La Dolce Vita Cucina - Chicago — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

Our first time back since this location open under new owners, this was one of our favorite locations previously. We felt it was time to give it try. We were disappointed in a few things, however service was spot on, very attentive and friendly waiter. A cute place, just a bit of overkill on the music. The restaurant is Italian cuisine, no need to blast the same tunes in. Drinks are ok, however if a cocktail requires a rimmed edge, don’t skimp on the ingredient. The BREAD, served was tasteless! A slice of any store bought bread would have been better! I commented to the waiter and he came back and said they forgot to add salt! It was supposed to be sourdough? It was the worst flavorless piece of bread ever! The olive oil provided on the table is very low quality, yellowish in color and taste is off, more like corn oil. A Italian restaurant should have these two first staples correct. We did have a fantastic appetizer of octopus, which was very tender! However the sauce provided was again lacking flavor. We did like that all pasta dishes are available in appetizer portions. They were ok, we suspected that canned asparagus was used? I had a side of fennel sausage, and the way it served did make my plate unappealing in look. It was served in a ground version, and it was lacking in the fennel. Overall for what what we had I do find it pricey. Two cocktails an appetizer and two small portions of pasta was $200. We don’t mind spending on a night out, but for what this was I felt it was a bit too much. Here’s to hoping that a few things are fixed or maybe it was an off day in the kitchen. It took a lot for these friends to venture on this establishment, wish them...

Living in and being fairly new to the Portage Park area, my wife and I like to check out local bars and restaurants once in a while.

After running past La Dolce Vita several times, my wife and I decided to make it a date night and stop by for dinner Sunday night. As the sun was setting we asked to be seated outside. Shortly thereafter a man with glasses came to explain the specials they had going on for the day. His attitude was very friendly and inviting. Ultimately my wife ordered the Caprese Salad with a meatball appetizer, while I ordered the fish of the day. We also topped off our dinner with a Limoncello Spritz and a Farfalle Monarca.

Our entire dinner was a pleasant and delicious experience. After we finished and asked for the check, we asked Hector (our waiter) for the name of the man that originally greeted us. He told us is name is Roberto and he is one of the owners. We had such a great experience that we had to walk back inside and thank Roberto personally. Roberto was very happy to hear that our first time at La Dolce Vita was very positive. He was kind enough to give us a quick tour of the establishment and show us the back patio area that was still under construction. He gave us a short background on himself, the chefs, and how La Dolce Vita came to be.

As we exchanged thank you's and properly introduced ourselves to Roberto, we left La Dolce Vita feeling as if we've made a new friend.

My wife and I will definitely...

We had a truly wonderful first visit to this Italian gem, and thanks to Roberto—attentive, friendly, and effortlessly funny—we felt like regulars the moment we walked in. His warm hospitality set the tone for a memorable evening.

The food delivered in both flavor and presentation. A warm bread basket, featuring a mix of breads and focaccia, was a thoughtful touch to start. The meatballs with polenta appetizer was outstanding—rich, comforting, and generously portioned enough to pass as a main.

For mains, I had the Alaskan Halibut Filet with spring vegetables and a pea purée. The halibut was slightly overcooked, but the vegetables were perfectly prepared and the sauce tied everything together beautifully. My son ordered the Frutti di Mare, which was exceptional—the seafood was fresh, and the sauce struck a perfect balance, enhancing the dish without overwhelming it.

We sampled all three Negronis (the perks of living just around the corner) and unanimously voted for the Classico. Each version was well crafted and added to the evening’s charm.

The space itself is lovely—simple yet warm, with classic booths and lots of wood, a welcoming ambiance. It’s the kind of place that works just as well for a casual dinner with friends as it does for a celebratory gathering.

Overall, a fantastic neighborhood spot with excellent service, flavorful food, and a cozy atmosphere. We’ll...