La Scarola

09/02/08

Great Italian dining

by chicago14 at Citysearch

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

08/29/08

A absolute must

by LillyLaine at Citysearch

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

07/07/08

Mangiare

by HeyNowLDT at Citysearch

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.

02/19/07

Outstanding authentic Italian menu, Great wine menu

by casaccav at Citysearch

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

11/20/06

Hands down best Italian in the City

by 230faw233l at Citysearch

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.

07/27/06

Seriously - Why bother with anything else

by ramlukan at Citysearch

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

07/17/06

THE BEST ITALIAN IN THE CITY. MAYBE THE BEST PLACE TO EAT IN THE CITY!

by johnnyfalvi at Citysearch

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

07/15/05

Al Dente!

by huskyduck at Citysearch

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

05/16/05

Yum Yum Yum

by jenn5179 at Citysearch

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

Craving Mom's Italian cooking? Second best just might be this River West storefront.

by Elisa Kronish at 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.

• Pros: great Italianreasonable prices