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a tavola
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
2148 W Chicago Ave(between Leavitt St & Hoyne Ave)
Chicago, IL 60622
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village
(773) 276-7567
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
183 reviews for a tavola
Review Highlights
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"Gnocchi is amazing along with the shortrubs." In 104 reviews -
"i had the panna cotta and practically licked the plate." In 19 reviews -
"Wine list had cheaper options (all italian wines." In 20 reviews
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183 reviews in English
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Review from S B.
Chicago, IL
5/16/2012
I wish there were more than 5 stars. This place is amazing. Been here twice, once with my husband and once with my husband and parents. First time we sat outside on a beautiful night in early fall, second time inside on a cold winter day. Both locations were perfect. So cozy, so intimate, and I love that you can't tell from the street that there is a restaurant behind the door. Romantic--great for anniversaries, birthdays, parents in town, etc.
Joel, our waiter both times, was a dream. He's the kind of waiter where we handed him back our menus and said "just bring us your favorite stuff." He's passionate about the food and the restaurant, and I love when the staff takes such pride in the food (he talked about possibly planting sage plants in the back to add fresh sage to one of the dishes...).
The food is beautiful, exquisite, and I love that the menu is small. Not a great liquor selection, but good wine list.
This is what a restaurant should be. Well done, A Tavola. Can't wait to come back. -
Review from Yvonne Y.
5/24/2012
Solid Italian food with the pasta primi and meat/seafood secondi. For the primi, we had the gnocchi and the daily special pepe e cacio. Fresh pasta with the right amount of seasoning. Only downside was the pepe e cacio was cold (supposed to be warm) by the time they served it. Very tender beef ribs served over creamy polenta. Easy to find parking.
Older clientele averaging 50s. -
Review from Meredith K.
Chicago, IL
5/9/2012
I'm sure everyone who's reviewed a tavola has already said this but its worth repeating. Best gnocchi in the city. I could stop there.
Get it as a starter. Its like savory cotton candy. Little pillows of brown butteryness that just melts. The crispy sage is a nice touch.
That's a tough act to follow! But they can do it. They have seasonal items and if you're dining outside you can see that they grow some of their own herbs. I love the blueberry risotto! They have some of the best roasted chicken and I usually get the fish of the day whenever possible (and when its not salmon)
The wine list is great. I've never had a bad bottle of something and its usually reasonably priced.
Then the dessert. Chocolate or apple? Whichever way you go you'll be pleased.
This is a hidden neighborhood gem that's the real deal. Its been around FOREVER but you've probably driven by it a million times and not noticed. It feels like you're going to your friend's three-flat for dinner.
Its always a treat coming here. -
Review from Kathleen L.
Barrington, IL
4/11/2012
We came here for our special 5 year anniversary dinner, and once again my husband did not disapoint in choosing the perfect spot.
Romantic and intimate, this restaurant gets 5 stars for atmosphere. Our server brought us champagne on the house to celebrate our anniversary and his service was excellent for the rest of the evening. He was very attentive but not too much that you got sick of seeing him. I was really impressed with all of the attendants as I observed them, not just our particular waiter.
For our order, of course we had to try the gnocchi. My husband had the beef tenderloin and really enjoyed it - it was cooked to perfection and super tender.
I noticed other patrons around us who got their gnocchi before we did but defnitely ordered it much later than we had put in our order, so in my mind I already was praying my beloved gnocchi would not come out cold (in case they made it and were waiting to bring it out to us until hubby's beef was ready) . My fear was true...it came out cold. :( BUT! Our server was more than gracious to bring me a brand new one and I am so glad he did!! The new order came out in 3 minutes, steaming hot and the little pillows of gnocchi melted in your mouth. The brown butter sauce is not too heavy (I got every last drop of it with their homemade foccacia bread) and I never knew I'd be so excited about crispy sage. Oh crispy sage. How delightful.
Skip the baked apple dessert - the apples were mushy and had a skimpy crust. Indulge in the delicious panna cotta with a shot of espresso. Perfect ending to a wonderful evening! We can't wait to bring back our foodie friends and dine on their patio this summer! -
Review from Jenni B.
Chicago, IL
3/29/2012
Phenomenal experience, in every aspect. Our waiter, Sean, was attentive and knowledgable, and made fabulous wine selections/pairings for the both of us. The ambience is super quaint and romantic...a hidden gem in Ukrainian Village.
We split the mushroom appetizer, which was excellent! The mushrooms were grilled and marinated to a perfection...reminiscent of steak (i'm a pescatarian, so it was a great to see a lot of veg appetizers for starters).
We then split the gnocchi, which was PHENOMENAL. Literally melted in my mouth. Highly recommend.
From the I ordered the fish of the day, which was the only pescatarian/vegetarian option...kind of a downer that my options were limited, but I was super pleased with the dish. My boyfriend had the sangiovese braised beef short ribs and hasn't stopped talking about them...they sounded incredible.
To wrap things up we ordered the panna cotta...I can not express in words how amazing this was. I seriously could have gone with an entree sized portion of this heavenly treat...I wish I hadn't eaten it so fast so I could savor the taste...wow.
Great service, amazing food, fabulous atmosphere. Perfect place for a date night:) -
Review from Lois A.
Chicago, IL
2/12/2012
After eating here it comes as no surprise that this restaurant has been here for so many years and that it doesn't need a huge sign proclaiming its existence. The dining room is small and intimate and it fills up incredibly quickly. We had 5:30 reservations and within 30 minutues of opening there was not a seat left in the house.
We started with some wine and the braised lamb ragu. The lamb was perfect and next we ordered the gnocchi. The gnocchi was good but probably the least impressive of all we had, if only because the rest of the meal was so outstanding. The lemon caper sauce that came with the whitefish was so flavorful and fantastic that we have taken to trying to replicate it at home (as close as we can come to it) for our own chicken and broccoli dishes.
The roasted chicken with bread pudding was another highlight and since I could not eat it all in one sitting, it made for an excellent lunch the next day. Due to high demand in the kitchen one of the sides I ordered was very slow to come out. Our server kindly gave me another glass of wine on the house to make up for it and given how enjoyable the wine was, that gesture was much appreciated.
This is a perfect date destination and I can not wait to be able to dine here when the outdoor patio is open in summer. It's really hard to say enough about this place - I would highly recommend it to anyone. -
Review from Anna V.
2/3/2012
Great place. I had never heard anything about it before and was invited to join a friend there with his family for dinner (who I believe are friends of the owner). Blew past it twice before I realized it was inside of a little house.
We got a table near the window and passed everything except the entrees. The mushroom appetizer was fantastic, so much better than it seems like mushrooms are allowed to be. So were the cured meats and the pear salad. All three pastas we had (tagliatelle, lamb ragu, and the illegal gnocchi) were really wonderful. The short ribs fell apart and had something unexpectedly brilliant going on with the polenta base. We had several bottles of wine I don't remember drinking and left pretty happy.
Chicago has a lot of really tasty italian but not a lot of standout wtf this is fantastic italian. A Tavola is, to me, one of the few that does it close to perfect, and it's a treat to have it here. -
Review from Terese S.
1/6/2012
Don't be a fool - order the Gnocchi. ORDER 2!! Dined here this week with a friend who has been going here for over 10 years. Really neat ambiance/decor, very quaint.
Wine - amazing, great recommendations and selections to choose from. We had a blend from Mantipuchiano. Food - just as wonderful. Get the gnocchi and also the braised beef rib - wow, the accompanying risotto was so yummy. Desserts - very good selection and not tiramisu. The lemon tart was simply wonderful. Staff- very friendly and funny. You will be well taken care of.
Great date place, very nice ambiance and quiet feeling for a good value also. -
Review from Jordan F.
Chicago, IL
4/10/2012
NOTE: I am reviewing the Cooking Class, not the regular restaurant.
This was a super fun class! I went with a group of four, and luckily there were two other couples (a father/daughter and father/son) that were fun and easy going. Dan the chef/owner definitely beats to his own drum...but the music is great!
We made the roasted chicken with brown butter sage gnocchi, mushroom appetizer, and tarte tatain (something french with apples, butter and sugar...can't go wrong there!). I have taken a couple of cooking classes and they are all different. This class is the type where you help minimally with peeling and chopping, but you are for the most part an audience member. This is not a problem as it leaves more time to drink wine and ask questions without ruining anyone's food.
The service was good - attentive but in the background. When we sat down to eat family style, it really felt like being at home which was refreshing. My only complaint is that it was a little spendy, but we were paying for the experience and the food, so really it is justified.
Oh, and all of the food was AMAZING. -
Review from Mahsa T.
10/23/2011
The food at A Tavola did not live up to the hype. The pear salad was lackluster. The brown sage butter gnocchi was decent, but the sage over-powered the whole dish, I've had better gnocchi at a handful of other restaurants. My braised beef short rib was good but exactly half of it was pure fat and bone that I could not eat. The risotto that came with it was runny and had a weird flavor to it because of the lemon zest. My dining companion liked his beef tenderloin. Good wine selection. We decided not to have dessert.
A meal here can be quite expensive and I'd say your money is better spent somewhere else. The menu is extremely limited and if you have a limited menu, each entree better be phenomenal, but this was not the case. Nothing tasted authentically Italian to me.
Atmosphere and dress are casual. You may have trouble finding this place, it looks like a house from the outside, no sign. It is in fact a house turned into a restaurant, the small living room is basically the dining area. Just a handful of tables with slow turnover so make sure you have reservations. The place feels cozy and service was excellent but the food is what matters and sadly, A Tavola did not deliver.Listed in: It's No Italy, But...
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Review from Michael T.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2012
I came here for my anniversary and was my second visit... Both visits were spectacular!
The food was as always simply perfect! I ate the pork shank... It was so tender it practically fell apart. The gnocchi was pillowy and savory. The only reason why I did not give it 5 stars was because I felt rushed by our waiter... Yes we were the last table to leave but we ended up leaving at least 1/2 before the restaurant's closing time. -
Review from Foody M.
Chicago, IL
3/20/2012
Amazing! Service and food were outstanding. Can't wait to go back!
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Review from Ambrosia S.
Chicago, IL
4/22/2012
A very sophisticated place. If you enjoy an intimate quiet evening with fine Italian food, you need to check this place out. A must.
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Review from Lou M.
Downers Grove, IL
1/10/2012
Hands down one of the top Italian restaurants in the city of Chicago. For people who haven't been to Italy - please note - THIS IS HOW ITALIANS COOK. Simple and fresh ingredients with tons of flavor. At A Tavola it's not about quantity (don't get me the wrong the portions are good size) - it's about the quality of the food. If you are looking for huge portions, lots of gravy and no flavor - I believe Buca di Beppo has coupons for you in the Sunday Tribune.
I think I've had just about everything on the menu - some of my favorites include the gnocchi, lamb ragu, short ribs and the chicken. My wife and I have introduced many couples and we've attended some of Chef Dan's cooking classes - they're a blast.. Highly, highly recommend it. -
Review from Melanie S.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 6/30/2011
It rather pains me to have to drop two stars when my multiple previous visits were all worthy of five stars.
I went again last night because it is (was) one of my favorite restaurants and it had been quite a while since I had been. A good friend was taking me for a belated birthday dinner and we both loved A Tavola so going back was an easy sell.
We didn't make a reservation, but since we arrived on the early side, we had no problem getting a table on their patio. It was a perfect evening to sit outside and enjoy a leisurely dinner.
We wanted to start with wine but the wine list on our table was empty, as in the book had no pages in it. After we were finally able to flag someone down, we were given the wine list and we decided on what we wanted to order. I ordered a rosé and my friend ordered something white that she couldn't pronounce (this will be important later).
Our wine arrives and we're asked about our food selections. We always share an order of gnocchi to start and I opted for the lamb special, medium rare, and my friend went with the fish of the day.
Our gnocchi arrives, already split, which I always appreciate, and while it was good, it just wasn't nearly as good as I remember. Our empty plates sat there until our dinner arrives...thirty minutes later. We were never offered second glasses of wine which we would have happily drunk. Our server simply plunked our plates down and scurried off.
My lamb was frightfully overcooked but since our server didn't come back to check on us (I never even saw her on the patio after that), I couldn't send it back so I just ate it because I feared it would be another half hour before a new dish was prepared and I didn't want my friend to eat alone. The other odd thing was that both of our entrees were to come with potatoes - that's potatoes, plural. What we each got was one sad little new potato (and I mean tiny), cut in half. Did potatoes suddenly get really expensive? Last time I checked, they were one of the more cheap starches (hell, I used to buy a bag of them in college and subsist on them for a week), so why so chintzy, A Tavola?
After we finished our entrees my friend decided she really wanted a second glass of wine but again, finding our server was next to impossible. When she finally came out, she had to ask my friend what she ordered. My friend said "The wine I couldn't pronounce earlier." The server said "Oh, I'll figure it out" and walked away.
The server must have passed by our table at least six times in the next ten minutes but never looked our way or delivered the wine. My friend got up to go to the bathroom and our server came to me and asked if she had ordered white wine. I said "yes" then she ran off again.
By now, my friend returned and still didn't have her wine. I would have ordered dessert to enjoy while my friend was drinking her wine but we were never asked and since the wine situation wasn't looking so promising, we decided to just find the server and tell her to cancel the wine so we could get out of there. Again, we couldn't find her so my friend got up to look for her and found her and told her to cancel the wine. The server remarked that it "was on the table" and my friend had to tell her that it wasn't and to just forget about it and bring our check as it was getting late.
The server then brings the wine, apologizes and tells us she won't charge us for the wine. Okay, great. Since we got the wine, I decide to order dessert so I can eat it while my friend has her wine. Again, it took our server several minutes to bring the dessert menu and take my order. I finally get my panna cotta and we eat and drink in a hurry as we've now been there 2.5 hours.
Another server brings our check and asks us if we want gratis limoncello shots to make up for the long wait. It was a nice gesture but we declined as we just wanted to leave. An apology was nice, but it was kind of too late at that point (and it would have been more appropriate if it came from our own server).
So all we wanted was a leisurely dinner, and by god, we got it. 2.5 hours later, we were out of there.
I'm hoping the bad service was just a fluke, because I really love A Tavola and prior to last night I'd had nothing but good experiences there, but it may be some time before I go back and give it another try.Listed in: The Italian Job, Uki Village/Bucktown/Wicker…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/2/2010
It's official. I am in love with A Tavola. So much so that I've been back twice already since my… Read more »
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Review from Heather M.
Chicago, IL
7/21/2011
This place is truly amazing, a total gem, and totally worth the schlep over to the area. The chef's mantra seems to be "keep it simple," and that is just what he does - find really good ingredients, and cajole them carefully to make them taste as good as possible. Nothing fancy here - just really delicious food. I can't wait to go back with a big group and order one of everything on their menu.
I was lucky enough to attend a cooking demo with Chef Dan, where he whimsically taught us to make his fantastic gnocchi (literally, the best I've ever had) with sage brown butter and tons of parmesean. I will be back to this restaurant for the gnocchi alone.
He also taught a simple chicken recipe, and showed an awesome trick on trussing the legs (I'll let you go and find out for yourself.)
After that, the man did something with oyster mushrooms that made them so flavorful and wonderful... it was one of the standouts on a giant table of delicious food. And they only had a tiny pat of butter!!! Amazing. (The portobellos, as often noted, are also delicious. His vinegarette/marinade recipe is delightful.)
The tarte tatin that we made was great. Chef Dan was so thorough and passionate with his instruction that I actually believe that I will be able to make this again at home.
Recommend highly. Mangia! -
Review from Karen N.
8/10/2011
This is a mix review.
Atmosphere and service-5 star. Cozy, romantic, very attentive service.
Food-My husband would rate it 4 and I would rate 3 because I had a not so great entree. I didn't like the portebella mushroom that tasted completely like balsamic vinegar. Instead, I liked the oyster mushroom that came as part of the dish. On the specials list, there's a turkey filet entree, served with sauteed spinach and procuitto raisin bread pudding. The whole dish was just ok for me. The turkey fillet is on the dry side, I know.. it's turkey but I thought there will be some magic happening given how everyone raves about this chef. The 5 star food items: short ribs, gnocchi, tarte tatin. All freshly made everyday, truly out of the world.
I think i will go back and try the cooking demo. the restaurant has an inviting vibe and I would like to try the back patio. -
Review from Laura G.
Chicago, IL
9/19/2011
Yum, more please!
So my parents took me here for my 26th birthday. I decided to try it, as all the reviews are pretty much stellar. And like most of the reviews, my experience was the same. Everything was pretty much perfect.
The Service was excellent, our waiter ( forgot his name!) was fantastic. He recommend a great wine ( not even too expensive) and I'm not much of a wine drinker and I thought it was delicious. So my father and I shared a bottle of red and my mom got a glass of white. Which he definitely over poured on purpose. ( how nice!)
The food was delicious, everyone on here was right about the gnocchi, it was unbelievable. It literally melts in your mouth. SO good. My mom and I both got the steak and my dad got the short ribs. The steak was perfectly done and perfectly seasoned. I dare to say it was even better than the Chop house. The short ribs came with this risotto, which was to die for. We got the panna cotta for dessert. The waiter was so nice, he put a candle on the plate but didn't want to embarrass me by singing happy birthday. What a nice guy.
Overall, a perfect dining experience. My parents are now going to recommend this place for my sisters rehearsal dinner. -
Review from M S.
Chicago, IL
12/15/2011
This intimate restaurant has long been one of my favorites in the city. The servers are knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. The atmosphere is cozy and has the perfect balance of relaxed and lively. The wine list is well-managed and interesting; servers are quite good at recommending something that one will like. But the food...this is the main reason for going back again and again.
The gnocchi truly is the best that I've ever had on this continent or in Italy. It's light and flavorful. The browned sage leaves are crunchy and delicious. The various fish are tender and fresh-tasting. Risotto is al dente. The homemade focaccia is a little salty but so soft and flavorful that I can't stop once I start. Fortunately, they're generous with the extra servings. Braised short ribs have a wonderful rich flavor and are served over an incredible saffron risotto.
Plan to spend at least two hours and share plates, including desserts. The tart tatin and panna cotta are the real deal; again made with incredibly fresh-tasting ingredients.
This place is a gem. It's the place I always take out of town guests to "wow" them. -
Review from John U.
Chicago, IL
9/19/2011
Quaint restaurant in making use of a huge backyard. Small dining area available indoors.
Looks like a house if not for the logo in the front window. Gnocchi is the best bit of the whole thing! Wine is available, BYOB with a $20 uncorking fee per bottle.
Not a bad idea to get a few items and pass them around the table, gives you the chance to taste more than one of their many great plates and starters.
Super friendly staff and cool, peaceful surroundings. -
Review from Ann S.
Oak Park, IL
12/3/2011
Intimate atmosphere. Gnocchi is amazing along with the shortrubs. Italian that is worth it.
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Review from Michelle H.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 6/21/2011
This restaurant is a phenomenal find. It's intimate. The food delights. It's super consistently amazing. I'm updating my 2006 review as I recently sent a friend to enjoy a Tavola. His text to me included thanks along with every, single dish their party tried that evening.
I'd mark this as one of one of the very best food experiences in Chicago.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/14/2006
This is a great find. Tucked away in an unusuming brick bungalow looking structure on Chicago… Read more »
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Review from Jimmy P.
Chicago, IL
7/13/2011
Recently found this gem through yelp, and gently hinted (repeatedly, loudly, forcefully) that my girlfriend take me here for the most important day of the year. My birthday!
- Roasted Vegetables - Simple, fresh and delicious.
- Caprese - Delicious mozzarella, fresh tomato. Clean and refreshing.
- Gnocchi - Best gnocchi I have ever had. The gnocchi spoke several languages, inspired me to climb a mountain, paint a picture and run for president.
- Short Rib - Amazing. Tender short rib on a bed of tasty risotto.
- Grouper - Pan seared and cooked perfectly. Served with spinach and the spinach was incredible. It had a fluffy texture and a hint of garlic.
It brought back a lot of great memories, and in my humble opinion, is one of the best restaurants in Chicago. -
Review from Kelsey K.
6/17/2011
We went here for my brother-in-law's graduation dinner and it was great. The problem with Italian is that it's really hard to screw it up and it's really hard to make it stand out. Luckily, A Tavola is able to succeed in the latter. I was feeling miserable and wasn't fully able to enjoy it, but even in my misery I knew that it was something special. The wine was great and everything that we ordered from the menu was incredible. My father-in-law says that he hasn't had anything there that wasn't incredible and I trust his expertise.... so I would go out on a limb and say that everything here is awesome. I searched for epic Italian in Chicago for a few years and now I have about 4 really good options and I am just happy as a clam!!
The long and short: you absolutely can't go wrong with A Tavola for a special occasion!! -
Review from Kate W.
2/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Gnocchi, mussels, and clams - oh my!! I'm stil reeling in delight from last night's dinner.
My date googled "slow food in Chicago" and this came up. They don't own a freezer. They make their own limoncello and pasta. Their menu is not extensive - 3 or 4 each of appetizers, pastas, entrees, and sides, plus a special or two for each category - but it's been created with a lot of thought and care, and the flavors and aromas are so full and intoxicating that everything tastes like a delicacy. It's an intimate dining experience without any pretension.
The restaurant looks like an unobtrusive home from the outside, with 11 tables in what was probably at one point the living room, plus a small bar, and a coatroom under the stairs. The waitstaff was excellent - good recommendations, very attentive.
We shared the mussels & clams appetizer (a special) and the gnocchi with brown sage butter & parmesan. Both were unbelievable. Not large portions but perfect to share as starters. I haven't seen mussels that large in a very long time, and the gnocchi was perfection.
Our entrees were the fish of the day (grouper) and the pork shank special. Again, ridiculously good. The grouper was slightly breaded and cooked just right, and the pork shank was huge chunks of savory meat falling of the bone.
Dessert was baked apples in a tart-like crust with homemade whipped cream - an excellent, light end to the best meal I've had all year.Listed in: For a Special Night in Chicago
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Review from Kelley C.
Chicago, IL
1/11/2011
I am not sure if people can't handle giving this place less than 4 stars because they paid so much for beef stew or because someone paid them to write the review.
The dining experience reminded me of a southern small-town country club... meh. The other diners were either stuffy 50-60 somethings or other unsuspecting young couples. Oh wait... except for the clearly coked-up asshole at the table next to us. This dude was obviously an investment banker straight out of the 80s. His poor girlfriend must have been deaf... he was screaming about all the "hot new wines" he likes to drink (probably right before jumping in his new Delorean and driving around town wasted). He had a friend with him that tried to escape out the kitchen back door at one point. This dude TOTALLY fit in.
I was SO EXCITED to take my boyfriend to this place for his birthday... this was in late October and I can't even remember what we had that I liked...All we both know is that I've had it ALL either when I have made it at home or for less than $10 at a RiverNorth-ish bar.
What I do remember is the short rib. Such a disappointment. Its just beef stew with no vegetables. How sad... It was literally the biggest mistake in my ordering history. My BF had roasted chicken.. he thought it was OK.
The staff was OK but our server recommended the short rib, so screw her.
I would NEVER go back to this place. -
Review from Colleen C.
Chicago, IL
10/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
Would you like to score a few romantical points with your significant other?
A date at A Tavola will achieve the following:
1. Prove you to know your stuff...despite quite a few raves on this particular website, it's still a bit "undiscovered." Meaning, you are ORIGINAL. Always a good thing.
2. Shows that you have breadth and depth beyond the stapled neighborhoods of Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park and Bucktown. (But it's not TOOOOOO far).
3. A goodnight kiss. (If that is what you so desire). Ok, I can't promise this one, but play your cards right, order the correct wine, languish over some finely cooked food...and well, the rest is up to you, mmmk?
A TAVOLA! It's an upper scale Italian restaurant on Chicago avenue nearing Western. There is a sign that whispers...but does not scream. There is no valet (but street parking is very easy). There's just A Tavola, sitting there inhabiting a former home, with a sprawling (city standards) back patio.
It's a white-table-cloth-kind-of-place (and priced accordingly, for the most part). It's nice, but you won't feel under dressed in jeans and a jacket, or even just jeans and a button-up shirt. Girls, I'd leave the flip flops at home (but hey, I always think that). It's not a "judgey" place, but it is the kind of place you'll feel a bit proud to be at (and protective of), and thus...adorn accordingly.
Typically at fancy-ish type restaurants, the food is small and perhaps unintelligible from the menu. At A Tavola you get wonderful homecooked classics with a twist, all freshly prepared and created that very night. An ever-changing menu of classic (real) Italian fare with large tender cuts of meat (I had the pork loin), fresh salads, appetizers, and fish. Great for a family dinner, out-of-towners that want a real taste of that lustrous Chicago dining scene...but aren't "foodies" or interested in fusion, sushi, etc.
A special occasion date with salads, appetizer, bottle of wine (sangiovese), 2 entrees, dessert and a bit o' bourbon for my beau + tax/tip = $175.
It's not inexpensive, but it IS quality. Classy, but not gauche.The twinkly white lights and candles on the patio were icing on the (birthday dinner) cake. Sneak out through the side alley for that kiss, ta da.Listed in: Date night..., West Town/River West
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Review from Lina N.
Chicago, IL
10/30/2011
My friend and I came here after a failed attempt to go to Ruxbin for dinner. The atmosphere is certainly a unique experience - it is not a storefront but rather a house, there are approximately 10 tables, and the experience is very intimate. My friend and I tend to have fairly outrageous conversations, so this was not a plus for us. However, for normal folks with normal conversations, the ambience is certainly very romantic and intimate.
We decided to share an appetizer and pasta, and each got our own entree. The waiter recommended what they were known for and we decided to go with it since the dishes did sound tasty. Let's start off with the bread. SALTY. What is going on with that bread!? Moving on..the olive oil was very good and the olives that came with the bread were also super tasty. They also gave us seconds (and really, as much as we wanted) so that was a plus.
grilled marinated portobello mushroom served with sautéed oyster mushrooms - We went with the mushrooms as the appetizer. This dish was amazing. The flavor of the mushrooms reminded me of tasty grilled steak! The texture was the right amount of firm but smooth and the flavors were bold but not overwhelming.
gnocchi with browned sage butter & parmesan - I am not a gnocchi person but I have to say this was an excellent dish. The gnocchi were melt in your mouth and of course, how can you go wrong with browned sage butter and parmesean? I will say I am glad we split the dish though, because the portion came out to be the perfect amount of food. If we each had our own plate of gnocchi I think it would be way too rich, so I definitely recommend sharing.
sangiovese braised beef short rib over saffron risotto with horseradish gremolata - This dish is responsible for the low, 2 start rating. I did not think this dish was done well at all. The short rib was very tender/fall off of the bone but it was so fatty that I think it was a larger percentage fat than meat. The risotto was too aldente and not very pleasant to eat. The saffron was a nice touch and worked well flavor-wise but was not enough to save this dish from being anything but mediocre.
Panna Cotta - I was extremely excited to have the panna cotta here! I love panna cotta and I've had it many different ways with varying levels of firmness/creaminess and have not had one yet that I did not enjoy. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the panna cotta at a travola. It was weird...firm and kind of GUMMY??! The flavor was...blah and forgettable (literally, I can't remember if it was vanilla? coconut?).
The service was very good here and that, along with the neat ambience and tasty appetizers makes a tavola deserving of a 2 start rating in my opinion. -
Review from Michael D.
Chicago, IL
10/18/2011
On a recent Saturday night in October 20011 my wife, my son and his wife, and I celebrated our son's birthday at A Tavola as first-time customers. Dinner reservations were made with Joseph who also acted as our host upon our arrival. Until we stepped into the restaurant, I didn't know that it has a large outdoor patio in the rear. Although we thought we would be dining inside, after we saw the patio and it being a beautiful evening, we asked if we could be accommodated outside. The patio was completely occupied but Joseph said that he would try to get us seated as soon as possible. In the meantime he provided a well located table inside the restaurant, and we were served excellent drinks. About 15 minutes later, Joseph led us to a very comfortable table in the patio where we subsequently very much enjoyed a well prepared and leisurely paced meal. We were served by Kevin who was very professional and congenial. We started with a couple of very tasty appetizers that included grilled mushrooms and vegetables. Next, we shared an order of the gnocchi and the tagliatelle Bolognese that were both excellent. Highlights among the entrées were the white fish and the braised beef short rib. On the recommendation of Kevin the roasted turkey breast was ordered, and it turned out to be outstanding. The only disappointment was that the sides for the entrées, specifically the potatoes, spinach, and other vegetables, were somewhat bland and unremarkable.
We found A Tavola's main dining room to be very charming, and the outdoor patio was large and private with well spaced tables. Overall, the meal was very good and the service was attentive, friendly, and very accommodating. We had a great time, and we will certainly be return patrons. -
Review from Hello S.
Chicago, IL
3/6/2012
YUM. Amazing food and service! Make sure to try the gnocchi, it is the best I ever had. I would highly recommend eating here, especially for a great date night.
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Review from Bryan M.
Chicago, IL
3/22/2011
Pork Shank FTW.
Seriously, it was an outrageous hunk of meat...served simply, with a lemon/parsely gremolata. I can't remember much else b/c this entree was such a winner. I went here with my Mom and can't even remember what she ordered...the pork was that good.
The salad was nice and fresh. The gnocchi were good, but the sage was a bit understated...if you have sage & brown butter sauce, the herb should be kickin', even if it's fried. But still, nicely done.
Wine list was solid enough. I can imagine this place is a great spot to bring a date...nice and dark inside w/ a good atmosphere. Can't wait to hit it up when their patio/garden opens up.
Only negative is that it was tad pricey... -
Review from Carol K.
9/21/2010
Tucked away in a house on Chicago Ave is A Tavola- a little piece of Italian perfection that is easy to miss as you drive down the street. For there are no glaring neon signs, no valet stand and none of the "pomp and circumstance" that is usually present in a restaurant of this caliber.
No. A Tavola is more like having dinner at a friend's house. A friend who grows their own lettuce for the arugula salad in the back yard. A friend who's fresh herb garden provides the added accent to many dishes. A friend who's mom must have come from the "old country" to be able to make food as good as this!
We started with a couple of their appetizers. The portabella and shittake mushroom special was amazing. Marinated and then freshly grilled- who knew mushrooms could taste this good! And the caprese salad? The buffalo mozzarella just melted in my mouth.
We then ordered two of the pasta dishes- the gnocchi (an extra large portion as my friend said he was going to take some home) and the pasta with the homemade bolognese sauce for me. Let me say right now- that there were no leftovers of either. Both were delicious!
As for entrees- my friend ordered the red grouper which was the special of the day (served with caper sauce) and I had the grilled lamb with fresh spinach. These, too, were perfectly prepared and still were "praise worthy" the next day when I had them for leftovers.
Finally ,we split the panna cotta. This rich dessert drizzled with vanilla sauce had a firm, fresh texture that made for the perfect ending to our meal.
Service was outstanding. There were no missed steps and our server's recommendations were spot on. She knew her stuff.
On the night we were there- there was a private party in the main dining area so we were seated upstairs. Upstairs lacks the ambiance but the food is just as good. If you are going to celebrate a special occasion- make sure you are seated on the main floor or you will miss some of the magic of what is A Tavola.
Street parking is easy on this stretch of Chicago- just don't forget to pay the meter box. And there is no need to get dressed up as this place is casual yet nice.
If you are looking for that special place to enjoy a night out with some great food, excellent service with an intimate ambiance, try A Tavola. It's a little bit of Italy, right here in Chicago!Listed in: My Friends Go To List
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Review from Jennifer J.
Chicago, IL
3/11/2011
Fantastic food. Romantic. Reasonably priced. Great overall experience. Awesome reviews by other yelpers and they didn't let me down this time!
Due to my tendency to over look at the menu before a restaurant visit, my bf decided to keep the place a secret until we pulled up in front. Glad he did because it was a great surprise. I really love that it's in a little house and it feels very romantic in there. Perfect for a birthday dinner!
We had the gnocchi and mussels. Loved loved loved the gnocchi and I could go back just for those. The mussels were decent as well. I like my mussels with a little more garlic, which was lacking here. It was more of a tomato based soup. Good nonetheless. I really like how they split up the appetizer on to two plates so each has their own portion.
Had the leg of lamb for my main course and it was awesome! Very tender and already off of the leg. They made it too easy for me to love!! To end the night, we had dessert and celebrated my birthday with two complimentary limoncello drinks on the house. The limoncello is homemade and I highly recommend it!!
We had a great waiter who was very attentitive and helpful. He did a superb job of describing the specials. It made our mouths water and everything sounded good. You could tell he was passionate about food and that was a breath of fresh air compared to some restaurants. He had a great recommendation for a Chianti too. Now if only I could remember the estate.
My only really tiny complaint is the ceiling tiles. I know that seems silly, but they could have made it look less office like by putting up a real ceiling. If that is the only thing that I didn't like, I think that's great! -
Review from Laurie S.
Los Altos, CA
12/17/2010
Started with the caprese salad and sauteed mushrooms. Both were divine.
I had the house special, braised shortrib on saffron risotto, for my main.
Oh
My
God
I think time stopped from the moment I took my first sumptuous bite to my last.
Gnocci was bomb as well.
Skip the dessert.
Side effects may include thin wallet and mild to moderate euphoria. -
Review from Vipin K.
Chicago, IL
1/11/2011
This is a little gem located in the UKV and definitely a wonderful place to eat. The ambiance was appealing however the restaurant is very small (approximately 10 tables or so). A great place for a romantic dinner or with a few close friends. The service staff were incredibly helpful, extremely friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. Now to the food.
We started out with the gnocchi with browned sage butter and parmesan which was very good. This was my first introduction to gnocchi and I found it to be very enjoyable. My main course was the leg of lamb special that they were offering, and I found the lamb to be succulent, cooked to order (medium rare) and paired with parmesan potatoes and garlic spinach which complimented the lamb very well. The portions were good for the entrees and slightly small for the appetizer. As for the dessert I shared the flour-less chocolate cake with ice cream. It was a wonderful way to end the meal.
In all it was a fantastic experience and definitely a place that I would go to again. I would definitely recommend going, although it is a pricey restaurant so be prepared for that. My girlfriend and I had a great time and I'm sure we'll be back at some point. -
Review from Matt R.
12/12/2010
The gnocchi is everything people say it is: light, fluffy and savory. The Panna cotta was some of the best custard I have ever had, and was soft, rich and creamy without having a gelatinous texture.
The portions are properly adjusted for individuals. The beef tenderloin and braised beef was delicious. I had the lamb on the menu, which was a little tough. The service was great and the wine was delish, as was the home made limoncello!
But a word of advice: this place can get super pricey. I think $$$$ is more appropriate than three. It was also hard to find (it is in what looks like a home). We were dressed casual-ish, and were definitely the odd ones out. :) -
Review from Melissa M.
Chicago, IL
10/21/2010
Had high expectations based on the many 5 star reviews, and I was not disappointed. Went here to celebrate an anniversary and it was the perfect place! Quaint, romantic atmosphere with excellent food and awesome service.
We started with the prosciutto melon, then had the gnocchi and tagliatelle bolognese as pasta dishes. Beef short rib for an entree and a lemon tart for dessert. All delicious.
Our server was very attentive (but it wasn't that busy when we were there) and very accommodating (special dietary requests), which makes for an enjoyable dinner. -
Review from Andrew S.
Chicago, IL
9/26/2010
WOW!
What an amazing experience.
I came here for dinner to celebrate my 21st birthday, and BOY did they treat me well.
Our server provided us with the best service I have ever had in my life, hands down. She was attentive, sweet, knowledgeable, and very charming. It is a very small restaurant, but they were more than happy to accommodate my large party of 7.
We started off with some delicious cocktails from the bar, and ordered several plates of appetizers.
How do they do that to Portabello Mushrooms??? Unbelievable. The server told us they marinade them for 2-3 days before serving them and they are divine. We also had the selection of Italian meats, and the grilled veggies, both delicious. We ordered each plate at least 3 times because they were so good.
We then had 2 family size plates of the gnocchi which we split amongst ourselves and thoroughly enjoyed.
Since there were so many of us we all ordered one of the entrees and were able to sample each one.
Flawless.
I had the short ribs which were spectacular, I would recommend those for sure.
Overall I could not have asked for a better dining experience on my birthday, and I have a feeling it will go down in history as one of my favorite experiences at a restaurant.
Bravo A Tavola! -
Review from Jeffrey D.
Chicago, IL
4/17/2011
Recently went to A Tavola for first time. Without question reminded me of our trip to to Ruscany and meals at Gabi 13, a small restaurant in Montefelonico in Tuacany. The place was amazing.
Would suggest specials, as chef puts heart and sole into dishes each night. We has the duck ragu appetizer (great) and my wife had chicken dish ( ok) and I had braised pork loin ( spectacular). Everybody enjoyed. Regional Italian wines and all dishes looked good.
Night was made even better with waiter straight out of NYC Flat Iron District of perhaps Soho. Came with just enough attitude and lots of knowledge. Helped make night a success.
Hope as good next time as this and we all and other couples enjoyed very much. -
Review from Angelica M.
San Francisco, CA
2/24/2011
My boyfriend and I dined at A Tavola for Valentine's Day dinner. SO ROMANTIC. What a discreet little gem in Ukrainian Village.
First of all...the BREAD is so delish and fresh. I would go for that alone.
We started with the seasonal vegetables, then had the gnocchi. The gnocchi was heaven on earth. My bf called ahead to see if they had vegetarian options and they had taken it into consideration and added a portabello mushroom option for the secondi course that evening. Usually I'm kinda meh about portabellos, but this was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It was a non-meat-eaters dream, as close to a steak as you can get. The Bf had the rack of lamb and he said it was the most tender lamb he's ever had...
Also the waitress we had was thorough, conscious (we had a time crunch), and highly knowledgeable.
In LOVE with A Tavola. Take your wife there.
