La Cantina's co-founder and executive chef, Maurizio Grande, was born in 1963 the youngest of four boys. Life was difficult as a youngster, opportunities scarce and a dream brewing.
Del giorno or Stracciatella made in the traditional Italian style
$5.95
Italiano
Traditional antipasto of cacciatore sausage, prosciutto, cheese, olives and giardiniera
$14.50
Vegetali alla Griglia
Marinated vegetables grilled and sprinkled with goat cheese
$12.95
Caprini Farcita
Grilled house polenta topped with grilled eggplant, crispy pancetta, crumbled goat cheese, pecans and finished with black olive tapenade
$14.95
Cozze
Fresh cultivated P.E.I. mussels served with your choice of sauce: ~ tomatoes, white wine, sweet peppers, garlic, leeks and fresh herbs ~ spicy green curry, coconut milk ~ saffron, white wine, cream and fresh herbs ~ fennel, cilantro, brandy, caramelized onions and chipotle peppers~ white beer, onions, garlic, green peppercorns and fresh herbs
$12.95
Jumbo Shrimp
Grilled shrimp on skewer with a fig and balsamic glaze, served with a spicy couscous salad
$13.95
Calamari alla Griglia
Grilled squid marinated in secret herbs & spices with fresh lemon
$10.95
$13.95
Carpaccio di Manzo
Peppercorn crusted aged beef tenderloin topped with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano and caramelized lemon, drizzled with cold~pressed extra~virgin olive oil
$12.95
Fazzoletto
Wood~oven baked mini calzone stuffed with marinated tomatoes, bocconcini and mozzarella cheese served with a pesto tomato sauce and shaved prosciutto
$9.95
Bruschetta Tradizionale
Fresh, diced Roma tomatoes, finished with our homemade basil garlic olive oil drizzle
$9.50
Bruschetta con Formaggio
Diced Roma tomatoes topped with shaved provolone, asiago and mozzarella cheese, finished with our basil garlic olive oil drizzle
$10.50
Bruschetta alla Molisana
Puree of sundried tomato, crumbled goat cheese and basil garlic ollive oil
$10.95
Bruschetta alla Calabrese
Diced Roma tomatoes and sliced bocconcini cheese topped with our housemade spicy peperoncini oil
$10.95
Bruschetta Mista
A medley of all of our famous bruschetta
$11.95
Our homemade pesto sauce does contain pinenuts.
(Prices subject to change)
Insalate
Del Giardino
Fresh leaf lettuces and organic baby greens lightly tossed in an aged balsamic vinaigrette topped with cucumber, fresh tomato and sundried cranberries
sm
$9.50Reg
$11.95
Caprese
Sliced Bocconcini cheese and vine~ripened tomatoes drizzled with our basil garlic olive oil, house~dried oregano and topped with green olives
$9.95
Mediterranea
Garden greens topped with imported Feta, tuna, egg and Kalamata olives with our house made balsamic vinaigrette
$13.95
Cantina
A bed of spinach draped with smoked Norwegian salmon, red onions, capers and fresh fennel tossed in our raspberry balsamic vinaigrette
$13.95
Glazed Walnut
Organic mixed greens topped with pecan and fresh herb crusted goat cheese, maple glazed walnuts and fresh beets lightly dressed with a raspberry balsamic vinaigrette
$14.95
Dried Fruit & Seed
Mixed greens in a spicy balsamic vinaigrette topped with a mixture of dried fruit and seeds, feta cheese and orange wedges finished with a drizzle of honey
$14.95
Cesare
Sm
$8.95Reg
$11.50
Enjoy any of our Insalate
~ with shaved Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese ADD
$2.95~ with crispy Pancetta ADD
$1.95~ with grain~fed grilled chicken breast (4oz) ADD
$3.95~ with grilled jumbo shrimp (3) ADD
$7.00
PIZZETTE AL MATTONE
(our dough is prepared fresh daily with distilled water)
Margherita (pomodoro)
Mozzarella, bocconcini cheese and sliced Roma tomatoes
$12.95
Napoletana (pomodoro)
Anchovies, tomatoes, capers, garlic, olive oil and mozzarella cheese
$13.95
San Marco (pomodoro)
Chicken, capers, hot peppers, sweet peppers, red onions, fontina and mozzarella cheese
$14.95
Maui (pomodoro)
Blackforest ham, pineapple, green olives, sliced tomatoes, jalapenos and mozzarella cheese
$13.95
Primavera (bianca neve)
Broccoli, sweet peppers, red onions, mushrooms, eggplant and mozzarella cheese
$14.95
Quattrostagione (pomodoro)
Prosciutto, artichokes, sundried black olives and mozzarella cheese
$14.95
Diavola (pomodoro)
Cacciatore sausage, pancetta, hot peppers and mozzarella cheese finished with a spicy pepper oil drizzle
$13.95
Gorgonzola (bianca neve)
Pancetta, tomatoes, garlic, gorgonzola and mozzarella cheese
$13.95
4-Formaggi (bianca neve)
Mozzarella, feta, goat cheese and asiago
$14.95
Vegetariana (pomodoro)
Artichokes, black olives, sundried tomato puree, sweet peppers, goat cheese and mozzarella
$14.95
Molisana (bianca neve)
Prosciutto, mushrooms, sweet peppers, provolone and mozzarella cheese
$13.95
Patate Rostini (bianca neve)
Pancetta, wild mushrooms, potatoes, rosemary, fontina and mozzarella cheese
$13.95
Florentina (pesto)
Chicken, mushrooms, spinach, sundried tomato puree and mozzarella cheese
$14.95
Salumi (pomodoro)
Cacciatore sausage, prosciutto, artichokes, pancetta and mozzarella cheese
Shrimp, smoked salmon, black olives, eggplant and mozzarella cheese
$14.95
Canadese (pomodoro)
Cacciatore sausage, bacon, mushrooms, sweet peppers and mozzarella cheese
$14.95
Adriatico (bianca neve)
Sliced tomatoes, sweet peppers, sundried black olives, red onions, mozzarella and feta cheese topped off with fresh cucumber
$13.95
Louisana (pomodoro)
Cajun spiced chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, red onions, mozzarella and aged asiago cheese, garlic,olive oil
$14.95
Our homemade pesto sauce does contain pinenuts.
(Prices subject to change)
PRIMI PIATTI
Linguine al Pescatore
This classic seafood pasta dish marries linguine with juicy shrimp, julienned squid, P.E.I mussels and tender sea scallops in a garlic rose sauce
$20.95
Whole Wheat Spaghetti Ortolano
Spaghetti made with whole wheat, tossed with a garlic and olive oil sauce with grilled vegetables, topped off with crumbled goat cheese
$18.95
Piatto Di Maurizio
Fresh Tagliatelle egg noodles tossed with scallops, onions, crimini and porcini mushrooms in a light pesto cream sauce
$20.95
Spaghetti 'Chitarra' alla Carbonara
Prepared in the traditional 'asciutta' style with pancetta, eggs, cream and fresh grated Romano cheese tossed with egg noodle spaghetti
$18.95
Farfalle al Salmone
Smoked Norwegian Salmon and tender leaves of baby spinach tossed with bowtie pasta in a garlic cream sauce
$18.95
Gnocchi alla Gorgonzola
Our specialty, fresh gnocchi, prepared in house served in an aromatic cream sauce with imported Gorgonzola cheese and crispy pancetta
$19.95
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
Vine~ripened tomatoes, capers, sundried black olives and anchovy filets with cold pressed extra~virgin olive oil, fresh garlic and shallots
$17.95
Farfalle Primavera
This favourite features bowtie pasta tossed in heavy cream, with shaved grain~fed grilled chicken breast and a medley of fresh vegetables
$20.95
Rotini Maremonti
Seared jumbo shrimp and sea scallops with double smoked bacon, infornata olives and capers enhanced with porcini essence in an aromatic pesto pomodoro sauce
$20.95
Specialty Risotto
~ Porcini and crimini mushrooms with a tartufo oil drizzle topped with shaved parmiggiano Primavera with grain~fed chicken breast and a medley of vegetables ~ Pescatore with jumbo shrimp, scallops, mussels and calamari
$20.95
Linguine alle Vongole
A classic dish of little neck clams and baby clams splashed with dry white wine, garlic, butter, Italian flat leaf parsley and cold pressed extra~virgin olive oil
$20.95
Piatto Di Chef Michele
Spaghetti with smoked chicken and a medley of wild mushrooms in a rich cream sauce
$19.95
Pennette all' Arrabbiata
Double smoked bacon, shallots and cayenne pepper blended in our aromatic house sugo... traditionally delicious
$17.95
FOR THOSE PATRONS EXPERIENCING WHEAT ALLERGIES, WE OFFER RICE PASTA AS A SUBSTITUTE
ADD
$2.95
OUR HOMEMADE PESTO SAUCE DOES CONTAIN PINENUTS.
(Prices subject to change)
SECONDI
All of our grilled meats are prepared with a new state-of-the-art cooking technology ~ the infra-red method. This latest cooking technology allows the intense radiant energy to quickly penetrate meat and cook from the inside out, locking in natural juices. The best steakhouses in North America are embracing this technology.
We at La Cantina, are proud to bring to our patrons our commitment to quality along with this innovative cooking style. Buon Appetito!
Veal Tenderloin al Vino Bianco
Tender veal medallions sauteed with crimini mushrooms and shallots, finished with a splash of dry white wine, butter and fresh~squeezed lemon
$32.00
Cedar Plank Atlantic Salmon Filet
Filet cut of fresh Atlantic Salmon grilled on a cedar plank and finished with a fig and balsamic glaze
(10 oz.)
$26.00
Gamberi al Vino Bianco
Succulent jumbo Tiger Shrimp, sauteed in a white wine and garlic sauce, finished with fresh~squeezed lemon
$26.00
N.Y. Striploin
'AAA' Canadian Beef aged a minimum of 28 days grilled to your liking and served with our house cognac mushroom peppercorn sauce
(10 oz.)
$29.00
Rack of Lamb
New Zealand tender Rack of Lamb, marinated with fresh pressed garlic and fresh herbs finished with a fig vincotto drizzle
$38.00
Bistecca di Vitello
A house specialty, 14 oz. French cut Veal Chop, grilled and topped with smoked mozzarella and caramelized onions
(14 oz.)
$28.00
Beef Tenderloin
Grilled 'AAA' Angus Beef Tenderloin aged a minimum of 28 days, served with our house peppercorn sauce
(10 oz.)
$38.00
Ostrich
Marinated medallions of tender Ostrich, pan~seared and finished with a raspberry vincotto drizzle
$32.00
Chicken Saltinbocca
Boneless breast of grain~fed chicken stuffed with goat cheese, sweet peppers and spinach, wrapped with prosciutto and topped with a creamy sundried tomato and pesto sauce
$26.00
Chefs Maurizio and John accompany their secondi dishes with a fresh daily creation of complimentary starch and vegetables.
Always so so so good. Great food, pizzas and salads cannot be passed over, great pastas and entrees always very good. Nice to see an independent doing so well for so long.
I have been here a few times over the years and...
I have been here a few times over the years and it never disappoints.
La Cantina is the type of restaurant where you can enjoy an inexpensive yet filling lunch or an extravagant all out dinner. I have gone in as a party of three for just over $30 and had a party of two be closer to $100. Their food is excellent and the smell of the fresh wood oven is amazing.
The thin crust pizza's and the fruit & nut salad are some of my favorites!
This was not my first dining experience at LaCantina, however it is the first time we decided to take the kids. Seeing as there were five of us, my husband called ahead to reserve a table, but was told that they do not take reservations. When we arrived (a very neatly put together family of five, including three children ages 10 -12), what struck me was the look I received from the 'ladies' at the front desk. One of them asked if we wanted to eat at the bar or fine dining, I asked how long the wait would be for fine dining and she said one hour. I said we would wait, and she, ever so rudely looking at my kids then down at me said 'YOU WILL WAIT?!, IT MAY BE LONGER THAN AN HOUR'. Looking to either side of her at the other two women behind the desk while huffing, she reluctantly shuffled around for a pen to get my name when I confirmed my position to wait. Once she had our name down, the 10-15 mintue wait for a spot at the bar while waiting for our table was almost unbearable. I found it very uncomfortable to stand there while the three 'hosts' avoided my gaze and appeared as though they wanted us to leave. My children stood along side of us demonstrating a much higher level of sophistication than the three women behind the counter could ever hope to muster up together. Once we got to the bar, things improved, the food and service were good, the pizza was delicious and Anthony at the bar was excellent. Once our table at 'fine dining' was ready, we headed over, as I reminded the kids to be on their best behavior. The food was exceptional, the wine was perfect, the creme brulee was right behind the best I'd ever had. The waitress was knowledgeable, patient and polite. Much to my surprise, I found many people in the fine dining section did not look dressed for a 'fine dining' evening. There was a crying baby in a car seat, which I could tollerate as a parent, but usually not what you'd expect to find in a place such as this. It is unfortunate to have such a lousy start to what could have been a perfect evening. The waiters have to work extra hard to undue the damage the hosts create as they welcome (or NOT) you in.
So good I invariably order the same things every time, but love tasting off others' plates. Friends from East Coast who lived in Hamilton for two years became loyal customers and are currently bemoaning the lack of "anything like La Cantina" in Halifax now that they have moved back.
Special mention goes to the Bruschetta with sundried tomato puree and goat cheese. Man, I have to find out who the goat cheese supplier is as it is smooth and unctous without the weird aftertaste I personally find MOST supermarket goat cheeses to have.
Fazzoletto is also outstanding as are all their gigantic salads. Pizza I know to be excellent and the gnocchi gorgonzola is out of this world. Only quibble is noise during busy times a rather plain shrimp dish and overpriced wine by the glass.
Not for nothing it was mentioned in Where to Eat in Canada by Gourmet Magazine. Congratulations on consistently great food!
Hands down, best place to eat in Hamilton and Toronto. Good food, although the menu does need some updating. Good service on the casual side, I've never eaten on the fine dining side, but the menu is available if you ask your waitress.
