| Dallas Restaurant Reviews |
| Taverna Pizzeria & Risotteria 3210 Armstrong, Dallas, Texas 214-520-9933 |
Dallas Restaurant Review:
Taverna is the kind of place that a restaurant reviewer (like me) who has nothing to do, and all
day to do it, hangs out at. Not to review, but just because it's good. Taverna is like a trip to
Italy.
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, if you want to eat al
fresco.
FOOD - Taverna says it's a "Pizzeria and Risotteria", which is an understatement, but they
do serve a bunch of risottos, pastas, and pizzas. 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 Peanut Butter Pizza with Bean Sprouts" at Taverna -- but I wish they
would bring back the Pizza Romana with anchovies & Italian olives. I guess it was too
authentic for Dallas tastes. 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
mom & pop restaurant 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 the stuff. The kitchen is wide open -- you can see them carrying in the crates of fresh
tomatoes. It's a local gathering place, and you immediately feel right at home. It's not
uncommon to see the owner or various family members there.
BAR - This is a trattoria, and they serve only wine and beer. No martinis or cosmopolitans
here. But here are 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 genuine Italian ambiance and great food, Taverna is
the place.
Taverna is the kind of place that a restaurant reviewer (like me) who has nothing to do, and all
day to do it, hangs out at. Not to review, but just because it's good. Taverna is like a trip to
Italy.
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, if you want to eat al
fresco.
FOOD - Taverna says it's a "Pizzeria and Risotteria", which is an understatement, but they
do serve a bunch of risottos, pastas, and pizzas. 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 Peanut Butter Pizza with Bean Sprouts" at Taverna -- but I wish they
would bring back the Pizza Romana with anchovies & Italian olives. I guess it was too
authentic for Dallas tastes. 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
mom & pop restaurant 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 the stuff. The kitchen is wide open -- you can see them carrying in the crates of fresh
tomatoes. It's a local gathering place, and you immediately feel right at home. It's not
uncommon to see the owner or various family members there.
BAR - This is a trattoria, and they serve only wine and beer. No martinis or cosmopolitans
here. But here are 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 genuine Italian ambiance and great food, Taverna is
the place.
| 2 o'clock on a Friday afternoon |
