Tavola
826 Hinton Ave, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Tavola Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Charlottesville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
826 Hinton Ave
Charlottesville, VA, 22902 - Phone (434) 972-9463
- Website https://www.tavolavino.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Diane H.
Food and service were excellent - from wine to dessert. We will go back soon. Mussel appetizer was a favorite
(5)Mary Lou S.
Four of us showed up on a Wednesday evening around 5:15 p.m. Two other tables were occupied. We were informed that there were no four-top tables in the restaurant and that they couldn't put two two-tops together because during the week, mostly couples came in. Note that putting the tables together would not have impeded the service people in any way. So we were put at a table for 8, but were squeezed at one end. I wanted to leave but my companions wished to stay. Upon opening the menu, one of my companions brought up Tavola's "no substitutions" policy. Since this place is not a diner, I cannot imagine why this statement is placed on their menu. Any restaurant of note will graciously make substitutions within reason. Towards the end of our meal, four others were seated at the other end of the table for eight. Ridiculous. The food was good but not great. My husband and I, who are locals, will never set foot in this pretentious place again.
(2)Ashley A.
Yum yum! I had an amazing evening out here. Intimate setting, attentive service and delicious food.
(5)Rob L.
What a great restaurant! Food is amazing, staff is fantastic.. What more could you ask for in a great italian place? Try the Papperdelle ragu and Tiramisu for desert.
(5)Jerry G.
First let me say the food is excellent. Some of the best Italian fare around, not only in C'Ville but anywhere else. So if the chow is so good then why the low rating you ask? Well here's why... 1. No reservations.. And I don't mean Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations.." They don't take reservations so if you don't get there early you wait and wait and wait.. Servers don't push (that's a good thing.!) so folks tend to linger longer.. And while that's a good thing too it can cause a real logjam.. 2. Open kitchen. Nice idea.. Get to watch all those culinary experts working their magic.. Problem is smell.. Yes, smell.. Not everyone likes the aroma of fish, bacon or other ingredients. And the restaurant is so small that the aromas can sometimes be overpowering especially when something gets "seared" a bit too much.. 3. Noise.. It is physically impossible to carry on a conversation during "prime time." A table of four and we were literally yelling at each other or leaning so far across the table to hear one another that we were damn near falling on the table. So take the inconveniences for what they are worth and chalk them up to a great small restaurant, serving great food in a quaint part of Charlottesville. Just be forewarned.!!
(3)John E.
This might be the best restaurant in town, though I'll temper that by saying I've only ordered pasta dishes and appetizers. The pasta dish with local sausage is outstanding. They usually have great specials too, so pay attention to those. The wait staff might also be above average, if you care about such things - both times I've gone they've seemed really knowledgeable about the dishes. It's also just a great spot - cozy and intimate without feeling jam-packed.
(5)Jon Z.
I always thought Italian food was ok, but heavy and pretty much the same everywhere. Tavola changed my mind. This place is great.
(4)Brenda K.
My husband and I were in Charlottesville on a Thursday in mid-November, and after an afternoon of touring wineries, we decided to have dinner while in the city. Some people had recommended Tavola. We arrived at about 5:45 p.m. (they do not take reservations, and we were told we'd need to arrive early), and were seated at a large communal table. Three people were at one end, and the two of us were at the other end. The table seats 10 people. Even though the restaurant later became very, very crowded, we learned that they only seat two parties at a time at the table. For such a small restaurant, that leaves 5 seats not occupied and there were people waiting for 30-60 minutes for a table. We had the" Insalata Verde" (bibb lettuce with a Meyer lemon vinaigrette) per the recommendation of a person at the other end of the table -- it was very good, but pricey for $8.00 for a minimal salad. For our entrees, my husband had the "Pan Scotatto Rockfish", which had roasted tomatoes and fennel and was in a saffron broth. It was okay, but nothing spectacular. I had the "Bisteca alla Griglia" which is a grilled hanger steak with cippolini "agrodolce", mountain gorgonzola, and a rosemary potato cake. The flavor of the steak was fine, if a bit overcooked (I ordered it medium-rare), and I did like the cippolini onions, but the rosemary potato cake had turned into a mush, because the steak sat atop it, and it was surrounded with the "agrodolce" sauce. Often it seems that restaurants like to layer their items on top of each other, so the flavor of the individual items is lost to just one flavor profile, and it can also compromise the the texture of the food as well. I ordered the chestnut cheesecake to take home and had that later in the evening. It was flavorless and had no taste of chestnuts whatsoever. It was very much overpriced at $8.00 per serving. The restaurant was crowded, loud and at times very smoky because of something they were cooking. The server was not very attentive and it took quite a while to get her attention to order a second glass of wine. We also later learned that there were menu items listed on a board that we were not aware of, and were not told about as well, when our server told us the specials for the night. Overall, the food was good, but not nearly as good as the "hype".
(3)Matt P.
Don't really understand the hype. Went there on a tuesday night got a pasta dish and a special. Both were decent but in no way the "best meal i've had in Charlottesville." Not sure I would be back anytime soon given the other choices in town.
(2)Craig K.
Always incredible food. Great relaxed atmosphere. Awesome specials all the time. Constantly delivers. Probably eaten there 30 times, never been disappointed. I wish they took reservations - then it would be 5 star for me. Eating at the bar with my wife next to me is a wonderful, casual, enjoyable experience.
(4)Richard S.
A small, cozy restaurant with great rustic Italian food. Probably not the best place for larger groups, but if you've got a fix for some solid Italian then this is the place to go. If you haven't experienced Italian past the standard pasta and pizza, then you should take advantage of Tavola.
(4)Stacie P.
This very small restaurant is always packed so I assumed it would be amazing. The food was decent, but for $20-25 per plate I would expect a little more.
(3)Laurentina F.
Giving this place 2 stars for the following 2 reasons: - They use fresh, seasonal, local produce (which is typical in REAL Italian food) and the flavors aren't too bad (when done right) and... - The Bolognese pasta was some of the best I've had outside of Italy It saddens me to write poor reviews to places with such potential, but unfortunately, it has to be done. For someone who has lived in Italy for an extended period of time and is obsessed with all things Italian (including REAL Italian food), I should have steered clear away from this place - despite the charming website... nonetheless, my friends and I were in C-ville for the weekend and decided to get dinner here. Not the greatest idea. Ever. COMPLAINTS: - Worst service ever. We sat down and weren't even offered bread/olive oil. They kept forcing wine on us (ahem, $9/glass of mediocre Italian vino is not worth it, my friends) and antipasti as well. When it came time to order, the waitress raised her eyebrow when my friend and I decided to split an entree. - Undercooked veggies: Aside from the pastas we ordered, we also got a green bean contorno (side dish), which came out UNDERCOOKED! Waitress claimed that it was NOT undercooked and had us order the grilled zucchini instead, which we obliged to and THOSE also came out partially undercooked. Plus, we didn't understand the combination of parma cheese and mint on top of the 4 slices of zucchini... Italian food isn't pretentious, and Italian table-food certainly ISN'T, so this was very confusing to have this kind of "over-seasoning" at a place that claims to be "cozy, rustic, home-away-from-home" kind of place. I can tell you that my many meals with Italian families in Italy would have NEVER resulted in something like that. - Was not too impressed with the open kitchen, noise and small seating area too. It is, like Jerry G said, a cool idea but there is too little space to cook AND serve meals to a constant flow of guests. - The manager did come around and ask us how things were, but I found it strange that when we told him it was just "okay", he didn't pursue us further of what he could do to make our dining experience more enjoyable. Instead, he turned around and chatted rather lively to another table, claiming that his method was "how they do it in Italy". In any case, if Tavola wants to continue down the road of creating a "cozy, rustic" slow-food esque dining experience for their guests, they should make a trip to Italy and take some courses on how Italian food is REALLY presented. I hope they take this into consideration because there are so few real, genuine Italian restaurants in the US and they really have potential to be better than the average yuppie, small town Urbanite, pretentious food joint. The next time I'm in Charlottesville, I will be eating at Eppie's and The Bluegrass Grill instead.
(2)Meredith P.
Delicious food, but a little too complicated, Italian food is at its best when it is simple. Went a second time, it was very good, but we had to wait almost 2 hours for a table for a group of 6.
(4)Molly S.
Tavola has excellent food and a great vibe. I went super early on a Tuesday night for a special occasion and was worried that it would be empty and dead. Instead it was lively, warm, and yet still intimate. The food is great, as is the service. When you're there you forget that you're in such a small town. They even have (good) espresso for after dinner! Definitely going back for another date night!
(4)Sarah B.
Tavola is really one of the best restaurants I've been to in Charlottesville. Even though they don't take reservations, my boyfriend and I decided to try it on a Friday night in November to celebrate an anniversary. We got there around 8 and were told it'd be about half an hour, which we expected, so we walked to Mas for drinks and appetizers. The host called us when our table was ready, and unfortunately we did have to wait a little bit since the previous couple didn't leave very quickly. We didn't mind at all, and the host brought us complimentary glasses of prosecco, which we enjoyed. The food was absolutely stupendous; my ragu and my boyfriend's eggplant parm were so great. The waitress was very nice and didn't come around too often. The space itself is so cozy and I'd be very happy to eat there weekly.
(5)Lauren B.
I came here after being told that someone wanted their last meal to be here! It's hard to argue with that. We were able to get right in on prime time friday night, but three of us had to sit at the bar. It was loud. I don't think the noise would have been a huge problem, but sitting side by side at the bar made it a little more awkward. We had burrata with arugula pesto and sun dried tomatoes to start, which was phenomenal. I couldn't even remember what entree I had ordered (everything on the menu looked tempting) but I had one of the specials with tagliatelle, lemon & saffron brodo and Carolina crab. The lightest pasta dish I've ever had! The side of asparagus was great as well.
(4)Paul D.
I could easily write a lengthy review about Tavola, I've been there many a times over the past 13 months since they have opened. However, much of my review would be redundant with the other 4 & 5 star reviews posted. So let me just say this... If I had my best friends visit, this is the the place I would take them while in Central Virginia. No hesitation. No reservations. (No pun intended.) That is how I rate a restaurant.
(5)Will F.
This is my favorite Italian spot in town. I don't think I have ever tried something that I did not like. The scallops with beet risotto is a very popular dish, however I find myself often ordering pappardelle ragu, capellini gamberi, or the osso bucco as my entree and either soup or the beef carpaccio. All are very good, and highly recommended. The wine list is all Italian, with some nice selections that won't break the bank. This place is pretty small and popular, so be prepared for a wait, especially on Friday and Saturday. Although it is small, it is comfortable, when you finally get a table, and the kitchen is open and you can watch the chefs at work, and fill your nostrils with mouth watering fragrances to get yourself excited for your meal. One thing I really like about this place, is that the head chef (and owner?) will often make a round a few times throughout the night to ask everyone how they like their meal. It's little things like this that make a restaurant a step above the rest, and I am big proponent of the chef coming out to talk. The reviews of this place are right on. if you want delicious, high quality Italian in Charlottesville, this is the spot.
(4)Raman P.
Nothing compares to Tavola it's the best place to eat in C-Ville, but if you don't time it right you may have to wait for awhile. Staff is very knowledgeable about the wine and food and can help you put with any questions. They have nightly specials that range from spaghetti and meatballs to octopus and every one I've tried has been great. You can now rent the back room for private parties.
(5)V T.
Great food and service. The mussels were fantastic- light and buttery. Melts in your mouth. But there were two that didn't open! Their bread was great as well, but if you ask for extra, they charge. I especially enjoyed the branzino- the sea bass was cooked to perfection with crispy skin.
(5)R W.
Excellent restaurant. Great food, great service and very beautiful decor. I will definitely come back. Just don't get the insalada verde because you're basically paying $8 for a half head of lettuce.
(5)Sara B.
Be prepared to wait it out, across the street at La Taza worked for us. After a solid hour plus of waiting....everything we ordered ranged from good to great. This is a really cute place, it's small so be prepared to bump some elbows and what not, especially if you want to make your way back to the bathrooms. However, the atmosphere is nice and relaxed. A solid meal, I would come again, but not if I was acutely hungry.
(4)Doug a.
We happened upon this place and were so delighted. My wife had the beet-leek risotto with scallops which was magnificent. She typically does not care for scallops, but they were absolutely perfectly cooked, and the flavor paired with the risotto was beyond delicious. I had the linguine carbonara which was fabulous. The special appetizer consisted of three different crostinis, each carefully prepared and interesting and very tasty. Dessert was an excellent chocolate flourless torte topped with a light whipped orange-flavored cream....moist, mouth-watering, great texture....YUM! Meeting and chatting with the chef/owner Michael was a huge bonus. He could not have been more pleasant. He spoke to us in some detail about the different dishes we were eating, and clearly takes great pride in his restaurant. If I could give more than five stars, I would. Go there! Don't miss this place!!
(5)Vivian R.
Amazing, crave-worthy Italian cuisine in a bustling, cheerful space. We went on the recommendation of friends who know how to dine well in Charlottesville. The wait was on the long side, about 45-50 minutes, but the hostess was so nice and we enjoyed some wine and appetizers in the separate bar space while we waited. Despite how busy the restaurant was, the wait staff was very welcoming and attentive. We will definitely visit again the next time we're in town! She Said: A generous serving of burrata with arugula pesto and sundried tomatoes tided me over while we waited to be seated. My bucatini all'amatriciana was more than worth the wait - the sauce was so flavorful and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'm usually not a huge fan of tiramisu but here it was delicious - light and delicate. He Said: One of the liveliest Italian meals I've had; a great balance between the seasoning of the bolognese sauce and the natural flavor of the house-made pappardelle. Wonderful service and lovely ambiance in Old Charlottesville. Food: 5, Service: 5, Ambiance: 4
(5)Laura F.
My biggest complaint about Tavola is that they don't take reservations! It might be a good thing, otherwise we would be there a lot more. The food is great, and we've always had really good service. Be sure to get there early or be prepared to grab a drink down the street while you wait. My husband and I have sat at the bar a couple of times to get seated faster. The waits are long because the place is small and delicious. Give it a try!
(5)Jessica L.
I had high expectations for Tavola based on reviews but I'm afraid my husband and I were both underwhelmed. We went for an early Saturday dinner and snagged the last available table. The positives: attentive and friendly service, the shrimp wrapped in pancetta (antipasti) and tiramisu. The mehs: our entrees - my husband had capellini frutti di mare and I had linguini alla carbonara. I found the carbonara to be heavy on the cream and extremely over peppered. I'm hoping my serving was just an exception to what is typically delicious carbonara but I'm not in a major hurry to give it another chance. We agreed that we wouldn't wait for a table to be served those particular entrees again.
(4)Caroline G.
Food was exceptional. We got a dish with scallops, shrimp, and mussels with a roasted tomato sauce over spaghetti as well as the carbonara dish. Both were absolutely phenomenal. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned - the carbonara had an interesting kick that managed to not be off putting to my sensitive tongue. Only reason to knock a star was the service. I don't know if the waiter was new or inexperienced, but he stumbled over the specials and seemed nervous. A small thing, but still. Overall, great place.
(4)R H.
This is our go-to restaurant for a nice dinner. The food is excellent and the service is great, especially at the bar. Our last visit was for my birthday. I was offered complimentary prosecco, but because I am pregnant (not yet showing at the time--don't worry, they didn't offer me alcohol knowing I was pregnant!), they gave me complimentary gelato instead. Dinner at Tavola always is an enjoyable experience.
(5)Rachael I.
The carbonara here changed my life. It's. Incredible. Perfect pasta. Perfect amount of cream. (Which is not much) Perfect egg yolk cracked inside while piping hot. Perfect amount of cracked black pepper. Perfect amount of cheese. Just. Well. Perfect. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Everything else I've tried here: wine, salad, shrimp appetizer. All very good. But that carbonara. Man. Can't beat it. I hope they're never dumb enough to take it off the menu. The only thing that keeps me from giving this place a 5 (and actually had me teetering on a 3?) The service. They are exceptionally bored by their customers and seem not to care less whether you have a good experience or not. Whoever the manager of Tavola is should look into hiring some people who know how to crack a smile and not just egg yolks. Just sayin'.
(4)N B.
The food is consistently great BUT the noise level is such that it is hard to dine with friends and have any kind of conversation. Such a shame--so many of my friends won't even go anymore. They opt for lesser food in favor of being able to hear one another. Tavola, turn down the music and buffer the noise!
(3)Imelda M.
Our party of five arrived to find this small, off the beaten path restaurant, packed. There was a 45 min wait for a table so we decided to kill time at the bar and we are glad we did. This is not your run of the mill Italian, this is authentic. At the bar we ordered a bottle of wine and shared a delicious appetizer of garlic shrimp that set the mood for what was yet to come. Once we sat down for dinner the surprises kept on coming: Vongole oreganate, plump Rhode Island clams with a light breading and quickly baked in the oven were the sweetest I have ever experienced, simply prepared they were the stuff dreams are made of. We opted for pastas as our main course: Capellini Gamberi Raucci, Linguini con Vongole, Capellini Frutta di Mare 'Fra Diavolo' and Linguine Carbonara all so delicious, forks kept reaching across the table for yet another taste. But it was not just about the food, service was outstanding, friendly and efficient. Bravo Chef...compliments to you and your Staff. We will be back and will recommend highly.
(5)Debbie B.
We have a uva grad who recommended this wonderful place. We had shared the swordfish dinner and the shrimp with pasta dish so full of flavor. Also shared the mussel appetizer with bread to dip in the savory sauce. Tomatoes with mozzarella were a hit also at our table. Music is flowing here and the staff go out of their way to make this place a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Lauren D.
To celebrate his graduation from UVA, my brother took the fam to Tavola - his favorite Charlottesville restaurant. I could see why it is his favorite. The atmosphere was really nice - small and intimate. The open kitchen is a nice touch, as we enjoyed watching the chefs at work. Our waitress was also friendly and attentive. The food was also very good, although they were out of a few menu items which was disappointing. All of the pasta dishes were really light and fresh, very nicely done. My mother had the pork milanese which she also very much enjoyed. All in all, this was our best dining experience during our time in Charlottesville.
(4)Jerry C.
Probably the best Italian restaurant in Charlottesville. Tavola does not take reservations so arrive early or be prepared for a wait. Very casual and friendly restaurant but the kitchen does an absolutely excellent job of executing a very sophisticated menu. My wife had Bibb lettuce salad with lemon vinaigrette which she raved about. My starter was the beef carpaccio with arugula, capers, fennel, preserved lemon and tartufo cheese. It was glorious! For the main, my wife had bucatini marinara sauce. My main dish was pan seared Branzino (Mediterranean Sea Bass) with preserved lemons. Parsley, root purée, fennel and baby arugula. Absolutely cooked to perfection and could not have been more tasty. For our wine, my wife and I wanted a dry sparkling Rose' and the waiter misled me into ordering a rose' from Emelia Romagna, which I usually find more on the sweet rather than the dry side, but he assured me this was dry. It was sweet. For dolce I ordered biscotti with vin santo. The vin santo was fine, but the biscotti were rock hard and too big to dip into the vin santo glass: which created a challenge for graceful eating of the biscotti. I would give Tavola five stars but for not having a staffer in the restaurant who was intimately familiar with the wine list, the near inedible biscotti and the fact that the temperature in the restaurant was over 90 degrees which took some of the positive vibe off an otherwise outstanding and marvelously prepared and delicious dinner.
(4)Stephanie B.
Tavola's food is just scrumptious. I had the carbonara, and my husband had the hanger steak. Both meals were exceptional, and our service was great. For an upscale night out, Tavola is a great choice. We went on a Friday night and only had to wait at the bar 20 minutes or so before we were seated.
(5)Michael M.
Still the best Italian rest in Charlottesville! Great service, terrific food and a delightful wine list.
(5)Harris W.
You know that horrible feeling when you take you friends from out of town to your favorite restaurant and it ends up being a huge dud? I took some friends from out of town. I told them I'd take them to one of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville. We got there at 5:45 on a wednesday...we were one of the first people there. We got wine, appetizers and then ordered our meal. An hour passed and we were all really hungry. No explanation from our waiter no apologies. I complain to the manager and he apologizes but honestly in a restaurant with 30 seats you should have a better handle on the situation. He offers some bread which is nice I guess and offers some dessert. Our waiter brings us our food and doesn't say anything. The meal was great. I have to flag the waiter down for the check. I ask my friends if they want dessert they said they don't want to wait any longer. Waiter brings out the check still no apology or anything not even a thank you. He looked really bored... Food was awesome as usual but with bored service (not bad just completely not interested in making sure we were having a nice dinner) and a really long wait time. I won't be taking any friends here again.
(3)Tom R.
We go to tavola as often was we can as we feel the meals and service (waits can be long due to demand and crowd-not because of poor servers) are consistently top shelf. My wife and I sit at the bar each visit as service is faster and we enjoy the conversation with staff and the wine steward regarding the food and pairings. The pasta is always perfect and the burrata is a must if you like fresh mozzarella. Proteins are exceptional. This is one of the best restaurants in Charlottesville! But you must set your expectations correctly. It is a small rustic italian restaurant without linen table cloths. Expect to interact with neighboring tables...not a quiet romantic venue. If it is all about the food and wine (very nice list) you will not be dissapointed. I have heard people choose Bella's over tavola...they are two different restaurants. Don't confuse them.
(5)Alyssa M.
YES! tavola is the place to go in charlottesville for a killer meal. as soon as you walk inside, your senses are awoken by the amazing smells coming from the open kitchen in the back of the restaurant. this restaurant does not take reservations, so be prepared to wait for a table. the dimly lit atmosphere and overly friendly (but not annoyingly overly friendly) servers will make the experience all the more better. the food speaks for itself. the bruschetta trios are a favorite. i love the different combinations they come up with. the bolognese is fresh and delicious. i'm a sucker for a good bolognese. perfectly sized portions and made with love, you can just tell. come here, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Gail M.
The food is amazing Burrata is to die for Service is great Out of the way but worth the cab ride
(5)Bryan P.
A very tasty experience, indeed. Knowing that the don't accept reservations, we dropped in at 6pm on summer's evening to put our name the list for a table of 4. We were told "about 75 minutes" - having a gift certificate to use, we weren't to be deterred. We walked across the street and had drinks outside at La Taza. 70ish minutes later, my wife's phone rang. We were seated, unfortunately, at the table directly as you enter the small space. The acoustics at Tavola are such that you have to scream to effectively communicate with the person across from you. I was told by the father-in-law that this could be attributed to the square, tin roof tiles. That, plus the corner table next to us that was approximately 7 bottles of vino deep, and thusly screaming. The volume in the restaurant is the only thing keeping it from a 5-star. Everything else was terrific. Our salads featured arugula, gorgonzola, and something else I can't recall at the moment. Very tasty. I got the special, which was effectively spaghetti and meatballs - simple, and unbelievable. We all cleaned our plates and left feeling fat and happy. Albeit with our ears ringing.
(4)N P.
Selected this place based on all the positive reviews. Was a bit disappointed with the menu. No chicken on the menu, somewhat limited selection, no traditional Italian dishes. The food was good, but I expected more for the money. The dining room is very small and the food is being made literally right there (not in a kitchen). Will not work for a romantic dinner.
(3)Katherine S.
Totally in love with Tavola... No. They don't take reservations, but it's worth the wait if you go at a busy time. The atmosphere is wonderful and it's great to have the open kitchen and bar. The fresh housemade burrata is amazing, as is everything else the kitchen puts out. Other food highlights include the prosciutto wrapped shrimp, the scallops with leek-beet risotto, caramelized cauliflower, & brussels sprouts with pancetta. Great wine list as well. Perfect for date night. Romantic, slightly rustic, but modern. Excited to try more from their menu like the pork Milanese and other pastas. The night we went, they had a ravioli special that was also excellent. Only thing I personally did not care for was the flourless chocolate torte, but that's it. I also appreciate their use of local, seasonal ingredients! Highly recommended!
(5)Jing L.
We walked into this restaurant based on online reviews. We were exceedingly disappointed. It was around 6pm, the room was half full. We got a table right away. Since we were hungry, we ordered the fastest entrees for an Italian restaurant, oh, a regular Italian restaurant: pasta and milanese veal. The appetizer came within minutes: a few pieces of melon, with a little olive oil and a bit cheese. Tasted....just like melon, oil and cheese. An odd combination that was no different than having melon, oil and cheese separately. Anyway, we were happy with the fast service. Little did we know that was it! That was all the food we were getting that night. At 6:45pm I started getting grumpy. At 6:55 we asked our waitress "any hope of getting any food tonight?" She said "oh let me check" and went to the kitchen counter two steps away. I overheard them counting tables and such, but she never returned to update us. At 7:10 we asked to speak with the manager. The manager said "oh let me check", went to the kitchen counter two steps away, and never came back. At 7:15 when we saw another two dishes got out of the kitchen without coming our way, we grabbed the attention of the manager and said we wished to leave. This manager, to my utter disbelief, actually commented "you know we are not a fast food place!" WTF?! Over one hour and you cannot prepare a freaking pasta and milanese, did you start with growing wheat?! The room is horrid. Dark, intermittently cold (ac air directly blowing on people's back) and hot (kitchen steps away), smells funny (kitchen cooking steps away), loud (kitchen and wait staff talking and laughing all the time). Oh, and there was definitely no italian working in that restaurant. Judging from the melon/oil/cheese combo, I really doubt their food can be any good.
(1)Tom P.
Excellent contemporary Italian. I started with the pancetta wrapped grilled shrimp with wilted greens and grilled tomatoes. Excellent. Then had their pasta carbonara which was not too creamy as some are - just egg, cheese and a bit of pasta water. We ate at the bar and the bartender was helpful in letting us taste a bunch of their wines.
(5)Richard R.
Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and tasty food that is very reasonably priced. I have had many poor experiences ordering rockfish in non-coastal cities, however, Tavola hit the nail on the head. Great portion size. Food was deliciously fresh. Our waiter was topping off our drinks appropriately and was never hard to find when we needed him. The open kitchen is a great touch. I would recommend this to anyone looking to dine in style without breaking the bank.
(4)Seth R.
My favorite Cville restaurant. Everything here is amazing, from the superb wine list to the hand-made pasta to the cozy and energetic ambience. I would eat here every week if I could afford it.
(5)Soo S.
A restaurant that favors customers and refuses to encourage people to go home after their check has been paid for over an hour is one that only cares about money, and not pleasing customers. A restaurant that seats over 10 people ahead of a table of 5 because "it's not their policy" is one that doesn't care about customers. A restaurant that has favored customers and are willing to ignore other, perfectly willing to pay customers, is a restaurant that only cares about making money, not its customers. A restaurant like Tavola is one that only cares about making money, not its customers.
(1)Camille R.
Walking by seeing the full tables, we hung our heads until the man with a clip board said he had two seats at the bar... Little did we know, we would be seated next to the owner and his two children (who were sitting quietly reading) while being served by his lovely wife and co-owner. We got to learn about the history of the restaurant and the future plans they have! I am looking forward to utilizing their new private party space. 2006 Bottle of red with little neck clams - we joked about ordering them again for dessert they were so good! We split the kale salad but fought over who got the last bite. My boyfriend had the lobster special and I had the egg plant ... I ate every last morsel !!! For dessert we the amaretto cheesecake. One of the best date night dinners we have ever had !!! New favorite restaurant !!!
(5)Ingrid T.
Before heading to Tavola for what will be an excellent dinner, it is a good idea to have a backup plan. This restaurant does not take reservations and has a very small dining room. Most of the tables seat 2-4 people with one or two tables accommodating parties of 8-10. There is seating at the bar. The chances of getting seating at Tavola are better if the group is small and arrives very early for dinner. Otherwise the easiest option is to go next door to The Local, so Tavola plans should include an understanding that a delicious Italian dinner may be swapped for a sometimes delicious American fusion/local Virginian dinner, and that all diners are okay with that scenario. Apart from the seating gamble, dinner at Tavola is a calming, appetizing and gratifying experience. The dining area and open kitchen use the same space, which fuses the preparation and presentation of dishes. Each course is intense and rich without being heavy and stuffing. The fig salad with watercress comes with chunks of blue cheese and a bit of balsamic dressing, the eggplant parmesan is perfectly prepared and light, the seafood with capellini is fresh shellfish combined with marinara sauce and pasta as a complement. Everything on the menu seems to use the right proportion of ingredients or components in turning out the dish. The cakes are perfectly complemented with icing, just as the soup is perfectly complemented with a particular vegetable or herb. In a crowded restaurant scene, this is one of the best places in Charlottesville for dinner. This is a five star venue, but I am giving it four stars due to the potential angst involved in finagling a table or seat.
(4)Kasoondie F.
Over all this experience was magnificent! I recently went with my sisters to an early dinner on Tuesday night! Upon entering the aroma that permeated throughout was enough to make me drool! Our waiter, Stephen I believe his name was, came over and immediately to greeted us. He was very knowledgeable, accommodating, friendly, not too talkative, and in my opinion should receive the five stars! As for the decor and ambience I would consider it, casual but yet upscale. The food was over all very delicious unique and enticing! We started with the trio of bruschetta which was absolutely delicious! One of my sisters had the rockfish which melted in your mouth and it's accompaniments were very interesting and equally delightful. My other sister had an eggplant entrée which was absolutely divine! My dinner was some sort of pork Milanese ( I don't remember the exact name) it was very flavorful and was so good I took the remains home and had them the next day for lunch. We ended the dinner with cappuccinos, port wine and shared a chestnut cheesecake! The cheesecake was drizzled with some sort of sauce made from Pine Cone stuff with a distinct maple flavor and it was delicious (I wish there was more of it drizzled on top!) The only reason I did not give this restaurant five stars, because in my opinion, there is always room for improvement! The pork was overcooked a little bit ( the edges were actually slightly burnt) But that is only being highly critical and it did not take away from the rest of the dish at all! The cheesecake, I felt, was heavy and lacked being "very" tasty-could have more taste in my opinion ... I know cheesecake is supposed to be dense but it can be dense without being heavy- anyway other than these slight imperfections I would give this exquisite restaurant 4 1/2 stars but since there was only 4 or 5!! I chose 4!!! I will definitely go back! I recommend making reservations if you were trying to go on a Friday or Saturday night as it is very crowded!
(4)Maggie W.
YUM!! This place is amazing. The service was great, the food was amazing, and a great wine list with reasonable prices. The cozy atmosphere is very welcoming and warm. The bruschetta of the day and rockfish were the highlights. We went when it was 0 degrees outside, so the wait wasn't too bad on a Friday night, but I've heard it gets pretty long on a normal weekend! We will definitely return and this is now one of my top 5 restaurants in cville.
(5)Robert J.
Had a very enjoyable dinner here with a coworker. The food was delicious and it was a good atmosphere...we got there early and were the only ones there. I would recommend this place to a friend, but it's kind of pricey.
(4)Maggie L.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Charlottesville. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, so I consider myself to be a tough judge when it comes to Italian food. Have the sommelier help you pick a wine. He never steered us wrong. Start with the cozze ai ferri (mussels) for an appetizer. Order a side of bread to soak up the delicious juice. For an entree, order a pasta dish. The linguini alla carbonara (both my husband love this dish so much we frequently both ordered the same thing!) or the capellini gamberi "raucci" were my favorites. For dessert, their tiramisu was amazing. And I don't even normally like tiramisu!
(5)Jennifer M.
Not really as I had expected. The place was indeed small with maybe 7-8 tables in all. We sat at the table by the corner window. It could be cleaner for one thing... Good thing we came early (5 or so) for an early dinner, because the place filled up quickly. I had the linguine with littleneck clams. The clams were big and not gritty. The dish itself? meh. The sauce was liquidy, salty, garlicky, and salty. The pasta noodles didn't really taste like anything else. And overall, well, not very impressed. Just average. I expect more for the price. We finished with a tiramisu that took a long time to bring it. It was extra creamy and nicely flavored. Great to share. Would I come back again, though? maybe. or maybe not.
(3)Kate D.
Awful service. Decent food. Terrible choice for any group larger than 4. I bet it's a good place for a date - but sadly my experience was not a good one. The host was clearly annoyed by the size of our party, and did nothing to hide it, and actually got a little sassy with one of the members of our party. Food was not memorable. I don't actually remember what I ordered. Note to the restaurant: if you are going to make someone wait an hour for a table after telling them it would be 30 minutes - it's a good policy to offer them a little glass of wine. The restaurants I've worked at in the past would always do this. It's a little thing that keeps the group happy and costs you less than losing a customer.
(2)Mikela T.
This place is an absolute gem! Sure, our party of two had to wait nearly an hour to be seated at the bar, but the waitstaff were gracious and made sure we had alcoholic beverages to keep us occupied while we perused the menu. The ambience is intimate (small) and warm (crowded), but it added to the overall feel of cozy class. Not to mention the food was fantastic and well-paired with the wine, which was complex and refreshing. We started with the bruchette of the day and the pear pancetta salad followed by the scallops and the ragu. Perfect portions, really flavorful, and it was neat to watch the chefs do their thing right in front of you. I kept getting food envy looking at the other dishes coming out - I wish I was able to order everything on the menu. The only critique I have on the food was that the beet risotto that came with the scallops was too beet-y, but I am naturally not a big beet fan. All in all, this place is great for an intimate date or dinner for a small party (2-4), but probably not good for a large group. Prices are a bit high, so it's best saved for a special occasion, but they aren't outlandish considering the quality and freshness of the cuisine. Service was friendly and helpful, but gave us the space to chat and enjoy our meal. Yum.
(5)Susie G.
I can not believe they charge for bread and olive oil. This place should be listed as $$$. Highly overpriced, food was okay, some items (like the bruschetta) was actually bland. All the other details are correct; romantic-yes, intimate- yes, good for couples (that are well to do)-yes. Not so good for groups or families with kids. They are accommodating, though, and when asked will simplify pasta for the kids. Maybe the locals find this to be an example of good Italian food, but out of towners should seek food elsewhere.
(2)Jenny L.
This place is loud and bumpin' on Friday nights! I generally prefer quieter and more intimate spots when dining Italian, but the food definitely matched the lively, robust atmosphere. The seafood pasta with red sauce was delightfully spicy. The flourless chocolate torte with orange cream was phenomenal. I will certainly be back!
(4)Christian S.
All I need to say is FANTASTIC FOOD! Tavola is a little pricey but it's worth it. If you can make a reservation do so because it's a small venue and gets crowded. The night we went it was raining so people were squishing inside to wait which made things a bit uncomfortable. The service was received was fantastic and like I said the food was awesome. Great date night place on, like, a Tuesday when it's not packed. :-)
(4)Mark J.
My parents favorite and it is worth the hype. Mussels were outstanding and my pasta were perfectly al dente with a great bolognese sauce. Service was prompt. Get there early to make sureyou get a seat. One of the best in C-Ville
(5)Joy G.
One of the triumvirate restaurants in a small Belmont cubby hole. Portions are generous, not gut-busting; the tiramisu is made in-house; and all the flavors fall under the general category of rustic Italian cooking, meaning locally sourced ingredients used in creative ways. Read charlottesville29.com/ta… when you get a chance - there's lots of good stuff about how chef Michael Keaveny and Tami Keaveny have put their hearts and souls to making the food as punchy and fresh as possible. Some days, you want Raising Cane's and Panda Express; other days, you want food that the Italian nonna that you never had would have made. The fra diavolo is divine: lots of fat scallops, shrimp, and mussels in a tomato sauce with a surprising amount of spicy kick. I've always associated Italian food with tomatoes, garlic, basil, and GOBS AND GOBS of cheese (I grew up on cafeteria-style sliced pizza with little neon orange puddles of oil. Cut me some slack), but I'm still searching for whatever it was that gave the tomato sauce that perfect amount of spice. I don't think it was chilis, but definitely some kind of pepper. Tiramisu was excellent in a way that only ladyfinger cake soaked in espresso and then doused with cream can be excellent. I'm running two miles on the treadmill tomorrow for tonight's indulgences, but it was so worth it. My one (minor) complaint has to do with the structure of the cooking area - it's all out front, not encased behind a door or behind a small plating window, so all the smoke, grease, and other oil smells waft out to the tables nearby. I'm sure they've got some state-of-the-art ventilation system going on, but sometimes the smell of smoke got overwhelming, especially when they were whipping up the mussels in a hot pan. Just try to pick a table closer to the door if you can. Also, the prices are a little steeper than their next-door neighbor, the Local, but the food is so well-made and everyone, from the waitress to the host, was so hospitable. I'd definitely come back.
(4)Dave A.
The food is very good, and I've always had really excellent service. It's a really small restaurant, so unfortunately can be a bit difficult to get into some evenings (and you sometimes walk out smelling like their food because of the open kitchen).
(4)Sonja P.
I had really, really high expectations for this place. Everyone says this is THE restaurant in Charlottesville, and so I was super excited when we nabbed a table without waiting early one rainy Monday. The food, I felt, was good, but not amazing as everyone seems to think. I ate here almost immediately before leaving for a trip to Italy, and I didn't feel like it came close to comparing the real thing. I was quite pleased the pasta was homemade, but didn't feel like the price was necessarily worth it, when I could make many of these dishes at home for significantly less. Pretty good, but probably won't be back. Would rather go to Zocalo or The Local for food in the same price range.
(3)Thomas E.
Go there now. Just had my first meal and everything was exceptional. The pasta was al dente to perfection, the bolenese as good as I've had having lived in Italy for a couple of years and the salads were tasty as well. Run. Don't walk.
(5)Frank D.
It was fine. Nice ambience. Very friendly service. A bit too loud and we had trouble carrying on any conversation. We knew from prior reviews that we'd have to wait, and that was fine. We were there on a Saturday night and the food was ok. I had the scallops with beet risotto. The scallops were good and fresh. I didn't care for the risotto, but could just be my preferences. We also had the shrimp pasta which had the opposite result I.e. very good pasta (Gorgonzola in the sauce I think?) but the shrimp was either overcooked or just not fresh. Finally was the linguini and clams, which was the saltiest I've ever tasted. Powerful first forkful which seemed good at first, but hard to sweat more than two bites. As am aside, a few tables had ordered the mussels and I will say that they looked and smelled awesome as they passed us by. Overall we had a pleasant evening, but we won't be hurrying back. Oh, and yes, paying for bread and olive oil is a little silly.
(3)Denise S.
My husband and I found this place on Yelp and decided to go for our anniversary. We waited like 2 hours, but enjoyed a half bottle of wine and the antipasto. The hostess checked on us a number of times and we could have eaten at the bar, but we chose to wait. The place is fairly small, so get there early. The food was great, wine selection amazing ( I tried 3 different kinds!). And I love that it was outside of the typical downtown of C'ville.
(4)Brad G.
Found this restaurant on Yelp and the reviews were right, it was excellent! We started off with the mussels that came on a sizzling cast iron skillet. The clam pasta was the best I've ever had! I'll be making the drive from Richmond again for sure.
(5)T M.
Incredible food, environment, service and location. You can't go wrong with an order here but if you really want to experience something special, I recommend sharing family-style and letting the wait staff guide you. They know their dishes and wine; you won't be disappointed. Tavola is one of the best restaurants in the area (my favorite). I love the simple comfort of their space and excellence of their food. Great for a small crew, a lowkey date and even flying solo at their bar. Make it here if you can...you won't regret it.
(5)Paul D.
Fabulous meal last week. we sat at the bar- quite comfy and enjoyed the banter with the bartender/waitstaff. had a mixed salad with a meyer lemon vinegarette- zesty and delis. shared the carbonara- perfectly al dente with a surprise- ground sausage- rally worked nicely. pork cutlet- thin sliced, lightly breaded, light, non greasy and vey tasty with a salad on top. the 2 dishes worked very well together- loved them both.
(5)Sylvanna V.
I have been to this restaurant once...it's a bit pretentious and they are a pain about getting a seat but my boyfriend and I decided to sit at the bar and we ended up having the BEST time. Amazing food, okay wine, but amazing food. Looking forward to going back!
(5)Rob K.
My brother's birthday dinner; we were a party of 5 (insert mid-90s sitcom joke here). The wait at Mas was insane, same at Local. So we put our names in at all 3, and swung by Local for a drink. Tavola had the first table, and held it for us while we finished our cocktails at Local. To be clear: the service was awesome. The waitress was fun, engaging, helpful, not intrusive. We ordered a couple appetizers, some wine, some entrees. Everything was good - the mushroom pasta and the shrimp with gorgonzola both stood out. But it was the service that stood out. We wondered about the temperature of our second bottle of wine, and were admittedly a little pluckish in asking. But the sommelier came over with a thermometer, and in a wonderfully funny way, quipped "Game on" - she was right, and it was funny. At dessert, we had tiramisu, cheesecake and affogato, which were recommended and all of which were spot on. Great place; I'd go back. Thanks to the Tavola team for creating a fun and welcoming environment!
(5)Ted B.
This is my favorite restaurant in town. I've eaten at Tavola many times and I have always had a spectacular meal. The Pappardelle Ragu might be my favorite but there are plenty of great entrées. The wine list is terrific. And I've always found the service to be friendly, helpful and attentive. The chef/owner recently won chef of the year in CVille Weekly (2013) and I think it was a well deserved honor.
(5)Paul F.
I was delighted by the fresh local tomatoes artfully prepared. Delicious! My pasta dish from the specials board was artfully made and full of flavor. The sommelier introduced me to some spectacular Italian beers that I didn't know existed. One was a cross between a Belgian triple and a British IPA, who would have thought? I'm always excited by restaurants that have really interesting specials and things I wouldn't come up with at home. I highly recommend Tavola.
(5)K K.
I do not understand the ratings of this restaurant. I would characterize it as an over priced average food Italian restaurant. I ordered. Bibb salad and pappardelle bolognese Ragu. The lettuce was very fresh however it was tasteless in spite of the "Meyer lemon" dressing. The pasta was cooked ok however the sauce was comparable to what you cold buy from a supermarket. The pork had flavor but was probably cooked three days earlier. The cooks and prep person spent most of there time scanning their "unwashed" cellphones between preparing meals. At $10.00 for the salad, $10.00/ glass of wine and $21.00 for the entree I will go elsewhere in the future. A great opportunity for a Gordon Ramsey visit.
(1)Fran R.
Outstanding! While visiting from Ct. Went on Yelp to pick a restaurant. I can't tell you how happy my wife and college age son were to end up at this fabulous hidden gem of an Italian restaurant. The wait staff was very friendly, and the service was just right. Best part of it was the exceptional dishes from appetizers to entrees...all well beyond our expectations. Shouldn't have been surprised as the head chef got started cooking in the south end of Hartford! You will be sorry if you don't visit this restaurant while in Charlottsville!
(4)Zac K.
Went to Tavola on a Tuesday at 7:30PM. Had to wait about 30 minutes for a table, but enjoyed a nice bottle of pinot noir. Started with s charcuterie plate, though it wasn't called that. The plate had two hard cheese and one soft, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, olives, arugula, and wonderful toasty bread. Definitely a recommend to anyone who hasn't had it before. The beet salad was great. Red and golden beets that had been roasted, a goat cheese crouton, more arugula and a nice vinaigrette. I had the friti di marre pasta and my boyfriend had the lamb shank both were wonderful. The one thing that I found that might of put a damper on my evening (it didn't) was that there was a bit of sand in the mussles in the friti di marre. And desert of course, tiramisu, delicious. Service was excellent, not under served and not over served, a waiter who is there only when she needed to be. Will definitely patron Tavola in the future. One of my favorite spots in Charlottesville. Thanks Tavola! Edit: typos 10/4/2012
(4)Katherine M.
Wonderful Italian restaurant in Belmont! The atmosphere is cozy and warm, although a bit loud. Space is limited, so I would recommend a reservation on the weekends. Try: Capellini Gamberi "Raucci" and a big bottle of wine!
(5)Brad S.
Still the best Italian food in Cville!!!!! Don't listen to the negative reviews. This place is great! I does have limited seating, so get there early or plan to wait an hour and go nearby to get a drink. Put your name on the list and they will call you on your phone when your table is ready. You can be miles away, it does not matter. They change the food seasonally, which is great. If you want quick Italian, go to Pizza Hut.
(5)Jen S.
Best italian in town! This is a true gem...very small, only seats 40 or so, but it was packed both weeknights that we went. Staff is great making recommendations and are very knowledgable. The pasta selections were very creative and authentic My favorite part was when they bring out the mussels in a steaming hot pan that smokes up the little place. The smell is divine!
(5)Cyn S.
Eccellente: Tasty food locally sourced and creatively prepared con great service & charming ambiance. Try gli speciali.
(5)Dave C.
I'm gonna make it a point to always start these reviews with "The secret is out..." Excellent Italian, maybe the best in Charlottesville
(4)Sarah D.
I was first introduced to this restaurant by some clients and enjoyed it sufficiently to return with my SO. The place is noisy and busy and the food is totally worth waiting for a table and shouting to your companions. Service is spotty but friendly. The manager seems to be everywhere at once. He was bussing tables, getting bread and seating people all at once. Both times I visited, everything was delicious except the soup. The first time was corn and the second time potato and both times they were bland. My SO and I sent back our potato soup and the manager not only took the soup off the bill but treated us to dessert as well. Go early and be prepared to wait for a table. NOT HANDICAPPED FRIENDLY. The manager was quick to help lift my friend's wheelchair up the stairs but there is no ramp.
(4)Phillip K.
If you are a lover of fine Northern Italian cuisine like me, you won't be disappointed. Our party had five different entrees, all were attractive and delicious. The bread is freshly baked and the wine list has something for every taste at a reasonable cost. Arrive early because it fills up fast for dinner, and they do not take reservations. Can't wait to take my folks here.
(5)Jim D.
Good Italian food, using a lot of local foods and ingredients with reasonable prices and unpretentious servers in a cool space. Warm hardwood floors, open kitchen area, soft lighting - neither bright nor dark. We had the farfalle alla genovese basil pesto, baby artichokes, sugar snap peas, roasted red peppers and spalla di maiale alla griglia fennel pollencrusted grilled pork shoulder, rosemary pesto, applefennel salad And both were good, flavorful and, for some reason this stuck out to me - good-sized portions ... neither tiny nor overly large, and this made the meal more enjoyable. I think I had the same carafe of Pinot Grigio as DC did in the other review.
(4)Michelle A.
This is one of my favorite places in Charlottesville. The space is rustic and cozy, the service has always been great, and the food is amazing. They keep the items relatively simple, but there's usually a fun twist that keeps it from being boring. One meal that sticks out was a duck confit with cherry agrodolce, which was divine. It's annoying that they don't take reservations, but it's always been well worth the wait.
(5)Ted M.
We were visiting Charlottesville and picked this based on Yelp reviews. Once again,Yelpers are right. Tavola is a very nice place. It is a small, attractive restaurant in an interesting part of town. The appetizers and salads were wonderful (mine was roasted fig with watercress and "mountain gorganzola" whatever that is). My entree (glazed pork over polenta) was only ok (the pork was slightly dry) but my wife's swordfish was superb as was my neice's paperdelle. The homemade pasta is delicious. Service was great. They have a really good wine list but it is also really expensive. Bottom line: we paid more than anticipated but had fun and would go again.
(4)Brie K.
What a wonderful new restaurant in Belmont! When we walked in we were warmly greeted by the hostess and invited to sit at the bar while we waited for our table. Since we expected a party of five, she told us that there was an hour wait, which seemed doable since we could get an appetizer at the bar. The best part about the bar was that we got to sit next to the two chefs preparing dinner (an open air kitchen) and enjoy the appetizing aromas wafting out of the cast iron skillets. Andrew, our bartender, was able to suggest a great appetizer (the mussels, yum!) and helped me to decide between the scallops and the pork shoulder. Because one in our party didn't end up coming, we were able to sit within a half hour, just enough time to finish one drink and catch up with our friends. The mussel appetizer was delicious, hot, buttery, and just salty enough to taste like the ocean. For entrees, we ordered the pork ragu with homemade pasta, the scallops with beet risotto and white truffle oil, eggplant parmesan, and the frutte del mare, with a side of the fresh bread and olive oil. Every, single, meal, was AMAZING. My husband let me have a bite of his pork ragu, and it tasted like...love. There are no other words for it. Soulful, rich, and savory. Mmm. The scallops (my meal) was an amazingly big portion. I have come to expect three, maybe four scallops in a fine dining entree. I got EIGHT. Each was cooked perfectly, and the lemony beet risotto was the perfect compliment. I couldn't really taste the earthiness of the white truffle oil, but that's ok. The eggplant parmesan was thinly sliced, well breaded, and very tasty, according to my friend. Her husband, a full blooded Italian, ordered what he called his "test" entree that he orders at every new Italian restaurant, the frutte del marre. Tavola passed his test. He was reluctant to say that it was better than his grandmother's, but he was very impressed. All in all, we will be back. Soon.
(5)Fred K.
Went here with the family based on yelp reviews during a mini-vacation at the Boars Head. Since they don't take reservations, the wait was quite long, although the staff was friendly and brought apps and drinks while we waited. Beware, though, a couple in front of us decided to go to the bar next door to wait, and wound up losing their place in line. Despite the wait, we had a fantabulous dinner. Wine list is quite diverse, although a little pricey. Bread came out hot, with a nice olive oil dip. Salad with fennel, endive and goat cheese was a big hit. Entrees were superb, the best being the braised rubbed pork belly. OMG, good- the skin was crisped perfectly and the flavors were outstanding. Carbonara was different, with a fennel rich sausage vice normal pancetta. Tiramasu for dessert exploded with flavor, we all loved it. Service was great, friendly, prompt and helpful, but unbotrusive. I will definitely come back here on a return trip to C'Ville.
(4)Eszter H.
This is an excellent Italian restaurant by all standards. The food is great, lots of interesting variety and very yummy. The service is friendly and prompt. I had the mushroom special to start and then the scallops with beet risotto. Both were very tasty. You likely cannot go wrong with this place.
(5)Jessica M.
A few friends of mine decided to be hipsters and try out Tavola the 2nd night it was open even though I generally try to follow the rule to not try a new restaurant in the first month its open. As fans of Italian and knowing that Charlottesville doesn't have the strongest Italian food scene, we were excited for the launch of a new Italian restaurant. The interior is small and cozy, and definitely has that kind of intimate, family dining room style I believe I read they were aiming for. On a dark, stormy night, this restaurant was definitely a beacon of warmth! Everything we had on the menu made solid debuts although the recipes could be tweaked a smidge. I ordered the eggplant with spicy tomato sauce and they eggplant was thin and perfectly breaded and fried, although the sauce was in no way spicey. It also could have used some garlic. The caprese salad had the most amazing tomatoes on it. They were the perfect ripeness! My one little tweak on this dish was that they could use more balsamic on it...These are small things and overall we were blown away by the food and excited for the promise of many more amazing meals to come from Tavola! A few dishes I had no complaints on and was blown away. Although I didnt try the scallops, I tried to beet risotto that accompanied it and thought it was fabulous. The desserts we got (the tiramisu and the chocolate orange cake) were also incredible. The cake was the perfect mix of dark chocolate with just the right hint of orange. I'm giving Tavola a solid 4 stars and hoping it grows into a 5. Charlottesville needs a fantastic Italian restaurant!
(4)Kate E.
If you are someone who equates "good" food with "big" food (huge portions), you will be more comfortable at the Olive Garden or Buca or a similar chain. For the rest of you who appreciate farm-to-table dining, then this place is for you. It's cozy and the food is amazing. We stumbled on it after a day trip to Monticello right at 5 as they were opening. It turned out to be the perfect time to come as they got really crowded really fast. I could really taste the freshness in the broccoli rabe and sausage in my pasta and in the carpaccio we had for an appetizer. Lovely smoky taste. My companion got the fra diavolo - great seafood and just the perfect spiciness. The only small minus I can say is that we felt a little slighted because we did not order wine. They take their wine very seriously here. We ordered soda as we had a long drive home and were thereafter ignored - no refills for you! Even the owner asked why we weren't having any wine when he stopped by our table. Other than that, a fabulous experience and a lovely part of a day trip.
(5)alice h.
Recently ate here for the first time. The atmosphere is attractive and cozy. I visited Rome just a couple of months ago and the food and setting here reminded me of places I had eaten in Italy. The bread and olive oil appetizer was tasty. My pasta al'amatriciana was delicious and had a spicy kick. My date's pasta carbonara was amazing. I have had lots of gluey, alfredo like carbonara in the US... but this was lighter and yet also meatier. Can't wait to come back another time to try some of the meat dishes.
(4)Erikka C.
My husband and I ate here for our anniversary. The fried squash blossoms were AMAZING. Stuffed with Caromont goat cheese, ricotta, mint, and a hint of lemon zest...it made me wish squash was in season year round so I could eat these every day. The shrimp/pancetta app was forgettable. Too oily, not salty enough, and paled in comparison to the squash app. I had the papardelle bolognese and was still dreaming about it today. The portions were perfectly sized but I was wishing I had leftovers to eat for lunch because I'm still thinking about the perfect meat sauce and delicious homemade noodles. Nothing better than homemade pasta. Limoncello gelato was a great, light way to finish off the meal. Our server was great, and we were seated right away. The restaurant was very loud, and I found it hard to carry on a conversation or hear our server over the kitchen noise. Plus we were sitting next to a dehumidifer and under a wall a/c unit. Understandable since I used to live in a small, old, humid place in C-ville; those things are necessary in the summertime but it's hard to hear anything when they're running. Outdoor seating would be nice. I'll be back to try the linguine carbonara...
(4)brian g.
My wife and I ate at Tavola for our anniversary. The wine selection was huge, we had a sangiovese that tasted a bit like cherries. The cheese stuffed, fried squash blossom appetizer was amazing. I had veal, also great, and she had pappardelle with beef and was still raving about it this morning. The cheescake dessert was really good, but the best part of the meal was definately the squash blossom. It was a bit loud, but we had a great meal and a great time.
(5)Blue S.
Best restaurant in Charlottesville. Hands down. All the way down. Delicious Italian food, homemade everything. Great service. Nice wine list. Room is on the smaller side, but a nice room nonetheless. One of the more pricey options in cville, but if you have the money to spend there is nowhere else you'd rather be.
(5)Morgan S.
My roommate and I stopped by on a Tuesday night for a glass of wine and an appetizer and had one of the best experiences I've had dining out in Charlottesville so far. The service was fabulous from start to finish, and we watched our antipasti platter prepared right in front of us by one of the chefs. I can't wait to come back for a full meal!
(5)Nathan C.
Best Italian in Charlottesville hands down. We had the trio of bruschetta (special), which was three very distinct and delicious combinations of robust flavor and the linguini alla carbonara and the pappardelle bolognese. Their pasta is excellent and very fresh. Next time, we plan to try the bucatini all'amatriciana - looked awesome - but you just can't order it all in one sitting. The piccolo romaine was a bit too simple for my taste and left something to be desired, but that may have been shoddy ordering on my part. A strong four stars bordering on five if it weren't for other Italian places we've been (not in C'ville) that have absolutely bowled us over. (Protip: get there as early as 6pm - you'll still probably have a 40 minute wait - it's a small place and immensely popular.)
(4)Ferm B.
One of the best restaurants I have tried in all of Charlottesville. Everything I have eaten there was cooked and seasoned perfectly. If you have not eaten here yet, you should put it on the top of you list.
(5)Stephanie F.
My husband and I just had dinner here for a nice dinner out without the kids-although I did notice a family there with a baby in a highchair. :) The atmosphere is great-small and cozy with an open kitchen. They don't take reservations and there is only one room, so if you go between 7:30-8:30, be prepared to wait for a little while. We went at 7 and only had to wait for 15 minutes. The menu has some of the typical Italian favorites-bruschetta, eggplant, and tiramisu for dessert, but many unique dishes with their own twist-I had the pappardelle and it was great. Tavola makes their own pasta and uses ingredients from local and organic farms and you can taste the freshness. I will say that I found the portions a little small, for an Italian place. We didn't come out still hungry and we were satisfied, but I have never come out of an Italian restaurant NOT feeling stuffed, and here I did. My husband ordered the eggplant and it didn't come with pasta, so he orderd a side of fettucine with marinara and we're glad he did. We ordered the bruschetta for an appetizer and it wasn't really enough for both of us-there were three small pieces of bruschetta and that was it. That's the only reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. For the prices, $16-20, for pasta, I felt you should get slightly bigger portions. The service was great though and the hostess was very friendly. All in all, a really good Italian place that I would go to again. I would only take your children if they're well-behaved, the place is small so it would be difficult to handle children in this small of an environment if they're running all over.
(3)Valorie F.
Great food! I went right when it opened and haven't been able to get in since! Every time we go, there is an hour or so wait. MUST be good. :)
(5)C C.
The eggplant parmesan is delicious! It is my favorite dish, but all the food is very good.
(5)Joseph W.
Hands down, the best Italian food in town. Went for a nice dinner out and sat down to a delicious three course meal that was fantastic from beginning to end. The Bolognese pasta was no frills, but it was made with the best tasting pasta noodles I have ever eaten. I split the pasta course with my wife so that we could each order a meat course, but next time I might just order a full portion for myself and call it a night. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Sally H.
Great food AND wonderful service - loved the place!
(5)D C.
This is a new Italian place in the Belmont section of Charlottesville, on Hinton Avenue next door to another good and relatively new restaurant, The Local. Simple, tasteful decor with plain wooden tables and specials written on a chalkboard. The style was Italian as I have seen it in less touristy places in Italy, devoid of the checkered table cloths, rural murals, etc. The service was friendly and prompt. The wine list included glass and carafe options for more than a dozen different wines, which is more choice than usual in Charlottesville if you do not want to drink a whole bottle. We had a decent Pinot Grigio carafe for $19. There was the usual range of appetizers, salads, pasta, and main dishes with a bit of an emphasis on Italian seafood dishes. The featured appetizer, a variety of bruschetta (one mushroom, one tuna, one tomato and cheese) was tasty, if a bit too crusty. $7 The swordfish was perfectly grilled, flavorful, and quite tender, unlike a lot of swordfish that is thick and chewy. The accompanying crusty risotto with tomato and olive salsa complemented it quite well. $17 There was an extra charge for bread, which was warm and fresh. $3 The chocolate torte was delicious, but could have used a fruit sauce rather than the whipped cream. $8 They do not take reservations, so we arrived before 6 pm on a Saturday and got a nice table looking out the window. By the time we left, there was a line waiting for tables. This is one of the better Italian restaurants in Cville, with reasonable prices for the quality of food. We will go back.
(4)Michael N.
I love this place and try to eat here whenever I'm in Charlottesville. The atmoshere is pleasant and the food is always fresh and well prepared. The staff is friendly and helpful. One of my top choices in the area.
(5)Linda C.
My husband and I love this place. The open kitchen and the small room makes a comfortable and lively setting. We only go on weekdays and on the early side in order to not wait for a table. Our favorites are antipasti misti and the pappardelle ragu "fatte in casa". They use local ingredients and have great flavors. The wine selection by the glass is quite good.
(4)Gayle R.
Updated to add that I have been back a couple of times for special occasion dinners since my first review. The food is always amazing. I particularly recommend the pasta dishes and the limoncello cheesecake.
(5)Bryan P.
A very tasty experience, indeed. Knowing that the don't accept reservations, we dropped in at 6pm on summer's evening to put our name the list for a table of 4. We were told "about 75 minutes" - having a gift certificate to use, we weren't to be deterred. We walked across the street and had drinks outside at La Taza. 70ish minutes later, my wife's phone rang. We were seated, unfortunately, at the table directly as you enter the small space. The acoustics at Tavola are such that you have to scream to effectively communicate with the person across from you. I was told by the father-in-law that this could be attributed to the square, tin roof tiles. That, plus the corner table next to us that was approximately 7 bottles of vino deep, and thusly screaming. The volume in the restaurant is the only thing keeping it from a 5-star. Everything else was terrific. Our salads featured arugula, gorgonzola, and something else I can't recall at the moment. Very tasty. I got the special, which was effectively spaghetti and meatballs - simple, and unbelievable. We all cleaned our plates and left feeling fat and happy. Albeit with our ears ringing.
(4)N P.
Selected this place based on all the positive reviews. Was a bit disappointed with the menu. No chicken on the menu, somewhat limited selection, no traditional Italian dishes. The food was good, but I expected more for the money. The dining room is very small and the food is being made literally right there (not in a kitchen). Will not work for a romantic dinner.
(3)Sara B.
Be prepared to wait it out, across the street at La Taza worked for us. After a solid hour plus of waiting....everything we ordered ranged from good to great. This is a really cute place, it's small so be prepared to bump some elbows and what not, especially if you want to make your way back to the bathrooms. However, the atmosphere is nice and relaxed. A solid meal, I would come again, but not if I was acutely hungry.
(4)R H.
This is our go-to restaurant for a nice dinner. The food is excellent and the service is great, especially at the bar. Our last visit was for my birthday. I was offered complimentary prosecco, but because I am pregnant (not yet showing at the time--don't worry, they didn't offer me alcohol knowing I was pregnant!), they gave me complimentary gelato instead. Dinner at Tavola always is an enjoyable experience.
(5)Raman P.
Nothing compares to Tavola it's the best place to eat in C-Ville, but if you don't time it right you may have to wait for awhile. Staff is very knowledgeable about the wine and food and can help you put with any questions. They have nightly specials that range from spaghetti and meatballs to octopus and every one I've tried has been great. You can now rent the back room for private parties.
(5)Katherine S.
Totally in love with Tavola... No. They don't take reservations, but it's worth the wait if you go at a busy time. The atmosphere is wonderful and it's great to have the open kitchen and bar. The fresh housemade burrata is amazing, as is everything else the kitchen puts out. Other food highlights include the prosciutto wrapped shrimp, the scallops with leek-beet risotto, caramelized cauliflower, & brussels sprouts with pancetta. Great wine list as well. Perfect for date night. Romantic, slightly rustic, but modern. Excited to try more from their menu like the pork Milanese and other pastas. The night we went, they had a ravioli special that was also excellent. Only thing I personally did not care for was the flourless chocolate torte, but that's it. I also appreciate their use of local, seasonal ingredients! Highly recommended!
(5)Jing L.
We walked into this restaurant based on online reviews. We were exceedingly disappointed. It was around 6pm, the room was half full. We got a table right away. Since we were hungry, we ordered the fastest entrees for an Italian restaurant, oh, a regular Italian restaurant: pasta and milanese veal. The appetizer came within minutes: a few pieces of melon, with a little olive oil and a bit cheese. Tasted....just like melon, oil and cheese. An odd combination that was no different than having melon, oil and cheese separately. Anyway, we were happy with the fast service. Little did we know that was it! That was all the food we were getting that night. At 6:45pm I started getting grumpy. At 6:55 we asked our waitress "any hope of getting any food tonight?" She said "oh let me check" and went to the kitchen counter two steps away. I overheard them counting tables and such, but she never returned to update us. At 7:10 we asked to speak with the manager. The manager said "oh let me check", went to the kitchen counter two steps away, and never came back. At 7:15 when we saw another two dishes got out of the kitchen without coming our way, we grabbed the attention of the manager and said we wished to leave. This manager, to my utter disbelief, actually commented "you know we are not a fast food place!" WTF?! Over one hour and you cannot prepare a freaking pasta and milanese, did you start with growing wheat?! The room is horrid. Dark, intermittently cold (ac air directly blowing on people's back) and hot (kitchen steps away), smells funny (kitchen cooking steps away), loud (kitchen and wait staff talking and laughing all the time). Oh, and there was definitely no italian working in that restaurant. Judging from the melon/oil/cheese combo, I really doubt their food can be any good.
(1)Tom P.
Excellent contemporary Italian. I started with the pancetta wrapped grilled shrimp with wilted greens and grilled tomatoes. Excellent. Then had their pasta carbonara which was not too creamy as some are - just egg, cheese and a bit of pasta water. We ate at the bar and the bartender was helpful in letting us taste a bunch of their wines.
(5)Richard R.
Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and tasty food that is very reasonably priced. I have had many poor experiences ordering rockfish in non-coastal cities, however, Tavola hit the nail on the head. Great portion size. Food was deliciously fresh. Our waiter was topping off our drinks appropriately and was never hard to find when we needed him. The open kitchen is a great touch. I would recommend this to anyone looking to dine in style without breaking the bank.
(4)Lauren D.
To celebrate his graduation from UVA, my brother took the fam to Tavola - his favorite Charlottesville restaurant. I could see why it is his favorite. The atmosphere was really nice - small and intimate. The open kitchen is a nice touch, as we enjoyed watching the chefs at work. Our waitress was also friendly and attentive. The food was also very good, although they were out of a few menu items which was disappointing. All of the pasta dishes were really light and fresh, very nicely done. My mother had the pork milanese which she also very much enjoyed. All in all, this was our best dining experience during our time in Charlottesville.
(4)Maggie W.
YUM!! This place is amazing. The service was great, the food was amazing, and a great wine list with reasonable prices. The cozy atmosphere is very welcoming and warm. The bruschetta of the day and rockfish were the highlights. We went when it was 0 degrees outside, so the wait wasn't too bad on a Friday night, but I've heard it gets pretty long on a normal weekend! We will definitely return and this is now one of my top 5 restaurants in cville.
(5)Soo S.
A restaurant that favors customers and refuses to encourage people to go home after their check has been paid for over an hour is one that only cares about money, and not pleasing customers. A restaurant that seats over 10 people ahead of a table of 5 because "it's not their policy" is one that doesn't care about customers. A restaurant that has favored customers and are willing to ignore other, perfectly willing to pay customers, is a restaurant that only cares about making money, not its customers. A restaurant like Tavola is one that only cares about making money, not its customers.
(1)Seth R.
My favorite Cville restaurant. Everything here is amazing, from the superb wine list to the hand-made pasta to the cozy and energetic ambience. I would eat here every week if I could afford it.
(5)Camille R.
Walking by seeing the full tables, we hung our heads until the man with a clip board said he had two seats at the bar... Little did we know, we would be seated next to the owner and his two children (who were sitting quietly reading) while being served by his lovely wife and co-owner. We got to learn about the history of the restaurant and the future plans they have! I am looking forward to utilizing their new private party space. 2006 Bottle of red with little neck clams - we joked about ordering them again for dessert they were so good! We split the kale salad but fought over who got the last bite. My boyfriend had the lobster special and I had the egg plant ... I ate every last morsel !!! For dessert we the amaretto cheesecake. One of the best date night dinners we have ever had !!! New favorite restaurant !!!
(5)Kasoondie F.
Over all this experience was magnificent! I recently went with my sisters to an early dinner on Tuesday night! Upon entering the aroma that permeated throughout was enough to make me drool! Our waiter, Stephen I believe his name was, came over and immediately to greeted us. He was very knowledgeable, accommodating, friendly, not too talkative, and in my opinion should receive the five stars! As for the decor and ambience I would consider it, casual but yet upscale. The food was over all very delicious unique and enticing! We started with the trio of bruschetta which was absolutely delicious! One of my sisters had the rockfish which melted in your mouth and it's accompaniments were very interesting and equally delightful. My other sister had an eggplant entrée which was absolutely divine! My dinner was some sort of pork Milanese ( I don't remember the exact name) it was very flavorful and was so good I took the remains home and had them the next day for lunch. We ended the dinner with cappuccinos, port wine and shared a chestnut cheesecake! The cheesecake was drizzled with some sort of sauce made from Pine Cone stuff with a distinct maple flavor and it was delicious (I wish there was more of it drizzled on top!) The only reason I did not give this restaurant five stars, because in my opinion, there is always room for improvement! The pork was overcooked a little bit ( the edges were actually slightly burnt) But that is only being highly critical and it did not take away from the rest of the dish at all! The cheesecake, I felt, was heavy and lacked being "very" tasty-could have more taste in my opinion ... I know cheesecake is supposed to be dense but it can be dense without being heavy- anyway other than these slight imperfections I would give this exquisite restaurant 4 1/2 stars but since there was only 4 or 5!! I chose 4!!! I will definitely go back! I recommend making reservations if you were trying to go on a Friday or Saturday night as it is very crowded!
(4)Robert J.
Had a very enjoyable dinner here with a coworker. The food was delicious and it was a good atmosphere...we got there early and were the only ones there. I would recommend this place to a friend, but it's kind of pricey.
(4)Maggie L.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Charlottesville. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, so I consider myself to be a tough judge when it comes to Italian food. Have the sommelier help you pick a wine. He never steered us wrong. Start with the cozze ai ferri (mussels) for an appetizer. Order a side of bread to soak up the delicious juice. For an entree, order a pasta dish. The linguini alla carbonara (both my husband love this dish so much we frequently both ordered the same thing!) or the capellini gamberi "raucci" were my favorites. For dessert, their tiramisu was amazing. And I don't even normally like tiramisu!
(5)Susie G.
I can not believe they charge for bread and olive oil. This place should be listed as $$$. Highly overpriced, food was okay, some items (like the bruschetta) was actually bland. All the other details are correct; romantic-yes, intimate- yes, good for couples (that are well to do)-yes. Not so good for groups or families with kids. They are accommodating, though, and when asked will simplify pasta for the kids. Maybe the locals find this to be an example of good Italian food, but out of towners should seek food elsewhere.
(2)Jennifer M.
Not really as I had expected. The place was indeed small with maybe 7-8 tables in all. We sat at the table by the corner window. It could be cleaner for one thing... Good thing we came early (5 or so) for an early dinner, because the place filled up quickly. I had the linguine with littleneck clams. The clams were big and not gritty. The dish itself? meh. The sauce was liquidy, salty, garlicky, and salty. The pasta noodles didn't really taste like anything else. And overall, well, not very impressed. Just average. I expect more for the price. We finished with a tiramisu that took a long time to bring it. It was extra creamy and nicely flavored. Great to share. Would I come back again, though? maybe. or maybe not.
(3)Ingrid T.
Before heading to Tavola for what will be an excellent dinner, it is a good idea to have a backup plan. This restaurant does not take reservations and has a very small dining room. Most of the tables seat 2-4 people with one or two tables accommodating parties of 8-10. There is seating at the bar. The chances of getting seating at Tavola are better if the group is small and arrives very early for dinner. Otherwise the easiest option is to go next door to The Local, so Tavola plans should include an understanding that a delicious Italian dinner may be swapped for a sometimes delicious American fusion/local Virginian dinner, and that all diners are okay with that scenario. Apart from the seating gamble, dinner at Tavola is a calming, appetizing and gratifying experience. The dining area and open kitchen use the same space, which fuses the preparation and presentation of dishes. Each course is intense and rich without being heavy and stuffing. The fig salad with watercress comes with chunks of blue cheese and a bit of balsamic dressing, the eggplant parmesan is perfectly prepared and light, the seafood with capellini is fresh shellfish combined with marinara sauce and pasta as a complement. Everything on the menu seems to use the right proportion of ingredients or components in turning out the dish. The cakes are perfectly complemented with icing, just as the soup is perfectly complemented with a particular vegetable or herb. In a crowded restaurant scene, this is one of the best places in Charlottesville for dinner. This is a five star venue, but I am giving it four stars due to the potential angst involved in finagling a table or seat.
(4)Kate D.
Awful service. Decent food. Terrible choice for any group larger than 4. I bet it's a good place for a date - but sadly my experience was not a good one. The host was clearly annoyed by the size of our party, and did nothing to hide it, and actually got a little sassy with one of the members of our party. Food was not memorable. I don't actually remember what I ordered. Note to the restaurant: if you are going to make someone wait an hour for a table after telling them it would be 30 minutes - it's a good policy to offer them a little glass of wine. The restaurants I've worked at in the past would always do this. It's a little thing that keeps the group happy and costs you less than losing a customer.
(2)Jenny L.
This place is loud and bumpin' on Friday nights! I generally prefer quieter and more intimate spots when dining Italian, but the food definitely matched the lively, robust atmosphere. The seafood pasta with red sauce was delightfully spicy. The flourless chocolate torte with orange cream was phenomenal. I will certainly be back!
(4)Mikela T.
This place is an absolute gem! Sure, our party of two had to wait nearly an hour to be seated at the bar, but the waitstaff were gracious and made sure we had alcoholic beverages to keep us occupied while we perused the menu. The ambience is intimate (small) and warm (crowded), but it added to the overall feel of cozy class. Not to mention the food was fantastic and well-paired with the wine, which was complex and refreshing. We started with the bruchette of the day and the pear pancetta salad followed by the scallops and the ragu. Perfect portions, really flavorful, and it was neat to watch the chefs do their thing right in front of you. I kept getting food envy looking at the other dishes coming out - I wish I was able to order everything on the menu. The only critique I have on the food was that the beet risotto that came with the scallops was too beet-y, but I am naturally not a big beet fan. All in all, this place is great for an intimate date or dinner for a small party (2-4), but probably not good for a large group. Prices are a bit high, so it's best saved for a special occasion, but they aren't outlandish considering the quality and freshness of the cuisine. Service was friendly and helpful, but gave us the space to chat and enjoy our meal. Yum.
(5)Christian S.
All I need to say is FANTASTIC FOOD! Tavola is a little pricey but it's worth it. If you can make a reservation do so because it's a small venue and gets crowded. The night we went it was raining so people were squishing inside to wait which made things a bit uncomfortable. The service was received was fantastic and like I said the food was awesome. Great date night place on, like, a Tuesday when it's not packed. :-)
(4)Mark J.
My parents favorite and it is worth the hype. Mussels were outstanding and my pasta were perfectly al dente with a great bolognese sauce. Service was prompt. Get there early to make sureyou get a seat. One of the best in C-Ville
(5)Matt P.
Don't really understand the hype. Went there on a tuesday night got a pasta dish and a special. Both were decent but in no way the "best meal i've had in Charlottesville." Not sure I would be back anytime soon given the other choices in town.
(2)Joy G.
One of the triumvirate restaurants in a small Belmont cubby hole. Portions are generous, not gut-busting; the tiramisu is made in-house; and all the flavors fall under the general category of rustic Italian cooking, meaning locally sourced ingredients used in creative ways. Read charlottesville29.com/ta… when you get a chance - there's lots of good stuff about how chef Michael Keaveny and Tami Keaveny have put their hearts and souls to making the food as punchy and fresh as possible. Some days, you want Raising Cane's and Panda Express; other days, you want food that the Italian nonna that you never had would have made. The fra diavolo is divine: lots of fat scallops, shrimp, and mussels in a tomato sauce with a surprising amount of spicy kick. I've always associated Italian food with tomatoes, garlic, basil, and GOBS AND GOBS of cheese (I grew up on cafeteria-style sliced pizza with little neon orange puddles of oil. Cut me some slack), but I'm still searching for whatever it was that gave the tomato sauce that perfect amount of spice. I don't think it was chilis, but definitely some kind of pepper. Tiramisu was excellent in a way that only ladyfinger cake soaked in espresso and then doused with cream can be excellent. I'm running two miles on the treadmill tomorrow for tonight's indulgences, but it was so worth it. My one (minor) complaint has to do with the structure of the cooking area - it's all out front, not encased behind a door or behind a small plating window, so all the smoke, grease, and other oil smells waft out to the tables nearby. I'm sure they've got some state-of-the-art ventilation system going on, but sometimes the smell of smoke got overwhelming, especially when they were whipping up the mussels in a hot pan. Just try to pick a table closer to the door if you can. Also, the prices are a little steeper than their next-door neighbor, the Local, but the food is so well-made and everyone, from the waitress to the host, was so hospitable. I'd definitely come back.
(4)Dave A.
The food is very good, and I've always had really excellent service. It's a really small restaurant, so unfortunately can be a bit difficult to get into some evenings (and you sometimes walk out smelling like their food because of the open kitchen).
(4)Sonja P.
I had really, really high expectations for this place. Everyone says this is THE restaurant in Charlottesville, and so I was super excited when we nabbed a table without waiting early one rainy Monday. The food, I felt, was good, but not amazing as everyone seems to think. I ate here almost immediately before leaving for a trip to Italy, and I didn't feel like it came close to comparing the real thing. I was quite pleased the pasta was homemade, but didn't feel like the price was necessarily worth it, when I could make many of these dishes at home for significantly less. Pretty good, but probably won't be back. Would rather go to Zocalo or The Local for food in the same price range.
(3)Thomas E.
Go there now. Just had my first meal and everything was exceptional. The pasta was al dente to perfection, the bolenese as good as I've had having lived in Italy for a couple of years and the salads were tasty as well. Run. Don't walk.
(5)Frank D.
It was fine. Nice ambience. Very friendly service. A bit too loud and we had trouble carrying on any conversation. We knew from prior reviews that we'd have to wait, and that was fine. We were there on a Saturday night and the food was ok. I had the scallops with beet risotto. The scallops were good and fresh. I didn't care for the risotto, but could just be my preferences. We also had the shrimp pasta which had the opposite result I.e. very good pasta (Gorgonzola in the sauce I think?) but the shrimp was either overcooked or just not fresh. Finally was the linguini and clams, which was the saltiest I've ever tasted. Powerful first forkful which seemed good at first, but hard to sweat more than two bites. As am aside, a few tables had ordered the mussels and I will say that they looked and smelled awesome as they passed us by. Overall we had a pleasant evening, but we won't be hurrying back. Oh, and yes, paying for bread and olive oil is a little silly.
(3)Denise S.
My husband and I found this place on Yelp and decided to go for our anniversary. We waited like 2 hours, but enjoyed a half bottle of wine and the antipasto. The hostess checked on us a number of times and we could have eaten at the bar, but we chose to wait. The place is fairly small, so get there early. The food was great, wine selection amazing ( I tried 3 different kinds!). And I love that it was outside of the typical downtown of C'ville.
(4)Brad G.
Found this restaurant on Yelp and the reviews were right, it was excellent! We started off with the mussels that came on a sizzling cast iron skillet. The clam pasta was the best I've ever had! I'll be making the drive from Richmond again for sure.
(5)T M.
Incredible food, environment, service and location. You can't go wrong with an order here but if you really want to experience something special, I recommend sharing family-style and letting the wait staff guide you. They know their dishes and wine; you won't be disappointed. Tavola is one of the best restaurants in the area (my favorite). I love the simple comfort of their space and excellence of their food. Great for a small crew, a lowkey date and even flying solo at their bar. Make it here if you can...you won't regret it.
(5)Paul D.
Fabulous meal last week. we sat at the bar- quite comfy and enjoyed the banter with the bartender/waitstaff. had a mixed salad with a meyer lemon vinegarette- zesty and delis. shared the carbonara- perfectly al dente with a surprise- ground sausage- rally worked nicely. pork cutlet- thin sliced, lightly breaded, light, non greasy and vey tasty with a salad on top. the 2 dishes worked very well together- loved them both.
(5)Rob K.
My brother's birthday dinner; we were a party of 5 (insert mid-90s sitcom joke here). The wait at Mas was insane, same at Local. So we put our names in at all 3, and swung by Local for a drink. Tavola had the first table, and held it for us while we finished our cocktails at Local. To be clear: the service was awesome. The waitress was fun, engaging, helpful, not intrusive. We ordered a couple appetizers, some wine, some entrees. Everything was good - the mushroom pasta and the shrimp with gorgonzola both stood out. But it was the service that stood out. We wondered about the temperature of our second bottle of wine, and were admittedly a little pluckish in asking. But the sommelier came over with a thermometer, and in a wonderfully funny way, quipped "Game on" - she was right, and it was funny. At dessert, we had tiramisu, cheesecake and affogato, which were recommended and all of which were spot on. Great place; I'd go back. Thanks to the Tavola team for creating a fun and welcoming environment!
(5)Sylvanna V.
I have been to this restaurant once...it's a bit pretentious and they are a pain about getting a seat but my boyfriend and I decided to sit at the bar and we ended up having the BEST time. Amazing food, okay wine, but amazing food. Looking forward to going back!
(5)Ted B.
This is my favorite restaurant in town. I've eaten at Tavola many times and I have always had a spectacular meal. The Pappardelle Ragu might be my favorite but there are plenty of great entrées. The wine list is terrific. And I've always found the service to be friendly, helpful and attentive. The chef/owner recently won chef of the year in CVille Weekly (2013) and I think it was a well deserved honor.
(5)Paul F.
I was delighted by the fresh local tomatoes artfully prepared. Delicious! My pasta dish from the specials board was artfully made and full of flavor. The sommelier introduced me to some spectacular Italian beers that I didn't know existed. One was a cross between a Belgian triple and a British IPA, who would have thought? I'm always excited by restaurants that have really interesting specials and things I wouldn't come up with at home. I highly recommend Tavola.
(5)K K.
I do not understand the ratings of this restaurant. I would characterize it as an over priced average food Italian restaurant. I ordered. Bibb salad and pappardelle bolognese Ragu. The lettuce was very fresh however it was tasteless in spite of the "Meyer lemon" dressing. The pasta was cooked ok however the sauce was comparable to what you cold buy from a supermarket. The pork had flavor but was probably cooked three days earlier. The cooks and prep person spent most of there time scanning their "unwashed" cellphones between preparing meals. At $10.00 for the salad, $10.00/ glass of wine and $21.00 for the entree I will go elsewhere in the future. A great opportunity for a Gordon Ramsey visit.
(1)Diane H.
Food and service were excellent - from wine to dessert. We will go back soon. Mussel appetizer was a favorite
(5)Mary Lou S.
Four of us showed up on a Wednesday evening around 5:15 p.m. Two other tables were occupied. We were informed that there were no four-top tables in the restaurant and that they couldn't put two two-tops together because during the week, mostly couples came in. Note that putting the tables together would not have impeded the service people in any way. So we were put at a table for 8, but were squeezed at one end. I wanted to leave but my companions wished to stay. Upon opening the menu, one of my companions brought up Tavola's "no substitutions" policy. Since this place is not a diner, I cannot imagine why this statement is placed on their menu. Any restaurant of note will graciously make substitutions within reason. Towards the end of our meal, four others were seated at the other end of the table for eight. Ridiculous. The food was good but not great. My husband and I, who are locals, will never set foot in this pretentious place again.
(2)Ashley A.
Yum yum! I had an amazing evening out here. Intimate setting, attentive service and delicious food.
(5)Rob L.
What a great restaurant! Food is amazing, staff is fantastic.. What more could you ask for in a great italian place? Try the Papperdelle ragu and Tiramisu for desert.
(5)Brenda K.
My husband and I were in Charlottesville on a Thursday in mid-November, and after an afternoon of touring wineries, we decided to have dinner while in the city. Some people had recommended Tavola. We arrived at about 5:45 p.m. (they do not take reservations, and we were told we'd need to arrive early), and were seated at a large communal table. Three people were at one end, and the two of us were at the other end. The table seats 10 people. Even though the restaurant later became very, very crowded, we learned that they only seat two parties at a time at the table. For such a small restaurant, that leaves 5 seats not occupied and there were people waiting for 30-60 minutes for a table. We had the" Insalata Verde" (bibb lettuce with a Meyer lemon vinaigrette) per the recommendation of a person at the other end of the table -- it was very good, but pricey for $8.00 for a minimal salad. For our entrees, my husband had the "Pan Scotatto Rockfish", which had roasted tomatoes and fennel and was in a saffron broth. It was okay, but nothing spectacular. I had the "Bisteca alla Griglia" which is a grilled hanger steak with cippolini "agrodolce", mountain gorgonzola, and a rosemary potato cake. The flavor of the steak was fine, if a bit overcooked (I ordered it medium-rare), and I did like the cippolini onions, but the rosemary potato cake had turned into a mush, because the steak sat atop it, and it was surrounded with the "agrodolce" sauce. Often it seems that restaurants like to layer their items on top of each other, so the flavor of the individual items is lost to just one flavor profile, and it can also compromise the the texture of the food as well. I ordered the chestnut cheesecake to take home and had that later in the evening. It was flavorless and had no taste of chestnuts whatsoever. It was very much overpriced at $8.00 per serving. The restaurant was crowded, loud and at times very smoky because of something they were cooking. The server was not very attentive and it took quite a while to get her attention to order a second glass of wine. We also later learned that there were menu items listed on a board that we were not aware of, and were not told about as well, when our server told us the specials for the night. Overall, the food was good, but not nearly as good as the "hype".
(3)Laurentina F.
Giving this place 2 stars for the following 2 reasons: - They use fresh, seasonal, local produce (which is typical in REAL Italian food) and the flavors aren't too bad (when done right) and... - The Bolognese pasta was some of the best I've had outside of Italy It saddens me to write poor reviews to places with such potential, but unfortunately, it has to be done. For someone who has lived in Italy for an extended period of time and is obsessed with all things Italian (including REAL Italian food), I should have steered clear away from this place - despite the charming website... nonetheless, my friends and I were in C-ville for the weekend and decided to get dinner here. Not the greatest idea. Ever. COMPLAINTS: - Worst service ever. We sat down and weren't even offered bread/olive oil. They kept forcing wine on us (ahem, $9/glass of mediocre Italian vino is not worth it, my friends) and antipasti as well. When it came time to order, the waitress raised her eyebrow when my friend and I decided to split an entree. - Undercooked veggies: Aside from the pastas we ordered, we also got a green bean contorno (side dish), which came out UNDERCOOKED! Waitress claimed that it was NOT undercooked and had us order the grilled zucchini instead, which we obliged to and THOSE also came out partially undercooked. Plus, we didn't understand the combination of parma cheese and mint on top of the 4 slices of zucchini... Italian food isn't pretentious, and Italian table-food certainly ISN'T, so this was very confusing to have this kind of "over-seasoning" at a place that claims to be "cozy, rustic, home-away-from-home" kind of place. I can tell you that my many meals with Italian families in Italy would have NEVER resulted in something like that. - Was not too impressed with the open kitchen, noise and small seating area too. It is, like Jerry G said, a cool idea but there is too little space to cook AND serve meals to a constant flow of guests. - The manager did come around and ask us how things were, but I found it strange that when we told him it was just "okay", he didn't pursue us further of what he could do to make our dining experience more enjoyable. Instead, he turned around and chatted rather lively to another table, claiming that his method was "how they do it in Italy". In any case, if Tavola wants to continue down the road of creating a "cozy, rustic" slow-food esque dining experience for their guests, they should make a trip to Italy and take some courses on how Italian food is REALLY presented. I hope they take this into consideration because there are so few real, genuine Italian restaurants in the US and they really have potential to be better than the average yuppie, small town Urbanite, pretentious food joint. The next time I'm in Charlottesville, I will be eating at Eppie's and The Bluegrass Grill instead.
(2)Jerry G.
First let me say the food is excellent. Some of the best Italian fare around, not only in C'Ville but anywhere else. So if the chow is so good then why the low rating you ask? Well here's why... 1. No reservations.. And I don't mean Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations.." They don't take reservations so if you don't get there early you wait and wait and wait.. Servers don't push (that's a good thing.!) so folks tend to linger longer.. And while that's a good thing too it can cause a real logjam.. 2. Open kitchen. Nice idea.. Get to watch all those culinary experts working their magic.. Problem is smell.. Yes, smell.. Not everyone likes the aroma of fish, bacon or other ingredients. And the restaurant is so small that the aromas can sometimes be overpowering especially when something gets "seared" a bit too much.. 3. Noise.. It is physically impossible to carry on a conversation during "prime time." A table of four and we were literally yelling at each other or leaning so far across the table to hear one another that we were damn near falling on the table. So take the inconveniences for what they are worth and chalk them up to a great small restaurant, serving great food in a quaint part of Charlottesville. Just be forewarned.!!
(3)John E.
This might be the best restaurant in town, though I'll temper that by saying I've only ordered pasta dishes and appetizers. The pasta dish with local sausage is outstanding. They usually have great specials too, so pay attention to those. The wait staff might also be above average, if you care about such things - both times I've gone they've seemed really knowledgeable about the dishes. It's also just a great spot - cozy and intimate without feeling jam-packed.
(5)Jon Z.
I always thought Italian food was ok, but heavy and pretty much the same everywhere. Tavola changed my mind. This place is great.
(4)Craig K.
Always incredible food. Great relaxed atmosphere. Awesome specials all the time. Constantly delivers. Probably eaten there 30 times, never been disappointed. I wish they took reservations - then it would be 5 star for me. Eating at the bar with my wife next to me is a wonderful, casual, enjoyable experience.
(4)Richard S.
A small, cozy restaurant with great rustic Italian food. Probably not the best place for larger groups, but if you've got a fix for some solid Italian then this is the place to go. If you haven't experienced Italian past the standard pasta and pizza, then you should take advantage of Tavola.
(4)Meredith P.
Delicious food, but a little too complicated, Italian food is at its best when it is simple. Went a second time, it was very good, but we had to wait almost 2 hours for a table for a group of 6.
(4)Molly S.
Tavola has excellent food and a great vibe. I went super early on a Tuesday night for a special occasion and was worried that it would be empty and dead. Instead it was lively, warm, and yet still intimate. The food is great, as is the service. When you're there you forget that you're in such a small town. They even have (good) espresso for after dinner! Definitely going back for another date night!
(4)Stacie P.
This very small restaurant is always packed so I assumed it would be amazing. The food was decent, but for $20-25 per plate I would expect a little more.
(3)Paul D.
I could easily write a lengthy review about Tavola, I've been there many a times over the past 13 months since they have opened. However, much of my review would be redundant with the other 4 & 5 star reviews posted. So let me just say this... If I had my best friends visit, this is the the place I would take them while in Central Virginia. No hesitation. No reservations. (No pun intended.) That is how I rate a restaurant.
(5)Sarah B.
Tavola is really one of the best restaurants I've been to in Charlottesville. Even though they don't take reservations, my boyfriend and I decided to try it on a Friday night in November to celebrate an anniversary. We got there around 8 and were told it'd be about half an hour, which we expected, so we walked to Mas for drinks and appetizers. The host called us when our table was ready, and unfortunately we did have to wait a little bit since the previous couple didn't leave very quickly. We didn't mind at all, and the host brought us complimentary glasses of prosecco, which we enjoyed. The food was absolutely stupendous; my ragu and my boyfriend's eggplant parm were so great. The waitress was very nice and didn't come around too often. The space itself is so cozy and I'd be very happy to eat there weekly.
(5)Lauren B.
I came here after being told that someone wanted their last meal to be here! It's hard to argue with that. We were able to get right in on prime time friday night, but three of us had to sit at the bar. It was loud. I don't think the noise would have been a huge problem, but sitting side by side at the bar made it a little more awkward. We had burrata with arugula pesto and sun dried tomatoes to start, which was phenomenal. I couldn't even remember what entree I had ordered (everything on the menu looked tempting) but I had one of the specials with tagliatelle, lemon & saffron brodo and Carolina crab. The lightest pasta dish I've ever had! The side of asparagus was great as well.
(4)Will F.
This is my favorite Italian spot in town. I don't think I have ever tried something that I did not like. The scallops with beet risotto is a very popular dish, however I find myself often ordering pappardelle ragu, capellini gamberi, or the osso bucco as my entree and either soup or the beef carpaccio. All are very good, and highly recommended. The wine list is all Italian, with some nice selections that won't break the bank. This place is pretty small and popular, so be prepared for a wait, especially on Friday and Saturday. Although it is small, it is comfortable, when you finally get a table, and the kitchen is open and you can watch the chefs at work, and fill your nostrils with mouth watering fragrances to get yourself excited for your meal. One thing I really like about this place, is that the head chef (and owner?) will often make a round a few times throughout the night to ask everyone how they like their meal. It's little things like this that make a restaurant a step above the rest, and I am big proponent of the chef coming out to talk. The reviews of this place are right on. if you want delicious, high quality Italian in Charlottesville, this is the spot.
(4)Fran R.
Outstanding! While visiting from Ct. Went on Yelp to pick a restaurant. I can't tell you how happy my wife and college age son were to end up at this fabulous hidden gem of an Italian restaurant. The wait staff was very friendly, and the service was just right. Best part of it was the exceptional dishes from appetizers to entrees...all well beyond our expectations. Shouldn't have been surprised as the head chef got started cooking in the south end of Hartford! You will be sorry if you don't visit this restaurant while in Charlottsville!
(4)Zac K.
Went to Tavola on a Tuesday at 7:30PM. Had to wait about 30 minutes for a table, but enjoyed a nice bottle of pinot noir. Started with s charcuterie plate, though it wasn't called that. The plate had two hard cheese and one soft, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, olives, arugula, and wonderful toasty bread. Definitely a recommend to anyone who hasn't had it before. The beet salad was great. Red and golden beets that had been roasted, a goat cheese crouton, more arugula and a nice vinaigrette. I had the friti di marre pasta and my boyfriend had the lamb shank both were wonderful. The one thing that I found that might of put a damper on my evening (it didn't) was that there was a bit of sand in the mussles in the friti di marre. And desert of course, tiramisu, delicious. Service was excellent, not under served and not over served, a waiter who is there only when she needed to be. Will definitely patron Tavola in the future. One of my favorite spots in Charlottesville. Thanks Tavola! Edit: typos 10/4/2012
(4)Katherine M.
Wonderful Italian restaurant in Belmont! The atmosphere is cozy and warm, although a bit loud. Space is limited, so I would recommend a reservation on the weekends. Try: Capellini Gamberi "Raucci" and a big bottle of wine!
(5)Brad S.
Still the best Italian food in Cville!!!!! Don't listen to the negative reviews. This place is great! I does have limited seating, so get there early or plan to wait an hour and go nearby to get a drink. Put your name on the list and they will call you on your phone when your table is ready. You can be miles away, it does not matter. They change the food seasonally, which is great. If you want quick Italian, go to Pizza Hut.
(5)Jen S.
Best italian in town! This is a true gem...very small, only seats 40 or so, but it was packed both weeknights that we went. Staff is great making recommendations and are very knowledgable. The pasta selections were very creative and authentic My favorite part was when they bring out the mussels in a steaming hot pan that smokes up the little place. The smell is divine!
(5)Cyn S.
Eccellente: Tasty food locally sourced and creatively prepared con great service & charming ambiance. Try gli speciali.
(5)Dave C.
I'm gonna make it a point to always start these reviews with "The secret is out..." Excellent Italian, maybe the best in Charlottesville
(4)Sarah D.
I was first introduced to this restaurant by some clients and enjoyed it sufficiently to return with my SO. The place is noisy and busy and the food is totally worth waiting for a table and shouting to your companions. Service is spotty but friendly. The manager seems to be everywhere at once. He was bussing tables, getting bread and seating people all at once. Both times I visited, everything was delicious except the soup. The first time was corn and the second time potato and both times they were bland. My SO and I sent back our potato soup and the manager not only took the soup off the bill but treated us to dessert as well. Go early and be prepared to wait for a table. NOT HANDICAPPED FRIENDLY. The manager was quick to help lift my friend's wheelchair up the stairs but there is no ramp.
(4)Phillip K.
If you are a lover of fine Northern Italian cuisine like me, you won't be disappointed. Our party had five different entrees, all were attractive and delicious. The bread is freshly baked and the wine list has something for every taste at a reasonable cost. Arrive early because it fills up fast for dinner, and they do not take reservations. Can't wait to take my folks here.
(5)Jim D.
Good Italian food, using a lot of local foods and ingredients with reasonable prices and unpretentious servers in a cool space. Warm hardwood floors, open kitchen area, soft lighting - neither bright nor dark. We had the farfalle alla genovese basil pesto, baby artichokes, sugar snap peas, roasted red peppers and spalla di maiale alla griglia fennel pollencrusted grilled pork shoulder, rosemary pesto, applefennel salad And both were good, flavorful and, for some reason this stuck out to me - good-sized portions ... neither tiny nor overly large, and this made the meal more enjoyable. I think I had the same carafe of Pinot Grigio as DC did in the other review.
(4)Michelle A.
This is one of my favorite places in Charlottesville. The space is rustic and cozy, the service has always been great, and the food is amazing. They keep the items relatively simple, but there's usually a fun twist that keeps it from being boring. One meal that sticks out was a duck confit with cherry agrodolce, which was divine. It's annoying that they don't take reservations, but it's always been well worth the wait.
(5)Brie K.
What a wonderful new restaurant in Belmont! When we walked in we were warmly greeted by the hostess and invited to sit at the bar while we waited for our table. Since we expected a party of five, she told us that there was an hour wait, which seemed doable since we could get an appetizer at the bar. The best part about the bar was that we got to sit next to the two chefs preparing dinner (an open air kitchen) and enjoy the appetizing aromas wafting out of the cast iron skillets. Andrew, our bartender, was able to suggest a great appetizer (the mussels, yum!) and helped me to decide between the scallops and the pork shoulder. Because one in our party didn't end up coming, we were able to sit within a half hour, just enough time to finish one drink and catch up with our friends. The mussel appetizer was delicious, hot, buttery, and just salty enough to taste like the ocean. For entrees, we ordered the pork ragu with homemade pasta, the scallops with beet risotto and white truffle oil, eggplant parmesan, and the frutte del mare, with a side of the fresh bread and olive oil. Every, single, meal, was AMAZING. My husband let me have a bite of his pork ragu, and it tasted like...love. There are no other words for it. Soulful, rich, and savory. Mmm. The scallops (my meal) was an amazingly big portion. I have come to expect three, maybe four scallops in a fine dining entree. I got EIGHT. Each was cooked perfectly, and the lemony beet risotto was the perfect compliment. I couldn't really taste the earthiness of the white truffle oil, but that's ok. The eggplant parmesan was thinly sliced, well breaded, and very tasty, according to my friend. Her husband, a full blooded Italian, ordered what he called his "test" entree that he orders at every new Italian restaurant, the frutte del marre. Tavola passed his test. He was reluctant to say that it was better than his grandmother's, but he was very impressed. All in all, we will be back. Soon.
(5)Fred K.
Went here with the family based on yelp reviews during a mini-vacation at the Boars Head. Since they don't take reservations, the wait was quite long, although the staff was friendly and brought apps and drinks while we waited. Beware, though, a couple in front of us decided to go to the bar next door to wait, and wound up losing their place in line. Despite the wait, we had a fantabulous dinner. Wine list is quite diverse, although a little pricey. Bread came out hot, with a nice olive oil dip. Salad with fennel, endive and goat cheese was a big hit. Entrees were superb, the best being the braised rubbed pork belly. OMG, good- the skin was crisped perfectly and the flavors were outstanding. Carbonara was different, with a fennel rich sausage vice normal pancetta. Tiramasu for dessert exploded with flavor, we all loved it. Service was great, friendly, prompt and helpful, but unbotrusive. I will definitely come back here on a return trip to C'Ville.
(4)Eszter H.
This is an excellent Italian restaurant by all standards. The food is great, lots of interesting variety and very yummy. The service is friendly and prompt. I had the mushroom special to start and then the scallops with beet risotto. Both were very tasty. You likely cannot go wrong with this place.
(5)Jessica M.
A few friends of mine decided to be hipsters and try out Tavola the 2nd night it was open even though I generally try to follow the rule to not try a new restaurant in the first month its open. As fans of Italian and knowing that Charlottesville doesn't have the strongest Italian food scene, we were excited for the launch of a new Italian restaurant. The interior is small and cozy, and definitely has that kind of intimate, family dining room style I believe I read they were aiming for. On a dark, stormy night, this restaurant was definitely a beacon of warmth! Everything we had on the menu made solid debuts although the recipes could be tweaked a smidge. I ordered the eggplant with spicy tomato sauce and they eggplant was thin and perfectly breaded and fried, although the sauce was in no way spicey. It also could have used some garlic. The caprese salad had the most amazing tomatoes on it. They were the perfect ripeness! My one little tweak on this dish was that they could use more balsamic on it...These are small things and overall we were blown away by the food and excited for the promise of many more amazing meals to come from Tavola! A few dishes I had no complaints on and was blown away. Although I didnt try the scallops, I tried to beet risotto that accompanied it and thought it was fabulous. The desserts we got (the tiramisu and the chocolate orange cake) were also incredible. The cake was the perfect mix of dark chocolate with just the right hint of orange. I'm giving Tavola a solid 4 stars and hoping it grows into a 5. Charlottesville needs a fantastic Italian restaurant!
(4)Kate E.
If you are someone who equates "good" food with "big" food (huge portions), you will be more comfortable at the Olive Garden or Buca or a similar chain. For the rest of you who appreciate farm-to-table dining, then this place is for you. It's cozy and the food is amazing. We stumbled on it after a day trip to Monticello right at 5 as they were opening. It turned out to be the perfect time to come as they got really crowded really fast. I could really taste the freshness in the broccoli rabe and sausage in my pasta and in the carpaccio we had for an appetizer. Lovely smoky taste. My companion got the fra diavolo - great seafood and just the perfect spiciness. The only small minus I can say is that we felt a little slighted because we did not order wine. They take their wine very seriously here. We ordered soda as we had a long drive home and were thereafter ignored - no refills for you! Even the owner asked why we weren't having any wine when he stopped by our table. Other than that, a fabulous experience and a lovely part of a day trip.
(5)Ted M.
We were visiting Charlottesville and picked this based on Yelp reviews. Once again,Yelpers are right. Tavola is a very nice place. It is a small, attractive restaurant in an interesting part of town. The appetizers and salads were wonderful (mine was roasted fig with watercress and "mountain gorganzola" whatever that is). My entree (glazed pork over polenta) was only ok (the pork was slightly dry) but my wife's swordfish was superb as was my neice's paperdelle. The homemade pasta is delicious. Service was great. They have a really good wine list but it is also really expensive. Bottom line: we paid more than anticipated but had fun and would go again.
(4)Erikka C.
My husband and I ate here for our anniversary. The fried squash blossoms were AMAZING. Stuffed with Caromont goat cheese, ricotta, mint, and a hint of lemon zest...it made me wish squash was in season year round so I could eat these every day. The shrimp/pancetta app was forgettable. Too oily, not salty enough, and paled in comparison to the squash app. I had the papardelle bolognese and was still dreaming about it today. The portions were perfectly sized but I was wishing I had leftovers to eat for lunch because I'm still thinking about the perfect meat sauce and delicious homemade noodles. Nothing better than homemade pasta. Limoncello gelato was a great, light way to finish off the meal. Our server was great, and we were seated right away. The restaurant was very loud, and I found it hard to carry on a conversation or hear our server over the kitchen noise. Plus we were sitting next to a dehumidifer and under a wall a/c unit. Understandable since I used to live in a small, old, humid place in C-ville; those things are necessary in the summertime but it's hard to hear anything when they're running. Outdoor seating would be nice. I'll be back to try the linguine carbonara...
(4)brian g.
My wife and I ate at Tavola for our anniversary. The wine selection was huge, we had a sangiovese that tasted a bit like cherries. The cheese stuffed, fried squash blossom appetizer was amazing. I had veal, also great, and she had pappardelle with beef and was still raving about it this morning. The cheescake dessert was really good, but the best part of the meal was definately the squash blossom. It was a bit loud, but we had a great meal and a great time.
(5)Blue S.
Best restaurant in Charlottesville. Hands down. All the way down. Delicious Italian food, homemade everything. Great service. Nice wine list. Room is on the smaller side, but a nice room nonetheless. One of the more pricey options in cville, but if you have the money to spend there is nowhere else you'd rather be.
(5)Morgan S.
My roommate and I stopped by on a Tuesday night for a glass of wine and an appetizer and had one of the best experiences I've had dining out in Charlottesville so far. The service was fabulous from start to finish, and we watched our antipasti platter prepared right in front of us by one of the chefs. I can't wait to come back for a full meal!
(5)Nathan C.
Best Italian in Charlottesville hands down. We had the trio of bruschetta (special), which was three very distinct and delicious combinations of robust flavor and the linguini alla carbonara and the pappardelle bolognese. Their pasta is excellent and very fresh. Next time, we plan to try the bucatini all'amatriciana - looked awesome - but you just can't order it all in one sitting. The piccolo romaine was a bit too simple for my taste and left something to be desired, but that may have been shoddy ordering on my part. A strong four stars bordering on five if it weren't for other Italian places we've been (not in C'ville) that have absolutely bowled us over. (Protip: get there as early as 6pm - you'll still probably have a 40 minute wait - it's a small place and immensely popular.)
(4)Ferm B.
One of the best restaurants I have tried in all of Charlottesville. Everything I have eaten there was cooked and seasoned perfectly. If you have not eaten here yet, you should put it on the top of you list.
(5)alice h.
Recently ate here for the first time. The atmosphere is attractive and cozy. I visited Rome just a couple of months ago and the food and setting here reminded me of places I had eaten in Italy. The bread and olive oil appetizer was tasty. My pasta al'amatriciana was delicious and had a spicy kick. My date's pasta carbonara was amazing. I have had lots of gluey, alfredo like carbonara in the US... but this was lighter and yet also meatier. Can't wait to come back another time to try some of the meat dishes.
(4)Stephanie F.
My husband and I just had dinner here for a nice dinner out without the kids-although I did notice a family there with a baby in a highchair. :) The atmosphere is great-small and cozy with an open kitchen. They don't take reservations and there is only one room, so if you go between 7:30-8:30, be prepared to wait for a little while. We went at 7 and only had to wait for 15 minutes. The menu has some of the typical Italian favorites-bruschetta, eggplant, and tiramisu for dessert, but many unique dishes with their own twist-I had the pappardelle and it was great. Tavola makes their own pasta and uses ingredients from local and organic farms and you can taste the freshness. I will say that I found the portions a little small, for an Italian place. We didn't come out still hungry and we were satisfied, but I have never come out of an Italian restaurant NOT feeling stuffed, and here I did. My husband ordered the eggplant and it didn't come with pasta, so he orderd a side of fettucine with marinara and we're glad he did. We ordered the bruschetta for an appetizer and it wasn't really enough for both of us-there were three small pieces of bruschetta and that was it. That's the only reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. For the prices, $16-20, for pasta, I felt you should get slightly bigger portions. The service was great though and the hostess was very friendly. All in all, a really good Italian place that I would go to again. I would only take your children if they're well-behaved, the place is small so it would be difficult to handle children in this small of an environment if they're running all over.
(3)Valorie F.
Great food! I went right when it opened and haven't been able to get in since! Every time we go, there is an hour or so wait. MUST be good. :)
(5)C C.
The eggplant parmesan is delicious! It is my favorite dish, but all the food is very good.
(5)Joseph W.
Hands down, the best Italian food in town. Went for a nice dinner out and sat down to a delicious three course meal that was fantastic from beginning to end. The Bolognese pasta was no frills, but it was made with the best tasting pasta noodles I have ever eaten. I split the pasta course with my wife so that we could each order a meat course, but next time I might just order a full portion for myself and call it a night. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Sally H.
Great food AND wonderful service - loved the place!
(5)D C.
This is a new Italian place in the Belmont section of Charlottesville, on Hinton Avenue next door to another good and relatively new restaurant, The Local. Simple, tasteful decor with plain wooden tables and specials written on a chalkboard. The style was Italian as I have seen it in less touristy places in Italy, devoid of the checkered table cloths, rural murals, etc. The service was friendly and prompt. The wine list included glass and carafe options for more than a dozen different wines, which is more choice than usual in Charlottesville if you do not want to drink a whole bottle. We had a decent Pinot Grigio carafe for $19. There was the usual range of appetizers, salads, pasta, and main dishes with a bit of an emphasis on Italian seafood dishes. The featured appetizer, a variety of bruschetta (one mushroom, one tuna, one tomato and cheese) was tasty, if a bit too crusty. $7 The swordfish was perfectly grilled, flavorful, and quite tender, unlike a lot of swordfish that is thick and chewy. The accompanying crusty risotto with tomato and olive salsa complemented it quite well. $17 There was an extra charge for bread, which was warm and fresh. $3 The chocolate torte was delicious, but could have used a fruit sauce rather than the whipped cream. $8 They do not take reservations, so we arrived before 6 pm on a Saturday and got a nice table looking out the window. By the time we left, there was a line waiting for tables. This is one of the better Italian restaurants in Cville, with reasonable prices for the quality of food. We will go back.
(4)Michael N.
I love this place and try to eat here whenever I'm in Charlottesville. The atmoshere is pleasant and the food is always fresh and well prepared. The staff is friendly and helpful. One of my top choices in the area.
(5)Linda C.
My husband and I love this place. The open kitchen and the small room makes a comfortable and lively setting. We only go on weekdays and on the early side in order to not wait for a table. Our favorites are antipasti misti and the pappardelle ragu "fatte in casa". They use local ingredients and have great flavors. The wine selection by the glass is quite good.
(4)Gayle R.
Updated to add that I have been back a couple of times for special occasion dinners since my first review. The food is always amazing. I particularly recommend the pasta dishes and the limoncello cheesecake.
(5)Doug a.
We happened upon this place and were so delighted. My wife had the beet-leek risotto with scallops which was magnificent. She typically does not care for scallops, but they were absolutely perfectly cooked, and the flavor paired with the risotto was beyond delicious. I had the linguine carbonara which was fabulous. The special appetizer consisted of three different crostinis, each carefully prepared and interesting and very tasty. Dessert was an excellent chocolate flourless torte topped with a light whipped orange-flavored cream....moist, mouth-watering, great texture....YUM! Meeting and chatting with the chef/owner Michael was a huge bonus. He could not have been more pleasant. He spoke to us in some detail about the different dishes we were eating, and clearly takes great pride in his restaurant. If I could give more than five stars, I would. Go there! Don't miss this place!!
(5)V T.
Great food and service. The mussels were fantastic- light and buttery. Melts in your mouth. But there were two that didn't open! Their bread was great as well, but if you ask for extra, they charge. I especially enjoyed the branzino- the sea bass was cooked to perfection with crispy skin.
(5)R W.
Excellent restaurant. Great food, great service and very beautiful decor. I will definitely come back. Just don't get the insalada verde because you're basically paying $8 for a half head of lettuce.
(5)Vivian R.
Amazing, crave-worthy Italian cuisine in a bustling, cheerful space. We went on the recommendation of friends who know how to dine well in Charlottesville. The wait was on the long side, about 45-50 minutes, but the hostess was so nice and we enjoyed some wine and appetizers in the separate bar space while we waited. Despite how busy the restaurant was, the wait staff was very welcoming and attentive. We will definitely visit again the next time we're in town! She Said: A generous serving of burrata with arugula pesto and sundried tomatoes tided me over while we waited to be seated. My bucatini all'amatriciana was more than worth the wait - the sauce was so flavorful and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'm usually not a huge fan of tiramisu but here it was delicious - light and delicate. He Said: One of the liveliest Italian meals I've had; a great balance between the seasoning of the bolognese sauce and the natural flavor of the house-made pappardelle. Wonderful service and lovely ambiance in Old Charlottesville. Food: 5, Service: 5, Ambiance: 4
(5)Laura F.
My biggest complaint about Tavola is that they don't take reservations! It might be a good thing, otherwise we would be there a lot more. The food is great, and we've always had really good service. Be sure to get there early or be prepared to grab a drink down the street while you wait. My husband and I have sat at the bar a couple of times to get seated faster. The waits are long because the place is small and delicious. Give it a try!
(5)Caroline G.
Food was exceptional. We got a dish with scallops, shrimp, and mussels with a roasted tomato sauce over spaghetti as well as the carbonara dish. Both were absolutely phenomenal. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned - the carbonara had an interesting kick that managed to not be off putting to my sensitive tongue. Only reason to knock a star was the service. I don't know if the waiter was new or inexperienced, but he stumbled over the specials and seemed nervous. A small thing, but still. Overall, great place.
(4)Rachael I.
The carbonara here changed my life. It's. Incredible. Perfect pasta. Perfect amount of cream. (Which is not much) Perfect egg yolk cracked inside while piping hot. Perfect amount of cracked black pepper. Perfect amount of cheese. Just. Well. Perfect. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Everything else I've tried here: wine, salad, shrimp appetizer. All very good. But that carbonara. Man. Can't beat it. I hope they're never dumb enough to take it off the menu. The only thing that keeps me from giving this place a 5 (and actually had me teetering on a 3?) The service. They are exceptionally bored by their customers and seem not to care less whether you have a good experience or not. Whoever the manager of Tavola is should look into hiring some people who know how to crack a smile and not just egg yolks. Just sayin'.
(4)Jessica L.
I had high expectations for Tavola based on reviews but I'm afraid my husband and I were both underwhelmed. We went for an early Saturday dinner and snagged the last available table. The positives: attentive and friendly service, the shrimp wrapped in pancetta (antipasti) and tiramisu. The mehs: our entrees - my husband had capellini frutti di mare and I had linguini alla carbonara. I found the carbonara to be heavy on the cream and extremely over peppered. I'm hoping my serving was just an exception to what is typically delicious carbonara but I'm not in a major hurry to give it another chance. We agreed that we wouldn't wait for a table to be served those particular entrees again.
(4)N B.
The food is consistently great BUT the noise level is such that it is hard to dine with friends and have any kind of conversation. Such a shame--so many of my friends won't even go anymore. They opt for lesser food in favor of being able to hear one another. Tavola, turn down the music and buffer the noise!
(3)Imelda M.
Our party of five arrived to find this small, off the beaten path restaurant, packed. There was a 45 min wait for a table so we decided to kill time at the bar and we are glad we did. This is not your run of the mill Italian, this is authentic. At the bar we ordered a bottle of wine and shared a delicious appetizer of garlic shrimp that set the mood for what was yet to come. Once we sat down for dinner the surprises kept on coming: Vongole oreganate, plump Rhode Island clams with a light breading and quickly baked in the oven were the sweetest I have ever experienced, simply prepared they were the stuff dreams are made of. We opted for pastas as our main course: Capellini Gamberi Raucci, Linguini con Vongole, Capellini Frutta di Mare 'Fra Diavolo' and Linguine Carbonara all so delicious, forks kept reaching across the table for yet another taste. But it was not just about the food, service was outstanding, friendly and efficient. Bravo Chef...compliments to you and your Staff. We will be back and will recommend highly.
(5)Debbie B.
We have a uva grad who recommended this wonderful place. We had shared the swordfish dinner and the shrimp with pasta dish so full of flavor. Also shared the mussel appetizer with bread to dip in the savory sauce. Tomatoes with mozzarella were a hit also at our table. Music is flowing here and the staff go out of their way to make this place a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Jerry C.
Probably the best Italian restaurant in Charlottesville. Tavola does not take reservations so arrive early or be prepared for a wait. Very casual and friendly restaurant but the kitchen does an absolutely excellent job of executing a very sophisticated menu. My wife had Bibb lettuce salad with lemon vinaigrette which she raved about. My starter was the beef carpaccio with arugula, capers, fennel, preserved lemon and tartufo cheese. It was glorious! For the main, my wife had bucatini marinara sauce. My main dish was pan seared Branzino (Mediterranean Sea Bass) with preserved lemons. Parsley, root purée, fennel and baby arugula. Absolutely cooked to perfection and could not have been more tasty. For our wine, my wife and I wanted a dry sparkling Rose' and the waiter misled me into ordering a rose' from Emelia Romagna, which I usually find more on the sweet rather than the dry side, but he assured me this was dry. It was sweet. For dolce I ordered biscotti with vin santo. The vin santo was fine, but the biscotti were rock hard and too big to dip into the vin santo glass: which created a challenge for graceful eating of the biscotti. I would give Tavola five stars but for not having a staffer in the restaurant who was intimately familiar with the wine list, the near inedible biscotti and the fact that the temperature in the restaurant was over 90 degrees which took some of the positive vibe off an otherwise outstanding and marvelously prepared and delicious dinner.
(4)Stephanie B.
Tavola's food is just scrumptious. I had the carbonara, and my husband had the hanger steak. Both meals were exceptional, and our service was great. For an upscale night out, Tavola is a great choice. We went on a Friday night and only had to wait at the bar 20 minutes or so before we were seated.
(5)Michael M.
Still the best Italian rest in Charlottesville! Great service, terrific food and a delightful wine list.
(5)Harris W.
You know that horrible feeling when you take you friends from out of town to your favorite restaurant and it ends up being a huge dud? I took some friends from out of town. I told them I'd take them to one of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville. We got there at 5:45 on a wednesday...we were one of the first people there. We got wine, appetizers and then ordered our meal. An hour passed and we were all really hungry. No explanation from our waiter no apologies. I complain to the manager and he apologizes but honestly in a restaurant with 30 seats you should have a better handle on the situation. He offers some bread which is nice I guess and offers some dessert. Our waiter brings us our food and doesn't say anything. The meal was great. I have to flag the waiter down for the check. I ask my friends if they want dessert they said they don't want to wait any longer. Waiter brings out the check still no apology or anything not even a thank you. He looked really bored... Food was awesome as usual but with bored service (not bad just completely not interested in making sure we were having a nice dinner) and a really long wait time. I won't be taking any friends here again.
(3)Tom R.
We go to tavola as often was we can as we feel the meals and service (waits can be long due to demand and crowd-not because of poor servers) are consistently top shelf. My wife and I sit at the bar each visit as service is faster and we enjoy the conversation with staff and the wine steward regarding the food and pairings. The pasta is always perfect and the burrata is a must if you like fresh mozzarella. Proteins are exceptional. This is one of the best restaurants in Charlottesville! But you must set your expectations correctly. It is a small rustic italian restaurant without linen table cloths. Expect to interact with neighboring tables...not a quiet romantic venue. If it is all about the food and wine (very nice list) you will not be dissapointed. I have heard people choose Bella's over tavola...they are two different restaurants. Don't confuse them.
(5)Alyssa M.
YES! tavola is the place to go in charlottesville for a killer meal. as soon as you walk inside, your senses are awoken by the amazing smells coming from the open kitchen in the back of the restaurant. this restaurant does not take reservations, so be prepared to wait for a table. the dimly lit atmosphere and overly friendly (but not annoyingly overly friendly) servers will make the experience all the more better. the food speaks for itself. the bruschetta trios are a favorite. i love the different combinations they come up with. the bolognese is fresh and delicious. i'm a sucker for a good bolognese. perfectly sized portions and made with love, you can just tell. come here, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Gail M.
The food is amazing Burrata is to die for Service is great Out of the way but worth the cab ride
(5)