La Cantina

There are no tricks at this restaurant, just perfectly honest to goodness Treats of authentic Italian food. The versatality of the menu allows you to celebrate any tastebud you might have.The service is impeccable and the Chef really knows his way around a kitchen. For over 75 years this has been a place to dine because of the family and staff who take genuine pride in creating a piece of Italy. A do not miss restaurant. Pros: Genuine food and service more

There are no tricks at this restaurant, just perfectly honest to goodness Treats of authentic Italian food. The versatality of the menu allows you to celebrate any tastebud you might have.The service is impeccable and the Chef really knows his way around a kitchen. For over 75 years this has been a place to dine because of the family and staff who take genuine pride in creating a piece of Italy. A do not miss restaurant. Pros: Genuine food and service more

In town this weekend for a wedding ...ate there cause the rehearsal group wanted to go. A very good all around experience. Food, service, ambiance. We made the right choice. Cons: Has everything! From food to parking more

In town this weekend for a wedding ...ate there cause the rehearsal group wanted to go. A very good all around experience. Food, service, ambiance. We made the right choice. Cons: Has everything! From food to parking more

My friends and I were in Chicago for the air and water show and needed a place to eat. Someone suggested the Italian Village by Millinium Park and the Art Institute. We were dirty, sweaty and tired but decided to make the walk because they said the food was great. more

My friends and I were in Chicago for the air and water show and needed a place to eat. Someone suggested the Italian Village by Millinium Park and the Art Institute. We were dirty, sweaty and tired but decided to make the walk because they said the food was great. We made it and it was a good decision. The hostess said we looked great. Ha, and sat us pretty quickly for the crowd that was there and the fact there was quite a few of us. Our waiter was very nice, knew his stuff and took his time with us even though you knew he was busy. We had the baked clams and the antipesto salad for the apetizer and then we all had a pasta dished of our own and then passed them around, each was better than the rest. We of course fit in desert, and decided to walk back we stuffed our faces so much. The decor was great. The place was very busy, all different ages, economic backgrounds, families, couples etc. We liked it very much. more

My friends and I came in without a reservation, a total of six, and the restaurant was busy. We were greeted like family and was told that we would only have to wait 25-30 minutes. Wow how about that !! Everyone at the front door, the bartenders, servers and special attention from the Captain was un-believable. It's no wonder this place has been aroun for 80 plus years. We ordered a nice bottle of wine and before you knew it we had a Captain tossing us a special salad and taking care of us along with Roberto our server. Food was tasty and plentiful. We had a very memorable experience and the hospitality from the begining we walked in to the many "thank you's" on the way out was something we have not experienced at other high end restaurants. Thank you to all !!! See you soon. Pros: Great service and prompt seating more

My friends and I came in without a reservation, a total of six, and the restaurant was busy. We were greeted like family and was told that we would only have to wait 25-30 minutes. Wow how about that !! Everyone at the front door, the bartenders, servers and special attention from the Captain was un-believable. It's no wonder this place has been aroun for 80 plus years. We ordered a nice bottle of wine and before you knew it we had a Captain tossing us a special salad and taking care of us along with Roberto our server. Food was tasty and plentiful. We had a very memorable experience and the hospitality from the begining we walked in to the many ""thank you's"" on the way out was something we have not experienced at other high end restaurants. Thank you to all !!! See you soon. Pros: Great service and prompt seating more

Our family came for the weekend recently..we were at Milliniuem park and then went over to the Village for dinner. I was a bit nervous because we did not have a reservation and there were 8 of us. I was pleased that the maiter'd Andre reconized me as I eat lunch there often, and he explained they were very busy, but if we could wait 15-20 minutes he would be honored to seat us...who can argue with that...we went to the bar, ordered drinks and is about 10 or so minutes the hostess seated us. The restaurant was very very busy, however the waiter explained all specials and promptly had our drinks -bread and had taken our appetizer order. We had to drive our waiter/server nuts...we ordered together seperate...this and that...he was quite the professional smiling all the way and bringing us our every desire. The food as always was on the mark! And each dessert better than the next. They win all the awards for wine so I'll just say they do deserve them...the choices are really amazing. Since we are regulars we will of course be there again! more

Our family came for the weekend recently..we were at Milliniuem park and then went over to the Village for dinner. I was a bit nervous because we did not have a reservation and there were 8 of us. I was pleased that the maiter'd Andre reconized me as I eat lunch there often, and he explained they were very busy, but if we could wait 15-20 minutes he would be honored to seat us...who can argue with that...we went to the bar, ordered drinks and is about 10 or so minutes the hostess seated us. The restaurant was very very busy, however the waiter explained all specials and promptly had our drinks -bread and had taken our appetizer order. We had to drive our waiter/server nuts...we ordered together seperate...this and that...he was quite the professional smiling all the way and bringing us our every desire. The food as always was on the mark! And each dessert better than the next. They win all the awards for wine so I'll just say they do deserve them...the choices are really amazing. Since we are regulars we will of course be there again! more

I was pleasantly suprised by the Italian Village as I have gone several years ago. The place was just as I had remembered it but better. The food, service and the charming Captain reminded me of my trips to Italy. The Chicken Vesuvio was recommended and excellent. I also tried the fried calamari and the mussels which were very good. The Wine List is tops and I the Waiter and Wine Guy helped me pick out a great bottle at a great price. My family enjoyed the special Children's meal and they treated the kids as adults. I will hurry back when I am in Chicago. I also loved the decor and the quaint little lights and booths Pros: food and wine Cons: none more

I was pleasantly suprised by the Italian Village as I have gone several years ago. The place was just as I had remembered it but better. The food, service and the charming Captain reminded me of my trips to Italy. The Chicken Vesuvio was recommended and excellent. I also tried the fried calamari and the mussels which were very good. The Wine List is tops and I the Waiter and Wine Guy helped me pick out a great bottle at a great price. My family enjoyed the special Children's meal and they treated the kids as adults. I will hurry back when I am in Chicago. I also loved the decor and the quaint little lights and booths Pros: food and wine more

I couldn't wait to try this place because of the great reviews. I was thinking I'd have Chicken Marsala because it was recommended more than once (on this site) but also because the waiter made the same recommendation. He also told a co-worker that was also trying Italian Village for the first time that the Chicken Marsala was a best recommendation. Great. While we were waiting the waiter brought out a basket of bread which was a handful of dry bread sticks and cold french bread--no butter or anything to drip in. Neither of us ate more than a couple of bites of the bread. We ordered garlic bread instead--it was good but not plentiful. Finally the Chicken Marsala arrived and I was READY for it and expected to love it. The taste? It tasted like a couple of pieces of boiled chicken breast dropped into a bit of Marsala sauce. I ate about half of one breast because I was so hungry. My friend ate less. I brought my home and ended up throwing it away. What a huge disappointment. I asked a friend later how this place got such high ratings and he said he had no idea that he'd been there only once-with a large group and that none of them ever wanted to go back. Cons: The Food more

I couldn't wait to try this place because of the great reviews. I was thinking I'd have Chicken Marsala because it was recommended more than once (on this site) but also because the waiter made the same recommendation. He also told a co-worker that was also trying Italian Village for the first time that the Chicken Marsala was a best recommendation. Great. Cons: The Food more

Italian Village is a Chicago Icon. I've come here several times for lunch and dinner. The service is always... more

So I have been to both Italian Village and Vivere on several occasions so I thought I'd try out La Cantina,... more

I cannot say enough great things about La Cantina, the steakhouse at the Italian Village. It is fantastic. Every time I go there it always impresses me that they have such an extensive wine list and they are so knowledgable on all of the wines and pairings. My husband ordered the petite filet and shrimp and I had the Cantina Ribeye, both dishes were outstanding and cooked to perfection. Our server was great, he was prompt on top of our drinks and our food came out fast!! I never felt as though he was to busy with tables to take care of us and our needs, I feel that some restaurants give the servers too many tables and then they are too busy to give good service. Im thrilled to say it was the opposite at La Cantina, I felt like we got to know our server a little bit. I would recommend going here if you have not, it ranks among my list for best steakhouses in the city. \r more

So I have been to both Italian Village and Vivere on several occasions so I thought I'd try out La Cantina, which is their steakhouse. I have always had great experiences at both of the other restaurants and wasn't surprised when the service here exceeded my expectations. We had reservations for 7:30 on a Saturday night, and were seated very promptly, our server greeted us right away and suggested a fantastic pinot grigio to start off with. The wine selection at all three of the restaurants, I believe their wine cellar has something like 45,000 bottles of wine, and a lot of reasonably priced bottles. We started off with the beef carpaccio which was delicious. We then had the Captain Salad, the Italian dressing was outstanding. For dinner we had the Beef alla Toscanini, which were sauteed in a mushroom and marsala wine sauce, and the New York strip, the gorgonzola cream sauce was to die for. Overall, the experience I had here was outstanding. The Italian Village restaurants continually impress me with their excellent service, knowledgable staff and amazing food. more

My husband and I ate at Italian Village recently while in town vacationing. We had heard many wonderful things about Italian Village so we made a point to get there. We had tickets for Jersey Boys, so we made reservations for before the show. We arrived about 10 minutes early, and were seated promptly, even though the restaurant was jam packed. We were immediatley shocked by how extensive the wine list was. I think the server told us there were almost 40,000 bottles in their wine cellar. We ordered a bottle of chianti, and the antipasto for an appetizer. The food was great - the pasta was obviously homemade and very good. My husband loved his lasagna. The service was great - we felt it was very attentive. The portions were good - not too large or too small. We left feeling full and content with plenty of time to make it to the show. When we are in town next time we will definitely be back!!! more

My husband and I ate at Italian Village recently while in town vacationing. We had heard many wonderful things about Italian Village so we made a point to get there. We had tickets for Jersey Boys, so we made reservations for before the show. We arrived about 10 minutes early, and were seated promptly, even though the restaurant was jam packed. We were immediatley shocked by how extensive the wine list was. I think the server told us there were almost 40,000 bottles in their wine cellar. We ordered a bottle of chianti, and the antipasto for an appetizer. The food was great - the pasta was obviously homemade and very good. My husband loved his lasagna. The service was great - we felt it was very attentive. The portions were good - not too large or too small. We left feeling full and content with plenty of time to make it to the show. When we are in town next time we will definitely be back!!! more