Made a reservation for dinner and asked about a dress code since the place seemed a bit on the fancy side (was told business casual but got there and people were in jeans and a t-shirts). The guy answering the phone was a bit gruff, but reservation set and got there on time. The setting is pretty cozy and the lighting matches, but it also feels a bit claustrophobic. The only negative I would really give is the table-side cooking. It's cool to watch your steak being grilled next to your table and the huge bursts of fire are amusing but as a person who didn't order it, I don't really want to smell like I just walked away from an outdoor grill. Ordered the chicken mushroom risotto and a creme brulee. The risotto was outstanding and the portion was huge. Risotto tends to be dense so you can eat a small amount and still be stuffed. Also the bread and butter they served beforehand was really good. The creme brulee was ok, nothing special but not bad. Service was excellent. They're very fast and efficient at keeping your glass full and the table cleared of debris.
(4)
Kristin P.
MASS PRODUCTION WEDDING FOOD! Wedding food is an acquired taste, if that's what you're into then go here. Fooled very fooled upon entering. Staff in tuxedos, very dark lighting slightly cosy but kind of awkward. It was kind of weird we were seated but not given a menu until the waiter asked us if we wanted drinks and when we declined his attitude started to suck. Our waiter spoke to my husband and I like we have never fine dinned before. He let us know that the "sides were à la carte." He wasn't informing us in a helpful way, he was being rude about it. To start I got a mixed green salad, it was dark but I could definitely see the rotten pieces of greens on my plate. When we ordered, I could only have the beef satay which was ok, it didn't come with the peanut sauce. After I explained I had an allergy to dairy he said I couldn't have the wild rice as it had butter already in it. He gave me no other options. Let me put it to you this way, I just got off a plane from Mexico. They didn't skip a beat, the moment they knew I had a dairy allergy they didn't ask me again, they offered me soy milk and didn't bother to ask if I wanted dessert because they knew, they remembered. Instead the wait staff in Mexico brought me sorbet for dessert and were totally prepared to make anything I wanted dairy free. Back to this fiasco. My husband asked for a filet mignon, they didn't specify the ounce of the filet. It was for $29 and he ordered it medium rare. It came out medium and it took the waiter 10 mins to come ask how it was and my husband refused to take a bite. He explained it was medium and the waiter challenged him stating "yes it is that's what you ordered." He even pulled out a flashlight too look at the meat himself he checked his notes and realized it was ordered medium rare. After an apology that was it. Nothing more to be done or compensated. For those of you who read my 1starred reviews, I used to be a customer service specialist for Hilton Hotels. My customer service knowledge is vast. I am patient with servers and the people who help me and probably too forgiving at times however poor customer service is never an excuse if it's not turned around at some point during the interaction. This waiter did nothing to turn this experience around and he made it quite clear he was done with us the moment we didn't order alcohol. The steamed veggies were hard and it was all very bland. Here's the break down: Filet mignon Beef satay Mixed garden salad Mushroom Mac n cheese Steamed veggies Asparagus Tax $74.26 Poorly executed filet, no accommodations, poor atmosphere and service. Be advised, this was exactly like being at a wedding. Production food, everything is made at the same time everything sits and everything goes out at the same time. No one asked us how our meal was and if they did I would have told them. Once we got into the car my husband stated "that food made me feel like crap."
(1)
Rita M.
Had my daughter's baptism reception here this past Sunday, 08/23/15. (Negative): My mom and I came here for a meeting to talk about the venue and we made a deposit and booked the BABY GRAND BALLROOM Wed, July 8, 2015 for 08/23/15 from 2:30-7:00pm. Time passes, and I receive a call from Carrie AUGUST 9, 2015 (OVER a mth after making our deposit) asking if we could push back our reception time because they had double booked that particular room and the other party was going on until 3:30pm. Um, no...invitations had already been sent out right after "securing the room" and making the deposit, and it would have been a big time gap from the end of the actual baptism til the reception (a pet peeve of mine). We got relocated to the La Petit room (yes, very petit indeed). This was VERY disappointing. To go from a huge spacious bright and inviting room to a room a quarter the size of it dark and with no windows 2 wks before our event. WHY wasn't this caught right after the deposit was made? I concluded it was done on purpose, because that way, we'd have no choice BUT to bite the bullet and have our reception here (invitations had already been sent out & we received about 75% of the rsvps already). Had we known this early, we would have cut our losses, lost our deposit but gone somewhere with a nicer room to offer. When the husband and I came to check out our new La Petit room, there was a bar, but Carrie said the other party only had access to it, but they weren't having alcohol (ummmm, doesnt make sense-ours was a tally bar and we made them almost $700 in liquor sales alone). We were the ones who had to recommended putting up a make shift wall to block off the other non-drinking party from the bar and so our party had access to the bar (common sense). Also, come the day of our party, what happened to our promised silver covered chairs with "bling" (in the words of Carrie)? We got plain brown uncovered chairs. (Positive): (One star)Although Carrie severely disappointed us, in fairness, she WAS timely in responses to her emails. (Two stars) Diego (the server in charge) was absolutely delightful, fantastic, a gentleman, professional, and SO courteous. All the other servers were fantastic and polite as well. The bartender (Roxanne), everyone praised about as well. HE and his co-servers were the only reason why I am able to turn my frown upside down when thinking about having my banquet here. Will we be back to dine here? Probably not. Will we be back for hosting another banquet here? No thank you. (But special thank you Diego, coservers and Roxanne!)
(2)
Maricela A.
My sister had her wedding reception here. The place is beautiful and elegant. They have a small outside area, which was very nice and comfy. The ladys at the bar where very nice and fun. The apetizers where very yummy. The meal was just amazing!. I don't usually like wedding meals, but the food from this place was over the top. Super delicious!. I also loved how professional the staff and the gentleman that did all the intro. Not sure if he was from the banquet. This place is very unique. I loved it! It was such an amazing time.
(5)
Linda N.
I took a friend here for her birthday with a groupon. Even with groupon very expensive. I had steak, mashed and asparagus (all ala carte). The potatoes I had one bite of, dibnt like (and they took off the check). The steak was ok- service was good- but nothing spectacular. The cave environment and dim lights would be suited to a romantic dinner but this place was just too pricey for my wallet. I could get as good a steak for half at Longhorn.
(3)
Amy L.
Our AMAZING wedding was here this past Valentine's Day! Everything could not have been any more perfect than it was! When I saw the room before our guests were invited in, it literally took my breath away. The room was absolutely gorgeous! I loved working with Randy. He definitely knows his stuff and made my ideas come to life. He has really great contacts and referred me to the best florist to work with (i had two florists drop my wedding last minute). Randy is worth EVERY penny! He made everything completely stress-free. I didn't Have to worry about going to the hall the night before my wedding to set up my centerpieces or anything-it was all done for me. The service throughout dinner was excellent! The courses were brought out timely and the empty dishes were removed quickly. The food was delicious and the filets were perfectly cooked! This is definitely not your typical wedding food! All of my guests had a fabulous time. I have received so many compliments on the meal and the ambience of the ballroom. I am still in awe on how beautiful our wedding reception was. The people at cafe la cave are great people to work with and make wedding planning as stress free as it can possibly be. They gave me my perfect wedding while working within my budget and not putting any pressure on me. You will not be disappointed with this place! I wouldn't have changed anything about my wedding!
(5)
Richard Q.
I have been frequenting Cafe La Cave for over 20 years. My wife and I really enjoy the Chateaubriand for 2. It is outstanding. Their specialty brunches (Mother's Day, Easter etc,) are not to be missed. It is an experience not to be missed. Enjoy!
(5)
Lindsay B.
I have been to Cafe La Cave on two different occasions, both for weddings. On both occasions the event has been fantastic. One of the weddings also included the ceremony and the reception. The staff handled both events beautifully, including the transition between them. All of the staff in the building are excellent, and thought of every single thing each wedding party might need. The food was phenomenal about both events- a perfectly prepared steak- cooked to order- at each event. The dessert was my favorite- red velvet cake and chocolate ice cream- I was in heaven. I highly recommend this venue if you are looking for a place to host your wedding. I cannot speak to the regular restaurant, but know that when they host a special event they do it perfectly!
(5)
Scott S.
Always excellent food and outstanding service every time we have dined here. I highly recommend Cafe La Cave for its ambiance as well.
(5)
Vicky G.
Throughout the years, I have dined at Cafe La Cave numerous times. After this experience, I may not come back. My date and I arrived promptly at 6:58 for a 7:00 Saturday reservation, we were asked to wait in the bar because they were a little backed up at the moment. Though I had the reservation, I did not mind waiting. When 7:45 arrived, I felt that it was a bit much. When I went to complain to the host, he seated us within the next 10 minutes. I don't know if we were forgotten if they truly had no seating. Though the food was very good and the martinis well made, I was very off put by nearly waiting an hour when I possessed reservations.
(2)
John S.
Went there with a friend in town and she was impressed! I had Steak Diane prepared tableside and it was incredible. My friend had Dover Sole and was wowed by it. The service was impeccable and the Owner Gus was very personable. We saw him wheel a dessert with a ring on it past us and thankfully the girl said "I do". It appears he does this quite often. The Wines are nice values, as I'm in the Wine business and know my pricing.
(5)
Julie O.
Been to a couple Holiday parties here. Pretty standard banquet hall fare. Parking is free but the lot is kind of small.
(3)
Casie D.
Dream wedding come true. Smooth, organized, and gorgeous! Thanks Randy and your team for a day we will cherish forever!
(5)
Gina G.
I had the pleasure of photographing a holiday party at La Cave last night. I have done enough weddings/events to be a fairly good critic of catered event food. Let me just say, I was blown away. Hands down the best lamb chops I have ever eaten. The prime rib was perfect and everything was prepared and served right in front of us. I will definitely be recommending this place to future wedding clients.
(5)
Michelle G.
Who knew that the best party I'd ever go to would be my wedding! Words cannot begin to describe just how beautiful our room looked. We had the smaller room with the arched French doors. It was very intimate & elegant. Kim, Randy & Gus were all a pleasure to work with. Randy's suggestion for our band was spot on! Everyone danced all night. All our guests raved about how delicious the food was. I was so sad when I awoke the following morning because the festivities were over! If you are looking for a venue for your wedding then look no further. The Sutter family will take great care of you!
(5)
Valerie H.
This review is in regards to my August 22, 2014 wedding. If I could give this place 10 stars I would in a heartbeat. From the moment I met with Kim regarding wedding packages, pricing, and options I was blown away. I made the mistake of putting this place on hold while I researched other venues and met with them. After my first consultation somewhere else, I quickly realized that no other hall would take care of me the way Cafe la Cave would. The planning process was smooth and easy. Randy was amazing to work with. With every meeting and phone call, he instilled in me an excitement for my big day. He understood my vision for what I wanted and took care of everything for me, but was still respectful of budget issues. From the linens, to half of the centerpieces (I made floral arrangements for the other half), to the lighting and overall ambiance of the room, he did everything I asked for, plus more. Every vendor he recommended exceeded our expectations. The DJ was the best recommendation ever. He was the least expensive option and kept the party going and had everyone out on the dance floor the whole night. Randy allowed me to truly enjoy my wedding, worry-free. His schedule layout was different from any other wedding, with dance sets between meal courses. Those sets really got the guests pumped and ready to dance the night away. He doubled as our MC for the night and everyone loved him. He enjoyed himself as if he were just another guest with a level of professionalism that could not be beat. His light hearted and positive spirit had everyone loving him. He went above and beyond what his duties were. His daughter's wedding was the previous weekend but I didn't notice any lack of attention to me, even though he was planning his daughter's wedding. He also kept her beautiful cocktail hour room centerpiece watered throughout the week so it could be on display for my wedding. I would have never been able to afford such a beautiful and HUGE arrangement so that was a great surprise when my husband and I arrived. The food was absolutely phenomenal and my guests are still raving about it. I had the vegetarian option which was better than ANY other wedding veggie option I've ever had (I've been to a ton of weddings). The service was hands down UNBEATABLE. Each table had their own waiter who kept everyone's drinks full and every need met. If someone dropped a napkin, there would be someone to pick it up for them. The waiters were all friendly with great senses of humor. On top of every detail being perfectly planned on their end, a big shout out needs to go to one of the kitchen staff for saving my centerpieces. The day before the wedding I had my brother drop off 9 floral arrangements and he forgot to make mention about them needing water. At 10:15pm I realized this, but the hall/restaurant was closed. I was that crazy bride running around the building in the dark just looking for anyone who could let me in and I found someone in the alley. I explained to him my problem and he let me in and found my name on the list and not only allowed me to water my flowers, but helped me by filling up containers of water, wheeling them into where my flowers were, and watered them with me. If it weren't for him, these flowers would have been shriveled and partially dead. I literally cannot put into words how amazing my wedding was thanks to everyone at Cafe la Cave. Seriously future brides, no one can or will take care of you and your wedding day the way Cafe la Cave will. If you don't want to stress the day of your wedding, go for this place. Randy and the rest of the staff WILL not let you down.
(5)
Danielle S.
Cafe la Cave was a nice surprise. I had seen it in passing, but I thought it was just a banquet hall (which it mostly is). However, they do have a bar and restaurant inside as well! I haven't attended an event here, but I know a couple who had their wedding reception here and they said it was great. We took a peek into one of the rooms that was set up for a wedding - it was very classy, clean, and had a nice dance floor. My favorite part is the chandeliers! The restaurant/bar looks like the inside of a cave - I've never been to a place quite like it! It isn't very big, so if you want an intimate, quiet dinner this is the place to go. It is an older place, and it does feel that way (at least to me). There are a few TV's so you can watch a game and sit at the bar. To me, the food menu was not that big and was overpriced. However, the food was pretty good (I ordered the chicken mushroom risotto). The service here is impeccable. Our waiter was very attentive, the bartender made amazing drinks, and they even covered our food when we left for the restroom so our food wouldn't get cold. They pulled the chairs out for us when we went to get up and sit down, and they kept a cake that we had brought in the refrigerator during our dinner. Absolutely exceptional service. Overall we had a great experience here!
(4)
Rosie M.
My rating is based on their Easter brunch buffet. I felt the service was poor and the food was cold and lacking in taste. I would not go back.
(2)
Gayle W.
I'm sure their banquet business is their main income at this point....otherwise, they'd be out of business by now. I saw the Groupon and had never been to this former favorite of some friends. So, I bought it. If you enjoy throwback memories you might have a fun time, but since I'm all about the food, I should have saved my money...all told, the place is really tired. The atmosphere is, as the name describes, cave-like...dim and candle-lit, sculpted fake rock walls, etc The staff may have actually been born in a real cave....they were ancient old (not that I'm ageist, but no one should have to work into their 90s....must not have paid enough to be able to retire?) and the servers were unsmiling and mechanical. That might have been a minor thing had the experience been anchored by great food. However, the food was mediocre and certainly not worth the price, even though their steaks are about 1/2 the downtown Chicago steak houses. Pretty wilty lettuce in the Cesar salad, mayonaisse-y oysters Rockefeller, and the cheapest bread they could get in the bread basket. (Served cold, btw.) And, If they'd clean their grill once in a while, I might not have sent back a bone-in rib eye for tasting of nothing but charcoal ash. It was replaced with a steak Diane, prepared table-side. That dish was mediocre, as well. The meat was drowned in overcooked mushroom sauce prepared with too much wine. . All in all, this place needs a complete make-over ...maybe a good candidate for one of the reality shows like "Save this Restaurant".
The food was great...HOWEVER- the waiter overcharged my husband and i by 50$. When I pointed the error out the waiter and "manager" were very rude and snarky when it came time to void the incorrect amount and rerun it for the correct amount. This literally ruined our entire night and left a terrible taste job my mouth- very unprofessional in the way it was dealt with. And my account still hasn't been credited the $120--- which was the amount with the additional $50 tacked on-- so I'm out almost $200 this week until the $120 gets returned due to their incompetence. Mind you our bill was $70. We will definitely make sure to avoid this place at all costs... quite literally.
(1)
Ryan K.
Our fairytale wedding was held at Cafe La Cave on November 8, 2014 and It was the absolute best day of our lives!!! Our guests (all 300 of them) continue to tell us how much fun they had and how it was the best wedding they have ever been to! We have nothing but extremely positive things to say about La Cave. I first want to thank Randy Sutter for all of his hard work and time spent with us helping to make our wedding perfect. From the moment I stepped in to Cafe La Cave last year, I knew that it was the perfect place for our wedding. Randy was professional and friendly during our first meeting and his attention to detail, knowledge and creativity was above and beyond what I was expecting. Through our 13 months of planning, he was attentive and always available to answer my questions and concerns. He had suggestions and ideas to help me when I was indecisive or unsure about something. He sat down with us on numerous occasions going over every detail (linens, centerpieces, music, decor, etc!). His incredible coordinating skills truly made the night go SO smoothly! His itinerary of the evening was unique and worked amazingly!!! THANK YOU Randy for making us feel so comfortable and helping make our wedding AMAZING! In addition to Randy, the staff at Cave La Cave was wonderful! Everyone was courteous and professional.. the service was fantastic!! The food was beyond delicious! Our waiter during the reception was fabulous making sure we had everything we needed or wanted and was extremely courteous and professional! Cafe La Cave was amazing and made me feel so special! After the last song played, the lights turned on and none of our guests wanted the night to end!! Cafe La Cave was the castle to this princess's dream wedding! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
(5)
Howard L.
This place is mainly a banquet hall and apparently been around for 44 years, with 22 at this location. It looks newer on the outside and is across from All State Arena. We tried dinner here with a restaurant.com certificate. We had chicken piccata and chicken and mushroom risotto. They were ok and portions were large. Bread was cold and hard though. You dine in a dark cave like room. The bar area was colorful and attractive. I don't think I would bother with steaks as they look pricey for the quality here. Won't be back for dinner anyway.
(3)
Noel J.
Granted, I went as part of a large group that reserved one of the ballrooms, so our experience may have been part of cooking for the masses. The room was very nice, and the bartender was wonderful, as was our large crew of waitstaff. They deserved praise and did a fine job of attending. The problem was the food. Our first course was an off-smelling tomato soup that had tiny vegetables and tiny "chef boyardee spaghetti-o" pasta. Four our main courses we all felt underwhelmed. We had choices of dual breast of chicken, with competing sauces on each (Madeira with shiitake and a Sherry cream mushroom) -the sauces were good but had to top dry and flavorless tiny chicken breast medallions; filet mignon (my favorite meat) which tasted charred and un-aged even though perfectly cooked inside, and was accompanied by an off-tasting bordelaise sauce. The salad course was delicious with the basil cream vinaigrette- that was actually my favorite part of the meal. The vegetables which accompanied the main course were okay but commanded no attention and were mostly flavorlessl. Our dessert course was a cheesecake mouse with a crumbled cookie 'base' in a martini glass which was underwhelming. Again, my thanks to the very kind and attentive bar and table staff; if the food improves I will be back.
(2)
Farida Y.
It was ok dinner , I got groupon 50$ value, I got risotto, nothing special , food is not that delicious to cost that much , I guess you pay for the atmosphere)) well good as an experience but won't come back , you can find smt tastier.
(3)
Diana M.
I don't enjoy writing bad reviews but I was just so disappointed after eating here. Came here with 3 friends on a Friday night. The only thing good about Cafe La Cave is the way it looks outside. Classy and elegant outside but inside it literally is a cheesy, fake cave. Our waiter was very stiff and snooty. The restaurant is definitely dressy and trying to be upscale. The prices reflect this. Margaritas were $10 and came from store-bought mix. Who drinks margaritas at a fine dining establishment? This girl!! It's not hard for them to throw together a fresh one. I shouldn't have to ask. Waiter seemed annoyed that a couple of us did not order appetizers. I had the seafood medallions which was a mix of shrimp, crab and scallops in a cream sauce with risotto. The risotto was hard and stale, the crab came in two tiny slivers and was good and the scallops and shrimp were rubbery. None of it tasted fresh to me. The sauce was bland. I wasn't expecting a culinary masterpiece from a restaurant attached to a banquet hall but I definitely am not willing to pay $30 for a meal that is not edible. I sent the meal back after attempting to eat it and was approached by the manager who kindly let me know that he had tasted my food and found nothing wrong with it. He did offer to bring something else but at that point I was done with my dining experience here. I would not recommend dining here. It is simply too expensive for the quality of food
(1)
Jesi J.
so this review is loooong overdue! My husband and I got married on January 24,2014. We searched long and hard for a venue that we both liked and that would work with our budget. We just happened across an advertisement for Cafe La Cave and so we immediately set up an appointment to look at the ballrooms and see what they had to offer, turns out that was one of the best decisions we ever made! On the day of we were welcomed by Carrie who just made a stressful day for us so easy! She showed us around, went over the packages, she asked us about our budget and did everything she could to help us finally nail down a venue! We also spent the extra money to have Randy as our planner and we just loved him from the moment we met him! He was wonderful! He absolutely treated us like family, we listened to all of our ideas and helped us come up with a solid idea of how the bid day would look. The day of our wedding was AMAZING! the venue looked so beautiful and Randy and Carry made everything so easy for us! Every moment was absolutely perfect! We get compliments still on how beautiful our wedding was! Thank you Cafe La Cave for a dream wedding!
(5)
Carrie O.
Our wonderful wedding that took place at Cafe La Cave. Thanks to Randy and Carrie --- E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G was P-E-R-F-E-C-T!!! Our wedding couldn't have been the success that it was without them. Randy & Carrie are true professionals. During planning, Randy will work with you to stay within your budget. Listen to everything he has to say/suggests --- because he knows what he's talking about! Randy is a natural and could do his job with his eyes closed and hands tied behind his back. The ceremony and reception were beautiful .... Lighting, drapes, tables ... The entire staff is outstanding ... Very friendly, upbeat, attention to detail ... The food was DELICIOUS ... The best food our guests ever had at a wedding ... loved the pasta (done perfectly), filet & chicken~ INCREDIBLE! The patio was a great bonus and provided another place for fun and conversation. Nothing but RAVE reviews from our guests!
(5)
Peter S.
I have been here several times. We had our wedding here, 2 baptisms and a christening. We also have eaten here for dinner and have been here a couple of times for Mother's Day brunch. There is a reason we continue to come here. Great service and great food. Several comments say it was highly priced...I'm not sure what steak house is cheaper? We will continue to go back again and again. Randy in banquets (and part owner) is one of the main reasons we love this place. He knows what service is all about. The minute we walk in he comes to greet us by name and he is there for every wedding and even mans the waffle table for Mother's Day brunch. 5 stars for sure!
(5)
Jenny B.
My boyfriend ordered the ribeye steak which was fine, the asparagus and spinach side orders were fine. However, we ordered calamari as an appetizer and it was rubbery. I ordered the seafood medallions for $30. It came out as 3 pieces of shrimp, 4 scallops and less than an ounce of crab meat on top of risotto. Usually if there is barely any food at that price I'm expecting it to be an amazing dish. It was drenched in some sort of bland sauce and my scallops were very rubbery. I was extremely disappointed. Also, I witnessed A WAITER PURPOSELY TRIP ANOTHER WAITER who had food in his hands right next to me. The guy with food had said excuse me several times but the other guy didn't hear him because it was extremely loud in the restaurant that night and so he kind of tapped the waiter with his foot against his ankle to let him know he was there. The other waiter then turned around and as the guy was passing... tripped him. He managed to regain his balance and hang onto the food but it could have been a disaster. Between the food, the way the staff treats each other and the bizarre fake cave decor I would say I'm never going back again. I was debating between one or two stars for this place but I've had worse food and worse service other places so I'm giving it two.
(2)
Just T.
Don't waste your money. Not even with a coupon. Went there for our anniversary. Overpriced Cold food Instant mashed potatoes (every cook can tell) Cheesy ambiance One waiter working his butt off ( wonder if he's the cook too) Wishing we would have just gone to Gibson's We can't splurge often so this was just a waste even with the $50 off coupon.
This place is passed its prime for sure. A banquet hall with a restaurant attached...recipe for disaster most of the time. Let me start by saying the staff were very nice. That was one of my stars. The other star goes for my steak (filet), which was cooked perfectly and was tasty (I asked for the cognac sauce on the side because I don't think a filet should ever be covered in sauce). My boyfriend and his dad's NY strips were very tough, my boyfriend said his tasted "old" (shiver). Old school steak house, a la carte sides, enough for 2-3 people. Crab cakes were mushy and not the greatest, beef satay was good. The biggest failure of Cafe La Cave is the ambiance. I didn't know the name was literal...you dine in a fake cave. Like, the walls are made to look like a cave and the lights are red so it looks like a volcano. It's dark, no windows of course, and I guess they're going for "intimate" but then the music they play is what you'd hear in a bar on a Saturday night! Top 40...Rihanna, dance mixes...it made no sense. Especially given the price points, the dress of the waitstaff, the ambiance completely clashed. It was like a novelty restaurant someone from Kansas would go to in Disneyworld... Definitely won't return. I think Robert Irvine's services are needed :-)
(2)
Nadia N.
Steak was so hard, chicken was nasty! Exactly like disgusting wedding food!!! Never go there $100 I paid for garbage! Place is nice minus the food! And service has to b so good to make up for the food.
(1)
Alice U.
Really cute atmosphere but if you look closer it is really worn out. The walls near us were really in need of repair and cleaning. We ordered but when food came the sole was undercooked so they took it back but then left all our other meals on the cart to get cold. Sauces were cold too. When our waiter finally came back we told him but did not seem to care we ended up getting free desert but for over 300.00 it did not seem to mater. Very disappointed
(2)
Karen H.
I think ratings should be separated from banquet hall and restaurant. I know nothing of the restaurant so my review is based upon the banquet hall which I found as an A+. The staff was impeccable as was Randy and the man they call The Captain (sorry, don't know his name.) The food was delicious! We had the 2 different chicken breasts. One of the bar tenders "special catered" to me a drink (since I was mother of the bride) that had to be made in the other banquet room. The entire night was awesome (except for one nut case drunk guest that tried to start a fight with the father of the bride.) Every worker treated my daughter with awesome respect. I found only 1 over-looked problem. The terrace cushions were somewhat wet (it rained that morning) and when a lady friend of mine came out from there it looked like she peed her pants! heheh Perhaps the hall could have dry cushions on hand and this way they can be put down when it has stopped raining. Even with this minute problem I still give them 5 stars due to their wonderful service! I am a Proud mommy of the bride and I thank ALL of you for making my daughter's special day even more special. Your love for her truly showed and no mother can ask for anything better!
(5)
Elizabeth B.
Really lame. Not worth the money not even with a groupon. I ordered a filet mignon and it was burnt and chewy. The waiter was weird and rude. Save your money and your time.
(1)
Rosa C.
I'm shocked to read the bad reviews for events here. I have been here several times for events (weddings, baby showers, baptisms) and have NEVER been disappointed with either their food or service. With that being said, this is why I chose this venue for my own wedding that took place in May of this year. Randy was excellent to work with and he made my special day even more perfect. Everything was on time, the food was excellent (as always), and I couldn't have asked for a better place to have my wedding.
(5)
Jo S.
This review is about the restaurant. We had dinner here earlier this month and had an awful experience. The service was slow (we were there for more than 2 hours and only ordered soups and entrees - no dessert bc we just wanted to leave and didn't want to wait any longer). We saw a lot of staff walking around (they were wearing suits so they were easy to spot), so it doesn't make sense to us why the service was so slow. We were confused about the staff - they were either all new or didn't care bc they kept walking into our chairs and hitting our chairs with their carts. Or maybe they couldn't see where they were walking bc it's so dimly lit? The food was mediocre; nothing to get excited about. We were really impressed the first time we came here (I think it was about 6 years ago). We've been here several times over the years and it's never been as good as the first time we ate here. There is no reason for us to eat here ever again.
(1)
tr y.
We were here tonight for a wedding the foood was great! The service was better!! Jose in the banquet room is AWESOME! Everything was perfect,
(5)
Shane M.
Originally posted to Facebook... Just wanted to give a recommendation after my experience as a wedding dj at Cafe La Cave this past Saturday May 18, 2013. From the second I walked in I was impressed with the staff. Carrie was so happy and bubbly. She never talked down to ANY of her employees and treated everyone like they were her equal because that is what a great manager does. Randy was absolutely fantastic to work with. The bride and groom booked his coordinator package which made him the M.C. for the night as well. I put my pride aside and went with it, supporting him 100% and he did not disappoint me! Randy made sure everything ran smoothly all night, made sure I was fed, did an amazing job on the microphone, and everyone had a blast! Most venues use pipe and drape over a percentage of any wall. Not this place... they went the extra mile and had the entire wall behind the bride and groom draped with beautiful uplighting matching the wedding colors. It was really breathtaking. Every table centerpiece had a spotlight aimed at the center piece from the ceiling! They had a sweetheart table centered behind 2 split head tables and the wedding cake centered in the front. I couldn't believe how amazing it looked. The wedding was a real life fairy tale.... unbelievable.
(5)
Peter O.
My wife and I had an anniversary dinner here after many years of living close by but not having eaten here. Generally the service was good and our entrees were excellent. I had a rib-eye and my wife had the seafood medallions. I thought my creme brulee for dessert was pretty average though. I also didn't like the loud rock music on...thought there would be more ambiance considering the price point of the restaurant.
(3)
Michelle K.
I went to this place for a financial seminar by Goldstone Financial Group. My review of them is here: yelp.com/biz/goldstone-f… The seminar included dinner. We arrived at 5:45 and were served soup (vegetable that was luke-warm) and bread. We had to ask them for coffee, because they only put water on the tables. When we asked for the coffee, we were first ignored and had to ask again. The uncaring attitude of the staff matched the fact that they were short with the diners to begin with, completely acting like it was beneath them to have to work a seminar in the first place, When the seminar began, the staff disappeared. Nobody from the restaurant even entered the room during the hour and 40 minute seminar. I had to leave the seminar about 5 minutes before it ended and told my father, who was there with me, to bring my food home with me. When they were finally served at about 8pm, the restaurant refused to give my dad my meal because they said they had seen me leave early. This is quite surprising since not one staff member had even entered the room during the whole seminar. I think it was Goldstone's rookies, stationed in the lobby who saw me leave, determined I did not want my dinner, and told the staff not to serve it. Regardless, refusing me my food, not asking where I was or what might have happened, not caring at all, is not the attitude I want when I dine somewhere. They probably felt that they were getting no tips from us anyhow, why try to please us? Just please Goldstone and perhaps there will be a little extra for them there. Whatever the case may be, I would never visit here again, and suggest you to take a pass as well.
(1)
Jung E Y.
I had dinner here last night. We used a Groupon. Romantic good and the food was good too. Bad things happen to us was very pleasant. I try to calculate the food after eating... Our table server, place the tip ..... He is already 15% less set. I had to give 20%. Server is too rude. I feel so bad. Never going back again.
(1)
Courtney M.
I am currently preparing to have my wedding at Cafe la Cave, so I have spent quite a bit of time there. The place is truly beautiful, with intricate designs and French accents throughout the interior. In fact, the women's bathroom has two floors, with unique statues and gold swans for the faucets. Within its walls, lies a rather random, but fascinating restaurant known as "The Cave" and it truly looks like a cave. When you walk in, you immediately notice the jagged walls and lights poking through the cracks as though you truly had just entered the mouth of a cave. The bar is pretty fantastic, and spans an entire wall. The food is amazing as well. Since I am having my wedding there, we were able to sample numerous items on their menu. I can honestly say that every single dish was fantastic. The salads were amazing and the salmon was to die for. I am not a steak person, but my friends loved the steak when we were there. The food is a bit expensive, but well worth it. The service was wonderful, especially because of the fact that they are not intrusive. They allow you time to eat your meal and socialize with your friends/family/date, but always ensure that you have what you need to enjoy your evening.
(5)
Susan R.
Another great Halloween birthday at the Cave. Gus always takes real good care of us. Try the Steak Au Poivre, it's amazing. Any restaurant can simply cook your food and put it on a plate but the Cave specializes in creative sauces that transform the dish from simply a meal to a work of art. The staff is very friendly here. We always receive impeccable service. This is our favorite restaurant.
(5)
Dora T.
We had our wedding there this past august and it was beautiful! Randy is the best! There was nothing we asked for that he would say no! He goes above and beyond to give you exactly what you want! He was the wedding coordinator and he made everything go smoothly and i had no worries! There were a few misunderstandings along the way but Randy was very helpful and solved every situation! For our next event we will choose "Cafe la Cave" without a doubt! Great job!
(5)
Jennifer Q.
I recently attended a networking / educational seminar at Cafe La Cave. I found the service and the food to be really good! Plus, the venue itself was very nice. We happened to be in a bigger, well lit and sunny room for the training I was attending, but there is one really cool room in particular -it looks like a cave (thus the name of the restaurant)! This room was dark and, well, cavernous. It was made out of a stone material so it seemed like they had dug out a real cave and fixed it up and made it a dining room! Really hard to explain -it's worth going to check it out! I have never eaten here in the restaurant itself. My only experience was at this work related event. However, from my experience, I was very impressed and would consider returning for a "regular" situation -a nice dinner out!
(4)
M. S. O.
I agree with Barnett A. We were also there last night. We have been going there since they opened. Last time our sons treated us on our anniversary in June and we had tables together for the whole family and a 16 mo old child. It was still so quiet you could hear everything and we enjoyed the show tunes playing because we are singers and have used many of them. People normally speak in a whispered voice or with a big table, get up to discuss something quietly. In that way it is like a French restaurant, everyone is very careful not to intrude on the special quiet moments of everyone around them. It is a heavenly experience away from the noise outside and the food is exquisite as expected. It is normally far different than other restaurants, something you save for once in awhile. Even the toddler copied and whispered. Last night was destroyed by one group and management lacked the courage to walk over and ask them to leave. That is the problem. *That single mistake means it could happen again.* I almost walked over and told them off myself and would have had a lot of diners backing me, but without the support of management it would have been a waste of time. It appeared that they didn't want to lose their business but they lost future guests who had never been there and those who maybe thought the past quiet ambiance had changed to raucous over the years, with full approval of management. Right after we ordered drinks and appetizers, a group of 15 arrived sounding like they were outside eating fast food. One man in a white jacket shouted at the top of his voice for over an hour and a half, relating one dumb story after another with intermittent high pitched screams, afraid someone else might interrupt him. Nothing slowed him down. All the rest would immediately scream with harsh laughter and shouts at every sentence, as though they wanted to fit in by pretending he was funny. They were completely oblivious to the type of place or anyone around them trying to have nice quiet, special or romantic dinners. There was no way to know if the music was playing. Many people complained, 4 different tables asked to be moved further away but it didn't help as the room is small. (at the closest table, the next couple to sit there also asked to be moved) Two tables left after their bread was brought as it was immediately evident that the unbearably loud noise was okay with management. We had given up trying to talk when the appetizer arrived and mentioned that they were ruining the meal for us but waiter just said "yeah I know" as though he knew nothing would be done. It seriously was so loud and booming it made our stomachs queasy. We originally planned to have wine and dessert but the evening was over, we left before finishing and took the rest of the steaks home wishing we had left right away. We thought surely they would be asked to leave. With the prices being that of a French restaurant, the least they could have done was offer complimentary dessert and glass of wine to everyone there that was a captive audience, forced to endure this foolishness. They had absolutely no excuse for not asking them to leave at the first indication of their complete lack of control and sensibilities. No second chance. I'm pretty positive the entire room would have clapped and cheered a display of courage and integrity. Instead management looked weak and helpless. It would not have taken me 5 minutes to ask them to leave and at the first rude response would have had them removed. What happened to responsible management, in control, with a concern to preserve the intended experience for their guests.
(1)
Barnett A.
Went with my husband to have an upscale romantic dinner, since we hadn't been there in about 5 yearsr The building is beautiful and ornate. The Cave restaurant is very small , appears intimate at first but it's very loud. You can barely talk. Besides that, there was a group of 15 at a round table that were also quite boistrous. We sat as far away from them as possible, but we could still hear them yelling across the table at each other. It would have been nice if someone had told them to be considerate of the others who were quietly dining nearby. It was inconsiderate. So, basically, the ambience was lost. We did have attentive staff waiting on us that was very professional. The salmon and steak were fine. The creme brulee was bland. I feel badly writing this because I have had better times here. I don't know if I would want to go back. For the prices they charge, I expected more. I can easily go to one of the many restaurants down the street for better food.
(3)
R S.
The atmosphere of the "cave" is neat, but does not mesmerize you enough to look past the outrageous dinner prices!! WOW!! Dover Sole $39, Leg of Lamb for two $89, everything a la carte!! The meal or quantity there of, do not equate to the prices at all!! Wait staff is courteous, but seem like they could really give a rats a** about you. I visited based on a recommendation from many years ago... maybe things have changed since then?? I just can't see why anyone would want to waste the time to get dressed up for this place, when you could get better service and meal at a Ruth's Cris or McCormick & Shmicks (sp?) for the same price!! I don't see this establishment being on my list of return places to go!!
(2)
Bella H.
We just went there for dinner last night and wasn't all that happy. The food was good but out waiter was very arrogant and rude..He came to our table once and then he has the nerve to tell us how to tip with a groupon. We know how groupons work dude.I would have given 5 stars but the waiter sucked.
(3)
Andrew L.
I had my wedding reception here (back in March - sorry it took so long for a review) and Randy was very reasonable. He was very accommodating to us and he usually always answered his phone (even when he was on vacation). The numbers were very high (cost) at first but we compromised (on both ends) and got to a decent total. Randy was very professional in his MCing and you can tell he has had much experience as our night went very quickly through the 'formalities' then had the most time to have fun and dance. The wait staff was very aware of what was going on and I was able to get whatever I requested (I better have - I was the groom!) in a flash. The food was EXCELLENT. I had the filet mignon (so did my bride) and it was perfect. Our wedding party had nothing but good things to say about the food as well - and our guests for that matter. Weddings are....hectic. But Randy made it as smooth as possible for us on the reception end. If you are thinking about hold your reception here, go in, talk to Randy. He's not lying when he says its a great value. He takes care of stuff other places do not..and very strange things like glassware, silverware, napkins (where am I supposed to rent that out from??) The only weird thing, which he will tell you its so he can keep his cost down, is that he claims he doesn't own the chavarri chairs and linens. I think its just room to make extra money (which, I understand its a business so hes gotta make money). So talk him down on these price points. Tell him what you want! He will work with you and get very close, if not right at, what you want to pay (assuming you are choosing a reasonable figure). To wrap up. Was it perfect? No. Were there some things we wish we could have done a little different? Yes. But such is life. The positives definitely outweighed the little annoying things and we had an amazing time.
(4)
Rick T.
This place has been here for many years, but this was my first visit, and definitely not my last! Although I'll admit that it's a bit pricey I absolutely felt like I got my money's worth. My lady friend and I started out with a Shrimp Cocktail which consisted of four Fresh, Fat, and Juicy pieces of shrimp with a delightfully tangy sauce served as it should be in an ice chilled dish. We also shared an incredibly tasty Beef Satay served over shredded carrots in a glaze of teriyaki sauce. The Chateaubriand for two was hand carved at tableside, and included, aside from beef so tender you could cut it with a fork, freshly steamed carrots, asparagus, and broccoli with a nicely flavored potato souffle. The generous portion allowed me to stretch my leftovers into two additional meals over the next two days. We left just enough room for some Bananas Foster, also prepared tableside. As it's an acquired taste my lady friend did not care for it, but I was a fan. The decor is quite interesting. Although the simulated cave by itself might be a bit intimidating to some people I feel that it added to the overall uniqueness of the evening. The service was on par with the best I've had the pleasure to experience in fine dining. They achieve an excellent balance making it clear that they are interested in your total enjoyment of your meal without overdoing it by constantly being in your face. I will absolutely return here soon, and will strongly consider making use of their banquet facilities the next time I have occasion to book an appropriate event.
Held our wedding reception here last year. Used the smaller ballroom. Although the venue is half restaurant/banquet hall - their wedding service is exceptional. For appetizer, we ordered salads and they came in a nice size stored in a 'cucumber' leaf around it. Looks great. We ordered mushroom soup - fantastic. For dinner, we ordered steak, chicken, and white fish - the steak was just like at a steakhouse (not a typical banquet hall) - juicy flavorful, etc. We had about 120 guests and everyone loved it. The assigned lead waiter for us was great and everyone seemed pleased with the service. Great place...although not a typical banquet hall - they work with you to fit a budget and you can negotiate many aspects of the wedding.
(5)
Kris L.
Ok, so there are two parts to this restaurant, the "cave" which is the main dining room, and the banquet rooms off to either side of the cave. This review is based on our dinner the other night in the cave. We went here this past Thursday to treat my parents to dinner for their anniversary. The menu is limited and most of the entrees are meat. There are a few items that are prepared tableside which always adds some element to your dining experience. While the food was good, it didn't blow me away...for the prices you pay here it has to do just that. Just an idea- the bananas foster dessert, $26. I probably wouldn't be back as it's not really my scene but my parents enjoy it here and it was their special day.
(3)
Chris D.
Change your mind and go to another restaurant. Went there because of a groupon and it was bad, bad, bad. Did I mention it was bad. Steak cooked poorly, calamari was rubber and veg's not fresh. No flavor on anything we had! the bread was hard as a rock! Way, way over priced - they charge big time restaurant prices and they are diner quality at best. Our server was a mope. If you want to eat in a cave and have bad food then this is the place for you!
(1)
Gargoyle Q.
I've been to my fair share of good, crappy, and everything in between restaurants. Even nice ones that require you to dress up like this one. I have to say, I did not have a bad experience like some other people. The service was great, and a very intimate setting. The servers do check on you, but seem to give you space if you are on an important date or just a date in general. My boyfriend took me here for my birthday a couple of years back and I wouldn't mind going again. We had fun, sure it is dark. But who the hell cares? Don't you expect that from a place called, "Cafe La Cave" cuz you should. The food, was pretty good at least in my opinion. It's really easy to screw up salmon, and they had it cooked to perfection. The salmon just literally melted in your mouth like it is suppose to. Was so wonderful. I would definitely go again for a special dinner. Very great place if you want to impress someone, and do something different and don't mind spending the extra dough.
(4)
Michelle M.
I came here for a training session. This place is very nice. We were here from 9am to 4pm. They served us lunch which was OK. There is nothing special about the food. The staff is nice. we did have unlimited coffee, tea and water.
(3)
Yana A.
I had my wedding at La Cave. The food was wonderful, the service was excellent and both myself and my guests were very pleased. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Valerie H.
Attended a wedding there last Saturnday and was not so impressed. The food was not the right tempature kind of on the cold side, the staff was not so nice. For what the place looks like it should be a lot more customer service orianted and nicer.
(2)
Nancy T.
When we arrived it was empty because we like to eat dinner early. We felt the service could have been more attentive; however, we were greeted warmly by the manager. We loved the dining area which housed the bar. The food was fabulous. The special was a filet with 3 jumbo shrimp and both were cooked perfectly. No need to order an appetizer because the portions were perfect. Our server did offer a good suggestion for wine. My husband had a perfect vodka martini. We will definitely return.
(4)
Sarah C.
I'm with Kris L's review, (She's my SIL). We took the parents here for their anniversary dinner the other night. While they might like it for a romantic dinner for two setting, it was not as nice for a group of 6. For starters, crab cake appetizers only come with 1 crab cake. And although I don't eat seafood, I have never seen a place that has such small portions. As for our meals, I had a filet and it was tasty but pricey overall. Overall I would say it's fine, I just know personally it's not my style. I would probably go somewhere a little more modern.
(3)
Christos K.
I will never pay again 35$ for a plain steak on the plate, no seasoning, no sides...nothing!!! Worst steakhouse ever
(1)
Jennifer S.
A friend of mine and I checked out this place last week during my visit to Chicago. The atmosphere was really cool, but pretty dark. The service was fantastic and the food was excellent. I highly recommend the steak diane cooked tableside and the chocolate souffle - yum!
(4)
Doug J.
We recently got married at Cafe La Cave and couldn't have asked for a better reception hall. Randy worked closely with us on planning our special day. He and his staff did give us a day we will never forget. The service was outstanding, and the food was delicious. Our guests are still talking about how good their meals were. We would recommend Cafe La Cave to anyone who is looking to book their wedding reception. We look forward to many dinners there, as well as booking La Cave for other events we plan in the future. Thanks again Randy and Cafe La Cave, and god bless!
(5)
Katie F.
My husband and I got married here a few weeks ago, and our wedding was everything we dreamed it would be, and more! From the pre-wedding planning with Carrie and Randy to the night-of service, we had a wonderful experience. The food was excellent, the wait staff was attentive, and the overall flow of the night was spot on. Randy was great to work with, and he clearly knows his business. He was able to guide us throughout the planning process, and he was incredibly creative! He, along with the entire Cafe La Cave staff, really helped our vision of a perfect wedding become a reality. Our guests continue to compliment us on such a great party!
(5)
Nick N.
We had our engagement here and we have only good words. The food was great, the serving was good , the room and the arrangements were fabulous . We colaborated with Carrie . She is awesome and very helpful .
(5)
Dan B.
This food was good. The cave is pretty neat. The people there are really nice and genuine. I'm not a big spender but with the groupon I was very pleased.
(5)
Tj P.
Cafe la cave's dining room & bar area are tucked into this elegant little "cave". It gives such a warm inviting feel. The lobster bisque was to die for & the company I was with was very pleased with their meals as well (of course I don't remember what they had.) I've also been to Cafe La Cave for a brunch after a baby christening and everything was perfect. The staff was extremely accomodating and the food was again delicious..which is sometimes not the case when it's a banquet type meal. I also managed to get tickets to see "elvis meets the rat pack" (I'm a pretty big dean martin fan.) Of course the Cave couldn't control how good or bad the show was (it was fantastic & I laughed the whole way through.) They did a great job with hosting it & I couldn't have been more pleased with the food, staff, etc. Another great experience at Cafe La Cave.
(5)
Elina R.
The food was great and the wait staff very accommodating. Some of the dishes are made table side. The ventilation isn't the greatest which makes for a smoky dinner for the surrounding tables. Over all it was a good experience.
(4)
maurice s.
"Fine dining" for people who don't know any better. Sad to say, I've been dragged here twice by relatives. The food is mediocre, and the service is . . . annoying. On my most recent visit, we waited almost an hour to receive our entrees. Don't turn your head, because the servers repeatedly snatched away plates full of food and even full beverage glasses without asking.
(2)
Cris H.
Went to a wedding reception and dinner and all I can say is memorable. Beautiful decor, service outstanding and then the food...i could cut my filet with a fork. Every course was perfect. Great evening!
(5)
J S.
I attended my class reunion this past weekend at the cave. The staff was wonderful! The food terrific!!! A realy class act all the way! Book your parties here, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Steven M.
I have heard a lot about this place. So my expectations were high. We went for the Elvis meets the Rat pack in the banquet hall. We asked where we would be seated when we made the reservation and were told it would be in the front. As soon as we walked in they seated us at the table closest to the back door. Our greeter was making all the excuses in the world as he knew that he gave our table away. Even though we had to pre-pay when we made the reservation. What a frickin scam! They asked what we wanted to eat and all 6 of us ordered the filet, medium rare. The soup came out and it was out of this world. I have never had potato leek soup before. But it will be on the top of my list from now on. The caesar salad came out and it had so much garlic in it that it about took the finish off of the plate. We had ordered a bottle of red wine for the table, but one of the ladies was drinking white. The bartender was non-existant. So I went into the cave and they charged me double of what I was paying in the banquet hall. 12 bucks! Did they see me coming? Then came the meat. Our servers had pulled the cart next to our table and took the lids off of the plates. They argued for 5 minutes letting the meat get cold. Then we saw them pull all of the sticks out of the filets because they were all well done. As soon as I looked at my char-coal briquette I knew that it was crispy. I cut into it and it was one color all the way thru. As was everyone else's. The women didn't want to wait. But the guys all sent theirs back. When they finally came they went from 4oz to 8oz. And they were cooked the way we originally ordered them. The potatos were cold. But by that time I really wasn't hungry anymore. The chocolate souffle was very tasty. Now for the show. Night of the living Elvis came out and made me want to drink. It was beyond horrible. People started to come in from the bar and were blocking the doors so when people were getting up to go the the washroom, all that we heard was a bunch of yaking. The saviour was Dean Martin. That guy made the whole night. Sammy and Frank were rehashed from the Italian Fest in Wisconsin. I couldn't grab my coat fast enough. I ran out the door to the coat check and waited for the valet. OMG! It was one guy and he was trying to find the keys that were clearly marked with huge numbers. He went through the sets 4 times. I couldn't take it any more. I grabbed my keys and ran. I will not come back here for any reason.
(2)
Don M.
I was told this was the place to be. Everything sounded good. Dinner and a show. Elvis meets the Rat Pack. Well the table they gave us was in the back and was not a good start. We had some cocktails and wine and ordered dinner. The guys all wanted steak medium rare. What they served us was little black bricks. WHAT THE! We complained and they went back and cooked them the way we wanted and they even got bigger than the original hockey pucks. Not bad but not that good either. So on with the show. Elvis started the show and oh dear. I just wanted to run but no way could I outrun this mess. If this was the real Rat Pack they would have shot him. Bad is an understatement. After he finally stopped whatever he was doing the rat pack started. Dean Martin was new to the group and did great. This guy pulled it off good. Frank and Sammy we good as well. Show ended and now time to get the car. Why did expect this to be ok was beyond me. The valet was an idiot could not figure it out for nothing. Grab my own keys and run. I see no need to return.
this at one time was a good restaurant and now they have made it a banquet hall. the owners have taken all of their unique menu items steak diane ( prepared tableside), beef stroganoff, bananas foster and replaced them with entrees they serve at their banquet hall. no choice of potato (menu says with appropiate starch and mixed vegetable) i got served mashed potato, carrots, broccoli. if i wanted to have wedding food i would have crashed one and saved myself $120. lobster bisque will have you drinking water for the next 6 hours. never again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the "cave" has been kidnapped and replace with this.
(1)
Guiny G.
Dining in the Cave is an 'experience'. The staff and service was great and the food was very tasty. One of the reviewers said " It is rich and fattening. They cook everything in butter." yeah that's one reason it taste so good. If you want rabbit food - go somewhere else, if you want a meal where you are going to want to get every morsel of food off your plate because it tastes so good - then check this restaurant out. I'll definitely be back again.
(4)
Christina G.
The food is absolutely unbelievable. We actually had our wedding at Cafe La Cave, and a year later, people are still talking about how amazing it was. They took care of every last detail to make everything absolutely spectacular. The menu, the linens, the placement of the favors and menus, the floor plan, the desserts, the martini luge, the whole thing was amazing. I highly recommend the restaurant for the delicious food and ambiance, and I highly recommend the ballroom for an unbelievable wedding.
(5)
Mama L.
This place should be called cafe la vomit or cafe la rip off. My family does not know how to pick a place, so of course they wanted to go here/ This type of food is would make the pages of what not to eat magazine. It is rich and fattening. They cook everything in butter. If you are health nut then run for the hills. My brother and I ordered chicken and were sick the next day. I feel bad writing this cause the staff is nice. But lord save your money and go to McDonalds.....or just had to the hospital and get a check up before eating here.....YIKES!
(1)
Leang E.
This was one of the restaurants in the work area that I had not been to yet, and was meaning to try out. I figured that since my friend was letting me choose a place for my birthday I'd be adventurous and try a new spot. I know I probably shouldn't have gone here not being very hungry, but I did anyhow. This place also serves as a banquet hall, and it seems relatively spacious. I figure it could fit about a couple hundred people or so. The nice thing is that it has doors that open to an outside like courtyard, but the bad thing is that train tracks are close by. There are two dining rooms here Cafe la Cave and La Mere. La Mere was named in honor of the owner by her children. We were in La Cave. It looks exactly as it sounds. It pretty much looks like you are in a cave. It's a very upscale place, and I suppose it could have some romantic idea for those who are into that sort of thing. It's very dim in there, and so it was tough to see the menu. I ordered a margarita, and it was pretty decent. The bread was mediocre, and I was hoping for better since this is a continental steakhouse. After some disturbing conversation with my friend, I had lost my appetite and we split the roast chicken and a baked potato since she couldn't have red meat that day. It was kind of bland and my friend had added a lot of extra salt on to her quarter of the chicken. I ended up taking mine home. We did split the crustless martini glass raspberry cheesecake, and it wasn't very impressive either. Our server was okay, he didn't even wait for us to make our complete order and left. We had a different server who brought our meals and seemed to be interested in our conversation as he interrupted to make a comment about what we were talking about. The waiters also liked to run down the aisles with their cart of meals. It's a very unique experience, and you pay for that and the food. I'm sort of interested in what it might be like if I took my mom here to La Mere for Mother's Day. Maybe the steak would have been really good. It would be tough since there are a lot of great steak places in the city that I like already...
(3)
Denver D.
I went to this French steakhouse with a large group late in the evening and upon walking in I couldn't help but think of Denver's Casa Bonita (look it up). Basically, to stick with the French theme, we we're dining in a faux cave. The cave setting seemed a little gimmicky but the food was fantastic and the servers were very attentive. The lobster bisque was substantial and flavorful. I ordered the Pan Seared Salmon over wild rice which was served with a very rich Champagne-Tarragon Sauce. Perhaps a little too rich for a late night meal :). The Steak Diane is prepared table side - very showy - but the dish that I coveted most on the table was the Whole Dover Sole Francaise with toasted Almond Butter. All in all, this is so much better than your run of the meal steak house which has become so meh. Particularly if your not a big red meat person like me. I know - it so emasculating to even admit it. The prices are what you would expect from a French themed continental steakhouse in a cave - - Bank.
(5)
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Address :2777 South Mannheim Road
Des Plaines, IL, 60018
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Tim M.
Made a reservation for dinner and asked about a dress code since the place seemed a bit on the fancy side (was told business casual but got there and people were in jeans and a t-shirts). The guy answering the phone was a bit gruff, but reservation set and got there on time. The setting is pretty cozy and the lighting matches, but it also feels a bit claustrophobic. The only negative I would really give is the table-side cooking. It's cool to watch your steak being grilled next to your table and the huge bursts of fire are amusing but as a person who didn't order it, I don't really want to smell like I just walked away from an outdoor grill. Ordered the chicken mushroom risotto and a creme brulee. The risotto was outstanding and the portion was huge. Risotto tends to be dense so you can eat a small amount and still be stuffed. Also the bread and butter they served beforehand was really good. The creme brulee was ok, nothing special but not bad. Service was excellent. They're very fast and efficient at keeping your glass full and the table cleared of debris.
(4)Kristin P.
MASS PRODUCTION WEDDING FOOD! Wedding food is an acquired taste, if that's what you're into then go here. Fooled very fooled upon entering. Staff in tuxedos, very dark lighting slightly cosy but kind of awkward. It was kind of weird we were seated but not given a menu until the waiter asked us if we wanted drinks and when we declined his attitude started to suck. Our waiter spoke to my husband and I like we have never fine dinned before. He let us know that the "sides were à la carte." He wasn't informing us in a helpful way, he was being rude about it. To start I got a mixed green salad, it was dark but I could definitely see the rotten pieces of greens on my plate. When we ordered, I could only have the beef satay which was ok, it didn't come with the peanut sauce. After I explained I had an allergy to dairy he said I couldn't have the wild rice as it had butter already in it. He gave me no other options. Let me put it to you this way, I just got off a plane from Mexico. They didn't skip a beat, the moment they knew I had a dairy allergy they didn't ask me again, they offered me soy milk and didn't bother to ask if I wanted dessert because they knew, they remembered. Instead the wait staff in Mexico brought me sorbet for dessert and were totally prepared to make anything I wanted dairy free. Back to this fiasco. My husband asked for a filet mignon, they didn't specify the ounce of the filet. It was for $29 and he ordered it medium rare. It came out medium and it took the waiter 10 mins to come ask how it was and my husband refused to take a bite. He explained it was medium and the waiter challenged him stating "yes it is that's what you ordered." He even pulled out a flashlight too look at the meat himself he checked his notes and realized it was ordered medium rare. After an apology that was it. Nothing more to be done or compensated. For those of you who read my 1starred reviews, I used to be a customer service specialist for Hilton Hotels. My customer service knowledge is vast. I am patient with servers and the people who help me and probably too forgiving at times however poor customer service is never an excuse if it's not turned around at some point during the interaction. This waiter did nothing to turn this experience around and he made it quite clear he was done with us the moment we didn't order alcohol. The steamed veggies were hard and it was all very bland. Here's the break down: Filet mignon Beef satay Mixed garden salad Mushroom Mac n cheese Steamed veggies Asparagus Tax $74.26 Poorly executed filet, no accommodations, poor atmosphere and service. Be advised, this was exactly like being at a wedding. Production food, everything is made at the same time everything sits and everything goes out at the same time. No one asked us how our meal was and if they did I would have told them. Once we got into the car my husband stated "that food made me feel like crap."
(1)Rita M.
Had my daughter's baptism reception here this past Sunday, 08/23/15. (Negative): My mom and I came here for a meeting to talk about the venue and we made a deposit and booked the BABY GRAND BALLROOM Wed, July 8, 2015 for 08/23/15 from 2:30-7:00pm. Time passes, and I receive a call from Carrie AUGUST 9, 2015 (OVER a mth after making our deposit) asking if we could push back our reception time because they had double booked that particular room and the other party was going on until 3:30pm. Um, no...invitations had already been sent out right after "securing the room" and making the deposit, and it would have been a big time gap from the end of the actual baptism til the reception (a pet peeve of mine). We got relocated to the La Petit room (yes, very petit indeed). This was VERY disappointing. To go from a huge spacious bright and inviting room to a room a quarter the size of it dark and with no windows 2 wks before our event. WHY wasn't this caught right after the deposit was made? I concluded it was done on purpose, because that way, we'd have no choice BUT to bite the bullet and have our reception here (invitations had already been sent out & we received about 75% of the rsvps already). Had we known this early, we would have cut our losses, lost our deposit but gone somewhere with a nicer room to offer. When the husband and I came to check out our new La Petit room, there was a bar, but Carrie said the other party only had access to it, but they weren't having alcohol (ummmm, doesnt make sense-ours was a tally bar and we made them almost $700 in liquor sales alone). We were the ones who had to recommended putting up a make shift wall to block off the other non-drinking party from the bar and so our party had access to the bar (common sense). Also, come the day of our party, what happened to our promised silver covered chairs with "bling" (in the words of Carrie)? We got plain brown uncovered chairs. (Positive): (One star)Although Carrie severely disappointed us, in fairness, she WAS timely in responses to her emails. (Two stars) Diego (the server in charge) was absolutely delightful, fantastic, a gentleman, professional, and SO courteous. All the other servers were fantastic and polite as well. The bartender (Roxanne), everyone praised about as well. HE and his co-servers were the only reason why I am able to turn my frown upside down when thinking about having my banquet here. Will we be back to dine here? Probably not. Will we be back for hosting another banquet here? No thank you. (But special thank you Diego, coservers and Roxanne!)
(2)Maricela A.
My sister had her wedding reception here. The place is beautiful and elegant. They have a small outside area, which was very nice and comfy. The ladys at the bar where very nice and fun. The apetizers where very yummy. The meal was just amazing!. I don't usually like wedding meals, but the food from this place was over the top. Super delicious!. I also loved how professional the staff and the gentleman that did all the intro. Not sure if he was from the banquet. This place is very unique. I loved it! It was such an amazing time.
(5)Linda N.
I took a friend here for her birthday with a groupon. Even with groupon very expensive. I had steak, mashed and asparagus (all ala carte). The potatoes I had one bite of, dibnt like (and they took off the check). The steak was ok- service was good- but nothing spectacular. The cave environment and dim lights would be suited to a romantic dinner but this place was just too pricey for my wallet. I could get as good a steak for half at Longhorn.
(3)Amy L.
Our AMAZING wedding was here this past Valentine's Day! Everything could not have been any more perfect than it was! When I saw the room before our guests were invited in, it literally took my breath away. The room was absolutely gorgeous! I loved working with Randy. He definitely knows his stuff and made my ideas come to life. He has really great contacts and referred me to the best florist to work with (i had two florists drop my wedding last minute). Randy is worth EVERY penny! He made everything completely stress-free. I didn't Have to worry about going to the hall the night before my wedding to set up my centerpieces or anything-it was all done for me. The service throughout dinner was excellent! The courses were brought out timely and the empty dishes were removed quickly. The food was delicious and the filets were perfectly cooked! This is definitely not your typical wedding food! All of my guests had a fabulous time. I have received so many compliments on the meal and the ambience of the ballroom. I am still in awe on how beautiful our wedding reception was. The people at cafe la cave are great people to work with and make wedding planning as stress free as it can possibly be. They gave me my perfect wedding while working within my budget and not putting any pressure on me. You will not be disappointed with this place! I wouldn't have changed anything about my wedding!
(5)Richard Q.
I have been frequenting Cafe La Cave for over 20 years. My wife and I really enjoy the Chateaubriand for 2. It is outstanding. Their specialty brunches (Mother's Day, Easter etc,) are not to be missed. It is an experience not to be missed. Enjoy!
(5)Lindsay B.
I have been to Cafe La Cave on two different occasions, both for weddings. On both occasions the event has been fantastic. One of the weddings also included the ceremony and the reception. The staff handled both events beautifully, including the transition between them. All of the staff in the building are excellent, and thought of every single thing each wedding party might need. The food was phenomenal about both events- a perfectly prepared steak- cooked to order- at each event. The dessert was my favorite- red velvet cake and chocolate ice cream- I was in heaven. I highly recommend this venue if you are looking for a place to host your wedding. I cannot speak to the regular restaurant, but know that when they host a special event they do it perfectly!
(5)Scott S.
Always excellent food and outstanding service every time we have dined here. I highly recommend Cafe La Cave for its ambiance as well.
(5)Vicky G.
Throughout the years, I have dined at Cafe La Cave numerous times. After this experience, I may not come back. My date and I arrived promptly at 6:58 for a 7:00 Saturday reservation, we were asked to wait in the bar because they were a little backed up at the moment. Though I had the reservation, I did not mind waiting. When 7:45 arrived, I felt that it was a bit much. When I went to complain to the host, he seated us within the next 10 minutes. I don't know if we were forgotten if they truly had no seating. Though the food was very good and the martinis well made, I was very off put by nearly waiting an hour when I possessed reservations.
(2)John S.
Went there with a friend in town and she was impressed! I had Steak Diane prepared tableside and it was incredible. My friend had Dover Sole and was wowed by it. The service was impeccable and the Owner Gus was very personable. We saw him wheel a dessert with a ring on it past us and thankfully the girl said "I do". It appears he does this quite often. The Wines are nice values, as I'm in the Wine business and know my pricing.
(5)Julie O.
Been to a couple Holiday parties here. Pretty standard banquet hall fare. Parking is free but the lot is kind of small.
(3)Casie D.
Dream wedding come true. Smooth, organized, and gorgeous! Thanks Randy and your team for a day we will cherish forever!
(5)Gina G.
I had the pleasure of photographing a holiday party at La Cave last night. I have done enough weddings/events to be a fairly good critic of catered event food. Let me just say, I was blown away. Hands down the best lamb chops I have ever eaten. The prime rib was perfect and everything was prepared and served right in front of us. I will definitely be recommending this place to future wedding clients.
(5)Michelle G.
Who knew that the best party I'd ever go to would be my wedding! Words cannot begin to describe just how beautiful our room looked. We had the smaller room with the arched French doors. It was very intimate & elegant. Kim, Randy & Gus were all a pleasure to work with. Randy's suggestion for our band was spot on! Everyone danced all night. All our guests raved about how delicious the food was. I was so sad when I awoke the following morning because the festivities were over! If you are looking for a venue for your wedding then look no further. The Sutter family will take great care of you!
(5)Valerie H.
This review is in regards to my August 22, 2014 wedding. If I could give this place 10 stars I would in a heartbeat. From the moment I met with Kim regarding wedding packages, pricing, and options I was blown away. I made the mistake of putting this place on hold while I researched other venues and met with them. After my first consultation somewhere else, I quickly realized that no other hall would take care of me the way Cafe la Cave would. The planning process was smooth and easy. Randy was amazing to work with. With every meeting and phone call, he instilled in me an excitement for my big day. He understood my vision for what I wanted and took care of everything for me, but was still respectful of budget issues. From the linens, to half of the centerpieces (I made floral arrangements for the other half), to the lighting and overall ambiance of the room, he did everything I asked for, plus more. Every vendor he recommended exceeded our expectations. The DJ was the best recommendation ever. He was the least expensive option and kept the party going and had everyone out on the dance floor the whole night. Randy allowed me to truly enjoy my wedding, worry-free. His schedule layout was different from any other wedding, with dance sets between meal courses. Those sets really got the guests pumped and ready to dance the night away. He doubled as our MC for the night and everyone loved him. He enjoyed himself as if he were just another guest with a level of professionalism that could not be beat. His light hearted and positive spirit had everyone loving him. He went above and beyond what his duties were. His daughter's wedding was the previous weekend but I didn't notice any lack of attention to me, even though he was planning his daughter's wedding. He also kept her beautiful cocktail hour room centerpiece watered throughout the week so it could be on display for my wedding. I would have never been able to afford such a beautiful and HUGE arrangement so that was a great surprise when my husband and I arrived. The food was absolutely phenomenal and my guests are still raving about it. I had the vegetarian option which was better than ANY other wedding veggie option I've ever had (I've been to a ton of weddings). The service was hands down UNBEATABLE. Each table had their own waiter who kept everyone's drinks full and every need met. If someone dropped a napkin, there would be someone to pick it up for them. The waiters were all friendly with great senses of humor. On top of every detail being perfectly planned on their end, a big shout out needs to go to one of the kitchen staff for saving my centerpieces. The day before the wedding I had my brother drop off 9 floral arrangements and he forgot to make mention about them needing water. At 10:15pm I realized this, but the hall/restaurant was closed. I was that crazy bride running around the building in the dark just looking for anyone who could let me in and I found someone in the alley. I explained to him my problem and he let me in and found my name on the list and not only allowed me to water my flowers, but helped me by filling up containers of water, wheeling them into where my flowers were, and watered them with me. If it weren't for him, these flowers would have been shriveled and partially dead. I literally cannot put into words how amazing my wedding was thanks to everyone at Cafe la Cave. Seriously future brides, no one can or will take care of you and your wedding day the way Cafe la Cave will. If you don't want to stress the day of your wedding, go for this place. Randy and the rest of the staff WILL not let you down.
(5)Danielle S.
Cafe la Cave was a nice surprise. I had seen it in passing, but I thought it was just a banquet hall (which it mostly is). However, they do have a bar and restaurant inside as well! I haven't attended an event here, but I know a couple who had their wedding reception here and they said it was great. We took a peek into one of the rooms that was set up for a wedding - it was very classy, clean, and had a nice dance floor. My favorite part is the chandeliers! The restaurant/bar looks like the inside of a cave - I've never been to a place quite like it! It isn't very big, so if you want an intimate, quiet dinner this is the place to go. It is an older place, and it does feel that way (at least to me). There are a few TV's so you can watch a game and sit at the bar. To me, the food menu was not that big and was overpriced. However, the food was pretty good (I ordered the chicken mushroom risotto). The service here is impeccable. Our waiter was very attentive, the bartender made amazing drinks, and they even covered our food when we left for the restroom so our food wouldn't get cold. They pulled the chairs out for us when we went to get up and sit down, and they kept a cake that we had brought in the refrigerator during our dinner. Absolutely exceptional service. Overall we had a great experience here!
(4)Rosie M.
My rating is based on their Easter brunch buffet. I felt the service was poor and the food was cold and lacking in taste. I would not go back.
(2)Gayle W.
I'm sure their banquet business is their main income at this point....otherwise, they'd be out of business by now. I saw the Groupon and had never been to this former favorite of some friends. So, I bought it. If you enjoy throwback memories you might have a fun time, but since I'm all about the food, I should have saved my money...all told, the place is really tired. The atmosphere is, as the name describes, cave-like...dim and candle-lit, sculpted fake rock walls, etc The staff may have actually been born in a real cave....they were ancient old (not that I'm ageist, but no one should have to work into their 90s....must not have paid enough to be able to retire?) and the servers were unsmiling and mechanical. That might have been a minor thing had the experience been anchored by great food. However, the food was mediocre and certainly not worth the price, even though their steaks are about 1/2 the downtown Chicago steak houses. Pretty wilty lettuce in the Cesar salad, mayonaisse-y oysters Rockefeller, and the cheapest bread they could get in the bread basket. (Served cold, btw.) And, If they'd clean their grill once in a while, I might not have sent back a bone-in rib eye for tasting of nothing but charcoal ash. It was replaced with a steak Diane, prepared table-side. That dish was mediocre, as well. The meat was drowned in overcooked mushroom sauce prepared with too much wine. . All in all, this place needs a complete make-over ...maybe a good candidate for one of the reality shows like "Save this Restaurant".
(1)Laurie A.
This place was absolutely delicious. My fiancé and I ordered the seafood medallions, which for some reason a lot of people are criticizing but it was actually very good and filled me up. I too was surprised it was so expensive but it was truly good and I couldn't even finish it. And I usually finish all my food. If you don't want to pay a lot for your meal maybe yelp the place before you go so you are better prepared for the prices. We will definitely be returning(:
(5)Maggie C.
The food was great...HOWEVER- the waiter overcharged my husband and i by 50$. When I pointed the error out the waiter and "manager" were very rude and snarky when it came time to void the incorrect amount and rerun it for the correct amount. This literally ruined our entire night and left a terrible taste job my mouth- very unprofessional in the way it was dealt with. And my account still hasn't been credited the $120--- which was the amount with the additional $50 tacked on-- so I'm out almost $200 this week until the $120 gets returned due to their incompetence. Mind you our bill was $70. We will definitely make sure to avoid this place at all costs... quite literally.
(1)Ryan K.
Our fairytale wedding was held at Cafe La Cave on November 8, 2014 and It was the absolute best day of our lives!!! Our guests (all 300 of them) continue to tell us how much fun they had and how it was the best wedding they have ever been to! We have nothing but extremely positive things to say about La Cave. I first want to thank Randy Sutter for all of his hard work and time spent with us helping to make our wedding perfect. From the moment I stepped in to Cafe La Cave last year, I knew that it was the perfect place for our wedding. Randy was professional and friendly during our first meeting and his attention to detail, knowledge and creativity was above and beyond what I was expecting. Through our 13 months of planning, he was attentive and always available to answer my questions and concerns. He had suggestions and ideas to help me when I was indecisive or unsure about something. He sat down with us on numerous occasions going over every detail (linens, centerpieces, music, decor, etc!). His incredible coordinating skills truly made the night go SO smoothly! His itinerary of the evening was unique and worked amazingly!!! THANK YOU Randy for making us feel so comfortable and helping make our wedding AMAZING! In addition to Randy, the staff at Cave La Cave was wonderful! Everyone was courteous and professional.. the service was fantastic!! The food was beyond delicious! Our waiter during the reception was fabulous making sure we had everything we needed or wanted and was extremely courteous and professional! Cafe La Cave was amazing and made me feel so special! After the last song played, the lights turned on and none of our guests wanted the night to end!! Cafe La Cave was the castle to this princess's dream wedding! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
(5)Howard L.
This place is mainly a banquet hall and apparently been around for 44 years, with 22 at this location. It looks newer on the outside and is across from All State Arena. We tried dinner here with a restaurant.com certificate. We had chicken piccata and chicken and mushroom risotto. They were ok and portions were large. Bread was cold and hard though. You dine in a dark cave like room. The bar area was colorful and attractive. I don't think I would bother with steaks as they look pricey for the quality here. Won't be back for dinner anyway.
(3)Noel J.
Granted, I went as part of a large group that reserved one of the ballrooms, so our experience may have been part of cooking for the masses. The room was very nice, and the bartender was wonderful, as was our large crew of waitstaff. They deserved praise and did a fine job of attending. The problem was the food. Our first course was an off-smelling tomato soup that had tiny vegetables and tiny "chef boyardee spaghetti-o" pasta. Four our main courses we all felt underwhelmed. We had choices of dual breast of chicken, with competing sauces on each (Madeira with shiitake and a Sherry cream mushroom) -the sauces were good but had to top dry and flavorless tiny chicken breast medallions; filet mignon (my favorite meat) which tasted charred and un-aged even though perfectly cooked inside, and was accompanied by an off-tasting bordelaise sauce. The salad course was delicious with the basil cream vinaigrette- that was actually my favorite part of the meal. The vegetables which accompanied the main course were okay but commanded no attention and were mostly flavorlessl. Our dessert course was a cheesecake mouse with a crumbled cookie 'base' in a martini glass which was underwhelming. Again, my thanks to the very kind and attentive bar and table staff; if the food improves I will be back.
(2)Farida Y.
It was ok dinner , I got groupon 50$ value, I got risotto, nothing special , food is not that delicious to cost that much , I guess you pay for the atmosphere)) well good as an experience but won't come back , you can find smt tastier.
(3)Diana M.
I don't enjoy writing bad reviews but I was just so disappointed after eating here. Came here with 3 friends on a Friday night. The only thing good about Cafe La Cave is the way it looks outside. Classy and elegant outside but inside it literally is a cheesy, fake cave. Our waiter was very stiff and snooty. The restaurant is definitely dressy and trying to be upscale. The prices reflect this. Margaritas were $10 and came from store-bought mix. Who drinks margaritas at a fine dining establishment? This girl!! It's not hard for them to throw together a fresh one. I shouldn't have to ask. Waiter seemed annoyed that a couple of us did not order appetizers. I had the seafood medallions which was a mix of shrimp, crab and scallops in a cream sauce with risotto. The risotto was hard and stale, the crab came in two tiny slivers and was good and the scallops and shrimp were rubbery. None of it tasted fresh to me. The sauce was bland. I wasn't expecting a culinary masterpiece from a restaurant attached to a banquet hall but I definitely am not willing to pay $30 for a meal that is not edible. I sent the meal back after attempting to eat it and was approached by the manager who kindly let me know that he had tasted my food and found nothing wrong with it. He did offer to bring something else but at that point I was done with my dining experience here. I would not recommend dining here. It is simply too expensive for the quality of food
(1)Jesi J.
so this review is loooong overdue! My husband and I got married on January 24,2014. We searched long and hard for a venue that we both liked and that would work with our budget. We just happened across an advertisement for Cafe La Cave and so we immediately set up an appointment to look at the ballrooms and see what they had to offer, turns out that was one of the best decisions we ever made! On the day of we were welcomed by Carrie who just made a stressful day for us so easy! She showed us around, went over the packages, she asked us about our budget and did everything she could to help us finally nail down a venue! We also spent the extra money to have Randy as our planner and we just loved him from the moment we met him! He was wonderful! He absolutely treated us like family, we listened to all of our ideas and helped us come up with a solid idea of how the bid day would look. The day of our wedding was AMAZING! the venue looked so beautiful and Randy and Carry made everything so easy for us! Every moment was absolutely perfect! We get compliments still on how beautiful our wedding was! Thank you Cafe La Cave for a dream wedding!
(5)Carrie O.
Our wonderful wedding that took place at Cafe La Cave. Thanks to Randy and Carrie --- E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G was P-E-R-F-E-C-T!!! Our wedding couldn't have been the success that it was without them. Randy & Carrie are true professionals. During planning, Randy will work with you to stay within your budget. Listen to everything he has to say/suggests --- because he knows what he's talking about! Randy is a natural and could do his job with his eyes closed and hands tied behind his back. The ceremony and reception were beautiful .... Lighting, drapes, tables ... The entire staff is outstanding ... Very friendly, upbeat, attention to detail ... The food was DELICIOUS ... The best food our guests ever had at a wedding ... loved the pasta (done perfectly), filet & chicken~ INCREDIBLE! The patio was a great bonus and provided another place for fun and conversation. Nothing but RAVE reviews from our guests!
(5)Peter S.
I have been here several times. We had our wedding here, 2 baptisms and a christening. We also have eaten here for dinner and have been here a couple of times for Mother's Day brunch. There is a reason we continue to come here. Great service and great food. Several comments say it was highly priced...I'm not sure what steak house is cheaper? We will continue to go back again and again. Randy in banquets (and part owner) is one of the main reasons we love this place. He knows what service is all about. The minute we walk in he comes to greet us by name and he is there for every wedding and even mans the waffle table for Mother's Day brunch. 5 stars for sure!
(5)Jenny B.
My boyfriend ordered the ribeye steak which was fine, the asparagus and spinach side orders were fine. However, we ordered calamari as an appetizer and it was rubbery. I ordered the seafood medallions for $30. It came out as 3 pieces of shrimp, 4 scallops and less than an ounce of crab meat on top of risotto. Usually if there is barely any food at that price I'm expecting it to be an amazing dish. It was drenched in some sort of bland sauce and my scallops were very rubbery. I was extremely disappointed. Also, I witnessed A WAITER PURPOSELY TRIP ANOTHER WAITER who had food in his hands right next to me. The guy with food had said excuse me several times but the other guy didn't hear him because it was extremely loud in the restaurant that night and so he kind of tapped the waiter with his foot against his ankle to let him know he was there. The other waiter then turned around and as the guy was passing... tripped him. He managed to regain his balance and hang onto the food but it could have been a disaster. Between the food, the way the staff treats each other and the bizarre fake cave decor I would say I'm never going back again. I was debating between one or two stars for this place but I've had worse food and worse service other places so I'm giving it two.
(2)Just T.
Don't waste your money. Not even with a coupon. Went there for our anniversary. Overpriced Cold food Instant mashed potatoes (every cook can tell) Cheesy ambiance One waiter working his butt off ( wonder if he's the cook too) Wishing we would have just gone to Gibson's We can't splurge often so this was just a waste even with the $50 off coupon.
(1)Lisa B.
I attended a wedding shower and was impressed from the moment I walked in. The manager opened the door and I was easily directed to the correct room (there was another shower going on at the same time). The room was lovely and bright with beautiful chandeliers and large windows. The tables were covered with white, crisp, linen table cloths and napkins and tastefully set. The service and food were outstanding. I will definitely use them for any future shower, special event etc. (Would imagine a wedding here would be stunning!) And I am going to bring my husband to the restaurant - it looked very romantic! Ps The chocolate soufflé was incredible!
(4)Tracey G.
This restaurant has been around for many years. They have a very old staff and what looks to be a ton of experience. With this being said I was very surprised at the horrible service and mediocre food. Our waiter was seemingly attentive at first but as the night progressed became less and less. I ordered a standard filet which was excellent. However my Father n law ordered their Dover Sole and they had to take it back because it was under cooked. All of our side dishes were either cold or luke warm. When we brought this to our waiters attention we did not even receive an apology. We were also told the Chef served his béarnaise sauce cold. What? I think we have been around the block a few times and do know good food. It is served warm. Not hot, but warm. So needless to say the only reason they get 2 stars is because the steak was great. We will steer clear of this restaurant in the future.
(2)Natalie R.
This place is passed its prime for sure. A banquet hall with a restaurant attached...recipe for disaster most of the time. Let me start by saying the staff were very nice. That was one of my stars. The other star goes for my steak (filet), which was cooked perfectly and was tasty (I asked for the cognac sauce on the side because I don't think a filet should ever be covered in sauce). My boyfriend and his dad's NY strips were very tough, my boyfriend said his tasted "old" (shiver). Old school steak house, a la carte sides, enough for 2-3 people. Crab cakes were mushy and not the greatest, beef satay was good. The biggest failure of Cafe La Cave is the ambiance. I didn't know the name was literal...you dine in a fake cave. Like, the walls are made to look like a cave and the lights are red so it looks like a volcano. It's dark, no windows of course, and I guess they're going for "intimate" but then the music they play is what you'd hear in a bar on a Saturday night! Top 40...Rihanna, dance mixes...it made no sense. Especially given the price points, the dress of the waitstaff, the ambiance completely clashed. It was like a novelty restaurant someone from Kansas would go to in Disneyworld... Definitely won't return. I think Robert Irvine's services are needed :-)
(2)Nadia N.
Steak was so hard, chicken was nasty! Exactly like disgusting wedding food!!! Never go there $100 I paid for garbage! Place is nice minus the food! And service has to b so good to make up for the food.
(1)Alice U.
Really cute atmosphere but if you look closer it is really worn out. The walls near us were really in need of repair and cleaning. We ordered but when food came the sole was undercooked so they took it back but then left all our other meals on the cart to get cold. Sauces were cold too. When our waiter finally came back we told him but did not seem to care we ended up getting free desert but for over 300.00 it did not seem to mater. Very disappointed
(2)Karen H.
I think ratings should be separated from banquet hall and restaurant. I know nothing of the restaurant so my review is based upon the banquet hall which I found as an A+. The staff was impeccable as was Randy and the man they call The Captain (sorry, don't know his name.) The food was delicious! We had the 2 different chicken breasts. One of the bar tenders "special catered" to me a drink (since I was mother of the bride) that had to be made in the other banquet room. The entire night was awesome (except for one nut case drunk guest that tried to start a fight with the father of the bride.) Every worker treated my daughter with awesome respect. I found only 1 over-looked problem. The terrace cushions were somewhat wet (it rained that morning) and when a lady friend of mine came out from there it looked like she peed her pants! heheh Perhaps the hall could have dry cushions on hand and this way they can be put down when it has stopped raining. Even with this minute problem I still give them 5 stars due to their wonderful service! I am a Proud mommy of the bride and I thank ALL of you for making my daughter's special day even more special. Your love for her truly showed and no mother can ask for anything better!
(5)Elizabeth B.
Really lame. Not worth the money not even with a groupon. I ordered a filet mignon and it was burnt and chewy. The waiter was weird and rude. Save your money and your time.
(1)Rosa C.
I'm shocked to read the bad reviews for events here. I have been here several times for events (weddings, baby showers, baptisms) and have NEVER been disappointed with either their food or service. With that being said, this is why I chose this venue for my own wedding that took place in May of this year. Randy was excellent to work with and he made my special day even more perfect. Everything was on time, the food was excellent (as always), and I couldn't have asked for a better place to have my wedding.
(5)Jo S.
This review is about the restaurant. We had dinner here earlier this month and had an awful experience. The service was slow (we were there for more than 2 hours and only ordered soups and entrees - no dessert bc we just wanted to leave and didn't want to wait any longer). We saw a lot of staff walking around (they were wearing suits so they were easy to spot), so it doesn't make sense to us why the service was so slow. We were confused about the staff - they were either all new or didn't care bc they kept walking into our chairs and hitting our chairs with their carts. Or maybe they couldn't see where they were walking bc it's so dimly lit? The food was mediocre; nothing to get excited about. We were really impressed the first time we came here (I think it was about 6 years ago). We've been here several times over the years and it's never been as good as the first time we ate here. There is no reason for us to eat here ever again.
(1)tr y.
We were here tonight for a wedding the foood was great! The service was better!! Jose in the banquet room is AWESOME! Everything was perfect,
(5)Shane M.
Originally posted to Facebook... Just wanted to give a recommendation after my experience as a wedding dj at Cafe La Cave this past Saturday May 18, 2013. From the second I walked in I was impressed with the staff. Carrie was so happy and bubbly. She never talked down to ANY of her employees and treated everyone like they were her equal because that is what a great manager does. Randy was absolutely fantastic to work with. The bride and groom booked his coordinator package which made him the M.C. for the night as well. I put my pride aside and went with it, supporting him 100% and he did not disappoint me! Randy made sure everything ran smoothly all night, made sure I was fed, did an amazing job on the microphone, and everyone had a blast! Most venues use pipe and drape over a percentage of any wall. Not this place... they went the extra mile and had the entire wall behind the bride and groom draped with beautiful uplighting matching the wedding colors. It was really breathtaking. Every table centerpiece had a spotlight aimed at the center piece from the ceiling! They had a sweetheart table centered behind 2 split head tables and the wedding cake centered in the front. I couldn't believe how amazing it looked. The wedding was a real life fairy tale.... unbelievable.
(5)Peter O.
My wife and I had an anniversary dinner here after many years of living close by but not having eaten here. Generally the service was good and our entrees were excellent. I had a rib-eye and my wife had the seafood medallions. I thought my creme brulee for dessert was pretty average though. I also didn't like the loud rock music on...thought there would be more ambiance considering the price point of the restaurant.
(3)Michelle K.
I went to this place for a financial seminar by Goldstone Financial Group. My review of them is here: yelp.com/biz/goldstone-f… The seminar included dinner. We arrived at 5:45 and were served soup (vegetable that was luke-warm) and bread. We had to ask them for coffee, because they only put water on the tables. When we asked for the coffee, we were first ignored and had to ask again. The uncaring attitude of the staff matched the fact that they were short with the diners to begin with, completely acting like it was beneath them to have to work a seminar in the first place, When the seminar began, the staff disappeared. Nobody from the restaurant even entered the room during the hour and 40 minute seminar. I had to leave the seminar about 5 minutes before it ended and told my father, who was there with me, to bring my food home with me. When they were finally served at about 8pm, the restaurant refused to give my dad my meal because they said they had seen me leave early. This is quite surprising since not one staff member had even entered the room during the whole seminar. I think it was Goldstone's rookies, stationed in the lobby who saw me leave, determined I did not want my dinner, and told the staff not to serve it. Regardless, refusing me my food, not asking where I was or what might have happened, not caring at all, is not the attitude I want when I dine somewhere. They probably felt that they were getting no tips from us anyhow, why try to please us? Just please Goldstone and perhaps there will be a little extra for them there. Whatever the case may be, I would never visit here again, and suggest you to take a pass as well.
(1)Jung E Y.
I had dinner here last night. We used a Groupon. Romantic good and the food was good too. Bad things happen to us was very pleasant. I try to calculate the food after eating... Our table server, place the tip ..... He is already 15% less set. I had to give 20%. Server is too rude. I feel so bad. Never going back again.
(1)Courtney M.
I am currently preparing to have my wedding at Cafe la Cave, so I have spent quite a bit of time there. The place is truly beautiful, with intricate designs and French accents throughout the interior. In fact, the women's bathroom has two floors, with unique statues and gold swans for the faucets. Within its walls, lies a rather random, but fascinating restaurant known as "The Cave" and it truly looks like a cave. When you walk in, you immediately notice the jagged walls and lights poking through the cracks as though you truly had just entered the mouth of a cave. The bar is pretty fantastic, and spans an entire wall. The food is amazing as well. Since I am having my wedding there, we were able to sample numerous items on their menu. I can honestly say that every single dish was fantastic. The salads were amazing and the salmon was to die for. I am not a steak person, but my friends loved the steak when we were there. The food is a bit expensive, but well worth it. The service was wonderful, especially because of the fact that they are not intrusive. They allow you time to eat your meal and socialize with your friends/family/date, but always ensure that you have what you need to enjoy your evening.
(5)Susan R.
Another great Halloween birthday at the Cave. Gus always takes real good care of us. Try the Steak Au Poivre, it's amazing. Any restaurant can simply cook your food and put it on a plate but the Cave specializes in creative sauces that transform the dish from simply a meal to a work of art. The staff is very friendly here. We always receive impeccable service. This is our favorite restaurant.
(5)Dora T.
We had our wedding there this past august and it was beautiful! Randy is the best! There was nothing we asked for that he would say no! He goes above and beyond to give you exactly what you want! He was the wedding coordinator and he made everything go smoothly and i had no worries! There were a few misunderstandings along the way but Randy was very helpful and solved every situation! For our next event we will choose "Cafe la Cave" without a doubt! Great job!
(5)Jennifer Q.
I recently attended a networking / educational seminar at Cafe La Cave. I found the service and the food to be really good! Plus, the venue itself was very nice. We happened to be in a bigger, well lit and sunny room for the training I was attending, but there is one really cool room in particular -it looks like a cave (thus the name of the restaurant)! This room was dark and, well, cavernous. It was made out of a stone material so it seemed like they had dug out a real cave and fixed it up and made it a dining room! Really hard to explain -it's worth going to check it out! I have never eaten here in the restaurant itself. My only experience was at this work related event. However, from my experience, I was very impressed and would consider returning for a "regular" situation -a nice dinner out!
(4)M. S. O.
I agree with Barnett A. We were also there last night. We have been going there since they opened. Last time our sons treated us on our anniversary in June and we had tables together for the whole family and a 16 mo old child. It was still so quiet you could hear everything and we enjoyed the show tunes playing because we are singers and have used many of them. People normally speak in a whispered voice or with a big table, get up to discuss something quietly. In that way it is like a French restaurant, everyone is very careful not to intrude on the special quiet moments of everyone around them. It is a heavenly experience away from the noise outside and the food is exquisite as expected. It is normally far different than other restaurants, something you save for once in awhile. Even the toddler copied and whispered. Last night was destroyed by one group and management lacked the courage to walk over and ask them to leave. That is the problem. *That single mistake means it could happen again.* I almost walked over and told them off myself and would have had a lot of diners backing me, but without the support of management it would have been a waste of time. It appeared that they didn't want to lose their business but they lost future guests who had never been there and those who maybe thought the past quiet ambiance had changed to raucous over the years, with full approval of management. Right after we ordered drinks and appetizers, a group of 15 arrived sounding like they were outside eating fast food. One man in a white jacket shouted at the top of his voice for over an hour and a half, relating one dumb story after another with intermittent high pitched screams, afraid someone else might interrupt him. Nothing slowed him down. All the rest would immediately scream with harsh laughter and shouts at every sentence, as though they wanted to fit in by pretending he was funny. They were completely oblivious to the type of place or anyone around them trying to have nice quiet, special or romantic dinners. There was no way to know if the music was playing. Many people complained, 4 different tables asked to be moved further away but it didn't help as the room is small. (at the closest table, the next couple to sit there also asked to be moved) Two tables left after their bread was brought as it was immediately evident that the unbearably loud noise was okay with management. We had given up trying to talk when the appetizer arrived and mentioned that they were ruining the meal for us but waiter just said "yeah I know" as though he knew nothing would be done. It seriously was so loud and booming it made our stomachs queasy. We originally planned to have wine and dessert but the evening was over, we left before finishing and took the rest of the steaks home wishing we had left right away. We thought surely they would be asked to leave. With the prices being that of a French restaurant, the least they could have done was offer complimentary dessert and glass of wine to everyone there that was a captive audience, forced to endure this foolishness. They had absolutely no excuse for not asking them to leave at the first indication of their complete lack of control and sensibilities. No second chance. I'm pretty positive the entire room would have clapped and cheered a display of courage and integrity. Instead management looked weak and helpless. It would not have taken me 5 minutes to ask them to leave and at the first rude response would have had them removed. What happened to responsible management, in control, with a concern to preserve the intended experience for their guests.
(1)Barnett A.
Went with my husband to have an upscale romantic dinner, since we hadn't been there in about 5 yearsr The building is beautiful and ornate. The Cave restaurant is very small , appears intimate at first but it's very loud. You can barely talk. Besides that, there was a group of 15 at a round table that were also quite boistrous. We sat as far away from them as possible, but we could still hear them yelling across the table at each other. It would have been nice if someone had told them to be considerate of the others who were quietly dining nearby. It was inconsiderate. So, basically, the ambience was lost. We did have attentive staff waiting on us that was very professional. The salmon and steak were fine. The creme brulee was bland. I feel badly writing this because I have had better times here. I don't know if I would want to go back. For the prices they charge, I expected more. I can easily go to one of the many restaurants down the street for better food.
(3)R S.
The atmosphere of the "cave" is neat, but does not mesmerize you enough to look past the outrageous dinner prices!! WOW!! Dover Sole $39, Leg of Lamb for two $89, everything a la carte!! The meal or quantity there of, do not equate to the prices at all!! Wait staff is courteous, but seem like they could really give a rats a** about you. I visited based on a recommendation from many years ago... maybe things have changed since then?? I just can't see why anyone would want to waste the time to get dressed up for this place, when you could get better service and meal at a Ruth's Cris or McCormick & Shmicks (sp?) for the same price!! I don't see this establishment being on my list of return places to go!!
(2)Bella H.
We just went there for dinner last night and wasn't all that happy. The food was good but out waiter was very arrogant and rude..He came to our table once and then he has the nerve to tell us how to tip with a groupon. We know how groupons work dude.I would have given 5 stars but the waiter sucked.
(3)Andrew L.
I had my wedding reception here (back in March - sorry it took so long for a review) and Randy was very reasonable. He was very accommodating to us and he usually always answered his phone (even when he was on vacation). The numbers were very high (cost) at first but we compromised (on both ends) and got to a decent total. Randy was very professional in his MCing and you can tell he has had much experience as our night went very quickly through the 'formalities' then had the most time to have fun and dance. The wait staff was very aware of what was going on and I was able to get whatever I requested (I better have - I was the groom!) in a flash. The food was EXCELLENT. I had the filet mignon (so did my bride) and it was perfect. Our wedding party had nothing but good things to say about the food as well - and our guests for that matter. Weddings are....hectic. But Randy made it as smooth as possible for us on the reception end. If you are thinking about hold your reception here, go in, talk to Randy. He's not lying when he says its a great value. He takes care of stuff other places do not..and very strange things like glassware, silverware, napkins (where am I supposed to rent that out from??) The only weird thing, which he will tell you its so he can keep his cost down, is that he claims he doesn't own the chavarri chairs and linens. I think its just room to make extra money (which, I understand its a business so hes gotta make money). So talk him down on these price points. Tell him what you want! He will work with you and get very close, if not right at, what you want to pay (assuming you are choosing a reasonable figure). To wrap up. Was it perfect? No. Were there some things we wish we could have done a little different? Yes. But such is life. The positives definitely outweighed the little annoying things and we had an amazing time.
(4)Rick T.
This place has been here for many years, but this was my first visit, and definitely not my last! Although I'll admit that it's a bit pricey I absolutely felt like I got my money's worth. My lady friend and I started out with a Shrimp Cocktail which consisted of four Fresh, Fat, and Juicy pieces of shrimp with a delightfully tangy sauce served as it should be in an ice chilled dish. We also shared an incredibly tasty Beef Satay served over shredded carrots in a glaze of teriyaki sauce. The Chateaubriand for two was hand carved at tableside, and included, aside from beef so tender you could cut it with a fork, freshly steamed carrots, asparagus, and broccoli with a nicely flavored potato souffle. The generous portion allowed me to stretch my leftovers into two additional meals over the next two days. We left just enough room for some Bananas Foster, also prepared tableside. As it's an acquired taste my lady friend did not care for it, but I was a fan. The decor is quite interesting. Although the simulated cave by itself might be a bit intimidating to some people I feel that it added to the overall uniqueness of the evening. The service was on par with the best I've had the pleasure to experience in fine dining. They achieve an excellent balance making it clear that they are interested in your total enjoyment of your meal without overdoing it by constantly being in your face. I will absolutely return here soon, and will strongly consider making use of their banquet facilities the next time I have occasion to book an appropriate event.
(5)Karen R.
I was torn between one and two stars since there were some positive aspects to this dining experience. As my sister and I were driving around Rosemont on a Friday night about 7:45 pm, it was difficult to find a good place to eat that wasn't already booked solid. Should have been a clue when we pulled into the valet and explained that I was underdressed (jeans), and they said it was no problem. Started with a vodka on the rocks which was a very generous pour, so off to a good start. My sister ordered Oysters Rockefeller to start. The hollandaise sauce did not appear to be a true hollandaise, but some sort of egg-y concoction. For my entrée, I ordered the Steak au Poivre, which I've always wanted to try. I ordered it medium rare and it was definitely cooked to medium, however the meat was super tender so the overcooking didn't matter that much and the sauce was truly delicious! Everything was a la carte so I also ordered asparagus and Dauphinoise potatoes. The asparagus was perfectly cooked so no complaint there. The potatoes were loaded with cream and had the oddest consistency, so much so that I couldn't eat them, a total waste of $5, but probably saved 2,000 calories and a boatload of fat. Also, I should mention that none of the food was hot. Sister ordered the special Mahi Mahi, and said the fish was not fresh. And, of course, fish that is not fresh is never good. At those prices, how can they get away with that? The service was good, but the bottom line is that the bad outweighed the good and I would never ever go back here, especially when there are three other excellent steak houses in the vicinity.
(1)Katie K.
Held our wedding reception here last year. Used the smaller ballroom. Although the venue is half restaurant/banquet hall - their wedding service is exceptional. For appetizer, we ordered salads and they came in a nice size stored in a 'cucumber' leaf around it. Looks great. We ordered mushroom soup - fantastic. For dinner, we ordered steak, chicken, and white fish - the steak was just like at a steakhouse (not a typical banquet hall) - juicy flavorful, etc. We had about 120 guests and everyone loved it. The assigned lead waiter for us was great and everyone seemed pleased with the service. Great place...although not a typical banquet hall - they work with you to fit a budget and you can negotiate many aspects of the wedding.
(5)Kris L.
Ok, so there are two parts to this restaurant, the "cave" which is the main dining room, and the banquet rooms off to either side of the cave. This review is based on our dinner the other night in the cave. We went here this past Thursday to treat my parents to dinner for their anniversary. The menu is limited and most of the entrees are meat. There are a few items that are prepared tableside which always adds some element to your dining experience. While the food was good, it didn't blow me away...for the prices you pay here it has to do just that. Just an idea- the bananas foster dessert, $26. I probably wouldn't be back as it's not really my scene but my parents enjoy it here and it was their special day.
(3)Chris D.
Change your mind and go to another restaurant. Went there because of a groupon and it was bad, bad, bad. Did I mention it was bad. Steak cooked poorly, calamari was rubber and veg's not fresh. No flavor on anything we had! the bread was hard as a rock! Way, way over priced - they charge big time restaurant prices and they are diner quality at best. Our server was a mope. If you want to eat in a cave and have bad food then this is the place for you!
(1)Gargoyle Q.
I've been to my fair share of good, crappy, and everything in between restaurants. Even nice ones that require you to dress up like this one. I have to say, I did not have a bad experience like some other people. The service was great, and a very intimate setting. The servers do check on you, but seem to give you space if you are on an important date or just a date in general. My boyfriend took me here for my birthday a couple of years back and I wouldn't mind going again. We had fun, sure it is dark. But who the hell cares? Don't you expect that from a place called, "Cafe La Cave" cuz you should. The food, was pretty good at least in my opinion. It's really easy to screw up salmon, and they had it cooked to perfection. The salmon just literally melted in your mouth like it is suppose to. Was so wonderful. I would definitely go again for a special dinner. Very great place if you want to impress someone, and do something different and don't mind spending the extra dough.
(4)Michelle M.
I came here for a training session. This place is very nice. We were here from 9am to 4pm. They served us lunch which was OK. There is nothing special about the food. The staff is nice. we did have unlimited coffee, tea and water.
(3)Yana A.
I had my wedding at La Cave. The food was wonderful, the service was excellent and both myself and my guests were very pleased. I highly recommend it.
(5)Valerie H.
Attended a wedding there last Saturnday and was not so impressed. The food was not the right tempature kind of on the cold side, the staff was not so nice. For what the place looks like it should be a lot more customer service orianted and nicer.
(2)Nancy T.
When we arrived it was empty because we like to eat dinner early. We felt the service could have been more attentive; however, we were greeted warmly by the manager. We loved the dining area which housed the bar. The food was fabulous. The special was a filet with 3 jumbo shrimp and both were cooked perfectly. No need to order an appetizer because the portions were perfect. Our server did offer a good suggestion for wine. My husband had a perfect vodka martini. We will definitely return.
(4)Sarah C.
I'm with Kris L's review, (She's my SIL). We took the parents here for their anniversary dinner the other night. While they might like it for a romantic dinner for two setting, it was not as nice for a group of 6. For starters, crab cake appetizers only come with 1 crab cake. And although I don't eat seafood, I have never seen a place that has such small portions. As for our meals, I had a filet and it was tasty but pricey overall. Overall I would say it's fine, I just know personally it's not my style. I would probably go somewhere a little more modern.
(3)Christos K.
I will never pay again 35$ for a plain steak on the plate, no seasoning, no sides...nothing!!! Worst steakhouse ever
(1)Jennifer S.
A friend of mine and I checked out this place last week during my visit to Chicago. The atmosphere was really cool, but pretty dark. The service was fantastic and the food was excellent. I highly recommend the steak diane cooked tableside and the chocolate souffle - yum!
(4)Doug J.
We recently got married at Cafe La Cave and couldn't have asked for a better reception hall. Randy worked closely with us on planning our special day. He and his staff did give us a day we will never forget. The service was outstanding, and the food was delicious. Our guests are still talking about how good their meals were. We would recommend Cafe La Cave to anyone who is looking to book their wedding reception. We look forward to many dinners there, as well as booking La Cave for other events we plan in the future. Thanks again Randy and Cafe La Cave, and god bless!
(5)Katie F.
My husband and I got married here a few weeks ago, and our wedding was everything we dreamed it would be, and more! From the pre-wedding planning with Carrie and Randy to the night-of service, we had a wonderful experience. The food was excellent, the wait staff was attentive, and the overall flow of the night was spot on. Randy was great to work with, and he clearly knows his business. He was able to guide us throughout the planning process, and he was incredibly creative! He, along with the entire Cafe La Cave staff, really helped our vision of a perfect wedding become a reality. Our guests continue to compliment us on such a great party!
(5)Nick N.
We had our engagement here and we have only good words. The food was great, the serving was good , the room and the arrangements were fabulous . We colaborated with Carrie . She is awesome and very helpful .
(5)Dan B.
This food was good. The cave is pretty neat. The people there are really nice and genuine. I'm not a big spender but with the groupon I was very pleased.
(5)Tj P.
Cafe la cave's dining room & bar area are tucked into this elegant little "cave". It gives such a warm inviting feel. The lobster bisque was to die for & the company I was with was very pleased with their meals as well (of course I don't remember what they had.) I've also been to Cafe La Cave for a brunch after a baby christening and everything was perfect. The staff was extremely accomodating and the food was again delicious..which is sometimes not the case when it's a banquet type meal. I also managed to get tickets to see "elvis meets the rat pack" (I'm a pretty big dean martin fan.) Of course the Cave couldn't control how good or bad the show was (it was fantastic & I laughed the whole way through.) They did a great job with hosting it & I couldn't have been more pleased with the food, staff, etc. Another great experience at Cafe La Cave.
(5)Elina R.
The food was great and the wait staff very accommodating. Some of the dishes are made table side. The ventilation isn't the greatest which makes for a smoky dinner for the surrounding tables. Over all it was a good experience.
(4)maurice s.
"Fine dining" for people who don't know any better. Sad to say, I've been dragged here twice by relatives. The food is mediocre, and the service is . . . annoying. On my most recent visit, we waited almost an hour to receive our entrees. Don't turn your head, because the servers repeatedly snatched away plates full of food and even full beverage glasses without asking.
(2)Cris H.
Went to a wedding reception and dinner and all I can say is memorable. Beautiful decor, service outstanding and then the food...i could cut my filet with a fork. Every course was perfect. Great evening!
(5)J S.
I attended my class reunion this past weekend at the cave. The staff was wonderful! The food terrific!!! A realy class act all the way! Book your parties here, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Steven M.
I have heard a lot about this place. So my expectations were high. We went for the Elvis meets the Rat pack in the banquet hall. We asked where we would be seated when we made the reservation and were told it would be in the front. As soon as we walked in they seated us at the table closest to the back door. Our greeter was making all the excuses in the world as he knew that he gave our table away. Even though we had to pre-pay when we made the reservation. What a frickin scam! They asked what we wanted to eat and all 6 of us ordered the filet, medium rare. The soup came out and it was out of this world. I have never had potato leek soup before. But it will be on the top of my list from now on. The caesar salad came out and it had so much garlic in it that it about took the finish off of the plate. We had ordered a bottle of red wine for the table, but one of the ladies was drinking white. The bartender was non-existant. So I went into the cave and they charged me double of what I was paying in the banquet hall. 12 bucks! Did they see me coming? Then came the meat. Our servers had pulled the cart next to our table and took the lids off of the plates. They argued for 5 minutes letting the meat get cold. Then we saw them pull all of the sticks out of the filets because they were all well done. As soon as I looked at my char-coal briquette I knew that it was crispy. I cut into it and it was one color all the way thru. As was everyone else's. The women didn't want to wait. But the guys all sent theirs back. When they finally came they went from 4oz to 8oz. And they were cooked the way we originally ordered them. The potatos were cold. But by that time I really wasn't hungry anymore. The chocolate souffle was very tasty. Now for the show. Night of the living Elvis came out and made me want to drink. It was beyond horrible. People started to come in from the bar and were blocking the doors so when people were getting up to go the the washroom, all that we heard was a bunch of yaking. The saviour was Dean Martin. That guy made the whole night. Sammy and Frank were rehashed from the Italian Fest in Wisconsin. I couldn't grab my coat fast enough. I ran out the door to the coat check and waited for the valet. OMG! It was one guy and he was trying to find the keys that were clearly marked with huge numbers. He went through the sets 4 times. I couldn't take it any more. I grabbed my keys and ran. I will not come back here for any reason.
(2)Don M.
I was told this was the place to be. Everything sounded good. Dinner and a show. Elvis meets the Rat Pack. Well the table they gave us was in the back and was not a good start. We had some cocktails and wine and ordered dinner. The guys all wanted steak medium rare. What they served us was little black bricks. WHAT THE! We complained and they went back and cooked them the way we wanted and they even got bigger than the original hockey pucks. Not bad but not that good either. So on with the show. Elvis started the show and oh dear. I just wanted to run but no way could I outrun this mess. If this was the real Rat Pack they would have shot him. Bad is an understatement. After he finally stopped whatever he was doing the rat pack started. Dean Martin was new to the group and did great. This guy pulled it off good. Frank and Sammy we good as well. Show ended and now time to get the car. Why did expect this to be ok was beyond me. The valet was an idiot could not figure it out for nothing. Grab my own keys and run. I see no need to return.
(1)N H.
I had my wedding at Café La Cave & wish that my wedding day had ended after the ceremony at the church instead of having to continue my celebration at this place. I really thought I had found a gem of a place...not a lot of advertising in bridal magazines, they're a restaurant not just a banquet hall so the food is ridiculously good, their reputation for having the most incredible food is years long, and the sales person I initially spoke with was NOT a sales person trying to sell me the world. Tina was trying to help me have a beautiful day. I was SO excited about having my wedding here. And then Tina left on medical leave (Godspeed, friend). Disorganization ran amok, owners decided their time and ego was way more precious than fulfilling customer expectations, & the next 6 months of sheer panic and anxiety set in. Now, Brides, if you have zero specific details for your wedding and would prefer to have someone tell you how THEY see YOUR day going, then stop reading - good food, and a wonderful service staff. But, Brides, if you do have specific details that are personal and unique touches you want for your day, then STAY AWAY because you will learn, Randy is the bride, not you. I was not told Tina had left; I called at the 6 month mark when THEY were supposed to have contacted me. I worked in business, and even now that I am a teacher, the universal protocol is that calls/emails to clients, or bosses, or parents, are returned within 1 day. I was told that was an unrealistic expectation because they are soooo busy. After many days of calling and leaving messages that, admittedly, got more hostile as more time passed and no call was returned, I was told (loudly scolded) by Randy that HIS business is premier and that I should be grateful I am having my wedding here. At that point, I should've just sucked up the loss on the deposit and ran, but I didn't because, naively, I thought things would get better. The week of the wedding, my parents and I went to drop off ALL of the items I had been working on for months. Randy didn't want to see any of it because he said that our salesperson would call me to go over everything. He wanted to go over HIS itinerary. Oh yes, you pay $500 for his coordinator services that day (cash). We felt very rushed through that meeting. But, he had time to take the final payment from us. He had time to tell ME what my DJ will do and when he will do it (this "itinerary" was the first time I heard of such a thing at a wedding). And did he have time to sucker my parents into paying extra for lighting that would make our tables "pop". So, I couldn't sleep that night &, I emailed the salesperson at like 4am and outlined all of the details. I told her I wouldn't be near a computer after that day, so please call me instead. NEVER got a call. Again, naively, I thought that because they were so boastful about their reputation and attention to detail, that everything would be as I wished. Instead, I walked into my reception and decor for the placecards table was by the guest book (this detail was in the email I mentioned above). The floral designs were spread out to CLC's liking, not based on what the florist and I had discussed in OUR plans. AND after cocktails, the bud vases at the cocktail tables were supposed to be moved into the banquet room but I saw MY GUESTS doing the work, not CLC. The gold charge plates were not on the tables; the napkins were folded Randy's way, (he felt they looked better - i think they forgot what i wanted) so my menu cards and favor cards were placed differently than I had wanted; and the BAKER had to tell them that things didn't look right simply based on conversations she had had with me (how did she remember this, but they couldn't follow an email?!) Oh yeah, and that special lighting was pointless because the gold from the charge plates was not there to freakin' pop!! My centerpieces were small, I get that....but the overall effect was not there. Later, I found out that the "meeting" Randy conducted with his staff 1/2 an hour before the reception was because he was fixing tables that were wrong. I had a custom groom's cake 2 tiers of different cake flavors....only one was cut up for the dessert table and we got stuck with a whole heavy sheet cake that could've been served (as had been promised) to our guests. If Randy would take a breath and stop trying to talk over you, and LISTEN to THE BRIDE then he could've added us to his list of "great" reviews he brags about. But he won't get a good review here. (The food is 5 star; my experience is 0). I should not have been stressed out at my wedding (or the months leading up to it), worried about what could go wrong. I should not have seen my guests or other vendors fixing what CLC messed up on. I should not have been told "yeah, of course we can do that" when obviously it didn't work with THEIR time frames or ideas. And I should NOT look back at my day with bittersweet thoughts because of arrogance & ego.
(2)JEFF K.
this at one time was a good restaurant and now they have made it a banquet hall. the owners have taken all of their unique menu items steak diane ( prepared tableside), beef stroganoff, bananas foster and replaced them with entrees they serve at their banquet hall. no choice of potato (menu says with appropiate starch and mixed vegetable) i got served mashed potato, carrots, broccoli. if i wanted to have wedding food i would have crashed one and saved myself $120. lobster bisque will have you drinking water for the next 6 hours. never again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the "cave" has been kidnapped and replace with this.
(1)Guiny G.
Dining in the Cave is an 'experience'. The staff and service was great and the food was very tasty. One of the reviewers said " It is rich and fattening. They cook everything in butter." yeah that's one reason it taste so good. If you want rabbit food - go somewhere else, if you want a meal where you are going to want to get every morsel of food off your plate because it tastes so good - then check this restaurant out. I'll definitely be back again.
(4)Christina G.
The food is absolutely unbelievable. We actually had our wedding at Cafe La Cave, and a year later, people are still talking about how amazing it was. They took care of every last detail to make everything absolutely spectacular. The menu, the linens, the placement of the favors and menus, the floor plan, the desserts, the martini luge, the whole thing was amazing. I highly recommend the restaurant for the delicious food and ambiance, and I highly recommend the ballroom for an unbelievable wedding.
(5)Mama L.
This place should be called cafe la vomit or cafe la rip off. My family does not know how to pick a place, so of course they wanted to go here/ This type of food is would make the pages of what not to eat magazine. It is rich and fattening. They cook everything in butter. If you are health nut then run for the hills. My brother and I ordered chicken and were sick the next day. I feel bad writing this cause the staff is nice. But lord save your money and go to McDonalds.....or just had to the hospital and get a check up before eating here.....YIKES!
(1)Leang E.
This was one of the restaurants in the work area that I had not been to yet, and was meaning to try out. I figured that since my friend was letting me choose a place for my birthday I'd be adventurous and try a new spot. I know I probably shouldn't have gone here not being very hungry, but I did anyhow. This place also serves as a banquet hall, and it seems relatively spacious. I figure it could fit about a couple hundred people or so. The nice thing is that it has doors that open to an outside like courtyard, but the bad thing is that train tracks are close by. There are two dining rooms here Cafe la Cave and La Mere. La Mere was named in honor of the owner by her children. We were in La Cave. It looks exactly as it sounds. It pretty much looks like you are in a cave. It's a very upscale place, and I suppose it could have some romantic idea for those who are into that sort of thing. It's very dim in there, and so it was tough to see the menu. I ordered a margarita, and it was pretty decent. The bread was mediocre, and I was hoping for better since this is a continental steakhouse. After some disturbing conversation with my friend, I had lost my appetite and we split the roast chicken and a baked potato since she couldn't have red meat that day. It was kind of bland and my friend had added a lot of extra salt on to her quarter of the chicken. I ended up taking mine home. We did split the crustless martini glass raspberry cheesecake, and it wasn't very impressive either. Our server was okay, he didn't even wait for us to make our complete order and left. We had a different server who brought our meals and seemed to be interested in our conversation as he interrupted to make a comment about what we were talking about. The waiters also liked to run down the aisles with their cart of meals. It's a very unique experience, and you pay for that and the food. I'm sort of interested in what it might be like if I took my mom here to La Mere for Mother's Day. Maybe the steak would have been really good. It would be tough since there are a lot of great steak places in the city that I like already...
(3)Denver D.
I went to this French steakhouse with a large group late in the evening and upon walking in I couldn't help but think of Denver's Casa Bonita (look it up). Basically, to stick with the French theme, we we're dining in a faux cave. The cave setting seemed a little gimmicky but the food was fantastic and the servers were very attentive. The lobster bisque was substantial and flavorful. I ordered the Pan Seared Salmon over wild rice which was served with a very rich Champagne-Tarragon Sauce. Perhaps a little too rich for a late night meal :). The Steak Diane is prepared table side - very showy - but the dish that I coveted most on the table was the Whole Dover Sole Francaise with toasted Almond Butter. All in all, this is so much better than your run of the meal steak house which has become so meh. Particularly if your not a big red meat person like me. I know - it so emasculating to even admit it. The prices are what you would expect from a French themed continental steakhouse in a cave - - Bank.
(5)