La Scala

La Scala came highly recommended to me, so I was very excited to try it out. My neighbor and I went on a beautiful, Sunny afternoon, and were quickly seated at a table outside.
Our drinks came quickly, but were never refilled. Our server walked by many times, but never refilled our glasses.
Our chopped salad came, topped with cucumber, cheese, tomato, and chick peas. It was a simple, yet delicious salad. Still no refills on our drinks.
I’ll admit, it took me a moment to decide what I wanted as a main course. I had gone there craving a buttery or creamy sauce, and La Scala specializes more in tomato based dishes. (My issue, not theirs!). I finally decided on the lobster ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce. My neighbor got the lasagna verde, which was huge and delicious. My ravioli came, in a butter sauce, not brown butter, and sans sage. This was disappointing as I was craving the nuttiness of the browned butter/​sage combo. The ravioli itself, was ok. It was puréed shrimp and lobster ravioli– not just lobster, and didn’t have any chunks of lobster, but was cooked nicely.
We finally asked a bus boy to refill our drinks. Our waiter never stopped to asked how we were doing in the hour we were there. Never asked if we were happy with or meals or if he could get us anything else. I spoke with the manager regarding the lobster ravioli and lack of a brown butter sauce. I’m not sure if he was new or just truly didn’t care at the quality of their food, but he looked a little confused as to why I’d let him know the dish wasn’t what it was intended to.
At the end of the day, I’d give La Scala another chance, perhaps their staff was having an «off day”– the food was good enough that I’d go if a friend wanted to, but wouldn’t go out of my way to go back on my own.

Review is based on the food, not on the atmosphere.
We ordered here from work and I had the Salmon Alla Checca — very good meal, I highly recommend. Salmon was cooked impeccably and the tomato/​basil sauce that came with was very fresh.
Thanks,
Kel

I’m new to Los Angels and a friend asked me to join her for lunch here. The atmosphere was ok but did seem very dated. We both had the chopped salad as she said that was the signature dish. I would never refer to to as «chopped». It was minced, as if done on a food processor. In fact, I don’t see any other way to get that consistently unless it was in a machine. So disappointing. I could have used a spoon to eat it.
The waiter was pleasant at first but later I caught an eye roll when we asked for coffee.
The worst part was the restroom! It’s supposed to be such a chic place but you’d swear you were in a rundown K-​Mart in a bad part of town. Old stalls with peeling paint and gross tile floors leave a bad impression. I’ve been to McDonalds with nicer facilities. There are much better places nearby, don’t waste your time.

There salad is always done to perfection.

Grew up on the streets of Brooklyn and my father owned a business in Ozone Park Queens. This is great Italian food. The Veal Marsala is flawless. The chopped and Caesar salads are first rate. Great and friendly service. High prices — but worth it.

We wanted to make the most of our trip to LA last week so when I read about La Scala being a Beverly Hills staple, we made a reservation. I was especially excited after it got a shout out on The People v OJ Simpson a few weeks before we went! Valet parking is available across the street. The hostess was really sweet and sat us in a booth right away. The restaurant is much smaller than I imagined, with a few tables out front as well.
Our server was a bit stand-​offish at first, but he warmed up. Bread is served and water upon request, which I learned is pretty standard in LA. I started with half of their famous chopped salad and it was SO good. The dressing was light and fresh and I loved the chickpeas. Even the ½ was pretty big so be warned. My mom and brother shared the Cesar salad and they enjoyed that as well. All their portions are pretty big, and we were staying at a hotel so we couldn’t take any leftovers. I enjoyed my Penne ala Vodka immensely. My brother, who was a little worried he wouldn’t like any of the food when he read the menu, ended up LOVING his fettuccine Alfredo. My mom got the veal parmasean which comes with a side of pasta. Honestly, their meat sauce looks disgusting but she really liked her whole meal.
We were too full for dessert so we got the check and headed back to our hotel. During our meal, we did see George Hamilton and Alana Stewart leaving and they were very friendly to the host on the way out so I guess you can see some celebs here from time to time.

The staff here is wonderful! Juan is the most attentive waiter ever The Chicken Chop salad and Penne Vodka are my favorites. Sit on the patio and enjoy another beautiful day in paradise

It’s La Scala for heavens sake, eat the salad (chopped half) or taste the bolognese, always good and always great service
Little loud for business lunches but ohh well, and mostly no cell reception which makes the meal ohh so more pleasant. World can wait as you feast

I’m not a salad person at all. I never understood the hype of getting a salad for lunch I’m like doesn’t it make you hungrier? It’s like rabbit food. When my friends would pressure me to come I would always just get penne arrabbiata (which by the way is made to perfection here).
Finally I caved and I got the half chopped salad with no cheese, added pepperoncini and cucumber. I get dressing on the side so I can dip my bread in it because it’s so good. I also don’t get meat on the salad because I’m a vegetarian but my friends usually get the tuna and say it’s amazing quality for fish.
The downfall is that I always feel rushed by the waiters and for a pricey lunch, I expect to take my time to enjoy it. The salad isn’t cheap and add ons are expensive too. Usually the inside is empty, so I never understand what the rush is with the service. It’s like okay let me swallow my food and chew lol.
But it’s a nice lunch spot! You will definitely run into familiar faces and moms in yoga pants.

Service is very poor. I went for the famous turkey chopped salad but it has deteriorated in quality. The turkey tastes like tuna and is dry, and the salad wasn’t crisp, and tasted as though it was not washed with small sand like things that I could feel under my teeth. Very unimpressed. Also, I asked if they could toss it and they said the chef refuses to toss the salad — come on guys it’s a salad get over it. Fail.
I’ve tried Emilio’s Trattoria in Encinos turkey chopped salad and it is always 100% perfect plus the service is nice.

HORRIBLE SERVICE.
I walked by with some friends and the food smelled SO good that we came back later to give it a try.
I’ve NEVER experienced service as poor as this place. Our waitress hardly checked on us. My friends enjoyed their food but mine was undercooked. I told my waitress and she brought the manager. I explained the situation and he laughed in my face and told me that’s how it was supposed to be made. I’ve had this dish for YEARS and it was COMPLETELY undercooked. He was not sympathetic and actually argued with me when I tried to be really nice about it (I know restaurant business is hard, my dad has a restaurant). They kept it on my check. Then the waitress was extremely rude when she brought our check. Never going back. Don’t go here.

A must go to Italian restaurant. The original chopped salad is delicious. I truly enjoyed the prosciutto e melone, brought back childhood memories. The décor is chic and yet welcoming. Eggplant parmigiano is delicious.

Had a nice lunch here last week. Cozy environment. I had a mimosa, the vegetable soup, and the original chopped salad. My biggest problem was the size of the soup. It was barely even a cup! Seriously a smaller portion than a teacup. The flavor was okay, good, but got I would have liked to have more than a couple sips. The positive was that the veggies seemed super fresh. The salad was amazing though. Very flavorful. The prices were a bit steep, but nothing crazy. Will definitely be back when I’m craving a salad.

Food is excellent staff amazing. The manager is friendly and accommodating. Great food, great staff. Especially the manager (Craig) Jason, Christian and Summer behind the bar

When growing up in NYC and as a child «star» on Broadway, my stage mom would often take me to La Scala on West 54^th Street. O, how I loved their eggplant parm and/​or Alfredo sauce. I so loved that place. Now this La Scala, while famous for sure, is not at the level of my childhood home away from home they do one terrific job.
So, I met an interesting fellow for lunch today. Maybe we will do a project based on his new bio being written. More about that on another day. I figured since he has been running around Beverly Hills as a famous behind the scenes very powerful broker and he is very Italian, I thought this was the right place for lunch. Indeed it was. Bread and butter-​check. Minestrone-​check. Famous chopped salad-​check. Double espresso-​check. Great dishes all round us, with the world renowned red leather booths and all backed by great service.
I fahgettabout this place too often. Not ever again. I will be back.

To sum this place up in two words: Old School. But in the very best way. I’ve been coming here since I was a child, technically I was at their original location, but suffice it to say I’ve been coming to the restaurant for my whole life.
In a world where it seems like everything changes, I can happily say the one constant in my life is the Leon’s Chopped Salad at La Scala. This salad has the best dressing in the history of dressing. You can order the salad custom to your liking. I sub out the salami and cheese and add in tomatoes, onions, and extra garbanzo beans — if you’re vegan, this is the move.
Growing up the fried mozzarella was our go-​to thing. As an adult, I have never ordered it but I imagine it’s just as good because they are nothing if not consistent. The same goes for the classic Bolognese.
The wait staff is always friendly and that’s not just because they know me. I see the way they handle all their tables and there’s a reason the same servers have been there so many years.
There’s outdoor seating for warmer days and indoor or outdoor it’s always fun people-​watching.
There’s free two-​hour parking directly across the street and with that extra time you can talk a walk around Beverly Hills after your meal. Just don’t spend *too* much money shopping or you might get indigestion. ;)

Two words sum this place up for me… Old School. In a very good way. So many new spots forget about some very basic restaurant ideals. If it works, keep it on the menu. Have great service and try and keep good servers. All important things for a customer like me. Not that I know a damn thing about the business of restaurants. But…
La Scala does it all, I have had the chopped salad more times than I can count and it’s always the taste I remember and love. With or without any type of meat.
And the Bolognese. CLASSIC. Never changes. Always some of the best ever. I will order more because when my kids find out I’ve been to La Scala, the question always comes up of did I bring some home?
Fish dishes are fresh and the bread is always refilled. Comfortable booths and good people watching outside. And yes… good wines and full bar. Parking is BH hit and miss.
Just writing this make me hungry, so maybe back tonight for more pasta.

Food channel, why do you always fail me?
Chopped salad was recommended here as one of the best salads some chef ever ate.
Forgot which chef, but it was on the Food Channel so I had to stop in and try it.
Their chopped salad was big, but no better than any other chopped salad I’ve ever had.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but something along the lines of «wow,» would have been nice.
Not worth the trip.
Only tried the salad and left.

This place was super good. I was really impressed, I really thought the food was going to be mediocre but I was wrong. Came in for lunch with my sister since we’ve both had this place bookmarked and finally got a chance to check it out. It was kind of weird at first because the host was also our waiter and the service was kind of slow and awkward.
The ambiance is very old Hollywood with the original mafia style red booths and pictures of old Hollywood celebrities, none of that new Kim K crap. I’d say the décor was very classy, but also enough to tone it down for lunch.
The food… After reading all of the reviews, I had to try the spaghetti bolognese and of course the chopped salad. We ordered a full order of salad and a half order of spaghetti. The salad was huge and super good, with a lemon vinaigrette and everything was chopped perfectly to size. I didn’t add on any extras to my salad, I thought it was perfect as it was. The large order was big enough to split with someone, which I did. We also ordered the small spaghetti bolognese and omg, that meaty sauce was just to die for. I love Italian food and have been to many Italian restaurants in my day and have tried different sauces from different regions and I really think this one took the cake! If you haven’t tried it yet, you must try it.
We also ordered a drink each, I had a vodka tonic and my sis had a mojito, they were weak, I would’t recommend coming here for drinks, only dinner.

I cannot believe I’ve never reviewed La Scala, the LA institution!
La Scala is quite a scene at lunch time, as agents and housewives line up for the coveted red leather booths that line the interior of the restaurant.
Everyone orders variations of the chopped salad for lunch. You can add or subtract whatever you like, but the original chopped has salami, mozzarella, garbanzo beans and lemon dressing. They also have a tuna chopped, chicken chopped and turkey chopped. I like the chicken chopped and I add sundried tomatoes and shaved parmesan cheese.
What I really love at La Scala is their vegetable purée soup. I always order the Ortolana… It’s a purée of veggies and it is dairy free but so creamy and satisfying. This is literally my favorite soup in LA, and I usually get it once a week when it’s chilly out!
They are also known for their bolognese… But I have yet to try it. Always so thrilled with my soup!