La Tavola
| Address: | 992 Virginia Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA |
| Phone: | +1 404-873-5430 |
| Site: | latavolatrattoria.com |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–11PM 5:30–11PM 11AM–3PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 5
LE
Les Morrow
Chose this place to celebrate our first anniversary, even though wed never been. When booking two days before, they asked if this was a special occasion and my husband said yes, our first anniversary. When they called to confirm the day of, they verified we were celebrating an anniversary. When we arrived (on time on a weeknight), we were immediately taken to what has to be the worst table in the house: a tiny 2-person table crammed in the window next to another couple, so tight even the waiter couldnt get between us without a butt in the face. It was like everyone else was in the main dining room and we were stuck at the kids table--on our anniversary. The corner was so dark that I couldnt even read the menu. People waiting for a table at the door were perched over my husbands shoulder and kept staring at what he was eating over his shoulder like we were on display. We were very disappointed but tried to make the best of it. Our salads and the veal meatballs were very good as was the tiramisu; however, our entrees were disappointing. I had the tagliolini mushroom ragu--based on all the good reviews--however, I found that my noodles were very gooey and bland. There was no salt on the table so I couldnt even try to season it to my taste. I dont remember what dish my husband had but he was also disappointed and said the sauce was way too watery. So, the atmosphere was disappointing, as were the entrees. At no time did anyone acknowledge our anniversary even though they had asked about it on two separate occasions and had obviously made a note of it because the person calling to confirm the reservation did verify it. I dont need a comped meal or other freebies, but if youre going to ask if its a special occasion and we say yes, at least acknowledge it! Whats the point of even asking? At least save us a nice table! I could see getting a crappy table if we showed up late, but we were on time and the one person who should have acknowledged our special night, the manager, is the one who sat us with no acknowledgement and did not even ask if that table was acceptable. It was like making a reservation was pointless--no tables had been reserved for us and we would have gotten the same table if we had just walked in. Eating out is a treat for us and we wanted something extra special for our first anniversary--we could have gone anywhere--but this place really took our special day and made it ordinary. We would have been much happier just going to Carrabbas for better food, half the cost, and a nicer table.
RY
Ryan Haney
La Tavola, has long since been a staple restaurant in the Virginia Highland neighborhood of Atlanta. It is a personal staple for me because I find it enjoyable on my own, on a date or with a group of friends/family. I have enjoyed many remarkable meals and indulgences at La Tavola, and this past Monday serves as a perfect example of why I keep coming back for more. The new updates to the menu feature a wide variety of tomatoes, a food that I can tend to romanticize from time to time. I was, therefore, curious about a number of the new menu items. The server, John (or maybe its Jon), briefly and accurately went through each new item citing something unique about each dish. I was having trouble deciding my appetizer, and ultimately I ordered both of the items over which I had been quibbling. I started with a Tomato Panzella (I cant remember the actual name on the menu), which featured the perfectly ripe heirloom tomatoes. That was followed by a second course of the Market Crudo, which was yellowfin tuna, with fresh patio basil, small, red and yellow heirloom (cherry?) tomatoes. The continuity of one dish into the next really built like a crescendo, not simply more of the same thing. The flavor was unique compared to the first appetizer and highlighted the delicious cuts of fish. Lastly, as my main course, I had Lasagnette, which is similar to Lasagna, but with thin crispy layers of pasta. It is lighter and more delicate in nature than a standard Lasagna. I cannot remember all of the ingredients, but once again the tomatoes were featured along with fresh burratta cheese. The flavor of this dish is akin to that of the delectably fried bit of cheese that had fallen onto the skillet beyond the edge of a cheese crepe. An entire dish with this amount of perfectly-prepared crispness is lavishly rich with flavor. In this instance, cheese and pasta were transformed into an excellent combination of savoriness, flakiness, and delicacy. Overall, a wonderful dining experience.
S.
S.L. Sereb
All and all the food was very good. I really enjoyed the Calamari. The Orecchiette was outstanding-pure Italian comfort food. One reviewer claimed the portion size was tiny-totally disagree. Especially if you choose to dine like an Italian-have a drink, relax, savor the moment, eat some bread, perhaps an antipasti, then it is almost more than enough. The wine choice, recommended by Jeff. was perfect. Our server was very attentive and engaging. However, when we called to inform the restaurant we would be late we encountered a recording. Hubby left a message. When we arrived, and informed the hostess that no one answered the phone. She snapped back that that was not true, thus insinuating we lied. Apparently, she doesntt understand the motto, "the customer is always right". She definitely needs to learn some positive customer service skills as she is the first one you encounter when you arrive-no smiles/no apology/no personality. She placed us in a poor location which could have been because they were super busy or retribution for daring to challenge her. Dont know. Other than an unprofessional hostess, it was a pleasant experience, and we would go back.
CA
Candice McCollough
So, I thought the experience was overall not worth the trouble, it left me with a lukewarm feeling. Cons: - Very cramped interior. Not cozy or intimate, cramped. Like, the servers kept bumping into my chair because there wasnt enough room for them to get between tables. Like, peoples kids standing on their chairs next to my table were able to lean over me kind of cramped. - The food was burned in my brussel sprout side dish. Not caramelized, charred into black chunks. Pros - Most of the food was very good, and they had a interesting menu with a variety of standard and more specialty Italian foods. - Extensive wine list, helpfully grouped by flavor profile - The service was quite good, though (and this is personal taste) a bit too excitable. The difference between adequate pasta and fantastic pasta is pennies and 15 minutes, a place like this cant coast by on the food alone, the experience has to be there as well, and it just didnt do it for me, if I wanted yelling kids and burned sprouts, Id go to a mom and pop shop. So, it was okay, and I dont fault others for really liking the place, but once is enough for me.
ER
Eric Sharpe
Had a great experience last night. My girlfriend treated me to a wonderful dinner. We arrived fairly late, around 10:15pm on a Saturday. They asked if we had a reservation but we did not, so they accomidated us anyway. Lucky for us it was Tomatofeast! Let me tell you they can donamazing things with Tomatoes. Anything with the Conserva tomato was good. We tried the cold Mozzerala with tomato conserva and the veggie Lasanga to start. The wine selection is large, so ask for a reccomendation based on what you prefer. They break down the wine based on light-med and full body. I tried the sole fish, she tried the ragu. Both were filled with flavor but not overvearing with any specific flavors. Really a carnival of flavor in your mouth. The desserts, well of course they matches the ambiance, it was spectacular! Great place for a date night, birthday, Anniversary or "meet the parents" type of evening. If you do not have a 5-star experience, either your server is brand new or the chef just quit. We look forward to enjoying this restaurant as a staple in VH for years to come. Ciao~
