Ila

First visit… décor is lacking any creativity or warmth. Brunch menu was interesting, but yet another assault on the egg. Omelette was overcooked. Roasted reds were tasty as was the biscuit. Smoothie and mimosa were nice. The water tastes funny. Service was friendly although the occasional awkward interaction with the university crowd.

We ate at this restaurant last night the service was decent the food was very good but there are just a few things that could be improved for instance we had $ 25 prime rib but no linens on the tables plastic water glasses I thin paper napkin. Could be a much classier place if they would step it up a little bit.

IIa where have you been hiding? Just was introduced to Ila and was pleasantly surprised to find big city dining in small town Iowa. The service was good and the food was great. I’ll be going back for the Chicken Marsala alone. My wife brought home the beef stroganoff and even the next day was delicious. Now the only question is what do I have next?

Really like the food. I don’t get full from their portion size and it’s pretty pricey considering that fact. Otherwise delicious!

I love this little restaurant — well, actually, it is quite big for Fairfield! Much friendlier and way more attentive than The Cider House, or any other restaurant, by far, in Fairfield. The menu is extravagant and awesome. Sure, it’s a little pricey but it’s totally worth it. All of the salads are great — the breakfast items are amazing! The pasta dishes are yum yum — to die for. Great, large portions and brilliant, fresh, vibrant flavor. An excellent variety of delicious American food in a sea of undefined generalized southern Asian cuisine. I love their food. I cannot express this enough.
Their accommodations are perfect. The restrooms are easy to find. There is more than enough seating in the place with so many booths to choose from! The natural light makes the place beautiful — the rich wood and modern décor really make you feel like you are dining in a SNAZZY spot.
The service is always excellent. Love these guys! Keep it up!

While spending some days in Fairfield, had the opportunity to enjoy a Sunday brunch at Ila, def recommend it!

For rural SE Iowa (granted it’s Fairfield), their food is right up there with places I have eaten in NYC, Boston, LA or SF. Great service, excellent food, and if it’s noisy, ask to sit in the back room. It’s much quieter there.

We drove in from Ottumwa heading to Minneapolis and stopped in for Sunday brunch. The selection was pleasantly interesting and the food itself was great. I believe you will enjoy it!

Restaurant is very nice, and clean. The chalkboard wall in the booths are a nice touch. I ordered the salmon over rice with black beans and peppers, and I t was delicious. The crab cakes we ordered for a starter were very good as well. The service was friendly and attentive. We will be back.

A big town ambience in our sweet small town. Liked their service. Had chicken Marsala first time, and so I don’t have anything to compare with. Teriyaki chicken breast sandwich is good but not something to crave for. Overall, it’s a good place for a pleasant evening.

My fiancé and I happened upon this unassuming little resataraunt on a sunday funday. It has a very charming and inviting atmosphere. The food was excellent. They also had a decent beer and wine list.

When visiting Fairfield, Ila is typically on the list of places that we MUST visit.
The food is beautifully prepared and creative, while still being down home. I love the story behind the name and the inspiration for this talented chef. (I won’t give you the info. You need to go to Ila and read the menu)
It seems every time I am in Fairfield, it is the lunch hour, so I haven’t had the ability to try dinner or brunch yet. If lunch is any indication though, I will happily visit there for one of the other meals, when possible.
The atmosphere is comfortable and fun. (I especially love the chalkboard for the graffiti artist within.)
I wish I could give it a complete five stars but the décor leaves a little to be desired. It lacks a little intimacy or something. The further to the back you go, the more it loses it’s appeal. I can’t quite explain why I feel that way… but just being real. BUT… I will return time and time again for the amazing food!!!

Our favorite place to dine in Fairfield. A solid assortment of entre’s and friendly service.

Just had DIVINE meal at Ila. Butternut squash lasagna special made with crepes was a masterpiece.

One step away from being great, though I can’t put my finger on what could shift them toward it. Some of the BEST lasagna I’ve ever had, but their bruschetta leaves something to be desired. Inspired, but could use a menu renovation.
Décor is quirky and fun, but small. The pool sticks on the wall made me want to shoot a game or two while we waited, but there aren’t any pool tables.
Like I said, food is so close to being great. They’ll get there soon. Worth checking out.

Just great. Friendly prompt service. Food came out quickly, and was presented in an appealing way. The menu here is based around quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation. It shows. Dinner for 2 came in at around $ 90 with tip. Reasonable, and fair for what you get here. Pleasant atmosphere, and managed well as far as I could tell. Well done.

During my most recent visit to Fairfield, I was able to grab some Italian at Ila. It’s a very pleasant restaurant with friendly service. Ila is not the best Italian food I’ve ever tasted but it definitely tastes like it’s made with care.
You know that feeling where food makes you feel good because the individuals making the food actually care about their craft — yeah, that feeling.
I loved their polenta. It was great. Their bruschetta was also very good. But the polenta really stole the show. Usually I get stuck having mediocre polenta but Ila has some of the best tasting polenta I’ve tasted in a very long while. I think I actually liked the starters more than my main dish.
I got their baked rigatoni and it was tasty. Their portions are huge so be prepared to share! It’s definitely Italian family style Italian food. And beware, their plates always come out piping hot so you may have to wait a few moments before you dig in.
Service is wonderful. We had a very friendly waiter who made our entire dinner pleasant. Unfortunately I don’t recollect his name but I’d definitely recognize him whenever I’m back at Ila.
Overall, Ila was another pleasant experience during my stay in Fairfield. I’ll be back for the wonderful ambiance and service. But I’ll definitely be back for their polenta. Oh man, I’m salivating just thinking about it right now.

Obviously a chef who is highly capable of preparing quality food made from fresh ingredients. Gluten-​free pasta was cooked perfectly (a rare accomplishment in public dining). Balanced flavors + clean presentation. Wine list carefully crafted, as well. Alicia (server) was pleasant, polite, attentive, and helpful.
Food-​awareness: Bravo !!

I have been many times for brunch, and once for their dinner menu. Their brunch menu is quite the mix, so there is a high chance that everyone in your brunch party will find something they like. Possibly the best pancake I’ve ever had, but nothing really innovative or hip on the brunch menu. Their dinner menu is full of innovative dishes, so I’m updating my review to add on a star.
I love the music, and you will find marble bistro tables toward the back of the restaurant (my favorite!)
They have some of the traditional brunch-​y cocktails on the menu, like mimosas. But, you won’t find an espresso bar here. Their coffee isn’t bad.
Service is always very pleasant!
Now that I’ve tried their desserts, I can recommend them wholeheartedly. I got to try 3 different desserts since everyone at my table ordered something different. The salted caramel pudding was amazing, carrot cake simple and delicious, and bread pudding was not dry at all — absolutely amazing!

Finally!
My wish for local delicious Italian food in Fairfield, IA, has finally been fulfilled.
I enjoyed my Eggplant Parmigiana entrée so much on Sunday that I returned the following week and ordered the same dish. The sauce is delicious, the eggplant cooked just as I like it; crispy and flavorful but not oily.
A few words of caution:
When ordering an entrée, the first side order of salad or soup is discounted. However, if you order both, that discount doesn’t apply to the second item. For me that meant $ 2.00 for an okay side salad, and and additional $ 6.00 for a delicious bowl of soup.
The atmosphere is warm and the staff is very friendly but the space could be more creatively designed for comfort, sound dampening and a more intimate dining experience.
Arrive early if you wish to sit in one of the few a booths along the side walls, otherwise, you may have to sit at a table unimaginatively lined up in the middle of the floor.
The interactive chalk-​boards that line the dinning room walls add artistic interest and nourishing food for thought.
I am already looking forward to my my next dining experience at lla’s. Hopefully I’ll meet you there too.