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Cafe La Scala
3.0769/5 (11 reviews)

1219 Burlingame Ave.
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 347-3035

Category: Italian

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12 Reviews
REVIEW #1 M W.
Avg. Entree: $15-20
Rating: Unknown 		February 14, 2009
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Valentine's dinner. Menu was replaced with limited selection of 4-5 appetizers, salads, pastas, entrees and desserts. Bread was excellent, but had to ask for it 20 minutes after we were seated. Some appetizers were served cold including pasta with red sauce and lamb chops. Dessert came out the same way. "Lava cake" was promptly unpacked from a cardboard box from the fridge and put on a plate with ice cream without the cake being heated at all. When asked about it the owner said it was supposed to be that way and then left. $60 meal for two entrees and two desserts.

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REVIEW #2 Nancy S.
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		September 1, 2006
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Had lunch here a couple weeks ago and I was not impressed. The waitress was new, didn't speak English very well and did not remember what we ordered. She brought us the wrong thing, and after sending it back she proceeded to pour water over my food as she poured me water. The bruschetta was ok, the stuffed pasta my daughter had was not so great, she didn't even finish it. My eggplant was good, but again, not so great either. If the service had been better we may have enjoyed the food more. We will not go back.

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REVIEW #3
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		February 14, 2005
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We had our Valentine lunch at la Scala last Sunday (2/13/05) and it wasn't a nice experience. The waiter was for some reason very unpleasant. It wasn't because the restaurant was crowded--there were only two other couples besides us - my husband and I and our 15 month well behaved son. My husband ordered Orecchiette and didn't like it, apparently it had a fishy taste. I had gnocchi which were quite good. The bruschetta was under average and the salad came with some kind of a mayonnaise dressing. Unfortunately my husband and our son who shared pasta with his daddy got a food poisoning. It was the worst "italian dining" experience we have ever had.

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REVIEW #4
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		November 13, 2001
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I went here on a date--hated the guy, loved my dinner. I had an interesting stuffed artichoke appetizer and the absolute best ravioli. My date had a salmon risotto. He said it was good, but it looked a little runny to me. Service was good. The place feels a little cramped, but the noise level was reasonable. I'm not positive about the entree prices, but I remember thinking that they were very reasonable, especially for Burlingame Avenue.
In response to the person who said his risotto wasn't fresh because it came out in 10 minutes instead of 30: Most restaurant of any calibre are not going to keep a patron waiting 30 minutes for his entree (I know I'd be peeved at such a long wait). I believe that what restaurants usually do is partially cook the risotto ahead of time, then finish it when it's ordered.

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REVIEW #5
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		September 14, 2001
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is the worst Italian restaurant I've ever visited. I ordered the seafood stuffed in pasta shells. The seafood was rancid. The mushroom risotto that my friend

ordered was overpoweringly fungus-ee. I have no idea why people

waste their money in this place.

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REVIEW #6
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		May 18, 1998
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a very cute well decorated restaurant, but the food was disappointing. The salads were overdressed and vinegary. I ordered risotto which came in about 10 minutes (which meant that it was not made fresh since risotto takes about 30 minutes to prepare). The risotto was made with a combination of ingredients that just didn't work. My guest did order a pasta dish with seafood that she did enjoy. Hopefully this was just on off night, but if you do go I would recommend staying away from the risotto.

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REVIEW #7 Nelson W.
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		February 20, 1998
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Authentic Italian food in Burlingame? Can it be? YES! Garlic galore so bring some mints but take the time to enjoy the food. Service can be somewhat inconsistent at times but generally the wait staff is pleasant and accomodating. Be aware that the Rib Eye Steak is LARGE so don't over stuff yourself with the bread or an appetizer. Call ahead for dinner reservations as this isn't a large place and can be crowded on weekends.

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REVIEW #8
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		January 13, 1998
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've eaten there (with my charming wife) at least 10 times. Every meal was a memorable one. The service is always top notch, and the food makes any true Sicilian feel proud. The wine list is very reasonably priced. My wife really loves the Arugula salad, and I adore the Carciofi Pasta dish. We love the place!

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REVIEW #9
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		June 22, 1997
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
La Scala is a terrific restaurant that has brilliantly managed to create a very casual and airy atmosphere. The cuisine is boldly flavorful, and the service is always lively and prompt. I would escpecially recommend that you "frame" the entree (all of them are delicious) with the bread (unique dipping oil) and hazelnut gelato. Overall, this is a refreshing and delightful culinary experience!

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REVIEW #10
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		September 9, 1996
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Cute restaurant, charmingly decorated with garlic and Italian stuff. Their dipping oil (with balmatic vinegar & spices) is REALLY good, tho if you eat as much of it as I do, your breath will reek of garlic that can be detected from yards away. Food is sometimes good, but sometimes just so-so. I can't remember the good stuff (perhaps I just take it for granted), but avoid the stuffed artichoke and the chicken breast in white wine sauce. The wait staff are very friendly. This is a good place to hang out with friends or a casual, but nice, date.

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REVIEW #11
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		June 8, 1996
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Very popular with locals and getting more so with folks from other parts of the Peninsula. "The Island of Garlic" is sometimes a little dizzying, what with lots of customer turnover, but the food is good, somewhat on the lively side. Pasta is cooked to perfection, never overcooked. Favorite dishes include the Penne ai Carciofi, Petti di Pollo, and the Marsala Pollo. Good solid house wines, excellent strong coffee, and tasty Tiramisu.

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REVIEW #12 Nick S.
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		April 6, 1996
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The best italian restaurant in Burlingame! If you like garlic, you will love this place. The decor is very cozy and the place is always packed. Call very early to get in on weekends. Favorite of regulars.

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