La Cantina

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71 W Monroe St (at Dearborn Street)
Chicago, IL 60603

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(312) 332-7005
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La Cantina - Chicago, IL
La Cantina - Chicago, IL
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Reviews
( 131 )
( 30 )
( 12 )
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( 32 )

Best

Italian Village deserves to be called as CitySearch's best. This is my favorite Italian restaurant in the hood. Their food reminds me of my visit to Italy when I was younger. Amaz...

Worst

My girlfriend and I were excited to try an Italian Village restaurant, so we decided to go with La Cantina. (The restaurant downstairs.) Besides the fact they seat you in the hall...

Awesome steak and service 6/23/2008

aspenjack Provided by Partner
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 alway... more

Awesome steak and service 6/23/2008

aspenjack Provided by Partner
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 alway... more

Excellent as always 6/23/2008

aspenjack Provided by Partner
Italian Village is a Chicago Icon. I've come here several times for lunch and dinner. The service is always outstanding whether its crowded or not ... more

Editorial review from GrubHub 6/8/2008

Pretty good pizza for lunch delivery downtown. more

Best italian food in the city!! 5/19/2008

If you are looking for authentic italian cuisine, don't look any farther. In my opinion Italian Village has the best italian food in the city. Ive been to several italian restaurants and havent found anything better!! I'd suggest starting with the antipasto and the garlic bread. The service here is outstanding, not once have I ever had a problem, prompt attention and the food comes out fast. Also, large portions and reasonable prices, I am never left wanting more. The walls are painted with scenery/murals of Italy's countryside. I'd recommend the chicken marsala or the manicotti, both two of my absolute favorite dishes. The tomato sauce on the manicotti is delicious. Ive come here for lunch and dinner and cannot say enough good things about the restaurant. Truly fantastic and a must go if you;ve never been. more

Best italian food in the city!! 5/19/2008

If you are looking for authentic italian cuisine, don't look any farther. In my opinion Italian Village has the best italian food in the city. Ive been to several italian restaurants and havent found anything better!! I'd suggest starting with the antipasto and the garlic bread. The service here is outstanding, not once have I ever had a problem, prompt attention and the food comes out fast. Also, large portions and reasonable prices, I am never left wanting more. The walls are painted with scenery/murals of Italy's countryside. I'd recommend the chicken marsala or the manicotti, both two of my absolute favorite dishes. The tomato sauce on the manicotti is delicious. Ive come here for lunch and dinner and cannot say enough good things about the restaurant. Truly fantastic and a must go if you;ve never been. more

Worst dining experience in Chicago 4/13/2008

My husband and I were so excited to try the Italian Village for Valentine's day, especially since Citysearch had rated it so favorably. Instead, we were completely disappointed. The food was worse than mediocre: our salads were wilted and our main courses (eggplant parmesan and seafood ravioli) were truly so disappointing that we didn't even take our leftovers home. We decided that maybe dessert would help redeem the meal, but instead, our waiter didn't even offer us dessert or coffee; he simply brought us the check. It was a huge let down, and I'll never go back. more

Mediocre at best 4/9/2008

Not worth the time or money. Service is acceptable, but nothing more. Food is the big disappointment. Pasta served cold (not warm -COLD) Most dishes have little or not flavor. The chains do a better job, unfotunatly. more

Mediocre at best 4/9/2008

Not worth the time or money. Service is acceptable, but nothing more. Food is the big disappointment. Pasta served cold (not warm -COLD) Most dishes have little or not flavor. The chains do a better job, unfotunatly. more

Disappointing 3/29/2008

La Cantina's food was surprisingly bland, with the exception of its Caesar salad dressing, which was exceedingly salty. As an Italian who has recently lived in cities with mediocre Italian food, I was so disappointed. We tried veal limone with no discernable lemon taste, and a shrimp/pasta special with a forgettable cream sauce. I suggest going elsewhere in town. more

Disappointing 3/29/2008

La Cantina's food was surprisingly bland, with the exception of its Caesar salad dressing, which was exceedingly salty. As an Italian who has recently lived in cities with mediocre Italian food, I was so disappointed. We tried veal limone with no discernable lemon taste, and a shrimp/pasta special with a forgettable cream sauce. I suggest going elsewhere in town. more

Mama Mia! 3/23/2008

One of three restaurants combined into what is known as the "Italian Village", La Cantina is exactly how I... more

Great overall experience and professional staff and managers 3/23/2008

We dined last night for the second night in a row. When we walked in the Manager immediately recognized us from previous evening and we felt like we were special. He gave us a nice private""grotto"" which madeus feel even more special. We had a great time. The food was great and it's nce to see a menu with veal dishes on it. Our service was relaxed and right on pace. Andre and Joe made our second night at the italian village an un forgettable one. We will be back next month and cant wait to come back. Pros: Great customer service, prices and food quality Cons: ---- more

Great overall experience and professional staff and managers 3/23/2008

We dined last night for the second night in a row. When we walked in the Manager immediately recognized us from previous evening and we felt like we were special. He gave us a nice private"grotto" which madeus feel even more special. We had a great time. The food was great and it's nce to see a menu with veal dishes on it. Our service was relaxed and right on pace. Andre and Joe made our second night at the italian village an un forgettable one. We will be back next month and cant wait to come back. Pros: Great customer service, prices and food quality Cons: ---- more

Mama Mia! 3/23/2008

smallfry Provided by Partner
One of three restaurants combined into what is known as the "Italian Village", La Cantina is exactly how I would imagine a traditional, authentic I... more

Mama Mia! 3/23/2008

smallfry Provided by Partner
One of three restaurants combined into what is known as the "Italian Village", La Cantina is exactly how I would imagine a traditional, authentic I... more

Good, but definitely does not live up to the hype 3/21/2008

Great place, but definitely did not live up to the hype it receives on this website. We started at the bar where bartender Scott was very friendly and courteous. We had antipasto which was very average to below average. It tasted OK but the portion was very small. Then we went to our table which luckily was a nice private booth (the tables out in the middle of the room looked small and uncomfortable with waiters and patrons zipping around the diners and bumping into them. Our booth was lovely and private, which was very nice. Our waiter did not seem very intelligent - when my father asked which was better the veal parm of the veal marsala, he basically described what was in both dishes which we all of course knew and everyone at the table responded with blank stares. His servece wasn't too great either, we waited almost 40 minutes to give our order. We weren't in a big hurry and we didn't mind, but when we needed something he was nowhere to be found. The portions were generous and not too pricey. The veal parm was good but not great, as well as the caesar salad. The free bread was delicious and warm, and almost overshadowed the rest of the meal. They do have a very extensive wine list, almost too extensive and we had a nice oregon pinot. I will say that the tiramasu was excellent, some of the best I have had. But for hearing so many good things about the food, the rest was certainly a letdown. If you are looking for a nice date spot or place to take your family I would recommend going once, but only if you get a booth. Other than that taste-wise the food just doesn't measure up to even a franchise place like Maggiano's. Pros: nice booths, bar service, tiramasu Cons: not up to the hype, service, waiters more

Good, but definitely does not live up to the hype 3/21/2008

Great place, but definitely did not live up to the hype it receives on this website. We started at the bar where bartender Scott was very friendly and courteous. We had antipasto which was very average to below average. It tasted OK but the portion was very small. Then we went to our table which luckily was a nice private booth (the tables out in the middle of the room looked small and uncomfortable with waiters and patrons zipping around the diners and bumping into them. Our booth was lovely and private, which was very nice. Our waiter did not seem very intelligent - when my father asked which was better the veal parm of the veal marsala, he basically described what was in both dishes which we all of course knew and everyone at the table responded with blank stares. His servece wasn't too great either, we waited almost 40 minutes to give our order. We weren't in a big hurry and we didn't mind, but when we needed something he was nowhere to be found. Pros: nice booths, bar service, tiramasu Cons: not up to the hype, service, waiters more

Graety food, service and wines treated very well by front door and captains 3/11/2008

A very busy night and I walked in with four people and was told it would be about 25 minute wait. We were seated in 23 minutes, beat that on a Friday night !!! Well we ordered lots of appetizers and a great bottle of Barolo wine then the Captain tossed us our own salad with out even asking. The food was hot, delicious and arrived on time. The service wass very good and cordial from our waiter Roberto. The Managers were all very pleasant and I let the General Manager know on the way out what a great restaurant he had. We will be back next time in town !! Ciao more

Graety food, service and wines treated very well by front door and captains 3/11/2008

A very busy night and I walked in with four people and was told it would be about 25 minute wait. We were seated in 23 minutes, beat that on a Friday night !!! Well we ordered lots of appetizers and a great bottle of Barolo wine then the Captain tossed us our own salad with out even asking. The food was hot, delicious and arrived on time. The service wass very good and cordial from our waiter Roberto. The Managers were all very pleasant and I let the General Manager know on the way out what a great restaurant he had. We will be back next time in town !! Ciao more
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Menu for La Cantina


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Owner Message
  • La Cantina is an Italian Steak and Seafood House located on the lower level of the Italian Village Restaurants . Patterned after a wine cellar with narrow isle and tucked away booths. Customers dine amongst the salt water fish tanks while enjoying a menu filled with traditional favorites and Steak and Seafood dishes from all regions of Italy.

Editorial
  • In Short
    One of three Italian Village restaurants under a single 75-year-old roof, La Cantina is located on the basement level. The room exudes a cozy, wine cellar feel, with booth...

  • 2/24/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-12am Sat 5pm-12am
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diner's Club, Discover
  • Neighborhoods: Central, Loop
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