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La
Cupola
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| When I saw the early construction on La Cupola
at Lindero Canyon and Kanan in Oak Park, I thought, “Just what we
need, another Italian spaghetti joint”. I wasn’t immediately
interested for that reason, combined with the fact that I have found
that reviewing a restaurant before it has a chance to settle in is
unfair to the restaurant and the readers. |
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However many friends asked me if I had been
there so I decided to give it a shot. After all I could try it and
not review it. Before we even entered the restaurant, I was shocked.
It was very apparent that large amounts of money had been spent on
what I thought was going to be another overdone meatball. |
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Before the entrance there is a lovely fountain
surrounded by an extremely spacious, comfortably canopied European
styled outdoor dining area. The tall attractive building is topped
by the large identifying “Cupola” that is also the theme
architecture of the shopping center. .
When you enter you are immediately and pleasantly greeted in the
hosting area and led into the main dining area. To the left is a
small seating area and a long colorful open kitchen that reminds one
of Granita in Malibu. To the right is the main dining area with dark
woods, intimate nooks and colorful wall art that brings thoughts of
the marvelous Picasso restaurant in the Bellagio Hotel in La Vegas.
O.K, slight exaggerations. |
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The menu is amazingly customer friendly.
Most dishes are available in half, full or family portions.
Innovative ˝ sandwiches are available with a cup of soup at the same
price as a full sandwich on a choice of 10 different breads ($5-7).
2 side orders plus kosher pickles come with all sandwiches.
The dinner menu is very extensive, sophisticated and reasonably
priced. There are 12 hot or cold appetizers such as Veal Carpaccio
Truffle- Porcini Mushrooms ($8), Parma Prosciutto & Asparagus with
Hearts of Palms ($6). I chose a Terrine of Smoked White Fish and
Salmon ($7). It was a flavorful and substantial dish. There are 4
soups. A cup of the traditional and classic Tortellini en Brodo is
$3. |
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La Cupola Open Kitchen
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From the 10 salads my wife selected a ˝ Caesar
Salad ($5) and our two friends had ˝ portions of Pears, Pecans and
Arugula ($6) and Mixed Salad of Belgian endive, radicchio, and
arugula with eggs, capers, pimiento and hearts of palm dressing
($6). All were properly and flavorfully dressed in appropriate
portions.
For me the ultimate test of a fine Italian
restaurant is the classical Osso Buco. Osso Buco is prepared at a
very high level in our home and we are hard markers. La Cupola
passed the test. My friend and I shared a family platter that was
very well priced at $28 for two. This mitigated the fact that garlic
mashed potatoes while flavorful, were served rather than the classic
risotto Milanese. The portions although from midshank, were
substantial, tender and pleasing to the palate without the sweetness
that is often found in many restaurants.
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La Cupola Main Dining Room
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My other friend had a beautifully grilled medium
rare rack of New Zealand lamb ($20) served with eggplant, vegetable
lasagna, grilled tomatoes and onions. My wife ordered the Chicken
Agnolotti pasta with wild mushrooms and roasted veal strips ($13).
The filling and sauce were excellent but the pasta dough was much
too thick and heavy. Other fresh pasta, risotto and Gnocchi can be
ordered in half, full and family portions from $7 up while dried
pasta and a choice of sauces begin at $5 for ˝ portions. . |
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13” classic Italian style thin crust pizzas are
cooked in a wood burning oven for a base price of $7 as are Calzones.
A choice of 45 toppings is available at prices of $1.50 to $3.00 per
two toppings
Portions are slightly smaller and less
expensive for lunch. 6 different and interesting desserts are all
$4.50. At our meal we were served a special chocolate hazelnut
truffle cake. We split it 4 ways.
We reviewed the restaurant on Monday August 6
around 6:30 P.M. There has been no advertising. Yet the restaurant
was moderately busy with most diners opting to eat al fresco. In
spite of the fact that La Cupola has only been open for about 6
weeks the service was very friendly, professional and well
organized. As of August 7, La Cupola did not have a liquor license.
We were told it was due in about a week. |
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Jazz on the patio Friday &
Saturday Evening! |
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A Secret Tryst??
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Giovanni Bolla is the managing owner,
executive chef, sommelier and chief juggler of this multi faceted
and ambitious operation. He was born in Asti in the Piedmont
district of Northern Italy and trained in hotel and culinary school
in nearby Turin. He worked there at the Hotel Principe Di Piemonte
and later at the famous Hotel Sonesta in Milan, the food capitol of
Italy. After that he gained all kinds of different experiences on
the exciting cruise ships of the Mediterranean. He then came to the
United States and operated his own catering service in the Westside
Los Angeles area for about 20 years. |
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The complete menu is available for full catering service, takeout
and home delivery. The restaurant is open 7 days a week for lunch
and dinner and there is also a Sunday Brunch. Thus, Bolla will have
to draw on all of his magical skills and seamanship to keep this
cruiser steadily on course. The restaurant seats well over 100 when
at full capacity.
The rewards however may be great for all this
effort. It would appear that if The Cupola runneth over, there
could be more of them on the horizon.
La Cupola 706 Lindero Canyon Road Oak
Park 818-874-1373 Most Credit Cards
Easy Shopping Center Parking Takeout - Home Delivery -
Catering |
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