| Dallas Restaurant Reviews |
| Taverna Pizzeria & Risotteria 3210 Armstrong, Dallas, Texas 214-520-9933 |
Dallas Restaurant Review:
Taverna is a place where I go for lunch when I have nothing to do, and all day to do it.
Taverna is like a trip to Italy. It was also the Reader's Favorite for Italian restaurants in
the D Magazine poll.
SETTING - It's in the Knox-Henderson area, between Cole and Travis. It may not look like
much from the outside, but the small building is just the right size for a casual Italian
trattoria. And there are a dozen tables on the popular front porch.
FOOD - Taverna says it's a "Pizzeria and Risotteria", which is an understatement. They also
have pan-seared tenderloin, pan-seared sea bass, and really good daily specials. Among the
entrees, the Pan-seared (medium rare/rare) Yellow Fin Tuna with Asparagus is outstanding.
The pizzas are authentic, too. No weird "Thai Pineapple Pizza with Bean Sprouts" at Taverna.
The lunch menu is about the same as the dinner menu, but everything is a couple bucks
cheaper. You can see their web site by clicking here.
AMBIANCE - Owner Alberto Lombardi's goal is for you to feel like you're in a neighborhood
trattoria back in Italy. The nooks and crannies are casually stacked with wine boxes, extra
plates, piles of tablecloths, etc. It's not contrived -- that's just where they keep things.
The kitchen is wide open -- you can see them lugging in the crates of fresh tomatoes. It's a
local gathering place, and you immediately feel at home. It's not uncommon to see the owner
or various family members there.
BAR - Like many neighborhood hangouts in Europe, they serve only wine and beer. No martinis
here. But they offer about 60 wines, a third of them Italian, and best of all, the majority are
available by the glass.
BOTTOM LINE - If you're looking for Italian ambiance and great food, Taverna is the
place. And being casual, they do not take reservations.
Taverna is a place where I go for lunch when I have nothing to do, and all day to do it.
Taverna is like a trip to Italy. It was also the Reader's Favorite for Italian restaurants in
the D Magazine poll.
SETTING - It's in the Knox-Henderson area, between Cole and Travis. It may not look like
much from the outside, but the small building is just the right size for a casual Italian
trattoria. And there are a dozen tables on the popular front porch.
FOOD - Taverna says it's a "Pizzeria and Risotteria", which is an understatement. They also
have pan-seared tenderloin, pan-seared sea bass, and really good daily specials. Among the
entrees, the Pan-seared (medium rare/rare) Yellow Fin Tuna with Asparagus is outstanding.
The pizzas are authentic, too. No weird "Thai Pineapple Pizza with Bean Sprouts" at Taverna.
The lunch menu is about the same as the dinner menu, but everything is a couple bucks
cheaper. You can see their web site by clicking here.
AMBIANCE - Owner Alberto Lombardi's goal is for you to feel like you're in a neighborhood
trattoria back in Italy. The nooks and crannies are casually stacked with wine boxes, extra
plates, piles of tablecloths, etc. It's not contrived -- that's just where they keep things.
The kitchen is wide open -- you can see them lugging in the crates of fresh tomatoes. It's a
local gathering place, and you immediately feel at home. It's not uncommon to see the owner
or various family members there.
BAR - Like many neighborhood hangouts in Europe, they serve only wine and beer. No martinis
here. But they offer about 60 wines, a third of them Italian, and best of all, the majority are
available by the glass.
BOTTOM LINE - If you're looking for Italian ambiance and great food, Taverna is the
place. And being casual, they do not take reservations.
| 2 o'clock on a Friday afternoon |
