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A Tavola Bar and Trattoria
Category: Restaurants Pizza Pizza [Edit]
1220 Vine StCincinnati, OH 45202
Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine
(513) 246-0192
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 4 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 4 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
103 reviews for A Tavola Bar and Trattoria
Review Highlights
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"Had a fig jam pizza with arugula that was outstanding." In 13 reviews -
"Bacon wrapped dates, sweet corn & ricotta bruschetta and..." In 4 reviews -
"And again, the eggplant sliders are amazing." In 3 reviews
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103 reviews in English
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Review from Julianna R.
Cincinnati, OH
4/23/2012
If you're looking for an authentic Italian pizza experience, A Tavola is the place to go. Coming from an Italian family (my Mom was born and raised in Rome), I was brought up with an Italian "palette."
When my Mom came to visit me in Cincinnati last week, we decided to try A Tavola. I have to say even she was impressed. Everything from the types of pizza (we had the white anchovy with arugula) to the salad (simple, light and tasty just like in Italy) and the wine list is authentic and prepared perfectly. The service was great too.
Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Ryan Z.
Cincinnati, OH
5/19/2012
Arguably my favorite pizza in Cincinnati!
It's cooked in a stone oven and comes out to your table piping hot with the perfect mixture of crispiness and chewiness.
Wine selection is a bit short but reasonably priced and with some solid selections. I'm not very familiar with Italian varietals so I usually leave it up to the waitstaff/bartenders, and I haven't been disappointed yet.
Asparagus salad was a nice way to start the meal and large enough to share between two people. I felt healthy while eating it - ie. wasn't slathered with creamy dressing.
One of the best spots in OTR. I'd like to give this 4.5 stars but don't feel right labeling it a 5 star joint. Yelp needs to add the half star option! -
Review from Elizabeth W.
Cincinnati, OH
5/7/2012
So I was finally willing to wait until 10pm for dinner one Friday night and used the wait to check out the wine bar across the street (do it!). By time we got our table for three in the back of this still crowded restaurant, we were ready for some really good food.
Let me start by saying I really appreciate how kind the waitstaff and hostesses are here, I can only imagine having to tell people about 2-3 hours waits all night long and deal with the incredulousness; I saw this happen several times, just while we waited for our table. They handle it with graciousness and are quick to serve once you are seated. In addition, the bartender recommended an excellent bottle of wine from a list of unfamiliar grapes.
I wish I were as bowled over by the food. Maybe it was an off night. I really really wanted to love love love the food. I only like liked it. We got two pizzas and a salad, which were enough for three with leftovers. I liked the interested combinations on the pizzas but the taste just didn't deliver the way I had hoped.
Overall, I recommend this as an experience of the great neighborhood of OTR, and hope my next experience is just a bit better. -
Review from Sheila C.
5/5/2012
Fascinated by the "Ron Swanson" review, we ordered a Margherita base with house made bacon and a farm fresh egg. My husband toyed with the idea of ordering a second pizza, but we ultimately decided on getting the Asparagus Salad so we wouldn't have to roll ourselves to the Aronoff afterwards.
The salad: Sprinkled with crispy prosciutto, pine nuts, cooked asparagus and vinaigrette. Good combination of flavors and fresh bib lettuce (none of that wilt-y stuff you see at other places). Like bacon, you can't go wrong with prosciutto. Ever.
The pizza: I'm always wary about thin crusts because so many pizza places like to serve it as a very dry, very brittle cracker that tears up your mouth when you try to eat it. Not the case here! The crust was crisp with a good kind of chewy - like a freshly made bread. Add some good tomato sauce and you've already got a good pizza. But add some bacon? You know where I'm going with this - phenomenal! The only thing that I wasn't a big fan of was the egg. I mistakenly assumed it would be a semi-runny fried egg but it was added post-oven and was lightly cooked (good portion was still translucent) by the heat of the pizza. I should have asked - my fault.
The service: A+ Friendly and attentive. The moment a plate was emptied, someone popped by and politely asked if they could help us take it away. The server was knowledgeable and seemed genuinely interested in making sure we had a good experience.
We'll be back! -
Review from Elle B.
Cincinnati, OH
5/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I love the new businesses and creative ideas coming into OTR. One of these being A Tavola, a restaurant that takes an imaginative and delicious approach to the ordinary pizza.
I fell in love after the first bite of my make-your-own pizza that was filled with homemade sausage and bacon and fresh mozzarella and goat cheese. The first dining experience was also great as we had front row to the pizza making geniuses. The staff was über helpful and so nice.
We quickly came back several more times and had the same great experiences with the staff and their more creative recipes. -
Review from Sally Y.
Cincinnati, OH
4/23/2012 ROTD 5/2/2012
Let's start off by saying pizza is one of my favorite foods, and A Tavola does it just right! The atmosphere of the place is open/spacious but crowded with people - a sure sign that the food is fabulous. The variety of pizzas you can have on their menu is pretty awesome. You really can't go wrong with the fig or white anchovy. If you're feeling something more traditional, just make your own, and definitely don't forget to get the chicken meatballs too! Super tasty.
Another plus about this place is their awesome wood fire grill. It takes no time at all to get your food and it's warm and toasty when it gets to your table. Definitely a place worth checking out multiple times!!! -
Review from Jeremy F.
4/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
The Next Generation in Pizza Places
No, I'm not channeling my inner Star Trek nerd. In fact, I'm not a Trekkie at all. What I am referring to is the future of pizza joints. And the future looks bright (no, I'm not finishing that sentence with "i've got to wear shades". Sheesh.)
The thing I like the most is that is has something for everyone. This is something I have found that is rare in a pizzerias.
Organic kind of person? Their ingredients are picked fresh everyday with a mind for local and organic. Vegetarian? Have a go at the Margherita, Brussel Sprout or Artichoke pizza. The redhead, who is a vegetarian, preferred the Artichoke the last time we stopped in. She wasn't disappointed.
But you're a meat lover, you say? Or in my case, a hard core meat lover (get your mind out of the gutter people!). They have plenty of options to choose from, with all the classic like sausage, prosciutto, and pepperoni. I ate an entire Sausage + Sage pizza when I was there last time. No lie, the entire freaking thing.
What if you don't like the combinations that the A Tavola folks already have on the menu? No worries, they allow a make your own combination starting at only $9 for the base.
Stop talking about food and let me know about the drinks, you say? Alright. If you're a craft beer fan like myself, they have you covered with Bells, Troeg's, and Founders' crafts. If you're not into that you can grab the Budweiser, Miller Lite and even Yuengling's of the world as well. All beers are reasonably priced from $3-6.
If you're a wine lover (which I'm not, so won't pretend to review the quality here), they have a large selection and you can purchase by the glass or the bottle.
You might be asking yourself why, if I have effused about the place so glowingly, did I not grant the full five-star rating? Simple. Space.
A Tavola is in the ever refurbishing Over the Rhine, which means they aren't going to have a lot of space. And that's the downside. I enjoy a meal without having to rub elbows with a complete stranger. On busy nights, which is almost every night, that is virtually impossible.
So in hindsight, I suppose they don't have something for everyone. If you are claustrophobic, they won't have the space you need. -
Review from Jaime S.
So, I have written two other reviews of pizza places around the city. I believ I have claimed they were both the best in town and intend to do so once again with A Tavola. Damn is this good pizza, like really really good pizza.
I have been twice in a week. My first visit my group ordered two pies. The margarita, the best way to tell how good it really is, and a custom pizza I call the "Ron Swanson" with house bacon and a farm fresh egg. First the margarita, it was awesome. the crust was crispy and slightly chewy and a little soggy (in good way) in the middle. The sauce was super fresh tasting with a minimal amount of herbs and spices. The quality of the tomatoes really shined through. With a perfectly melty and salty motz, and a lightly dusting of a very tangy parm, this pizza wasn't messing around.
What I am really excited to write about is the "Ron Swanson" we created. The house bacon plus an egg cracked right in the middle is my new, all time favorite pizza. Seriously, it changed my life. The air seems fresher, the sky seems brighter now that this pie is in my life. The house bacon renders perfectly in the oven to become almost butter like when eaten. Bust the yoke and dip the slices to visit a level of dining nirvana that I am surprised isn't illegal. Please, do yourself a favor and order this pizza, the "Ron Swanson"
My second experience with A Tavola was equally great. My wife and I had enjoyed the experience so much we decided to call in a carry-out order on our way home from work. The ten minute drive from work was enough time for them to make our margarita, box it up and hand it to my wife in exchange for only, get ready best part, 10 DOLLARS!!!!. What a steal! Seriously. The garbage they serve at dominos costs more than that and they wont deliver to my apartment in OTR.
A Tavola is officially my favorite pizza in Cincinnati. With the quality of the pies, the proximity to my house and the price, A Tavola creates the perfect pizza experience.
P.S. Get the "Ron Swanson", bacon and an egg. If we all work together we can get it put on the menu! -
Review from Jennifer D.
Cincinnati, OH
4/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
You know, I tried to give this place only 4 stars, but I went back and thought about it and realized, after the description I gave the server of how I felt about the pizza, I had to go ahead and give it the five.
My sister and I went on a Thursday night, and were seated right away, in the front window, no less. We shared the special, a fried eggplant pizza- and each ordered a house salad, hers with cheese, mine without.
The prices were decent, we got Guinness on draught, special...$3! Okay, I was already in love with this place.
The salad came out right- No cheese! You'd be surprised how many restaurants have trouble with that simple request. What, I have texture issues?!
The salad was simple, but delicious. Then came the pizza. It was one of the most glorious things I have tasted in a while. I told our server later, when we ran into him at Neon's- "It tasted like it descended from heaven on angels' wings."
I meant it. Go to this place. Eat this pizza. Thank me later. -
Review from Scott M.
2/22/2012
A Tavola roughly translates to "In Table" or "To Table"
Though some of their literature I've seen says "to the table", which would be Alla Tavola. Semantics aside, this place has some pretty great traditional Italian style pizza including the classic Margherita which you will find basically anywhere in Italy. Margherita pizza is known for having a rather tart sauce. Additionally, traditional Italian pizzas are thin, not thick. If that's not your thing, too bad, you should try this stuff anyway. Definitely one of the better pizzas in the city. Though, as echoed by some other reviewers, the bar for great pizza in this town is so low that it rests on the floor.
For starters, you absolutely must have the bacon-wrapped dates, they are heavenly, though for your money ($6), you only get four. My UC math skills tell me that's a dollar and a half a date (cheapest date I've ever been on, hahahaha, I'm hilarious).
Your date will want the Fig Jam and Prosciutto because it's that popular pizza that everyone is talking about. Caution though, it is covered in Arugula which kind of has a bland taste. This could be a good combination with the fig jam, but last I had this pizza I thought more fig jam was in order and less arugula. Guess I like my pizza like I like my women, sweet and covered in bacon.
Funny I should mention that, you might want to give the Sweet Pea and Bacon a try. My friends all nay-sayed me when I ordered this on my last trip, but it ended up being a favorite amongst most in the group. It may not sound like a great combo, but it totally is.
My favorite pizza though has to be the Artichoke. The artichoke is a big deal back in the old country, and the folks at "A Tavola" struck gold with this one. I didn't expect this to be a great pizza, as I am not typically a fan of goat cheese and try to avoid going vegetarian as often as possible (if we don't eat the animals they will steal all our oxygen). I thought this pizza would outclass me, but instead it totally hit the spot. Fair warning though, it does not reheat well so you're best off killing it while you're there.
Some things you should check out while you're here:
(1) The big wood-fired oven near the back has to be one of the coolest things I've seen. It is as big as the entire kitchen in my house.
(2) The lacquered tree trunk tables up front. They can be a bit awkward to sit at because of their unusual shape, but they are still really cool.
This place can get busy in a hurry and I definitely suggest going a little before the typical dinner rush and during the week. It is kind of awkward to hang out there when it's busy. The bar fills up fast as well leaving patrons to hang in the path of every server in the joint.
Aside from the aforementioned Margherita, all pizzas are between $14-$16. I think it's a little pricey for what you get, but keep in mind that this is a nice dine-in location and that Papa John's pizzas typically end up in that same range.
Mangia!Listed in: Yelp 100, Date Night!, That Bar in OTR
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Review from Brittany M.
Cincinnati, OH
3/7/2012
Upon arriving at 5:15 on a Wednesday afternoon, the restaurant was pretty much empty (athough it filled up within 45 minutes of my seating.) The hostess was lovely and offered me a seat by the window at a tree trunk style high top table, the bar, or the pizza bar. The wooden tables intrigued me, so I sat by the window where I could people watch.
They have a good wine selection and i tried the Italian Nero d'Avola at $7. I was dining with my brother that evening, and being a very picky eater, was happy that he could make his own pizza. He ordered mozzarella and house made sausage on his and ate the whole thing! I ordered the bacon wrapped, sausage stuffed dates. ($6) They looked a bit burnt, as did the table next to ours. The flavor was actually really good, but the doneness of the them made for some really chewy dates. I also had the Wagyu beef meatballs.($10) Everything in it was perfect. The sauce, pesto, crusty bread, and the flavor of them left something on your palate. I also got the asparagus salad.($7) There wasn't that much asparagus. It did have pecorino, pine nuts, bibb lettuce, and a really tasty vinaigrette. It wasn't really that special.
Our server did a good job, but I had this weird feeling that I was being more friendly than he was. We both did not see him smile once, not that that's the most important thing. I would like to see more of a dessert selection than just the 2 gelato selections, though these obviously aren't their specialties. I will go back to try other things for sure. -
Review from Kevin B.
Cincinnati, OH
2/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
My partner and I very much enjoyed our experience at A Tavola. The meatballs and dates were excellent but the best thing we ate was the eggplant slider - and neither of us care much for eggplant. The pizza crust was terrific although when I go back I would not order the prosciutto and fig jam pizza with Arugula. The proscuitto was top notch and the arugula on top reminded me of Italy, however, the jam is incredibly sweet (surprised I ddin't see that mentioned in other reviews I read) and we both were kind of over it after the second slice. Great cocktails (I had the Stefano which ranks up there with my favorite bourbon cocktails - (the Liberal Liberal at Local 127 and the Side Car at the Five Spot in Seattle) and a nice affordable wine list with most offered by the glass.
We arrived at around 6:00 and our wait was the 30 minutes promised. I probably would not go here with a big group unless I planned to arrive at opening time (4:00) or some time closer to opening time. The overall service was excellent - we will definitely go back and would definitely recommend A Tavola to anyone.
Couple additonal notes:
1. There were several tables where groups (and families) lingered for a long time after they were finished eating. I've read some complaints about that but for us it was rather nice to see people in Cincinnati enjoying their evening with each other rather than just going to eat at the trendy restaurant.
2. We sat at the pizza bar. The experience of seeing the different pizzas and appetizers was great (we ended up being offered an eggplant slider for free) . Even though there is a small glass barrier we both end up with a little bit of splatter and flour on our clothes and we smelled like we had been in the kitchen cooking when we left. It was part of the experience and we didn't mind but for those who might not enjoy that type of thing you may want to opt for a table. -
Review from Shari S.
Cincinnati, OH
4/27/2012
Loved it! Priced well. Good food. Great scene. Plan to wait but there is a bar :). you have to try the sliders and the salted Carmel gelato. I don't love Carmel and I loved this desert.
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Review from Zack F.
2/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Festive atmosphere. Open, but typically bustling. They have a lot of great food options. Love the fried risotto balls. Interesting alcoholic drink menu. The drinks are a bit small for the price, but pack a big punch. They do tend to be a bit on the fruity side. They have some good wine options as well.
Pizza could be a little crispier on the bottom in my opinion. The crust is thin, but still a bit chewy. I like a nice char and a crunch. They have a lot of tasty options, though a few more vegetables would be nice. They do have vegetarian options, but unless you make your own, they are a bit uninspired. Fig sauce and caramelized onions is a nice combo. -
Review from Ashley W.
Boston, MA
3/20/2012
YUM! Everything we had- arancini rice balls, eggplant sliders, and the Brussel sprout/fontina/onion pizza was amazing. The pizza crust is fantastic, I almost felt like I was back in Perugia, Italy where the pizza is to die for!
If its busy you can try to grab a spot at the bar and enjoy your meal there!
I'll be back ! -
Review from Rachel G.
Verona, KY
4/26/2012
Love the dough. Its soft and relatively thin. Toppings weren't over done, and the sauce wasn't poured on. I'm not a huge pizza person, I fall in the lines of gourmet/ flat bread fan. Highly recommend. Food was brought put quite fast for how busy it was. My friend got a wine, not very good wine. Wrong pick apparently. Go to through bar across the street for that.
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Review from Matteo D.
Cincinnati, OH
2/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
quick tip: they don't take reservations, and on a Friday night they have a 1.5 hr wait for a table. They will call you though so just show up, ask for a table, and then expect a call around when they said a table may be available.
Now onto the review,
2 stars. I've never given such a poor rating but this is what goes into it. -1 PRICE, -1 gross appetizer, -1 very, very, very loud atmosphere.
In Italy, I can order 2 pizzas, 2 appetizers, and a bottle of wine for 20-30 euro. At a tavola it was 78 bucks and in the US you then tip!
the gross appetizer: yellow fin tuna bruschetta. I thought there would be a piece of tuna, maybe with olive oil, salt, garnish, on a toasted piece of french bread. OK, they did the bread right but on top of it was a disgusting puree of fish and who knows what. it tasted kind of like sardines? alright maybe not that awful but definitely not worth even a dog dare. maybe a double dog dare and I'd eat it again.
The other app was arancini. I like to see authentic appetizers like this in the US. it was done really well. i've bought better ones in Napoli 2 for one euro but It's much cheaper to by them on vine street than pay for the plane ticket. so they were good and price was fine.
Pizza: 16 dollars for a tiny pizza. this is getting out of control, guys. I'd pay that if the atmosphere was nice, at least i'd know the money was going into my experience not just the couple of dollars worth of ingredients.
For having imported their oven from italy, why can't they put authentic pizzas on the menu. there are all sorts of strange pizzas. thankfully they have the margherita. to really judge a pizza place for authenticity you have to try the margherita. sorry, but I don't think even Queen Margherita would approve of 14-16 dollar tomato sauce and mozzarella pizza. hence the reason for not ordering it.
I had the fig + prosciutto pizza and it was strange at first but then actually kind of nice. a little too sweet and what kind of prosciutto do they use? it's basically like thin canadian bacon.
The other pizza was a anchovie pie and eh.
The oven gives the pizzas a nice texture and flavor but for the reputation of this place, I was severely disappointed in my night. The restaurant is like a big hallway with two bathrooms and 1 toilet per bathroom. the lighting is strange, you sit a foot away from a neighboring table, and we had to yell to talk to each other.
By the end of the night we were so tired from yelling and so sad from losing 90 + dollars to A tavola for a couple of pizzas and apps.
Why is this place so popular? why is this hip? I thought hip/trendy people go to authentic+well priced places with good acoustics and hang out with friends.
whatever. I guess i'm not that cool. -
Review from Beth D.
2/28/2012
I was seeing a lot of hype regarding this eatery. I finally stopped in on a weekday evening to see what it was all about.
We were immediately greeted by a kind host and led to a table. They have a good selection of both wine and beer. We spoke with our attentive server to determine the popular choices for pizza. We went for the fig and arugula. It arrived amazingly fast. I later learned the pizzas actually are only in the oven for about 75 seconds. Needless to say, it's a really hot oven! And it did a fabulous job imparting a brick oven flavor in the crust. The arugula was prime - not bitter at all. I give this pizza two thumbs up.
While still looking over the menu after placing our pizza ordered, I noticed they had arancini. Wow! You don't see that often in these parts, so I had to partake. We placed our arancini order as the pizza arrived. The arancini were good, but not fabulous. They were served on a shallow pool of pesto. I felt the pesto overwhelmed the delicate cheese, rice, and crunchy crust flavor of the rice balls.
The atmosphere was warm and seemed like a great place to share a meal with those special to you.
I look forward to a return visit to try another amazing variety of pizza. -
Review from Kara P.
1/11/2012 ROTD 1/31/2012
I never, ever do this, but I was so impressed with A Tavola that I just got a piece of paper out to write down what we ate so that I could recall it again here in this lovely review.
First of all, it's taken me forever to actually eat here. They don't take reservations, so it's always crowded and there's almost always a wait (like 2+ hours)! So I was very excited that a friend was able to get us a table last night.
We started out with several bottles of wine (how else?) and the following appetizers:
Bacon tapenade + goat cheese
Artichoke bruschetta
Chicken meatballs
Beef meatballs
-and let me tell you... the beef meatballs were so good with a touch of pesto sauce and all the spices just combined perfectly. But the true winner goes to the bacon tapenade + goat cheese. Holy crap! No words... just yum.
For dinner we got three pizzas:
Margherita (for the less adventurous)
Artichoke, goat cheese, salsa verde
Margherita + bacon + egg
-everything was great, and I really appreciated the creative touch of the fresh cracked egg on top of the pizza. How cool is that? It was really tasty, too. Like a breakfast pizza. The crusts were authentic, hand-tossed, bubbled, and blackish-brown in parts (that's NOT a bad thing-yummm).
All in all, I really mean it when I give this place 5 stars. It is so delicious and so cozy inside (all the wood is hand carved) - a really great atmosphere. The kitchen is exposed, the staff is friendly, and the food is amazing. What more could you ask for?
I have also discovered that I eat better when other people order for me. I also eat better when other people pay for me!Listed in: My Top "Show-Off" Spots in…
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Review from Nate S.
2/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
One thing that makes this place is that it's a one-of-a-kind. Obviously, it's not a chain, but it' unique menu is something you can't find in many places in the city, and its continuously evolving from what I hear; Its fancy look & yet casual feel makes it a desirable venue during a night on the town; and the servers, bar tenders and mangers are a group of people that give a fair representation of the Over the Rhine community who are passionate about the restaurant and the area.
I love pizza, and I have to say this place definitely knows how to make it. This pizzeria is unique compared to your run-of-the-mill pizza delivery chain. A Tavola offers a nice selection of pizza toppings and typical combinations that you can't find other places. Two items that stand out are the Soppressata Pizza & the Sausage-stuffed, Bacon-wrapped Dates.
The service was fine. One time I went, the server was an old roommate of mine, so commenting on that would be unfair. The second time, the server (female) was good. It wasn't great, but she was not bad by any means + we had a table of like 8-10 (can't remember the exact amount) so, that always adds some added pressure.
It's a little bit pricier than the average pizza place, so I don't go there on a regular basis, but I will be back again sometime, and I suggest it for everyone to try! -
Review from Jon A.
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
When it comes to pizza I get all bombastic -- tossing rockets like "pizza is a beacon for community and the best communal dining experience." There it is... an elevated round circle in the middle of a table where all reach toward and from. It's like a Pompatus of Love.
Speaking of love... the guy's smile that greeted us is forever embedded in my mind. We walked in late after rounds of suds at Japp's (cue applause for Over-the-Rhine becoming one of the finest nabes in the states), and after being told the kitchen was wrapping up... *boom!* Smiling heart steps up to let us know he'd love to see if he can have them open the kitchen back up to have us take in their prized pizza. I hate being the folks that ask for this, but sometimes it's really-really rewarding for all. He made it happen. I now love this man, and I'm not ashamed.
*Stone IPA on draft.
*Deep fried risotto balls on a bed of pesto
*Margherita pizza
*Nibbles off of tablemates' prosciutto-situation pizza.
This was an ideal meal. Ideal-ideal-ideal.
The crust is blackened and cracks just enough when you fold the slice. Yes, when *you* fold the slice -- go. now. -
Review from Célèste B.
Cincinnati, OH
4/9/2012
After one visit, I was a bit disappointed. The ginger beer was wonderful, but the pizza and bruschetta were both badly blackened on the bottom. Still, the ingredients were top notch and the service was excellent, so I'm willing to give them another shot.
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Review from Louise D.
2/11/2012
A Tavola is one of the first places I visited in Cincinnati, when I came over for the very first time in September. What I remembered was: very strong cocktails, amazing dates starters and a suprisingly yummy Brussels sprouts pizza.
So when friends of our suggested that we go there for dinner I was all up for it! I wanted to show my husband this amazing place!! So I definitely went in with a 5 stars rating in mind. However... there is one thing that just isn't that cool and that is the waiting time. Our friends tried to book a table but that isn't possible. So we showed up at 7h30 on a Friday night and were told that the wait would be more or less 1,5 hours. No worries, we would just go for a drink in Lackman's and then go back. We did exactly that, but the 1,5 turned into a 2 hours wait and by that time we were starving. The most frustrating thing was that we could just see 2 tables of 4 chatting away, without eating or drinking anything.
My strong recommendation would be:
1) Allow reservations
2) Work in slots (e.g. when you get a 7h30 reservation, you know you need to finish at 9 - of course you can continue talking at the bar)
Even when I can understand that it adds to the buzz about this place to have people waiting, I'm pretty sure I'll go somewhere else for dinner on a Friday night.
The food though was just as a remembered, the dates are my absolute favorite starter ever, the combination with the bacon is perfect! The Brussels sprout pizza was also exactly as I remembered!
So in general the food is amazing, but the extremely long wait makes it a little less attractive destination for me on a Friday or Saturday night. -
Review from Opal K.
Cupertino, CA
1/21/2012
The pizza was really great! The atmosphere was fun and the staff was really nice.
Risotto balls for appetizer - a little underwhelming. Their pizza is really unique and yummy though. If I went again I'd probably skip the appetizer and get 2 pizzas.
Downsides: the wait is ridiculously long on Friday and Saturday nights if you don't go early enough. Also- if you go later in the night the place smells sort of funky... Maybe it's the cheese? -
Review from Lesley C.
Cincinnati, OH
4/13/2012
I just returned from my first venture to A Tavola, yearning to be hip and trendy like my childless friends. Of course I had to bring my children (there goes the hip and trendy) but they were more than welcome at the restaurant.
I would give the place 4 stars, but it was just so pricey. I'm used to paying $30 for pizza and a glass of wine at Dewey's (whose pizzas are excellent), so when the bill came here for $68 (we had two different appetizers and shared a dessert, so that does make a difference)...well it was a bit of a "why did I just do that" moment.
The pizzas were good, the ingredients were nice and I really liked the crust. But the $16 price tag was pretty hefty. Appetizer prices were high as well ($6 for two aranciata balls). The fig jam and prosciutto pizza was good but on the salty side, I preferred the margherita pizza my kids ate.
Our server was so nice and friendly. The place was bustling so clearly there are enough people out there willing to shell out $16 for a pizza. It will become my "special occasion" pizza place, and for a regular weekend out I will stick to Dewey's. -
Review from Sarah F.
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Waited it out for a table with friends at A Tavola last night. Nice service at the bar while waiting and wait was about what was promised. A friend and I split the Wagyu meatballs for an appetizer: 3 large meatballs in tomato sauce with pesto and optional goat cheese and 3 small, grilled slices of bread. Really tender beef and lots of flavor in the accompaniments as well.
I got the pizza special with butternut squash, panna (a thick cream), walnuts, and red onions ($16). It was kind of like butternut squash soup on a pizza--while I liked the creamy texture, there wasn't enough contrast to excite my taste buds. While red pepper flakes didn't really go with the other flavors, I added some just to bump up the flavor. The crust was very light, thin, and fluffy. I think one of previous reviewers compared it to naan, which isn't a bad description.
While I wasn't completely bowled over by my pizza toppings, and the wait is no joke, I still liked this place and think it's an overall winner. With the dining choices in OTR expanding by the minute, hopefully the wait will even out a bit over time, but the warm service and reasonable prices will stay. -
Review from Matt T.
Cincinnati, OH
2/19/2012
At A Tavola the food was great, and the staff were friendly. Our waitress and a waiter managed to collide two drinking glasses together. To make up for this, they brought dates to our table immediately and apologized profusely. This is the kind of "go out of the way" service that most places don't have anymore. They made a big impression on us.
Definitely get the dates as an appetizer, it is a staple. The peas 'n bacon pizza was good, but the sliders were awesome! I don't understand how food called "sliders" became so trendy, but regardless they are _really_ good here. -
Review from Ben C.
Cincinnati, OH
2/19/2012
A great atmosphere! The lighting is perfect. The food was good, although I've had a better crust.
We had the bacon bruscetta app. Think mini bites of a BLT, minus the tomato with twice the bacon. Mmm... Our pizza had chicken, onion, goat cheese and pesto on it. The toppings were great. But, I like my crusts to be more complex (a little sweeter, or a little crisper). Since they have that fancy oven I don't want to say this, but their crust reminds me of Dewey's. Other people love Dewey's crust though, so maybe it's just me.
Our service was great and the atmosphere is excellent. If you love creative ingredients, you will be happy. -
Review from Kerry M.
1/13/2012
I am so thrilled that I had the chance to check out A Tavola! I don't know if I should admit this online, but A Tavola made a special exception to their reservation rule for us. They allowed us to hold our rehearsal dinner here and we couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more!
Being from Phoenix, where we have an excellent selection of quirky restaurants with delicious food, I really wanted to find a restaurant in Cincinnati where we could hold a rehearsal dinner with our kind of food and atmosphere. I searched and searched for a place that would fit who we are: casual, fun, and always down for a good meal. A Tavola was really the perfect choice, but I wasn't sure they would allow us to reserve a space. After a few phone calls, I was able to work something out with Bill who was incredibly helpful. He allowed us to bring in our party of 20 to have a relaxed, casual, but DELICIOUS dinner. We came early to avoid their crowds and It all worked out perfectly.
I can't tell you what everyone ordered, but I had the margherita pizza. It was quite tasty. I also ordered their Ginger Beer Me cocktail and it was so damn good. Our server even let me have a little taste of the ginger beer first to make sure I liked it. We finished our meal off with their soft serve gelato. I've had gelato before and didn't really enjoy it that much, so I wasn't sure what I would think. But oh my god...this was awesome! Our server brought us both the chocolate mint and the salted caramel...they were both amazingly good! I don't know much about gelato, so I don't know how it compares to other places, but this stuff was creamy, smooth, and so flavorful. I highly recommend trying both!
So yeah, I think you get my point, I really enjoyed this place. Their food was great, the atmosphere was funky, and the service was AWESOME. I can't thank them enough for letting us squeeze in for an important meal. THANK YOU! -
Review from Mike C.
Cincinnati, OH
2/2/2012
Pretty much gonna reiterate what most of the other reviews say.
Great atmosphere. Low laid back, but also can be a little hip. Seems like a good place for a date.
Reasonably priced for an authentic gourmet pizza place. If you're expecting Dominos cheap, you've come to the wrong place. Authentic Neopolitan-style pizza out of a wood burning oven.
Had the bacon wrapped stuffed dates and the Wagyu beef meatballs for appetizers. The dates were tasty, but then I had the meatballs which were outstanding. Great olive oiled crostini to go with the delicious marinara sauce and goat cheese.
Had the fig and prosciutto pizza with arugula. Outstanding. Couldn't get enough of it.
Our waitress was also great. Good beer.
As I'm writing this, I realize that I forgot to sign my check for my credit card. Final judgement will await what happens with this situation. -
Review from Jimmy Q.
Cincinnati, OH
2/22/2012
Hands down the best pizza in Cincinnati.
No offense, Cincinnati, but the bar is incredibly low on that one. Ridiculously low. Seriously, Larosas? Donatos? Papa Johns?
Anyway, I'd be willing to stack these pizzas up against any gourmet pizza in America. They're really that good. The fig jam is likely the signature pizza and its phenomenal. The prosciutto is less than it should be (this is thick, weird stuff that tastes ok but isn't really prosciutto), but the whole dish comes together so well.
The butternut squash pizza was out of this world. The brussell sprout pizza was out of this world. The artichoke pizza was out of this world. The stuffed date appetizer was out of this world. The cocktails are out of this world (well, on prime nights. I've been there on slower nights, ordered the same cocktails and had them be far less enjoyable. B squad bartender?)
For the price I'd love to see them up the cured meat quality significantly, but as a whole I'm very happy with this place. As is anyone I've brought (and I'm here 3 times a month, so I've brought many people.) -
Review from Richard C.
Cincinnati, OH
5/2/2012
Who'da thunk...dates, Italian Sausage, wrapped in bacon, tomato sauce?
My wife and I stopped in at A Tavola in the Gateway area last night for dinner. We have walked past this little restaurant many times before on our way to another great little restaurant in the area. This time we decided to try A Tavola. It was a rainy Tuesday night, but the restaurant was packed and we were afraid that there was going to be a long wait for a table. A Tavola is larger than it looks from the outside and we were seated right away. We told the waiter that we had never been here before and we were hoping he could give us some advice on what to order (he did a great job, just what you would expect from an excellent waiter!).
He suggested starting with their signature Antipasti, Dates (Stuffed with house sausage, wrapped in bacon, topped with house tomato sauce). My wife ordered a Chardonnay and I had a local beer (also recommended). I wasn't expecting too much from the appetizer, but we were in a "nothing ventured, nothing gained" kind of mood. We wanted to wait to order our entrees after we had the Dates appetizer. This appetizer was unbelievable! I don't want to go into the sweet versus salty experiences, etc. Just order it and find out yourself.
After our experience with Dates we decided to try the Fig + Proscuitto Pizza. After living near New Haven, CT, for 14 years, and eating some of the best pizza made in America at Sally's Apizza on Wooster Street, we decided that this pizza was the best we have had since leaving the East Coast. Now, if they would only make a White Clam pie.................... -
Review from Katherine M.
Harrisburg, PA
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had been wanting to try this, but never got around to doing so before I left Cincinnati. So, while I was home, me and two girlfriends went here.
We came on a Final Friday - which meant the restaurant was jam packed. We parked a bit away and gave our name. The wait was quote to us at 1.5 - 2 hours, which since I wanted it so bad, we agreed to. The waitress took our cell phone number so she could call us, and we went off to have drinks.
About an hour later we get a call that our table is ready and run over (literally). We were seated at what was probably normally a two person table, and I was seated off at the end. It was a pretty large table though, and I was not uncomfortable, but I felt bad as the waitstaff kept having to squeeze past me, and my purse violently swung at them as they always ended up hitting it where it was.
Anyhow, got a bottle of Riesling, the eggplant sliders, and the pizza with artichoke, goat cheese, tomato sauce, carmelized onions, and mozzarella. The eggplant sliders were so delicious - they were flavorful and well cooked - the breading was perfect. The english muffins that they were sandwiched in between were super fresh and tasty. The salsa verde was delicious on it as well. The pizza really drove the meal home - super delicious crust that soft and airy, amazing cheese, and well cooked artichokes. I only wish there were more artichokes and onions on the pizza - we had two slices with no artichoke and a few with maybe one onion on it.
We finished with the salted caramel "gelato". It is definitely soft serve texture - not gelato - but the taste was amazing so I don't really care. I really did enjoy it.
Overall a great night, even if I did spill my entire glass of water all over myself while trying to manage the small table with food everywhere. -
Review from Sanjeet G.
Cincinnati, OH
11/1/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Great innovative trattoria in OTR
Pros:
1. The food is delicious, really creative pizza options and if you are feeling particularly creative you can make your own
2. Reasonably priced for the quality of your meal
3. The service staff is very friendly and knowledgeable
Cons:
1. The wait time can definitely be long, we waited over an hour and a half for a party of four, however it was a friday night and the place was packed
2. The cocktails were not as good as I had hoped/expected when compared to the other OTR restaurant/bars
Overall a great place and definitely worth the wait, just leave your cell phone number with the hostess and explore OTR! -
Review from Todd M.
Cincinnati, OH
2/26/2012
My 1st time there I ordered 3 things. A water, salad and pizza. The server forgot the salad. Well, ok. 2nd time the server scolded us for asking for a new plate after using one for appetizers. His response was "you're just going to get sauce on it again". Well, ok. Obnoxious if you ask me. My third time there after a mediocre 1st and 2nd time was equally disappointing. Interestingly the server voluntarily bussed all the plates after appetizers. Change in policy? The caramelized onions looked like applesauce, and the pizza came out late due to an oven malfunction. Center was doughy and undercooked. The manager, to his credit, did respond and offered dessert. I'm moving on.
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Review from Jessica K.
Cincinnati, OH
Wow, I walked into A Tavola with hesitation because of all of the awful reviews I've read... but I was blown away in a GOOD way!
We arrived at about 5:45pm so that may be why we had absolutely zero waiting time and an abundance of seating to choose from. We chose to sit at one of the small tables at the window, which was fun because the four tables there are slices of tree trunks... bark and all! Pretty neat.
Our waitress was quick and attentive to all of our needs. Three beers, an appetizer, a pizza, and gelato for just over $40 was a steal for the service and great quality of the food we were served! I don't eat much meat, but I indulged in the meatballs... which are INCREDIBLE. Get them with goat cheese - you will thank me. Also, dip your pizza crusts in the leftover sauce - you will thank me once more. The house-made soft-serve gelato was out of this world and a great way to end our night.
Everything is local, fresh, and well-made. The staff was so friendly and eager to please without being fake about it. We had a great time and will definitely be back! -
Review from Caroline C.
Cincinnati, OH
11/21/2011
Man, I really don't get out much anymore. So when I do, the pressure is on for my choice to be great. A Tavola was a winning pick.
I think other Yelpers have already written enough about the pizza (although I didn't see much about the crust being more naan-like than anything else. It even has an almost buttery scent to it). So I'll write about my favorite drink... The Bambino! That is a tasty, tasty beverage. Bulleit Bourbon, campari, riesling and club soda make a refreshing and surprisingly light and dry cocktail.
I also highly recommend the meatballs and cauliflower salad. And I also recommend arriving early or being prepared to wait. -
Review from Niamh O.
Updated - 2/9/2012 6 Check-ins Here
So, recently I stopped by A Tavola again for a pre-dinner drink, and it was excellent, if pricey. I think this may be my favorite way to enjoy A Tavola: get in there early, have a drink or three at the bar, and chow down on some of the best pizza around. Waiting until 7 on a Saturday night is the kiss of death. This place is heaven at 5:30 on a Thursday.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/2/2011
I stopped in here late on a Thursday for dinner and it was *packed*. Luckily we were able to sit at… Read more »
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Review from Mike D.
Philadelphia, PA
9/21/2011
Life can be a cruel joke sometimes. You can wait and wait and wait for a neopolitan style pizza place to open in your city and when it finally does, you move 600 miles away. Such is the heart-wrenching tale of Mike and A Tavola.
The good news is I moved to a place where there are literally 10 places like this, but that doesn't take away from how good A Tavola is. I managed to get 2 trips in before I left and both times I enjoyed myself immensely, with a couple of rough spots.
The food is untouchable. The homemade ginger beer makes an amazing Dark n Stormy. The appetizers are incredible. Bacon wrapped dates, sweet corn & ricotta bruschetta and arancini are all winners.
The pizza is cooked in a proper wood-fired italian built stone oven, and you get the awesome blistering and soft dough that you just cant get with gas ovens. They do their own charcuterie (house cured bacon? why the hell not). Its great. The pizzas i had in order of preference: fig & proscuitto - brussels sprouts with bacon - diavola. All are top notch. Though I dont quite understand the use of fontina rather than mozzarella on some of their pizzas. I dont disagree with it, but its just interesting.
The two bad marks I have to mention are just new restaurant things, its very very loud. im sure they'll, get around to fixing that eventually i hope. The other was the service. The first time, the bartender purposely ignored us because she knew and didnt like the person I was with. The second go-round, the pacing of the food was rushed, our pizzas were out less than a minute after our appetizers. Im sure on busier nights this isnt an issue, and its a small issue at that.
Either way, the food was amazing, and whenever I make it home, A Tavola will be on my list of places to get to. -
Review from Joe S.
Cincinnati, OH
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Neat little pizza place. I like the different stuff on their menu and that they have gelato.
We went around 8:00 on a thursday and had to wait a few minutes, the place was busy. Horrible side effect of this: cramped and Very Loud. We had to almost yell to each other and the server.
Had a bacon and bruschetta app, which was good. The pizza was very good (don't try to make changes, they know their pizza).
