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312-332-7005
City's Best

71 W Monroe St
Chicago, IL 60603
Fax: 312-332-2656

Average Rating 4 (47 Ratings)

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Picture for Italian Village Restaurants
Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-12am Sat 5pm-12am
Payment Types: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, Discover
Message from Italian Village Restaurants

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.Visit Citysearch.com

  • Italian Steak
  • Seafood House
  • 45,000 bottle wine list
Editorial Review
by Jennifer Olvera
Couples cuddle over plates of pasta at this dimly lit, cellar-inspired spot.

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 seating divided by a colorful saltwater aquarium. The seafood-centric menu includes popular linguine con vongole with red or white clam sauce and scampi casalinga, a melange of Gulf shrimp, shallots and mushrooms in sherry sauce. Other dishes worth trying: eggplant Parmesan, veal marsala and chicken Vesuvio.
Insider Tips
from CitySearch

The Extras
Love the sauce? The Italian Village Restaurants sauces are available for take-away. Buy 'em by the jar ($6.95) or case (6 for $40).


47 Ratings and Reviews

  • Review rating : 2out of 5   AJALV - 01/22/2009

  • Decent food, Great atmosphere

    Review rating : 3out of 5   BoLoc3 - 09/30/2008

    My wife and I went to La Cantina on the bottom floor of the Italian Village Saturday. It is a really nice restaurant with good service. The food, however, lacked seasoning. I love Italian food and I love seafood, so I thought this would be the best of both worlds. I ordered the Tortelli con Frutta del Mare (Seafood filled pasta, shrimp, scallops, and tomoto cream sauce). It was decent, I finished it, but I probably wouldn't go back. It was just average, and it really needed pepper and salt and Italian seasoning. My wife had the Cannelloni, and again it was just average.

  • A great place for food, family and friends!

    Review rating : 5out of 5   cvanraven4 - 08/28/2008

    I can still remember back in 1984 when I was introduced to the joys of Chicken Vesuvio. A simple yet delightful dish. My wife and I have tried to copy it for years but ours is never as good as what we get at the Village (it would help if they would give us the recipe - hint). But that is only one of many excellent selections to be found. The wine selections are among the best we have seen. We have also enjoyed Vivere and la Cantina. The food has always been excellent and the staff top notch. It is an excellent place to bring family, friends and business associates. I cannot recall ever having a bad meal or receiving poor service. I hope all three restaurants are with us another 80+ years!

  • Food & Atmosphere AAAWWWSOME!!!!!

    Review rating : 5out of 5   Fortini40 - 08/14/2008

    My wife and I got engaged here in the "village" upstairs. The waiter served her ring in the best canolli we've ever shared. From the appetizers to the dessert, I can't say e'nuf. I haven't had Italian food like this since my Grandma served it. (She's a native Napalan) The wine list is one of the best I've seen. We recommend this restaurant to all our friends.

  • My only wish is for a bigger stomach

    Review rating : 5out of 5   KSDINS - 07/29/2008

    I have been many times to this restaurant... Always, Always , Always a delight.... my friends and the folks I do business with truly look forward to a lunch or dinner at one of 3 restaurants at this one location... I find that Vivere is Great for a "Date" or the fancy affair... Cantina .. Great Business Lunch... and The Village... bring on the family... the service ... an example of excellence.. others should take note... the food.. the food.. well... they do it right.. D-licious +++ ... if you like your wines... you will absolutely love this place... the wine list holds treasures you would not find elsewhere.... save yourself the pain of a mistake... choose this place... you will and your friends will be glad you did... I can not wait to go back!!

Showing 1 - 5 of 47 reviews