La Taverna — Restaurant in Melbourne

I had been to this restaurant several times before last night and always enjoyed the food and service. The last time I had been there I had veal vino bianco. The white wine sauce added a strong flavour to the veal which was cooked just right while the vegetables were lightly cooked and crispy. I was so impressed that I congratulated the chef who I saw sitting outside when I left. So last night when I had time to spare before going to a concert I could have gone to many of the cheap eat places along Sydney road. But I thought of this restaurant and thought even if a bit more expensive that those other eateries, I would treat myself at La Taverna to another white wine veal dish.I ordered as soon as I was seated.There were only two other tables with customers so I expected it would not take long for my dinner to arrive. Half an hour later it finally arrived and I was shocked to find that instead of the veal vino bianco I had ordered, the veal was covered in some thin tomato sauce and while the vegetables looked crisp, it was accompanied by a very black potato. When I pointed out to the waitress that was not what I ordered, she returned from the kitchen and said I could have the correct dish in another five minutes. I didn't have time as I had already waited so long. So I tried this dish as by this stage I was also quite hungry. It was bland and tasteless with no overriding taste of white vine. I ate the vegetables and just a couple of pieces of the veal and left the rest. It was the most disappointing meal I have had in a long time. The menu did not describe the veal vino bianco dish as including a tomato sauce and had it, I would not have ordered that dish. The waitress informed me I would not be charged for the glass of wine I had had but I was still charged $25 for a tasteless meal that I didn't order and could only half eat. What was really poor was there was no apology from the manager or owner and no concern that they had...

Went here expecting great pizza, as have heard wonderful things! However upon entering and being seated at a wobbly table, I should have known it would have ended badly. We waited 40 minutes for our pizza, as they were too focused on preparing takeaway orders, and answering phone calls. The pizza was very hard and tough, with the centre of the base being soggy, not even the supplied knifes were enough to hack at this overbaked dough. It was as though the dough was overworked and scraps of dough were then put together, to make the base for as it was a child’s attempt at a circle. It was not at all the pillowy light dough that was expected with wood fired pizzas, but was very dense and tough! I questioned whether the treatment and service of us was because we were two teenagers out for dinner without any adults, for I believe anyone who was older would not have been dished this poor excuse for a pizza! Would not recommend to anyone looking for a so called authentic...

The gourmet seafood pizza so tasty I have my base fin , the porterhouse well cooked with peppercorn sauce the best love it , service absolutely fantastic the girl she managed a full house on her own and on time , the kitchen hand lady did all of the kitchen dishes also great , pizza man fantastic, prices r reasonable but U pay for high standard food and service ur money will be spent well....I recommend to book early as they do get busy and it's not a very big restaurant also the whole interior has not changed since 1969 but very cool it's like nonna home lol love it U can bring it children, wheelchair is not accessible sorry, there is a lot to have if U r a vegetarian, I am sure even if ur on a diet all good . Parking on the main Street Lygon st or on side st up to U guys , but it safe...