Cafe La Cave: User Reviews

Our Special Place
By kehldee from Des Plaines, October 22, 2009

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My Wife and I have been going there for at least 15 years. We go on birthdays and special days. We been taking the whole family there for our anniversary for about the last 10 years. Our family enjoys all the meals we have had there. They treat us so good that I think we are part of there family. All the staff are just great. We allways ask for Tino and have a drink at the bar with Tommy. Mary and Gus are also great.

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What food???
By JulesK from Bucktown, June 20, 2009

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I went to dinner with a group of 6 prior to a concert at the Allstate Center. We sat down at 5:30 and the concert was at 8:00PM. The server, who was basically non-responsive the entire evening, had zero personality and took forever to take our order. We did enjoy a nice bottle of wine and the bread ws fine, but we expected more of a dinner out.
We did not receive salads until we repeatedly asked several waiters and then it still took another 15 minutes to bring them out at 7:15. We said that we wanted the steaks to immediately follow the salads as we were soon going to be in a time crunch.
We finally had to leave without ever receiving our steaks because it was 25 minutes before the show started.
My dad had called ahead to order a birthday cake for me, which we never got to enjoy. He also gave the waiter his credit card when we sat down. Despite NEVER receiving our food, he ran the card for $135.00 and was unaplogetic.
As we left, we complained to the hostess and she said that she would get the manager. The manager's behavior was appalling and I would be embarased to have him as one of my own employees! After we had shared the scenario and he stated that our steaks were ready, but they make a point of bringing them out at 7:45PM...what is that about?? IWhy would you not bring steaks out before 7:45?? that makes no sense! f I wanted to eat at 7:45, I would not have sat down to dinner at 5:30. Nor do I want to shovel down a $35-40 entree in seconds so that I could make the show on time. When we explained that we had a show at 8, he retorted "It only takes 2 minutes to walk there". He is sadly mistaken on that one and my mom recently had a knee replacement and is hardly in shape to run across a street and then a HUGE parking lot in '2 minutes' probably throwing up a steak that she would have had to scarf down because they bring it out at a quarter to 8. He was EXTREMELY rude and should clearly not be in the service industry. This is not a restaurant that has seatings, that is the only way his explanation would even have been reasonable. I felt bad for the water boys etc because we were not the only table that left...5 tables in all left without eating!! We were actually one of the lucky ones, several other tables never even got a salad after having been at their table for 2 hours!!
The menu states that they have been in business for 35 years...with the level of service we received, I would be surprised if they were still in business for 35 minutes!!! Andrea Bocelli was astounding and we ordered pizza when we got home, so despite the restaurant's finest effort, they were not able to runi a birthday celebration...but, they sure gave it a college try!
I have been a server at several restaurants myself and I undertand that every restaurant can have a bad night, and having a smile on your face and being apologetic can go a long way to make up for a mis-step, but their behavior overall was unforgiveable and they lost customers!

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Best date experience
By wineguy from West Ridge, March 10, 2009

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This place is a true treasure. Tuxedoed wait staff, caesar salad, steak diane and bananas foster prepared tableside, and George is the best sommelier anywhere. Fancy as all get-out but unpretencious, you'll feel like you've been transported to the elegance, sophistication and decor of the 50's, so dress up! Escargot and onion soup apps are best anywhere, the rack of lamb is beyond belief, as is the seafood pasta and steak au poivre. Food prices are reasonable for the quality. George will set you up with some incredible French or Napa for a lot less than you expect. If Jose is working as a waiter, try to get him for at least one course, and try to guess his age (and hope he doesn't steal your girlfriend, this guy is the definintion of sauve: -).

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Romantic Evening
By amougros from St. Charles, October 20, 2008

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My husband brought me to Cafe La Cave for our Anniversary. He dines there frequently on business and has been promising to take me there for years. From the moment we pulled up to the front door until the time we left we were treated like a King & Queen. It was the most wonderful dining experience I had ever had. We ordered Cherries Jubilee for Dessert which was prepared tableside. What an absolute treat. Delicious Food, romantic ambiance, what a great place to impress the one you love.

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Disappointing
By Sophi from Skokie, October 13, 2008

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My family and I went to this location for dinner before a concert. The receptionist was rude as she is the same over the phone. I have was appauled that she was able to hang up on a customer that way. Once I brought it up to the manager he cared less. If you don't look like you have money, don't bother getting acknowledged here. The food was overpriced for it's taste and it is too dark you can not even read the menu. If it was not for the servers, the night would have been completely ruined!

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Food is poor quality
By Chris from Des Plaines, January 25, 2008

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My husband and I went to this place for Christmas Eve dinner, although the service is nice, but foods are poor taste. I ordered taplia and it tasted so poor.

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Impressive & unique decor very...
By Evita Castro from Chicago, IL, August 27, 2003

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Impressive & unique decor very elegant and romantic. Food was great & very attentive service, a bit pricey but you can see why.

We had a very elegant...
By S Gnow from Glenview, IL, July 24, 2003

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We had a very elegant dining experience. The food was nicely presented with a unique blending of tastes. My entre was fusion of asian-french. Our dining companions highly recommend the Steak Diane which is prepared at your table. The Bananas Foster, also prepared at the table, was outstanding. You can dine in the "Cave" which lends itself to more intimate and casual dining or in the main dining room which is more sophisticated with a pianist. Overall, great food and service, elegant atmosphere and good company resulted in a wonderful dining experience.