La Tavola Trattoria

We were first time diners at La Tavola and had a most enjoyable dinner.  All four dishes were excellent and the owner and staff are most friendly.  Highly recommended.

Went again last night, had to post this, this food is SO DELICIOUS!.... The restaurants sister is Carlos & Carlos in Arlington Hts.  Which is Fabulous!  I don't think people know they opened one here in Niles.  There location is a tad tricky but OMG the food is amazing.  The staff is so nice and they all work as a team, so your never hunting for 'your' waiter.  Everyone just helps out.  Different and it works. Last night they had a filet on special, it's now my new favorite, crazy good.

I waited and went back as promised.  Once again the staff was extremely helpful especially when they noticed that any alcohol beverage at the table was less than half full.  My taste buds desperately wanted to love the food.  It is so close to my house and Niles does not have an innovative go to restaurant.  Alas it still does not.  Mind you the place is not bad but we have a number of average spots like Amici and Riggios.

So, we went on a Saturday night and the dining area was only half full and stayed that way for the entire evening.  After reviewing the menu my taste buds took control of my vocal chords and ordered an expensive salmon special.  They told me that it afforded them the best opportunity to be so stimulated that they would lick the plate clean.  It was evident that if I did not go along, I would spend the rest of the evening choking on my tongue.  The food arrived the taste buds eagerly awaited as the fork pierced the fish and the eyes whispered to the brain, why is it so mushy.  I looked again to make sure I didn't hit the mashed potato by mistake.  As the forkful hit the tongue, the eager cry of anticipation went from ahhhhhh to awwwww.  While the flavor was not bad the buds could not come to grip with the texture.  I did eat the entire serving but it was not the special event the buds had hoped for.  The others at the table agreed that the food was good but not special.  

When the owner stopped by the table to ask how the food was, I bit my tongue and said fine.  Looking back, I believe the tongue bite was just me getting even with the taste buds.

If a group were to be heading there and invited me, I would not object but if I were planning the outing this would not be my go to spot.