La Tavola Trattoria Awards

La Tavola Trattoria Restaurant Review:

A cozy, intimate trattoria, with booths, a bar and an open kitchen flanking the room, La Tavola also offers a fine screened-in deck suitable for dining in spring and summer. The restaurant specializes in Italian comfort food, with dishes ranging from classic zuppa di pesce to duck breast with polenta and braised escarole. The roast chicken, a half bird, will rival your mother's best, and fish and seafood are always cooked just to done. Local touches that are consistent with Italian flavors could include Sea Island red peas. Try the braised veal in cold weather. Pastas may be ordered in half portions for an appetizer or light main course. Brunch brings a traditional frittata, and poached eggs and Italian sausage with tomato sauce on soft polenta. Desserts change often, but those with an Italian profile get our attention, such as a ricotta/mascarpone cheesecake with house-made bitter orange marmalade. We've also enjoyed the gelati and fruit-filled crostate. Frequent wine programs make this a destination for wine aficionados, especially those devoted to Italian wines, which have a serious presence on the list. There are good choices by the glass.