My family and I enjoyed our experience at La Tavola, but the price and lack of variety on the menu are not very motivating. We can get better variety at Macaroni Grill and pay about $20 to $25 less (assuming we just want ""grub"" and not an ""occasion"").
As to ""authenticity"", I'd have to say that La Tavola was on the mark for the most part. The food quality seemed to have a ""homemade"" flare to it.
We did have one food blooper, but our server and the manager were on it. Problem was fixed, and we receive about $18 in free deserts (which were tasty) as an apology. It wasn't necessary, but it was certainly appreciated.
I know I sound like I'm knocking La Tavola for the price and variety, but I'm not. I suppose I was expecting more since we were just out for a normal family dinner and not a date or business meeting. For example, a $7.50 ""bowl"" of soup contained roughly 1 measuring cup full of soup. To me, a ""bowl"" should contain at least 2 cups...at least. Perhaps I'm just being a cheap bastard.
Non-smokers beware. If you choose to sit on the non-smoking covered patio, be aware that that smoke from Highland Tap will saturate the patio in the evening every time their door opens. (The patio is communal and shared between different restaurants.)
Overall, I'm glad my wife choose La Tavola. She and I don't ""date"" much anymore, and this night was off the beaten path. Whatever was ""lacking"" with La Tavola, my wife and kids made ""right"" just by being there with me...and that's worth every penny we spent.
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Still, I enjoyed the level of service the restaurant provided and had no quams about tipping 20%.
Pros: Nice staff. Excellent manager.
Cons: Price. Lack of variety.
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