La Scala — Restaurant in Baltimore

Visited La Scala with my wife and teenage daughter for a pre-valentines day celebration. We wanted to take our daughter out somewhere nice for some authentic Italian food and a more upscale experience. Let me start by stating, the food was very good and if it weren’t for our service experience, I would have given at least a 4 star rating. However, the unwarranted, poor, and quite embarrassing service we received was the star of the show. From the moment we were seated, we felt rushed and not like first time guests. Peggy was our server. We noticed how all of the tables seated around us, AFTER us, were greeted with “happy early valentines day” with a smile. We didn’t get anything close to the same greeting. In fact, we felt rushed to order, not a recommendation was made nor a description offered of anything on the menu. There were a few “minor” things I requested, like straws for our water. Never came. When I reminded her, I literally watched her roll her eyes before walking away. Then, we asked for bread. After noticing other tables didn’t have to ask, they just received bread and oil shortly after being seated. We got oil, no bread. When I asked for the bread again, her response was ok I’ll check, and rolled her eyes again. So I decided to ask, hey have we done something or are we giving off something toward you for you to be acting this way toward us? Her response was no. Of course then there was a shift in her attitude. By this time, we are over it, considering my wife actually had reservations at a different nearby restaurant, we chose to give la scala a try after seeing pretty good reviews on google we could have just went where we initially intended. Big mistake. My kid and I both packed up our food, and asked for the check. Now, My wife is speaking with the manager just to bring it to his attention. Not to ask for a dime taken off of our check but just to inform him how his server ruined our entire first experience at this restaurant. Of course now shots and a free slice of cake are arriving at the table because they have to do some form of damage control. Not at all sufficient. In fact, we didn’t want either of those things. We wanted to be heard and to make them aware that word of mouth can truly damage a business. Especially a restaurant. And to have a server who is being rude and mean for no reason at all is highly unacceptable. I understand people have bad days, but people don’t usually become selective with whom they will project. Literally every table around us, in very close proximity received decent service, from what I observed. She really had me sitting at our table asking my family what we did to her and why could she be acting the way she was toward us. Again, the food was pretty good so im sure we would have had a different experience had we been treated with more warmth especially considering we didn’t do anything to her to warrant the service we received. Our full experience was about an hour. From the time we were seated, time we were kept being asked are we ready to order, to the time boxes were brought out (with still full plates of food in front of us). Quickest and most rushed dining experience I’ve ever had. We will definitely not be willing to patronize this...

As a self-proclaimed skeptic and connoisseur of authentic Italian food, I am rarely as surprised by a dining experience as I was by my evening at La Scala Ristoranti Italiano in Baltimore Maryland.

The warm welcome of our driver George during happy hour was a telling prelude to a truly inviting old world atmosphere. One by one, staff arrived in impeccable fashion, dressed and perfectly pressed for an evening of note-worthy service.

The personal reception of the restaurant's owner Nino was made even more genuine by the insightful suggestions he offered ensure a truly unique dining experience to our party of five.

Like many restauranteurs, Nino circulated the main dining room and took time to answer questions from patrons about menu items but he set himself apart by introducing us to members of his own family who happened to be dining this particular evening. Hearing him speak so sweetly about his niece Gionna and her love of dance was heartwarming because he spoke of his family's restaurant with the same deliberate yet delicate manner.

Did I mention that one member of our group is paralyzed and wheelchair bound? Don't let the vintage building with authentic staircases limit you to drooling from the sidewalk. The gentlemen of la Scala escorted my friend onto a wheelchair lift that allowed her to explore the various levels of our new favorite restaurant. And in an over-the-top showing of chivalry, they helped her to a seat at the bar among friends where she could fully enjoy the mixology of Bulat, who poured each drink with precision, proving to be a master of his craft. They discreetly tucked her wheelchair out of site and It was the first time she has joined us seated in an elevated lounge setting since before her paralysis over a year ago.

The classic setting of this establishment is overwhelming. It is complimented by the expertly chosen staff who made us feel like we had come to dine in the familiar kitchen of my own Italian family rather than just another eatery in Baltimore. The selection of meats and cheeses in the antipasto was impressive and the homemade pasta speaks for itself...but the grilled Caesar salad was the best I've ever had and the Espresso Martini was as delicious as it was beautiful. If you are in Baltimore, do yourself a favor and see what all the fuss is about. You won't be disappointed. And if there is a wait, ask Bulat to pull out a frosty copper mug so you can enjoy a refreshing Moscow Mule while you walk downstairs to the indoor Bocci ball court. You will be seated among friends in no time,

Once the parade of palate-pleasing dishes subsides, find room to grace the tips of your lips with just a drop or two of lemoncello... And please, if you should be lucky enough to meet Nino or George or Bulat, please relay to the gentlemen of la Scala sincere gratitude from a group of rowdy Carolina girls.

Holland McGee...

The fact that this place doesn’t have a perfect 5 stars is beyond me. This was my first visit and an experience I will never forget....

The staff from the front of the house to the back of the house were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The chef and the manager stopped by the table to ask how the meals were being enjoyed. Though the chef could have taken all the credit he made it clear that the “team” is what made the meals so fantastic.

Delia (I think that’s how you spell her name, if not please forgive me)... Anyway she was fantastic, we absolutely loved her sense of humor and her honesty when it came to making recommendations (none of which were less than AMAZING). We never asked for anything more than once, if at all. She was on point with watching our drinks and when we were done with our plates etc.

I had the veal special and my date had the fish special (whole fish) I cannot remember the specific type. The veal was SOOO tender, which they describe as fall off of the bone... NO... more like so tender it’s hard to believe it’s a solid. The flavors that were put together and the pasta were just to die for. My date’s fish was nicely presented (head and all) and our wonderful waitress filleted it for us table side (and did an excellent job). Oh and of course tasted amazing as well.

Everything from the house bread to the specialty drinks were made with deep thought, intent and knowledge of how to make your taste buds dance. I left there so full but I couldn’t fathom having any extras to take home and We immediately wanted to turn around and go right back in to try something different. We haven’t been able to talk about anything else all night and will be back within the next few days to try the dishes we picked as our second choices.

Without a doubt I can say that this was the best meal and service I’ve ever had in a restaurant. My date is from Italy and says that there has never been a restaurant in the US that has impressed.. until now. With that being said the prices are extremely reasonable and I would recommend this place to ANYONE who wants delish Italian and great service. I mean honestly ask yourself how many places you have been where the chef and the manager came by to see how you enjoyed the meal without a problem? I could count them on one hand.

Thank you La Scala! See you again...