a tavola

Wow, that's all to say. Loved the blueberry.

I've documented many times in these here parts my dislike of going out to dine on Italian food, so the 5 I've so graciously awarded a tavola should be viewed with the proper amount of awe.

a tavola (which I was told can be pronounced with the emphasis on the a in tavola or the o) is located in what looks like a single family home on Chicago Ave.  The only indication that it's a restaurant is the frosted glass "sign" just to the right of the front door.  The inside is similarly unassuming.  It really looks like nothing more than if someone set up a restaurant in their living room.  The first floor seats maybe 15 people and the upstairs, where I had a recent birthday dinner, seats upwards of 20 but is even more sparsely decorated.  But don't let the understated decor fool you, the food that a tavola serves is top notch.

The menu you receive is hand written.  Generally it's influenced by what they currently have in season in the garden out back. On one occasion, my date requested a Caprese salad, despite it not being on the menu.  They waiter very kindly said, "Let me check out back to see if we have the ingredients" and came back with an affirmative.  The menu changes so often it's tough to speak to specific dishes, but there is frequently a short rib option and even more frequently a gnocchi that I've never had a bad experience with.  All in all, it's a unique experience that offers both a cozy atmosphere and excellent food.

I found A Tavola in the search for a nice, intimate place to have dinner with a new guy (this was my first time to plan a date) and this restaurant was exactly what I was looking for. Small, quiet, romantic. I'm pretty sure I got bonus points for even knowing about it- A Tavola is so tucked away and non-descript that it feels like you're privy to a closely guarded secret.

Unfortunately, it only gets 3 stars from me. We ordered a trio of different meats, served carpaccio style, which was wonderful. I ordered the gnocchi, which had been billed as their house specialty, and he ordered the short ribs on risotto. My gnocchi was pretty undercooked and as a result- gummy. My date tried it and concurred- I still managed to eat about half of the dish, but when pressed by the waiter, ("...But it's our house specialty!" ) declined to send it back. (New relationship- too nervous to come off as high maintenance, which I most likely am) His short ribs were great, much more flavorful. We got a bottle of red and spent probably $160 with tip.

Otherwise, while nice, and tucked away, the jazz playing via cd on an old boombox under a server's station where we were seated upstairs kept skipping/stopping, and the waiter kept having to futz with it. That kind of kills the mood. (And really- CDs? Is this 1992?) Also, I wish there were more reasonably priced wine options by the bottle. Otherwise, still a good evening.