The Charlottesville 29

826 Hinton Avenue . Charlottesville, VA . (434) 972-9463
http://www.tavolavino.com/

Why Tavola?

Tavola may be Charlottesville’s warmest restaurant. From the cozy vibe of the Belmont storefront, to its caring servers, to the soulful, rustic Italian fare, Tavola exudes warmth. A throwback, Tavola serves ingredient-driven cuisine, where the chef has the restraint to know when to get out of the way. Inspired by their love of food and the area, Michael Keaveny and team have created one of Charlottesville’s most beloved restaurants. And, if there is ever a wait, the Cicchetti Bar in the back serves food and some of the best cocktails in town. The Charlottesville 29 would not be complete without it.

What to Order

There is not a dud on the menu at Tavola. And, while the regular menu items are excellent, specials can reach even greater heights, as that’s where Keaveny allows his talented chefs to let loose. Below are our picks, Keaveny’s, and Tavola’s mentions in Five Finds on Friday, where area chefs and personalities have included a Tavola dish in their list of favorites in the area.

Our Picks

• Vongole Oreganato al Forno, baked littleneck clams, bread crumbs, oregano, garlic butter, lemon
• Burrata, burrata cheese, arugula pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, grilled crostini
• Linguini alla carbonara, sausage, Olli pancetta, egg, onion, pecorino romano, black pepper
• Cotoletta alla Milanese, veal chop pounded thin, breaded and sautéed with local cherry tomatoes, capers, baby arugula, and grilled Meyer lemon
• Skate Wing, crispy skate wing w/ linguini aglio, heirloom tomatoes, castel vetrano olives, basil, lemon (Special)
• Feel Adventurous?
• Carciofo (Cicchetti Bar)

Chef Picks

• Vongole Oreganato al Forno, baked littleneck clams, bread crumbs, oregano, garlic butter, lemon
• Linguini alla carbonara, sausage, Olli pancetta, egg, onion, pecorino romano, black pepper
• Pappardelle Bolognese, house made pasta, traditional Bolognese sauce with Timbercreek Organics beef and pork, grana padano
• Capesante ai Ferri, pan-roasted sea scallops, leek-beet risotto, white truffle oil
• Finocchio Arrosto con Aranci, roasted fennel, grilled oranges, basil
• Cavoletti di Bruxelles pan Tostado, pan roasted Brussels sprouts, pancetta, brown butter

Five Finds on Friday Picks

• Cozze ai Ferri e Pane — Andrew Cole (Lampo); Gregg Dionne (formerly, Public Fish & Oyster); Bridget Meagher (Catbird Kitchen); Ashley Williams (Tavern & Grocery); Lindsey Nielsen (Tavern & Grocery)
• Maiale alla Milanese — Nadjeeb Chouaf (formerly, Flora Artisanal Cheese),  Jose de Brito (formerly, The Alley Light), Kelley Tripp (The Fitzroy), Will Curley (formerly, Brasserie Saison), Jeff Bloem (Murphy & Rude Malting Co.); Elaina Mangione (formerly, Mangione’s on Main)
• Linguini alla Carbonara — Christian Kelly (formerly, Maya), Frank Paris (formerly, Miso Sweet); Ian Glomski (Vitae Spirits); Rachel Snogles (formerly, Kama)
• Melanzane alla Parmigiana — Larry Sabato (UVa), Megan Headley (formerly, C-VILLE), Carrie Hodgkins (Elysium Honey)
• Burrata — Josh Lowry (formerly, ZoCaLo) and Kirsty Harmon (Blenheim Vineyards)
• Papparadelle Ragu — Pei Chang (TEN), Will Richey (Ten Course Hospitality)
• Capellini Frutti di Mare “Fra Diavolo” — Anna Gardner (formerly, Junction), Jason Boorman (Kardinal Hall)
• Garganelli alla Zucca — Nikki Flannery (reader)
• Vongole Oreganato al Forno — Robin McDaniel (The Alley Light)
• Kale Salad — Bill Scatena (formerly, Pippin Hill)
• Papparadelle Bolognese — Laurel Bennett
• Bucatini All’Amatriciana — Tracey Love (Hill & Holler)
• Burrata and Artichoke Raviolo — Rebecca Edwards (formerly, Tavola Cicchetti Bar)
• Capesante ai Ferri — Amalia Scatena (formerly, Pippin Hill)
• Skate Wing — Alex George (formerly, Commonwealth and Just Curry)
• Branzino alla Griglia — Kerrie Pierce (Vitae Spirits)
• Contorni — Scott Smith (Bodo’s)
• Finocchio Arrosto con Aranci — Ben Clore (Oakhart Social)
• Carciofo – Elizabeth Pelly (Merrie Mill Farm)
• Cured Meats and Sourdough — Donnie Glass (formerly Banyan Day Provisions, Public Fish & Oyster)
• Cocoa-Marsala Canolli — Will Gray  (formerly, The Rock Barn)
• Dea Marone — Alec Spidalieri (Junction)
• Witchcraft — Sarah Sargent (The Catering Outfit)
• House Gin & Tonic — Alicia Simmons (Tavola)
• Alpha and Omega — Nikki Flannery (reader)
• Orange Wines — Melissa Stefaniak (Single Baked Sweets)
• Feel Adventurous? — Johnny Garver (formerly, Parallel 38); Lindsay Dorrier (Bold Rock Cider); Matt Beck (formerly, Oakhart Social)