(773) 276-7567

2148 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622 41.896 -87.6807

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Ukranian Village, West Side

Years in business

Established in 1995

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Cash, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Quiet, Hidden Find, Private Rooms, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List

Cuisine:

Italian

Smoking Permitted:

No

What People Are Saying About A Tavola

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Set in the front room of a Ukrainian Village rowhouse, intimate A Tavola accommodates roughly 50 patrons--mostly young, in-the-know couples and groups--at a tiny bar and about 10 white-clothed tables. Tan upholstery, natural wood accents and stylish black and white photography give the place an uncluttered, personalized feel, and friendly service makes the crowd of regulars feel right at home. – – The Food – Good things come in threes on the classic Northern Italian menu, which features just three starters, three second-course pastas and three entrees…

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
On weekends, you may wait for a table even with a reservation. Try dining earlier in the week for a quieter, more intimate experience.
What to Drink:
The all-Italian wine list offers about 50 bottles, with a good selection in the $25-$40 range.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. Great for a romantic dinner or small group.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. The portions are quite reasonable, and I would actually suggest sharing one of the courses (we shared the gnocchi and still didn't have room for dessert).
  2. exceptional service, amazing food and the best desserts in town.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. The waiter suggested excellent wines to compliment my grouper and his beef tenderloin.
  2. Nice wine list.
  3. staff knows the menu and makes EXCELLENT suggestions on both food and wine.
  4. great wine list and an outdoor patio!
  5. Decent wine list as well.
  6. From the courteous service at the door, to the heavenly gnocchi, to the well-priced wine list.
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. staff knows the menu and makes EXCELLENT suggestions on both food and wine.
  2. Everything was great from the tasty braised short ribs with creamy saffron risotto to the wonderfully moist halibut in the yummy caper sauce!
  3. From the fresh focaccia to the extensive daily specials, this place has everything.
  4. The waiter suggested excellent wines to compliment my grouper and his beef tenderloin.
  5. exceptional service, amazing food and the best desserts in town.
  6. The food was excellent!
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. From the fresh focaccia to the extensive daily specials, this place has everything.
  2. staff knows the menu and makes EXCELLENT suggestions on both food and wine.
  3. Small, but fantastic menu with extremely friendly staff.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. All around great place.
  2. my favorite restaurant in chicago.
service
100.0% positive
  1. From the courteous service at the door, to the heavenly gnocchi, to the well-priced wine list.
  2. The waiter suggested excellent wines to compliment my grouper and his beef tenderloin.
  3. Small, but fantastic menu with extremely friendly staff.
  4. staff knows the menu and makes EXCELLENT suggestions on both food and wine.
  5. exceptional service, amazing food and the best desserts in town.
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. puts more expensive places like vivere TO S-H-A-M-E!
  2. The portions are quite reasonable, and I would actually suggest sharing one of the courses (we shared the gnocchi and still didn't have room for dessert).
  3. truly amazing and affordable date spot.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/16/08

Intimate Date Spot

by faribath at Citysearch

My fiance and I went here for Valentine's Day and found the food and staff to be superb. From the fresh focaccia to the extensive daily specials, this place has everything. The gnocchi is soft and buttery, and the entrees were packed with interesting flavors. The waiter suggested excellent wines to compliment my grouper and his beef tenderloin. The portions are quite reasonable, and I would actually suggest sharing one of the courses (we shared the gnocchi and still didn't have room for dessert). With wine, the bill will probably run you $100 for two, but could be less if you share some courses. The flavors are worth every penny! This is our new favorite neighborhood gem!

  • Pros: food, ambience, service
  • Cons: small space means limited reservations
4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/29/06

Incredible Gnocchi!

by dendau at Citysearch

A Tavola has the best Gnocchi I've ever tasted. Small, but fantastic menu with extremely friendly staff. Decent wine list as well. Great for a romantic dinner or small group.

  • Pros: Fantastic food & friendly, knowledgeable staff
  • Cons: A bit out of the way
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/27/04

best italian -- hands down!!!

by bluechef1 at Citysearch

my favorite restaurant in chicago. a truly amazing and affordable date spot. exceptional service, amazing food and the best desserts in town. great wine list and an outdoor patio!!! puts more expensive places like vivere TO S-H-A-M-E!!! must try the gnoche, any seafood or lamb dish and the flourless chocolate cake for dessert. staff knows the menu and makes EXCELLENT suggestions on both food and wine. an incredible dining experience!!!

  • Pros: knowledgeable staff, outdoor seating, great food!!!
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/03/03

Excellent!

by tutu at Citysearch

The food was excellent! I'm still dreaming about the gnocchi with brown butter and crispy sage leaves. It was spectacular! Everything was great from the tasty braised short ribs with creamy saffron risotto to the wonderfully moist halibut in the yummy caper sauce! We just love this place. Nice wine list........and the panna cotta.......oh, my! Even the foccacio was xtra good. A must try!

  • Pros: the gnocchi, excellent food, panna cotta
  • Cons: a bit small, not many menu choices
4.5 Star Rating: Recommended

11/30/02

Hidden treat!

by pmski at Citysearch

This hard to find restaurant is worth the expedtion. The decor is simple and personal. The music was soft and at any time I felt like we could start a conversation with the table next to us, and did. The selection of wine was available to any pocket-book. From $20 to $200. I opted for the $22 and was very pleased. The menu was selective, and the food was phenominal.

  • Pros: Inexpensive, Romantic, Personal

The Details on A Tavola

Place Categories:

  • nice wine
  • affordable date spot
  • amazing food
  • just love place
  • heavenly gnocchi
  • incredible dining
  • most wonderful memories
  • best italian
  • extensive daily specials
  • xtra good foccacio
  • excellent suggestions
  • extremely friendly staff
  • tasty short ribs
  • quite reasonable portions
  • more expensive puts
  • best meals
  • yummy caper sauce
  • fresh focaccia
  • fantastic menu
  • romantic dinner
  • favorite neighborhood gem
  • favorite restaurant
  • great everything
  • romantic small group
  • interesting flavors
Advertisement

Lists In Chicago

Recent Reviews In Chicago

1 Star Rating: Poor

La Fiesta

3333 W 111th St, Chicago, IL

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Chicago Chop House Inc

60 West Ontario Street, Chicago, IL

3 Star Rating: Average

La Scarola

721 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Salpicon

1252 N Wells St, Chicago, IL

Advertisement