- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
LaScola Italian Grill
Rating Details »
5375 Airport Hwy
Toledo, OH 43620
(419) 381-2100
Toledo, OH 43620
(419) 381-2100
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
5 reviews for LaScola Italian Grill
I'll have to echo Susan L's 4-star rating on La Scola. Undoubtedly, one of the better Italian restaurants in Toledo, IMO.
Stopped in with two of my friends for dinner (the only time this place is open for) and seeing how none of us had been there before, we really didn't know what to expect. Homey, loungey, and restaurantey (if it wasn't a word before, it is now) are the words I would use to describe LS in the sense that it's homey as you walk past the first set of doors, loungey in the sense that there are plenty of lounge seats set up upon walking into the dining area, and restaurantey to describe the actual dining area. Needless to say, layout-wise, the restaurant gets two thumbs up from me.
Onto the food. Indecisive eaters beware! Everything on the menu looked absolutely delicious (as did the weekly specials.) As previously mentioned, pasta dishes came with a salad (but they're willing to substitute soup as well), and meat dishes came with salad or soup and spaghetti or vegetables. Seeing that and the dessert menu, I passed on appetizers. My Manicotti alla Bandierra looked like an Italian flag literally (See picture.) Basically, it was manicotti topped with marinara, pesto, AND alfredo sauce -- my favorite being the pesto. The accompanying tomato bisque soup was very tasty... and quite salty. Again, indecisive dessert snobs beware. I was wavering between the tiramisu, chocolate bread pudding, cannoli, chocolate mousse torte, and just about every item on there to be honest! But bread pudding it was and sure enough, it was a satisfying choice. Rich enough and sweet enough to not send me into a sugar coma.
In all honesty, the building itself did not look too impressive from the outside. (Heck, I drive by it everyday and have just stepped foot inside.) However, if you are able to overlook the yellow-tannish color of the building, you will be transported into a land of delicious (authentic?) Italian food and an atmosphere to boot!
Went to La Scola after hearing about it since moving back to the area from a big city. We knew that one of the partners had managed a nicer Toledo restaurant and expected something good. Upon walking in we noticed a great bar-area atmosphere, great lighting and an assortment of comfortable leather couches and chairs and cozy areas to sit. The dining area, though nicely furnished, was a bit bright and would be a nicer atmosphere if they turned the lights down slightly. At first we found our waitress to be friendly and helpful but soon realized that she knew little about the cocktail menu, couldn't make recommendations based on requests that we had made, and upon asking for a glass of presseco which was listed on the cocktail menu, instead ordered us a quarter bottle of brut champagne. When we questioned this selection she stumbled over her words when trying to provide an answer and then returned minutes later to indicate that they were out of the half bottle and would instead give us a glass of presecco, which we had ordered in the first place. Though difficult and time consuming to get, I thought the martinis we're pretty good. To start we ordered an anti-pasta platter. On the menu this comes with a selection of three cheeses: gogonzola, mozzarella, and asiago, as well as olives, crostini, salami, and prosciuttto. We asked that the server to substitue one of the cheese for goat cheese and simply remove the olives from the dish as we would not eat them. When our platter came out, it had three servings of goat cheese only which looked and tasted like it came from gordon food service and was scooped out of a tub. Upon seeing the platter, we asked the waitress which cheese was the goat cheese (not realizing at first that they were all goat cheese) She looked confused, said um, an then walked away. I thought she was going to ask the chef, but instead didnt come back until fifteen minutes later to ask us about our entrees. The platter was also full of olives, along with the thickest and worst tasting prosciutto I have tasted. I've gotten prosciutto at Meijer and it was much better. The the platter looked like it was thrown together in ten seconds and I would be embarrassed to have served it to anyone. Though at this point I wanted to leave and go to Jeds for a beer, we decided to order dinner to split. We ordered grilled shrimp and a side of spaghetti. The house salad came with this entree. The salad consisted of a few pieces of romaine and some tomato slices. Nothing else, no bullshit. (I searched the plate for other ingredients) I wouldn't serve this to my dog, let alone in a restaurant. I don't know how any self-respecting restaurant owner would allow this to come out of their kitchen. I realize its just a house salad, but come on, people are paying to be in your restaurant. The grilled shrimp entree was decent. A good portion and cooked well. Don't get the side dish of spaghetti. I didnt know it was possible to screw this up, but this was bad. Cheap, unfresh noodles and Ive had better marinara out of a Ragu jar.
My wife and I enjoy good restaurants. We dine out regularly and enjoy all types of cuisine. I understand that Toledo may not be a restaurant hot-spot and its residents may not demand the most amazing cuisine in the world, but I honestly thought we could have gotten a better meal at Olive Garden (and at a better price) Our server was incompetent, and the food was below average. I rarely go to a restaurant that I have complete disdain for (let alone write a Yelp review about) but this place was bad. Toledo has quite a few restaurants to choose from, I wouldnt waste my time on this one. If you are curious about this joint, I would recommend simply visiting the bar area, I dont think they can screw up a bud light.
This was a very nice Italian restaurant. Great decor and a varied menu. I had the Vongole and my wife had the Penne Bolognese and both were very good. The portions were good size and the service was also very good. I've had better italian, but La Scola certainly ranks up there.
For Toledo, LaScola is not too shabby. Maybe even 4.5 stars! It's owned by a long-time Toledoan Gus Nicolaidis who also ran the Oak'en Bucket (no longer around). When you first walk in, the walls are filled with old black and white photos of native Toledoans that make you feel like you are in a traditional family-owned Italian restaurant. Doubt most of those people are Italian but they give a taste of history to the place nonetheless. Service was quick and attentive and there were zero complaints on the food. All meals come with choice of salad or soup and non-pasta dishes come with choice of spaghetti or vegetables.
House salad - yummy, light white balsamic dressing, gorgonzola cheese, roma tomatoes
Tomato bisque - good, thick and creamy with a bit of sweetness
Veal marsala - very good, tender veal, wine sauce not too overpowering
Shrimp - very good, lightly coated in a slightly sweet batter, served with fresh spinach and roma tomatoes
Cacciatore chicken - good but not great, pieces of roasted chicken (would rather have chicken still on the bone), chunks of tomato and red pepper, savory tomato sauce with decent flavor, served with penne mixed in
Chocolate bread pudding - pretty good, a bit chewy if you like that style of bread pudding, served with caramel and pistachio ice cream
Coffee - very good!
Very unassuming, but very good. The front makes of look like just another family owned restaurant, and the location isn't exactly ideal. However, the food is very good, with a large selection of Italian dishes. The interior is her cool, too, which was surprising.