Alina E.
Yelp
Went for a friend's birthday brunch at Ava in South Tampa. We split the baked penne and the Caesar salad. We had noticed online that the Caesar came with big pieces of lettuce, so we asked for it to be chopped ahead of time (which they kindly did). The dressing was tasty but very anchovy-forward, so definitely check in on that if you have dietary restrictions.
The baked penne is listed on the menu as "pomodoro, meatballs, mozzarella" for $22. Since we split it, the photo I attached is just half the portion. The pasta itself was flavorful, but there was no meat at all--so we were left wondering if something was missing. Tasty, yes, but at that price point, it didn't feel worth it.
For drinks, I ordered two Hugo Spritzes. The first was perfectly light and refreshing. The second, however, was off--syrupy, heavy on the elderflower liqueur, and missing the mint. Still drinkable, but not as enjoyable, and I regretted ordering a second round.
On the bright side, our waitress was fantastic. She handled our large table with ease, was attentive without hovering, and genuinely added to the experience.
Overall, Ava is a trendy South Tampa spot with good food and drinks, though portion sizes and consistency left us a little underwhelmed for the price. We probably wouldn't go back on our own dime, but wouldn't say no if invited with friends again.