La Cantina: User Reviews

I took a couple of business clients to La Cantina for lunch a while back. I’ve been meaning to write a review. The service at the The Village restaurants is always impeccable so I knew I would not be let down.

We were also on a timeframe so I figured this would be the place to go.

We arrived around 12:30, the busiest lunch time, but were seated within 5 minutes, having no reservations. Our server arrived and had our drinks to us in no time. There were four of us, we started with salads, and ordered the pork chops, filet mignon, the “Cantina Special” and the veal marsala. Our food was at our table within 30 minutes, impressive for a very busy lunch place.

It is in the lower level of the Village restaurants, but very well lit. I would recommend this restaurant for lunch or dinner. They also share a very impressive wine list with the other two restaurants!!

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

We had a gift certificate to the Italian Village restaurants and decided on La Cantina. This was a mistake. As soon as we walked in the restaurant and saw the old and faded decor, cheesy fake columns, and goofy table lamps, we knew this was not going to be good. The bread was plain and boring, not even toasted or warmed up when brought to the table. I ordered a salad with my entree that was bagged lettuce leaves topped with balsamic vinegar, not even a dressing. For our entrees we had the chicken vesuvio and the veal marsala. The chicken was okay but the amount of chicken on the plate seemed more like half a cornish game hen (very small) and the veal was covered in a lumpy gravy accompanied by some noodles with jarred pasta sauce. The desserts, tiramisu and cheesecake were both fine. Overall, this is not a decent Italian restaurant. It offered nothing interesting and if you are going to stick to traditional Italian then it should at least be tasty. I have had better food at The Olive Garden. There are a variety of other better Italian restaurants in this city, including Rosebud and Sapori which are both wonderful.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

I have always heard about the Italian Village restaurant so we decided to try it before seeing Jersey Boys. La Cantina took reservations. It was truly mediocre. We were seated in a hallway. the food was barely edible. The lasagne tasted like Chef Boyardee and the Veal Limone was just okay. Sides didn't go very well. The salad had large chunks of the core of the iceberg lettuce. The bread was not as good as the Italian bread at Jewel. Overall a big disapointment. I wont ever go there again and I certainly do't recommend it.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

Report This Review

What a place. You sit either in a wine cellar, by hand painted murals or amongest the fish tanks. I love it. The food is the best. and the service is too...my water never looked like it was drank!
What an overlooked gem in the city.

Report This Review

What a place to find that reminds me of New York ! Fabulous steaks and the Dover Sole fish was tops for me in the City. I visit Chicago alot and take all my clients to La Cantina because of its charm and private setting. I can talk business and get great service. The wine list is a bible to Italian Wine. I suggest Brunello as it was a great pairing with my Ribeye Steak. Ask for a tour of the Wine Cellar...The Wine guy is fantastic and down to earth compared to most. I also enjoy the Chicken Vesuvio here. A great find !

Report This Review

This restaurant has been resting on it's laurels far too long. Its business solely lies on the theater crowd, otherwise it probably wouldn't have survived this long. After a second disappointing meal in 6 months, I had to sign on and warn people. The service was warm and friendly, but the food was so-so at best. My veal limone was presented as a completely bland plate of meat with sauce - the meat was not browned or sauted before the sauce was added, so the entire plate looked grey and unappetizing. The taste matched the uninspired presentation. My friend's dinner was slightly better looking, but we both walked out feeling the meal was uninspired and tired. Look elsewhere for dinner before the theater.

Report This Review

The service was good and the atmosphere pleasing enough, but I've had far superior food at the Olive Garden. We insalata ordered the caprese and the scampi- the insalata was very small slices of buffalo mozzerella served on top of huge underripe tomatoes. For 9.50 there should have been much more mozzerella and far better tomatoes, plus the presentation was cheesy since they were clearly trying to make it look like more than it was. The linguini in the scampi was overcooked and thesauce was very thick and very heavily salted... it was almost like congealed butter. It was positively swimming in the sauce as well. Sampi should be served in a very light, simple sauce. The mushrooms had little flavor and were overcooked as well. I would not go back nor would I recommend under any circumstance. You can get far better food at similar prices at Topo Gigio or Trattoria Roma in Old Town.

Report This Review

Cantina's is located in the basement its romantic and cozy. We sat next to the fish tanks. Service was great I wasn't so crazy about my dish, I had the Cantina special. My boyfriend on the other hand enjoyed his Steak & shrimp dish.

Report This Review

Visiting from out of town I was impressed with the great italian food and the wine list at this place. I had a reserve Chianti for $30 and it was smooth and complex. The helpful service and the bartender made our night. I entertain out alot and will be back with clients again. The intimate and cozy decor is great and the fishtanks were fun. Try the Cantina Ribeye-It was the best steak I have had in Chicago.

Report This Review

I just moved to Chicago from the east coast. I didn't think I could find an authentic Italian restaurant being jaded and all. Cantina was great, 60 page wine list and the chef is from southern Italy. He even came out to talk to our table about Italy and food. Great service to boot.

Report This Review