Tavolàta — Restaurant in Idaho

9/18/24 Fresh from two weeks in Rome, Italy I returned to again. I ordered the Caesar salad. It was ok at best. I love a good Caesar. It’s just too bland for me. Added pepper- couldn’t save it. I didn’t even eat half. Tonight I ordered the Rigatoni with spicy sausage. The pasta was, once again, done to perfection. The sauce also outstanding. The sausage was HORRIBLE - virtually inedible, at least for me. Why? The ingredients weren’t mixed sufficiently - at least that is my opinion. The first bite was overpowering with fennel. Another bite was bland. (Maybe it just needed to be mixed better.) The next bit was overpowering again. Enough. I ate the pasta.

Tonight the service was excellent. Another Diet Coke was brought before I finished the first. The whole staff was super attentive. The problem was the kitchen was behind. The time tags on my photos showed 33 minutes between the salad and pasta and as I said, I didn’t eat much salad so it was a good 25+ minutes. (But I spent it on my phone.)

Here is a tip to the staff, when you clear plate (I had set it on the other side of the table) and notice a patron hasn’t really touched a significant portion of it - ask why. I was texting and it was away before I could say anything.

I will be back. More to try. Never judge a restaurant by one dish or one experience. I’ve had enough that has been excellent to keep coming back (because I love good pasta) but on each visit there has been a major disappointment. (But on my first visit the server noticed and offered another try, else it might have been one and done.)

7/23/24 I had the Caesar salad (good, not great) and the Cacio e Pepe (see photo). The first batch had too much pepper for my taste and I sent it back. The waitress (Emma) was awesome and she agreed with my opinion so obviously that’s how they make. The tonnarelli pasta was cooked to perfection and the second dish of it was excellent. (Wish I hadn’t eaten as much of the first batch.) I’ve had a lot of Cacio e Pepe as I once lived in Rome so I can safely say the first batch was too strong but the second batch was to me - PERFECT.

So, if you order and find the pepper too strong, send it back.

My server Emma was outstanding. I’m going back tomorrow for another dish. (I’m not local but I love good pasta and am anxious to try the gnocchi alla Romana, which Emma says is her favorite. She says it has a little kick - which to me sounds good.)

Aug 2024: I returned and tried the gnocchi. What a disappointment. First, the portion size of 6 large (sea scallop size) gnocchi was too small and the amount of cheese was so insufficient as to be almost nonexistent. The marinara sauce, that has a little kick, was outstanding but it couldn’t make up for the other faults. I got the focaccia bread, which was the worst I’ve ever had. It was WAY too oily. (I learned to make this in a culinary school and this was horrible.) The cook, who couldn’t have been a chef, that made this must have thought more oil is better. Not so.

Service tonight was OK, but non existent when my Diet Coke needed a refill. When you’re paying an OUTRAGEOUS $5 for a soft drink they should bring you another when your current one is half full.

I downgraded my rating across the board due to this experience. I’ll try it again. It’s really hard to judge a restaurant on two meals. I see a lot of potential but tonight was...

If I could entitle my post: Resplendently Glorious dining just short of heaven on earth, it would be appropriate.

We made a last minute decision to celebrate “the Wedding Feast at Cana” this Sunday afternoon and arrived in the hour of mercy to select the juiciest, choice wine from Italy.

We were promptly and cheerfully greeted and given the table we requested. Mike, our espalier, guided us toward the perfect wine for the occasion: a blend of 3 reds that could only be described as “table wine” as the new generation of Italian wine growers are not permitted to use the traditional labeling method. It was a “Rocca” which helped us feel like we were in Peter’s presence and not poorly penced.

Next was the perfect appetizer pairing: golden focaccia with the perfect amount of EVOO and herbs. At this point, I’m wishing I could have taken some pictures for you since they are worth 1000 words, but I was too busy having the perfect meal to be bothered with a camera! What is the dish that you cannot go wrong with at the best Italian restaurant in Boise? You guessed it: spaghetti with meatballs! The exhilarating conversation with our chef, Jess, made for the perfect compliment to our chef, at table side, of course, and we were not only in Jesus’ presence, but we were approaching resting in the bosom of the Father during this late afternoon affair. The bottle was almost empty at this point, so how do you finish the perfect Italian experience in BOI, ID? (somewhat like my dining in Assisi) I was delighted to find tiramisu on the menu and needed a hot americano to partner with those Ladyfingers! I was plying the beads of my rosary and asking her to “undo my knots” although she couldn’t this day as it was made of simple leather and created by “my brothers” of Our Lady of Mount Ephesus. They began their saintly prayers as I did at the same time while enjoying dinner.

Jeff, our server was like family, but better: prompt, congenial, obedient and patient most of all. (And well deserving of the beautiful tip:) He was a faithful servant to Jesus and did whatever Mary told him! We were treated like royalty, toasted to our Mama, since she was the one paying, look forward to next time we dine and apologize profusely for the lack of pictures. We know you look mercifully on our error in judgment to that end. . .

It was a beautiful family affair: full of great food, juicy, choice wine in superabundance, (since two of my three servers have familiar names from my family!) and most of all was the experience that I have come to expect and revel in at my favorite, local restaurant. Not only is it deserving of “best new restaurant in 2024” in my book, but worthy of high praise as this is the 4th time I’ve dined here and have never been disappointed. This is my first “storytelling” review, however.

Thanks for...

Came here for my birthday- allow me to explain my review.

Tried to book 12/26- tried to book online and nothing on social or website saying they were closed 12/26 but in fairness I could have missed this… Then tried to call 12/27 to make Resy and got VM. Tried website and couldn’t book for 12/27. Then DMd social and was told they were open and had reservations. We booked for that night. (Later found out there was a reason for closing reservation on that day of when speaking to GM and made sense- I appreciated his transparency) .

Arrived to restaurant and waited behind couple who was waiting for a table. Young male host with high waisted khakis ignored us and helped the next couple after us that just walked in never checking in if we’d been helped. [side note: same host took a table of 6 to a 4 top and then made them wait while he set the table and forgot menus and extra silverware. Then later in the evening by proceeded to gossip in the corner by the bar in full earshot].

Ordered a mocktail myself- way to much lime juice- killed the whole drink because had to wait for ice to melt. Apps were fine. Here is my main grossed out point. Food runner didn’t know counter/bar seats and served my food to another patron. The food touched the top of the bar and the patron said no this isn’t my food. I watched it happen and he picked it up off the table and re-served it to me. That’s disgusting. The second food touches the table it’s a dead dish. Usually this is why you ask if this is your dish before placing it. Also the fettuccine Alfredo pasta was not Al Dente. It was way over cooked and soggy. If you charge high end prices, it should be high end service. This was not.

We came the first time and enjoyed our first experience. This time not at all and it will be hard to return.

The saving grace of this place was the GM. He moved around the whole restaurant helping run food, host, run drinks, check on tables and was never in a rush. He talked with us for a bit on the reservation hiccups and was courteous and very professional. He truly was wonderful and the shining star. The achievement of 2 stars versus 0 is...