I came here last year with my husband and his brother. We were on our way home from a very very long days work (nearly 24 hours start to finish) and decided to stop in here for dinner. What a mistake.
We placed our order only to have the waiter return five minutes later to inform us one of the menu items we selected was out of stock. Very disappointing. The server apologized but it was still kind of annoying to have to reorder after already waiting five minutes.
A little later our food came out but we had a different server. I guess our last server's shift ended. We ate dinner and asked for the check. It was at this point things got crazy.
Our first server had taken our groupon code when he took our order so the number was on the check but our new server was having trouble making it work. Apparently the first guy put it into the computer already so when they tried to do it again, they obviously couldn't.
The waitress and the manager then spent the next hour trying to figure out the very obvious problem. We explained the situation but they int budge. They actually accused us of trying to use the coupon twice even though there was a time stamp of when the coupon was used (which was when we first put in our order). We offered to just pay the bill in full so we could leave but they don't want to hear that either. It was like we were stuck!
Needless to say, this place is run by a woman who has no idea how to treat her customers. She should really have done more research on how groupon works before signing up for it. I'm pretty sure that's how it's supposed to be.
Nice atmosphere, friendly waitstaff, and the window seating by the river is a nice perk. Â The portions are HUGE (enough to feed at least 3 and come with bread, and salad or soup) but the flavors were "meh". Â We ordered two entrees and a glass of wine and left with a $40 bill and enough leftovers to cover us for the rest of our visit to Paw Paw. We enjoy supporting family-owned local establishments but I don't think we'll be back.
Review Source:Best pizza in SW Michigan. Tangy sauce is so addictive it should be illegal. The source for sausage is a family secret and once you taste it you'll know why. The oh-so-healthy Pasta Emilio tastes good folded into an omelet the next day - which is a good use for the leftovers you undoubtedly have. Ribs, planked walleye, fruiti de Mare are also all favorites.
Want something special that's not on the menu [like a meatball sandwich] - just ask. Family is always there watching over everything so expect quality, cleanliness and large portions. This family is from the West Side and this place could be right off Taylor street... ya, take a right on I-94 southbound and drive 135 miles. Plenty of free parking.
Great half-way stop for those doing Chicago-Detriot-Chicago drive.
It's obvious that La Cantina is beloved by residents in Paw Paw and 'hoods nearby. It was brimming on a chilly December night, chianti bottles tipped back and tables lined with pizzas, which is perhaps what I should have ordered.
The walls were stucco, framed with green vines hanging from the ceiling, checkered table cloths and some of the sweetest and most delightful service: a saving grace. Our waitress might as well have been rubbing my back while she took my order.
I ordered the eggplant parmesan, a recommendation and a dish that "people order all the time." My hubs got the spaghetti and meatballs. We figured both are barometer dishes, both will set the standard. Sadly, they left me wanting to walk to the table next to ours, introduce myself and chat my way into pizza pleasure. The sauce, oy, the sauce. . . too sweet. Sugary sweet. Canoli filling sweet. Not for my palette at all. Where was the garlic? The oregano? Even the acidity of the tomato was lost. Fooey.
I will say too that this place is a bargain. Not at first glance, but my plate alone comprised a dinner for two and a kid. Easily. Even a fat kid. I walked out with leftovers, a cozy, homey feeling. . . I had been here before, years ago, when we just started dating. There's photographic evidence, and we sought to re-create that little bit of bliss. It just wasn't this time. Palettes refined and wedding bands in place, we simply must have a more magical marinara.
This place adheres the "c" holy trinity of dining: cleanliness, customer service and culinary excellence.
I have eaten here several times and never once been disappointed which is truly saying something. Service is prompt and attentive, food is masterfully prepared and generously portioned. The decor is a little stuffy and dated - think faux foliage festooned about with a heavy hand. Luckily it is not so oppressive as to feel like your grandmothers parlor.
While the cost is a bit higher than I generally like to spend ($16-$30 per person) it really is excellent food and therefore I can not only stomach forking over the money to eat here, but feel like i got my money's worth.
Ive been going here for years, have had many of the very well done pasta's, ribs are very good too. On one of my first few visits i saw a pizza go bye our table, looked like a meatball under cheese on each slice. Â I asked the server, she said no its sausage. I had it the next time i visited, oh my. Â Excellent, i can not not order it. I had it this evening out on the patio with a morretti beer and gorganzola salad.
What can i say i am hooked.
My wife likes the pollo davinci, she thought the sauce on the lasagna was a tad sweet.
If your near Paw Paw enjoy La Cantina
Hopefully i will be there too!
For SW Michigan Italian  this is probably one of the better ones.  If you want to get away from the more crowded beach resort areas.  There is an outdoor patio area overlooking a river.  I would recommend this.  I have eaten here twice now and both times noticed an odd musty smell inside the restaurant...probably because its been around so long and next to a river.  This last time I took the family for pizza.  It was good.  Better than we would have gotten at some pizza place.  Good service.
Review Source:The Good:
- Authentic, family atmosphere
- Great Caesar salad
- Friendly service
- Tiramisu BEST I EVER HAD!
- Good coffee
- Plenty of room for large groups
The Bad:
- Kitchen ran out of bread
- Veal parmesan was "ok"
- Marinara sauce overly tangy
Overall, a nice treat if you are looking for a non-chain Italian restaurant and are willing to drive to Paw Paw (I would drive there just for the Tiramisu actually!).
Also (at least on Mother's Day) they took reservations which was nice.
Ehhh... it was ok! Â My salad was amazing, fantastic! Â One of the best I've had in a while. Â My pasta, not good. Â The red sauce was overly tangy and just not my thing, at all, I was irritated that my spaghetti noodles were broken up. Â My husband enjoyed his pizza. Â Service was fine and friendly. Â We were very excited for this place because when we drove by it looked so busy...
Review Source:ANALYST UPGRADE: GET THE RIBS
Yes, I know it's an Italian restaurant. Â But I figured that such a random item on an otherwise completely Italian menu had to be there for a reason. Â And it was GOOOOD. Â Mouths were watering around my table as I devoured these smokey, sweet, lightly charred pieces of heaven. Â Other highlights include the La Cantina chicken and the fantastic meatballs. Â To top it all off we got an excellent table on the patio overlooking Maple Lake. Â What a perfect perfect summer night!
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