Took my girlfriend yesterday for her birthday and we absolutely loved it. I made reservations with the OpenTable app and added it was her birthday dinner and from the time I checked us in everybody was wishing her a happy birthday. We were seated at a private table with beautiful drapes all around us and our server Michelle went above and beyond to ensure a wonderful dinner. When she brought our desert she began singing happy birthday to my girlfriend as I joined in and it was a very private and special moment. Our first time here and I promise it won't be our last!!!!
(5)
Janet A.
Absolutely delicious! Seated very quickly (though you probably want to make reservation if it is Friday or Saturday). Meal started w/ amazing garlic rolls and the salad we ordered was fresh (the wedge salad was so good!). Portions are on the larger size and selection of desserts is excellent! Highly recommend!!!
(5)
Cheri S.
Food was good but service was lacking. Ambiance is meh. The waitress asked if we wanted coffee or dessert before we even received our soup and salad. I'll chalk that up to a busy night. The grilled calamari was unique, the chili flake flavor really comes through. Ravioli Siciliano was good, the sage butter elevated it from just another boring pasta dish. The simply seared whitefish is exactly as described, but borderline dry.
(3)
David F.
Used to have great meals at Scappa but the last 3-4 times have been terrible. Not sure if the chef has changed but the food has turned incredibly bland. Service has always been adequate but not enough to go back
(1)
Lochin S.
i'd go back just for the roasted calamari. I don't know what the seasoning was and we couldn't get over it. I had some amazing fish and hubby had the short ribs. it was all so fabulous, we would love to go back. corkage was decent.
(5)
Art S.
Food and service is excellent Live music in the small bar but it cannot be heard in the restaurant A bit pricy
(4)
Andrew J.
I will preface this review by saying that I live in Clarendon Hills and have been a patron at Scapa since it opened. I have tried much of the food and drink menu as it exists today and as it did in the past. I find it difficult to write a concise review of Scapa but I very enjoy when people get to the point in reviews, so here is my best attempt. Food (4 Stars): Pretty standard Italian fare that will not underwhelm but will not blow you away. I am a fan of the recent cutback in portion size. I always leave full but never so full that I regret my meal. I would recommend the Pasta Bruno, the Lasagna Bolegnese and the Almond Crusted Tilapia. Decor/Ambiance (4 Stars): Nothing too crazy. The feel is what you would expect. I find it difficult to give a poor rating or an exceptional one. It can get loud on weekend nights with families and the lighting can be a little dim but by and large, a quality atmosphere. Price (3 Stars): It's a little pricey, especially if you order drinks, but not so expensive that it's unreasonable. People complain about the price given the portions, but I don't think that's justified. Service (4 Stars): Since an ownership change a few years ago, I have yet to have a bad service experience. I never put too much weight on service though, because it is the most volatile aspect of rating a restaurant in my opinion.
The food is delicious. Everything I have tried is amazing! I have been there several times and have never been disappointed. The service is good. The food always comes out in a timely manner. Plus they have a lot of gluten free options for me. My new favorite restaurant!
(5)
Kirk P.
My favorite Italian place around. The eggplant parmesan is done better than anywhere I've tried it. They have private booths that are cool for a one on one date.
(5)
Kay B.
The food and staff at this restaurant are both pretty good. However, I've been there twice now and each time I was given a dirty dish with old food stuck on it. The first time was a plate and the second time was a glass. They need to get better at washing their dishes!
(3)
Jessica M.
We had our 5 year anniversary dinner here. My boyfriend had the lobster ravioli & I had the "steak Diane"; both meals were delicious. Started with the breaded ravioli & finished with the tiramisu. Everything was excellent. Service was great- didn't get his name but he even shook our hands at the end of our meal & thanked us for coming. We ate out on the patio- couldn't have asked for a better night. We will be back!
(5)
Bob S.
I wish the service everywhere was as good as Scapa's. My wife and I went to dinner here last month to celebrate our 16th anniversary. I requested a private "cabin" booth when I made the reservation. Given we were going to be there on a Friday night, I assumed they would respond with a stock answer that I typically get from most restaurants like "we can put the request down but can't promise." Instead, they said that it would be no problem, and when we got there, they gave us the best private booth. A few of the staff stopped in to wish us a happy anniversary and they even provided us complimentary desert, which I had not expected. We both had the almond-crusted tilapia and mushroom soup, which were very good. Service as attentive but not annoyingly so. Definitely, definitely going back!
(5)
Jason R.
The service was pretty horrendous. It took quite a while before anyone ever came to the table. When we ordered our food they asked if I wanted soup or salad and I passed because I didn't want to fill up before the meal. The person I was dining with suggest I get the soup to go, so that's what I did. I guess they missed the to go part. The meal I ordered was the Chicken Saltimbocca. It took about an hour to hit the table I would compare it to S'barro, but that would be insulating to S'barro. The chicken didn't quite taste right and it was a very flavorless. It makes Olive Garden look good. At that point I really wished they didn't take my soup away as it had to be better then this, even though it probably would be cold after an hour. And They didn't even ask to take my soup away that I hadn't touched yet, they just took it when I went up to the bar to get a drink since we didn't see out waiter for about half an hour. All and all it was just a terrible experience from beginning to end. For the prices they charge and the ratings they get I expected a whole lot more than terrible service and flavorless food.
(1)
Jessica M.
My craving for rigatoni and vodka sauce paired with my realization that my hunny and I never go out for Italian food collided --- so I scoured the internets for a local place that could fill these voids. Scapa is a good place to eat, no doubt. We had good service, too, so no real complaints. I'm happy we tried a new place - one of the few in a 15 mile or so radius with both rigatoni AND vodka sauce on the menu. :) Sunday is BOGO apps - yay for us. We had the shrimp with polenta - delicious - and the grilled calamari - also good if you can take your calamari naked! Ha. As for our meals, I got the rig + vod with italian sausage. Yum. I had the salad on the side and it was not good, though his minestrone was great. His lasagna left a bit to be desired but it was pretty good. We did an early dinner to avoid the crowd (and cause we had a late breakfast). And, by the time we left, it was incredibly loud and there were way more preteens than I'd expect to see on a Sunday night. It looked like maybe some sports event/dance had gotten out because there were loads of families with young girls piling in. No matter. Scapa is good.
(3)
Mario C.
Dined here last night. Our usual table for ten (mostly freeloaders). The ambiance was warm and cozy and holiday themed. Friendly staff and we were seated immediately. We were well attended to. Two orders of Chicken Francese, crispy polenta cakes with spicy shrimp and an assortment of pizza's and pasta dishes for the kids. A new menu offering of "simply grilled" fish was a welcome addition for the Paleo type. The complimentary garlic oil (?) coated bread is very good. Prices are reasonable and the portions are generous (we all brought leftovers home). The bar is a wonderful spot for a cocktail and keeping your eye on a game. No need to drive far from home for a decent Italian meal. Patronize this place.
(4)
Yanni D.
Had braised short ribs. They were outstanding. Excellent service and atmosphere. Wonderful experience!
(5)
Chirag P.
Friend recommended this place and it lived up to what he hyped it up to be. Great service, great food. Try the chicken picante and get a sicilian orange (blood orange) martini. I tried the calamari, but I think you can skip that, along with the eggplant rolltini, get the caprese and the lobster mac&cheese instead. My wife had the 8-finger cavatelli w/ arrbiatta (sp?) and she loved it. If you're looking for good Italian in the burbs, this is the spot to go.
(4)
Meredith B.
My grandma has a few "favorite" restaurants, and this is one of them. She usually treats us to birthday dinners at Scapa because it is just the right blend of upscale, friendly, cozy, and tasty! Since moving back to the area with my husband, he and I have really grown to love this restaurant. They have these "private" tables that are separated with a huge curtain, so it doesn't feel like you're eating with everyone else in the restaurant - very cozy, private, and fun for a date night. The food is consistent - we've yet to have a bad dish here. We ordered the fried calamari one night, and it was quite salty (but delicious!). The bread that comes to the table is always hot and fresh, and the olive oil and parm. cheese is a perfect pair for the bread. We went on a Monday night a few weeks ago and they had BOGO appetizers. I had the Caprese salad and he ordered a sausage platter - both very good! Overall, the staff is friendly (the owners often go table-to-table to check in on guests which is a nice touch). The bus boys are incredibly attentive (you'll never need to ask for a refill of water - they are great at refilling your glass). Lately it feels like we have been hit-or-miss when it comes to servers. Some are really attentive and friendly, and we have had one (on more than one occasion) who comes to the table with smokers breath and seems to play the "cool" card more than we'd prefer. If you haven't been there, give them a try! It's a great place for date night, it doesn't break the bank (one appetizer, two entrees = about $40), and it's always nice supporting a local restaurant.
(4)
Jenny G.
Ate at Scapa last night - never again. The food is sub-par. In addition, the honey maple salmon did not appear with brussel sprouts as identified in the menu. After requesting and receiving the brussel sprouts, the waitress accidentally spilled my water over me. I realize this is an accident, but the overall the service matched the food - sub-par. To make matters worse, the bathrooms had some sort of blockage and the stench from the bathrooms in the basement filled the entry of the restaurant.
(1)
Jeff S.
Okay, so we came here again, this time for my own birthday. The food as usual was good. BUT ... somehow Scapa always manages to do something to make the experience less than stellar. To start, they didn't have a whole lot of ingredients for a whole lot of drinks. Everything my wife ordered from the bar, they managed not to have things for. They were even out of ORANGE JUICE. This was a Saturday night, too. They were out of some entrees. The grilled calamari appetizer was very good, and the Steak Diane is still the best anywhere. THEN it was time for dessert. We were ready to say screw it, just keep it, because it took close to 15 minutes for that to come out. So while I still like the food, it's really hard to have a flawless experience here.
(3)
R F.
We had a family group of 8. The service was outstanding. I had thte filet....excellent. The steak diane, my wife loved. Right amount of heat with the peppercorn crusting. The veal saltimbocca, seemed more like veal parmigiana. It was very good but not traditional saltimbocca. I had the pina colada. It was like a milk shake, no liquor. My wife had the bellini...very disappointing. But the strawberry maragarita was delicious. Tey need to work on their drinks. Overall very pleased.
(4)
Ryan C.
The menu ranges from a wide variety of pastas with different sauces to your traditional chicken, veal and fish entrees. You can always find something good. All entrees comes with a salad or a soup. The food is great! I just would like to see some menu items that are not so traditional.
(4)
Sara C.
Stopped randomly in here randomly on a whim and found a go to place in the burbs!!!! The food, the service,the ambiance!!! I can't rave enough about this place. Our server was exceptional, knowledgeable on the menu and suggestions, and just plain nice and pleasant to have around. The food was incredible! I will be back and soon.
(5)
Andy K.
I really enjoy the food here every time I stop by. Service is always on point, and everything I've tried on the menu is to die for. Not a huge beer selection, but then again I'm typically not coming here for beer. Overall, I highly recommend Scapa! Also, they support a number of local organizations. I got a $12 gift-certificate here from a local middle school. If you're planning on dining here, I highly recommend checking out the store at goboostershot.com . You can get a $12 gift-certificate and support a local cause. It's definitely a win-win situation.
(5)
Mike B.
Nice place, very good service and food, prices aren't bad either. I brought my kids on a Sat night, which I thought might be an issue, but they were very accommodating and kids likes the food. Only downside would be took a little long to get served, but to be expected on a Sat night.
(4)
I N.
The menu is huge and they offer many different selections, so this place is a good choice for large groups. Service was great. Food was mediocre. For my starter, I had the scallops with risotto. The scallops were good size, cooked perfectly, but overly salty. The risotto was a bit bland, so if I ate a bite of scallop with risotto, it balanced out. Scallops also had sand in them. If not for the sand and too much salt, would've been a nice dish. For my main I had the braised short rib with tagliatelle. The tagliatelle tasted homemade and had a very nice bite to it. The braised short rib was again VERY salty. It was as though the chef solely used salt to season the meat. I left 90% of the dish on the plate. The main entree came with a house salad that had fresh greens and vegetables. Service was the best part of the meal. Our server, Mark, was very friendly, showed the right amount of attentiveness - attentive to our needs but not overly annoying and coming back every bite we took. He had a great personality and was a fun server who clearly enjoyed his job! Overall the prices were very reasonable and if not for the over salting of my food, I would've given it 4 stars.
(3)
Katie M.
Two weeks ago on a Thursday I had ordered take out. The young lady that answered was very well spoken and patient as I questioned the menu and the ingredients. She was very knowledgable of the menu and suggested her favorite entrees. I ordered the chicken picante which was fantastic and melted in my mouth when dipped with the lemon butter sauce and still maintained a great crisp - which was the young ladies number one choice. When I went to pick it up, the young lady with red hair came out with my order and was very kind. Once I arrived home the food was still hot, and all of my expectations were met even with my extensive order. The carry out woman remembered all the extra sides such as ex sauces, cheese, bread, etc. I will definitely be ordering more takeout with the friendly staff and the attention put solely into my order.
(5)
Gina H.
This was our third time at Scapa. The first time (close to when it opened) was great! Loved the food, especially the soups, the service was good, and the ambiance is relaxing but lively. The second time we ate there was a stark difference from the first. The food was noticeably lower quality (canned green beans) but service was fine. So, we stayed away for a long time thinking it was already going down hill. We returned again last night to be pleasantly surprised. The food was back to where it was the first time we dined here. I had the braised short ribs and parsely pappardelle that was fantastic, Italian Wedding Soup, homemade, light, and delicious. Great server (Thank you, Ryan!) and other friendly, staff. We will be back!
(4)
Monkean M.
We went to Scapa as a party of 10 (made reservations in advance). Really nice restaurant that accommodated our party size well. That's about where the good feelings end. For starters, they have gluten-free options noted on their menu with an official-looking "GF" logo. When you ask how these items are prepared, they come clean and say that they are not prepared separately and can have some cross-contamination. While I applaud their honesty, that should be disclosed on the menu itself. People with Celiac disease tend to have high sensitivity to gluten, so they need to know that what they are ordering was prepared properly. This is not some fad diet, it actually impacts people's lives. We all ordered, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited (took an hour). Then a manager stops by and says "sorry for the delay, your meals are literally coming out right now." Fifteen minutes later (yes...fifteen!!!), the meals come out. Of course, they forget my wife's meal and then say "it's coming out right now". Again...almost 10 minutes later, her food arrives. It was just pasta and veggies...how long does that take to make?!!! Why was that not placed as a priority when they realized they screwed up? Why am I asking rhetorical questions?!!! I had the Chilean sea bass, which was cold by the time it was placed in front of me. Seriously...we waited this long, and you bring out cold food? Then we get the bill (this is not a cheap restaurant)...and...no discount or anything taken off for our troubles. They just hand me the bill (with the gratuity baked in for good measure), and I just had to pay it. There is a line for additional tip, to which I would normally add, but not this time. That's pretty insulting, considering how much we ordered and spent. I am not the type to sit there an argue, especially since this was my family and I was paying for everyone. I did not want to cause a scene, but I was furious when I got the bill. I could feel the steam pouring out of my ears, but I just bit my tongue and swallowed the blood (best part of my meal that night). We are not going back. The food was not that good, overall service stunk, and the prices do not warrant all of the above. I am willing to pay a higher price for great food & service. This place does neither. There are too many good restaurants in the Chicagoland area...don't waste your time at this place.
(1)
Kj F.
Was just at Scapa with some friends for dinner. Food was excellent as well as service. I would highly recommend this neighborhood gem!
(4)
Traci S.
Given the praise from other reviewers, we were expecting more from Scapa Italian Kitchen. The atmosphere is rather generic, the decorations outdated and have a chain feel to them. When we dined there they had live music but unfortunately the musicians weren't very good. Our server was very friendly, but incredibly slow. In fact, we ended up paying with cash as he never came back to our table to pick up our credit card to pay for the meal. In hindsight, we probably could have left without even paying! The food was fine, nothing to write home about but not terrible. My husband had the pizza which had a nice flavor. I had the cavatelli; it was flavorful and made with fresh garlic (which I love), but I wasn't wild about the dish on a whole. Our bruschetta appetizer was adequate but seemed to be made from a bunch of pre-packaged ingredients. All in all, Scapa's is "okay." If you are looking for a quick bite to eat for a casual evening out, I'd recommend.
(3)
Tracy F.
This is a 3 1/2 star review. I've been here twice and both times had the same waitress. She's super friendly, but a little too sarcastic. Nothing I can't get over, though, especially since it's all in good fun. While she's really friendly, I think she was overwhelmed a bit because it was hard to track her down sometimes. I think it was due to an unexpectedly busy Christmas Eve rush. The appetizers : - Grilled CalamarI: Good, but not great. Other places have better, but this dish wasn't bad. - Caprese: Fresh and delicious! Entrees: The linguini with broccoli was cooked well but was WAY too garlicky. My husband couldn't finish it because he was overwhelmed by garlic. I had the lasagna. It was a little too al dente for more and lacked sauce, but the flavor was good. With slightly softer noodles and a bit more sauce, it would be great. Veal parmesan had the same issue as the lasagna - not enough sauce but good flavor. Overall, a good place to go for Italian in the burbs, but head downtown for something better.
(3)
Kim C.
Service was awesome! The staff here was very welcoming and made our entire experience phenomenal. As first time visitors, I knit pick every single little detail when it comes to experience and they topped every single one! The food was good and the atmosphere was warm. Definitely worth coming here.
(5)
Denise S.
My family hosted a Saturday Afternoon Wedding Luncheon for our daughter. Scapa's owners were so accommodating and wonderful hosts for our event. We choose them because we love the food...salads, pastas, meat dishes are delicious. They transformed the restaurant for our private event...and everyone had a great time. We had them serve family style meals and with the children and adults all were delighted with the service and food. Highly recommend them for any private event. It was because we knew the food was great and the location was perfect for our guests! My husband and I met with the owners and they helped us plan the perfect wedding reception ...with room for dancing and fun!
(5)
Elly C.
I've been to Scapa a few times and every time I have yet to be disappointed. My first time I got the chicken parm with their vodka sauce and the proportion was huge!! I had left overs for lunch then next day and dinner. Their vodka sauce was very creamy but not too thick. The next time I went was with a group of women so we split a bunch of the appetizers. I got the white pizza which everyone loved! Another fan favorite was the calamari and the eggplant parm. The last time I went I just got the chicken caesar salad. It was really good. The chicken was cooked and seasoned perfectly and was not burnt. The ceasar dressing was also up to par! I will definitely be going back every time Im craving Italian.
(4)
John D.
Not a thing to fault here. Service was fantastic! Angel took care of us and she was attentive and knowledgable. The food was way above average too. Everything was serviced hot and tasted as good as anything in the area. Bar has nice ambience. Have also had takeout pizza and chopped salad before, all good!
Excellent food, always excellent service, and just such a GREAT little place in the suburbs. My boyfriend and I first came to Scapa about a year and a half ago and we have loved it ever since! We are city people at heart, but (somewhat reluctantly) moved out to the suburbs two years ago, and don't really care for the big chain restaurants at the malls. We like restaurants/bars that have more of an intimate, downtown Chicago feel and atmosphere--where we can jut sit and relax and have a glass of wine, or get an actual meal, so when we found Scapa, we were thrilled! They have a nice bar with some high-top tables to sit at (where you can usually find us!) but they also have a lot of space in the back with booths and tables. It can get crowded, but never overwhelmingly so. We moved to Clarendon Hills this past summer and now we go to Scapa at least once a week, we just love it there. Only complaint is that they don't have many "healthy" options for appetizers...don't get me wrong, all the food is DELICIOUS, but I really wish they had some lighter items available....
(5)
J Z.
The service is casual in some respects and we are usually fine with it but it can be uneven. The breaded chicken and veal dishes seem a bit flat on flavor because of the breading, but otherwise the food is consistently pretty good. We really appreciate the appetizer specials they have certain nights because it makes eating here less pricey for a weeknight dinner out. They also have a great kids menu.
(3)
J C.
Great fish, good pasta...be ware if you have celiac disease as they offer gluten free pasta but cooked it on the same water as the regular pasta and our guest got really sick.
(3)
Carol K.
Know that Scapa just moved to 1 Walker Ave which is the location of the old "Soul" restaurant along the tracks in Clarendon Hills. Food is still great. But now you have alot more room to enjoy it in!
(4)
Marie L.
Just moved into the area and I can't even begin to say how amazing this place is. It's our new favorite restaurant! I had the scallops and asparagus it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Also a must try is the grilled calamari! = YUM! I can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Bryan B.
Scapa Italian Kitchen has new owners! As of this week, Tony & Kristin Swegen have taken over this popular restaurant in downtown Clarendon Hills. I had dinner at Scapa last night and met the new owners. Tony has a wealth of experience in the restaurant business. His talents range from being an accomplished chef to have been on the managerial side by serving a general manager for Cheescake Factory for over 10 years. Kristin's expertise is in public relations. I think this is important. As he local people know, Scapa is definitely the best local Italian restaurant. However, if you are not familiar with the streets of Clarendon Hills (think spaghetti bowl), this could be a difficult place to find. Tony & Kristin do not propose any radical changes right out of the gate. However, expect improvements to be forthcoming. Initially, the servers will be wearing plain black shirts as opposed to the uncomfortable chef jackets which they now wear. Soon, Scapa will be open for lunch, too. A better beer selection is already available at the bar. Expect some tweaking of the menu to occur as well. All in, I anticipate the new energy and balanced corporate experience to have a profoundly positive impact on my favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant. Come taste for yourself (and order the Chicken Giuseppe).
(5)
Melissa K.
I went here for a celebration dinner with my family and it was a very nice experience for us all. The waiter was attentive and helpful. The wine selection and menu were great. Everyone enjoyed their food and the service was really spot on. I had the Rosemary Whitefish, which was really great and enough for three servings. My boyfriend had the 8-finger cavatelli , which was something none of us had tried before and it was delicious! My friend had lobster ravioli in lobster sauce, which was AMAZING! I enjoyed my dish, but when I come back here I'm definitely getting this ravioli. They also knew it was my college graduation party, so they brought out molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Delicious! But be careful... my sister burned her mouth since it was fresh from the oven haha. It was nice for a group, and it seems like it would be great for a date!
(4)
J. P. F.
I dined here for the 1st time at my families recommendation last week and enjoyed a wonderful meal in a very appealing setting. The restaurant is attractive & welcoming inside. We had drinks at the bar & I appreciated the bartender swapping out one glass of Sauvingnon Blanc for another at no charge as my wife did not like the 1st glass. Rhonda was our server and, though she was very busy, she was extremely attentive and timely in her service & very helpful re: the menu. My wife had the Red Snapper that was very flavorful but a bit over cooked. My son had the Filet Mignon and thought it was delicious I enjoyed Veal Parm that was pounded thin and delicious. A simple dish but very good & a dish I would order again. I recommend you give Scapa a try & hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
(4)
Don N.
We did take-out with two orders of 8-fingers this past Friday. It was the first time we have tried this restaurant. We were very disappointed in the portion sizes.
(2)
Cheryl V.
Such a disappointing experience. My husband decided to try this place because he saw it in the newspaper and it sounded really good. The experience started with a waiter (we'll call him Lurch---because he never smiled or showed any indication of being a part of the human race via smile or personality). Hubby ordered baked clams and fettuccine Alfredo----what Italian restaurant screws up alfredo sauce? It was like milk with parmesan cheese added...really poor quality. And the baked clams, fahgedaboudit...really small, boring for an outrageous price. I should have done this review sooner, because I've forgotten what I had (not very memorable). But we both remembered the fettuccine Alfredo fiasco. The owners would come into the small dining area and schmooze with a table of their friends, but not go around to any other tables to see how their guests were faring. Forgettable. Overpriced. Absolutely the poorest service ever.
(1)
Robert G.
We went to Scapa for the first time last night. Our family Christmas dinner before going out if town to see family. From the moment we walked through the door, the experience was very nice. The meal was one of the best we have had in years. It was served at a good pace. Then meeting the owners on our way out added to tge experience. Warm, personable, very buttoned up. We will return for our New Years family dinner.
(5)
Angela F.
We have visited several times since my December review, and I'll happily be the first to admit that everything I'd previously griped about has been corrected. The staff has been markedly more welcoming & upbeat, and now encourage you to fill out a comment card/review of your experience. Be sure to include your email address to be notified of promotions & special events. Pasta entrees are made available in a half-portion for the kiddies (which is still a ton of food!). Kudos to the management for paying attention and responding to your clientele.
(5)
Daniel M.
I was looking for an Italian restaurant that served veal picante and discovered Scapa. From beginning to end, it was a fantastic dining experience. The service was genial and attentive. From the bread thru the salad to the entrees, it was a wonderful dining experience. My wife had sea scallops, one of her favorites and was as delighted as I. The meal was capped off with a superb glass of port. You cannot go wrong by going to Scapa. You will love it.
(5)
Gina D.
I m a fan, especially on 1/2 priced Mondays. Great app's, huge portions. Great variety for GF as well.
(4)
julia r.
Now under new ownership.....very friendly and accomadating. Scapa is a local favorite. Great food....nice warm surroundings.....with a cheers-like welcoming environment. My favs are the 8 finger cavatell with vodka sauce, the meatball salad, chicken vesuvio salad.....They served a beautiful Caprese salad and braised ribs on a bed of mashed for a charity event I was just at....FABULOUS! Nice choice for date night....but the kids are welcome too. Love the live music on Friday nights.
(5)
Madeline S.
I live just around the corner from Scapa and love going here. They have excellent gluten-free pasta, which is extremely important to me since pasta is why I go to Italian restaurants. They recently changed owners and the bread they put out on the table is to die for (I may have cheated my GF diet for a piece once or twice) and I wish they could make a GF option for the bread. Overall, I really enjoy this place and it's a hidden gem in the western suburbs.
(5)
Ashley W.
I should start off by saying that it's been a good year since I've been here, so I'm having a hard time remembering what I had, or how the experience was. With that said, however, I feel like if a restaurant was deserving of 5 stars, I'd remember how great it was, even if it was a year later! All I remember about the experience was that I was with a co-worker and we stopped in for lunch. Perhaps I should give it another shot but for now, it was not a memorable experience, at all.
(3)
Janet H.
We've been looking for an Italian restaurant that combines great food and service. Our server, Diana, was warm and friendly. You can tell she is really passionate about the restaurant and committed to delivering a great experience to her customers. I had the Osso Bucco Ravioli which was full of flavor and well balanced. My boyfriend had the Veal Parmesan which was also quite tasty. He said he would get a different pasta dish next time, but there will be a next time. The ambiance is sophisticated, the food was tasty, and the portions were generous.
(4)
Donna M.
The food is delicious but the service is just plain awful. We waited 15 minutes after we were done with our food for the waitress to acknowledge us. She poured wine for the table next to us (with her butt in our faces) and never turned around to ask if we wanted coffee or dessert. Never again.
(1)
Rich A.
I had dinner last night at Scapa Italian Kitchen. I must say, we had a very good experience, start to finish. As we were taking my elderly mother I figured I'd see if they took reservations, as she would not have been too keen on waiting in the bar for a table. Yes - they take reservation - - even confirmed it via email. (Although we really didn't need them on a Wednesday night - plenty of tables available.) However, the reservation did score us one of the three "curtained-off tables", which made the dinner more intimate. Wednesday / Thursdays are $5 Martini nights, so we got an added bonus here! Good sized drinks that are well made. As for the food, our entrees included soup / salad. The house dressing was great! Our dinner portions were very generous. My Mom's Eggplant Parm was HUGE. She had enough for another meal. Same with my wife's Chicken Saltamboca. She loved it! I had a pasta dish that was large and tasty. Next time I will try a chicken dish or house specialty. Waiter and staff were very attentive. Also met and talked with the owner. Overall a great evening. Will come back for the bar, as there was plenty of room to eat and drink there, as well. Also looks like a great place on a warm summer evening with outdoor dining.
(4)
Mike M.
Scapa Italian Kitchen - New Owners Kristen and Tony Swegen! Great for parties! I was at a party at Scapa Italian Kitchen last Saturday night that was held in a private banquet room. I was extremely pleased how they handle larger parties. My group was a neighborhood babysitting coop that my wife and I are a part of (ask me later!), many of the parents know each other quite well, so it wasn't uncomfortable being in a room figuring out drink tabs and such. Scapa makes the space quite comfortable with family style tables, heavier window treatments and a well sized plasma TV tactfully positioned for guys like me to sneak a peak of the game. It was perfect since an NFL playoff game was scheduled! We were served bruschetta and fried calamari for appetizers the main course a terrific Vesuvio style chicken and a Cesar salad. Two servers were reserved just for our party so there was never any waiting for drinks or anything we needed. It was a reasonably priced party for sure and the food was delicious! I have eaten at Scapa Italian Kitchen too many times to count, spent various times sitting at their charming bar for a quick bite and ordered out many times as well. The food has always been excellent. I'm excited for the new owners to put their special twist on their favorite dishes. My favorite for a lunch or quick bite at the bar has always been the meatball salad (Two good-sized meatballs with marinara sauce and a house salad). My recommendation for dinner is the Scrimp Siciliano. I first met the new owners, Tony and Kristin at the Clarendon Hills Christmas Walk when Tony was cooking up Fettuccine Alfredo for the masses of people trying to get into the restaurant on a cold winter night. If you have ever been to a Clarendon Hills Christmas Walk, you know then, it is a mix between a festival and a free-for-all. Owners of businesses in the downtown area roll out the carpet for anyone willing to come into their shops and sample, drink or say just say hello. It's really a unique event that everyone should experience. The chamber of commerce puts on the event where the kids can see Santa, ride in a sleigh and sing along with carolers and the adults.
(5)
Laura R.
Delicious food, nice atmosphere, good service.. Really good food..
(4)
Caitlin G.
I'm Italian and my grandma is an amazing cook so I rarely go out for Italian. However, this place is really good. I love their baked clams, always get them. I'm also a fan of their specials esp. their tilapia which is delicious. I also enjoy ordering their carry out selections and their pizza is yummy as well.
(4)
Zara K.
We hosted a party for about 45 people at Scapa this past weekend and could not have been more pleased. Kristin was amazing with the planning and all ran seamlessly at an extremely fair price. We will be sure to use them again in the future!
(5)
Debbie W.
I think it's a hidden gem in Clarendon Hills. Great food, service, ambiance. Nice little private rooms with curtains if you want a more intimate setting in addition to regular seating and outdoor dining, so it has it all. Plenty of variety on the regular menu and the dessert. We loved it and will definitely be back.
(4)
diana m.
Let me tell you that Scapa went above and beyond for my daughter's graduation party!!! Our server (Massimo) was awesome!!! From the wonderful wine list and luscious appetizers to our delightful dinner we were amazed! My sister has booked her corporate Christmas party already!! The atmosphere is cozy ,warm and inviting. There are rooms to meet every need. We had our own little private room for our party . That was real nice.I give a thumbs up and my highest reccomendation!!
(5)
Paul W.
The printed specials menu tells you everything about Scapa. It's a jumble of items you see everywhere and doesn't stick to Italian cuisine. Prices are high and food is okay. The dining room was excessively noisy on a Satruday night with people occasionally SCREAMING to be heard at their tables. There are better choices, many even within 2 miles.
(2)
William A.
Real nice place. Happy to have this restaurant so close to my home! Solid bar to sit down and eat a good meal at. Only had poor service here once on a very busy night. Understandable I guess! Try the chicken vesuvio and veal piccata... Both very premium dishes
(4)
Ally B.
We came to Scapa's afew wednesdays ago. We had never been there before. The decor and and the ambience are welcoming and warm. We had a very private table in a little tented alcove, very nice. Our waitress was very attentive without being over bearing, not an easy balance. The menu was vast!! Everything we ordered was done very well. We really enjoyed our evening and we will be having another Wednesday at Scapa's
(4)
Kyle J.
Has been just okay at best for us. The new location is really really really noisy. (Was super noisy when it was Soul too.) Sat at the bar one night with a foul mouthed middle age "hit on me" crowd. (If your into that, the bar should be fun for you.) And the food has been hit or miss for us. My daughter went with a group with a reserved table they had booked well in advance for a HS dance and they had to wait over an hour to get their table. (I know because I had to drive them late to the dance after!) Very much prefer Antico Posto in Oak Brook... or Tuscany... or Vincintori.
(2)
Joanna S.
good food, friendly service, and very nice restaurant decor
(4)
Joe R.
One of my favorite local Italian places. The chicken picante is awesome! We also enjoy getting take-out from Scapa for the benefits of a tasty meal from the comforts of home.
(4)
ray g.
I met a friend at Scapa for dinner on Saturday night October 23rd (last week). Having owned a business in Hinsdale for 12 years I was eager to try out a local place for dinner. Scapa has been around for a while but recently moved and I heard it was pretty nice and the food was great. I popped online to see some reviews as to what to expect before we got there. I was really surprised, especially after eating there. The bottom line for those who go there: It's an Italian Restaurant. I have never eaten at an Italian Restaurant that had a quiet atmosphere. I have never eaten at an Italian's home that wasn't loud. That is what it is. We go to eat, drink, have a good time and be LOUD if you want. What fun! The atmosphere at Scapa is a not a quiet one for certain. The people are very attractive, the service is superb and the owners come to your table and talk with you (I met Joe and John both during my meal). The decor of the place is really cool. Lots of brick and stone. dark brown walls and theater-red curtains separating the rooms having a warm and delicate lighting. The dining area is well lit and the tables were spaced comfortably apart.The bar area was open and spacious with very quick service for my drink. The sports tv's were all on (over the bar), the Hawks, college football and basketball. There is, no doubt, a dull roar in the place but I like that buzz when I go out for Italian food. (ask for a walk through...I did) There is a lot of character and characters in the place. I had broiled calamari for an appatizer. It was awesome. Choosing from the menu was tough as I wanted to go with pasta, then steak or meditarean style lamb but opted for the Blackened Chilean Sea Bass. I just felt I couldn't lose with any of the choices really... The Sea Bass was served on a bed of fresh steamed spinich and roasted tomatoes surrounding and a side of rotini agli olio. OMG! The combination called for a glass of my favorite "garlic food wine" Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio. The pasta sauce was so good i found myself dipping everything in it. Creme' brulee for dessert was creamy crunchy candy delicious! Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and favorites. I loved the experience. That is what I look for in a restaurant when I go out to eat. A new Haunt for me for certain especially with a group of friends. Heading up there now!
(5)
Amy S.
Tony helped us make our daughters first communion party perfect! Everyone raved about the food. The Scapa salad and chicken limone were everyone's favorite. I would highly recommend Scapa for your next event!
(5)
Ben B.
Very good food and service, which was both friendly and knowledgeable. My wife had the salmon limone and I had the veal picante. The salmon was good, but the veal was even better: buttery, lemony, and crisp in a white wine sauce with pine nuts. Very tender, also, and served with a good meat sauce pasta. The house salad is nothing special, though, as another reviewer mentioned.
(4)
Dave C.
My family really likes Scapa. Tony and Kristin, the new owners are very friendly and have changed the menu a bit since taking over late last year. We are regulars at Scapa for the 8 finger cavatelli, pizzas, etc. Have not tried the steak yet, but I am working my way through the menu with each visit. I have enjoyed everything I have tried. The warm rolls are killer, with lots of garlic....we sprinkle them with olive oil and parmesan cheese and gobble them down. Weekly specials include half off appetizers in the bar on Sundays, pasta & sauce with a glass of wine on Mondays for $10, burger and beer on Tuesdays for $10, and live music on Fridays. They also have a kids menu and all kids entrees are $5 and includes an ice cream sundae. Good for kids under 8. There is outdoor seating in the summer and last weekend it was packed. Nice sized bar area that holds quite a fun crowd. We recommend it highly. They also do delivery and carry out....they have GREAT pizza! If they deliver to you on Saturday or you do carry out, you get your delivery free and they offer a complimentary red velvet cupcake which is delicious. I hosted a party for 50 there recently and Kristin did a great job with our group. Everyone was raving about the food, service, ambiance, etc.
(5)
Barbara S.
Went to this restaurant last Saturday for dinner with some friends. I ordered the blackened pork chops which the waitress said were good and they had no taste and were dry. The waitress was not very good, I had to chase her down twice. Once to get a drink and again to tell her I needed a separate bill, which I had requested in the begining. I had a cosmopolitan and it was $11.00! Please,this isn't downtown Chicago, it's fricking Clarendon Hills! I will not go back,there are too many other good Italian restaurants around.
(2)
J R.
This is by far one of the best Italian restaurants! The food is fresh and delicious, and the staff is incredibly friendly! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone interested!
(5)
marcie g.
I wandered in last fall '08 and became and instant fan. The food/prices/ambiance and cordial owners that TRULY care make this place a gem of a find. Also, partially because of Aaron, one of the best servers I have ever had the pleasure of being served by in my entire foodie life! Aaron is great at explaining all of the specials including parings with wine. Every dish is modifying but truly great as it is. The prices are fair and portions are plentiful and neighborhood charm is present. I can honestly say that I have never had dessert there (because I am usually filled to the brim) but there is always room for espresso.
(4)
Angelique S.
I haven't written a review quite like this before so I'll start with the positives. Scapa's food is delicious. The food deserves at least 4 stars (but keep reading to see why I gave it 3). Especially the special cavatelli, giambotta, sauteed spinach and their mussels- their red sauce is really good and spicy. Meatballs are also great. (We've been here a lot!) But my favorite on the menu is their "Braciole" (pronounced "bra-shol"). It's flattened flank steak, stuffed with Itaian herbs and breadcrumbs, tied, sauteed and then slow-cooked in their red sauce until it's super-tender. I've made it before at home (it requires some skill and attention) and theirs is outstanding. They only offer it as a side dish and I don't know why- it's that good. Which leads me to one of the reasons I gave this place 3 stars- and almost gave it 2. I don't understand the business decisions the owners of Scapa are making . Recently my husband and I ordered some take-out and we placed an order for a side dish of braciole. Normally it comes with 2 pieces (price is $6.95). We ordered 2 orders (totalling 4 pieces) so we could enjoy it with our special cavatelli and salad. After we get home with the order, we look in the bag and there was only 1 piece of braciole per order. We thought it was a mistake and called the restaurant. The woman on the phone told us that the menu had "recently changed" and now it was 1 piece per order. Basically they halved their order of braciole on the menu - but still decided to charge $6.95! I haven't run a restaurant before, but if you have a hit on your menu, you don't half the order after a year or two and still charge the same amt! I've heard of people upping the price after a while but doubling the price?? They should have just made it an entree with some sides and charged more- at least that would have made sense. Also, another complaint I have is the value of one of the appetizers- their toasted ravs. We lived in St. Louis for 4 years where toasted ravs are on every menu and beyond plentiful. They must grow on trees down there. Yes, some places just buy them frozen, but some make them homemade. When we've ordered this before at other restaurants, places (homemade or frozen) usually give you at least 10 or 12 pieces for about $7-$8. At Scapa, 6 toasted ravs cost $6 bucks! A buck a toasted rav? please. Toasted ravs are really cheap to make. Scapa is trying to nickle and dime in all of the wrong places. LIke I said, I just don't get it. I really hope Scapa figures this out!
(3)
B L.
Good restaurant. Competent, friendly staff. Manager always comes through and asks how things are.
(4)
Scott P.
Good food, decent prices, and LOUD!!!. At least on a Saturday evening. Not merely noisy, but mind-numbingly LOUD!!! If I go again, it will not be at prime time. And what's with the 50 cent "snifter charge" when you order Sambuca? I didn't catch that item on the bill until the next day, and when I called to inquire, was told it's added because Sambuca is a heavy pour and to let the bartender know what glass to use. Now, most restaurants seem to be able to hire competent bartenders and know how to program drink prices in their POS system, but I didn't press it. It's not the money, it's the. . . I mean, what's next, a "martini glass" charge? That's a heavy pour in a specific glass. Hell, maybe they do, but no one at our table ordered a martini.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Frank J.
Took my girlfriend yesterday for her birthday and we absolutely loved it. I made reservations with the OpenTable app and added it was her birthday dinner and from the time I checked us in everybody was wishing her a happy birthday. We were seated at a private table with beautiful drapes all around us and our server Michelle went above and beyond to ensure a wonderful dinner. When she brought our desert she began singing happy birthday to my girlfriend as I joined in and it was a very private and special moment. Our first time here and I promise it won't be our last!!!!
(5)Janet A.
Absolutely delicious! Seated very quickly (though you probably want to make reservation if it is Friday or Saturday). Meal started w/ amazing garlic rolls and the salad we ordered was fresh (the wedge salad was so good!). Portions are on the larger size and selection of desserts is excellent! Highly recommend!!!
(5)Cheri S.
Food was good but service was lacking. Ambiance is meh. The waitress asked if we wanted coffee or dessert before we even received our soup and salad. I'll chalk that up to a busy night. The grilled calamari was unique, the chili flake flavor really comes through. Ravioli Siciliano was good, the sage butter elevated it from just another boring pasta dish. The simply seared whitefish is exactly as described, but borderline dry.
(3)David F.
Used to have great meals at Scappa but the last 3-4 times have been terrible. Not sure if the chef has changed but the food has turned incredibly bland. Service has always been adequate but not enough to go back
(1)Lochin S.
i'd go back just for the roasted calamari. I don't know what the seasoning was and we couldn't get over it. I had some amazing fish and hubby had the short ribs. it was all so fabulous, we would love to go back. corkage was decent.
(5)Art S.
Food and service is excellent Live music in the small bar but it cannot be heard in the restaurant A bit pricy
(4)Andrew J.
I will preface this review by saying that I live in Clarendon Hills and have been a patron at Scapa since it opened. I have tried much of the food and drink menu as it exists today and as it did in the past. I find it difficult to write a concise review of Scapa but I very enjoy when people get to the point in reviews, so here is my best attempt. Food (4 Stars): Pretty standard Italian fare that will not underwhelm but will not blow you away. I am a fan of the recent cutback in portion size. I always leave full but never so full that I regret my meal. I would recommend the Pasta Bruno, the Lasagna Bolegnese and the Almond Crusted Tilapia. Decor/Ambiance (4 Stars): Nothing too crazy. The feel is what you would expect. I find it difficult to give a poor rating or an exceptional one. It can get loud on weekend nights with families and the lighting can be a little dim but by and large, a quality atmosphere. Price (3 Stars): It's a little pricey, especially if you order drinks, but not so expensive that it's unreasonable. People complain about the price given the portions, but I don't think that's justified. Service (4 Stars): Since an ownership change a few years ago, I have yet to have a bad service experience. I never put too much weight on service though, because it is the most volatile aspect of rating a restaurant in my opinion.
(4)Eric E.
Our family held an event for about 20 people at Scapa and they did a great job all around. We had a long room on the side to ourselves. We arranged a family style meal and it worked out perfectly. Shared bruschetta and calamari appetizers, individual soups and salads, entrées of steak diane, chicken limone and two pastas, and dessert platters of tiramisu, carrot cake, chocolate cake and cannolis. Every dish was great and the pricing for this feast was reasonable. The service was likewise attentive and excellent. Thanks to Scapa for a successful event.
(5)Mary Pam P.
A long time fan of Scapa. Good food and typically friendly, efficient service. Our most recent visit was somewhat disappointing. We made reservations for a large party and confirmed the reservation several days in advance. We arrived and the host stated there was no reservation but quickly set out to find us a table. The staff all seemed a bit frazzled and hurried making us feel we might be a burden. Our waiter was great but harried as well. The restaurant was quite warm as if the AC had not been turned on yet. Our meals were very good as usual but cocktails odd which is not typical. ( I.e. A strawberry martini with chunks of strawberry and crushed ice with vodka.... apparently not puréed strawberry and ska ken w/ ice & strained) Maybe just an off day for a usually good restaurant.
(4)Julia A.
The food is delicious. Everything I have tried is amazing! I have been there several times and have never been disappointed. The service is good. The food always comes out in a timely manner. Plus they have a lot of gluten free options for me. My new favorite restaurant!
(5)Kirk P.
My favorite Italian place around. The eggplant parmesan is done better than anywhere I've tried it. They have private booths that are cool for a one on one date.
(5)Kay B.
The food and staff at this restaurant are both pretty good. However, I've been there twice now and each time I was given a dirty dish with old food stuck on it. The first time was a plate and the second time was a glass. They need to get better at washing their dishes!
(3)Jessica M.
We had our 5 year anniversary dinner here. My boyfriend had the lobster ravioli & I had the "steak Diane"; both meals were delicious. Started with the breaded ravioli & finished with the tiramisu. Everything was excellent. Service was great- didn't get his name but he even shook our hands at the end of our meal & thanked us for coming. We ate out on the patio- couldn't have asked for a better night. We will be back!
(5)Bob S.
I wish the service everywhere was as good as Scapa's. My wife and I went to dinner here last month to celebrate our 16th anniversary. I requested a private "cabin" booth when I made the reservation. Given we were going to be there on a Friday night, I assumed they would respond with a stock answer that I typically get from most restaurants like "we can put the request down but can't promise." Instead, they said that it would be no problem, and when we got there, they gave us the best private booth. A few of the staff stopped in to wish us a happy anniversary and they even provided us complimentary desert, which I had not expected. We both had the almond-crusted tilapia and mushroom soup, which were very good. Service as attentive but not annoyingly so. Definitely, definitely going back!
(5)Jason R.
The service was pretty horrendous. It took quite a while before anyone ever came to the table. When we ordered our food they asked if I wanted soup or salad and I passed because I didn't want to fill up before the meal. The person I was dining with suggest I get the soup to go, so that's what I did. I guess they missed the to go part. The meal I ordered was the Chicken Saltimbocca. It took about an hour to hit the table I would compare it to S'barro, but that would be insulating to S'barro. The chicken didn't quite taste right and it was a very flavorless. It makes Olive Garden look good. At that point I really wished they didn't take my soup away as it had to be better then this, even though it probably would be cold after an hour. And They didn't even ask to take my soup away that I hadn't touched yet, they just took it when I went up to the bar to get a drink since we didn't see out waiter for about half an hour. All and all it was just a terrible experience from beginning to end. For the prices they charge and the ratings they get I expected a whole lot more than terrible service and flavorless food.
(1)Jessica M.
My craving for rigatoni and vodka sauce paired with my realization that my hunny and I never go out for Italian food collided --- so I scoured the internets for a local place that could fill these voids. Scapa is a good place to eat, no doubt. We had good service, too, so no real complaints. I'm happy we tried a new place - one of the few in a 15 mile or so radius with both rigatoni AND vodka sauce on the menu. :) Sunday is BOGO apps - yay for us. We had the shrimp with polenta - delicious - and the grilled calamari - also good if you can take your calamari naked! Ha. As for our meals, I got the rig + vod with italian sausage. Yum. I had the salad on the side and it was not good, though his minestrone was great. His lasagna left a bit to be desired but it was pretty good. We did an early dinner to avoid the crowd (and cause we had a late breakfast). And, by the time we left, it was incredibly loud and there were way more preteens than I'd expect to see on a Sunday night. It looked like maybe some sports event/dance had gotten out because there were loads of families with young girls piling in. No matter. Scapa is good.
(3)Mario C.
Dined here last night. Our usual table for ten (mostly freeloaders). The ambiance was warm and cozy and holiday themed. Friendly staff and we were seated immediately. We were well attended to. Two orders of Chicken Francese, crispy polenta cakes with spicy shrimp and an assortment of pizza's and pasta dishes for the kids. A new menu offering of "simply grilled" fish was a welcome addition for the Paleo type. The complimentary garlic oil (?) coated bread is very good. Prices are reasonable and the portions are generous (we all brought leftovers home). The bar is a wonderful spot for a cocktail and keeping your eye on a game. No need to drive far from home for a decent Italian meal. Patronize this place.
(4)Yanni D.
Had braised short ribs. They were outstanding. Excellent service and atmosphere. Wonderful experience!
(5)Chirag P.
Friend recommended this place and it lived up to what he hyped it up to be. Great service, great food. Try the chicken picante and get a sicilian orange (blood orange) martini. I tried the calamari, but I think you can skip that, along with the eggplant rolltini, get the caprese and the lobster mac&cheese instead. My wife had the 8-finger cavatelli w/ arrbiatta (sp?) and she loved it. If you're looking for good Italian in the burbs, this is the spot to go.
(4)Meredith B.
My grandma has a few "favorite" restaurants, and this is one of them. She usually treats us to birthday dinners at Scapa because it is just the right blend of upscale, friendly, cozy, and tasty! Since moving back to the area with my husband, he and I have really grown to love this restaurant. They have these "private" tables that are separated with a huge curtain, so it doesn't feel like you're eating with everyone else in the restaurant - very cozy, private, and fun for a date night. The food is consistent - we've yet to have a bad dish here. We ordered the fried calamari one night, and it was quite salty (but delicious!). The bread that comes to the table is always hot and fresh, and the olive oil and parm. cheese is a perfect pair for the bread. We went on a Monday night a few weeks ago and they had BOGO appetizers. I had the Caprese salad and he ordered a sausage platter - both very good! Overall, the staff is friendly (the owners often go table-to-table to check in on guests which is a nice touch). The bus boys are incredibly attentive (you'll never need to ask for a refill of water - they are great at refilling your glass). Lately it feels like we have been hit-or-miss when it comes to servers. Some are really attentive and friendly, and we have had one (on more than one occasion) who comes to the table with smokers breath and seems to play the "cool" card more than we'd prefer. If you haven't been there, give them a try! It's a great place for date night, it doesn't break the bank (one appetizer, two entrees = about $40), and it's always nice supporting a local restaurant.
(4)Jenny G.
Ate at Scapa last night - never again. The food is sub-par. In addition, the honey maple salmon did not appear with brussel sprouts as identified in the menu. After requesting and receiving the brussel sprouts, the waitress accidentally spilled my water over me. I realize this is an accident, but the overall the service matched the food - sub-par. To make matters worse, the bathrooms had some sort of blockage and the stench from the bathrooms in the basement filled the entry of the restaurant.
(1)Jeff S.
Okay, so we came here again, this time for my own birthday. The food as usual was good. BUT ... somehow Scapa always manages to do something to make the experience less than stellar. To start, they didn't have a whole lot of ingredients for a whole lot of drinks. Everything my wife ordered from the bar, they managed not to have things for. They were even out of ORANGE JUICE. This was a Saturday night, too. They were out of some entrees. The grilled calamari appetizer was very good, and the Steak Diane is still the best anywhere. THEN it was time for dessert. We were ready to say screw it, just keep it, because it took close to 15 minutes for that to come out. So while I still like the food, it's really hard to have a flawless experience here.
(3)R F.
We had a family group of 8. The service was outstanding. I had thte filet....excellent. The steak diane, my wife loved. Right amount of heat with the peppercorn crusting. The veal saltimbocca, seemed more like veal parmigiana. It was very good but not traditional saltimbocca. I had the pina colada. It was like a milk shake, no liquor. My wife had the bellini...very disappointing. But the strawberry maragarita was delicious. Tey need to work on their drinks. Overall very pleased.
(4)Ryan C.
The menu ranges from a wide variety of pastas with different sauces to your traditional chicken, veal and fish entrees. You can always find something good. All entrees comes with a salad or a soup. The food is great! I just would like to see some menu items that are not so traditional.
(4)Sara C.
Stopped randomly in here randomly on a whim and found a go to place in the burbs!!!! The food, the service,the ambiance!!! I can't rave enough about this place. Our server was exceptional, knowledgeable on the menu and suggestions, and just plain nice and pleasant to have around. The food was incredible! I will be back and soon.
(5)Andy K.
I really enjoy the food here every time I stop by. Service is always on point, and everything I've tried on the menu is to die for. Not a huge beer selection, but then again I'm typically not coming here for beer. Overall, I highly recommend Scapa! Also, they support a number of local organizations. I got a $12 gift-certificate here from a local middle school. If you're planning on dining here, I highly recommend checking out the store at goboostershot.com . You can get a $12 gift-certificate and support a local cause. It's definitely a win-win situation.
(5)Mike B.
Nice place, very good service and food, prices aren't bad either. I brought my kids on a Sat night, which I thought might be an issue, but they were very accommodating and kids likes the food. Only downside would be took a little long to get served, but to be expected on a Sat night.
(4)I N.
The menu is huge and they offer many different selections, so this place is a good choice for large groups. Service was great. Food was mediocre. For my starter, I had the scallops with risotto. The scallops were good size, cooked perfectly, but overly salty. The risotto was a bit bland, so if I ate a bite of scallop with risotto, it balanced out. Scallops also had sand in them. If not for the sand and too much salt, would've been a nice dish. For my main I had the braised short rib with tagliatelle. The tagliatelle tasted homemade and had a very nice bite to it. The braised short rib was again VERY salty. It was as though the chef solely used salt to season the meat. I left 90% of the dish on the plate. The main entree came with a house salad that had fresh greens and vegetables. Service was the best part of the meal. Our server, Mark, was very friendly, showed the right amount of attentiveness - attentive to our needs but not overly annoying and coming back every bite we took. He had a great personality and was a fun server who clearly enjoyed his job! Overall the prices were very reasonable and if not for the over salting of my food, I would've given it 4 stars.
(3)Katie M.
Two weeks ago on a Thursday I had ordered take out. The young lady that answered was very well spoken and patient as I questioned the menu and the ingredients. She was very knowledgable of the menu and suggested her favorite entrees. I ordered the chicken picante which was fantastic and melted in my mouth when dipped with the lemon butter sauce and still maintained a great crisp - which was the young ladies number one choice. When I went to pick it up, the young lady with red hair came out with my order and was very kind. Once I arrived home the food was still hot, and all of my expectations were met even with my extensive order. The carry out woman remembered all the extra sides such as ex sauces, cheese, bread, etc. I will definitely be ordering more takeout with the friendly staff and the attention put solely into my order.
(5)Gina H.
This was our third time at Scapa. The first time (close to when it opened) was great! Loved the food, especially the soups, the service was good, and the ambiance is relaxing but lively. The second time we ate there was a stark difference from the first. The food was noticeably lower quality (canned green beans) but service was fine. So, we stayed away for a long time thinking it was already going down hill. We returned again last night to be pleasantly surprised. The food was back to where it was the first time we dined here. I had the braised short ribs and parsely pappardelle that was fantastic, Italian Wedding Soup, homemade, light, and delicious. Great server (Thank you, Ryan!) and other friendly, staff. We will be back!
(4)Monkean M.
We went to Scapa as a party of 10 (made reservations in advance). Really nice restaurant that accommodated our party size well. That's about where the good feelings end. For starters, they have gluten-free options noted on their menu with an official-looking "GF" logo. When you ask how these items are prepared, they come clean and say that they are not prepared separately and can have some cross-contamination. While I applaud their honesty, that should be disclosed on the menu itself. People with Celiac disease tend to have high sensitivity to gluten, so they need to know that what they are ordering was prepared properly. This is not some fad diet, it actually impacts people's lives. We all ordered, and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited (took an hour). Then a manager stops by and says "sorry for the delay, your meals are literally coming out right now." Fifteen minutes later (yes...fifteen!!!), the meals come out. Of course, they forget my wife's meal and then say "it's coming out right now". Again...almost 10 minutes later, her food arrives. It was just pasta and veggies...how long does that take to make?!!! Why was that not placed as a priority when they realized they screwed up? Why am I asking rhetorical questions?!!! I had the Chilean sea bass, which was cold by the time it was placed in front of me. Seriously...we waited this long, and you bring out cold food? Then we get the bill (this is not a cheap restaurant)...and...no discount or anything taken off for our troubles. They just hand me the bill (with the gratuity baked in for good measure), and I just had to pay it. There is a line for additional tip, to which I would normally add, but not this time. That's pretty insulting, considering how much we ordered and spent. I am not the type to sit there an argue, especially since this was my family and I was paying for everyone. I did not want to cause a scene, but I was furious when I got the bill. I could feel the steam pouring out of my ears, but I just bit my tongue and swallowed the blood (best part of my meal that night). We are not going back. The food was not that good, overall service stunk, and the prices do not warrant all of the above. I am willing to pay a higher price for great food & service. This place does neither. There are too many good restaurants in the Chicagoland area...don't waste your time at this place.
(1)Kj F.
Was just at Scapa with some friends for dinner. Food was excellent as well as service. I would highly recommend this neighborhood gem!
(4)Traci S.
Given the praise from other reviewers, we were expecting more from Scapa Italian Kitchen. The atmosphere is rather generic, the decorations outdated and have a chain feel to them. When we dined there they had live music but unfortunately the musicians weren't very good. Our server was very friendly, but incredibly slow. In fact, we ended up paying with cash as he never came back to our table to pick up our credit card to pay for the meal. In hindsight, we probably could have left without even paying! The food was fine, nothing to write home about but not terrible. My husband had the pizza which had a nice flavor. I had the cavatelli; it was flavorful and made with fresh garlic (which I love), but I wasn't wild about the dish on a whole. Our bruschetta appetizer was adequate but seemed to be made from a bunch of pre-packaged ingredients. All in all, Scapa's is "okay." If you are looking for a quick bite to eat for a casual evening out, I'd recommend.
(3)Tracy F.
This is a 3 1/2 star review. I've been here twice and both times had the same waitress. She's super friendly, but a little too sarcastic. Nothing I can't get over, though, especially since it's all in good fun. While she's really friendly, I think she was overwhelmed a bit because it was hard to track her down sometimes. I think it was due to an unexpectedly busy Christmas Eve rush. The appetizers : - Grilled CalamarI: Good, but not great. Other places have better, but this dish wasn't bad. - Caprese: Fresh and delicious! Entrees: The linguini with broccoli was cooked well but was WAY too garlicky. My husband couldn't finish it because he was overwhelmed by garlic. I had the lasagna. It was a little too al dente for more and lacked sauce, but the flavor was good. With slightly softer noodles and a bit more sauce, it would be great. Veal parmesan had the same issue as the lasagna - not enough sauce but good flavor. Overall, a good place to go for Italian in the burbs, but head downtown for something better.
(3)Kim C.
Service was awesome! The staff here was very welcoming and made our entire experience phenomenal. As first time visitors, I knit pick every single little detail when it comes to experience and they topped every single one! The food was good and the atmosphere was warm. Definitely worth coming here.
(5)Denise S.
My family hosted a Saturday Afternoon Wedding Luncheon for our daughter. Scapa's owners were so accommodating and wonderful hosts for our event. We choose them because we love the food...salads, pastas, meat dishes are delicious. They transformed the restaurant for our private event...and everyone had a great time. We had them serve family style meals and with the children and adults all were delighted with the service and food. Highly recommend them for any private event. It was because we knew the food was great and the location was perfect for our guests! My husband and I met with the owners and they helped us plan the perfect wedding reception ...with room for dancing and fun!
(5)Elly C.
I've been to Scapa a few times and every time I have yet to be disappointed. My first time I got the chicken parm with their vodka sauce and the proportion was huge!! I had left overs for lunch then next day and dinner. Their vodka sauce was very creamy but not too thick. The next time I went was with a group of women so we split a bunch of the appetizers. I got the white pizza which everyone loved! Another fan favorite was the calamari and the eggplant parm. The last time I went I just got the chicken caesar salad. It was really good. The chicken was cooked and seasoned perfectly and was not burnt. The ceasar dressing was also up to par! I will definitely be going back every time Im craving Italian.
(4)John D.
Not a thing to fault here. Service was fantastic! Angel took care of us and she was attentive and knowledgable. The food was way above average too. Everything was serviced hot and tasted as good as anything in the area. Bar has nice ambience. Have also had takeout pizza and chopped salad before, all good!
(5)Christopher S.
My fiancé and I LOVE this place. I work in the industry and we are very picky about where we frequently dine. The food is decent, seeing as I am a food snob, it certainly doesn't blow me away, but very good none the less. The key factor to Scapa is the customer service. They always take care of our sometimes extremely fickle needs. When I train my staff on customer service, I use the staff at Scapa as an example. My fiancé also loves the little booths with the curtains, it's a great touch. All in all great place, good food, good prices, and great people. See you next week Scapa!
(4)Christina H.
Excellent food, always excellent service, and just such a GREAT little place in the suburbs. My boyfriend and I first came to Scapa about a year and a half ago and we have loved it ever since! We are city people at heart, but (somewhat reluctantly) moved out to the suburbs two years ago, and don't really care for the big chain restaurants at the malls. We like restaurants/bars that have more of an intimate, downtown Chicago feel and atmosphere--where we can jut sit and relax and have a glass of wine, or get an actual meal, so when we found Scapa, we were thrilled! They have a nice bar with some high-top tables to sit at (where you can usually find us!) but they also have a lot of space in the back with booths and tables. It can get crowded, but never overwhelmingly so. We moved to Clarendon Hills this past summer and now we go to Scapa at least once a week, we just love it there. Only complaint is that they don't have many "healthy" options for appetizers...don't get me wrong, all the food is DELICIOUS, but I really wish they had some lighter items available....
(5)J Z.
The service is casual in some respects and we are usually fine with it but it can be uneven. The breaded chicken and veal dishes seem a bit flat on flavor because of the breading, but otherwise the food is consistently pretty good. We really appreciate the appetizer specials they have certain nights because it makes eating here less pricey for a weeknight dinner out. They also have a great kids menu.
(3)J C.
Great fish, good pasta...be ware if you have celiac disease as they offer gluten free pasta but cooked it on the same water as the regular pasta and our guest got really sick.
(3)Carol K.
Know that Scapa just moved to 1 Walker Ave which is the location of the old "Soul" restaurant along the tracks in Clarendon Hills. Food is still great. But now you have alot more room to enjoy it in!
(4)Marie L.
Just moved into the area and I can't even begin to say how amazing this place is. It's our new favorite restaurant! I had the scallops and asparagus it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Also a must try is the grilled calamari! = YUM! I can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Bryan B.
Scapa Italian Kitchen has new owners! As of this week, Tony & Kristin Swegen have taken over this popular restaurant in downtown Clarendon Hills. I had dinner at Scapa last night and met the new owners. Tony has a wealth of experience in the restaurant business. His talents range from being an accomplished chef to have been on the managerial side by serving a general manager for Cheescake Factory for over 10 years. Kristin's expertise is in public relations. I think this is important. As he local people know, Scapa is definitely the best local Italian restaurant. However, if you are not familiar with the streets of Clarendon Hills (think spaghetti bowl), this could be a difficult place to find. Tony & Kristin do not propose any radical changes right out of the gate. However, expect improvements to be forthcoming. Initially, the servers will be wearing plain black shirts as opposed to the uncomfortable chef jackets which they now wear. Soon, Scapa will be open for lunch, too. A better beer selection is already available at the bar. Expect some tweaking of the menu to occur as well. All in, I anticipate the new energy and balanced corporate experience to have a profoundly positive impact on my favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant. Come taste for yourself (and order the Chicken Giuseppe).
(5)Melissa K.
I went here for a celebration dinner with my family and it was a very nice experience for us all. The waiter was attentive and helpful. The wine selection and menu were great. Everyone enjoyed their food and the service was really spot on. I had the Rosemary Whitefish, which was really great and enough for three servings. My boyfriend had the 8-finger cavatelli , which was something none of us had tried before and it was delicious! My friend had lobster ravioli in lobster sauce, which was AMAZING! I enjoyed my dish, but when I come back here I'm definitely getting this ravioli. They also knew it was my college graduation party, so they brought out molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Delicious! But be careful... my sister burned her mouth since it was fresh from the oven haha. It was nice for a group, and it seems like it would be great for a date!
(4)J. P. F.
I dined here for the 1st time at my families recommendation last week and enjoyed a wonderful meal in a very appealing setting. The restaurant is attractive & welcoming inside. We had drinks at the bar & I appreciated the bartender swapping out one glass of Sauvingnon Blanc for another at no charge as my wife did not like the 1st glass. Rhonda was our server and, though she was very busy, she was extremely attentive and timely in her service & very helpful re: the menu. My wife had the Red Snapper that was very flavorful but a bit over cooked. My son had the Filet Mignon and thought it was delicious I enjoyed Veal Parm that was pounded thin and delicious. A simple dish but very good & a dish I would order again. I recommend you give Scapa a try & hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
(4)Don N.
We did take-out with two orders of 8-fingers this past Friday. It was the first time we have tried this restaurant. We were very disappointed in the portion sizes.
(2)Cheryl V.
Such a disappointing experience. My husband decided to try this place because he saw it in the newspaper and it sounded really good. The experience started with a waiter (we'll call him Lurch---because he never smiled or showed any indication of being a part of the human race via smile or personality). Hubby ordered baked clams and fettuccine Alfredo----what Italian restaurant screws up alfredo sauce? It was like milk with parmesan cheese added...really poor quality. And the baked clams, fahgedaboudit...really small, boring for an outrageous price. I should have done this review sooner, because I've forgotten what I had (not very memorable). But we both remembered the fettuccine Alfredo fiasco. The owners would come into the small dining area and schmooze with a table of their friends, but not go around to any other tables to see how their guests were faring. Forgettable. Overpriced. Absolutely the poorest service ever.
(1)Robert G.
We went to Scapa for the first time last night. Our family Christmas dinner before going out if town to see family. From the moment we walked through the door, the experience was very nice. The meal was one of the best we have had in years. It was served at a good pace. Then meeting the owners on our way out added to tge experience. Warm, personable, very buttoned up. We will return for our New Years family dinner.
(5)Angela F.
We have visited several times since my December review, and I'll happily be the first to admit that everything I'd previously griped about has been corrected. The staff has been markedly more welcoming & upbeat, and now encourage you to fill out a comment card/review of your experience. Be sure to include your email address to be notified of promotions & special events. Pasta entrees are made available in a half-portion for the kiddies (which is still a ton of food!). Kudos to the management for paying attention and responding to your clientele.
(5)Daniel M.
I was looking for an Italian restaurant that served veal picante and discovered Scapa. From beginning to end, it was a fantastic dining experience. The service was genial and attentive. From the bread thru the salad to the entrees, it was a wonderful dining experience. My wife had sea scallops, one of her favorites and was as delighted as I. The meal was capped off with a superb glass of port. You cannot go wrong by going to Scapa. You will love it.
(5)Gina D.
I m a fan, especially on 1/2 priced Mondays. Great app's, huge portions. Great variety for GF as well.
(4)julia r.
Now under new ownership.....very friendly and accomadating. Scapa is a local favorite. Great food....nice warm surroundings.....with a cheers-like welcoming environment. My favs are the 8 finger cavatell with vodka sauce, the meatball salad, chicken vesuvio salad.....They served a beautiful Caprese salad and braised ribs on a bed of mashed for a charity event I was just at....FABULOUS! Nice choice for date night....but the kids are welcome too. Love the live music on Friday nights.
(5)Madeline S.
I live just around the corner from Scapa and love going here. They have excellent gluten-free pasta, which is extremely important to me since pasta is why I go to Italian restaurants. They recently changed owners and the bread they put out on the table is to die for (I may have cheated my GF diet for a piece once or twice) and I wish they could make a GF option for the bread. Overall, I really enjoy this place and it's a hidden gem in the western suburbs.
(5)Ashley W.
I should start off by saying that it's been a good year since I've been here, so I'm having a hard time remembering what I had, or how the experience was. With that said, however, I feel like if a restaurant was deserving of 5 stars, I'd remember how great it was, even if it was a year later! All I remember about the experience was that I was with a co-worker and we stopped in for lunch. Perhaps I should give it another shot but for now, it was not a memorable experience, at all.
(3)Janet H.
We've been looking for an Italian restaurant that combines great food and service. Our server, Diana, was warm and friendly. You can tell she is really passionate about the restaurant and committed to delivering a great experience to her customers. I had the Osso Bucco Ravioli which was full of flavor and well balanced. My boyfriend had the Veal Parmesan which was also quite tasty. He said he would get a different pasta dish next time, but there will be a next time. The ambiance is sophisticated, the food was tasty, and the portions were generous.
(4)Donna M.
The food is delicious but the service is just plain awful. We waited 15 minutes after we were done with our food for the waitress to acknowledge us. She poured wine for the table next to us (with her butt in our faces) and never turned around to ask if we wanted coffee or dessert. Never again.
(1)Rich A.
I had dinner last night at Scapa Italian Kitchen. I must say, we had a very good experience, start to finish. As we were taking my elderly mother I figured I'd see if they took reservations, as she would not have been too keen on waiting in the bar for a table. Yes - they take reservation - - even confirmed it via email. (Although we really didn't need them on a Wednesday night - plenty of tables available.) However, the reservation did score us one of the three "curtained-off tables", which made the dinner more intimate. Wednesday / Thursdays are $5 Martini nights, so we got an added bonus here! Good sized drinks that are well made. As for the food, our entrees included soup / salad. The house dressing was great! Our dinner portions were very generous. My Mom's Eggplant Parm was HUGE. She had enough for another meal. Same with my wife's Chicken Saltamboca. She loved it! I had a pasta dish that was large and tasty. Next time I will try a chicken dish or house specialty. Waiter and staff were very attentive. Also met and talked with the owner. Overall a great evening. Will come back for the bar, as there was plenty of room to eat and drink there, as well. Also looks like a great place on a warm summer evening with outdoor dining.
(4)Mike M.
Scapa Italian Kitchen - New Owners Kristen and Tony Swegen! Great for parties! I was at a party at Scapa Italian Kitchen last Saturday night that was held in a private banquet room. I was extremely pleased how they handle larger parties. My group was a neighborhood babysitting coop that my wife and I are a part of (ask me later!), many of the parents know each other quite well, so it wasn't uncomfortable being in a room figuring out drink tabs and such. Scapa makes the space quite comfortable with family style tables, heavier window treatments and a well sized plasma TV tactfully positioned for guys like me to sneak a peak of the game. It was perfect since an NFL playoff game was scheduled! We were served bruschetta and fried calamari for appetizers the main course a terrific Vesuvio style chicken and a Cesar salad. Two servers were reserved just for our party so there was never any waiting for drinks or anything we needed. It was a reasonably priced party for sure and the food was delicious! I have eaten at Scapa Italian Kitchen too many times to count, spent various times sitting at their charming bar for a quick bite and ordered out many times as well. The food has always been excellent. I'm excited for the new owners to put their special twist on their favorite dishes. My favorite for a lunch or quick bite at the bar has always been the meatball salad (Two good-sized meatballs with marinara sauce and a house salad). My recommendation for dinner is the Scrimp Siciliano. I first met the new owners, Tony and Kristin at the Clarendon Hills Christmas Walk when Tony was cooking up Fettuccine Alfredo for the masses of people trying to get into the restaurant on a cold winter night. If you have ever been to a Clarendon Hills Christmas Walk, you know then, it is a mix between a festival and a free-for-all. Owners of businesses in the downtown area roll out the carpet for anyone willing to come into their shops and sample, drink or say just say hello. It's really a unique event that everyone should experience. The chamber of commerce puts on the event where the kids can see Santa, ride in a sleigh and sing along with carolers and the adults.
(5)Laura R.
Delicious food, nice atmosphere, good service.. Really good food..
(4)Caitlin G.
I'm Italian and my grandma is an amazing cook so I rarely go out for Italian. However, this place is really good. I love their baked clams, always get them. I'm also a fan of their specials esp. their tilapia which is delicious. I also enjoy ordering their carry out selections and their pizza is yummy as well.
(4)Zara K.
We hosted a party for about 45 people at Scapa this past weekend and could not have been more pleased. Kristin was amazing with the planning and all ran seamlessly at an extremely fair price. We will be sure to use them again in the future!
(5)Debbie W.
I think it's a hidden gem in Clarendon Hills. Great food, service, ambiance. Nice little private rooms with curtains if you want a more intimate setting in addition to regular seating and outdoor dining, so it has it all. Plenty of variety on the regular menu and the dessert. We loved it and will definitely be back.
(4)diana m.
Let me tell you that Scapa went above and beyond for my daughter's graduation party!!! Our server (Massimo) was awesome!!! From the wonderful wine list and luscious appetizers to our delightful dinner we were amazed! My sister has booked her corporate Christmas party already!! The atmosphere is cozy ,warm and inviting. There are rooms to meet every need. We had our own little private room for our party . That was real nice.I give a thumbs up and my highest reccomendation!!
(5)Paul W.
The printed specials menu tells you everything about Scapa. It's a jumble of items you see everywhere and doesn't stick to Italian cuisine. Prices are high and food is okay. The dining room was excessively noisy on a Satruday night with people occasionally SCREAMING to be heard at their tables. There are better choices, many even within 2 miles.
(2)William A.
Real nice place. Happy to have this restaurant so close to my home! Solid bar to sit down and eat a good meal at. Only had poor service here once on a very busy night. Understandable I guess! Try the chicken vesuvio and veal piccata... Both very premium dishes
(4)Ally B.
We came to Scapa's afew wednesdays ago. We had never been there before. The decor and and the ambience are welcoming and warm. We had a very private table in a little tented alcove, very nice. Our waitress was very attentive without being over bearing, not an easy balance. The menu was vast!! Everything we ordered was done very well. We really enjoyed our evening and we will be having another Wednesday at Scapa's
(4)Kyle J.
Has been just okay at best for us. The new location is really really really noisy. (Was super noisy when it was Soul too.) Sat at the bar one night with a foul mouthed middle age "hit on me" crowd. (If your into that, the bar should be fun for you.) And the food has been hit or miss for us. My daughter went with a group with a reserved table they had booked well in advance for a HS dance and they had to wait over an hour to get their table. (I know because I had to drive them late to the dance after!) Very much prefer Antico Posto in Oak Brook... or Tuscany... or Vincintori.
(2)Joanna S.
good food, friendly service, and very nice restaurant decor
(4)Joe R.
One of my favorite local Italian places. The chicken picante is awesome! We also enjoy getting take-out from Scapa for the benefits of a tasty meal from the comforts of home.
(4)ray g.
I met a friend at Scapa for dinner on Saturday night October 23rd (last week). Having owned a business in Hinsdale for 12 years I was eager to try out a local place for dinner. Scapa has been around for a while but recently moved and I heard it was pretty nice and the food was great. I popped online to see some reviews as to what to expect before we got there. I was really surprised, especially after eating there. The bottom line for those who go there: It's an Italian Restaurant. I have never eaten at an Italian Restaurant that had a quiet atmosphere. I have never eaten at an Italian's home that wasn't loud. That is what it is. We go to eat, drink, have a good time and be LOUD if you want. What fun! The atmosphere at Scapa is a not a quiet one for certain. The people are very attractive, the service is superb and the owners come to your table and talk with you (I met Joe and John both during my meal). The decor of the place is really cool. Lots of brick and stone. dark brown walls and theater-red curtains separating the rooms having a warm and delicate lighting. The dining area is well lit and the tables were spaced comfortably apart.The bar area was open and spacious with very quick service for my drink. The sports tv's were all on (over the bar), the Hawks, college football and basketball. There is, no doubt, a dull roar in the place but I like that buzz when I go out for Italian food. (ask for a walk through...I did) There is a lot of character and characters in the place. I had broiled calamari for an appatizer. It was awesome. Choosing from the menu was tough as I wanted to go with pasta, then steak or meditarean style lamb but opted for the Blackened Chilean Sea Bass. I just felt I couldn't lose with any of the choices really... The Sea Bass was served on a bed of fresh steamed spinich and roasted tomatoes surrounding and a side of rotini agli olio. OMG! The combination called for a glass of my favorite "garlic food wine" Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio. The pasta sauce was so good i found myself dipping everything in it. Creme' brulee for dessert was creamy crunchy candy delicious! Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and favorites. I loved the experience. That is what I look for in a restaurant when I go out to eat. A new Haunt for me for certain especially with a group of friends. Heading up there now!
(5)Amy S.
Tony helped us make our daughters first communion party perfect! Everyone raved about the food. The Scapa salad and chicken limone were everyone's favorite. I would highly recommend Scapa for your next event!
(5)Ben B.
Very good food and service, which was both friendly and knowledgeable. My wife had the salmon limone and I had the veal picante. The salmon was good, but the veal was even better: buttery, lemony, and crisp in a white wine sauce with pine nuts. Very tender, also, and served with a good meat sauce pasta. The house salad is nothing special, though, as another reviewer mentioned.
(4)Dave C.
My family really likes Scapa. Tony and Kristin, the new owners are very friendly and have changed the menu a bit since taking over late last year. We are regulars at Scapa for the 8 finger cavatelli, pizzas, etc. Have not tried the steak yet, but I am working my way through the menu with each visit. I have enjoyed everything I have tried. The warm rolls are killer, with lots of garlic....we sprinkle them with olive oil and parmesan cheese and gobble them down. Weekly specials include half off appetizers in the bar on Sundays, pasta & sauce with a glass of wine on Mondays for $10, burger and beer on Tuesdays for $10, and live music on Fridays. They also have a kids menu and all kids entrees are $5 and includes an ice cream sundae. Good for kids under 8. There is outdoor seating in the summer and last weekend it was packed. Nice sized bar area that holds quite a fun crowd. We recommend it highly. They also do delivery and carry out....they have GREAT pizza! If they deliver to you on Saturday or you do carry out, you get your delivery free and they offer a complimentary red velvet cupcake which is delicious. I hosted a party for 50 there recently and Kristin did a great job with our group. Everyone was raving about the food, service, ambiance, etc.
(5)Barbara S.
Went to this restaurant last Saturday for dinner with some friends. I ordered the blackened pork chops which the waitress said were good and they had no taste and were dry. The waitress was not very good, I had to chase her down twice. Once to get a drink and again to tell her I needed a separate bill, which I had requested in the begining. I had a cosmopolitan and it was $11.00! Please,this isn't downtown Chicago, it's fricking Clarendon Hills! I will not go back,there are too many other good Italian restaurants around.
(2)J R.
This is by far one of the best Italian restaurants! The food is fresh and delicious, and the staff is incredibly friendly! I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone interested!
(5)marcie g.
I wandered in last fall '08 and became and instant fan. The food/prices/ambiance and cordial owners that TRULY care make this place a gem of a find. Also, partially because of Aaron, one of the best servers I have ever had the pleasure of being served by in my entire foodie life! Aaron is great at explaining all of the specials including parings with wine. Every dish is modifying but truly great as it is. The prices are fair and portions are plentiful and neighborhood charm is present. I can honestly say that I have never had dessert there (because I am usually filled to the brim) but there is always room for espresso.
(4)Angelique S.
I haven't written a review quite like this before so I'll start with the positives. Scapa's food is delicious. The food deserves at least 4 stars (but keep reading to see why I gave it 3). Especially the special cavatelli, giambotta, sauteed spinach and their mussels- their red sauce is really good and spicy. Meatballs are also great. (We've been here a lot!) But my favorite on the menu is their "Braciole" (pronounced "bra-shol"). It's flattened flank steak, stuffed with Itaian herbs and breadcrumbs, tied, sauteed and then slow-cooked in their red sauce until it's super-tender. I've made it before at home (it requires some skill and attention) and theirs is outstanding. They only offer it as a side dish and I don't know why- it's that good. Which leads me to one of the reasons I gave this place 3 stars- and almost gave it 2. I don't understand the business decisions the owners of Scapa are making . Recently my husband and I ordered some take-out and we placed an order for a side dish of braciole. Normally it comes with 2 pieces (price is $6.95). We ordered 2 orders (totalling 4 pieces) so we could enjoy it with our special cavatelli and salad. After we get home with the order, we look in the bag and there was only 1 piece of braciole per order. We thought it was a mistake and called the restaurant. The woman on the phone told us that the menu had "recently changed" and now it was 1 piece per order. Basically they halved their order of braciole on the menu - but still decided to charge $6.95! I haven't run a restaurant before, but if you have a hit on your menu, you don't half the order after a year or two and still charge the same amt! I've heard of people upping the price after a while but doubling the price?? They should have just made it an entree with some sides and charged more- at least that would have made sense. Also, another complaint I have is the value of one of the appetizers- their toasted ravs. We lived in St. Louis for 4 years where toasted ravs are on every menu and beyond plentiful. They must grow on trees down there. Yes, some places just buy them frozen, but some make them homemade. When we've ordered this before at other restaurants, places (homemade or frozen) usually give you at least 10 or 12 pieces for about $7-$8. At Scapa, 6 toasted ravs cost $6 bucks! A buck a toasted rav? please. Toasted ravs are really cheap to make. Scapa is trying to nickle and dime in all of the wrong places. LIke I said, I just don't get it. I really hope Scapa figures this out!
(3)B L.
Good restaurant. Competent, friendly staff. Manager always comes through and asks how things are.
(4)Scott P.
Good food, decent prices, and LOUD!!!. At least on a Saturday evening. Not merely noisy, but mind-numbingly LOUD!!! If I go again, it will not be at prime time. And what's with the 50 cent "snifter charge" when you order Sambuca? I didn't catch that item on the bill until the next day, and when I called to inquire, was told it's added because Sambuca is a heavy pour and to let the bartender know what glass to use. Now, most restaurants seem to be able to hire competent bartenders and know how to program drink prices in their POS system, but I didn't press it. It's not the money, it's the. . . I mean, what's next, a "martini glass" charge? That's a heavy pour in a specific glass. Hell, maybe they do, but no one at our table ordered a martini.
(3)