Windy City Italian

A Tavloa!

Chicago isn’t nearly as world renowned a food destination as New York or California are, but the city is no slouch in the food department. From deep dish pizzas to glorious, revered restaurants like Alinea, there is so much high-quality, excellent food to experience.

We stumbled upon a hidden gem of a restaurant a little west of downtown Chicago that struck us deep. A cozy, intimate restaurant, with dreamy patio seating, A Tavola is made for romance.

While so many Italian restaurants can be heavy handed with flavors that seem to overwhelm, A Tavola serves food that feels authentic. You imagine this what you might eat on a romantic night out in Rome. The restaurant offers a three course meal – with each course an absolute treat. We started with a beautiful salad – fresh greens, thinly sliced pear and gorgonzola cheese, finished with a delicious balsamic dressing. Crisp, flavorful, perfect. Our second course was two pasta dishes, perfect for sharing so both diners can experience the variety. The brilliant flavor of the ravioli was beaten by the pillowy gnocchi that melted in our mouths. Probably the best gnocchi we’ve ever had. There was a delicious pesto made more charming by the fact that the herbs used were grown in the restaurant’s garden. Our final course was the rack of lamb, a scrumptious dish of perfectly prepared lamb, served with a side of sautéed spinach that in itself was delicious. We finished with a delicious panacotta and needless to say, a more than satiated appetite.

If Italian food is your bag baby, A Tavola is where it’s at. If you’re in Chicago, you must go. You won’t be disappointed. Beautiful romantic setting, friendly and attentive staff, and the food, in a word, phenomenal.

A Tavola, 2148 West Chicago Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60622. Phone: +1 773 276 7567

Reviewed by: Karan Mishra

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