La Tavolata

Imon Olgado

Nota Bene: Call ahead of time to make a reservation so you don't have to wait. The place is small (which I like - makes it more personal) and not your usual big named restaurant in the area. That being said, here's the review: One of South Street's best kept secrets, La Tavolata offers a delightful escape from the bustling Asian food scene in the area. This cozy, intimate space transports diners to a quaint Italian trattoria, where the focus is on simple, delicious food. While parking can be a bit of a challenge, the warm and welcoming atmosphere, coupled with attentive service, makes it well worth the effort. The staff is knowledgeable and eager to guide you through the menu, offering expert recommendations. The real star of the show is the food. The pasta is made fresh in-house, ensuring a truly authentic Italian dining experience. The generous portions and high-quality ingredients make every bite a pleasure. The wine list complements the dishes perfectly, offering a variety of options to suit every palate. If you're seeking a satisfying Italian meal at a reasonable price, La Tavolata is the place to be. It's a hidden gem that's sure to impress.

Jonathan Lee (Leeviathan)

I've been coming to this cozy little pasta café for almost ten years, and it never disappoints. The portions are just right, and the flavors are incredibly well balanced. The atmosphere is intimate and comforting, given their relatively small size—which is a huge plus in my book—and the waitstaff are very friendly and personable. When they say traditionally prepared Italian food with quality fresh ingredients, they absolutely mean it. This is a restaurant that chooses to hone what they have with precision, no need for bells, whistles, gimmicks, or branding. Of course, there have been a few changes over the years, such as the frutti di mare having more of a tomato base now and the prices going up a bit (understandably; there have been some rough years recently, especially for small restaurants), but I think it's still worth every penny, and I continue to recommend this place to whomever I can. It's best to make a reservation whenever possible, and don't hesitate to try some of their specials, especially if there's a fruit caprese or burrata appetizer. Both the aforementioned frutti di mare and the scallopine di pollo ai funghi are my usual go-to choices, but you really can't go wrong with anything on their menu. I always look forward to my next visit; may there be many more to come.

Alex Charnofsky

Great spot for a date night. We ordered the halibut on the specials menu and the spaghetti southern. Very flavorful, we both cleaned our plates. Highly recommend snagging a reservation, especially since it was a Friday night. I was seated as soon I arrived, and my date joined shortly after (some places make you wait until your entire party arrives). Parking is fairly spacious but you may have to park a little further out. Overall, we loved it and would definitely come back. Great value for the prices too.

Ivan Esteban

Very authentic Italian restaurant, the pasta tasted so fresh, cooked to perfection, al dente, not chewy at all! The sauce and seasoning was fantastic all around. We tried the calamari fritti and it was so tasty, not much batter. Tried the Italian peroni beer and it was amazing, must try! For dessert we got tiramisu and affogato, it was so good. Worth the 30 minute wait time and the price! will definitely come back and try other dishes. For reference we had the fettucini compleanno and penne alla salsiccia. serving size was a lot, we had left overs. Servers were friendly, atmosphere is very close quarters, good fit for date vibes

Stephen Peck

Best Italian pasta restaurant in 20 miles radius. Great food with awesome flavors. Big portions, too. Must try!