A Tavola

Came in for a date night dinner, very cozy and intimate atmosphere in the dining room. Enjoyed everything we ate, it was all very light and fresh- brown butter sage gnocchi almost melted in our mouths. Really loved the muscles & clams and the grouper. Server was friendly and had good recommendations for wine. Can’t wait to come back and sit on the patio!

We recently celebrated a birthday at A Tavola, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. This cozy Italian gem, tucked away in a charming converted house, offers a warm and intimate atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re dining in a friend’s home rather than a restaurant. From the moment we walked in, the service was exceptional. The staff was incredibly welcoming and went above and beyond to make the evening special. They acknowledged my guest’s birthday with a personalized touch that felt genuinely thoughtful rather than just routine hospitality. Now, onto the food—absolutely phenomenal. Every dish was beautifully prepared and packed with rich, authentic flavors. Overall, A Tavola is a must-visit for anyone looking for an intimate dining experience with incredible Italian food and outstanding hospitality. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a great meal, this restaurant delivers on all fronts.

Wonderful first time experience! The modest, ivy-covered building makes it feel like you're walking into someone's home, and that comfy feeling continues with the food and atmosphere. The menu is small, but I think that makes for a more well-attuned experience. It really gave off that dinner-at-home vibe, as if your mom was preparing each dish. Our server Tim was excellent. He had solid recommendations and took great care of us. I'd highly recommend the Tagliatelle Bolognese and the baby mixed greens salad!

The place is very cute. It looks like the outside of a home. The wait staff were very attentive. I just found the food to be ok. I had the prix with the green salad, brown butter gnocchi, and apple tart. The salad was impeccable, but I found the gnocchi and apple tart lacked flavor and depth.

This restaurant did not really live up to the hype. The only thing we really loved was the mushroom appetizer. That was really good! The gnocchi is popular but was not that good, I would not recommend it. We also tried the Bolognese pasta and it was good . Then we shared the fish of the day, it came with 2 small baby potatoes and 1 piece of broccoli. The fish was cooked well but lacked seasoning. Overall, I don't think I would come here again. There back patio is really cute and the waiter was really nice but for the price I don't think it's worth it.

Good food in a quaint location, but overpriced. We had an appetizer of 10 gnocchi (bland) for $23. Wine bottles here cost $55+ and entrees are $45+. The grouper was very tasty. Food was fresh, homemade and quality, but not quite worthy of the price.

Was excited to try this place from the ratings. And right away the exterior and homey interior were a hit. Staff was extremely welcoming, warm and professional. The cocktail I ordered was perfect, recommended by the server. I have to say, though, that apart from the bread and the drink, the food was a disappointment. We ordered the clams and mussels, which tasted old and cooked to mushiness with a sauce that just… really didn’t taste too good. The mixed green salad felt under-mixed and just… not exciting. And the cacio e pepe pasta seemed made with everyday pasta, nothing special really at all. I wanted to love it but unless they make a big shift to improving the food quality, I sadly won’t likely be back.

Been here a few times in recent years since under new ownership. The food is fantastic, service is outstanding and atmosphere is quaint and comfortable. Perfect with friends or a romantic night for 2. Every dish we've had has been outstanding!

If you haven't yet visited A Tavola in Chicago, you're seriously missing out on one of the city's best-kept secrets. You have likely driven by a million times - it is right across from Mariano's on Chicago Ave. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted by a warm and intimate atmosphere that sets the tone for an extraordinary meal. The setting is perfect for a romantic night out or a special dinner with friends, with its cozy yet elegant vibe. It feels like a hidden gem tucked away just waiting to deliver a perfect evening. What truly makes this place stand out is the service. The staff here are incredibly attentive and make you feel like you're the most important guest in the room. They are knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely care about making your experience top-notch. You're not just another customer; you're treated like family. But let's talk about the food - where do I even begin? The portabello mushroom appetizer is absolutely unreal. The mushrooms are cooked to perfection, juicy and bursting with flavor, and served in a way that you can't help but savor every bite. It's a perfect start to what becomes an unforgettable meal. Then, the gnocchi with Bolognese sauce - let me just say this is my absolute favorite dish, and A Tavola does it better than anyone else. The gnocchi is light, fluffy, and unbelievably cheesy. It melts in your mouth with every bite, and the rich, hearty Bolognese sauce takes it to a whole new level. It's the kind of dish that makes you want to order more, just so you can keep reliving that perfect balance of flavors. I have also had the short ribs and they are equally phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and make an agreement with your date, friend, party, etc to order two different things and share. That's the way to go! Every time I visit A Tavola, I leave feeling like I've had one of the best dining experiences in the city. From the intimate setting to the exceptional service and, of course, the mind-blowing food, this place never disappoints. It's hands-down my favorite restaurant in Chicago, and I cannot recommend it enough. If you're looking for an unreal dining experience, A Tavola is the place to be.

Dined last night- was surprised to be handed only the restaurant week menu for when I made the reservation thru open table it did not mention that. We were greeted right at the front door of the restaurant. The server and bus boy were very attentive. Complimentary olives & bread- nice. Salad- baby mixed greens- very good. Main dishes Braised Beef Short-rib - ok- Risotto was crunchy. Tagliatelle Bolognese- had no taste. Drinks Limoncello Martini Tall Vodka & Soda Dessert: We had one of each on the menu (see pictures below)- they were good. I've been wanting to try this place for two years, since they cancelled my reservation. I so wanted this restaurant to be very good- it was just ok.

Good, service and atmosphere was perfect. Might become our favorite Italian choice in Chicago Lamb was excellent. Pasta was perfect and dessert is a must

When I say this place is one of Chicago's best kept secrets, I'm talking treasure island. You will walk right by this on a Main Street not thinking it's a restaurant. It is a small and intimate white table cloth setting when you walk in. We came on a quiet Tuesday night for an early dinner. First ones in the room and 3 more tables filled up shortly after. Great service accompanied by outstanding food in my opinion. Small menu, everything ordered was made to precision. The quality of ingredients used on the food and the exquisiteness of the hand made pasta really blew me away. The gnocchi and tagliatelle were the closest thing I've tried to perfection in a while. I will definitely be back soon to try their cacio e pepe!

Recently celebrated a birthday with a party of 6 and we weren't disappointed. The service was kind and casual. The food was delicious and portions solid. We ordered short rib, cacio de pepe, chicken, bolognese, gnocchi, and several salads. Everything was incredible with the only dish being good not great was the cacio de pepe. The lemon tart for dessert was the perfect ending. We also had several cocktails and a bottle of wine. Now, I would say the total tab felt high at a little over $600 but after thinking about it, it's hard to entertain a party of 6 with food and drink for less than that. Factoring in the ambiance, intimate and lovely, all was well worth it. I would say make a date to visit this tiny little spot, get a small pasta or two and feast on any of the mains. All delicious!

Amazing pasta. Went there twice in a week and looking forward to going back. Ordering is a little weird but once you get the hang of the menu it works.

This is a solid 4 stars. The food was good. I wouldn't say 5 star worthy. For 4 of us with a prefixed meal and drinks we spent a little over $700 dollars with a 20% tip. So be prepared to cash out some $$$. Was it worthy it? In hindsight I'd say no but the experience was one to remember: your in a quaint atmosphere, with excellent service (a little more attention to filling water would've been good), and the food was high quality but nothing outstanding. Dress code: I was nervous walking in after reading some reviews of being turned away. Our party of 4 were casually dressed jeans and nice sweater/button down shirt. No need for a tie or dress.

Please check your bank statement after eating here!!! I got dinner at A Tavola with two friends and split the bill evenly. A few days later I decide to check my bank statement and noticed that A Tavola charged me the full amount. The first time I called the restaurant the host told me the manager wasn't there and to call Thursday after 5. I call back the following Thursday right at 5 and once again the manager wasn't there, so I decided to give them my name and number so the manager could contact me. They never called. I will not be going back.

Menu was simple yet the food was so delicious. Service was prompt, friendly, and on point. Ambiance was casual and romantic, but not over the top. We ate inside, but they also have a cool outdoor space, which they'll probably have open until the end of September. We moved to Ukrainian Village over a year ago and finally got to dine here. Must try and will definitely come back again.

I've been waiting to post this because I don't know how to put into words the experience we had. All I truly can say is wow. The service was spectacular. From seating to catering drinks to our tastes to water refilling (I'll explain later) was perfect. We've lived in Chicago since October and costed most high ended restaurants but nothing compares to this. The food, well let's just say it's all true, fresh, flavorful, nice t weighed down with salt and presented beautifully. Do the Pre Fixe..... thank me later!

The staff, the pasta, the patio, the cocktails - I can't pick which one is my favorite! This place is always so accommodating, friendly, and most importantly delicious. The grilled mushrooms are the best thing I've ever had - not exaggerating It tastes like steak. The bolognese is creamy and balanced. The short rib with saffron risotto is out of control - the flavors are unlike anything you've ever had. Anyways, go here while it's "a hidden gem" before people discover!

A Tavola is definitely a hidden gem in Ukrainian Village! I had the best time with my co-workers and ate amazing food! I LOVED their short rib and Bolognese! If you're looking for an authentic Italian restaurant you have to give A Tavola a try! Their staff is great! Eva, Tim and Josie took great care of our table. We will certainly be coming back.

Intimate setting, good fresh food, and happy nice staff. This place is a must for date night! Make sure you don't blink while walking by it, a hidden gem in the city.

3.5 stars When the Lyft dropped my off, I checked and rechecked the address. The place looks like a home, not a restaurant in that there was no signage and the door handle is a keypad lock you might find at your AirBnb. A friend picked this out for dinner as it's near her house. For once, I didn't check the menu out very far in advance. I'm so for places keeping the menu tight; focusing on those things they do well. That said, this once seemed a bit sparse to the point you might go elsewhere if you had picky eaters or dietary restrictions. The menu can be ordered a la carte or pre fixe. At a glance the appetizer portion of the menu seemed a bit pricey ranging around $14 for either a mushroom plate, grilled veggies or salad - none of which we very large in portion. The table ordered a la carte with others ordering the short rib & mushroom appetizer. I split the pear salad and got the gnocchi, one of the two pasta options (and only veggie pasta option). As noted, the salad wasn't huge and was pretty simple - pears, mixed greens, cheese & dressing. It was fine, but would skip in the future and just enjoy the delicious focaccia. The gnocchi was good, but it's not something I'd probably order if given other pasta options. I like brown butter sage, but usually gravitate towards dishes with a wine or tomato based sauce. We had wine with our meal and I closed mine out with a dessert wine. Service was extremely friendly and attentive, but a little flakey. More than once our server needed to clarify what we'd asked for despite seeming to write it down. This is a nice cozy restaurant, but I'd say know you're audience before bringing folks here. This wouldn't have been a great place for my parents or in-laws who expect and enjoy pasta forward, red sauce Italian places. Overall 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. The food is solid, but the menu is limiting for anyone who prefers pasta when dining out for Italian. There isn't much selection in that department (aka two dishes).

If you are on the mood to wait 2+ hours for your meal and want to pay double the value then you are in the right spot. Typically, when a restaurant runs behind they let you know, which did not happen. The kitchen also seems slammed and they are busting their ass in there (you can see them working) but not sure why it takes two hours for a service. When the menu says potato's they actually mean " a potato." Strange. Double check how they advertise how the dish is prepared, if I it read "fried" I would not have ordered. We used used to love this place.

If you're looking for a more intimate spot, then this is your place. Cozy, quiet, and really makes you feel like you're at home (the restaurant itself is basically a house, so that helps!). Overall I loved the vibe here - it was just what we were looking for on a cold winter's night! Parking was super easy - street parking right out front, and the wait staff was very kind. The menu was pre-fixe which was fine by us, but I'd like to come back and try more pasta options. Not sure if and how often the menu is switched up, but everything we had was great - I'd just like to try more variety!

Fast, attentive service in someone's overly dark, stuffy dining room. Prix fix menu: ordered the caprese salad, gnocchi, braised beef short rib and torta di limone. The short rib and my friend's tagliatelli were excellent. Everything else was okay but not partcularly memorable.

Gnocchi was amazing. The staff were all very nice. Very cute inside. Pasta was good and so was the panna cotta.

Underwhelming. The mushroom starter was amazing however our proceeding entrees were all mediocre. For half the price I would have been fine with it.

I recently dined with some friends at A Tavola. It's a small, elegant restaurant, somewhat hidden on Chicago Avenue. The food, service and ambiance were all first rate. Highly recommended.

Please get the limoncello martini if you order a cocktail. The prefixed menu has good options. The gnocchi was OK. The braised short rib was very good. Friend got the fish of the day (grouper) and was kinda underwhelmed, especially at that price point. Service was excellent. Ambiance is cozy, dark, and pretty quiet. There was a strange smell that hit me when I entered but I guess I got used to it. A little on the pricey side for the overall experience.

Long standing Chicago gem. They just don't come like this anymore which is a true shame. From the quaint location in a small home, to the service staff, and the intimate and quiet atmosphere. It is pure class minus any pretentiousness. The food is amazing. We had gnocchi, half chicken and fish special (grouper). Wine bottle list is small but good choices with varying price points, some quite reasonable. Highly recommend and hope they are around for another 25+ years.

We used to go here quite a bit, years ago and we tried it again with high hopes, but were disappointed. The service was fine. Had to ask for the pepper at each course, but that's ok. There were two incredibly loud large tables of teens, but you can't blame the restaurant for that. Just keep in mind that this isn't a quiet conversation spot. It's really the food that was the big let down. I had totally tasteless spaghetti, aka cacio e pepe. The waiter recommended it over the gnocchi. I have no idea why. No one else at our table of six was excited by their food. My mother in law loves lamb but hardly touched hers and didn't even want to take her leftovers home. All of this was pricey.

Great service and ambiance . Good food and wine. I would have liked to give 4.5 if I could.

I always recommend this place to people, you must go and sit in the back. And don't not order the gnocchi. It looks like someone's house very easy to walk by. The service is perfect and the feeling of being served farm to table in someone's yard is real.

We made a reservation for Saturday August 5, 2023 at 6:30 after changing a previous reservation made there through OpenTable two days before. The restaurant called us to confirm on the day of the reservation, which I thought was very professional. However, as we were literally approaching the restaurant 5 minutes before our time, they called and said they were full and had no room for us, blaming us for changing the reservation. Totally unprofessional! If there was an issue, why confirm with us only three hours before. Thanks for making that special effort to ruin our Saturday night. You succeeded. Oh, and they wanted us to make a new reservation for a different day.

Walking down Chicago Avenue, you can easily pass over A Tavola; my husband and I almost walked right past on our Friday night visit. It appears to be an old apartment that's been converted into a restaurant, with an ambiance that we found somewhat odd. It was SO quiet inside that I think we spoke in whispers all during our meal. Apparently the patio is lovely, and I'm sad we missed out. We opted for the four course meal and while the food was great, I don't think anything we had was super memorable. The salad starters were very bland. The bolognese and gnocchi were by far the best items we tried. Our desserts (panna cotta and lemon tart) were average. Our waitress was amazing, attentive and thoughtful. Overall, it was a good time... That being said, I think our bill was close to $150, and we didn't order any drinks. Even for four courses for two people, we felt like that was a bit steep for the portions and quality of food. We might come back just to sit out on the patio for a drink or two, but I wouldn't recommend it for a full meal.

We were looking forward to a great celebration here, but the restaurant left a lot to be desired. Not only was the patio (which was supposed to be a highlight) unmanaged with weeds overgrown and not decorated, but the daily selection of roasted vegetables was served cold and sitting out. Upon asking, the chef and owner had decided to serve them that way. The braised beef short rib was probably the best bite we had along with the house wine (7/10). We heard people rave about the brown sage butter and parmesan gnocchi and the light sauce was great but the gnocchi was gummy. A tavola boasts being one of the best restaurants in the city, but it definitely is not at the top of my list and is overpriced so I wouldn't return.

Holy A Tavola! What delicious food can be had at A Tavola. It's pricey. It's dark & romantic. It's Italian food done really well. Service is very attentive & professional though they messed up our order, then charged us for their mess up. My friends and I started with a simple Caprese Salad ($10) which was enjoyable. 4 slices of tomato, 4 slices of cheese, so everyone in my group had one piece of each. Though this was fine, it could be skipped on our next trip in. We ordered each pasta on the menu and this is where a discrepency was made. Instead of being one of each of the 3 pastas, we were brought just 2 pastas with 1 bowl of one and 2 bowls of another! Not sure why they would think we'd get two bowls of one type. When we asked, they said, ah yes, it's coming right out. Well the one they forgot was very al dente (aka rush order) and the extra pasta was not removed from our bill. We did not love having to pay for their mistake. That being said, the pastas were delicious. The Gnocchi ($18 or $12) with browned sage butter & parmesan was my personal favorite, done really well with just the right amount of cheese with fabulously done pasta. We needed a red sauce dish of course so ordered the Tagliatelle Bolognese ($18 or $12) - a combination of ground pork and beef in a san marzano tomato sauce. I don't normally love tomato based sauce dishes but actually loved this! This was however the dish they forgot about so the noodles were a bit undercooked. My friend says Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe ($18 or $12) in the most terrible way possible with a heavy accent. Though we can't stand him saying the name of this dish, we totally could stand the dish itself. 'Twas traditional Roman dish with cheese & pepper. Very cheesy. Very peppery. Very good. All the pastas were wonderful but the pièce de résistance of the meal was the Sangiovese Braised Beef Short Rib for $28. The meat just fell off the bone, so tender and packed full of flavor. The dish as a whole came together in perfect harmony being plated atop a bed of saffron topped with a horseradish gremolata. Every element of this dish was mind blowing and I highly recommend this pricey but well worth it entree! Between four of us & splitting a bottle of wine ($46 bottle of pinot), we spent $200. Considering the bottle was $40, that really isn't too terribly bad.

The four of us (plus 8 month old in a high chair) had a wonderful early dinner at a Tavola last night. It's an intimate, 10-12 table delight occupying the first floor in an old brownstone on Chicago Ave. Our waitress, Eva, was outstanding - solicitous and accommodating without overly intruding. She took the presence of an 8 month old in a high chair in stride (he was a completely unobtrusive diner the entire evening). The food was wonderful. We recommend the gnocchi, Cacio a pepe, Arugula salad, and braised beef short ribs. We had a dessert sampler, and can recommend them all. The wine list was well-curated, with excellent choices. We will certainly return. Unqualifiedly recommended.

Beautiful place. The food is great and very intimate. The staff is amazing its a hidden gem.

Delicious food, gracious service and lovely setting! The entrance is very discrete... read the street numbers carefully to find it.

Quaint atmosphere with excellent service. However, the food was incredibly disappointing. As soon as I saw the appetizer special of caprese salad placed in front of me, I knew that this restaurant was likely overrated and overpriced. The tomatoes were not ripe, the mozzarella was hard like it was store-bought, mass-produced, and there was shavings of basil leaves... not even any balsamic. My gnocchi was thick, chunky, and chewy not like the kind that melts in your mouth when it's made fresh. The short rib was insanely salty... it must have been accidentally salted a few too many times. Then again, the sauce for the fish was also super salty. Perhaps we ordered wrong, but the menu is very limited. This experience was definitely not worth the $$, nor the Uber ride out and back... I should have taken my parent's to Cindy's, lolz.

My wife and I have been coming here for almost ten years. I'm compelled to review A Tavola now because of the class I went to last night! This class is the best part about A Tavola in my opinion. It really its own genre of entertainment because of the comedy of the chef but also because you're able to sit back and control how much you want to learn, smell, taste, experience. After the class you're served an enormous dinner that is worth more than the price of admission on its own! At the restaurant, the food is incredible because it is done simply with some of the "second and third best ingredients in the world". The food isn't too rich nor too salty. You won't leave this place after a meal feeling you need to atone, but you'll thoroughly enjoy what you eat and how it is prepared. The wait staff hasn't changed much in the ten years I've been going; they are nice people filled with love. They've taken down some of the better art that they've had in the place but all is well, the decor is comforting and relaxing. If you're going for the first time order the steak for two, the gnocchi x2 and make sure you get the portobello mushrooms. The saffron risotto is also unbelievable. I'm grateful for A Tavola, and will keep bringing my friends. I think you would be served well to journey there and experience what I have!

If I could give this restaurant 10 stars I would! We visited last night during restaurant week and everything exceeded our expectations. Michelle took care of us and was exceptional! She is not only very knowledgeable of the menu but the restaurant. She was helpful, fun, so attentive and truly made our experience! We will be back and did not have 1 thing that wasnt perfect! We started with the arugula walnut salad...everything about it was perfect. Next we shared the gnocci (best Ive ever had...amazing) and Bolognese (was good but wouldn't order again-tasted basic). For the main dish we each selected the Sangiivese braised beef short rib with a saffron risotto (spectacular...beef melts in your mouth). Last we shared the panna cotta and chocolate walnut flourless torte. Both divine! We ordered coffee to pair with these and it was probably one of the best cups of coffee we have ever had.

Came to this place last summer but forgot to post a review...Like this neighborhood gem so much! It's really relaxing to dine in the backyard and it's a very different experience compared to regular outdoor dining.

I really wanted to give it a five star but I can't... we decided to come here for our fifth wedding anniversary. It was very nice ambience. We were one of the first group to arrive on the Saturday night. The menu is pretty good we started with salads and grilled vegetables. Both of us ordered short ribs and the portion was huge. it is more like a beef stew. I ordered gnocchi and my husband ordered some pasta. His tastes great. The desert was a disappointment because it was very average. The food was good overall but it wasn't as good as we expected. We certainly had better Italian food before. With the price we are paying we are certainly expecting more. We probably would not come back because of distance. However this service was very good.

FYI YELP, Please add an option of NO STAR. I would give no star if I could. Came here tonight for my friend's birthday. Made reservation and the host or whoever answered the call even asked if we have special request for this birthday dinner. Apparently, there's NO communication internally because our server didn't even know it's my friend's birthday at all. We got here a little before 8pm, placed order a little after 8:30pm. Got the first course at 9:15pm, then we saw everyone around us including those came after us had their dinner or even finished their dinner. We finally got our second & third courses together at 10pm after 3 complaints. Not to mention our server didn't approach us to apologize until we reached out to her. She finally apologized and claimed "I am sorry, I don't know what's going on in the kitchen." My friends decided to reflect this experience to the manager, turned out there is no manager so the server gave us the phone # of the owner. My girls spent almost 2 hours talking on phone with the owner (he hung up on my friends once). The situation got escalated because the owner was not apologetic and incredibly condescending. Obviously he does not care. I will never recommend anyone to come. We came here to share a fun evening and walked away feeling disrespected. Some of the outrageous comments the owner Daniel Bocik made: "If your server didn't do her job, just leave and don't leave any tip" "You ate the food, just pay and don't tip." "So pretty much my staff said you are just trying to get out of bill." Ladies & Gentlemen, DO NOT BOTHER TO COME.

Sheila and I dined at A Tavola for a special occasion a few weeks ago. I was pleasantly surprised by this hidden eatery right in the doorway of an apartment building. We started with the gnocchi which was pretty good. We then worked our way to dinners - I had the short ribs which were good and Sheila had the house fish with caper sauce - very good. The fish packed a lot of flavor from the capers which was not quite present in the short ribs and gnocchi. When it came time for dessert we tried the panna cotta. We both thought it was excellent. As someone who doesn't like things overwhelmingly sweet I found it just right. Overall the fish and panna cotta were delicious. The gnocchi and short ribs were good but missed that extra punch to elevate the experience to a 5. On a side note, our server was fantastic and we will definitely be back.

Possibly the worst restaurant experience of my life. Went to celebrate our ten year anniversary. We were shoved in a corner and ignored. We made the waiter aware of a dairy allergy. When we finally got our main courses, the Braised Beef Short Rib was siting in a bed of risotto with cheese. We had repeatedly asked what had dairy in it and clearly out waiter was clueless. Worst of all, no apologize, no acknowledgement. We finished the main coarse we could eat and got out as soon as we could. Sad to have been so disregarded on what was a special day. And finally, we were not asked to show our proof of vaccination in violation of the Chicago mandate. Antivaxers?

After years of reading amazing reviews, I finally was able to try a Tavola over the weekend. First off, the outdoor area is very cute. It feels like you're having a romantic backyard dinner with your significant other. The servers are also very friendly and enthusiastic, which further feeds into the ambience. Unfortunately, where the restaurant fell short was the food. My most favorite part of the meal was the soft and perfectly seasoned Rosemary bread. The bread carried enough flavor that extra seasoning of the olive oil was not needed. We decided to try the cacio e pepe pasta as this is generally one of my favorites. Although the flavor was on point, the texture of the pasta was a bit sticky (likely due to overcooking) and it was swimming in olive oil. A bit too much if you ask me. For entrees, we shared the chicken and short rib. The chicken and short rib were both quite tender, bit both were on the bland side and lacked flavor. Additionally, the beef was slightly gamey. The risotto that accompanied the short rib seemed overcooked as well. I do hope that it was an off day as there are literally hundreds of reviews that speak highly of the restaurant.

I ate here about 3 years ago and loved it. Went back last night for a special occasion and was disappointed. While food wasn't bad, it wasn't special or great; which is what I would expect at this price range. Everything was fine to good but were off in little ways. In particular, the gnocchi were gummy and lacked seasoning. And the deserts we ordered seemed like an afterthought. Apple tart was mushy and underwhelming. Panna Cotta itself was good. But the caramel sauce tasted burnt and bitter . I will go elsewhere next time I want to splurge.

Great ambience and great food. The only thing i would change is the sauce for the gnocchis. A cream or bolognese sauce would be better. Service was 1st rate

The service is good and the food is good. The value you get here is 1/10. It's literally the first floor of an apartment with 11 tables and a foam tile ceiling. Super quiet and weird. Food tastes good but not anywhere good enough for the price point. Service is fine. The entire experience is VERY underwhelming. For that price you could go to any of the top 5 Italian restaurants in town and get a much more refined (nicer) experience from top to bottom. Won't return.

EXTREMELY disappointed with the customer service. I'm not one to criticize food, but I believe customer service should always be a priority and therefore I am very disappointed with how the following situation was handled: Mid-January (2019) I was planning new spots that I wanted to try for restaurant week! I saw A Tavola's published restaurant week menu on the official Chicago Restaurant Week site and was so excited. Great offerings at the $36 price point. I made a reservation for tonight (January 29) for me and 5 friends and we have been looking forward to it ever since! Today, in preparation for dinner, I wanted to look at the menu one more time. I checked the site to see that the menu had been increased from the $36 that was originally advertised to $48. I still had the original menu in my screenshotted photos, so I was able to verify that the dates were for this year (see original menu attached). I called the restaurant hoping to hear that they would honor the price that they originally published and advertised, but they refused. Even after explaining that the price point and selection was the entire reason we chose the restaurant and that we had been looking forward to dining for a few weeks, she refused (and was not kind about it, either). Now my 5 friends and I have had our plans cancelled and are feeling disheartened from the "service" we received here. I guess I'm glad I decided to check the site one more time rather than traveling 30+ minutes to find out they changed the price without warning and wouldn't honor what was originally advertised.

This is literally one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Everything was good. EVERYTHING. You have to sit on the patio if it's nice out. I'm drunk from the wine and the food. AMAZING!!!!!

Well, aren't you so fancy? You know how to do date night right! Go here for dinner. This is where it's at for wine and dine. You'll want reservations in this tiny place. It's real cozy. We got seated at a cute little bench with a great view and just a tad extra romance. The service was good although you could tell the servers were really working it that night. I feel like they could have used another server on staff. Well, it's neither here nor there because the wine was great. Oh man. That wine. Whatever you do ask your busy server for the wine specials because this fabulous red is not on the menu and you cannot die without a sip of it. All the food is good. The table bread. The caprese salad to start. And the gnocchi of course. We ordered the short ribs with risotto and the fish. I have to say that the fish turned out a little on the dry side. Bummer! But the short ribs were outstanding. So tender and juicy. The risotto was also very well done. It makes up extra points for five stars all around. I left way too tipsy and way too happy. So yeah. Come here.

Wow.. it's been a few years since we've been here and it's like a completely different place .. the ambiance outside was still good, but we were surprised how few people were there for a Friday night. The food was unfortunately average. Started with the wine, pretty pricey and small list.. we spent $70 plus for a decent bottle and ended up buying 2. The gnocchi was not as good as we remembered either. Very dense. Braised chicken was OK, but leaned a little to the unseasoned and dry side. I had the tagliatelle bolognese and it was the best of the dishes. The dessert ordered was OK (panna cotta) but no one at the table was impressed. Service was on the slow side as well unfortunately... given how few tables were filled, no excuse for that. And when you spend money like this, one can't afford to keep giving the place more chances. I hope this place can turn itself around to be like they were a few years back. But for now, will not be returning..

Came here for Chicago's 2017 Restaurant Week. I'd heard great things about this place, and was really looking forward to trying this Italian menu vis-a-vis some of Chicago's other great places (e.g., Osteria Langhe). The service was excellent, the restaurant is cozy and very homely. The food, however, was a surprising let down. Our group ordered the arugula salad, gnocchi, short rib risotto and flourless chocolate cake. Each item was oilier than the last and lacked the flavor punch / profile I had heard about and was expecting. Still a good restaurant, but certainly lacks the dynamism and quality I was expecting. Don't think I'll be coming back