Tavola is an eloquent restaurant for fine dining and gives emotional diners the affection they long for in a meal.

Tavola’s exquisite dining room is breathtaking with its curvy extensive dining table, open kitchen and metallic design gives an elegant cellar look. This elegant Italian bistro offers lavish authentic cuisine with impeccable service. Head Chef Alberto Alboreggia runs the open fire creating classical meals while modifying traditional dishes to modern tastes. Tavola allures the taste buds with extravagant cuisine paired with top-notch service.

We started off with the Antipasti appetizer platter. In the center of the dish lay fresh imported buffalo mozzarella topped with fresh rocket leaves and cherry tomatoes, surrounded by marinated sweet and sour onions and capers covered with balsamic dressing. Each corner of the dish offered a different delicious sliced ham including Prosciutto, Coppa, Parma and Capricciosa topped with melted Parmesan cheese. This dish is a fresh bite out of Italy; all the natural ingredients combined together give a rejuvenating combination of flavors.

Next we tried the Cream of Mushroom Soup, which includes the infamous truffle mushroom, a culinary delicacy. The superb smooth texture melts in your mouth. Truffle oil is drizzled in with a few pieces of crisp Tuscan croutons, giving an explosion of savory pleasure matching its alluring aroma.

The Cavatelli and Clams gives a pepper taste with a dash of spicy zing. The red sauce comes from the combination of seafood, including a salmon ragout, crab, clams and shrimp. Tavola obtains their seafood from Dalian, which scouts their fresh crustaceans and fish from the sea of Japan. The Gnocchi in white sauce with porcini mushrooms and crisp bacon bits is scrumptious. The potato dumplings are cooked to perfection, providing a soft steady texture. The sauce is light yet tasty, perfect for eating heavier pasta, allowing you to indulge in this appetizing dish.

For our main course the Cod Fish and Pumpkin Puree satisfies with flavorful sensation. The cod is pan fried on one side then baked the rest of the way, allowing juices to remain contained. The pumpkin puree is a sweet mixture with a hint of ginger. The texture is similar to mashed potatoes and combined with the cod creates a delicious savory and sweet grouping. After, came the mouthwatering Beef Tenderloin. The sleek sirloin is marinated to perfection and cooked just right- a juicy and tender medium-rare. Topped with arugula salad, shaved parmesan and Tuscan oil and balsamic vinegar, this entrée is appealing for all senses.

The Dessert Sampler platter offers customers an amuse-bouche of various delectable Italian sweets. The dish includes Chocolate soufflés, Tiramisu, Panna cotta, mixed fruit, Crème brulee and sorbet. The chocolate soufflés has a hard brownie exterior with gooey, hot chocolate syrup inside. The panna cotta gives a heavy vanilla cream taste while the texture is soft and light for a gentle whipped treat.

Tavola, meaning table in Italian, offers specialty dishes and service. The English speaking staff is friendly and attentive, but not excessively, while Chef Alboreggia comes around to make sure every dish is enjoyable. Pair off these creative cuisine combinations with their extensive wine list for the ultimate dining experience. The price matches the fulfilling food quality and service merits its worth. Tavola is an eloquent restaurant for fine dining and gives emotional diners the affection they long for in a meal.

Locations: 2F, The Grand Summit, Section B, Liangmaqiao Diplomatic Mansion, 19 Dongfang East Road//北京朝陽區東方東路19號, 亮馬橋外交公寓B區會所二層 010-85325068

Service quality:

excellent

Food quality:

excellent

Price per head (RMB):

300-400

Environment:

excellent

Feature dish or menu:

Antipasti Platter (168 RMB)

Cream of Mushroom Soup (48 RMB)

Cavatelli & Clams (88 RMB)

Gnocchi in White Sauce with Parma Ham & Porcini Mushrooms (78 RMB)

Pan-fried Cod Fish & Pumpkin Puree (188 RMB)

Beef Tenderloin topped with Arugula Salad & Shaved Parm (198 RMB)

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