La Scarola

Since there have apparently not yet been any LTH posts on this esteemed spot, let me express my gratitude to those, in other forums and other times, who pointed us toward it, and to my son, for suggesting it tonight.

I'd already eaten too much mediocre cake from Costco, and too many donuts (any is too many) from Dunkin D's, all in honor of our law students' last day, so could not indulge as I otherwise would have been tempted. But

1. The bruschetta. There's no excuse for mediocre tomatoes this time of year. Nonetheless excellent. Good garlic, good basil, good bread, great crunch.

2. Pasta e fagiloi. Very tasty but much too rich to be anything other than the main course of a winter meal. I ate about a third of it.

3. Grilled octopus (a special but I gather a frequent one since Centerstage mentions it). Absolutely top notch. The best I've had in Chicago. Listed an an appetizer but Ed and I counted four or five whole small octopi--I'd bet nigh on to a pound. Grilled to perfection. Tender but with crispy burnt ends, just like the best brisket. Good olive oil, parsley, garlic, a splash of balsamic vinegar. I couldn't finish it either, despite continuing on way past full, but the rest is in my fridge, waiting for breakfast.

Ed had some chicken dish that he may comment on. The chicken was nicely cooked, but it was one of those bland breasts that was pretty well overpowered by the sauce, albeit a tasty sauce. Also very rich. Also a huge serving. Stick with the octopus.

La Scarola
721 W. Grand Ave., Chicago
Tel: (312) 243-1740

Right at the Grand stop on the O'Hare Blue Line. Closer than lots of loop destinations to my office. Anyone ever tried it for lunch?

Ann Fisher wrote:Right at the Grand stop on the O'Hare Blue Line.

For G Wiv, that's the intersection of Grand, Halsted, and Milwaukee.

Thanks for the report Ann. I've been there a few times, and have been disappointed with their pasta dishes. It looks like a lot of Italian places I remember from New Jersey, but the food is not the same. My pasta dish was more like a high-carb salad. Now I'll have to go back for the octopi.

Italian places I remember from New Jersey

At the risk of going off topic... Ann's Clam Bar in West Orange ring any bells? I can't remember the food too well, but it set a tone in my mind for what an Italian restaurant should be. That was our regular place. For big events, we went into the city for Grotto Azure.

steve s wrote:Ann's Clam Bar in West Orange ring any bells? I can't remember the food too well, but it set a tone in my mind for what an Italian restaurant should be. That was our regular place. For big events, we went into the city for Grotto Azure.

No, haven't been to Ann's, but I sure do remember Grotto Azure from a while ago. Little Italy has changed a lot over the last 10 years; not sure if it's still around. IMHO clams do not travel well, and do not have the same taste here than closer to the coast.

I'm hoping someone can help me out with this one.... I used to frequent La Scarola and they served a pasta dish called "pasta dolce" it was the perfect blend of sweet and hot. If my memory serves me, it included honey and jalapenos. I loved it but they took it off the menu and would not serve it if I asked for it (reoccurring theme??) This was many years ago but I was wondering if anyone remembers it or the ingredients? Thanks.

Ann Fisher wrote:Right at the Grand stop on the O'Hare Blue Line. Closer than lots of loop destinations to my office. Anyone ever tried it for lunch?

My office is really close by, so I've been here for lunch quite a bit. It's never that crowded and you can get in and out within an hour if you don't order dessert. The menu is the same as dinner time, so sorry, no cost savings. Got to say, this is one of my favorite spots for lunch. I love the ambiance, Maybe because it reminds me of New Jersey back in the 80s. We always sit in the second room by the wall of pictures. It looks like windows but if you look closely, there are cut out pics that look like people are posing from the windows. Cheesy and cute. We are always greeted by a guy with a bushy Italian mustache too. One time I was there, Jay Cutler was dining at a nearby table.

Lunch is always started with a heaping basket of Italian bread. It's not awesome bread but it's easy to find yourself lathering up a lot of olive oil and filling up on it. Entrees are usually served with a side of pasta. I've had the eggplant parmigiana, and it was exactly what I want. Breaded, deep fried, smothered in cheese with a generous helping of sauce. They aren't trying to be elevated or fancy Italian. Just your basics at a reasonable price.

I would have to agree that their pastas can be hit or miss. I love the spaghetti on the regular menu, but I had not so good risotto from their specials menu that had a big pool of oil at the bottom of the bowl. They do cook their pastas perfectly al dente though. I would say stick with the regular menu, those dishes are tried and true.

Not to be missed is their tiramisu. So far, it's my favorite in the city. I don't have much to compare to since I just started ordering it everywhere, but I do like theirs better than Piccolo Sogno (too bland), Due Lire (too much coffee flavor, overwhelms), and Pasta Palazzo (cake a tad too spongy). Cream and coffee flavor light and balanced, ladyfingers soft, damp and not too spongy, all elements of a good tiramisu.

What's the noise level like for dinner?

Thanks,

It's gonna be packed and is tight, so gets pretty noisy. Mmmmmm......pasta e fagioli