Cotto A Legna
500 S 3rd St,Unit 147, Geneva, IL, 60134
Cotto A Legna Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Geneva for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
500 S 3rd St,Unit 147
Geneva, IL, 60134 - Phone (331) 248-0263
- Website https://www.cottoalegna.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Perry R.
Dropped in for lunch for the first time on a quiet Monday afternoon. Our server Christine was very engaging and professional. The sandwiches and fries we ordered were hot, full of fresh ingredients and nicely prepared. Staff and kitchen care about what they are doing and we will be back
(4)Patrick H.
This was a pleasant surprise. Not just an upscale pizza place. My wife and I ordered an entre and a pizza. They were both very delicious. My first "white" pizza... I guess I was a saucist because I had heard of white pizza and it sounded good, but I couldn't see anything but red. Atmosphere was nice. Very open feeling and nose level want bad. Our server was a lot of help. As we guided through the menu. I'm not a mushroom guy so that took away like a nice chunk of the menu add it usually does. I don't like to ask for no mushrooms when is in a sauce or anything. Having the Copa Pistachios add I type this. .. it's very good. Yummy!
(4)Tom R.
This place is tricky, the bottom line is at these prices this is not a good place. The food comes nowhere near the prices they are asking. Ex. on the specials menu, like 3 or 4 raviolis, like $24, $24 for ravioli?? Its just not there for me, I don't see it. Pizzas are stil just ok, nothing here lives up to its potential. It could just be a reasonably priced place with good simple food and nice pizzas in the hands of somebody that knows what to do.
(2)Marissa L.
Food is excellent. We tried two bruschetta options and I really liked the special that day which was the artichoke bruschetta. Wine was great and pizza was excellent. The only thing was it was a little loud so a bit hard to hear the person that wasn't directly next to you, but all in all, I would recommend.
(4)Vitaspastudio D.
For those who value Real Italian pizza and good Italian Lavazza coffee - great found! Desserts are amazing- we tried Chocolade cake. Not too many many places serves pizza from wood fire oven.
(5)Rob P.
This was our first visit and it will be our last. Let me start by saying the wait staff was wonderful and the atmosphere was very nice. That is where the compliments stop. The Bruschetta was too oily and the Margharita Pizza was tasteless. It was basically a $10 pizza crust with a little Ragu on it.
(2)Brian P.
For being so empty, the service was terrible. The food was not nearly as good as some of the reviews said it was, not to mention making both me and my wife sick in the middle of the night. I would not recommend going back there, and to spend $100 elsewhere, as this is what we paid to get sick for the evening. There is no email address where i can write the manager of our horrible experience so, I just have to wait until they open. DO NOT GO HERE!
(1)Johnny J.
Loved everything about this place. The bruschetta was incredible. The other appetizers we ordered were awesome. All four of us in our party ordered a different type of pizza and we loved them all. Definitely going back often.
(5)Jennifer G.
Solid! Great brick oven pizza. Service was solid and the pizza amazing. My husband had the veggie pizza which had balsamic reduction on it - so tasty! I had the mushroom and artichoke pizza (it came with ham and wurst - i substituted both for prosciutto) very tasty. obviously we both ordered our own pizza, but i think next time we will try an appetizer and split the pizza. glad we finally tried.
(5)Gino D.
Fantastic place. Was with the family and we stopped in by chance. One of the best meals I've had in a long time! Everyone loved their dish. Great service, Great food, very good atmosphere! Will go again!!!
(5)Christie M.
Great staff! Great food - especially the pizza! Nice atmosphere, and if the weather is good - a great out door dining experience!
(4)Jim P.
The pizza here was average at best. A little too done around the edges and doughy in the middle. We had the margarita, Spinnacella, and a pepperoni for our ten year old son. They were all cooked the same. The ingredients were fresh and the potential is there, they just haven't hit their stride yet. We also had the calamari and an orzo seafood dish that was on special. Both were phenomenal. Both were pricey. The seafood was fresh and cooked perfectly. We got out of there at about $200 (we thought we were just heading out for a casual pizza and were all feeling a bit underdressed) for six of us, with plenty to drink. I will not make the effort to go here again unless someone else suggests it. If I do go back I won't even order pizza and definitely wont bring any kids. Also, we all smelled like brick oven pizza for the rest of the night. I think the exhaust in the place is in need of an upgrade.
(3)Gail S.
Cotto A Legna is a rare find. The amazing food helps offset the slower service and overloud room. A cute place, but just a bit too busy for my taste. Prices are reasonable and the choices abound. I'd go back.
(4)Jeff G.
This is a place we have been to before and will come again. The food is always very good. The service is prompt and consistent. My favorite being the Fino wood fired pizza. We had 5 different entrees and 4 different appetizers and all were perfect. Will keep coming back. Thanks.
(5)Darron R.
Great location with several great lunch sandwiches. We enjoyed the Lobster BLT's with side salads. Great waitstaff.
(5)Melinda R.
Great for appetizers and pizza, bad for groups and service. I booked a reservation for a large group weeks in advance, and the service was terrible. She wouldn't split our bills even though we had requested in advance, and there was plastic in my food which I was charged full price for. I've been back a few times with small groups of two or three, and the last time we ended up leaving before we even ordered drinks due to service. Neo is so much better for atmosphere and food.
(1)Mike R.
The food here is amazing! Unlike some places who excel in quantity vs. quality, the portion sizes here are large but outdone by the taste of the food. Came in late one night for a full meal and was there well past close. Great atmosphere and modern décor. Outside seating is a bonus for summer time dinning. Will keep going back for the delicious pizza!
(5)Mary K.
Best pizza we have had since we got back from Italy. Pesto shrimp had great flavor and a good selection of wines. Service was good, very attentive waitress.
(5)jeffrey c.
Food was average, price fair. Service spotty. Very loud on a Saturday night. If you can sit outside it might be a plus
(3)Tim D.
We stopped by for drinks right after they opened and brought the kids there for a meal last night. Fairly busy. Room was a bit loud, but it did not bother me. Food was very good. Pizza from the wood fired oven was exceptional. Light sauce, thin crust and fresh mozzarella. Pasta and risotto dishes were delicious. Plenty of reasonably priced wines. We will definitely be back. Kids enjoyed it too. They said they will have an outdoor patio this summer....looking forward to that!
(4)L F.
We've walked by a few times but finally tried it out. The outdoor seating was nice, the service was very pleasant and prices fairly reasonable. The food was just "ok" - nothing too out of the ordinary.
(3)Ana G.
Great service and the food was phenomenal! I had the lobster pappardelle and it was to die for. Also tried the artichoke bruschetta and the baked clams and they were superb. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Jay j.
Try the eggplant parmigiano appetizer. I never ordered eggplant in my life, but the waitress talked it up. She was so right. You can't go wrong on this one. You won't even miss the chicken. The pizza is the closest I've seen to authentic southern Italian pizza. A little blackened crust on the outside and a little soggy in the middle is how they do it. Anyway, if you are a couple, go here and split the eggplant parmigiano and a margarita pizza. Enjoy, then look at the bill and realize that you can't find a better quality meal for less money.
(5)Leslie S.
I wanted to update my review for Cotto a Legna, as it's now been a year since I first started coming this restaurant. I can now say, with certainty, that this is my favorite pizza restaurant in the States. Yes, I am serious. I love Cotto. I love the food, I love the staff, and I love the outdoor patio. I love that they bring my dog cups of water. And they let my fiance's daughter watch the pizza dough being rolled and put in the oven while keeping her drink filled and telling her how adorable she is. The mussels as an appetizer are my go-to, but I love the Caprese salad as well (both are huge though, so you might want to consider sharing). The mussels are all properly cooked and the sauce is delicious. They're happy to bring extra bread and spoons to help you mop up the extra sauce if need be. It's a great dish. Initially, I was so happy to find a properly cooked margherita pizza that I didn't want to order anything else. Do you know just how rare it is to find a true margherita pizza? One that is not actually covered in cheese, but has just a few dollops of it, along with lots of olive oil, fresh herbs and tomatoes? I can assure you it is indeed a rarity. But Cotto does it and does it well. For that alone, I am grateful. But eventually, I did branch out and try some of the other pizzas, and they too have all been splendid. I cannot rave enough about the funghi pizza, but mushrooms are in fact one of my favorite foods, so I should throw out that caveat. It's a beautiful pizza, covered in mushrooms (that are actually pre-cooked, not just thrown onto the pizza raw, which is a personal pet peeve) and herbs. I honestly eat an entire funghi pizza by myself - that is how much I love it. Everyone has a different preference when it comes to pizza, so let me take just a moment to explain what you'll find at Cotto - these are thin crust, wood-fired pizzas. They should be crisp, possibly a bit charred on the edges. If you're interested in deep dish, try Lou Malnati's instead. It seems like most reviewers complaints are directed at service. We have had great service at Cotto - I cannot recommend James or Stacy enough, as both are very attentive, friendly and helpful. Loryn is another terrific waitress if you're seated in the bar area. And get to know Igor and Nick, the co-owners, if you have an opportunity. They can share with you what they're trying to do at Cotto, and can probably find the perfect dish for you.
(4)Tom L.
This was my second and last visit to Cotto A Legna. My first visit was wonderful. Server was good and the pasta was yummy. This time was a nightmare. Party of six which include three kids and our meal took 50 mins. when the meal came, she delivered two pizzas and when to serve other tables. Almost 10 mins later two more meals delivered but still two short. The last two out, plain pasta with butter. I had actually left the table twice to find our server during this time. I could go on about the poor service but I'm sure you get the point. I would also tell you about my chat with the manager, but the manager didn't bother to stop by. Instead the check came with nothing removed and 18% tip already on the bill. That was the last straw. Geneva is full of great place to eat and this simply isn't one of them.
(1)Kevin And LaRae C.
I had the stuffed portabella caps -- delish! But I did feel like I needed to get bread on the side to fill up. My friend had the turkey panini -- very good and a little sweet with apple butter. Our server was very friendly. He didn't just bring me bread, he had it warmed in the wood fired oven and brought olive oil and Parmesan. Super nice. I'd definitely go back as there are other things I want to try, like the seafood di mare.
(5)Nick P.
This place was alright. The food was average, and could have used a lot more spice to it. Service was quick and friendly enough for my tastes as opposed to some of the reviews I've read below. Atmosphere is nice and by far the most appealing piece of the restaurant. When I went, the group I was with got three plates worth of bruschetta, with four different types represented. The mushroom bruschetta, fava bean bruschetta, and the artichoke bruschetta were the three that I tried. Like stated above they were all average, and I didn't have any trouble with eating them, but it wasn't any thing remarkable that would be worth coming back for. Pretty lacking in flavor outside of the ingredients themselves. The main course was the vegetable pizza. It was decent. Like others have said, the outsides of the pizza were nicely cooked, but the insides were pretty goopy and doughy still, making the pizza hard to eat, albeit not impossible. The vegetable pizza had a balsamic glaze on it, which would have been good if it weren't the only ingredient that really stood out on the pizza. I couldn't tell if it was simply a lack of any flavor between the squash, peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes, or if they simply used too much of the glaze such that it overpowered the pizza itself, but it made for a unremarkable pizza. It seems like they are trying to play the restaurant off as one that caters to local foods, but without really investing in good quality ingredients. There is definitely potential here, but they could stand to add some flavor to their dishes in one way or another. The dough, the sauce, the cheese, or the vegetables all have plenty of room for seasoning that just seems to have been ignored for the sake of keeping things simple beyond reason. I'd go back if a friend or family member were interested, but I would never suggest it myself. There are better options in the area.
(3)Amanda S.
Came here after walking around Riverfest in STC with my boyfriend and another couple. I had previously perused the pics on Yelp and like what I saw, so I was excited that I finally had the opportunity to try the place out. When we arrived, the place was almost empty. It was early for dinner, probably around 5pm on a Sunday, but I was surprised by the empty seats, given the generous reviews on yelp. We were told to sit wherever we'd like, and we promptly chose a table for four near the window. The service was good, but not terribly memorable. I was there three weeks ago and I can't even recall the gender of our server. We started off with calamari, which I believe is usually a good benchmark for a place. If you can't do something as traditional as calamari right, chances for a satisfying experience are slim to none. Lucky for us, the calamari was delicious and the serving size was generous. I only had three or four pieces, since I try to stay away from fried food, but I couldn't resist. I ordered the veggie pizza, which was also good. It wasn't the greatest pizza I've ever had, but I realized after this experience that I'm not huge on the brick oven pizza. What I liked the most about my pie was that they really put forth an effort with the veggies, there was an array of mushrooms, peppers, squash etc. My boyfriend did not like his pizza and took home about three quarters of it. He wasn't crazy about the place, but my other friends liked it. No one was raving about their food, but we weren't terribly disappointed. I'd probably return with a friend if I was in the mood for this style of pizza, but I doubt we'll be booking a date here any time in the near future.
(3)Steve G.
Nice concept and I'm looking forward to a return visit when they've worked some of the bugs out. But right now, I've got some serious complaints. Many of those complaints are echoed in the reviews of my fellow Yelpers -- like the burnt pizza (I think it's more like burnt bits of flour stuck to the crust of the pizza - I''m guessing they just haven't figured out their oven yet), no iced tea the night we were there (it wasn't even 7pm on a Friday night), a server that didn't know what manchego cheese was - and couldn't help us decipher the cheese choices we had on the meat and cheese "piatta" menu (and not a word of explanation on the menu either), and a front door with a broken closer that left the door open and the cold air streaming in, and a noise level that precludes any comfortable conversation. Competition is fierce for restaurant business in the Fox Valley area - especially on 3rd Street in Geneva, and you have to be on your game to survive here. The pieces are all here -- i just hope they can figure out how to put them all together.
(2)Rhonda S.
The food is good, and there are gluten free options available--like gluten free pasta. The Cotto A Legna salad looked plain at first, but then turned out to be very tasty. My husband had a great gluten free pasta with sausage and mushrooms. I was surprised that the service was slow--we waited about 30+ minutes after we placed our order and there were not a lot of people in the restaurant. Also, there is no kiddie menu (but they did have kiddie options). I just like to see the kiddie menu in front of me with descriptions and whether drinks...etc. are included. The lunch menu was pretty reasonable, but dinner seemed pricey.
(3)Nick B.
Went last night. Lets start with the positive: our server was good. She was attentive and when there was a mistake on the bill she fixed it. Now for the negatives. The pizza was not good. Our pizzas were very soggy and it was nearly impossible to pick a piece up and not have the toppings fall off. Our server took one of the pies back to the oven to see if it could crisp the crust, but it didn't really make a difference-still soggy. Another negative is that this joint can be very, very loud making it difficult to hear others at your table. Bottom line: When you go out for a dinner of four, spend $160 on a meal, and end up with soggy pizza and difficult conversations, I think you get 2 stars for that night.
(2)Joe L.
I really wanted to give this place 5 stars. I stopped in for a late lunch. Their salad was very good, Zuppa di pesce tasty. However there pizza was good but a bit soggy in the middle. Their server James was great. I will go back if I'm in the area!
(4)jill s.
Food was good. Had several apps, the shrimp with an orange marmalade glaze & stuffed zucchini blossoms. Both were very good & the presentation was nice. Then we ordered a pizza with spinach and sausage, it was good. We also had the lamb chops with risotto, chops I would not order again but the risotto was perfect and had fabulous flavor. Our server was a hot mess, but what are you going to do. She had a problem pouring the wine into a glass without spilling it every time & she didn't like removing the empty plates from our table. We just placed them on the table next to us. All in all I will return
(4)Erin H.
I'm glad we stopped by this spot. The food was good and I will probably come again if I'm in Geneva and in the mood for pizza. Ai Funghi - The brick oven pizza topped with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and mushrooms was tasty. It was a little saucer than I prefer but the sauce flavor wasn't overwhelming so it was enjoyable. Insalata Cotto A Legna - The salad was very fresh and I absolutely loved it. Arugula topped with thinly sliced green apples, a little blue cheese, bits of bacon (not too much) and toasted hazelnuts. Topped with a light vinaigrette. YUM! I think I enjoyed it more than the pizza! Atmosphere - Modern but still warm. It isn't too large of a restaurant so a reservation might be a good idea on a Friday or Saturday (if they take them). My only complaint was the music was cheesy - sounded like a department store or something...but at least it was low and probably easy to ignore when the restaurant is busy. Service - We had a lovely server who was very nice and attentive. Our food was quick but we went on a saturday afternoon - not sure about the evening shift.
(4)Carolyn A.
Awesome place! Food is always fantastic. Best veggie sandwich around on lunch menu. Great choice for any occasion.
(5)Margeret S.
Went back on Saturday, with guests who had never been but based on our recommendation couldn't wait to go. We were seated, and after sitting for 15 minutes with no one approaching us, having to approach the manager to try to get service with still no response we left to give our money to someone else who'd appreciate it. Not sure if we will be back anytime soon
(1)Mike O.
Great option for Italian food in Geneva. Comfortable atmosphere. We weren't a fan of the bruschetta. Lobster Bisque was EXCELLENT. We also ordered the pesto shrimp spaghetti and the spinach sausage pizza. Both were great. We expected leftovers and finished them both.
(4)Liz C.
First, I have to say the food was quite good. We had the mussels marinera, Margherita pizza & the salad w/salmon.All fine, except that we waited 10+ mins for our waitress, she brought out the wrong item (we were offered free beer but they only paid for 1 round in the end), and then after eating only 1/2 my dinner I asked for it to be boxed. Waitress comes back &. says the busboy threw it all out! Eeek! She did replace it but man, what a lot of mistakes! I know they r only 8 mod old. I hope they hire better , more experienced staff. If I'm in town again I may give them another chance.
(3)Stephanie H.
This has become a nice addition to the south end of Third Street. Great atmosphere and consistently good food, so we keep going back. The pizza is good, and they are happy to let us customize our pie. We blend a few together - it's delicious. Oh, and I'm a big fan of the sweet/spicy shrimp appetizer, especially with that basil. We've been there just the two of us and with large groups, and its enjoyable regardless of the group's size. They really want the business and are quite accommodating. We really enjoy the outdoor patio, even though it can be loud when the train goes by. Its by the station...what else can you expect? :) The wine list isn't fancy, but they have some good standbys.
(4)Jim L.
The 4 cheese pizza was not cooked properly in the middle. When we picked up a slice, the cheese slid off. The outer edge was cooked correctly but would have been burnt if the pizza was cooked any longer. Calamari was large, properly fried and good. No bread with olive oil served to me and my daughter. I mentioned the pizza issue to our wattress, she was unresponsive.
(2)Joe J.
My pizza was undercooked and some of the wait staff was rude. One server joined some of her friends at their table for a drunken swear fest that went on for the last 30 minutes I was there.
(1)Bassy D.
I ordered the calamari and the salmon risotto. Both were very salty, too salty. The caprese salad was good.
(2)George F.
This place is a major disappointment. Service was horrible, the waiter was offensive and very pushy as if someone was telling him to sell us as much as you can. The pizza was decent, but there's decent pizza everywhere.Won't be returning.
(1)Judy U.
Have had 4 wonderful lunches here. Everything fresh and delicious. Our server Staci was friendly and attentive. Had dinner here tonight. Highly recommend the salmon pizza and calamari appetizer.
(5)Patti R.
Great food! Awesome service from Loryn! Great food! Loved meeting chef! Great food! Great wine! Love the urban ambiance! Great wine! Great food! Clean bathroom.....greta wine! Great food! We will be back... Jen & Patti
(5)Mark K.
Great wood fire pizza. Calamari was fresh and cooked perfectly. Friendly staff. Nice addition to Geneva's restaurant scene. Nice wine list too. Can't wait to try the flat steak.
(4)Just My O.
This place was below average. Thankfully it's my anniversary or I would have walked out. I could go down to specifics but I'll be very objective. The appetizers were ok. Our appetizers were messed up. We ordered mushroom bruschetta and we got sausage instead. Then to the main course. Our spinacella pizza turned out to be a margheritta pizza because again the order was taken wrongly. The seafood linguine entre was swimming in oil. Could make it better at home. The only thing good were the drinks.
(1)Wendy P.
I am going to miss this place when I move. They have a unique and my most favorite house salad with a welcome array of vegetables that breaks the crowd-pleasing monotony of Caesar and mixed field greens. The pizza is fantastic. The crust is thin and simultaneously crisp and chewy, with an excellent stretch to the dough and slightly smoky. Sometimes the pizza can be a little dark but the charcoal adds, especially with the red sauce based pizzas. And the pizzas are not overly cheesy or sauced. I think that they put crack in their fried eggplant pizza, so be careful. Subsequent cravings are powerful and intense and I suspect something equally addicting has been added to the arugula and Parmesan one, as well. For the meat-lovers the sausage is flavorful with the right amount of heat, although I would steer away from adding the wurst, just a bit weird and has the taste and texture of hot dogs. My daughter is addicted to the salmon farfalle, and although, as for myself, I am not a fan of the cream sauce, this version is light and doesn't overwhelm the salmon and I like the spinach (as does my daughter who normally hates spinach) and subtle lemon pepper in the cream sauce. Really good. Props to them for always making me linguine with clams, when the offer only A Frutte del Mar; you are awesome, I am a pain but I appreciate it. The only negative is that it can get really loud, I think it is an acoustics issue. The affability and accommodating staff can take their time, but they make up for it in kindness.
(4)Punisher J.
Hit or miss. Pizza is good. Other food throw the dice. Atmosphere is ok as long as the owners aren't fighting and the servers aren't drinking!
(2)Heather I.
Very great food, great service, and great prices. I would have given them five stars but the temperature in the restaurant was almost unbearable. It was 85 and humid outside, but it still felt hotter inside the restaurant. If they get a better AC unit they would be perfect!!
(4)Thomas T.
Went here with a group recently and was pleasantly satisfied with the experience. The hosts of our party ordered all of the food so didn't even really look at the menu, but this is my take on what we had. First we got 2 bottles of wine. I know nothing about wine but it tasted fine. Then the apps came. The calamari was pretty delicious. It also came in a pretty hefty size which is more than I can say for some other places. I also had the caprese and I'm not a tomato fan but this was pretty delicious. The tomato and cheese were on point. We had a bunch of different pastas but the only one I tried was the boscaiola pasta which was pretty bomb. I didn't get any of the sausage in my scoop but the sauce in t his one was crazy good. We also got a lot of different pizzas but I only remember eating two of them. The margherita was pretty good, good flavor. The fina was all right, just a pain to eat. Like are you suppose to try and cut the arugula or scoop it off first, who knows. I was so lost. It's a really nice and clean place in an up and coming neighborhood it looks like. If it wasn't so far, I'd probably go back.
(4)Joann S.
This is a tricky review to write because I have mixed feelings. My husband and I have been here twice. They have a great selection of bruschetta made with fresh ingredients which are delicious. As for entres, both times we dined here my food was good but my husband's was not at all what was described on the menu. This evening he found this fact very frustrating. He not only hates carmelized onions but they make him sick and they were everywhere in the dish he ordered. When he explained this to a bus girl (our server disappeared) she just said "sorry" but did nothing about it. It would have been nice to have been offered something else since he couldn't eat any of the meal. What made matters worse is that he asked for another drink twice and never received it. Needless to say I will never come back to this restaurant with him, but I may go back with a friend just for wine and bruschetta. If they would get their act together a bit better with the menu it would make a big difference. Aside from this the ingredients are really fresh.
(2)Melodie M.
A great find!!! Tried a lot of places in Geneva and have been eyeing this place. Adorable decor outside, but it was too cold out today. We stopped in and were presently surprised at what a large selection there was! I assumed it was just a pizza joint with a few other options, but instead there was TONS of choices. A bit unsure what to order, our server rattled off multiple choices under each category! We decided to order the eggplant parmigiana for an appetizer. WOW!!! I'm an italian and I'm picky. This was the best eggplant parmigiana outside of the one I make! I also ordered the Porchetta sandwich which was also excellent!!! The bread was DIVINE!!! Def. Coming back!!!!
(5)Bill V.
Great outdoor seating. Good food and great service. What no to like. The pasta and pizza dishes are always excellent.
(5)Levent T.
Not headed in the right direction. Service way off to match the price point and the dishes were on opposite spectrums. Sausage and Brie bruschetta, Chicken Marsala and smoked salmon...all Yum! However, almost zero salmon on the Salmone Pizza (good crust and cheese) c'mon man! Also, pork chop (says *chops* on the menu) didn't even look an inch thick and at $25+ is robbery! However, a *ton* of smoked salmon on the salad...so WTFish? Pistachio crusted shrimp over fried and dark. Chipped water pitchers being used, jewerly hanging out of uniforms and dishes coming out at all different times on a Saturday? Big sign there is no leadership at this place. A generous 3 stars for now, yet, the current trend is driving me to maybe not return at all.
(3)Lauren J.
The food is delicious and they make a great dirty martini. If it's ever on the menu try the truffle pizza!
(5)Dave G.
Food continues to impress. I head here every couple of weeks to get my fix. Still have not found another place in the suburbs that matches the quality of authentic Italian cuisine as Cotto A Legna does. Continues to be my go-to spot for Italian.
(5)Maureen A.
I don't know about the food, but the owner obviously feels he is so important that he can park and block cars from getting out for long periods of time. Have to call the police to find out who the owner of the car is to be able to leave a public parking spot. Don't want to patronize a business with an owner that shows such disrespect and little regard for the public.
(1)Angie B.
Our first time there. Service was very helpful and attentive. We ordered the prosciutto bruschetta for starters, it was simple and very good. The lobster ravioli was fine. My husband ordered the buffalina pizza and it was cold, not good for a restaurant with a wood fire oven in the corner. All in all it was just ok.
(3)Hal C.
First trip here last evening. Since it was a Saturday made reservation through Yelp (not on Open Table). Arrived and seated promptly. When I told hostess to cross my name off list she was carrying it was not listed. She asked how I had made my reservation and when I said through Yelp she said "Oh that doesn't work yet" even though I even received a conformation e-mail from Yelp. Pizza was average at best. I ordered Margherita with added Italian Sausage, spouse ordered Salmone. Margherita had ample ingredients but lacked flavor. I would call it bland even. Could not tell that it was wood fired cooked. Salmone was more flavorful but again could not tell it was cooked in wood fired oven. Prices were very reasonable. I'm probably not returning for a second visit though.
(3)Gareth O.
I have been two times and really wanted to like this place. It has a good location, the menu has decent options, and a wood burning pizza stone is a big plus. Unfortunately, the service has been especially slow both times and all of the non-pizza dishes I have tried have been overly salty. This most recent visit it took nearly 90 minutes to get our food and we had to ask our waiter at least three or four times just to get a glass of water. Sadly, we will not be back anytime soon. There are better dining options in Geneva.
(2)Stacy J.
The décor is good, the location is awesome, the sound level was painful. The menu was convoluted, and the lack of focus shows in the food. I ordered the sausage bruschetta from the specials menu. The sausage was tasty, and the bread was good. That having been said, it was served swimming in a pool of oil. Add that to the fattiness of the sausage and the brie cheese, and the $12 I paid for it was insulting. This price was not posted, so caveat emptor, I suppose. The signage indicates that this is an upscale pizza place. The pizza was only a very small portion of the menu, and there was not an option for a simple pepperoni pizza. They did make my husband his desired pepperoni pizza, but it was not worth a return visit. I liked my pesto pizza, which would have been better if they had not been so stingy with the sundried tomatoes. Our service was timely and attentive, without being too much so. This place has great potential. If they would handle the noise issue, simplify the menu, focus on good pizza, and quit relying on pretentious sounding ingredients, they could have my continued business.
(2)Matt G.
Came in for lunch not knowing what to expect. Great place, great food and service. I left a very happy (and full) customer. My date and I couldn't decide what we wanted, so we figured we'd try the mussel appetizer. You usually can't go wrong with P.E.I. mussels. Lo and behold, the the mussels in this dish were simply f***ing amazing, no other way to describe them. These divine shellfish were the largest mussels I have ever seen in my life. Epic. Huge. They came swimming in a tomato sauce with some grilled bread. I'm still trying to think of a superlative to describe how much I loved this dish. I took a picture of it (see for yourself) and was scolded by my date for being an Instragram hipster LOL~ the lengths I go to in order to make my reviews worthwhile ;) We also ended up getting a couple of caprese sandwiches (ordered before the mussels came out) for the main dish. Had we known how enormous the mussels were we could have easily split the sandwich. The tomatoes on the caprese were surprisingly flavorful for December, I'd love to know where they source their produce from. Overall the sandwich was decent- nothing that was outstanding, but still a solid dish. The sides of fries here are also delish. They have a nice wine list, we ended up relying on our server to help us navigate. She was really cool, totally laid back, and made the trip even more fun. I'd definitely come back here again. I'd love to try the pizza and some of the daily specials. Overall a big 2 thumbs up, 4 stars!
(4)Hillary H.
It was my first time eating here yesterday and I really enjoyed myself. Cute atmosphere and good location. The food is made from scratch, but even still it took a super long time to get our food. We sat at the bar while we waited for a table to open up and the bartender was nice, but was pushing buying a bottle of wine on us the second we sat down. Ummm can I get a water first and maybe see a menu? Lol. I gave this place four stars because the food was excellent and we had a very nice waitress. I'd go back for some more of that white margarita pizza!
(4)Chad B.
Bad service, long wait for food and just okay food. We were there early on Friday (08/22/2014) evening and while it was crowded it wasn't completely full. Atmosphere is nice, seats are comfortable but be ready to scream at each other because the restaurant is very loud. The waiter came by took drink orders and brought them. Then we didn't see him for a while. Then he comes back and we ordered. I ordered soup which came 25 minutes later and was very good. Then the entrees took almost another 25 minutes. I ordered signature salad and it was bitter with very little dressing and I never found most of the ingredients listed in the description. I never got a drink refill the entire time I was there even though I asked several times.
(2)Dana R.
I was in town visiting my parents last Friday, and had taken the train to Geneva. This place is right near the train station, so it was very convenient for us. After stopping in, we were told a wait time of about 30 minutes. It wasn't a problem for us, so we headed across the street to the Caboose to have a drink. Fastforward to when we come back on time. We still stood in the entryway for a solid 10 minutes before we were even acknowledged. We were shown to a small table, without a word being said to us. A bus boy gave us plates and utensils, but it was another 15 minutes of waiting before someone even came over to introduce themselves or pour water. It wasn't until we were about to leave that a woman came over and poured water. The waitress didn't introduce herself, or apologize for the wait or lack of service. After receiving menus, she didn't even give us time to look at the menu before asking what we would like. She didn't seem very patient while we asked questions about the entrees either. Once we placed our orders (2 pasta dishes and a salad.) We waited. And we waited. And we waited some more. It took about 60 minutes for our meals to come out. While we were waiting, we were not greeted by anyone, offered any drinks, bread or receive an apology about the wait. We saw people who had arrived after us receive hot appetizers before we even got our food. A simple "I'm sorry the kitchen is really backed up right now. Can I get you something while you wait?" would have been better than the service we received. Once the food did arrive, it didn't even come out at once. The two pasta dishes arrived 10 minutes before the salad. We thought that was a little odd. We ate our dishes and enjoyed them. The food is pretty tasty, rich and filling. When we were finished, we still had half our plates in front of us. The waitress didn't immediatley offer us boxes, just placed the check on the table and walked away. We later asked for the boxes to go. We left feeling disgruntled and put off. The atmosphere is also pretty loud, so you may have to shout to your dining companion to be heard. Although the food was good, the atmosphere and service is off. I don't think we'll be coming back here again.
(2)Donald C.
I continue to like this place. I was here last night and had good food and decent wine. The three of us ordered and shared Bruschetta with artichoke (highly recommended), a gnocchi special with mushrooms (really good, but not gnocchi, more like ravioli), and a 12" pesto pizza. Washing it all down was a glass of the Estancia Cab. The food really is good. The service is decent, the menu offers new specials pretty often and I definitely recommend it.
(4)carmella d.
This place is confusing. The overly Italian titled name and menu items are obvious, but the restaurant is anything but authentically Italian. While entering the restaurant, I was greeted with neither an Italian eatery, nor a chic brick oven concept. Instead, I entered a noisy decorless dry wall box with a pizza oven in the back corner. There was no music playing throughout my entire dinner, so all I could hear was clanking glasses and the occasional crash of shattering pizza plates (the servers dropped 2 full pizzas on the ground while I was there). My table was awkwardly in the middle of the room right in front of the entrance door, but as I looked around the room to ask the server if I could switch tables, I realized that all of the tables were places equally nonsensically. The menu tried desperately to appear authentically italian, but the American crowd pleasers like clam chowder nixed that idea. I was served a terrible cocktail, so asked the waitress for a beer suggestion, but she didn't know the difference between a lager, wheat beer, or ale. I finally was served my pizza, and left with a stomach ache. The pizzas had no focus or balance--the chef just decided to pile as many powerful "Italian" ingredients on top as possible. My experience ended with a tall female server scolding me because she, "almost tripped on my purse." Considering there were no purse hooks, I don't really see how that is my problem. I only came to this restaurant because it was convenient after a long commute to chicago. Next time, I'll take the 10 minute drive across the river to Pizzeria Neo instead of settling for a cheap immitation.
(1)Eddie R.
This place was just average. The pizza was good but the seafood medley pasta dish had about a half cup of oil sitting in the bottom of the dish. At least I can say I tried this place but probably will not return.
(2)Debra S.
Pleasant surprise! Last week we stopped in on a whim (whole family of 5). They were very busy and we had to wait to be served, but the waiter was super apologetic and we could tell he was running his tail off. The food was absolutely some of the most delicious Italian dishes I have ever had. The portions were large and we had plenty of leftovers. The prices were good considering the quality and sizes. I liked it so much we are having my birthday party there tonight!
(4)Renee D.
Visited Cotta A Legna with three friends...I think we would all go back. The pizza was quite good, but I'm only at 3 stars because I truly believe they need to take their pizzas out of the oven a tad sooner. As we waited for one of our party who was running late, I took a look around at others who had received their food. Every pizza I saw had a charred crust. I noticed one woman was certainly put off by it, as she literally just stared at her plate as the server walked away after presenting her pizza to her. Luckily, mine was not nearly as burnt as hers... it wasn't just her crust. I have had wood fired pizza many times...and never did I receive one that was burnt. I ordered the quattro w/sausage... good sausage with a unique taste. Our server was great. She was very friendly, helpful and didn't rush us, as the night we met was for our holiday gift exchange...and a birthday...so we were there quite a while. I saw a table with a larger group (8-10) who had brought their small children. A little too high end for kids, in my opinion (I have a 4 and 6 year old.) The atmosphere is tailored more to adults (I am sure this is especially true in the evening) and I'm not willing to spend $10-15 on individual pizzas for young children. Update: July 2012...I didn't enjoy this place half as much the second time. Food takes about 10 minutes longer than it should (we ordered a pizza and a pasta dish.) It is also very noisy...annoyingly so...and I don't really know why. I was also bummed because my husband didn't care for it much and actually said something about going back to another place in the area, which I had considered but thought he would like Cotto a bit more than he did. With so many other places, and a favorite or two, we may not make it back. On a more positive note...we did have a good waiter, so they seem to hire a good wait staff.
(3)Gaby F.
A quiet Sunday afternoon. Crisp, perfectly cooked Neapolitan pizza with spinach and delicious sausage in a pleasant space with attentive service. Strong espresso with a twist of lemon. Nice wines on the list but didn't drink today. I'll definitely go back. Someone knows what they are doing here... Reasonably priced pizza. The appetizer of prawns and bacon was good but expensive at $12 I thought.
(4)Craig R.
I went in here skeptical and was pleasantly surprised. The stuffed grilled portabella was extremely delicious. Great flavor and obviously fresh ingredients! I split a Spinacella with my wife and we thought it was done very well. Not too heavy on ingredients, good blend of cheese, sauce - overall very tasty. I will return. The place gets busy and we ended up sitting at the bar. Service was good, food was prepared quickly. Overall ...an enjoyable meal.
(4)Marissa C.
Awesome food the best in Chicago suburbs. Brick oven pizza A+ Pasta A+, appetizers A+. Everything on the menu is delish. Taking my friends here this weekend. Great find by my bother
(5)Heather M.
Had an amazing dinner here with wonderful service! The traditional bruschetta and Cotto A Legna bruschetta were out of this world! Feta, proscuitto, raspberry preserve, pears - YUM! The meat/cheese plate and pizza were delicious as well. We will definitely be back!
(5)Rena C.
Yesterday I spent a lovely afternoon with two long time friends at this restaurant and we had a great time. The staff was friendly, the wine was high quality and affordable and the food was superb. We sat out on the patio and started with the calamari, which was so good that we ordered another. The veggie sandwich was perfect and the manager and wait staff were attentive, efficient and a lot of fun. This will definitely be my regular watering hole in wonderful Geneva. My friends and I spend a lot of time walking our little dogs in Chicago and we have various outdoor cafes where we can bring our pooches and have a meal. It's such a nice way to spend time with friends! We also meet up in Geneva on a regular basis, as the shops owners are very kind and let us carry our well behaved buddies in to shop. I hope to be able to have some Geneva dog walks that end up at Cotto A Legna. So civilized!
(5)Paul B.
Really cool place and a pleasant surprise. We live in Geneva and tried the restaurant for the first time the other day. Great menu and really, really good food. Wine selection is terrific and the pizzas are great. We also enjoyed a wonderful, albeit HUGE cheese platter beforehand. We can't wait to go back!
(4)Patrick K.
A perfect way to end the week. My girlfriend and I always look for a good place to go to "celebrate" the end of the week. Cotto A Legna is a great a place for a good celebration. We started out with the house salad and what a treat. Light, fresh and delicious. For dinner we had the swordfish and lamb chops. All I have to say is awesome! You have to stop by and try.
(4)Todd P.
Great pizza and eggplant. This is must if you like wood fired pizza and their eggplant appetizer is outstanding and is enough that you can make it a meal. We had an outstanding server named James who made the experience that much more enjoyable. We went with several couples our first time, back with my family, and then with just my wife. We can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can enjoy great food and downtown Geneva. We are definitely going back.
(5)davia t.
The restaurant was empty on a Saturday night, so we were excited to not wait long before being served. Unfortunately, the lack of people was probably due to the food being totally tasteless, the pizza not being cooked, and service being sub-par. The waitress was sweet and professional when at our table, but with us being the only 2 people in the restaurant, you think it would have kept her from laughing, loud-talking, drinking and flirting with the bartender the ENTIRE time. I ordered the mushroom ravioli "special" that claimed to be served with aioli sauce but it was a bland water that was hidden underneath the pasta. My date's a tad-bigger-than-personal-pizza was soggy and undercooked, despite the lack of toppings. Needless to say, we will not be returning, especially after the whole ordeal cost us $50 and WE DIDN'T EVEN GET ALCOHOL.
(1)Denise D.
Ate here last night. Still haven't tried the pizza, but we LOVE the bruschetta - esp. since we We also really like the mushroom ravioli and pollo cavatapi. Highly recommend the pear martini too!!! Service is good, food inventive, atmosphere nice.
(4)Private I.
Cotto a Legna earned the 5 stars. We've been going to it for a little while now, and a number of things are excellent. First - the pizza. The dough is excellent, and you can get your pizza served the way the owner wants (really thin once you move in from the outside ring of crust) or you can ask for it to be made thicker. The crust is just as it should be - a nice ring on the outside to hold your slice, and blackened in a bunch of spots spread randomly over the crust ring and underneath. Secondly - service. I like the fact that even a young host that looks like he's under 20 has the manners to seat a woman who walks in by herself. That is a lost pleasantry and sign of respect these days. We've never waited a long time for food, water refills, apps, all of that. Third - price. The pizzas are made with high quality ingredients, and they have a number of pizzas with many ingredients at reasonable prices. One pizza will serve three to four people, if each person eats an actual "serving size" as opposed to "let's eat as much as we can". The eggplant parm is our favorite app so far, and that will serve 5 or 6 people with ease. Just reading about the burrata will make your mouth water. The bread that you get served while you wait - it tastes fresh, it's toasted, and we have a tough time not filling up on that! It is brought to the table along with a smart presentation of olive oil in one server and parmesan cheese in the other, salt shaker and pepper shaker in the middle. The restaurant is across from the train station, but the dining room is superbly sound-proofed. The restaurant is kid-friendly, and if the little ones sit at the counter then they get little bunches of dough to play with - so cute. We love Cotto a Legna in Geneva.
(5)Anthony D.
Been to this gem four times. Pizza was done to perfection. They make their sausage on the premises and it is very good. Their Calamari Fritti is tender. Many places over cook it and it comes out rubbery. Had the Boscaiola pasta dish (sausage, mushroom, parsley and white garlic cream sauce). Fantastic. Went back for more the following week. Good wine selection as well.
(5)Gardner F.
Went there on VDay. Not the best service. Waited 15min for our waitress came to greet us at our table. She apologized profusely and they gave us a round of drinks. Then I ordered soup and it never came and I never mentioned it to her. I have been here many times and I enjoy the food. Get the Cotto A Legna signature bruschetta and you will not be disappointed.
(3)