It would be hard to bypass a restaurant that is such a local’s favorite. Tavola has won “favorite” 
for these categories in the Best Of C-Ville poll; Chef, Fancy Dinner Spot, First Date, Italian Food, Restaurant and Wine List. Wow!
Tavola is a 37 seat wood floored storefront helmed by a husband/wife team Michael and Tami Keaveny. The space is warm and cozy with dining tables and an open kitchen in one room. It makes for great theater as you watch the kitchen prepare the meals. Michael is a graduate of the Culinary Institure of America and has cooked in restaurants in San Francisco, Napa and Long Island.
The menu is termed “Rustic Italian” and it is fantastic. So good, you will want to book a future reservation before you leave. Some highlights; Vongole Oreganato al Forno, baked littleneck clams, bread crumbs, oregano, garlic butter, lemon; Pappardelle Bolognese, house made pasta, traditional Bolognese sauce with Timbercreek Organics beef and pork, grana padano; Linguini alla carbonara, sausage, Olli pancetta, egg, onion, pecorino romano, black pepper;
Costoletta alla Milanese, veal chop pounded thin, breaded and sautéed with local cherry tomatoes, capers, baby arugula, and grilled Meyer lemon. The flourless chocolate torte is a must for dessert.
The 4 course Tavola Tasting Menu at $70 with a $45 wine pairing is a great deal.
Difficulty getting a reservation? They have a full service cicchetti bar is open for walk in traffic on a first come, first served basis.
Tavola has an excellent Wine Spectator award winning list. It is heavily Italian with a sprinkling of bottles from around the world including some excellent Virginia wines. Pricing is very reasonable. Any Italian wine list with Falanghina, Soave, and Gavi on it is well thought out. Add a wonderful Tuscan blend of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. The topper is my favorite dessert wine Vin Santo.
ROMANTIC QUOTIENT
This is a bustling, vibrant restaurant. No so conducive to romance, but who cares?
WHAT OTHERS SAY…
It’s not just the cozy vibe of the 37-seat wood-floored storefront that makes it feel so warm. It’s also the affable servers who seem sincerely to care about each customer’s experience. And, most of all, it’s the soulful, rustic Italian fare that tastes as though it is made by people who love what they are doing. Charlottesville29