CHIReview
Included In
You’re dating someone and they’re great —nice, polite, even parent-approved. But eventually you get bored and break it off. Then, after going out with someone who never remembers your birthday, won’t let you pick what to watch on Netflix, and keeps checking their phone (who exactly is texting them?) in the middle of the movie, you realize how special that “boring” person actually was. That’s La Storia—an Italian restaurant in the Gold Coast that isn’t flashy (or perfect), but has qualities you can count on, including some decent food that you should start appreciating.
La Storia’s menu is classic Italian, and, like your ex’s weekly phone call to Mom, the food is thoughtful and consistent. Take the roasted cauliflower, for example. Sure, it sounds about as fun as a trip to Target, but with its buttery sauce and spicy Calabrian chilies, it actually turns out to be great. Then there are the pastas. Unlike the credit card debt your new significant other is hiding, they won’t shock you. But they’re made extremely well. The rigatoni in particular is delicious, with crispy lamb sausage in a rich garlic sauce. On the other hand, a few dishes are as disappointing as finding out that your date’s favorite show is The Big Bang Theory. We’re thinking of the pizzas, specifically—with their dense crust and lifeless sauce, they really just shouldn’t be on the menu. Go for a pasta, meat, or fish main instead.
photo credit: Sandy Noto
While some of the other restaurants in the Gold Coast drive a Porsche, La Storia will pick you up in a Volvo. It’s in a fancy remodeled old house that still feels like a home, with a fireplace in the bar and a courtyard patio decorated with twinkly lights. The main dining room is slightly below street level, giving it a quiet, somewhat secluded feeling, and the servers are friendly and accommodating. All in all, like a car with heated seats and good music, this is the kind of place it’s easy and enjoyable to linger in.
In the endless hunt for excitement, it’s easy to ignore what’s dependable—even when it’s really good. But after being disappointed by what else is out there, you start to miss having something you can rely on. Luckily you can always go to La Storia for good food in a classy, welcoming environment. Plus, your parents will love it—they always knew you two were meant to be together.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Wagyu Carpaccio
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Roasted Cauliflower
Meatballs
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Gnocchi
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Lasagna
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Rigatoni
Spaghetti
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Diavolo Pizza
photo credit: Sandy Noto