Giuseppe's Legacy Giuseppe Brunetti emigrated from Italy to the United States in 1955 where he first met his sweetheart, Domenica. They were married within three months. Upon arriving in America, Giuseppe set off in pursuit of the American dream; he labored in a number of hard jobs similar to many hard-working immigrants. In 1963, the Brunettis, along with Domenica's sister and brother-in-law opened their fine-dining Italian restaurant under the name Nick’s La Cantina. In 1991, the Brunetti children, Mary, Vito, Toni and Joanna, together purchased their aunt's and uncle's ownership and changed the name to Giuseppe’s La Cantina to honor their father after he retired. Giuseppe Brunetti remained an active owner in the business for 42 years, until his passing in 2005 at the age of 85. Each and every day, one can still feel his attention to quality and his fun-loving spirit all throughout the restaurant, now owned and operated by his and Domenica's four children. The restaurant and his legacy still stand in the original location at 1062 Lee Street in Des Plaines, Illinois. Over the years, Giuseppe’s La Cantina has built itself an outstanding reputation for serving the finest traditional, familyhoned recipes. Our customers return again and again to enjoy delicious Italian-American cuisine including succulent veal, chicken and seafood dishes, freshly-made pasta, and amazing, award-winning pizza. To this very day, Giuseppe's La Cantina honors the legacy of Giuseppe Brunetti with the undeniable quality of its food and service and the time-honored tradition of hand-picking ingredients.
APPETIZERS BAKED CLAMS 6/$8.95, 12/$13.95 Littleneck Clams with Seasoned Bread Crumbs, Melted Butter and Lemon Wedges
ANTIPASTO $7.95 Assortment of Italian Deli Meats, Italian Cheeses and Garnishes
CHICKEN WINGS (10/$6.95, 20/$12.95) Your choice of Fried, Buffalo Style, BBQ or Vesuvio served with Blue Cheese or Ranch Dressing for dipping
EGGPLANT ROTOLATO $8.00 Thinly-sliced Eggplant rolled up with Ricotta Cheese covered with Marinara and baked with Mozzarella Cheese until it melts in your mouth
FRIED CALAMARI $7.95 Tender Baby Squid fried to a golden crisp served with Marinara Sauce
FRIED CHEESE STIX $6.00
FOCACCIA ALLA GIUSEPPE $5.25 Our homemade Focaccia Bread baked with Ricotta Cheese, Garlic and Mozzarella
STUFFED BREAD STIX $6.50 Mozzarella-filled baked Bread Stix brushed with Butter & Garlic served with Marinara Sauce
BRUSCHETTA $4.85 A trio of Toast Rounds with Fresh Tomato, Onion, Basil, Garlic, Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper
FRIED VEGETABLES $8.00 Deep-fried Mushrooms, Onion Rings and Zucchini served with Marinara Sauce for dipping
GARLIC BREAD $3.75, with Cheese $4.75
SALADS & SOUPS Served with Garlic Rolls & Focaccia
CAESAR SALAD $9.85 Romaine Lettuce with Caesar Dressing & Croutons With Grilled Chicken $12.00
FRIED CALAMARI SALAD $13.00 Golden Fried Calamari served over a bed of Greens with Lemon Vinaigrette
CAPRESE SALAD $9.00 Sliced Tomato, Fresh Basil and Fresh Mozzarella with an Olive Oil Drizzle
ANTIPASTO SALAD $11.50 Assortment of Italian Deli Meats and Cheeses over Mixed Greens, choice of Dressing
MINESTRONE Cup $3.00 / Bowl $5.00
SOUP DU JOUR Cup $3.00/Bowl $5.00
ENTREES Served with Soup or Salad
VEAL MARSALA $22.50 Veal Medallions sautéed with a delicious Marsala Wine Sauce and Fresh Mushrooms VEAL LIMONE $22.50 Veal Medallions sautéed and served with a White Wine Lemon Sauce VEAL SALTINBOCCA $23.50 Veal Medallions sautéed with Prosciutto, Spinach and Sage topped with Mozzarella and served with Pan Juices and White Wine Sauce over Cappelini CHICKEN VESUVIO $16.25 One Half Chicken sautéed with Garlic & Oregano in a White Wine Sauce with Vesuvio Potatoes
ORRECHIETTE di VITO $17.50 Orrechiette Pasta with Italian Sausage, Mushrooms, Onions and Garlic & Oil in White Wine Sauce OUR FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN $13.25 One Half Fried Chicken with our Special Seasonings and deep-fried, delicately crisp CHICKEN FRANCESCA $17.25 Boneless Breast of Chicken lightly breaded and sautéed with Lemon, White Wine and Toasted Slivered Almonds RIB EYE STEAK $21.50 Char-broiled to Order or with Vesuvio Sauce
CHICKEN PICCATA $17.25 Sautéed Boneless Breast of Chicken with Lemon Caper Wine Sauce
BBQ BABY BACK RIBS $21.50 Full Slab of Baby Back Ribs Char-grilled with Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce
GIAMBOTTA $17.25 Char-grilled Italian Sausage with sautéed Mushrooms, Onions, Garlic, Peppers and Potatoes in White Wine Sauce
CHICKEN FLORENTINO $17.25 Sautéed Boneless Breast of Chicken with Fresh Spinach topped with Cream Sauce and Mozzarella served with Cappelini
BAKED CHEESE OR MEAT RAVIOLI $16.00 Baked Ravioli with Marinara or Meat Sauce and Melted Mozzarella
VEAL PARMIGIANA $22.50 Breaded Veal topped with Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Marinara and Mozzarella
CHICKEN PARMIGIANA $17.25 Lightly-breaded Boneless Chicken Breast with Marinara and Mozzarella
GNOCCHI WITH BRACIOLE $18.50 Hand-made Ricotta Dumplings served with our hand-rolled Beef Braciole cooked in a special Marinara Sauce
SEAFOOD Served with Soup or Salad
GAMBERI MARIA $22.50 Jumbo Shrimp sautéed with Garlic, Parsley and White Wine Sauce over Linguine and Seasoned Bread Crumbs GAMBERI BRUNETTI $22.50 Jumbo Shrimp stuffed with Chopped Garlic and Fresh Basil, Cheese and Bread Crumbs wrapped in Prosciutto and baked to perfection LINGUINE di PESCE $22.50 Vongole, Shrimp, Calamari and Mussels in your choice of White Wine Sauce or Marinara over Linguine ORANGE ROUGHY alla GIUSEPPE $20.50 Orange Roughy baked with Olives, Artichoke Hearts, Mushrooms, Onions and a hint of Tomato
SPAGHETTI con CALAMARI $19.50 Tender Baby Squid served with Marinara over a bed of Cappelini LINGUINE con CLAM SAUCE $20.50 Fresh Vongole Clams with your choice of Marinara or White Wine Sauce over Linguine GAMBERI del MARE $22.50 Jumbo Shrimp sautéed with Onions and Fresh Mushrooms in Madeira Sauce GAMBERI ARRABIATTA $22.50 Jumbo Shrimp sautéed with spicy Arrabiatta Sauce over Linguine SPAGHETTI con COZZE $18.50 Mussels steamed with Marinara and Garlic on a bed of Cappelini
ITALIAN SPECIALTIES Served with Soup or Salad
LASAGNA – A HOUSE SPECIALTY $16.25 Layers of Pasta filled with Ricotta, Ground Beef and Cheese in a Rich Tomato Sauce
OUR VERY OWN STUFFED SHELLS $17.75 Pasta Shells filled with Ricotta and baked with Mozzarella and Marinara
EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA $16.25 Slices of Eggplant breaded and fried and layered with Marinara and Mozzarella
EGGPLANT GIOVANNA $17.75 Sliced Eggplant layered lasagna-style with sautéed Spinach, Ricotta and Marinara topped with Mozzarella
MANNICOTTI al FORNO $14.25 Handmade Crepes filled with Ricotta in a light Marinara and baked with Mozzarella
BAKED MOSTACCIOLI $14.25 Oven-Baked Mostaccioli with Meat Sauce or Marinara and Mozzarella
PASTA Served with Soup or Salad Add Meatballs or Sausage $4.00 Your choice of: Capellini, Fettuccine, Linguine, Rigatoni, Farfalle, Penne, Orrechiette (Gnocchi or Tri-color Tortellini – Add $3.00) With any one of the following Sauces
VODKA $13.00 Light Tomato Cream Sauce with Onions and a splash of Vodka CAPRESE $13.50 Fresh Tomato, Fresh Basil, Garlic and Fresh Mozzarella pieces tossed into hot Pasta … very light and fresh on the Palate ALLA ROMANA $13.00 Romano Cheese, Cream, Garlic and a hint of Tomato MARINARA $10.50 Our homemade Tomato Sauce with Italian Seasonings CAMPAGNA $13.50 Artichoke Hearts, Mushrooms, Onions, Olives and Fresh Tomato with White Wine ALFREDO SAUCE $13.00 The quintessential Italian Pasta sauce made with Butter, Cream and Cheese … melts in your mouth
PRIMAVERA $13.00 Mixed Vegetables sautéed in Olive Oil and Garlic CARBONARA $13.00 Sautéed Bacon & Diced Onion in Cream Sauce with Romano Cheese BOLOGNESE $10.50 Our homemade Meat Sauce with Italian Seasonings AGLIO e OLIO $10.50 Garlic and Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Herbs and Seasonings FRESH PESTO $13.00 Fresh Garlic, Basil, Pine Nuts, Olive Oil and a touch of Cream PUTTANESCA $13.50 Fresh Plum Tomatoes, Capers, Basil, Anchovies and Kalamata Olives ARRABIATTA $10.50 Our homemade Marinara with hot Giardineira and Seasonings … Spicy!
DESSERTS & BEVERAGES ELI’S CHEESECAKE $5.00
CAPPUCCINO $4.25
ICE CREAM OR ITALIAN ICE $3.75
ESPRESSO $3.75
CANNOLI SICILIANI $5.00
SOFT DRINKS $2.75 (free refills)
TIRA MI SU $5.00
COFFEE, HOT TEA, ICED TEA $2.50
SPUMONI $4.25
MILK $2.25
TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CAKE $5.25
See your server for wine, beer and other drinks.
SANDWICHES Served with French Fries and Garnish
EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA $10.25 Breaded Eggplant Slices with Mozzarella and Marinara served on Italian Bread
STEAK $12.50 Rib Eye Steak Sandwich with sautéed Onions & Mushrooms
CHAR-GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST $11.25 Boneless Breast of Chicken marinated in our special sauce and served on Italian Bread
BEEF & SAUSAGE $10.25 Combination Italian Beef and Italian Sausage with Marinara Sauce and Mozzarella
CHICKEN BREAST PARMIGIANA $11.25 Breaded Boneless Chicken Breast with melted Mozzarella and Marinara Sauce on Italian Bread
MEAT BALL $9.25
½ LB CHAR-GRILLED BURGER $9.25 Freshly-ground, served with Lettuce & Tomato …make it a Cheeseburger, Bacon Burger or Pizza Burger for $1.00 more
ITALIAN BEEF $9.25
ITALIAN SAUSAGE $9.25
ADD Cheese, Peppers, Giardiniera, sautéed Mushrooms $1.00 each
PIZZA
Pizza Cheese only With one ingredient Each extra full ingredient Each extra half ingredient Double Dough (extra) Giuseppe's Special Vegetarian Meat Lovers Hawaiian Viva Mexico Italian Beef Giuseppe's Florentino Buffalo Chicken Margherita
10"
12"
14"
16"
18"
20"
Indiv
Baby
Small
Medium
Large
X-Large
8.25 9.35 1.10 0.55 0.75
$ 10.95 $ 12.55 $ 1.60 $ 0.80 $ 1.00
$ 14.50 $ 16.35 $ 1.85 $ 1.05 $ 1.25
$ 17.75 $ 19.85 $ 2.10 $ 1.30 $ 1.50
$ 21.25 $ 23.60 $ 2.35 $ 1.55 $ 2.00
$ 24.50 $ 27.10 $ 2.60 $ 1.80 $ 2.25
$ 11.55
$ 15.75
$ 20.05
$ 24.05
$ 28.30
$ 32.30
$ 11.55
$ 15.75
$ 20.05
$ 24.05
$ 28.30
$ 32.30
$ 12.55
$ 17.35
$ 21.90
$ 26.35
$ 30.65
$ 34.90
$ 11.55
$ 15.75
$ 20.05
$ 24.05
$ 28.30
$ 32.30
$ 11.55
$ 15.75
$ 20.05
$ 24.05
$ 28.30
$ 32.30
$ 11.55
$ 15.75
$ 20.05
$ 24.05
$ 28.30
$ 32.30
$ 12.55
$ 17.35
$ 21.90
$ 26.35
$ 30.65
$ 34.90
$ 12.55
$ 17.35
$ 21.90
$ 26.35
$ 30.65
$ 34.90
$ 11.55
$ 15.75
$ 20.05
$ 24.05
$ 28.30
$ 32.30
10"
12"
14"
16"
Small
Medium
Large
X-Large
$ 13.25 $ 14.35 $ 1.10 $ 0.55 $ 16.55
$ 16.50 $ 18.10 $ 1.60 $ 0.80 $ 21.30
$ 19.00 $ 20.85 $ 1.85 $ 1.05 $ 24.55
$ 22.50 $ 24.60 $ 2.10 $ 1.30 $ 28.80
$ $ $ $ $ Sausage, onion, mushroom, green pepper Choose any four non-meat ingredients Sausage, pepperoni, bacon, ground beef BBQ sauce, Candian bacon, pineapple, green pepper Sausage, onion, jalepeno, tomato Roast beef, giardinera, green pepper Spinach, ricotta, tomato, mushroom, garlic Ranch dressing, Chicken breast, buffalo wing sauce, bacon, onion, tomato Fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, olive oil
Pan Pizza Cheese only With one ingredient Each extra full ingredient Each extra half ingredient Giuseppe's Special
Ingredients Sausage, pepperoni, ground beef, Canadian bacon, bacon, shrimp, chicken, salami, roast beef, meatballs, anchovies Mushrooms, green peppers, onions, garlic, zucchini, pepperoncini, eggplant, pineapple, capers, spinach, cauliflower, green olives, black olives, sliced tomato, jalapeños, giardiniera Ricotta, mozzarella, barbeque sauce