Labriola Chicago: La Stanza Ristorante and Labriola Cafe

Stumbled upon this place and was glad we stayed! We were looking for a good Italian restaurant, but almost every place had at least an hour wait. We stopped into Labriola and we’re glad we stayed.
We ordered quit a bit of food and drinks! All their drinks were delicious and had a decent price for the amount of alcohol in them — ha.
The items we ordered:
* Eggplant appetizer — crispy and flavorful — the tomato sauce was so good
* Fettucine with mushrooms — split dish and it was great
* Lasagna — heavy but good
* My BIL ordered the short ribs
* We all split the risotto cake for dessert — OMG. THIS DESSERT THOUGH. So rich and decadent.
Our service was fantastic and we had several servers refilling drinks, running food, clearing the table, etc. Overall, great restaurant with awesome food!

Absolutely amazing! The bread to start was so fresh and went so well with the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the freshly shaved Parmesan cheese.
I had the home made Orrichiette pasta dish. It is a white sauce consisting of Papperdelle pasta, sausage, broccoli and oil and garlic. The pasta was cooked to perfection. The sausage, and there was a lot of it, was just the right level of spicy. Not too hot but enough to feel just a little bit of heat.
The service was quick and efficient. I’ve come to this area of Chicago numerous times and I wish I had known about this place earlier.
I may have to come back tomorrow night for the home made spaghetti and meatballs. Somebody at the next table had it and I sneaked a peek and it looked awesome too!
I highly recommend this place for authentic Italian food if you are in the neighborhood. Or even if you’re not! It’s worth a taxi or subway ride here.
My server was Bo, and he was phenomenal. I big part of the excellent service here.

My girls and I popped into this place on a whim one sunny Saturday afternoon in Chicago. Our hunch that the place looked solid was on point. Not only did we have some amazing eats, but we were also the recipients of five star service from a lovely gentleman server (wish I remembered his name but it’s been a while!).
We all started with rounds of drinks and some shared salads, which was a good start. I do wish I had asked for my Caesar without the anchovies because those little fish fillets contaminate everything they touch with their flavor!
Next up were some shared pizzas. I went all in and committed to the deep dish with sausage, since I had never before tried Chicago deep dish. This pizza was increds. I think I made it through two slices before calling it quits. The sausage was a touch on the too crispy side (yes, there is such a thing!) but, otherwise, my first experience with deep dish pie was spot on. Our server also suggested some wines to go along with our ‘za and provided us with generous pours.
Highly recommended for a group lunch in Chicago!

After being at this restaurant for couple of Concierge events with great experiences. I have sent guests to this restaurant which they came back with great reviews, so I thought I’d come in for lunch before work.
Since I came in after the lunch rush was over, I was able to enjoy a table on the patio. Alexis had greeted me shortly after I was seated. She had went over the menu and then took my order. Since I knew the meatballs are excellent, I decided to start with meatballs and then the Chicken Caesar Salad.
While waiting for the appetizer, the bread plate was dropped off. The presentation is really nice with the bread, oil and the Parmesan cheese all on the plate.
The appetizer was brought to me within 7 minutes or so. The meatballs and the sauce were just as good as I had remembered. The only complaint… I could have used more bread to scoop up the sauce.
Then my salad was delivered to me. The presentation was really nice. The salad was very tasty. Throughout my time at the restaurant, Alexis would check in with me. I was not able to enjoy any of the desserts.
I would recommend this restaurant and look forward to my next visit.

In the summer the alfresco dining area is great. Just off Michigan Ave, this place is a great stop for a quick drink or bite to eat. The wooden bar looks inviting if you just fancy popping in for a drink. Only gave it 3 stars as we’re out of two of the dishes we wasted to eat. Either very popular or poor planning, either way I will defo stop back again especially on a warm day.

This is a review of the Stan’s donuts:
A little pricey for donuts, but they’re pretty good. I had the chocolate glaze, chocolate sprinkle, and the next morning ate a classic glaze. I personally liked the plain glaze best. Their coffee is pretty good, too, according to my travel mate who had their regular coffee; I had an iced mocha both days which was delicious. I don’t think the location is worth going to by car, but if you are a tourist and walking the city, it’s a good place to stop before sightseeing. The free Navy Pier trolley is just down the steps.

have you ever been to a restaurant with a group of friends and asked to split the check? Did the waiter ever say, «I can split it 12 ways, everyone’s dish was relatively similar in cost by $ 1 – 4, okay?».
What about telling the same waiter earlier that your spouse’s pasta was cold, hard, and was a clump whenever she first put her fork in it and then he replies, «Yes, it was sitting out, it’s been like that so I could bring the food out together so that’s why it’s a little hard.»
Well, if you want these experiences, this is where you want to go. I gave it 2 instead of 1 star because manager redeemed our waiter by being courteous, listening to our complaints, and removing the cost of my wife’s pasta. But of course, we had to ask to talk to the manager after the waiter told us that «no restaurants split checks like that» and was argumentative with us.
We’ve been t o this location before, we’ve been to the one in Oak Brook, always that it was really good, but this waiter provided one of the worst experiences we’ve had dining out. The food itself also seemed not quite as good as it was previously with bland pasta, stale fries, and a bland burger as well.
Because of our previous experiences with Labriola, we’d be willing to try it again, but this will linger for quite a while.

Convenient location right off of Michigan Avenue.
We were so hungry and were being turned away from a table at every restaurant for an hour long wait.
Luckily found this gem!
There was a short wait (15 minutes) but we enjoyed a cocktail at the bar while we waited. I really appreciated the hostess checked in on us throughout to update us on our table which was really great.
For dinner we ordered:
Carpaccio — yummmm! It came with a big mound of fresh arugula and cheese
Ravioli of the Day — it was a triple cheese with red bolognese sauce. OMG! It was so amazinggggg! I could bath in the sauce.
Lemon Chicken — ehhh… Chicken could have been more moist and the sauce buttery
Overall a great dining experience near the hectic touristy area.

Had a little time between meetings in the city.
Stopped in and had a nice lunch salad on the patio.
The Yellow Fin Tuna salad was amazing.
Simple, light and just perfect for lunch!
Had the red vinaigrette dressing on side.
But it was a nice compliment to the spring greens of the salad… Not too heavy.
The tuna was served perfectly medium rare on a bed of spring greens with French green beans, hard boiled egg, and olives.
The salad was served with heavenly bread and olive oil with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
Yummy and perfect!

My friends and I happened to stumble upon this place simply for the reason that we had a 1.5 hour wait to another restaurant and we wanted to get some appetizers and wine in the mean time.
OMG I loved it here!
The little time that we were here we ordered a simple pepperoni pizza and a glass of Cabernet wine and it was just perfect. Not to mention the service was great! I also loved that there was a live band playing jazz music! The vibe was just right in there. This is a great place to come and have some drinks and enjoy some live music. Prices are very reasonable as well! :)

Lunch on a cloudy Friday shopping seemed like as good a time as any for some pasta. Stopped into the restaurant and took a high top at the bar since it was just myself.
I ordered the pappardelle. The noodles were good. Wide & just a bit toothsome. However the sauce is what knocked this down yo just three stars. The sauce was really acidic. Thankfully I don’t get heartburn but if you can suffer from it is stay away from this dish. I’m guessing the chef didn’t taste this batch of sauce before it went out.

Sadly, Looks Were Deceiving…
I walk by Labriola a few times each week. It looks inviting… a cozy, café with outdoor seating and awnings.
Inside, I’m always greeted by a big smile, a friendly hello, then cases packed with amazing looking gelato, cakes, cookies & pastries. The latter calling me to the dark side. The initial impression and previous visits — only to grab a treat — rates a rock solid 5 Stars.
Today, my intention was a quick bite, so I popped into the café.
Guests place their orders at the counter, are given a buzzer to signify the food is ready and then the staff brings your food to your table. I can only guess that the buzzer is incase they get busy at which time they direct you to pick it up at the counter… otherwise what’s the point?
The café has a couple tables near the window, embodying that café feeling but the majority of its seating feels like a cheap hotel conference room, walled on two sides by curtains and a 3^rd by the same, but only waist high. Because that space was also small, what could have been cozy and quaint resembled a viewing room at a funeral home… obviously, sans the flowers and casket. Café ambiance just 1 Star.
The chicken salad sandwich seemed like a no brainer. As for my quick bite… I was alone at the register when placing my order, only one of 3 occupied tables in the café. Two of the tables had already been served, so my hopes for a quick turn around were high.
Yet, according to the time stamp on my receipt, it took 20 minutes to cut a croissant in half, add a scoop of chicken salad, lettuce and tomato — put it on a plate with some greens and carry it to my table. Timing for a sandwich, in an empty restaurant (both sides, restaurant & café) earned a generous1 Star.
Unfortunately, the greater part on this rating is tied to my meal. Rather than calling it a Chicken & Apple Salad Sandwich the proportioning of ingredients would have dictated it being an Apple & Celery Salad Sandwich. Flashbacks to an old burger commercial — «Where’s the… chicken?» The sandwich itself was an underwhelming — never again– 2 Stars.

Ahhh… and let’s not forget the croissant, although I hope to soon. Simply stated, the density and texture of the croissant were that of a baked product that sat in a bag for a couple of days. These folks boast of an «in-​house bakery» (?) so, I don’t get it. Given the cakes and donuts are delivered in… perhaps, the croissants are as well.
The croissant was 2 Stars but only because the good flavor offset some of the stale dryness of what was days earlier, a lighter, flakey pastry.
Had the experience been even average, I’d try it again — ordering something different– but it was so far below par that, where I’ll grab a dessert periodically, sitting down for a meal at Labriola isn’t for me.

I wish I could rate this as a 3.5.
My review is for the brunch, which we chose to eat outside. Heads up– outdoor seating is not available until 11 AM, which was a little annoying.
Thank goodness for bottomless mimosas! My sister in law tried the Bloody Mary and was not impressed.
I ordered the omelette with breakfast potatoes. The omelette was decent– I do wish they had avocado as a topping. The potatoes were lacking– they were mushy and did not have much for flavor.
The rest of my party really enjoyed the shrimp polenta and croque madam. Maybe I should’ve been more adventurous.
Service was fine until the end. We had to wait a fairly long time to receive our check. I was clearly ready to settle up as I sat with my wallet on the table. Overall, I would come back but try a different entrée.

I am feeling all sorts of elated as I pen this review. I have been walking past Labriola café for the past few months as I am now a Streeterville resident. I had never thought to stop in and never really thought anything of the restaurant until someone brought to my attention that this is the same group that owns Stan’s Donuts. I am a MASSIVE lover of Stan’s so I immediately bookmarked this spot to remind myself to try it one day.
My birthday is next Tuesday, and because I will be flying out of town to celebrate for the week, my boss decided I could cater my birthday lunch for our teams today. Even though I did not specifically dine IN this location, this review is still a good referencing point for those who ever want a lunch catered for your workplace or private event.
The Menu: The catering menu provides just the right amount of options: pastas, sandwiches, and mini sandwiches, and also offers sweet baskets. I chose the large sandwich basket which feeds 13 – 16 people (these included their parmesan chips) and 13 a la carte assortments of designer cupcakes (chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet — my personal favorite).
The Service: Brittany and Alexis were the two young women who assisted me with my order. 5 stars across the board for these two. They were extremely pleasant to work with, created the perfect assortment of sandwiches that I was looking for, and even added candles to my birthday cupcakes. Their quote was sent quickly and they allowed my boss to pay via phone. The price definitely reflects the quality and amount of food you get. What shocked me, however, and made me smile profusely was the surprise gift card that Alexis and Brittany provided me. I was not expecting this nor did I ever see or read anything about others receiving cards for their birthdays. The customer service provided by these two was simply unparalleled.
The Food: There were about 8 different sandwiches provided. I chose the Classic Italian on Rustic Ciabatta and the Chicken and Apple Salad on croissant. Oh my heavens. The ingredients were so fresh! The breads were freshly baked! The flavors were true to each ingredient chosen. I was so pleased. THE CUPCAKES ARE MADE FROM SCRATCH! As a cake connoisseur, I can immediately spot a boxed mix from a scratch prepared mix. Both the cakes and the frosting were homemade, so props to the «designer.» So moist. So delicious. All food items were a major hit on our team. Literally, the silence of the workers during the eating phase proves this feat. Ive never seen the workers here silent!
Labriola! We will cater from you again the future! You should be proud of what you have going. And to Brittany and Alexis, you sure have made the beginning of my birthday a fabulous one. Thank you, thank you.

So I’m not sure I fully understand the difference between the Café and La Stanza, but we were seated at La Stanza.
I really wanted to like this place, but the service completely ruined it for us. 3 of us arrived at about 7:45 PM on a Thursday night. First, we got seated at high tops in a horrible location, when 80% of the restaurant was empty. We asked for a booth and were put right behind the host stand in an awkward location, but we didn’t want to be too annoying so just stuck with it.
We were served bread right away and asked for more parmesan cheese, which we never got. We also ordered a bottle of wine which took about 25+ mins to get. We finally got it when we called over another waiter and asked him to get it for us. When we got our wine, we ordered food and asked for more parmesan cheese and bread. We never got the bread and got parmesan cheese just when we were on the last bite of our bread. ridiculous.
Service aside, the food itself was actually really delicious. They’re willing to customize anything you want. So I asked for a Fettuccini alfredo with chicken (its in the Garganelli parm cream sauce), and it was spot on. It was exactly what I wanted. However, it first came out with pancetta, which I didn’t ask for and don’t eat so unfortunately I had to send it back. Again, such a hassle and wait. My friends really liked their Pappardelle and Spaghetti and Meatballs as well.
For dessert, we got the Risotto Cake, which was horrible. I have a HUGE sweet tooth and pretty much like anything with chocolate, but the 3 of us couldn’t even get through a third of this thing. It was completely opposite of how it was described. The description said it was a chocolate cake with a lemon rice pudding, crunchy hazelnuts and chocolate ganache. This at its best for a wannabe dried, stale oreo cake. No Hazelnuts, no lemon flavor, and certainly no ganache. Waste of $ 9.
**Update** I just googled the Risotto cake from their Oak Brook location, this is DEFINITELY not what we ordered. Smh. Do better Labriola.

Kind of confusing recommendation for Pizza Barra (within Labriola) from Red Eye. but call 312−955−3100 to have this places food delivered. They don’t come up on any of the delivery services. But if it’s Labriola bread, I’m totally interested!
Time will tell if these delivery services actually deliver.

Sunday mornings in the café are my favorite! It was so relaxing and cozy. Plus our server was so kind and had a great personality. The coconut cake is beyond delicious. Layers of dense cake loaded with thick coconut buttercream. Yum! Great coffee, refills are free and plenty. :) Plus they had in a nice variety of Stan’s Donuts in the shop as well! It was truly a wonderful (albeit calorie-​filled) breakfast!

We were in Chicago for a quick getaway weekend and found this place while shopping on the mile. Tucked away on a side street and very unassuming, this gem is totally worth the stop.
The café is warm and welcoming and the staff is very friendly. We ordered a deep dish pizza and grabbed a couple Peroni from the bar.
The pizza itself is robust without being heavy. The dough is velvety and crisp and the tomatoes were vibrant and fresh.
I highly recommend coming in and relaxing. Finish with a homemade desert if you are feeling decadent!

Came here solely for coffee & a sweet treat (dolci) in the early morning. Establishment is very lovely & clean and has sweet friendly staff. My coffee was exactly what I needed that morning strong & bold and my treat was heavenly. They have many options for dolci and have gelato as well!
I can only imagine what lunch/​dinner is like as they have all the components for a perfect dining experience.

This is one of the best places for outside dining in the Magnificent Mile area, because the sidewalk café is actually a balcony far above Grand Street, so there’s no automobile traffic.
The usual pasta dishes are on offer, but we concentrated on appetizers, and loved everything we tried, particularly the zucchini blossoms, which were very lightly fried and stuffed with a creamy smoked mozzarella that was delicious.
The ricotta appetizer was also excellent, with fresh honey and crusty toasted bread.
Clams and mussels are served in a garlic laced broth that’s not too rich.
We also shared a pizza. The offering changes weekly, so your mileage may vary. We loved the authentic Naples-​style crust, but didn’t care for the raspberry and onion based sauce on our particular offering.
There are some nice selections on the wine list, and the service was friendly yet professional.