Reading this thread over here regarding sweet potato gnocchi reminded me to post that, as of last Thursday at least, a Tavola has a sweet potato gnocchi special. I ordered it when I was there delivering their GNR. I've never had sweet potato gnocchi before. Holy cow- was it fantastic! Sweet potato can have a muted taste, or one that's smothered in a casserole with brown sugar or, god forbid, marshmallows, but these little babies were treated simply with brown butter and had a natural sweetness as well as the perfect texture that the "normal" potato gnocchi has. It's worth giving a Tavola a call to see if they are offering them -- it's worth the trip, IMHO.

I had the butternut squash gnocchi last night. It was OK, flavor wise, not much different than than the regular, so the brown butter, sage and parmesan made it good. The texture of these however, were not pillowy goodness as usual. I was disappointed, but still ate the whole plate. I told Robert the waiter they were almost gummy, he seemed surprised. I told him to go back and taste them. Everything else we had, pear salad, mushrooms, short rib, beef tenderloin were outstanding. I also realized how spoiled we were by attending the LTH dinner, and getting to taste just about everything on the menu. We didn't know what to order for two people.

I went to a Tavola a couple of months ago. I got completely tasteless and, yes, super pillowy gnocchi with butter and sage leaf, sage leaf being the one and only taste producing ingredient on the plate. The butternut squash version of same had slightly more flavour, but really, all the effort must have gone to pillowing up those gnocchi since none of it was spent on making them flavorful.

And incidentally, their panna cotta was a runny disaster. I had a much better one at Topolobampo.

Uh oh, looks like

The LTH Forum people have led me astray once again (no longer a surprise for me).

jesteinf wrote:Uh oh, looks like

The LTH Forum people have led me astray once again (no longer a surprise for me).

LMAO!

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You know if Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert can find excellent food in Chicago, I don't know what this person's problem is.

Molly wrote:You know if Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert can find excellent food in Chicago, I don't know what this person's problem is.

LTHForum.com isn't for everyone. There are some folks with whom the opinions here don't normally line up particularly well. Such is life. We don't all have the same tastes, priorities or experiences in eating. Different strokes for different folks and all that . . .

=R=

I personally find it hard to accept the review of someone displaying themselves as Big Bird...

This guy is something else. I don't see why he even posts here. He's already made up his mind that he's not going to enjoy Chicago and that it'll never compare with NYC. If your moniker is "hungry in Chicago" doesn't it make sense that you try to live up to your image as a disgruntled NYer that is constantly disappointed in Chgo food?

As I mentioned in another thread, anyone could have a negative view on food, if that's the goal. How about when I went to Ray's in NYC and ordered a slice of sausage pizza and to my horror, they took a slice of cheese pizza and placed bland, sliced, pre-cooked sausage on it and threw it in the oven to warm for a few seconds? It was awful and I proceeded to pick the sausage off and then had to drown the slice in garlic powder, parm cheese and red pepper flakes for it to taste like anything. So would my conclusion be that a good slice of pizza is hard to get in NYC? Or about the time when I was walking around Central Park and decided to try a hot dog from a cart and what I got was a bland, limp, hot dog with cold sauerkraut on a soggy bun. Can't find a decent dog in NYC? Of course these are isolated cases and would be sweeping generalizations that most people would find untrue.

Why wouldn't he mention the other food he had at a Tavola? Dare he say it was decent?

This guy's blog and his posts here should be taken with a very small grain of salt.

Everyone needs a nemesis, including LTH. It's part of the superhero / supervillain thing, the Great Equilibrium of Life, etc.

I actually think one of the established posters here is writing (er, "favoring") that blog for kicks. And also producing Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade for our amusement. To that person, I tip my cap, and will happily buy you a meal at TGI Friday's if you out yourself.

Santander wrote:To that person, I tip my cap, and will happily buy you a meal at TGI Friday's if you out yourself.

Providing the 2 for 1 coupon is still good.

I am a New Yorker who recently made the move to Chicago with my wife (from the midwest but lived in NYC for last 6-7 years). I didn't dread it. Kind of anticipated it. There are clear differences in the two cities but many of them are what make Chicago great. As an aside (before I speak about a Tavola specifically) I will say the only real overarching difference in fine dining here versus NYC (and when I say fine dining I mean decent restaurants from neighborhood places to medium level splurges - no comment being made on, say, Everest, which I will be trying for the first time Saturday) is that service in Chicago is slightly less crisp than in NYC. I mark that up to a difference in talent pool. 75% of the aspiring actor/model/musician class moving to NYC are working in food service. Hence you can get some pretty amazing waiters there. But the relative values here versus New York more than make up for it; our tickets, even at a non-BYO place, are regularly 33% less than in NYC.

THAT BEING SAID.....

a Tavola is amazing! The food is spectacular. The service we had (from a thickly built guy, don't know his name) was really phenomenal. We had a steak special for two that was as good as anything I've had from even a steakhouse in a long time (olive oil marinade as I recall). My wife's gnocchi were lovely, and we take gnocchi very seriously. I love this place, and as a New Yorker can't imagine anyone from NY not loving it. It feels like a NY place in all the right ways (being in a townhouse helps) and like a Chicago place in all the others. At one point my wife and I agreed that we thought we might be in Brooklyn, not the Ukrainian Village. We decided on the spot that it would be on the list of places to go when my family visits us again. Reading this thread makes me want to go back. Might actually have to encourage mom and dad to visit.....

Welcome to Chicago and LTHForum, 60654! Thank you for sharing your perspective. I have had some great meals in little spots in Brooklyn and I think A Tavola does have a similar feel.

I look forward to reading more about your culinary adventures in Chicago.

At one point my wife and I agreed that we thought we might be in Brooklyn, not the Ukrainian Village.

Funny that you say that--It reminds of Al di lah in Park Slope a little in that it's a small, intimate neighborhood tratorria (with great gnocchi--despite the fact that I'm a native, loyal Chicagoan, I like al di lah's better, but they're both great).

The LTH Forum people have led me astray once again (no longer a surprise for me).

I, for one, am generally quite surprised when I am disappointed by a popular restaurant on this forum b/c I find LTH to be a treasure trove of restaurant recs. I think it's worth keeping in mind that every restaurant has the occasional off-night. So, I'm more likely to be open-minded about giving a place that's highly recommended a second shot.

Yes - you're right - whoever it was that made the point about them having an off night that night, so I will go back and give it another shot sometime, but I won't have the gnocchi.

And for those of you who like to dismiss me as a disgruntled NYer - whatever. If you didn't secretly fear that I was right, you wouldn't be so upset with my comments.

As it is, when a restaurant is truly excellent or delightful, like Avec or Blackbird, for example, I say so with pleasure. And when everyone raves about a place like A Tavola and I go and have a very mediocre meal there I speak my mind.

hungryinchicago wrote:Yes - you're right - whoever it was that made the point about them having an off night that night, so I will go back and give it another shot sometime, but I won't have the gnocchi.

And for those of you who like to dismiss me as a disgruntled NYer - whatever. If you didn't secretly fear that I was right, you wouldn't be so upset with my comments.

I, for one, am not upset by your comments -- just dismissive of them. Sometimes people (and you seem like you're one of them) are hell-bent on being dissatisfied. You're the only person I know of who had such strong, negative feelings about a dish -- the gnocchi -- that is almost unanimously heralded as a success at A Tavola. It almost seems as if, because the gnocchi was so well-liked, you were intent on not liking it. The other perception I have of you is that you seem to have an axe to grind with LTHForum in general (hence, the picking on the GNRs). These perceptions could be true, not true, it doesn't matter. (And this is based upon your comments, your past posts, and your blog.) I'm not interested in quibbling with you, just trying to explain why some people have had such strong reactions to your comments. And it has nothing to do with anybody "fear[ing]" that you're secretly right. You're not the first person to drive-by and drop anti-GNR posts, and you won't be the last. <shrug>

we do need an ignore function on this forum... only so much ad hominem before it starts ruining threads.

The crack on LTH aside, I don't think hungryinchicago is off the mark about the gnocchi, based on a similar experience I had two weeks ago. I might be missing some other posts, but I don't get the feeling that this is a case of a

aschie30 wrote: drive-by and drop anti-GNR post.

Four of us went to a Tavola a week ago, and were not impressed by any of the pastas we ordered. The gnocchi were heavy and gummy, and completely overwhelmed by the fried sage. (I could eat fried sage like chips--so the flavor didn't bother me; just that it overpowered everything else.) The chicken and vegetable "risotto" was not risotto; it was chicken and rice with vegetables, and it was very, very bland. The bolognese was better, as it had some flavor, but not evenly remotely the robust, meaty bolognese I hope for when I order it at a place like a Tavola. The lamb ragout tagliatelle was the best of the four pastas--meaty and well-seasoned--but didn't blow the doors off, either.

I, too, want to love this place--it's gotten lots of love here and elsewhere. But they just didn't nail it the other night for me. The space is comfortable and inviting, I thought the waiter was charming, and he steered us into a very good, very reasonable bottle of wine.

For now, I'm chalking it up to a case of restaurant winter blues--and going back to a Tavola when the weather turns human again, and I can eat al fresco in the garden.

hungryinchicago wrote:If you didn't secretly fear that I was right, you wouldn't be so upset with my comments.

LOL! This is the silliest piece of dimestore reverse psychology that I've read in a long time.

So, you didn't like it. Dog bites man.

=R=

crrush wrote:I, too, want to love this place--it's gotten lots of love here and elsewhere.

I want to love everyplace (because I want to eat good food), but it's never because someone else likes it. Colleen is certainly not doing this here, but since I see it elsewhere, deference to the enthusiasm of certain posters and boosters leads to a loss of objectivity and ultimately less useful reviews. I'd rather see someone speak up and offer a differing view, more recent data point, or when necessary, a correction of misinformation (thanks, Ann!), than abjure from posting, or offer something more tepid and bland than the actual sentiment or report because someone you respect really likes the item in question.

hungryinchicago wrote:And for those of you who like to dismiss me as a disgruntled NYer - whatever. If you didn't secretly fear that I was right, you wouldn't be so upset with my comments.

And if you didn't seek our advice or assent, you wouldn't be reading or posting. You're being dismissed because you are linking a blog (in your posts!) in which you are rather poorly criticizing the kind posters on this site who have no wish other than to see you (and everyone) eat well, be educated, and get happy.

aschie30 wrote:

hungryinchicago wrote:Yes - you're right - whoever it was that made the point about them having an off night that night, so I will go back and give it another shot sometime, but I won't have the gnocchi.

And for those of you who like to dismiss me as a disgruntled NYer - whatever. If you didn't secretly fear that I was right, you wouldn't be so upset with my comments.

I, for one, am not upset by your comments -- just dismissive of them. Sometimes people (and you seem like you're one of them) are hell-bent on being dissatisfied. You're the only person I know of who had such strong, negative feelings about a dish -- the gnocchi -- that is almost unanimously heralded as a success at A Tavola. It almost seems as if, because the gnocchi was so well-liked, you were intent on not liking it. The other perception I have of you is that you seem to have an axe to grind with LTHForum in general (hence, the picking on the GNRs). These perceptions could be true, not true, it doesn't matter. (And this is based upon your comments, your past posts, and your blog.) I'm not interested in quibbling with you, just trying to explain why some people have had such strong reactions to your comments. And it has nothing to do with anybody "fear[ing]" that you're secretly right. You're not the first person to drive-by and drop anti-GNR posts, and you won't be the last. <shrug>

Actually, it appears that hungry has been to three GNRs. LOVED Avec, so LTH apparently did well there. Hated A Tavola. And completely sidestepped Spoon by ignoring everybody's advice to avoid the Americanized Thai menu and ordering Tom Yum, Chicken Satay, Thai Pepper Beef and Massaman Curry, for which we're apparently blamed nonetheless.

On that last point, if Spoon is as far off the beaten path as you go and then, despite getting great recs for the authentic Thai menu, you order the most boring Americanized items you can find, and the only Mexican place you've visited is Topolobampo, it's pretty clear you're not actually interesting in finding the best the city has to offer. So there's a little context for you.

(For the record, I've never been to A Tavola and I may completely agree with hungry there... but I've tried a couple of GNRs that disappointed me. I had the sense, however, not to "expect disappointment" from batting .500 over the enormous sample size of two.)

Just a quick reminder, since we're on the topic, that GNR renewals are coming up soon - posting both your positive and negative experiences about any given GNR are a vitally important part of the process.

Mhays wrote:Just a quick reminder, since we're on the topic,

Were we on that topic?

Mhays wrote:Just a quick reminder, since we're on the topic, that GNR renewals are coming up soon - posting both your positive and negative experiences about any given GNR are a vitally important part of the process.

Of course a tavola, being a freshly minted GNR of the class of 2008, is not up for renewal for two more years.

I think this is an interesting discussion for a few reasons. One is that I have had both superb gnocchi, and gummy gnocchi at a Tavola, so I do know it can happen. I also have had the steak taste like cooking gas there. But, when they are on, they are on. So, I guess the conclusion is that they are in inconsistent. As a paying customer, I really want it to be on all the time. I don't want to pay the same price and have it be an off night. I still am happy to have it in my neighorbood in the city (also happy to have Old Oak Tap across the street). The second reason I find this interesting is that hungrychicago, likes all things NYC, and it seems she likes trendy places with Americanized menus. I am going to Manhattan in a few weeks, and like most people from out of town, will be staying at a hotel. Now, please tell me where I can find a place like a Tavola, because, in all my trips to NYC, I've had very mediocre to bad food. I find at least in Chicago, around the tourist areas, you can still find good places to eat, like Joes Stone Crab, Osteria Via Stato, Tizi Melloul, Spiaggia, all spectrums of prices. In NYC, I find the service to be abhor able and the prices ridiculous. The touristy places really suck, but where else can you go near hotels? I'm willing to take a cab, just tell me where to find a small place in mid town, with similar wine prices and food like a Tavola, please don't send me to one more hot TV chef place, or fake irish pub, I can't take another one of those.

nicinchic wrote:I think this is an interesting discussion for a few reasons. One is that I have had both superb gnocchi, and gummy gnocchi at a Tavola, so I do know it can happen. I also have had the steak taste like cooking gas there. But, when they are on, they are on. So, I guess the conclusion is that they are in inconsistent. As a paying customer, I really want it to be on all the time. I don't want to pay the same price and have it be an off night. I still am happy to have it in my neighorbood in the city (also happy to have Old Oak Tap across the street). The second reason I find this interesting is that hungrychicago, likes all things NYC, and it seems she likes trendy places with Americanized menus. I am going to Manhattan in a few weeks, and like most people from out of town, will be staying at a hotel. Now, please tell me where I can find a place like a Tavola, because, in all my trips to NYC, I've had very mediocre to bad food. I find at least in Chicago, around the tourist areas, you can still find good places to eat, like Joes Stone Crab, Osteria Via Stato, Tizi Melloul, Spiaggia, all spectrums of prices. In NYC, I find the service to be abhor able and the prices ridiculous. The touristy places really suck, but where else can you go near hotels? I'm willing to take a cab, just tell me where to find a small place in mid town, with similar wine prices and food like a Tavola, please don't send me to one more hot TV chef place, or fake irish pub, I can't take another one of those.

I'll overlook the combative tone and give you a suggestion anyway. La Giara is a very nice, authentic northern Italian restaurant with a menu and prices much like a Tavola's (maybe even a little cheaper). Everything is made from scratch, and - as an added bonus - they have a nice history of employing mid-career business professionals with the initials KZ, who decide to leave the business world in favor of a culinary career. La Giara is in the Murray Hill neighborhood - walkable or a short cab ride from midtown.

I'm not being combative at all, maybe it's just the internet translation. I've been to Jean George, I've been to Bobby Flay's places, I really want to know of some good neighborhood places, hungrychicago hasn't contributed to the current NYC 2009 thread.
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22786

FYI, in this week's Reader, there's an interesting and informative feature by Anne Spiselman about the house-cured olives at A Tavola:

Anne Spisleman at the Reader wrote:If you were to look in the walk-in cooler at A Tavola, you’d find something very unusual: 350 pounds of olives in the process of curing. They’re the latest project of Brad Schlieder, general manager of the 13-year-old Italian restaurant in Ukrainian Village.

Schlieder, whose previous innovations at A Tavola include making fresh mozzarella and planting a vegetable garden on the patio, decided in the fall to start curing raw olives for two reasons: “They’re better, and we save money,” he says. He adds that the restaurant gives the olives away free with the house-made bread and was really being hit hard by soaring food costs.

The inspiration came from Mario Falco of Eastern Seafood, the restaurant’s fish supplier. “I was there one day last summer, and he brought out bread, olive oil, and olives while we were talking,” Schlieder says. “They were so good I asked where he got them. He said he made them, so when harvest time rolled around, I asked if he knew where I could buy some olives to cure.” Falco called R & R Tree Fruit in Parlier, California, and a few days later 25 produce boxes of just-picked olives arrived at A Tavola.

The Fever for the Cure

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I went to La Giara. You are right Kenny, it is probably a little cheaper than a Tavola, but the atmosphere is much more casual. They had a price fixe for $19.99. We didn't have this as we aren't dessert lovers, and would rather have had the salad. I had the Eggplant Napoleon,
Baked layers of eggplant, tomato , smoked mozzarella & basil, and this was a good rendition. Jman had the spinach and goat cheese salad, which was nice. I had the special spaghetti of broccoli rabe and sausage. This dish was almost inedible, and I could only eat a few bites. It really was a pesto. There was so much garlic in the sauce, I couldn't taste the sausage, which was a shame because I asked if it was homemade, and she said that it was made in house. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and also homemade. The waitress asked if everything was ok, and I told her about the garlic issue, and she said the comment has been made before. Jman had the roasted rack of lamb with sauteed escarole, and he proclaimed them delicious. The waitress brought us a free piece of tiramisu, which was light and not too sweet. The service was very good, and the best we had in the city. The girl that served us was Croatian, and had a heavy accent, but she was very charming. I liked this restaurant, but I am still a fan of A Tavola.

nicinchic wrote:I went to La Giara. You are right Kenny, it is probably a little cheaper than a Tavola, but the atmosphere is much more casual. They had a price fixe for $19.99. We didn't have this as we aren't dessert lovers, and would rather have had the salad. I had the Eggplant Napoleon,
Baked layers of eggplant, tomato , smoked mozzarella & basil, and this was a good rendition. Jman had the spinach and goat cheese salad, which was nice. I had the special spaghetti of broccoli rabe and sausage. This dish was almost inedible, and I could only eat a few bites. It really was a pesto. There was so much garlic in the sauce, I couldn't taste the sausage, which was a shame because I asked if it was homemade, and she said that it was made in house. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and also homemade. The waitress asked if everything was ok, and I told her about the garlic issue, and she said the comment has been made before. Jman had the roasted rack of lamb with sauteed escarole, and he proclaimed them delicious. The waitress brought us a free piece of tiramisu, which was light and not too sweet. The service was very good, and the best we had in the city. The girl that served us was Croatian, and had a heavy accent, but she was very charming. I liked this restaurant, but I am still a fan of A Tavola.

nicinchic,

Sounds like La Giara at least ended the horrible run it sounds like you've had in NYC restaurants. Glad to hear it.

Kennyz