La Bella Pasteria
1103 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL, 60302
La Bella Pasteria Menu
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Address :
1103 South Blvd
Oak Park, IL, 60302 - Phone (708) 524-0044
- Website https://www.labellapasteria.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : 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 : No
Has TV : No
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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Tim R.
Great little neighborhood restaurant that I can say is one of my favorite restaurants! Very happy and confident to bring friends here! Thanks to Gui for staying to wait on us last night! We are never disappointed!
(5)Mindy B.
In my quest for the perfect pizza in my neighborhood (which has been going on for three years now), I shelled out the $35 with a coupon for a pie here. I was disappointed. The "double" crust was cracker thin and somewhat burnt, and didn't even come close to supporting the extra sauce I ordered. I will say the cheese medley was pleasant, but for me pizza is about sauce and crust!! If anyone knows of an excellent soft, double dough pizza with great sauce in OP, please... lemme know! I'm not talking deep dish... I already have my fav there... I'm talking have it delivered to your house weekly kinda pizza. I would consider going here for pasta if I didn't feel like going downtown.
(1)Karl C.
La Bella is an excellent little Italian restaurant. The decor is smooth and crisp. And the service is very accomodating and attentive, without being overbearing. We tried their bruschetta as an appetizer, which was good. I opted for their minestrone soup. It really hit the spot. Then I followed that up with the Chicken Oreganata entree. The chicken was cooked with lemons, olive oil, oregano and potatoes. It was cooked well and I enjoyed it. The restaurant is physically small and intimate, much smaller than I expected (but in a good way). The decorations and set-up of the restaurant is very aesthetically-pleasing. Everything really came together for the dinner though. If I lived in Oak Park, I would certainly make this a regular stop: La Bella seems to do everything very well.
(4)Jeka M.
Small with a warm, intimate atmosphere. La Bella has good soup and pasta, I had the minestrone and special cavatell which came with red peppers and green beans sauteed in olive oil and garlic. I liked it, but for Italian food, it was just average to me. After all the raving I was expecting something different/original/special. It was certainly GOOD, but perhaps I didn't order the right entree, because I wouldn't say great. Overall: Service was a little ingratiating but nice. I would recommend it as a good date atmosphere with decent pricing.
(3)Tiff J.
No complaints here! I went here with a big group to celebrate a birthday. Lots of people ordered the gnocchi & said it was good, average. I ordered an eggplant salad (?...I think that's what it was). The waiter said, "Great choice!" When I ordered it, and he was right. This is a nice Italian restaurant in Oak Park. If you like to sit outside, you can do that in the nice weather months as long as you can tolerate the trains going by across the street & raised above on the platform. I didn't eat outside, so I'm not sure how that experience is.
(5)C F.
Went to La Bella recently for a light dinner and was very pleased with the great specialties I was served. I had Chicken Limone, La bella salad and an stacked eggplant salad type thingy which was very tasty. The servers were great and attentive and everything was very fresh! The servings were really nice and enjoyable and although I ate a lot, I wasn't STUFFED. For dessert I had the Tiramisu that was flavored very nicely. It's a great place to bring friends when you need a city getaway. I will come back for sure.
(4)Bex M.
I had been meaning to go here for ages. We got a groupon and finally had an excuse to branch out from our regular routine. The place is cozy and adorable. I was very excited to be there but had heard the food wasn't that great so I my expectations were low-ish. Everything we ordered tasted salty. Really, really salty. The only thing that wasn't painfully salty was the salad. Anyway, my husband had lasagna and I had a pasta dish and they tasted identical. Like salt. Everything was drowning in sauces and salt. I honestly felt like my lips were burning by the time we left. The service was slow-ish (the place was mostly empty minus a large party--always means that messes up the whole restaurant so I wasn't too bothered by that). If you like salted and saucy then this is your place. Odds are low I'd come back unless I heard they revamped it a bit.
(2)Austin S.
Mediocre and overpriced food that anyone with 15 minutes of Food Network under their belt could duplicate at home. The wine list is sadly sub-par. Anyone claiming this dining experience is just too rich for a casual event just doesn't realize that the establishment must overcharge for everything to maintain the illusion of grandeur to keep the books in the black. Worst, this little pit of despair is so close to stellar eateries yet cannot muster anything of value on the menu. The atmosphere and service leave much to be desired. It is a tiny hole in the wall with clearly poorly planned space for seating. It should be cozy, but feels cramped and cold. Expect to be bumped and jostled. The service staff are haughty and ignorant. Do not expect that the staff have any knowledge whatsoever of the food or the wine, or expect that it will be made up off the cuff.
(1)Roseann M.
Boy was this good. I'm kind of relieved that it's in Oak Park, and not close to where I live in Chicago, or I'd be spending a lot more of my barely-earned cash at this place. My friend, who lives a few blocks away in Oak Park, had never been here, but she saw reviews on line and figured, what the heck? The decor is very cute, without being cloying. It was Wednesday, and we got there shortly after they opened for dinner. There was only one other party eating, so we decided to sit in the window so passers-by could tell the place was open. It was very pretty, and quiet. I recommend the tables by the window to anyone. We were given a wine list, and my friend said, don't they have half-bottles of wine tonight? Isn't that on Tuesday and Wednesday? The waiter came over, we asked him, and he said, actually, bottles are half-price on Tuesday and Wednesday. Woo hoo! We had been planning to each have a glass of the Greg Norman Cab/Merlot blend, but, with that wine deal, we could have the whole bottle (regular price $34) for $17, so we went for it. Delicious wine! We love and adore the Greg Norman red wines. The waiter did bring us bread, parmesan and olive oil, but apparently we were a lot more interested in the wine, so we really didn't eat bread. At least, I know I didn't and I don't recall my friend eating any. I order the Special Cavatelli for $14.95. The cavatelli comes with string beans, roasted red peppers, and mushrooms served in garlic and olive oil. Absolutely delicious! This was one of the better, more inventive pasta dishes I've had in a long time. My friend took a bite, and she loved it too. My friend ordered the lasagna, and she loved it. Because it was made with meat, I did not try it. We finished the meal with two capuccinos. Again, very good. We probably sat there for almost three hours. This was a very leisurely, pleasant dining experience. We never felt rushed, or that the wait staff needed to clear the table. The restaurant only got about half full at the most, which is not too surprising, given that it was a Wednesday. This was a terrific meal. I'd be very happy to visit La Bella again, and I'd recommend it to anyone. It was a very pleasant surprise, especially since it took me nearly an hour to drive there from Chicago. I was stressed out, and the atmosphere and total expereience at LaBella definitely took me to my happy place.
(4)Anthony P.
Our whole experience here was rather mediocre. There are just too many Italian restaurants within a reasonable distance to make this place special or a stand-out. My chicken marsala was good, but certainly nothing remarkable, and in my opinion, it did not justify the price. Unfortunately, what stands out in my mind about the experience was the service. I'm hoping, for this place's sake, that the server was new. She seemed like a bit of an airhead; definitely not ready for prime-time. She was just slow and inattentive in general. This place is good if you happen to be in the area, but with so many other choices, nothing to go out of your way for.
(3)Tina T.
Uggh! Gave it another try - we wanted to go to Cucina Paradiso but got out the door late because of a project we were doing at home, and when we got there they were closing area. So we gave LaBella another try. Meh - simply an average American Italian restaurant. Huge portions, smothered in sauce and cheese - not my style. First of all, the wine list absolutely sucks. They've got about 8 choices for red wine, and they are all pedestrian grocery store varieties: Gabbiano ($9 for a glass of this crap?), Greg Norman? Seriously? Even Jewel and Dominicks have better wines than these. The food - all American style cooking. Basically your plate of food could serve 4 people, is laden with sauce, oil, gravy, cheese - but it's not quality. We had a grilled calamari appetizer - the calamari was overcooked and tough, not juicy as a grilled calamari should be. All the rest of the dishes, including the specials, are too fussy. Real Italian cooking celebrates the freshness and simpleness of the ingredients and doesn't trade quality for quantity. About the only saving grace was our server - she was very attentive and helpful. Really, if you want a delicious Italian meal, you should go to Gaetano's in Forest Park, or Cucina Paradiso, or drive an extra 20 minutes to Addison and try Nuova Italia.
(2)Mary Ann C.
I have actually dined here several times, including for my baby shower a couple of years ago. I think it is a great place with good food and super friendly staff. Last night, I ordered delivery-four cheese pizza and cheese raviolli. Both were great. My daughter was eatting the marinara by the spoon full-she liked it more than the pasta. However, I loved the pasta. The raviolli was not as good as what I had at a recent visit to Rosebud. The side salad with house dressing was delicious. The pizza had a great, flavorfull crust with an interesting combination of cheeses. Can't wait for my next delivery order!!!!
(4)Lindsey F.
Food = Fantastic The issue is trying to get your hands on their menu. Carry out order was flawless. Two times we sat down to eat and service was poor as well as unfriendly. Our order also took a long time to arrive at the table. Constant waiting if you sit down...
(2)I H.
Was just there this past weekend with the kids for the second time and we enjoyed it very much. I get what others have said about the menu not being pretty straight forward but that is what I like about this place. All of our orders were all excellent and the service was great. I think the thing I liked the most was the pace of the service. There was a nice break between each course which made for a very relaxing meal.
(4)John T.
I live nearby and have eaten here a few times. The first I ordered, it was surreal! Great food and service. I kept going back in hopes of trying to get that same quality; however, each time, I'm let down. The vesuvio is a favorite of mine at other places, and here it is nothing more than bland, oily chicken. There are many more restaurants around with similar cuisine. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else because for the money it's a rip off.
(2)Kaitlyn V.
Love their pasta. Nothing fancy but very satisfying. I've been seated in the hallway before, which is lame. I love the main dining area -- so cozy and the exposed brick is gorgeous. Although I'm 25, they act a bit suspicious when I order wine. A little annoying, but the food is good enough to make up for it.
(4)Amanda G.
Great little italian place in Oak Park! Good quality and great service too! I would come back in a heartbeat. I really enjoyed the eggplant stack salad with tomato and mozzarella. For a main course my boyfriend and I shared Veal Limone. You can definitely share with the entrees here as they are pretty big. They were nice to give us two plates with our own portions on it too. Great little spot.
(4)Samantha C.
This is one of the best italian retaurant I've ever been to. Very classy but not pretentious. It's a small little place tucked in Oak Park. I like that it's small, it makes it so it doesn't get overcrowded with loud annoying people. If you want that you can walk to TGI Friday's, it's about two blocks away. I can't help but the get the same pasta dish every time. Vodka pasta! The sauce is perfect. Most places make it taste either too sweet or too bland. La Bella's vodka sauce isn't too rich, it's a perfect balance of how a vodka sauce should taste. The peppercorn dressing was delicious too. The servings are huge and always make for delicious leftovers. The prices are great. The service is prompt and with great attitude. And the bathrooms smell nice and are clean!
(5)Janet N.
Tilapia Francesca was so flavorful! Biggest piece of tilapia I have ever seen.
(4)P G.
Three for dinner - the food, excellent, service, friendly and efficient, atmosphere, warm and inviting. Ordered - lasagna, chicken picante, and rigotoni with meat sauce and meatballs. We all enjoyed the entrees as well as a little lunch for home. For starters, a salad, minestrone and wedding soup. The wedding soup was excellent - full of tasty meatballs and carrots and escarole. The only thing that wasn't up to the rest was chocolate layer cake for dessert - stick with the tiramisu or spumoni. An excellent, small Italian restaurant in Oak Park that's worth a visit.
(4)Ela G.
What a cute place!!! The service I had was fantastic, from the server to the owner. I had a broccoli fettucini dish, which was tasty. The location is convinient, the atmosphere and decor and service is fantastic! Normally, I'm not so easy to please with italian- but gotta say, I'm quite pleased indeed.
(4)Kelly R.
This is my new favorite restaurant! It is a tiny place but super cute. I love going here with my husband for a romantic dinner. The place looks expensive but dinner for us is never more than $50 or $60 and that's with appetizers, entrees, and dessert!!! The tiramisu here is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This place is also super convenient because it is right off the Harlem green line stop. The staff is kind of hit or miss. It depends on how busy it is in here. Obviously, when the place is less packed you get more attention. The pastas are great! The calamari is worth trying! DEFINITELY GET THE TIRAMISU!!!
(5)Kristina C.
My mother is very indecisive. When I asked what she wanted to do for Mother's Day, she didnt know. I suggested brunch, she said no. I asked about lunch, she said that might be okay. When I asked where, she was clueless, but wanted to try something new. So I made her narrow it down to a city and 5 cuisines. Thanks to Yelp, I found this place. What this place doesn't have in space, it makes it up for in food quality. We had a few appetizers (clams and mussels), both were tasty. The server wasnt incredibly knowledgeable on the menu, she didnt know alot of the contents of the food. The place wasnt busy, but all 3 tables that were there while we were there all waited for their entrees and they came out all at the same time. I had a soup and salad and took a big portion of my salad home, as did my mom with her salmon and dad with his pork. The food was amazingly good, but portions were big. Overall, while the food quality was top notch, I thought it was pricey, which I wouldn't have minded if my service was amazing. Unfortunately, I didn't think it was, even if there were only a few people in the restaurant.
(3)Meow M.
Love this place, always have a great meal, and the new owner is a huge improvement, greets everyone at the table without being intrusive, seems really invested in the business. As for the food, favorites are the blackened pork chops, stacked eggplant salad, and homemade tiramisu. Yummy specials. Service is very good, attentive, knowledgeable about the menu and wine list.
(5)Johnathan K.
This honestly might be my favorite restaurant. I can't think of anything bad to say about this place. Even the bathrooms are awesome. Seriously. The service is always prompt and courteous,and you get a lot for your money. Most dishes come with your choice of one of two soups, or salad and a side of pasta, and portions are big, almost too big. My favorites are the baked cavatelli (cavatelli pasta with marinara sauce and ricotta, covered with mozzarella and broiled) and the eggplant parmigiana (some of the best I've ever had). The wine list is pretty expansive as well. I'm usually nervous when I introduce friends to new restaurants, but I never have to worry if I'm taking them to La Bella. I've been going since they were at their old location and it's always been consistently excellent. I'm incredibly picky about Italian food, and there are few places I trust to make things better than I can, and this is one of them. I love this place!
(5)Murph K.
I have been several times for Lunch and Dinner. The atmosphere is nice, service is very good very good. What was even better is that my pain in the a.. boyfriend decided that he wanted something that was not on the menu. Without hestitation they made him what he wanted and it was wonderful. My only "complaint" is that I like to have a drink or two at the bar before sitting down for dinner. The bar is not very large, but not a deal breaker! Always a top choice when going out for Italian!
(4)Mike D.
This place is awesome. Try the chicken limon, or the veal saltambucca.
(5)Nessie V.
Cute cozy place. Menu had prosiutto in the arrabiata but they left it out as per my request. Sauce was very spicy (how I like it and how I think Arrabiata should be). Staff was very nice and let us close up the place with no hassle. I like the little waterfall sink faucet too.
(4)Ruth Ann M.
I was kind of disappointed in the food at La Bella. It was recommended to me when I first moved to Oak Park, and two years later, I finally gave it a try. They serve average Italian food. I don't think it was worth the price. Honestly, if you're up for spending $15-30 a plate for Italian food, I would tell you to go to Francesca's Fiore in Forest Park or Carmine's downtown.....same prices FAR better tasting food. The wine list was also very disappointing. They offer such grocery store staples as Beringer and MezzaCorona for prices six times the retail price. Booooo! If I'm going to spend that much on a glass/bottle of wine at a restaurant, I want it to be a wine that I can't buy at Dominick's....something unique, different, or interesting. Other than that, our service was good. The waitress was attentive, but lacked any personality. She held a straight face the entire time even though we were joking and smiling with her.
(2)Krys J.
Yes, it is off the beaten path a little, but that seems to add to its charm for me. I've eaten here a plethora of times & I have never left without a delightfully full belly. I love the rolled eggplant appetizer and the special cavatelli as an entree. They also feature a nice selection of specials every night too. Of course, since LaBella only seats about 45 or so, it is never too loud. Also, the service is great. I highly recommend it for date night!
(5)Stephen L.
It's good but menu needs a face lift. Service is great. Redo the menu and I, along with other oak park residence, will be back.
(3)Ken L.
Great atmosphere, great service, great food. I have eaten at La Bella with my wife for date night and it was excellent at that time. I just ate there with my family: kids 1 and 3. I thought this might be a challenge for them because of the "date night" atmosphere, but they were great and very accommodating. I asked the waitress for the chef to saute the veal; I wanted NO breading. She told me no problem. Sauce was heavy on most dishes coming from the open kitchen. Upon seeing this, I asked the chef through the open kitchen to go light on the sauce with the veal parmigiana. He happily did just as I requested. Again, no problem. Pasta was perfect al dente. The quality of the veal was excellent. Being originally from Philadelphia, I am used to some very good Italian cuisine. This is very good!
(4)Lila P.
My husband and I rarely eat Italian anywhere other than at home since we both enjoy preparing Italian dishes. We decided to try a new restaurant within walking distance of our home and La Bella won! I was surprised by how busy and crowded the restaurant was, but the staff was able to negotiate between tables and easily serve and care for the patrons' needs. The bread was fresh and tasty and the Wedding soup like my Nonna used to make. The salad was a little small for a dinner salad, however. My husband had the veal asiago which was well prepared and I had 8 fingers cavatelle with tomato vodka sauce which won my heart. I know we'll be returning...good food, good location and great staff.
(3)Jay n.
Visited on a Friday night with eight people - the had a nice table waiting for us in the front window. Service was very good.....always there when you needed it, but you could hardly notice.....just the way it should be. Our Server was Yacina (sp?)....she did a great job. Food was great all around. Eggplant Parmesan was Great - two people ordered it in our group, and there was enough to share with everyone. Linguine with Shrimp and Broccoli was awesome...everyone wanted to order it next time they visit. We skipped Desert, but only because the portions, the appetizers, the bread, the wine....it was all so good and the portions are very large. Once again, very pleased with LaBella.....will return soon.
(5)Chris C.
We live over by La Bella so we've been there a few times. My wife is partial to the eggplant parm. but we both think the pizza is the best thing they make. Thin, floppy and square-cut its typical of the mom-and-pop pizza places I knew growng up. It can be pricey so we do take out - after you cut out drinks and tip its quite reasonable. Oh and if you go for Friday or Saturday dinner - you need reservations
(4)Masha G.
Went with a Groupon to have a dinner there. Made a reservation on a spot and host was really nice, she remembered us when we came back for reservation later on that night. Wait Stuff was funny and courteous, knowledgeable, sweet. Food was fine. I had Chicken Alla Bella, Nice flavor but it was waaay to much marinara sauce. Pasta was decent, but nothing out of ordinary. My bf's order of chicken Oregano was fine, and portion was big. Ricotta cheesecake was good, not too sweet. That was probably my favorite part of the meal... So overall it was a pleasant experience. Though nothing out of ordinary food wise. I might comeback, only if they won't be overcrowded. There are many similar places in the area. So this one does not stand out as I expected it to be.
(3)Michelle L.
Meh. We went for Valentine's Day. Didn't have a reservation, so they seated us at the bar. Which actually was great. It was our fault for no reservation, and the bartender was very attentive and good service. He recommended some great wines and the bruschetta, which was wonderful. Thats about it for the positive experience. I ordered a shrimp dish, cant remember the name. But it came out as a plate of fried shrimp, and then a separate bowl of spaghetti and tomato sauce. The shrimp was boring, no special flavor at all. The huge bowl of spaghetti was also boring. The tomato sauce was not very warm, and quite honestly the Ragu I have at home has more flavor. My boyfriend ordered the lobster ravioli. The ravioli came out warm, not hot, like it had been sitting for a while. The white cream sauce was sort of just like milk. Very thin, no flavor. And, for $26, he got 7 small pieces of ravioli. The portions were really off, mine was huge and boring, his was small, a little less boring, but nothing special. If you're looking for good fresh Italian in an intimate setting, head down the street to Cucina Paradiso.
(2)Tina C.
When you walk in, you look around and find that it's a very small place. Smaller than probably what you were thinking. The bar is small, but very nice. Your greeted with a smile, and thank god we got in when we did, because about 5 min later there was a 20 min wait. So my bf and I were seated at a two top near the door. We ordered a couple of drinks and kept the food simple. Rigatoni and baked mussels. Well I asked the server how many mussels I get, she said a dozen. 4 came out. I said, ok, I mean it was only 10 bucks. But, then the wrong pasta dish came out. I hope she was new. Because if she had been there awhile, and made those kind of mistakes, she really should be let go. ANYWAY, tiramisu was nice. NOT the best, but good none the less. Our server was polite, but it was like she was stoned or something. It was hard to hear her, and she messed up both dishes. I will be back some time......and hopefully I will have a different server.
(3)Sara N.
Went with a groupon twice to give it a try. We have other local Italian restaurants we really like - Cucina for one - but thought we would check it out. Service mediocre both times (pleasant but not particularly competent). Food ok - many other close by Italian options - same price range - food we like a lot more. Manager or owner (not sure which) was not pleasant or helpful about a groupon question. Not a go-again.
(1)Joon M.
I don't trek out to the suburbs very often, but La Bella is worth the trip. Excellent food, ambience & service. The calamari was cooked to perfection & melted in my mouth like butter.
(5)Anna C.
I just tried this place recently for the first time. One of my friends recommended it to me. I could not believe how great the food is here! The eggplant parmesan is out of this world. It is thinly sliced and layered with a lot of cheese. The sauce is perfect. I think that this dish is one of their specialties. The ambiance is cute. It is a small restaurant so I would recommend a reservation. It is cozy and warm. The servers are friendly and helpful if you can't decide what to order. Overall, I would strongly recommend this restaurant. Unfortunately, I do not live close by. However, i will make the drive for the fabulous eggplant parmesan. I'm definitely coming back soon.
(5)Chgo N.
Very nice place, my second visit. Last time was kind of a Groupon haze (tasty but crowded) and this time was a leisurely Sunday evening with friends. I liked my meal (skate with a lemon/garlic/caper sauce) but I loved the starters, especially the stacked eggplant. I tend to avoid eggplant since it's so often disappointing, but this was wonderful! Not a boozer here but when I requested soda + bitters, I had a number of options when it came to bitters, so that was a happy surprise. Also good was the grilled calamari and the mussels. So yeah, amazing starters. The only thing that didn't really do it for me was the side pasta that came with my entree--mine was with garlic and olive oil and was entirely unremarkable.
(4)Vanessa R.
Great Food Great Service Great Atmosphere We love La Bella, and frequent it often! I can't believe I didn't Yelp it sooner! I think La Bella is so romantic but La Bella is a great place for groups too! They have those big round tables they can set up. Alot of times we will meet up with several other couples and we can all sit around a round table instead of a long table like last supper style.....the round makes it easier to visit with everyone.
(5)Bella D.
This little italian eatery is sweet, charming and lovely. Great service, quality food and nice atmosphere to just enjoy wine, cocktails and a nice meal with friends and family. We were lucky to get here after being famished from a long day. My friends ordered, the white fish, the lobster ravioli, chicken vesuvio and chicken marsala...mMmm..sweet home cookin' and perfection for the tastebuds. Thanks La Bella. Bellisimo!
(4)Mary M.
this place is adorable! i recommend making a reservation if you are heading there for dinner on a weekend night. i love the service (we had a lovely waitress, she was an elementary school teacher) and the atmosphere is delightful. we actually made a reservation, but the family who was at our table stayed a bit later than expected. we had a few drinks at the bar, and were seated about 20 mins later... we were given a free appetizer and the owner apologized for the wait (great service, indeed!) the chicken piccante (sp?) is what i like to call "last meal good" meaning if i were on death row, i would request this with their angel hair and replace the red sauce with the vodka sauce. i love La Bella! :)
(5)guy g.
Too bad. new ownership and all. We've been going to La Bella for years, even back in their hey day when it was a much larger operation around the corner. New owners happened to be sitting next to us last Friday night at dinner. He asked ,"how was your dinner?". My wife told him that the cavatelli with vodka sauce was very bland. My expectation in a situation like this is the the owner would be interested in feedback and would make an attempt, at least verbally, to remedy the situation. Not in this case. The owner got defensive and told us that they didn't change any of the recipes. We must be nuts. Too bad, food has gone down hill. The bread was always fabulous but most of it this time was stale/dried out. Must say at least the Italian salad dressing hadn't changed. I'm afraid with this kind of management an Oak Park legacy may be on its way out. Bad vibes.
(2)Sarah P.
I absolutely love La Bella! I lived a few blocks away for several years before finally eating there. I never went because it looked like the type of place that would be expensive, and I don't like paying a ton for Italian food because so often it is just noodles and sauce. When I finally tried it, I was amazed. The prices are very reasonable, and the portions are a good size but not so huge it makes you sick. Each entree I have tried was delicious, and the service is always friendly and efficient. I always get the feeling that great care was taken in preparing my meal. The place is small, but that makes it quaint and intimate. Its perfect for a date or a party of four. If you arrive knowing you may have to wait a bit it is actually a very relaxing environment. You never feel crowded. I have brought several people back here because of the delicious food, pleasurable atmosphere and reasonable prices! I will be back many more times!
(5)candy c.
We loved the pasta! The service was great too. While the atmosphere was nice, we felt a little rushed out the door at the end of the night and it was a Friday. Looking forward to our next visit!
(5)Sara O.
Oh my gosh... can I just say (again), GET THE BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA. It's still that good.
(4)Joshua M.
I thought the decor was nice, and the food was very good. The service was good up until we got our food, and then the waiter disappeared. Luckily the food was good, but I hate it when they don't come to check on you until you're almost done. The chicken parmigiana was pretty good, and my wife enjoyed the eggplant.
(4)Natalie R.
La Bella has recently moved from the above address to a new one right around the corner on South Boulevard (not sure of the new address). While I liked the old digs better, the quality of food, service and atmosphere is still top notch. I've never had a bad meal here. When they closed the old place, I called every week to find out when they would be reopening. In April, when the recording said mid-May, I was flush with anticipation. Then in mid-May, when the recording said late-May, I was frustrated, but figured I could handle the wait. Mid-May through June, I think I may have called every day. Then I started driving by the restaurant, just in case maybe they HAD opened but had forgotten to change the message (yeah, uh-huh). The last time I called and got a LIVE PERSON, my heart skipped a beat. I just blurted out 'are you open?!?!'. When I heard a 'yes' in response, I actually said YAY. Off we went to La Bella. It may very well have been their opening night, but I didn't care. I just hoped that they didn't have caller ID. How embarassing would that have been. But I digress. The wine list is a good one and has many low and moderately priced options by the glass and bottle...Ah, who cares. You already know how I feel about the place. It takes something really special for me to stalk a restaurant.
(5)Yuly M.
This is a nice restaurant on the corner by the shops on Marion street. I like coming here for lunch. (Only serve lunch on Thursday and Friday) I like the outdoor seating. Owner very nice guy. Says at night they have a row of tables set up outside which is nice. Inside not to big in the dine in area but just right. They are known for having the best calamari around and I would have to agree. It's pretty fabulous =) Pizza bread is pretty awesome to as well as their Chicken Parmesan. For desert they have this gourmet chocolate cake that is to die for! I'm not a big cake person but I took a bite out of this and it was GREAT!!!! My friend had the limon chicken and thought it was pretty good. Their lunch portions aren't big which is good when your trying to control your portions haha. Italian ice also tasty. IF your shoppin around the area I reccomend you stop in and try some good Italian food.
(4)DS M.
Hidden gem of Oak Park. Intimate, cozy atmosphere, with excellent service and decor. It's comfortable and classy, without being pretentious. The food is always very good....as good as Italian food gets. They have a big menu with everything from pasta plates, to seafood, to pizza (and they always give plenty of warm bread with grated cheese and olive oil :-). *Highly* recommended for either a casual night out or a romantic dinner.
(5)Jen F.
Charming atmosphere. Our server was fast and knowledgeable. I asked for a sample of the vodka sauce and it was delicious- I ordered it on the lobster ravioli. Superb. Everyone I was with also loved their meals. Although I don't eat veal, I heard they have some of the best veal in Chicago. Definitely recommended!!
(5)D Y.
When craving Italian in OP, this is a decent option. I really like their new, smaller digs around the corner from where they used to be - a more intimate atmosphere, although I miss the fantastic bar from their old space. New bar is too cramped. Can't go wrong with their baked cavatelli and the specials are usually pretty good too. There are misses on the menu, but those are few and far between. Definitely better places to be found in the city, but when in OP, this is where I go!
(3)Standard Y.
Terrible. Not worth the trip at any cost or level of hunger. Since they changed management they have gone downhill. Too bad.
(1)Brenda V.
This small gem is located off of South and offers valet parking. The fettuccine alfredo is wonderful as well as their vodka sauce. Service is excellent and the decor is cozy, white tablecloths and clean lines.
(5)Kelley F.
Wow. What a great dining experience. The regular dining area was filled so we sat at the bar area and Joe took care of us like we'd known him for years. The food was so fresh I'd swear they had the ingredients brought in fresh and cooked just for us. The wine was top notch and also recommended by Joe. The portions were plentiful and the cost was more than fair. This is definitely my new go to for Italian. Worth every one of the 5 stars I gave.
(5)Ricky B.
I usually visit La Bella a couple of times a year. Its a nice quaint resteraunt in a quiet part of Oak Park. My food is always very good, and the service very friendly. For quality of italian food I cant think of a better place near by, the prices are also reasonable.
(4)Liz P.
I used to go to La Bella all the time at their old location, and tried it for the first time since they moved. I had grilled calamari and the chicken vesuvio...both were AMAZING!Especially the grilled calamari!
(4)Jena S.
I have died and gone to heaven! Best Italian food I have ever tasted! The baked cavatelli is delicious!! Totally cute and cozy. Fast, friendly service!
(5)Phil L.
I went to La Bella for the first time a few months back. I must say the food was excellent. I had the spaghetti with arrabiata sauce. If you like spicy food like I do, this is a great combination. I also tried the meatballs -- very good, very flavorful. The new space is kind of small. I think there's 7-8 tables total in the whole place -- maybe seating for about 25 people? I'm surprised that it's not bigger. With food this good, I'm sure they could pack a larger place!
(5)Lori S.
Fabulous food. Never have been disappointed. They have great pizza, pasta, fish....everything. I've been going there for about 12+ years now...since they were in the other location. Guillermo is a fabulous waiter. He is a blast. One of the best Italian restaurants in the Chicagoland area!!! The new location is smaller....I'd recommend a reservation, depending upon the night.
(5)Elizabeth B.
the food is very unmemorable. Everything is really ordinary. There's nothing horrible about it but you can do so much better with the other italian places in the neighborhood.
(2)Andrew J.
I really like this place. The atmosphere is great for conversation. From the tablecloths to the chalkboard menus, the expectations run high as soon as you enter the door. The food won't disappoint. They sometimes have coupons for buy one get one free carry-out pizzas in the local paper, so I'll always take them up on that. The pizzas are very good.
(4)Caroline B.
Came here for an early dinner last week, cute restaurant with a nice patio area. The patio wasn't set up yet so we had to sit inside which was lovely. Typical Italian restaurant, all the usual fare. I tried the linguine with calamari which was delicious. Good service, good atmosphere, I'd come back to sample some other menu items for sure!
(3)Bradley B.
Very cramped compared to the old space, but the eggplant parm is not-to-be-missed. Layer upon layer upon layer upon layer upon layer upon layer. Upon layer. If you play your cards right, they'll have wine cake available for dessert. Unstoppable!
(4)Rocky N.
get reservations.
(5)K B.
Very solid italian joint in Oak Park. The Escargot was prepared in a way in which I'd never had - almost no garlic/butter. Initially, I was like, WTH, but then I was very surprised. I also had the Porketta, which was a special I believe, but it was a solid 5 stars. You done good!
(4)josh f.
They have a manhattan list. Place is very small, the food is special, and the service is great.
(5)Gino W.
It was a Friday evening in Oak Park and the options were not limited. A coworker and I had decided to meet in Oak Park at the Marion Street area and make a decision. We had tried practically every restaurant in the stretch and had narrowed our selection down to two restaurants that we hadn't tried: a Chinese restaurant and an Italian restaurant. The Italian restaurant won for this round. A great wine recommendation: a Reisling and a Malbec. Italian wedding soup. Linguini with clams in a white sauce. Pasta with shrimp. La Bella Pasteria seems to be more "traditional" in the sense that the sauces are more tomato-based. Having developed a taste for rustic Italian cuisine, it become noticeable. But it's not a bad thing a La Bella Pasteria. The wine were perfect for the meal. The soup could be described as a minestrone with meatballs. The white sauce for the linguini with clams was not a creamy alfredo but rather a very light pesto, which worked. The pasta with shrimp, per my friend, was delicious, especially the plump shrimp. You get Oak Park service, which is always top. The price was not as high as I expected for Italian, barring quick Italian dining like Sbarro's and the like. The quality of the food is up there, although it takes time for the palate to readjust to not having rustic cuisine. I'll say that I was quite pleased; well-fed that is.
(4)Edwin M.
Hi Michael Maria and I love you're place your presentations and authentic flavor is amazing. Can't wait to get back to Chicago to try something new. Take care Edwin Maldonado
(5)Renita M.
Close your eyes and imagine an Italian restaurant. The prototypical urban variety such as you might see in a movie. Tile everywhere, wooden chairs and tables close together, candles, a chalkboard with the daily specials perhaps? Huge bowls of pasta, fresh bread and olive oil, smiling waitresses who call you "hon"? Yeah. That pretty well sums up La Bella. (I'm not actually sure if our waitress called us hon, but everything else is spot-on.) We met an old friend and her husband here so she could carbo-load the night before the Chicago Marathon. They were staying in the city, we live out in DuPage Co near I-88, so Oak Park seemed like an ideal meeting spot. And it was. The atmosphere is cozy (snug, even); the portions large, the bread quite delicious and the salad fresh. I got red pepper stuffed gnocchi; my husband and our friend got cavatelli with vodka sauce, and her husband got some sort of chicken and veggie dish I didn't catch the name of. My gnocchi was quite tasty, although the red pepper stuffing was a little sparse. And I got to eat some leftover cavatelli ... man do I love vodka sauce. The menu is a lot of pasta and not overly extensive, but they seem to do what they do pretty well. Service was really good, and the waitress worked around the close quarters as much as she could. The company is really what we were there for, but I can't complain about the food or atmosphere we enjoyed it in.
(4)doug m.
My dad grew up in an Italian immigrant family, and is always bemoaning the lack of real Italian food. To much white people Italian food out there. Well complain no more this is Italian food the way your mom made it. Fantastic red sauces, great cheeses and pastas. Really terrific stuff and the price is very reasonable. The service was fantastic I came with two young children and they really enjoyed the time at the "fancy" restaurant. The interior is very nicely done and in the summer they have sidewalk seating.
(5)Grace N.
I took a risk in arranging a baby shower luncheon here over the phone,without having tried the food yet, and they did a wonderful and delicious job with our event! We were able to schedule the luncheon on Sunday before the restaurant opened, so we had the entire, quaint space to ourselves. They were respectful and professional with of all of our parameters (seating arrangement, scheduling, etc), and the family style meal, from the chicken vesuvio to the Italian ice,along with the pacing of the meal to match our shower, was wonderful. Everyone had a great time in a charming, intimate setting.
(5)Brittiney J.
I really enjoyed this place. This was my first time experiencing it and has heard about there lasagna through yelp! Everything on the menu looked excellent but I choose to play it safe. I enjoyed a great glass of wine while indulging in the nice atmosphere. I also tried there desserts and the pound cake may have to be included at my wedding... Amazing I'd an understatement.
(4)Tres S.
Great specials but also dependable regular menu items. Good wine selections. Calamari is among the best. Like pasta option where you pick your pasta and pick your sauce. Homemade soups are a great starter.
(5)Dave R.
La Bella misses the #1 spot in my favorite restaurants in Oak Park by a smidge. We have not had a bad experience or dish at this place. Food is amazing! If you are a calamari fan, their seafood pastas are second to none. The homemade 8 finger cavatelli is a sure winner, and the vodka cream sauce is beyond description. Please leave my plate and bring me more bread so that I can finish off this sauce! While the highballs might seem slightly overpriced, they are literally served in a tall glass and carefully prepared. One could last you through most of your meal at least. It's tough to save room for dessert, as the portions are very generous. However, do yourself a favor and take some home for the next day. Order a tiramisu or pinot cake slice - or order both and share!
(5)Chris D.
First of all, while I recognize that La Bella occupies a very small space, you really need to add just a few more inches between the tables and diners. The feeling of being cramped-in and waiters barely being able to reach to present plates to diners gets old pretty fast. Pre-dinner drinks. The four of us ordered drinks at the same time. The four drinks all arrived separately, a few minutes apart. First my wife got hers, then a few moments later someone else got their cocktail, then maybe it was me that got my glass of pinot grigio, then finally the fourth cocktail was served. It took between five and ten minutes between the first cocktail and the last one to be served to a table of four. My request: serve all four cocktails at the same time. In addition, one of our party ordered some kind of "apple-tini" but what she got served instead was identical in color and taste to the "orange-tini" cocktail her husband ordered; only the fruit garnish on the rim of the glass was different. Also - my pinot grigio? - I'm not that picky or snobbish about wine. In fact, I don't think I've ever before stared at a restaurant's wine by the glass offering and wondered why I didn't like it. This white wine simply tasted flat and uninteresting, no zest to it at all -- as though it had been poured from a cheap jug that had been opened three days earlier. And it was only barely cool, not chilled as it should've been. For my second wine by the glass I got a red wine that was OK, but not great. Appetizers. My wife and I ordered the grilled eggplant rolled with ricotta cheese to share. We've had this before at other restaurants, notably Spanish tapas places, and it never fails to please. La Bella's version did fail to please. It was simply a slab of cooked eggplant and warm cheese with a giant glop of uninteresting tomato sauce smothering the entire mass. Entrees come with soup or salad. My Italian Wedding Soup was unremarkable; my wife was disappointed in her garden salad which was mostly just lettuce with an abundance of shredded carrots on top of it. Entrees. I ordered something off the daily special sheet. an unusual combination of pork tenderloin and Italian sausage ("pork two-ways?") with some kind of cabernet-reduction pasta. As with the drinks and appetizers, everyone got their dish presented at a somewhat different time. Except worse. The other three at the table got their dishes pretty much at the same time. With my entree, the waiter had to admit that my order was accidentally delivered to another table. At least he was honest; he promised to have the kitchen prepare mine right away. The other three in my party proceeded with their dinners and 5 to 10 minutes later mine arrived. My plate consisted of three parts; the two different pork-meats on the left, a ball of reddish brown well-done pasta in the middle, and on the right the most uninteresting side-dish any restaurant can ever serve: steamed vegetables (carrots, zucchini, broccoli, etc.) Of all this, the pork tenderloin was the best: tender and flavorful. I'm not too sure about the Italian sausage - I didn't care for it; it didn't seem spicy at the time but my GI tract did not react favorably later on. The pasta was weird: hard, almost had to be cut with a knife, and all balled up like a bird's nest or a mass of tangled fishing line. The steamed vegetables were...steamed vegetables. Dessert: I didn't order dessert but a bonus on-the-house dessert was brought anyway as an apology for my entree order being mis-delivered and delayed. This dessert was by far the tastiest thing of the night. I don't recall now what the waiter said it was called exactly, it had the word pinot grigio in it. It seemed like a cross between a pineapple upside-down cake and a tres leches cake. It was very moist and flavorful. I would go back for that. Price: with 20% tip, $100 for the two of us (the other couple paid their own half of the bill.) $50 per person these days is not overpriced, but I'm a halfway decent cook and would've just as soon gotten $100 worth of groceries and wine at Jewel and made a dinner at home that I would've enjoyed more. Other: not in the restaurant's direct control, but perhaps La Bella ownership and other area shopkeepers can ask the Oak Park police to station a foot-patrol or beat-cop along that stretch of South Boulevard between Marion and Harlem. It's a part of Oak Park that's a bit on the crummy side, near the exit of the Green Line CTA stop. From where we parked in the lot between Maple and Harlem, we had to walk on the sidewalk between a group of five or six shiftless looking characters who were sitting on both sides of the sidewalk drinking malt liquor tall-boy cans thinly disguised in brown paper bags. I didn't mind so much but my wife was a little intimidated about running that gauntlet to get to La Bella.
(1)Pizza L.
I remember the original location which was a few blocks down, and since La Bella had downsized to this location (many years ago) it is definitely much, much smaller. Dining area is pretty small, bar area has about 5-6 seats? Yet, I still savor every meal I've had here - it was that memorable. I keep coming back because I still crave La Bella (even after moving from Oak Park, sad I know). It's really about their pasta for me. They don't call it a 'Pasteria' for nothing.. Although cozy, the dining area is charming. The pasta dishes are outstanding. The selection of sauces to compliment their extensive (and I mean a TON) of pasta creations is endless. I never know what to order?!?! From the gnocchi w/gorgonzola or ricotta to the Eight finger cavatelli or baked cavatella to the Tortellacci....AND osso bucco ravioli (heavenly), did I mention the sweat pea ravioli? Their pasta is enough to lure you in here. My sister & I came here often and while her palate is not as adventurous as mine, she absolutely LOVES and still always orders the Rigatoni w/fresh mozzarella. Food is amazing. Cocktails are amazing. The Insalate Di Mare (yes I always have to order some type of seafood) is excellent. Have tried a few chicken dishes as well and always tasty and moist, but I usually order pasta here. The enormous menu selection still drives me crazy...there is SOOOO much to choose from. Meat dishes, appetizers, seafood, salads, pizza - there is something for everyone to enjoy and you will enjoy it and hopefully it will be memorable too. Great place for a date, or a pasta night :) Attentive service & friendly too.. Another Oak Park staple! Thank you Oak Park, for all the outstanding restaurants and memories here!!!! I look forward to more...
(5)Cora C.
Adorable Italian restaurant in downtown Oak Park. Delicious food, excellent service, terrific atmosphere. Great with family, friends, or with a date.
(5)Michael L.
My favorite Italian restaurant in Oak Park. The chicken parm is my go to meal here. Small intimate dining room with great food, nice cocktail and wine selection and quality service.
(5)Anthony B.
Place is always great. Some of the best Italian food I've ever had. If you plan on coming in on a Friday or Saturday night I suggest making reservations. Cocktails are a but pricy but they make them strong and with top shelf liqueur. Can't go wrong at La Bella.
(5)Todd S.
By far my favorite restaurant in the Chicago area. We've been going here for years and the food, the service, the atmosphere, the owners are all top notch. A revamped menu with new owners about a year ago made it even better. You can't go wrong with any food or drink, and if you're there on a night Guillermo is working, sit in his area. Try the stuffed artichoke!
(5)Tom Y.
My wife and I always start with a bowl of the Italian Wedding Soup and share the Stacked Eggplant Salad as an appetizer. If I am especially hungry, I order my most-beloved dish there, the Butteri Bistecca (rib-eye steak, perfectly cooked to medium rare). If I'm feeling adventurous, I try their special of the day, which never disappoints. My wife orders either the Rossa e Bianco or one of the Gnocchi entrees. We always end the night with their homemade Tiramisu or Pinot Grigio Cake. If you think the food is great, the drinks are equally exceptional. I've almost tried their entire cocktail menu (don't judge) and my favorites are the Cherry Old-Fashioned, Sangria Italiano Rosso, and Blackberry Cosmo. All very potent! But the best part of the dining experience is always the co-owner Dave, his wife, and their wonderful staff who are full of warmth and good fun. We always sit by the bar, the two seats closest to the wall, so we could share laughs and watch Dave mix a perfect cocktail. I've lived in 6 cities in 8 years and La Bella is still my favorite restaurant. We've since moved out of Chicago and miss it dearly for it's amazing food, drinks, and the people!
(5)Diana S.
This is place is a hidden gem. The food is outstanding. The fried zucchini is one of the best I've had. The place is small so it fills up quickly.
(4)Maggie G.
Great last minute service...seriously, we've been here before the food & service are stellar so we asked if 12 minutes before 9 pm was too late on a Sunday night. We were welcomed, tried to be speedy but the staff treated us as if it were still a full house. Even late the food is outstanding! Husband says, "this out classes any place else in OP".
(5)Jami Q T.
I used to live in Oak Park and I found myself drawn back while in Chicago for work. La Bella, by far, is a taste experience that will keep you coming back. No matter what you try, you will leave with a full stomach and a smile on your face. Today I tried one of their specials (kale and cheese ravioli). Wow! The creamy cheese with the kale edge is so delicious in their marinara sauce.
(5)Susie C.
A group of my friends and I came here to celebrate my husband's birthday on a Saturday evening. Reservation wasn't hard to make - the people are very friendly at La Bella. The interior of La Bella is very pretty..it's a cute restaurant and in the summer they have outdoor seatings which is also very nice. I like how it looks inside! Our waitress was very nice, service is good. There were 11 of us and we all ordered different dishes. We started with mussels and a pizza for the table. I didn't try the mussels but I heard it was decent. The pizza was okay as well. I ordered the fettucini brocolo shrimp alfredo....my dish was lacking salt.. it was creamy with the alfredo sauce but it was kind of flavor-less. My shrimps were dry as well. My husband ordered one of their ravioli dishes and he thought it was okay. Overall we thought the food was okay, but the place is really nice. Parking is easy..there's parking lots on the other side of the train and street parking. Good area and right across the street from the trains.
(3)Rebecca C.
What a charming, lovely Italian restaurant near the L and Metra in Oak Park. Dining outside is picturesque and pet friendly, which adds to the authenticity of Italian style in ease of getting to locale - OP. From the sweetest waiters to the many delicious and tempting pasta dishes, seafood, meat,chicken and varietal wine list, diners can't go wrong. Indoors or outdoors, attention to detail and authentic touches not overlooked by even the most discriminating diners. One of us just casually mentioned a Birthday we were celebrating. As soon as we boxed up our entrees (portions are hearty, and definitely worth taking home) our waiter brought out a generous slice of their Pinot Grigio Bundt Cake which was marvelous! Didn't matter how stuffed we were, we managed to polish off the delectable, moist cake. Prices seem very fair, with entrees and pastas around $14.99 to $16.99 each and include soup or a nice salad and lots of fresh bread, olive oil and parmesan cheese. La Bella is definitely a favorite for Italian and al fresco dining in Chicagoland. Next time, I have to remember to bring my pooch - he would love all the people and dog watching!
(5)Mari Q.
It's a cute dim, small and date type setting. Happy hour after work and workout actually and I felt underdressed. Nonetheless the service was great and attentive. We tried the Bruschetta (which was a highlight) and margarita pizza appetizers and three drinks. My 1st pomegranate martini was delicious and my 2nd pear highball was ok, my friend had a sweet Chicago martini that was super strong that's all she had. I'd love to go back for an actually dinner date.
(4)KC C.
Since I'm new to Oak Park, I have embarked on a tour of the local restaurants, and so far this has been a good experience-a great experience at La Bella. First of all I really like the warm environment, and atmosphere. Dave, Owner, was glad to accomidate my requests as was very gracious to us. The cocktail menu is really interesting and expansive-combined with the variety of menu choices means you can come back here many times and never have the same excellent dish twice. We started with grilled octopus, advanced to a shrimp risotto and gnocci pasta dish, and enjoyed all of this-was impressed. So no worries ever in choosing La Bella for a great night out. thank you to Dave and eveyone at La Bella, we'll be back!
(5)Ginger D.
Wonderful menu - hard to choose just one item! Service is exceptional. On this visit we had ordered an appetizer of baked clams that didn't arrive before our meal - the meal portions are large so it wasn't the end of the world. But unexpectedly as we paid the check, our lovely waitress brought to our table a scrumptious slice of cake as an apology for the clams. I plan to return on my next visit to Oak Park.
(5)Rebecca M.
This is my favorite restaurant! Amazing Italian food, great service, lovely atmosphere. Dave, the owner is a treat and makes excellent drinks. You definitely need to try this place out! A good date night spot!
(5)Andrea H.
Just dined at this fantastic restaurant. Took a quick train ride from Elmhurst and walked across the street. The food, service, and atmosphere were ideal for a quiet, date night. Everyone should try it! A special highlight, although we didn't try it, was their extensive cocktail menu! Who knew there were 12 variations of Manhattan's?? The dinner was over the top, in all respects!
(5)Lisa E.
Everything was delicious. Went with a party of 7, everyone had something different and loved it. The wait staff was very friendly. Almost like you were visiting them in their home. Glad we found this little gem.
(5)Nick R.
Great food and even better service. The drink menu is awesome with a lot of great choices. The menu has all the classics and some great unique dishes. Great staff, great food, great place.
(5)Shanon w.
Frequent this restaurant and ordered a pasta dish to go that wasn't quite up to par so we called to let them know and they came out and delivered to us within 15 minutes any dish we wanted at no cost. They were absolutely wonderful about it. By the way we ordered a pizza for the first time..it was delicious! This restaurant has great customer service you just don't find anymore. 5 stars!!!
(5)Kathleen O.
La Bella is our favorite Italian place in OP. The tomato onion garlic pizza is delish and the la Bella salad is a great way to start. We have tried almost all their pasta dishes and they are all amazing. Fresh, flavorful and big portions. The meatballs are also one of our favorite sides and they taste like homemade. Love La Bella!!!
(5)Michael S.
Excellent dinner recently. We tried a few cocktails that were all fantastic and then I had some kind of pasta with meatballs and Vodka sauce - absolutely amazing. Definitely going again, some of the best Italian I have ever had.
(5)Laurel B.
Just order any specialty cocktail (great old fashioned selections) and their stacked eggplant app and you will know why it is four stars. This is a really great small restaurant. The staff is so friendly and attentive. And the entrees are also fresh and wonderful.
(4)Meaghan L.
Just ordered delivery from La Bella for the first time. They had it here quickly and had ne problem with the modifications on the pizza I ordered. I had the garlic, basil, tomato on thin crust w/ an olive oil base and marinara on the side. Wonderful!!! The crust is light and airy and they obviously use higher end toppings. Trust me- you need to try this place out!
(5)Trisha N.
I LOVE La Bella. The food and service is amazing. I'm obsessed with the eggplant salad, but I prefer the balsamic reduction on the side as it can be over powering on top. They have fab cocktails and a great wine list. I always feel warm and cozy here and it's my go to restaurant.
(5)Doug L.
I think this place is off the list. We have given them so many chances and they fail every time. The food just ain't what is used to be. They are living off their reputation but they don't have the quality they once had. The food is no longer special. They seem to have lost the passion and it really shows up on the plate. What a bummer, I used to enjoy La Bella.
(2)Mike L.
Had fish, a small La Bella Salad, and Broccoli - all were very good as was the service. Glad the new owner kept things the same!
(4)Jennifer B.
Have known about this place for a long time, but never tried it until tonight. Went with two college friends. We all ordered pasta with a side of meatballs. I had the baked cavatelli which has 4 cheeses in a vodka sauce. This was so tasty! We asked for recommendations from our waiter & he was so helpful. The place feels like you are in a friend's home for dinner. When I walked in the door, I was greeted and made to feel welcome. Sorry it took me so long to try it, but I'll definitely go back!
(4)M W.
I think I found my new favorite place in Oak Park to get pizza! We got a pizza for pick up and when it got into the car, the car was instantly filled with such a delicious aroma. The pizza didn't disappoint. We ordered the 4 cheese pizza with half pepperoni and onion, well done. It was super greasy and very thin-the way pizza is meant to be. It was heavenly. Next time I will definitely dine in since it looks like such a cute place.
(5)Jamie D.
Came here on Friday for a day-after Valentine's Day lunch date. It was both my date and my first time eating at La Bella. We were the only table in the restaurant, which I found kind of odd at first. However, we *did* get there around 2:30 PM, so I suppose we missed the lunch crowd. Being the only table in the restaurant can be both a good and bad thing, but this time it was definitely a plus. Our waiter was attentive but not overbearing. The ambiance was spot-on! The restaurant was kind of small and had a rustic yet intimate feel with the tables close together. The food was excellent. My date and I started off with coffee, which was pretty good (I forgot to ask what they brewed). The bread had a crunchy crust yet soft interior and was served warm with olive oil and parmesan cheese for dipping..phenomenal! We tried not to fill up on the bread, but it was pretty difficult. For the entrees, my date ordered the blackened pork chop special served with sauteed spinach and linguine tossed in garlic oil (it also came with a choice of soup or salad and he chose Italian wedding soup), and I ordered the lunch lasagna with salad. I had a taste of the Italian wedding soup and it was pretty good. Our waiter kindly asked if I wanted a bowl too, but I had to say no thank-you since I knew I'd fill up on the lasagna. The pork chop special was HUGE and a really great deal for the amount of food. I got a taste of the pork chop special and boy was it tasty! It was perfectly seasoned and not dry at all--well executed. The spinach was sauteed simply and not overly seasoned, which was a very good thing since I find that many restaurants tend to over salt their greens. The linguine side was kind of overkill, but it was still pretty tasty and lightly seasoned as well. The lasagna was a perfect portion size for lunch and had a creamy ricotta and meat sauce filling. I usually don't order dressing on salad, but the salad greens were tossed in a very light vinaigrette and were not overly dressed. Our waiter asked if we were interested in dessert, but we were both so stuffed at that point that we had to say no. However, the dessert menu looked very appealing. I definitely would like to come back and try their tiramisu! Overall, I really enjoyed La Bella. Great atmosphere, yummy food, and decent prices for their portions! I definitely would like to come back for dinner and try their drinks and dessert as well.
(5)Yvonne B.
I had a negative experience and I don't like to go to Italian restaurants (I can make pasta and sauce at home and don't have to pay someone to make it for me). If I have any say about it though, I will never return to this place. I had a reservation for two on a crowded evening and paid with a Groupon. We were seated right away, which was nice. Our server was friendly. Our Italian Wedding Soup was fantastic. That's where the good parts end. Now for the bad parts. We ordered escargot (I should have known better than to order a French dish at an Italian place - my bad). The server brought it out to us and warned us that it was hot. We waited about one minute and then my guest ate one. She said, "It's cold. Try it - it's cold!" I did and she was right. It was as if they took it out of the fridge and stuck it into a hot oven for 30 seconds to brown on top and then served it. We immediately told our server who asked if we wanted another. No, just take it back. Later I checked the receipt at home and saw that I was charged for that escargot (their bad). We ordered steak and fish entrees. The steak was overcooked and the fish had a fishy flavor. Also overcooked was the asparagus. The polenta was dry. Our meal was very disheartening and then getting charged for that escargot was the icing on the cake of my negative experience.
(2)Ron W.
I have been to the La Bella a few times, and I have to admit that each time I loved the food very much. The first two times I went there was with my cousins Gwen and Patricia, and the chefs were out of Italy. The food was magnificent both times. However, in later years the chefs had change the quality was not as good. I always end up ordering my favorite pasta dish, which is fettuccine alfredo with shrimp, broccoli and mushrooms. The ingredients and vegetables are always fresh at this restaurant. In addition, the portions at La Bella have always been more than generous. In all honesty, you can't leave that place feeling underfed or hungry. One time I ate at La Bella, my mother ordered Chicken Cacciatore, and the chicken was not cooked enough. She sent it back to the kitchen and the chef said it was perfect and sent it back to the table as is. So my mother said, it was not acceptable, and ended up ordering something else off the menu that was just fine. However, when the check arrived at the table, she was billed for the Chicken Cacciatore that she sent back. After complaining to the manager on duty that night, my mom went ahead and paid for it anyways to just get out of there and go home. The staff at La Bella's are very friendly, and will bend over backwards to make your sure dining experience a great one. I have had only one negative experience while dinning there, and all of the other times were fantastic. This is a great place to take the entire family.
(4)Rosanna L.
I tried out this place based on the great reviews and the Groupon special. So I was super excited when I finally got a chance to go. Went there on a Friday night for dinner. (*TIP: They take mainly reservations on the weekend!) When we walked in the place smelled delicious and it was definitely smaller than we expect, but very comfortable. We ended up sitting at the bar because that was the only thing available and we wanted to watch the Hawks game. We decided on a half order calamari and wow when that thing came out it was huge! Very good portion indeed, but it was so bland and rough on the chewing! There was absolutely no taste to it, so we had to drown it in lemon and sauce. I know you eat it with marinara or cocktail sauce, but often times the places we go to they at least season your fried squid with salt and pepper. Bleh. I ordered Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli and Shrimp with a side of minestrone soup. The soup was pretty good with the soft potatoes and the tasty broth. My entree was horrendous. Once again it was BLAND, with no flavor or seasoning to it. My noodles were well OVER cooked so that it was extremely mushy and stuck together. The sauce was running off my plate because it was so watery! The only good thing was the shrimp. It was overwhelming with the amount of broccoli they just threw on top of the dish. My friend had the Chicken Alfredo and sadly he experience the same thing I did. No flavor, no taste. He doused his plate with salt and pepper, which didn't even help. However, he did enjoy his Italian Wedding soup. The service was quick and our bartender was extremely friendly. So I give you a star for that. Another star for good soups and shrimp, but that is it. We were hoping that we might return, but after this meal we won't be back.
(2)Mike D.
Outstanding first time experience! dave the owner made me feel like a regular. The pork medallions and 8-finger pasta with a spicy vodka sauce was excellent. Caesar salad missing the greens and too many croutons. Otherwise, a five-star Italian! I will go back.
(4)Lee D.
As I just wrote about the average experience I just had at an Italian restaurant it reminded me of La Bella's. I live in the city but met my friend there who lives in Oak Park. Definitely worth the trip. We were there on a Sat night but still rec'd intimate service. The menu was robust but not overwhelming. I had the stacked eggplant salad, which I highly recommend. My friend had chicken parmesan which looked great and was a nice portion, not the mountain of food sometimes offered at Italian restaurants. The manager/owner? came by to introduce himself, and find out why we selected La Bella. He was not intrusive at all, just very welcoming and pleasant. My friend and I enjoyed an intimate evening and were not rushed to turn the table. La Bella is a great choice for an intimate evening with a friend and creative food selections. Definitely worth the trip from the city.
(5)Angela D.
My favorite Italian restaurant in the Chicago area! Definitely worth the trek out to Oak Park. Everything about the place is great- food, service, & atmosphere. My favorite dishes are: baked cavatelli, lasagna, Bianca e Rossa pasta, and the meatballs. Oh the meatballs. So amazing! By the way, if you're looking for a great cocktail, I suggest the 1939 manhattan. Tasty & boozy, can't go wrong there.
(5)