Heading west on Grand Avenue, away from the bustle of downtown, the street turns increasingly industrial. But duck into cozy Italian restaurant La Scarola, and you’ll be welcomed into a warmly lit, cozy oasis that bubbles with the sounds of glasses clinking, and spills over with crowds waiting for a table. Nearly every night, both locals and travelers from as far away as Europe flock to La Scarola to get a taste of chef Armando Vasquez’s unfussy, flavorful Italian cooking.
The restaurant’s décor is pure homespun charm: Photos of famous friends and celebrity visitors (like George Clooney and Keanu Reeves) line the walls along with paintings and a mural of Italy, grape vines hang from the ceiling, and there is an active, open kitchen, which reflects the buzzing energy level of the staff. But the best part about La Scarola is the food. Simply put, it is delicious. Traditional Italian pasta dishes such as eggplant Parmigiana, linguini and clams, cheese ravioli alla forno, and lasagna share the menu with rich meat dishes, such as a veal marsala and chicken vesuvio. Those in the know, though, reach instantly for the specials menu, which offers a rotating roster of dishes, some traditional and some based on frequent customer requests.
Chef Armando Vasquez is to thank for that, and more. You’ve heard the saying, “Nobody puts baby in a corner”? Well, nobody keeps Vasquez in the kitchen.
