Historical Summer 2013 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
May is one crazy month. Ca-razy. End of the school year, it ain’t for sissies. Around these parts, May is also the month that my co-writer, partner in crime and beloved husband leaves me IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MADNESS and goes on retreat for three days. It’s a good thing, really, but for the last two years retreat has overlapped with our wedding anniversary. Not such a good thing. So last Wednesday we went out for dinner a few days early to celebrate lucky #16.
We had two big boys to run to and from a Boy Scout meeting in Forest Park, so we needed to go somewhere close, easy and most importantly, delicious.
We threw some names out there, one of which was of course our newest favorite, Mission Taco [see our review in AprilMay, 2013, TIMES], when Sean suggested TAVOLOV V.
We both agreed it was a perfect choice. Off we went to the east side of the Delmar Loop and while there discussed this article. “There just is not enough time in the month, let alone this week, I am leaving TOMORROW so no – we are not writing a review this month. Next time around we will write a review for Piccione,” said my beloved. Sounded fair. Made sense.
But then our food arrived and with each delicious bite I finally said aloud what my stomach was thinking, “How can we NOT write about TAVOLO V”. Have you been yet?
They opened over a year ago and the reason I sit here with the to-do list adding up is because everyone should go to TAVOLO V. You will not be disappointed and no matter what you choose from their menu you cannot go wrong. Why? How can that be? Because everything is good. It’s fresh, it’s simple, and it’s delicious. YOU MUST GO TO TAVOLO V. Now. Over the last year we have eaten there more that a few times. It’s a date night staple at Casa McGroarty.
I have been with some girlfriends for dinner and also just for drinks. That’s the great thing about TAVOLO V, no matter who you are with, or what you are in the mood for you, will find it. Do you have small kids?
They won’t sit still, they’re picky eaters? Take them. TAVOLO offer nine different delicious Pizzas Neapolitan for $12.
They are fresh, they are quick, and one pizza will fill two (or three in our case) small people! You have hungry teenagers? Again, order a pizza-the whole thing will fill them up. You want just appetizers – with some friends – great idea!
The portabella mushroom is a meal in itself.
The zucchini is delicious.
The spinach appetizer – yes please!
I have never tried something at TAVOLO V that disappointed me. Their salads are perfect. You can do appetizer and a salad and call it a night. Going out with the guys for drinks and dinner? Riosotto of the day. It’s a house specialty and it’s always good! Their entrees are a good size-we usually end up taking some home to fight over the next day. There’s always a fresh fish of the day, and you guessed it-we have never been disappointed! Last week I had the fish special, which was Scottish salmon cooked to perfection.
It was on a bed of radicchio with lemon and olive oil and-are you ready…watermelon radishes. Whoever heard of watermelon radishes?
My friend Ligaya Figueras has, I am sure, but not this girl.
I am not a huge fan of radishes but my dad loved them so I thought I should at least try them. Ohmylordy it was heavenly.
I made the mistake of telling Sean to try the delicious blend of sweet and crunchy with the salmon and then proceeded to try and block his fork from coming across the table for the rest of our meal.
I really do love to share but Sean had his own plate of deliciousnessthe Pasta Funghi. Mushrooms so tender, cooked to perfection and paired with house made pasta and a simple, delicious sauce. Not too heavy, not to light just delicious flavor. So, I stole his funghi and he absconded with my newfound best friends radishes. All’s fair in love and war, right? TAVOLO V has an extensive wine menu, a full bar, some delicious desserts and brunch on Sundays. Their new patio is finished and we waved hello to many a neighbor walking by on a beautiful May night. Shout out to Andy, Linda and Emily Cross-hey there Joe Hogan and Katie (the dog)! So you must go. Go now. Go soon.
I promise you’ll be back. Fresh, delicious Italian food has arrived in the Loop and it is figuratively at our backdoor. You’ll thank me and think, “This is so good she had to write about it.” The laundry, it can wait. Happy Anniversary Sean!
Original photograph caption
Tavolo V exterior. Descriptive caption supplied.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2013.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Printed byline Kristine Mc Groarty differs from established Cristina Mc Groarty. Preserve printed name for author review; do not merge profiles without evidence.
Original source: SD_Times2013_06.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
