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 th
ings.  
The kitchen is wide open -- you can see them l
ugging 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