La Cantina

So my friends had little time to eat before we went to the Bulls game. When you walk into the Italian Village you have three restaurants to choose from. Thank goodness we chose the right one! The space was small but the food was delicious! I had the Chicken Pasta and it was incredible! And our service was even better. We had a waitress named Anetta and she was so down to earth and incredible friendly. A cameron diaz look-alike! Pros: food, service, location Cons: small space but bearable more

This restaurant is a Chicago landmark! Great italian food for great prices. Fun ambiance- like a little italian village. Pros: Great italian food! more

This restaurant is a Chicago landmark! Great italian food for great prices. Fun ambiance- like a little italian village. Pros: Great italian food! more

I have been going to the Italian Village for years and it is still one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the city. We traditionally go for special occasions and we always have a great time. If you have an party of 2 or more, you can make reservations in one of there private dining tables which look like little Italian huts. One of my favorites is not on the dinner menu, Capalinni D'Angelo. It is a Angel hair pasta with marinara and riccotta sause topped with capers. Be sure to ask for it! Pros: Prices, location, service Cons: Reservations are not taken for party of 2 more

I have been going to the Italian Village for years and it is still one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the city. We traditionally go for special occasions and we always have a great time. If you have an party of 2 or more, you can make reservations in one of there private dining tables which look like little Italian huts. One of my favorites is not on the dinner menu, Capalinni D'Angelo. It is a Angel hair pasta with marinara and riccotta sause topped with capers. Be sure to ask for it! Pros: Prices, location, service Cons: Reservations are not taken for party of 2 more

Wow, we've tried Vivere & loved it. But Italian village is incredible! From the host to the bar we were treated wonderfully. The bar staff actually is friendly & attentive. While the host when calling out names over the loud speaker actually catches your eye to nod yes or no if he's calling for you. Pros: food, service, price, even the valet was quick Cons: downtown, lot's of stairs-not handicap accessable more

Wow, we've tried Vivere & loved it. But Italian village is incredible! From the host to the bar we were treated wonderfully. The bar staff actually is friendly & attentive. While the host when calling out names over the loud speaker actually catches your eye to nod yes or no if he's calling for you. Once inside ... it's a Italian Village! Really! The aisle's are the streets and the seating area's are either al fresco or within little buildings. It reminded us of being in Disney World. Everywhere you looked there was something to see. The atmostsphere was lively, yet not over whelming or overly loud. Our waiter was prompt and definitely attentive. Our food was excellent & earned it's reveiws. We felt it was on par with all the other excellent independent Italian restaurants in Chicago. As for price, we felt that the check was definitely more reasonable than most restaurants found downtown, even after an appetizer (excellent grilled calamari) & wine for 2. So if you are planning a special occasion or have folks in from out of town, this will wow them without breaking your wallet. We will definitely go back! Pros: food, service, price, even the valet was quick Cons: downtown, lot's of stairs-not handicap accessable more

My family was recently visiting Chicago, to celebrate my son graduating from bootcamp at Greatlakes. When we came in from the street we were seated immediately and treated as if we were very important people the Matre'D was very attentive and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. There was a song on "my tutaloot" it was very funny and to see and hear my son laugh was wonderful he his girlfriend 2 friends and parents laughing and enjoying each other the food was great. To top it all off the Matre'D brought was the tray with change on it When we told him we hadn't paid or bill yet that a mistake was made he said "actually it was already paid for that a very classy lady had been dining and asked that she could pay for our meal there was over 50.00 dollars on the tray we were so greatful that we offered back the change as a tip. My son and I and all of us were touched by such generousity and well always wonder who/why. We feel blessed to be treated so well Thank You to your wait staff and especially Thank You to the Lady who made my son feel like he as an american servicemember was and is appreciated for being willing to serve his country. Thank YOU Thank YOU ThankYOU more

My family was recently visiting Chicago, to celebrate my son graduating from bootcamp at Greatlakes. When we came in from the street we were seated immediately and treated as if we were very important people the Matre'D was very attentive and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. There was a song on ""my tutaloot"" it was very funny and to see and hear my son laugh was wonderful he his girlfriend 2 friends and parents laughing and enjoying each other the food was great. To top it all off the Matre'D brought was the tray with change on it When we told him we hadn't paid or bill yet that a mistake was made he said ""actually it was already paid for that a very classy lady had been dining and asked that she could pay for our meal there was over 50.00 dollars on the tray we were so greatful that we offered back the change as a tip. My son and I and all of us were touched by such generousity and well always wonder who/why. We feel blessed to be treated so well Thank You to your wait staff and especially Thank You to the Lady who made my son feel like he as an american servicemember was and is appreciated for being willing to serve his country. Thank YOU Thank YOU ThankYOU more

I was stranded in Chicago overnight and took the blue line downtown and tried the upstairs Italian Village, knowing nothing about it in advance. I went in about 5:30 on Saturday, no reservation, and only had to wait in the lounge about 15 minutes for a table. (If you come later you probably should get a reservation, I would assume.)The bartender was nice, but when asked to make a dinner or beverage recommendation, all I could get was, "What do you feel like?" The painted ceiling in the lounge is pretty cool, too. The atmosphere is great, I can see why this is a good place for families and dates. Once seated and the waiter got over the shock that I was dining alone, all was well. Service was extremely attentive. No such thing as an empty water glass in this place. The wine was good. I mistakenly ordered walleye at an Italian restaurant (hey, we can't get it on the west coast)...the fish itself was good, but it was coated in what tasted like sugared bread crumbs, which caused me to look longingly at some of the pasta pizza dishes destined for other tables. Prices were very reasonable. I would go again, but order traditional Italian food next time. (I'll wait until I visit Minnesota to order walleye again...) Recommended for ambience, service, price, and the way dishes other than the one I ordered looked... Pros: Ambience, price, location more

I was stranded in Chicago overnight and took the blue line downtown and tried the upstairs Italian Village, knowing nothing about it in advance. I went in about 5:30 on Saturday, no reservation, and only had to wait in the lounge about 15 minutes for a table. (If you come later you probably should get a reservation, I would assume.)The bartender was nice, but when asked to make a dinner or beverage recommendation, all I could get was, ""What do you feel like?"" The painted ceiling in the lounge is pretty cool, too. Pros: Ambience, price, location more

We went last week and the place was lively and full. We had no reservation because we were out shopping and became hungry. The Maire 'D and Manager took our name and we were seated like family. The wine list is exceptional, the prices below reasonable, the food great and even the children had a special menu to choose from. The service was knowledgeable and eficient in this busy restaurant. We had a perfect end to our day. Pros: Efficient , Fast, Friendly more

We went last week and the place was lively and full. We had no reservation because we were out shopping and became hungry. The Maire 'D and Manager took our name and we were seated like family. The wine list is exceptional, the prices below reasonable, the food great and even the children had a special menu to choose from. The service was knowledgeable and eficient in this busy restaurant. We had a perfect end to our day. Pros: Efficient , Fast, Friendly more

On saturday night 11/12,I dined at italian village in the basement resturant. My seating was in the hallway across from noisy bar area.It took over 10 minutes for any service at all,and when I finally ordered a beer it took another 10 minutes for my drink. I ordered veal parmesean with pasta,my veal was soggy,the breading was not browned,and my pasta was over cooked.My wife ordered seafood stuffed tortellini,it was ravioli with canned scallops,and two tiny shrimps on top of it. Cons: noisy, cramped seating more

On saturday night 11/12,I dined at italian village in the basement resturant. My seating was in the hallway across from noisy bar area.It took over 10 minutes for any service at all,and when I finally ordered a beer it took another 10 minutes for my drink. I ordered veal parmesean with pasta,my veal was soggy,the breading was not browned,and my pasta was over cooked.My wife ordered seafood stuffed tortellini,it was ravioli with canned scallops,and two tiny shrimps on top of it. Cons: noisy, cramped seating more

Italian Village is my favorite place for taking out of town guests! more

Italian Village is my favorite place for taking out of town guests! more

The food was excellent and there was seating for large parties or for couples. With the three different restaurants, you can choose your mood. The younger kids love the booths in the Village level. more

The food was excellent and there was seating for large parties or for couples. With the three different restaurants, you can choose your mood. The younger kids love the booths in the Village level. more

what a place!!! the decor is amazing, the romance is all over, the service is like nothing in Chicago. The have all the levels of servers, you do not even get to put your fork down and they are there for your every need! The food is so authenic and delicious and I have never seen a wine list. Best of all, they are happy to have you. Pros: romantic, great food, affordable more