In the series of posts, we were getting a sneak peek of the upcoming 15 day event, celebrating the cuisine and restaurants of the West End. This is Dine on Denman, where 16 participating restaurants are showcasing the best of what they offer across limited time only tasting menus.
And if you’re looking for a good date spot or craving delicious pasta, let Tavola be your destination, and let this be your sign. Starting on November 5th through to the 19th you can enjoy three courses for $35.
The restaurant is kept dark and romantic. And as a louder and larger group we were able to contain ourselves in the heated and covered patio.
As for the food, you don’t have much of a choice for your appetizer. Everyone starts with a single crostini topped with ricotta, pomegranate, and pumpkin seeds. Not only was it a great start to whet your appetite with, But also did well to showcase a few of the more common fall flavours in one bite. I liked the nuttiness of roasted pumpkin seeds and the brightness of pomegranates, all on a salty bed of cheese.
Where the real value of dinner comes from is with your entrées. You get to choose from four different types of pastas in four different shapes. Two red sauces, one white, and a butter-based option.
The Rigatoni Pork Ragù was my favourite for the noodle type. I love the satisfying chew of the thicker pasta cylinders. They held the tart tang of the tomato well and often picked up additional strands of pork meat.
The Campanelle is a fun shape. Rolls with extra frills that matched the texture of the wild foraged mushrooms well. The menu also mentions prosciutto in the mix, but I didn’t really get much of it. Had I gotten it, it would have completed the dish well and given it the additional salty savoury-ness that I was looking for.
The richest of all the options was the Gnocchi in a brown sage butter and hazelnut sauce. The little dollops of potato were fun to chew through. They absorbed the toasty butter and roasted herb juices well.
And the Bigoli and Meatballs reminded me of canned spaghetti and mini meatballs, but with a higher quality noodle and a better mouthfeel chew. A single meatball round and a mouthful of noodles made for the perfect bite.
And for dessert, this Italian restaurant did not disappoint. There was a large square slice of tiramisu that delivered on all expectations.
However, for my tastes I preferred the Lemon Positano. This was like a lemon mousse. Thick, dense, and creamy. It had the refreshing quality of citrus to help cleanse the palate. And I especially liked the candy lemon rinds that served as garnish.
In short, if looking for a great affordable night out and a destination to impress a date atC definitely check out Tavola for sexy and intimate vibes and the delicious food. Can recommend. Plus, if you visit during Dine on Demand it’s only $35 per person.
Tavola
1829 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1E4
(604) 606-4680
tavolavancouver.com
