assumed was a manager or owner, she also thanked us for coming in when we left. Our server was just ok, I wish I knew her name, because there was a moment where she was quite rude to us. She was the only female server, among many men. She had a European accent, which I couldn't decipher. We had ordered our drinks and appetizers and were deciding on what to order for dinner. She told us to order because they're very busy and the kitchen would be backed up. Mind you, we were at a table in the side room and there were at least 4 empty tables around us, plus we passed several empty tables on the way to this dining room. Our table of 5, all looked at each other when she walked away, we couldn't believe how rude she was. We ordered 2 apps on the Specials list. One was escarole and sausage, the other was fried zucchini. They both were pretty good, the zucchini could have used some seasoning. Two of us ordered Pollo Ponzio, cheese ravioli, eggplant Parmigiano and gnocchi Tomasulo. The eggplant parm was decent, I wish there wasn't so much sauce on the eggplant, it made it very soggy. The waitress sais it came with a a side of pasta when we ordered, but we had to remind her of that when it didnt come to the table. I sort of wanted plain pasta, but it was covered in more sauce and the spaghetti seemed watery, too. Those that ordered the Pollo Ponzio, seemed to like it, I tried the chicken and artichoke and that had a nice flavor. I think the worst dish was the gnocchi Tomasulo, the gnocchi were way too big and undercooked with a tough yet pasty texture. We felt bad and didn't want to insult our niece, who really loves this restaurant. I wouldn't come back here again. After being rushed to order by the waitress and the average food, we can surely find better Italian food in Chicago. read more

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La Scarola is a fantastic Italian restaurant in River West. I just went there with a big group for my friend's birthday. We had such a great time and the food was SO good!! I got the Pasta Lorenzo. It was so flavorful!! It comes with a creamy chipotle sauce and sundried tomatoes. I really loved it. Also, I ended up taking some home and the leftovers kept super well! My friend sitting across from me got the Penne alla Vodka. It's sneaky since it's pasta, but on the entree menu. She's been the La Scarola a few times now and always gets that dish. It looked amazing! My friend to the left of me got the Gnocchi Tomasulo. She said it was great!! It definitely looks yummy. My friend diagonally across from me got the Rigatoni Mandera. She loved it!! My other three friends were too far down the table to get pictures of their food. They all gave high reviews of it though!! For wine we all split a few bottles of Pinot Grigio. You can never go wrong with that! Overall, I will definitely be going back to La Scarola in the near future. The food was great and the restaurant had such an intimate, yet fun vibe to it. Perfect for date night or dinner with friends! read more

La Scarola - Gnocchi Tomasulo & Rigatoni Mandera - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I absolutely love everything about La Scarola except the limitations with getting in. Simply put, reservations must be placed by phone during restaurant hours. Showing up without run is likely to result in an hour plus wait or being turned around. If you overcome this hurdle, you'll understand why it's a staple that keeps patrons returning whenever they can. I've never ordered an item that I didn't enjoy and I dream about their vodka sauce and grilled octopus. Add to that pricing is reasonable and they're usually a handful of featured items to keep things interesting. In terms of ambiance, the walls are filled with photos to celebrity and notable diners. Thank me later. read more

La Scarola - Specials - October 2023 - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Okay, you're going to wait. Even with a reservation. But let me tell you--this place is worth every minute. La Scarola isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience. The moment you walk in, you feel like you've stepped into someone's home--someone who just happens to serve exceptional Italian food. The first time I was here, the owner drew a picture of me on my table. I mean, come on, where else does that happen? The place is charming, the food is unreal, and the staff? They actually love their jobs. Waiters, bartenders, cooks--everyone's having fun, and you can feel it. What kind of magic voodoo is the owner working to make this all happen? I don't know, but I love it. If you're looking for incredible Italian food in a place that's got character, warmth, and a little bit of that old-school charm, this is it. La Scarola is the gold standard. read more

La Scarola - Stephen Montoya - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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There is no parking on-site, but you can easily find a spot using SpotHero--well worth it because this place is amazing! We made a reservation for a Saturday evening and were seated about 15 minutes after our scheduled time (definitely recommend making a reservation as it's always busy). The restaurant is lively and energetic, though quite loud and crowded. We started with bread, which was generously refilled, and had the octopus as our appetizer--hands down, the best octopus we've ever had! For our entrées, we enjoyed the Sea Bass and Pasta Mandera. The portions were generous, and I'd argue it's the best Italian food in Chicago. We'll definitely be back! read more

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I fet it was a bit overhyped for how busy it is to get a reservation. The dishes were good but didn't blow me away. read more

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One of my favorite Italian restaurants right in the heart of River West! Love the ambience with the old school Italian restaurant vibe of framed pictures all over the walls. Look around and you'll most likely find some celebrities you recognize! The Penne Alla Vodka is to die for. That first bite is incredible - extremely creamy with the right amount of sauce absorbed by the pasta. generally piping hot and we'll be sure to be back. If you're coming on a weekend evening, you'll 100% end up waiting over an hour, reservation or not. Will be frequenting this place for years to come. read more

La Scarola - Penne alla Vodka and Chicken Parm - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The portions are huge and they have such an authentic, family style Italian vibe! Will be back! read more

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Don't skip on La Scarola! I was visiting my cousin in Chicago and this is her favorite Italian place she likes to take guests to. We came here for an early dinner and it was already busy, luckily we had reservations. Walking in we were greeted by the staff. There's tons of pictures all on the walls which gave homey cozy vibe. The Italian food here is wonderful! We ordered the escarole and beans and mussels to share. Both dishes were delicious, very light and love the garlic flavor. For the entree, I ordered one of the specials, pasta amore which had shrimp, scallop, zucchini in a garlic creamy sauce. This dish was so tasty! Full of flavor and good amount of seafood. The pasta was cooked al dente which is to my liking. Others in my party order the eggplant Parmesan and the Chilean sea bass. I sampled a little bit of those dishes and it was pretty good. The eggplant was tasty and not too heavy. Also sea bass was very tender and pretty flavorful. Overall, we had a lovely meal and great experience. Next time I am visiting Chicago, I will be stopping by here again! read more

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If you want a classic old school Italian restaurant this is your place. From the friendly waitstaff to the authentic dishes this is a must visit. It is small inside so recommend going with a smaller group but the pasta is to die for! read more

My party arrived 10 minutes before our rez (one persona on the way) we are seated approximately 5 minutes before our rez which was nice. Our third person was made to wait outside by the Maitre'd until we called her in-ok small mistake. Dinner was solid but as soon as we are done (basically one hour since we were seated) we were asked to leave as they needed the table. There was no one waiting...Never had that happen before ANYWHERE VERY DISSAPPOINTED read more

10/10 vibes FEELS LIKE YOU'RE IN ITALY! The food is authentic and the wait is worth it. It's super lively and fun on a Friday/Saturday night and reminds me of a spot that would be in Trastevere neighborhood in Rome. BONUS POINTS if you let your server order for you - you won't be disappointed. read more

La Scarola - veal, seafood penne - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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In a city full of top restaurants and famous restaurateurs, La Scarola remains unique. The owner Armando runs this place with his heart and soul. Great food aside, he makes you feel special the moment you walk in. His team consists of professional servers who take their job seriously. The bartender remembers you and what you like. Most of them have been there for years/decades. A true Chicago classic should not be missed. read more

Delicious food, great ambiance and the hosts are so friendly. Definitely LOUD! Not a place for a quiet dinner for 2 but a fun place for a delicious Italian dinner. I always get a small plate of pasta with red sauce and their sauce is delicious all of the food that we had was great. We also enjoyed a delicious Barolo. We got a bottle of wine for less than $50. Great experience would definitely go back when we return to Chicago. read more

This place is a Chicago classic! One of my absolute favorite Italian joints in the city. It's cozy, homey, the kindest staff, and you feel welcome the moment you step foot inside. Food is next level: everything is fresh and made with love. Some of my favorites are the risotto, broccoli and goat cheese rigatoni, gnocchi and their bruschetta app. Right off the Grand el stop makes it easy to get to. If you haven't been yet I highly recommend you visit as soon as possible -- it's a gem! read more

Definitely need a reservation but you have to call & sometimes it's hard to get a hold of them. The food was incredible & definitely worth it. The portions are huge! It is so extremely hot inside though. read more

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Tonight we went out for sweetest day, which is a Midwest thing I never heard of until I moved here. It's Valentine's day for men I believe. And tonight my wife brought me to an authentic Italian restaurant. We started with their house salad. I tbought was really good, my wife didn't care for it as much. My margarita was weak. They also serve sourdough bread and butter as an appetizer, very good. The server Larenzo was excellent and attentive and funny. I had the white fish with sauteed tomatoes and spinach. My wife had penne chicken pasta with vodka sauce. It was delicious and plentiful. Neither one of us could finish our plates. I originally came for their veal but the portion was too much for me. The ambiance was nice, it almost felt like we were really in ! This will be our favorite Italian restaurant in the city! read more

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This is a fantastic, family, Italian restaurant what is just a great hidden gem. The service is great and the food is even better. A great menu of authentic dishes coupled with a pretty good wine list. The tiramisu was spectacular! The Chilean Sea Bass was cooked perfectly and full of rustic Italian flavors. It's loud, a little raucous, and a tight fit, it worth every moment. You feel like part of the family! Plan ahead, there's limited seating and only do reservations over the phone. Ciao! read more

The food was delicious. Service was excellent and friendly. The ambiance is good but a little crowded. Over all we had a great time. read more

La Scarola - My family - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Some of the best Italian in the city! Great service & amazing food. The menu is extensive & lots of great Italian choices!! read more

La Scarola - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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La Scarola has amazing food and the best tiramisu I've ever had. Unfortunately, calling to get a reservation is next to impossible because they do not answer the phone consistently. We eventually got a reservation and went to celebrate my birthday. We ordered a lot of food: one appetizer, one bottle of wine, 2 glasses of another wine, 5 entrees, and dessert. The food came out quickly. Once we finished our dessert, the wait staff cleared off our table quickly. My father paid the bill while my mother was finishing her glass of wine. Then, the waiter took my father's water glass from him and that was a mistake. My father called the waiter out and the waiter said that his boss told him to clean up our table. My dad said "Tell Armando to come to the table and tell me to leave instead." If La Scarola was in a hurry, they should have respectfully told us that we have the table for x amount of time. We were not overstaying our welcome. When you spend so much money on dinner, this is not the way to treat customers. They do not care. This was the second time I felt rushed at this place. Needless to say, we will not be going back. read more

The environment of the restaurant is very cool, we sat in the back. We made reservations so we were able to get in, we had 8 people. The food was great, we all ordered pasta and we all loved it. The portions are big so I would suggest sharing with another person. The staff are very nice and very attentive. I would say the only thing that did bother me was I felt that they were rushing us to finish our food or to order. read more

When other reviewers say this is the best restaurant in Chicago, they're not exaggerating! Excellent service, delicious food, and hearty portions in warm and welcoming and lively atmosphere. You will be greeted by the very friendly and caring owner and be seated with a basket of quality bread on the house (which feels like an increasingly rare treat these days). We ordered the chicken franchese (specials) and the linguine with clams in red sauce. Both were great and extremely flavorful. Both also came in generous portions. Great wine list to compliment the food. We also got dessert to go. Service read more

La Scarola - Sign outside the restaurant - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Celebrated my sister's 31st birthday here. She's lived in Chicago for 4 years now and has only been once, but she loves how personable and down to earth the owner is. He was just that when we met him, he took care of us like family and made sure everything tasted great. Food was absolutely phenomenal, I expected decent but WOW! The parmigiana mista was my favorite dish and the drinks were great as well. The place was absolutely packed and for good reason - everything was authentic! Can't wait to come back with more friends and family! read more

La Scarola - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Southern Italian spot that has great ambience, friendly service, and generous portions. Pasta dishes are enough for 2-3 servings. The menu is extensive with several daily specials. The waiter was great offering amazing recommendations. It can be difficult to get a reservation. We arrived before restaurant opening, so we were able to snag a great spot. The waiters were attentive - didn't rush you even though it's a popular spot. Definitely will come back again! read more

La Scarola - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wow has this place taken a downturn. It seems like the owners are just riding it out at this point. From the 1990s fluorescent lighting in the back room to the rancid olive oil on each table (we tried a few hoping to find a good one) to the waiter bringing the wrong dish and, tho appologetic, making no further effort, the the meh entrees ... don't need to go back. Too bad, as a nyc transplant, it was my most nyc go-to in Chicago. If you just wanna say you went there, then go. If you want good Italian and good ambience, take your pick of dozens of better options. read more

What a great place! Just go for the vibe and you'll want to come back. Have been trying to get in for a while (reservations are only by phone) but it was well worth the wait. Inside it's old-school Italian, crowded, vibrant, photos covering the walls. Our group all said the same thing before we even sat down, "I love this place!" Food was fantastic. The burrata was great and served with fresh tomatoes. Just wonderful. We all raved about our entrees: chicken vesuvio, pasta with sausage and red sauce, spicy shrimp, and the shrimp stuffed with crab. The staff was friendly and definitely know how to treat their guests. Can't say enough about the service. The only thing to note... it's probably not for everyone. They fit a lot of tables in their space and the volume is fairly loud. That said, we had no problem with conversation, just had to use our outside voices :) If you're ok with that, definitely plan a meal there. We will be back for sure! read more

I think I just lived my own Soprano's episode. The wait staff are direct from Italy, the owner came over to tell us all how beautiful we are and there now at be a little old grandma in the back making food that seriously had to be the best pasta I have had in a very long time! I would suggest getting there right when they open because the place is tiny and the line outside grows LONG! We got there right at open g and had no trouble getting a table. When we finished, there had to be at least 10 parties waiting outside. So go early. read more

Rig was gas , chicken parm was good alittle sloppy . Got a shrimp dish , sauce was not cooked enough on that . Atmosphere was awesome tho

Holy cow, best Italian food in Chicago! The service was wonderful, the portions were unreal and the overall ambiance was exactly what we were looking for on our Anniversary! Can't wait to go back. read more

La Scarola - Happy Anniversary!!! - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

FOOD: (4/5) - Grilled octopus: good, cooked well, served over a balsamic sauce which added a unique taste I haven't had before with octopus (I personally might ask for it to not have that dressing if I were to order it again) - Gnocchi: really good, it was very fluffy compared to store bought gnocchi and it tasted like it was just made fresh - Vitello Bertucci: good, the breading was a little thicker than I prefer, but my boyfriend liked it - Veal Mondelli: good, it had a unique sauce that tasted like a combination of different sauces I have had. Can't say I have ever had one that tasted like it and it was very intriguing SERVICE: (5/5) - Our waitress was knowledgeable and able to answer all of our questions. - My water never ran out, someone was coming around refilling them. - They have the things to check you out right at your table, which I think speeds up the process because sometimes it feels like you are waiting forever to get your card back when they have to take it to a register. - They box your leftovers for you and put them in reusable containers that you can throw right in the microwave. AMBIANCE: (3/5) - The back is a nice little Italian feel with the walls painted. - It has a lot of pictures of celebrities that have visited hung on the walls. - It's a little loud and you definitely hear other people's conversations. It's like that in most Italian restaurants that stuff as many tables throughout and don't have booths or anything to try to provide a more intimate experience. read more

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This was some of the best pasta ever!!!! The dishes are quite big, and I am stuffed! The people were so nice and understanding. The owner was such a nice person, and he was very kind to us. The space was comfy, and I would definitely come back again. Ps. The tabes have paper on it, so you can color as much as you please!! read more

La Scarola - Pasta - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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