La Scala

Italian restaurant · Baltimore

La Scala

Italian restaurant · Baltimore

1

1012 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202

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Highlights

High-end Sicilian fare, espresso martinis, and an indoor bocce court  

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1012 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202 Get directions

lascaladining.com
@lascalabaltimore

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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1012 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202 Get directions

+1 410 783 9209
lascaladining.com
@lascalabaltimore
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@lascaladining

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Sep 1, 2025

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Chef‑owner Nino Germano’s convivial Little Italy fixture blends tradition with touches like an indoor bocce court. Reviewed by Baltimore Magazine and highlighted by Visit Baltimore.

https://lascaladining.com/contact/
Italian Restaurants in Baltimore (2025)
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Sam Nehme

Google
Amazing. Went after dinner dor drinks, dessert and Bocce. Learned how to play from some coworkers. Peaches and home made tiramisu were really good! Loves meeting the chef/Owner and had a very family Italian vibe.

Erica Leoncini

Google
Four years ago, while on vacation we stumbled in here for dinner. It was amazing then, and we've made a point to go once a year and it's never disappointed. The bartenders are the best. Worth the 3 hour drive from Jersey.

Chef Priscilla

Google
La Scala – Disappointed by the Quality (Not Recommended for Large Parties) Rated 4 Stars – My Experience: 1 Star We had dinner at La Scala last night with a large family group of 11, and the experience was a major disappointment. Because of our group size, we were required to order from a fixed menu priced at $80 per person, which included gratuity but not alcohol. We weren’t concerned about the cost—we were hoping for a quality dining experience. What we got felt more like a cheap wedding banquet—rushed, impersonal, and not at all worth the hype. We had mentioned a food allergy when the reservation was made, but it was never communicated to our server. After several attempts to bring it up, the allergy was finally acknowledged during the second course, and only then was a separate menu brought out. The server apologized and admitted she hadn’t been informed. We were brought up a spiral staircase to the third floor—even with a guest in our group who had mobility limitations—and seated in a cramped corner of a back room. The service overall was cold and inattentive. The food was equally underwhelming. The caprese salad had underripe, flavorless tomatoes. The calamari was undercooked. The grilled Caesar was fine but unremarkable. The penne alla vodka was the one standout—well-prepared and flavorful. The chicken parmesan, however, had a sharp, off-putting taste that the chef attributed to “organic eggs.” It didn’t go over well at our table. Dessert was a shared platter of tiramisu and profiteroles—just one small piece per person. We also added two bottles of wine ($40 each) and three cocktails, which pushed the total to about $1,200. But again, this isn’t about the money—it’s the lack of quality and care that stood out most. Would I go back? No. Would I recommend La Scala? Not at all. Large groups, especially those with dietary needs, should steer clear.

Ágnes Farkas

Google
First time in little Italy Baltimore and at La Scala authentic Italian restaurant. Very warm yet classy atmosphere inside. Super sweet and nice waitress. The food is really good, pasta was perfect Al Dente. Food taste authentic Italian with perfect amounts of spices not overwhelming. We definitely will return in the future. Worth the visit for a great dinner.

Rob Osterlund

Google
Delicious home made pasta. Sauce was great.We enjoyed both the fettuccine bolognese and the penne alla vodka. Recommend both.

LaRosa V

Google
Lovely place, great food I think anything you order will be good, my server Michelle was amazing I hope she gets the compensation she deserves b/c she was knowledgeable about the menu and the area. The whole experience was great. I found parking down the block and walked over no problem finding the restaurant. It is located in little Italy and there are other places near by for awakening taste buds.

Tianling Wan

Google
I ordered Spaghetti con Funghi but it’s spicy. It is very unexpected as the menu didn’t indicate it — unlike for example, Gamberi a Diavolo, specifically mentions “spicy tomato sauce”. Aside from this, the spaghetti itself is fine, chewy, in a good way. Server is helpful, but the front reception is pretty slow. I waited quite a while before someone reached out.

Ankur K Garg (Ace)

Google
We celebrated our two-year anniversary at La Scala, and I’ve got to say—it was unforgettable. From the moment the owner himself picked us up at our hotel using their complimentary shuttle service (talk about hospitality), we knew we were in for something special. The ambiance felt elevated yet cozy, but it’s the food that made the night. The pasta was beyond anything I’ve had on this side of the Atlantic. Sauces were rich, complex, and clearly made with care—and the kind of restraint that only comes from a kitchen that knows exactly what it’s doing. La Scala doesn’t just serve a great meal. They craft an experience. If you’re ever in Baltimore, go hungry and leave space for the tiramisu. It’s worth it.
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Ankur G.

Yelp
La Scala made our anniversary night feel like something out of a movie. Not only do they offer a shuttle to and from your hotel, but the owner personally came to pick us up. That kind of gesture? Rare. And it set the tone for everything else that followed. Once inside, we were met with warm service and a menu that clearly takes its Italian roots seriously. The pasta was hands-down some of the best I've ever had--the sauces were rich without being heavy, flavorful without trying too hard. Just...right. If you're looking for a place that treats food like an art form and guests like family, this is it. La Scala delivers where it counts.
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Alexis B.

Yelp
La Scala has been open in Baltimore's Little Italy since 1995, and I can see why after I visited with my husband and some friends for dinner this past Friday night. La Scala has old school charm to spare, including a bocce court on the lower level that you can see as you walk upstairs. The service was also outstanding. Really a classy place when it comes to charm and service. Between the four of us, we tried some cocktails and some wine (a Belvedere martini and glass of Sangiovese for me), which were great. We shared the calamari and special salad of the night (grilled Caesar salad) and then all ordered a pasta. Mine was their Fettuccini Verdi alla Bolognese (seasoned ground beef with a tomato cream sauce over fresh spinach fettuccine), which I loved. La Scala is one of those places that just does things right! I can see why it's been open for 30 years! I wouldn't hesitate to return!
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Bridget L.

Yelp
Recently revisited La Scala and forgot how great their Italian food is! The espresso martini, wine selection, and food was all delicious and the pasta was reasonably priced. I love the layout with the bocci court downstairs it really brings a fun and lively vibe to the downstairs area. The service was good, our server was a little quiet but in general the staff seemed friendly, helpful, and attentive!
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Janna H.

Yelp
This place was great for a romantic meal with my husband. The food was divine and the waiter was very knowledgeable when it came to our questions. Will eat here again!
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Hannah T.

Yelp
Baltimore is sleeping on this happy hour! 4-6, $7 drinks, $6 apps, and $8 fresh pastas?? I got a red wine spritzer, the penne alla vodka (which had the perfect kick), and the calamari which was tender and uniquely prepared with a spicy honey, red onion, and pepperoncini. At the bar only but $25 bucks later (including tip) I left full and happy. The bar tenders are lovely and Nino the owner came by and checked in. Catch me there every week!
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Breanne R.

Yelp
I finally got to check out La Scala last weekend and definitely enjoyed my experience! The vibe was cozy and my waitress was great (I wish I remembered her name). I started with the calamari, which was cooked well as it was so tender! I ordered the "Fettuccine Samantha", which was packed with crab and a decent portion for the price. It could have benefited from a little more flavor, but overall was tasty. I tasted my friend's vodka sauce and that was delicious! It is worth mentioning their system went down and somehow my friend got charged an extra $50. Our waitress updated us as she could and ended up giving us a free dessert as we waited an additional 30 minutes for everything to be resolved. I am still unclear of how it happened and it was a little annoying to end the meal this way, but overall enjoyed the experience.
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Abigail R.

Yelp
I could kiss my friends on the mouth for bringing me here. Obviously we all know little Italy is the place to get good Italian food. But La Scala goes above and beyond. The atmosphere is so cozy and feels very old money Italian. Intimate and warm. The drinks? Holy moly. The espresso martini and regular martini (gin, extra dirty) knocked my whole socks off. The anti pasto was delicious. The olive oil is delicious. I got the lobster pasta special and it is something I'll dream about. My partner got the chicken parm and absolutely destroyed it. I wish we had room for dessert but wow. What a dinner. The service was so attentive and caring and knew the menu in and out. 10/10 recommend.
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Kimberly A.

Yelp
I can't believe I didn't find out about La Scala until last year! It's a gorgeous restaurant that gives you an Italian feel. They have a great happy hour in which you can't beat and the most unique yet tasty Caesar! I love the happy hour drinks which are reasonably priced and delicious. The servers were also very resourceful and welcoming! Highly recommended! both times I came alone, sat at the bar for happy hour!
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Marcus G.

Yelp
If you are looking for authentic Italian food in Baltimore then I recommend adding La Scala to your list. The food was delicious and they had large portions, perfect for sharing. The staff is nice and even the chef came by the want to introduce himself. The restaurant is located in a walkable area as well. The pasta is freshly made and is really good.

Joann K.

Yelp
Great italian food, professional wait service, ambience all "spot on" My husband and I frequent whenever a "special evening" is needed!
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Jeremy M.

Yelp
La Scala offers a great dining experience with the food as a stand out! My first time here and came with friends who frequent La Scala as one of their favorite upscale Italian restaurants in Baltimore. The ambiance is nice, located in the little Italy district, in a multi story brick building and left rustic inside. Service is excellent and valet is available. The restaurant offers full bar and of course a very nice wine list. Food is amazing. Try the grilled romaine salad if you like anything with a char- so tasty. For entree I had a shrimp and crab fettuccine. Rich and decadent with plenty of lump crab and several large shrimp. Best I have had anywhere and couldn't stop eating it. A large portion and I finished the hole plate. Cannoli and a lemon cello for dessert, also good and shareable. Would highly recommend La Scala. Note reservations are recommended and the restaurant is not open Mondays and Tuesdays. Private rooms are available. Happy eating! Cheers.
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Thembi S.

Yelp
I've never been to Italy so idk if La Scala has a strong Italian vibe, but it seemed like it to me. Felt like I could go right out back and play bocce, lol. It was packed when I arrived, lots of couples and families. Sat at the bar and enjoyed interacting with the hilarious bartenders and other patrons. La Scala's menu had a ton of options that were appealing to me, but I went with the special, snapper with asparagus. Additionally I had an espresso martini that was exquisite (and I'm NOT a cocktail drinker). The fish came with a small bowl of pasta, which I didn't eat until the next day, but it was excellent. The snapper itself was delicious and I'm pleased I had leftovers of it I also ate the next day. It was a great visit from start to finish. The owner even stopped by to say Hi! I absolutely shall return!
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Brittney S.

Yelp
My boyfriend loves Italian food, so I chose La Scala for his birthday dinner. I made a reservation and when we arrived, we were greeted and seated immediately. Our server was very attentive and went through a long list of daily specials. We ordered and got a basket of bread and some kind of herb butter while we waited. The butter was so good! We each got cocktails and loved them. I got pasta and he ended up with steak. Our meals were both delicious. I let the server know it was his birthday, and they surprised him with dessert and a candle at the end. I think we'll definitely go back!
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Brenda S.

Yelp
Never a bad time at La Scala. It continues to be the best Italian food in Baltimore! I celebrated New Years Eve here with friends and will make it a tradition!

Priscilla A.

Yelp
La Scala - Disappointed by the Quality (Not Recommended for Large Parties) Rated 4 Stars - My Experience: 1 Star We had dinner at La Scala last night with a large family group of 11, and the experience was a major disappointment. Because of our group size, we were required to order from a fixed menu priced at $80 per person (excluding alcohol). We weren't concerned about the cost--we were expecting quality food and attentive service. What we got felt more like a cheap wedding banquet--rushed, impersonal, and far from refined. We had mentioned a food allergy when the reservation was made, but it was not communicated to our server. After several attempts to bring it to her attention, it was finally acknowledged during the second course, at which point a separate menu was brought out. The server apologized, admitting she hadn't been informed. We were taken up a spiral staircase to the third floor--even though we had a guest with mobility concerns--and then crammed into the corner of a back room. Our server seemed disengaged and bothered from the beginning. The food missed the mark. The caprese salad featured underripe, tasteless tomatoes. The calamari was undercooked. The grilled Caesar was average. The penne alla vodka was the only highlight--perfectly cooked with a well-balanced sauce. The chicken parmesan, on the other hand, had a strong, unpleasant flavor the chef claimed came from "organic eggs." No one at our table enjoyed it. Dessert felt like an afterthought: a single platter of tiramisu and profiteroles, with just one piece per person. We also ordered two bottles of wine ($40 each) and three cocktails, bringing the total to around $120 per person. Again, this wasn't about the money--it was about the lack of quality in both food and service. Would I go back? No. Would I recommend La Scala? Absolutely not. If you're planning for a large group--especially one with dietary needs--look elsewhere.
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Erica R.

Yelp
Major hidden gem!!! Best Italian food and great chocolate martinis are made. The Chef is so welcoming and funny. Each time I visit, I have no complaints. I'll try to remember to take pics next time.
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Ana B.

Yelp
I finally tried La Scala, and it didn't disappoint. I wasn't drinking so I didn't try their famed espresso martini so I will need to go back. I met up with a girlfriend on weekday so I didn't make a reservation, but I was seated really quickly. They did ask for my phone number before seating me. This is definitely an old-school establishment. There's carpet on the floor and the staff is in uniform. There's bread service with an olive oil they sell at the restaurant. We shared the special grilled Cesar (the only negative was the knife at the table was so dull it was hard to cut into the romaine). The vodka pasta was comforting and not pictured (their mussels were epic). I need to come back to try the pasta Samantha and cocktails. I will say it's very classic American Italian. There is a giant tv (which was kind of odd for a semi romantic ambiance) and a bocce ball court, which you can reserve. It's one of the only few places in the city that has valet but you can usually find street parking or there's a garage in little Italy.
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Steven T.

Yelp
Took a day trip out to Baltimore to see the aquarium m, but was starving after and heard this was the best Italian in the city. The server was friendly and we got a lot of the signature dishes she recommended. Almost everything was amazing here! The Grilled Caesar had a great char that paired well with the dressing. The Shrimp Toast special was buttery, rich and melt in your mouth. Both our pastas were great as well! Sauces were not overpowering and you could taste the sweet crab and lobster in both. You can't forget their signature Espresso Martini as well! A great date night and must try when you're in Baltimore!
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Marylee B.

Yelp
Let me start by saying the atmosphere was amazing. Our servers energy and personality is what makes this place 5 stars. We had the grilled Caesar, calamari, and shrimp toast for our appetizers. I thought the Caesar was super tasty but felt like the calamari was quite bland. I ordered the linguine al pesto and added clams. It was out of this world good. I make my own pesto so I can be a bit of a snob. Their pesto was so flavorful and adding the clams added to the texture.

Matthew H.

Yelp
Went here for my birthday. Food was great and a nice restaurant. I asked around and this place was recommended by my foodie friends as the place to go in Little Italy. It didn't disappoint.
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Christin M.

Yelp
From the sidewalk outside of La Scala you can tell you're in for a treat, the facade hints at a special dining experience ahead. Once inside, we were greeted warmly and shown to a table after taking the famous "La Scala" aka the staircase from the bar/entry area over the bocce court up to the dining rooms. The holiday decor was lovely, complete with an upside down Christmas tree suspended in midair! The menu offers traditional Italian staples as well as La Scala specialities. We started with a plate of calamari for the table and a special - the shrimp toast. The shrimp toast was delightful! Plump, tail-on shrimp covered in melted cheese and a buttery pancetta sauce atop a toasted slice of baguette. I then indulged in a signature pasta dish for my entree, the Fettuccine Samantha. Believe the hype, it's all true, this dish is hearty and flavorful, lump crab meat galore. The pasta is homemade and more than enough creamy, sherry sauce to be sopped up with fresh bread. My husband ordered the filet mignon atop the veal scallopini with jumbo shrimp. A good choice if you can't decide what you want, haha. I don't know how but we managed to save room for dessert and shared the tiramisu, one of the best I've ever had. We spotted the chicken parmesan on our way out and that secured the promise of a return visit from us.
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Michael A.

Yelp
So happy we took an Uber down to La Scala. True authentic Italian. I never order Italian or seek it out because I come from an Italian family w THE BEST cooks. This place was excellent. Chicken parm w vodka sauce(I asked for the vodka sauce) was exceptional. Wife got Chicken Saltimbocca which was different from the rest. The chicken was stuffed w prosciutto which made it really tasty. Vodka rig side Highly recommend.
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Lola L.

Yelp
All the dishes were incredible, and the service great. We are definitely going back.

Lisa O.

Yelp
Excellent ! Went to a Mets game and staying in little Italy and decided on this gem . It was amazing . The food was delicious. I had the pasta and meat sauce. Homemade Pasta . The best I ever had . My husband had the veal parm . So tender cut it with your fork tender . The wine was delicious. And the service was top notch. The restaurant was so nice and cozy . Very nice bar . Got to meet the chef /owner when we were leaving . Super nice ! What a treat ! We have great Italian food in Jersey . This place was the real deal Italian food .
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Sydney W.

Yelp
Heard this was a to die for restaurant to visit, it definitely was good. The espresso martini's are AMAZING and is a need to try. The servers were super nice and knew everything about the menu. Small quaint place, but worth it. My pasta was a little al dente for my liking, but good flavor. No hats allowed to be worn inside!
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Lynn H.

Yelp
We came in here after having a not so great experience at another restaurant. I am so glad we came here, because it totally redeemed the night! This place has a homey feel and seems like a family restaurant. They have some lovely Italian art and a projector that scrolls through pictures of Italian landscapes. It's very pretty and relaxing. I would say it's a tad dark for my liking, but it was fine. We ordered the grilled Ceasar salad - it was so delicious! My shrimp risotto was very warm and so comforting. Hubs got the saltamobocca, which came with a side of spaghetti. The veal was tender and flavorful. For dessert, hubs got the tiramisu and I got the lemoncello cake. That cake was to die for. Our waiter was very nice and accommodating but Alex (I believe he's a manager) came and introduced himself after our meal and he was super sweet. Hubs forgot his sunglasses there at the restaurant and he ran a block to chase us down to return them! Thanks, Alex!! Such great customer service.
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Ally K.

Yelp
I've wanted to try La Scala forever and am so glad I finally made it in! FANTASTIC experience! The restaurant itself is so cozy and has a great atmosphere. Our server JJ was excellent and extremely knowledgeable. I'd heard rave reviews about the Espresso Martini and it absolutely did not disappoint, it was the best I've ever had! The Fettuccine Samantha was incredibly delicious and had tons of crab meat. The sherry cream sauce was heavenly! Will absolutely be back here soon!
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Abe M.

Yelp
Really good meal. Was with a large group and we made reservations in thier private room. Great choices on menu. We ordered bruschetta, calamari and the antipasto to start. For dinner I had the shrimp and crab alfredo. My wife ordered the New York steak. Both were delicious, but I kept eyeballing her plate. For dessert we ended with an assortment of cannolis, tiramisu and lemon gelato. The tiramisu was excellent, but the lemon gelato was the star
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Ashley M.

Yelp
La Scala is likely my favorite Italian restaurant in the Baltimore area. They are consistent over achievers with the quality of their food and they have the best espresso martini in the area without question. I will say that I order the same exact dish every time I go so my range is quite limited because I don't explore their array menu options. I'm a minimalist in that regard, I like what I like! The first time we went my girlfriend ordered the Fettuccine Samantha but swapped out the fettuccine noodles for penne noodles because we like to do a bit of family style sharing and already had the fettuccine noodles coming. I order the Fettuccine Verdi ai Quattro Formaggi. It never misses. The noodles are house made and delicious. The cheese, the cheese, the cheese, the cheese. That four cheese bland really set it off. And it comes out hot and fresh every time. I've even had the chef personally bring out my dish before! The fettuccine Samantha was very good. Again, the noodles were cooked perfectly, al dente of course. The crab meat was just the right touch and the spinach added a great element to the dish. If I was on the business of switching it up I would order the Fettuccine Samantha again. I must say that I sit at the bar most times and although it's the best Italian food in the area and the best espresso martini I've likely ever had sometimes I feel dismissed in that area. On my last visit it took the bar tender 15 minutes before he even acknowledged us. I know he's a vet there and likely has his more regular customers but that didn't feel warm and fuzzy.
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Ruby G.

Yelp
Went for my grandmother's birthday. She is almost 90 and has difficulty hearing. They sat us at a table right outside the bathroom. I asked to switch to another table so she could hear better, but they said they were all booked up even though we were the first few in the restaurant and they definitely could've switched tables around... whatever. Our server was fine. She kept interrupting which I know is part of the job, but there is still a skill of knowing when to cut in to move the dinner along which she did not have. I elected for the espresso martini which was just as amazing as I have read about. The fettuccine samantha was great as well, very heavy and a great dish to split amongst two people. Overall I thought the night was fine. The service was weird, the decor is old, kinda musty and needs to be updated. The food is solid Italian, but nothing spectacular. I would maybe come back, but if I had a choice I would check out a new restaurant instead.
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Jessica R.

Yelp
The service was poor. Our waitress had an attitude and seemed like she didn't want to take care of us. She didn't even offer a glass for my husband's beer. The food was not good and had little to no seasoning. I definitely would not recommend this place
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Amanda P.

Yelp
I have been thinking of this bolognese since I had it! It's creamy and yummy. I will go back to order it again. My friends got the Penne a la Vodka and Shrimp Scampi. They both had good things to say as well. We ordered the burrata as usual. I do feel like they could have done more with it as it was just the cheese in oil. The cheesy mushrooms were okay but felt like more of a side than an appetizer. I wouldn't order it again as it didn't feel like a stand alone dish. I would 100% come back just for the bolognese. Our waitress was super helpful and knowledgeable, so thank you to her!
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Kevin S.

Yelp
You will want to read to the end! I honestly don't know where to even begin. I have never been so insulted at a restaurant in my life. I took my father out for dinner on a Saturday night while visiting Baltimore. Upon entering the restaurant we requested to sit at the bar to eat and drink. The host told us that anywhere with a place setting was reserved and unavailable. There were three seats towards the middle of the bar that were open. We asked if we could sit at those seats and he said yes. He then proceeded to ask us if we had reservations. I asked him if they were needed to sit at the bar and he responded with an irritated expression and said no and reiterated that we could only sit at spaces where there were no place settings. We sat down and ordered 2 drinks at $22 which was expected. While sitting there we asked the other bartender that walked by if all of the market fish was available on that night. He responded with "No, not everything is available and went on to tell us that burgers and chicken wings were unavailable as well. With a confused and appalled look my father brushed off the demeaning comment and asked if this Italian establishment had lasagna. The employee answered "No, and again told us that they have no lasagna, burgers, or chicken wings. Still somehow we managed to remain respectful and composed and my father asked him if they had steak. They have an entire section of steak but the server respond again with "No, we don't serve steak, burgers, or chicken wings. Once we pointed out that there is an entire steak section on the menu he said we do have those items but no burgers or chicken wings. My father asked if they had ribeye steak? The waiter said "No, we have filet and New York strip steak and again mentioned that they have no chicken wings or burgers. It was at this point where we told the other bartender to cash us out and left. The other bartender looked confused as to why we abruptly cashed out but eventually reluctantly did cash us out. We paid our $22 tab for and beer and a mixed drink and left.
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Pieter D.

Yelp
Went here for an anniversary date, and it was perfection. Haven't been to an Italian place that was this good in awhile. Maybe that's because I'm gluten free. But they offer gluten free options for most pastas. That being said the pasta doesn't seem homemade like the other offerings; example, my wife got this absolutely incredible looking hand-made pasta dish, and she loved it. I also loved what I got but that was because the they nailed the flavor profiles and created this explosion of goodness in my mouth. Overall service was fine but the food and ambiance was what sold us.
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Theron M.

Yelp
La Scala is a very good white table cloth Italian restaurant. You can what shorts and a polo. But it is more dressy casual and up. The ambiance is good with dim lighting and great wall artwork. It is good for groups as evidenced by. Several wedding rehearsal dinner parties going on. The calamari was good fresh and fried until done. Not rubbery. The goat cheese on the bruschetta was great. The tomatoes and fresh basil on the bruschetta were delicious. The fettucini Samantha(named after a local food blogger) was disappointing. While the fresh pasta and saice were good. Apparently the lack of crabmeat was a bummer. It was an expensive mistake. The manager mist have gotten several complaints about the lack of crabmeat. He came to our table and asked about it. He then sent orders to the kitchen and they sent up a little more crabmeat. In a demitasse sized bowl for the the two orders at our table. A little bit more for each but not enough. Plus this was 20 minutes after the original order had been brought to the table. So prob a B- for that fiasco. The chicken Rafaello was very good. It was a chicken breast prepared in marsala wine. It had mushroom, artichoke heart, prosciutto Jan and mozzarella. Very delicious. The verde pasta was spinach pasta with veggies and chicken. It was rated and good also. No desserts but the drinks and wine were great.
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Kelsey K.

Yelp
Everything tasted amazing and the service was wonderful! We went with a big group which can be hard to accommodate but the servers were so quick and always patient with us. The carbonara came with a runny egg on top with the most delicious creamy sauce. Everyone at the table seemed to really enjoy their meal. The candlelight, exposed brick walls, and white table cloths really brought me right back to Italy. Will definitely be back to try out the bacci ball court on the first floor (how fun?!).
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Steph H.

Yelp
Food was really good and great portion size which is great because it's on the expensive side. Our server was super nice and it's very traditional old school but upscale Italian. They charge a fee to pay with a credit card which was explained to me by the owner or manager which I understood, it's harder on the restaurant but the reason I give 4 stars is because after I looked over my bill they SEPARATELY charged my tip and rounded up to the $25 tip I gave the waiter. That is so shady to me-- you don't round up someone's tip after you already charged a cc fee. I probably won't be back due to this. Pay in cash if you go, The cod was really delicious and flavorful and large enough to split (they charge a fee of $7 for that too so eat off the same plate and make sure someone else pays the bill because they also charge to split the bill on top of cc fee.) The Bronzino was huge and perfectly cooked. I'd prefer it without rosemary and a little less olive oil though. The grilled Caesar was a hit and the artichoke and crab was fire. The profiteroles were so light and delicious with the chocolate mousse on top. The food is not their problem. The nickel and dimming is. I'd rather you up the prices of the food then have all these extra fees, no matter if they're written on the menu or bill for transparency. Up-charging my tip was not transparent, it was sneaky. It's already expensive enough to go out to eat these days.
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Kayla P.

Yelp
My new favorite spot in Little Italy! This place is so cute, it's two stories, inside is large with a bocce court, theres a back patio, and we sat on the 2nd story patio. Service was great, our server, Gabrielle, was very attentive and friendly! We started with the Gorgonzola bread, which was delicious. For entrees, I had the Bolognese- it had a very creamy tomato and meat sauce and tye noodles were spinach based. It was actually the best bolognese I've had! My Fiancé also loved his dish, it was the carbonara, and came with a full egg on top which was a great, unique touch! We can't wait to come back again!
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Diana R.

Yelp
La Scala is a gem of Little Italy! We enjoyed bruschetta, salads, lobster and sea bass, amongst other dishes. Each of us were blown away with the excellence of our meals.... Danielle's service last night for our team was absolutely perfect! Chef Ninos creations were sublimely delicious... thank you for an amazing dinner experience in Little Italy!! Attached are pics of the sea bass, which the server preps table-side. Homemade pasta was to live for!
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Tina G.

Yelp
La scala is by far my favorite Italian restaurant in Baltimore! It is upscale, but not unreasonable, and it always feels homey and like you are well taken care of when you come. Every time I visit, the owner has either greeted us or walked us out. The wait staff is very well trained (shout out to Michelle on my last visit! She was great!), And service is prompt. All of their drinks have been so good, especially the dirty martini. They have a great wine selection too! And the food! I've never had anything short of amazing here! Some of my favorite dishes have been the funghi abrruzzese and the pasta Samantha. And I couldn't leave a review without talking about the dessert. You can't go wrong with anything there, but the tiramisu is literal heaven! So light and creamy! I also recently tried the pineape sorbet and it might b my new favorite dish! It came in a pineapple and was so light and flavorful and refreshing! It ki d of reminded me of a lighter Dole whip. So good! And there's Bocci courts downstairs, they have all the big sports games playing...like I said, feels like home!
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Ali T.

Yelp
Chef Nino runs an amazing restaurant! This is truly a magnificent location. The interior is well appointed and comfortable. There are plenty of tables, a spacious bar, and even an indoor bocce court! The decor is casual and yet elegant. The food is fantastic. Everything on the menu is well designed and prepared. The specials are variable with an few items that regularly appear such as the Lobster Regina (spelling? It's a verbal presentation of specials, not printed...). The bar makes great cocktails. The wine list is Italian centric but has some other options as well. The wines we had were amazing; a great Italian red (Brunello), a bold Napa Cab, and a bright New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Make sure you save room for their housemade cannoli! Chef Nino's mom's recipe!
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Karen T.

Yelp
La Scala was highly recommended to us when we were visiting Baltimore, and I can see why. Amazing service with very knowledgeable and friendly staff, fresh and tasty dishes, all in one cozy, classy spot. We had such a fantastic experience here. My seafood pasta was delicious and filling. Our server knew when to check in on us to make sure we always had water/everything else we needed. We also bought their olive oil to take home because we loved dipping our bread into it! Will definitely come again when if we visit Baltimore again.
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Santana H.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious meals!! Went for a birthday dinner with the girls and it did not disappoint. The classic Alfredo was my favorite. Our server was great in recommending favorites and providing options. The restaurant itself was very cute inside and felt very authentic. We were able to bring a cake for the birthday and they cut and served it for us. The espresso martini was a great after dinner dessert!
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Jon W.

Yelp
Shary and I found ourselves in Baltimore and we wanted to do something different for dinner. Different for us is Italian because Shary is GF. La Scala did a terrific job with that. So many options for GF dining. Every bite was yummy and we ended with a tasty cappuccino.
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Robert N.

Yelp
This place is our number 1 visit in Baltimore. We live in New York and come down every year for a weekend getaway. There's not much more I can say other than the Service,Food & the atmosphere will make you want to keep coming back. If you like Italian food?, you'll love LaScala. Wish I lived closer. See ya all next year.
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Jess L.

Yelp
Not the best. Came here on a Saturday night with my husband and 2 friends. All of our food was just okay. The ambiance is beautiful - we loved the look and it's actually a really big restaurant! We had a reservation which they were a little behind on, but no problem. We got a few drinks, appetizers, and entrees. The service was good, but some of the food was not hot. The calamari was room temp, tasty, but a fried food needs to be served right away. We got the "garlic bread" with mozzarella, yikes, it was a dry loaf with a slap of cheese and doused with garlic, it was actually spicy! Never had garlic bread like that, it was just plain bad. For entrees, I got shrimp linguine, it was good but also not hot, nothing to write home about but I was generally happy. No one else was ha. My husband got veal parm and one friend got veal pizzaiola, both didn't like it. Said it was dry and tasteless and didn't come w/ enough pasta on the side. Our other friend got the Brodetto alla Vastese, which was basically a pot of seafood. I thought this was the best dish. We also all got drinks. Overall, this was a swing and a miss for food but we had a fun time. Hoping this was a one off but it was my first time and I'm not running back to spend $75-100 per person for mediocre food. Sorry La Scala, I had high hopes!!
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Craig F.

Yelp
Delicious! This was our second visit to La Scala and it continued to be just as nice as a visit as our first time. Service was spot on for both visits with the wait staff being attentive and very welcoming. Our water glasses never reached empty during our entire visit. The menu has a nice variety of Italian classics combined with twists on other dishes with a generous use of crab in quite a few! During this most recent visit we tried the crab and artichoke appetizer in a lemon butter sauce with capers! It was melt in your mouth delicious. Main courses over the past two visits included Fettuccine Samantha, (crab in a tomato cream sauce), Shrimp and crab fettuccine Alfredo, a sausage stuffed chicken breast entrée special, and shrimp scampi. The portions were quite large and everything was very delicious! In addition to the food, they have an extensive wine and cocktail list. The expresso martini and the negroni were hits in our group. Overall one of our favorite Italian restaurants and I highly recommend.
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Amanda B.

Yelp
I'm ashamed to say this was my first time eating in Little Italy, but it def will not be my last! Bf and I went here for our anniversary. We had reservations for a Thursday night and were seated as soon as we arrived. We started off with the grilled Caesar salad. I prefer the traditional Caesar but this salad was still good! The bread and olive oil here is *chefs kiss*. For entrees, we ordered the Penne alla Vodka with chicken and Scampi al' Aglio. Hands down the best vodka sauce I've ever had. My boyfriend enjoyed his shrimp dish with the garlic sauce but we both agreed that the penne alla vodka was the star of dinner. We finished off our meals with cannolis, one pistachio and one chocolate. The desserts were light and didn't leave us feeling overstuffed. Service was great. We were given a card wishing us a happy anniversary which was very nice! Our waters were always full and the waiter made sure we always had what we needed. Will definitely return to play some bocce ball and try some other dishes.
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Earl H.

Yelp
This place has a great ambiance and the food is really good. The service was very attentive as well.