We had been here two years ago and were not impressed. Tonight, we joined 4 friends and the result was the same. The bartender told me the executive Cheif was new and so was the menu. Unfortunately, the food was not any better. The food came out room temperature and had very little flavor. I had the Italian family style special with appetizer, salad, main course and desert. Appetizer of mussels was ok. Salad was lame. Steak tips were mediocre, spinach risotto was terrible. Chocolate cake for desert was so so. I would give it no more then 2 stars. Arturo's in Westborough is a much better choice in Westborough. If you want good Italian food try Mare e Monte in Worcester on Wall Street. It is the best and by far the freshest ingredients every day. Mike
(2)
Steve B.
Fried Calamari was excellent. 10/10 The drink my girlfriend got was pretty good (white sangria I think) Everyone raved about the ceasar salad and it tasted like a CEASAR SALAD. The Pizza was below average. Plain, thin, and nothing better than a greasy-box delivery place. Service was excellent. Waitress was quick, knowledgeable, and polite as were the several people who helped serve us. 10/10 there The most fun was the $90 check....yup...1 pizza, 2 side salads, 2 drinks, 1 app, tip = $95 Overall, I'd go back if I wasn't paying and I didn't want pizza.
(3)
Elizabeth A.
Last week a friend and I had dinner at Tavolinos and must say it was delicious. Our server Christopher went out of his way to make sure we were happy. The food was good (and I love to cook) the portions were large enough to take half home, and the service was delightful!!
(5)
Bill W.
We decided to try a new place and this one had some great reviews, we were not disappointed. We went in casual dress (jeans) and felt a bit intimidated when we walked in; they asked if we wanted to sit in the dining room or a booth in the bar and we decided to play it safe and go with the bar. The menu was very nice and offered great appetizers, salads, pizzas, and entrees. We ordered Cesar Salads and a pizza; there was an incredible pizza selection. We went with the fried ravioli pizza; it is a white pizza with artichoke hearts, pesto, fresh tomato, and fried ravioli. The food was very good - they bring out bread wedges with an oil and parmesan dipping sauce (tasty but the bread was a little stale) - next the salads, I have to say the Cesar dressing was awesome...a definite "10" - finally the pizza, it was really good and the leftovers reheated very well! Bottom line: Great place to take a date and make a good impression or take someone for a special occasion - a little pricey ($35 for two salads and a pizza) but worth it for a special event. I would dress a notch above casual if I go again.
(3)
Brad L.
Decent atmosphere, large food portions. Drink selection was good but cocktails were out of season; summer drinks in October. Service is excellent. Fried calamari was good. Chicken marsala was OK. Lamb shank was excellent.
(3)
Molly O.
I've been several times and truly enjoyed each meal. I LOVE the salad and the pizza. Service is usually pretty good however can they can be slow at times getting the meals out.. It can be loud and a bit crowded but it's a solid dinner choice.
(4)
Pavi G.
I'll preface by stating, I average one post every two years. I should try to do better since I value thoughtful Yelp posts. I'm posting today because Tavolino warrants it. The backstory is as follows: I am in Westborough for business purposes. Downtown Westborough was about 3.5 miles from my hotel. I decided to parlay an evening run into dinner. The weather was nice when I left the hotel, sunny but humid. I chose Tavolino for dinner since they had a nice bar area with several TV's. The Bruins were playing Game 1 of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs so, the atmosphere was fun. I usually opt for a bar seat when I'm travelling for work. However, all but one seat were taken with the game on. I didn't feel like snuggling up with strangers. Nor would they want me squeezing in while I was still sweating from my run. There was one booth left in the bar area. The bar booths seat four people. The host saw no problem with giving me the last table - even though I was by myself. Sometimes (understandably) a restaurant will block off the four-tops for more than a single person. A nice server named Matt was attentive and not pushy. When I was torn between two beers, he made sure I got a tasting of a beer I never had before so I could adequately make my decision. I ended up going with the old faithful Peroni on draft. I ordered the four-course meal (a very reasonable ~$28). I started with the muscles. Delicious spicy white wine sauce. I ended up requesting a spoon since I loved the sauce and I found myself filling up on bread while sopping up the deliciousness. The second course was a spinach salad. I was in no hurry to get through my courses since I had nothing else better to do later (hence my yelping right now). Even though I was eating slow, the courses came at my pace and were not pushed upon me dictated by the kitchen's pace. That was nice. Spinach salad was great. It had bacon and feta cheese, with a light sauce. Yummy. 3rd course was a cod. The cod was less memorable, but the service made up for it! After the cod and two Peronis, I was stuffed and actually opted out of the tiramisu. Matt offered to pack it for me, but since I was going back to a hotel and had been eating less than healthily all week, I figured I would pass all together. By this time it was dark and it had started to rain. I knew I didn't want to run back. I had plenty of excuses (dark, rain, busy streets with no sidewalks). But mainly because I had drank two beers and I was lazy. I asked Matt if he or the hostess could call a taxi. All I carried with me was my ID, a credit card, my hotel key, and $10 cash - no phone. The server and the hostess took care of calling a taxi who claimed would show up in 15 minutes. I finished my beer about the same time that the 3rd period in the hockey game started. After about a half hour, the taxi showed up. By now, I had paid for the bill. By the way, Matt modified my order so that I didn't pay for the four-course menu (since I didn't want dessert) and it was more economical without even requesting it. Cab driver was a jerk, so I opted out. So I went back to Tavolino. Matt was still there. He called around for another cab. Matt and Tavolino went above and beyond to make sure I had a great experience at their establishment and that I got back to the hotel safely. Thank you, Matt. And thank you, Karen.
(5)
Christopher R.
Pretty good menu selection. The bread and dip they serve is really good I had a pizza that was just so so. Service was kind of slow that day as well. I would try them again because it seems like they have potential
(4)
Robert K.
Needs reliable kitchen help! Let me first say that I have been here several times and it's always been very good. Except for tonight. Everything started out alright, seated right away. Not too busy for a Sunday night. Polite and friendly waitress. Table next to us had several annoying children running around, crawling under the tables and doing what young children do, but thats not Tavilino's fault. Only reason I mention that table is because they called the manager over due to the fact that they found a piece of plastic in one of their meals. Manager came over and apologized, offered to comp the meal and include dessert. So here we are eating our meals thinking that mistakes happen when the wife makes a strange face and pulls something out of here mouth. Not plastic like the table next to us but it was paper. She had a couple of pieces of paper in or on her steak. Almost like the butcher type paper that meats get wrapped in. We mentioned it to our server and she had the manager come over. He was nice and offered to get us some free drinks or free dessert. We weren't mad, more concerned than anything. Took the manager up on the free dessert which was a mistake, it was prettty bad. Got the trio of shooter style desserts which were dry, chalky and gritty. Decided we had enough and got out of there. Too bad, I used to really like this place. While I understand that mistakes do happen finding plastic and paper in your food is unacceptable.
(1)
Kara M.
Good food but service is always really slow and waiters take too long to bring the check and then later to take the check back and bring change. Food is probably the only good and worth while part of all of the experiences I've had here.
(3)
Audra M.
One of my favorite restaurants. Have been there countless times over the years, and always great service, great food and a great experience.
(5)
Mark O.
Very good, on par with Arturos just down the street. Pizza is delicious, as are all the apps. The place is not cheap though.
(4)
Cath B.
We have eaten at this restaurant many times since it opened and it seems to get worse instead of better. First, I absolutely hate the music. Some fake euro-techno music that would be annoying even if you could actually hear it. The place is LOUD. The pizzas are the best option on the menu, and the other entrees are overpriced. The bread is sometimes stale. Some of the servers try too hard, and become cloying. The menu could change more frequently and feature more meatless options. Overall, I think they try too hard to be a city place when located in a suburban setting. This doesn't mean you have to make it a chain, just lighten the atmosphere up and play decent music and soften the acoustics.
(3)
Katharine O.
We love Tavolino's. It's the only pizza that I really like in our area, and it's not even really "in" our area. It's a good 25 minute drive out of the way, but it's a drive worth making. We've only ever sat at the bar and the bartenders have always been attentive and chatty, but not obnoxiously so. The martinis are awesome. Oatmeal cookie martini, to die for. We've had apps, entrees, pizza and dessert and honestly can't complain about any of it!
Simply put... Has fallen off the rails. We went from going 3-4x per month to never again after several declining meals to one that was just horrible. I can pick things apart, but suffice to say that... Something happened... Chef change.. Management change... But it's not what it was... Go elsewhere.
(2)
S K.
Went here for the first time, had a very good experience. Decided on a 4 course dinner For appetisers for the fried calamari, caesar salad, entree-potato crusted haddock and some gourmet chocolcate cake for dessert. I wasn't expecting a lot from the caesar salad, but I can say, this is the best caesar salad dressing I have tasted. Normally I am a non-creamy dressing person but this was worth it. The fish was great and so was the dessert. My husband had a chicken dish, don't remember the name but he loved it. The alfredo sauce pasta and grilled chicked that we ordered for kids was very light and good too. Overall loved the food a lot, service was excellent too. Our waiter was Alexander and was very polite, gracious and attentive. For dessert it took a tad bit longer, but Alex informed us that the chef did not like the way it came out at first so he did it again. We had a groupon for this place, but nowhere did we feel that in the service! Would definitely go there again.
(4)
Jaclyn R.
eeeehhhhhhh....overrated. I went here with my husband on Valentines Day. We had never tryed it before and thought, what the hey...it's look like it would be good..maybe? My husband would have given this place one star, but I'm more open minded (I guess). The ambiance was very nice. Very, hip and trendy, but not enough to make me give it more stars. For what the food was, it was over priced and overrated. Not that the food was bad, it was just OK for the price I payed. so...I give you an "A-OK"
(3)
Rob M.
Food was ok... However, I was SHOCKED when they had the ACC lacrosse playoffs on the big screen right above the main bar while the Celtics were playing the Heat in the playoffs on the shitty little screen... It was absurd... I mean it's not a sports bar, I get that, but why have them at all then?? They wouldn't change it so we finished our calamari app (which was standard) and went next door to Teds who realized we were in Westboro near Boston not John Hopkins... The bartender was nice But clueless... The manager should have realized such a gaff IMO...
(2)
Christopher M.
First time at Tavolino - it was good but not great. A solid 3.5 stars but they get the benefit of the doubt, i don't think 3 stars is fair for them either. 5 of us went on a Sunday evening and it was quiet, which is nice, and usually the reason to pick a Sunday night. On a Saturday I am sure it can get pretty busy given the lack of many options in the area. The food was good, but I felt that the portions were a little too large and bathed in sauce(s). I wish restaurants would opt for quantity over quality, but I feel that the Worcester area is used to heaping portions that you can make 3 or 4 meals out of, regardless of the quality. In any event, the dishes seemed as authentic as I've seen, but I am not an Italian cuisine expert. I was happy with my wild mushroom and pasta dish - had some peas and prosciutto in it as well. the cream sauce was nice, and not too thick. However, I felt the soup I got left a lot to be desired as far as flavor and ingredients go. It was the soup of the day, which I forget exactly the name of it, but contained meat and vegetables in a light broth. Excellent Italian wine list and the service was also very good. They serve some delicious looking thin crust style pizzas that I really want to go back for. and they serve brunch on Sundays, which I had no idea - definitely checking that out. I would recommend this place if you live in the area and are seeking some decent to good Italian food.
(4)
Joelle G.
Went here with my husband to celebrate our anniversary and was very impressed. The food, service, and ambiance were all fantastic. It had a wonderful warm feeling about it and the specials were delicious. We ate A LOT of food because and it was all great-we'll be back!
(4)
cathy g.
Awesome place for upscale Italian food without traveling into Boston. Spent a birthday celebration there on a Sat night (even though we got there early I would recommend reservations as it was busy). Had great salads, unique selection of homemade pizza and delicious entrees. We had a fabulous waitress, Katie, who met all of our needs and was very friendly. they provide a "first time visit' coupon that they give you to come back and get a discounted % off your next meal. The atmosphere is modern/Tuscan decor and the entire staff were very pleasant and outgoing to make yoru experience a wonderful one. Will definitely return. cathy
(5)
C L.
Love Tav definitely for the bar, the atmosphere, and the people that work there. They make your meal very enjoyable. The food is good but can be unpredictable. The managers Anthony, Karen, and Colleen are great and so friendly. Also, Paul, Lindsey and Nick are kick-ass bartenders! Great time sitting at the bar!
(4)
John A.
Great food and service. We would definitely go back.
(4)
Jason A.
Food was very very good. Service was ok. Very busy, and very loud. Would be a lot nicer sitting outside on a nice day.
(4)
Mike M.
The food at Tavolino never seems to disappoint, while the service can be very hit or miss. We went on a Tuesday night and had very mediocre/slow service, but it WAS a Tuesday night. The drinks are always good there, very tasty Mojito with a sugarcane stick, which is always a nice touch in a Mojito. They also have a good variety of martinis. We tried the blue crab cake appetizer, it was very tasty and smooth. The balsamic drizzle was very good and wish there was a bit more, but the lemon-caper-tarragon aiöli made the dish, as it was the perfect complement to the crab cake. We could see just getting a soup and one order of these each for dinner. My Wife had the Bolognese, which we get a lot, and easily one of their best dishes! I ordered the NY Strip but actually got steak tips, which ended up being pretty good. I didn't feel like sending it back as it was pretty good. I had the Florentine Risotto which was perfect, very creamy and it didn't last too long. I also had the root vegetable hash which was basically just a few of them julienned, so nothing special. On the side I had the Gorgonzola butter which is NOT worth getting, all it was was drawn butter with 2-3 small crumbles of cheese. I was expecting a lot more cheese and not butter I would use with lobster. Still a great place overall, and you will get a great meal and overall experience if you go on a Fri/Sat night! The pizza is also great, and I am a big fan of the house special pizza.
(4)
Nate E.
For this place to have an average rating of 3 is a disgrace. What is there to possibly complain about at Tavolino? I've been here twice, once for dinner and once for brunch. The dinner prices might be considered a bit steep for the area, but I live in NYC and regularly pay a lot more for food of similar quality. I was blown away by how good the food was for dinner my first time here. Not only is it worth the price, I would call it a value for what you are getting in both portion size and quality of food. I just got back from eating brunch here and I'm even more impressed. It seems that not a lot of people are aware of the brunch service as there weren't a whole lot of people here, unlike dinner which was packed. I had the crab cake eggs benedict, my friends got the caprese frittata and the monte cristo. We all couldn't stop raving about how good the food was. Taste was exceptional, everything was fresh and high quality. My only complaint at Tavolino is the service. While I haven't experienced anything terrible, I wouldn't call it the most attentive service experience. It seems like they employ a lot of young, inexperienced servers. I am a patient person and like to take my time and enjoy my dining experience, so this isn't enough for me to sacrifice a star. In Manhattan this restaurant would be average, in central mass it's exceptional. Ignore any rating you see here below a three and just go, enjoy the atmosphere, the amazing food, and the reasonable prices.
(5)
Erica L.
This place is great!! I've eaten here about three times now and enjoy it every time! I usually have the pizza (prosciotto and fig is amazing!) but last night i had a pasta dish tortelacci with cranberries, butternut squash, it was absolutely delicious! I had the leftovers for lunch today! I was surprised we got a table quickly on a Friday night, service was right on target.
(4)
B R.
2nd trip. Sill delicious. Might venture into the Pizza next time but still too many things to try. Has the italian meatloaf this time. Was very good but felt it might have sat under the warmer just a bit too long. Overall, still fun but pricey, and still very loud. :)
(4)
Tyler L.
Tavolino does a great job, all around. They place emphasis on customer service, which is a rarity these days (although a down economy may yeild a correction in this area). We visit this location a couple of times a month since the opening, and I go once a week or so for lunch as well. Always happy with the menu, service, wine selection and desserts as well. Last night we visited after first eating elsewhere, and drinking a bit at the Higgins Armory Festival of Ales. So we went for wine and dessert. But then my wife decided she might like some cheese. We asked if they had a cheese plate, but they did not have anything on the menu. Our server asked the chef and as if by magic this amazing plate arrived with pears and blackberries - delicious. I really do not think you will be dissapointed here.
(4)
Rick B.
Disappointing pizza. I'm a huge fan of thin crust New Haven style pizza and had high hopes for this place. The pizza here is thin crust, but the dough was sour, tough, and unevenly cooked. The pizza we ordered was supposed to have fresh mozzarella, but it was pretty clear that it was your basic mozzarella from the grocery store. The staff was nice and the atmosphere was hip, but the pizza is not very good. We also ordered the lettuce wraps. They arrived as a collection of chopped vegetables and three strange sauces, none of which tasted very good. Not recommended.
(2)
Paul L.
Pricy for what you get. The service is SLOW.
(3)
Tara K.
4.5 to 5 stars for a recent trip on our anniversary. This was our second visit to Tavolino and both times we have been very impressed with the staff. On this visit special consideration was given to our seating as we were going out to eat with our newborn for the first time. Our table worked out perfectly and the hostess came by to check and ensure that we felt comfortable. This was key for first time parents going out to eat for the first time. Our tuscan bread salad was split for us to share, without even asking! I enjoyed the melanzana pizza and my husband the chicken picatta. We both had plenty for leftovers the next day. Our waitress was attentive and quick with everything we requested (Marissa I believe). The only negative was the bread wasn't very soft, but we had plenty else to eat. I would definitely go back for the great service and good food!
(5)
Susan B.
The french fries are terrible, but the burger is decent. French fries are important, people! How difficult is it to figure out a good recipe for French fries? Open a French cookbook and find a recipe, for example. We also ordered the chicken parm which was edible, but not worth going back for. I like that they have two serving sizes, though. Overall, not worth it.
(2)
Matt O.
My fourth or fifth trip to Tavolino, first sitting in their outdoor patio. Experience was great, one of the best meals in this corner of MetroWest. Wine and cocktails top notch, great spirits/Bourbon/Scotch selection. Had the Wild Boar Chop special, beautifully grilled and presented, the fresh peach and sage salsa bursting with flavor. This place is great as a special night out, or a casual dinner with family, the place sees it all. Service is getting better since October 2009 opening, it's good, but it keeps this from being 5 star.
(4)
Martha R.
Friends recommended this new spot, so I eagerly made a reservation for New Year's Eve. Maybe not the best time to try a new restaurant, but there are so few choices in the area, and the menu sounded very appealing, so thought I'd take a chance. Loved the look and feel of the place; the service was very good/excellent as well. However, on NY Eve, in addition to the regular menu, they were also offering specials and a Prix Fix menu. I think they were maybe trying to do too much at once, because nothing we had was awesome, though it had the potential. Hubby started with a house salad with a very nice balsamic vinaigrette. He had the Flank Steak off the regular menu, and it was dry and boring, as were the accompaniements, a twice-baked potato and broccoli. He ended up pouring the bread dipping oil all over the food to try to get some flavor and moisture into it (gross, but he was desperate). The serving of steak was adequate; not too much, not too little. I had the Hazelnut-Crusted Scallops, which were served with a fennel orzo, a couple of asparagus spears and a schmear of sweet potato puree. It felt as thought the plate had been put together sometime that afternoon, with the hot, freshly cooked scallops (all three of them) added at the last minute. Very tasty, but somehow not fresh or exciting. In addition, while the portion sizes were OK for us, I can see many people balking at the small-ish portions, especially in light of the high-ish prices. I would like to try the restaurant again on a non-holiday and see if they can do better. The menu is really appealing and I want them to do well. Hopefully I can add a star or two to the review once I try again.
(2)
Falon F.
We went for dinner for the first time last night. We had 6 in our party and had a reservation. We arrived and still had to wait a half hour for our table. We finally sat down in a pretty spacious booth. The manager arrived with an antipasto and an apology for the wait within minutes of us being seated. We didn't even have to request to speak to a manager--they just made it right--good business! Our waitress was funny and efficient. Good drink recommendations. I like that most of their dinner dishes come in two portion sizes, small and large. Our table ordered a variety of dishes--chicken, risotto, shrimp scampi, pasta. All the dishes were good--not necessarily great (hey, we're a picky group of Italians!). Prices were reasonable. Atmosphere is actually kind of vibrant for the area, which is nice. They have a patio with tables and umbrellas, for when the weather's nice. We'll be back, but I think pizza and drinks might be the way to go.
(4)
Corinne S.
Amazing! Never had a bad meal
(5)
Emz P.
One of the few upscale restaurants in town. Food and specially wine is good. It competes with Romaine's in Northborough. Tavalino would not compete with Boston restaurants in the same price range. In other words, kind of overpriced. But if you want to eat something nice and don't want to drive, then not a bad choice. Some entrees are salty.
(3)
Jay G.
Very average, decent service, nice room expected better food.
(3)
HM H.
Skimming the reviews on here, it appears this place has been making an active attempt to improve itself. I have to say, without having experienced it *beforehand*, I was quite impressed, and I could easily see us returning in the future. Ambiance was good, IMO. It was a Friday night following a school event and was quite crowded, but I still had no problem hearing my family. Though upscale, the atmosphere was also upbeat and lively, not stuffy. The service was very good. The waitress was very polite, and although we did have to ask for bread, all of the food that we ordered was brought quite promptly given how busy the restaurant was. Food was very good. It wasn't quite "knock your socks off" excellent, but very good Italian -- good enough to justify a return in the future. Overall, this was a nice find, and I am sure we'll be back again.
(4)
Rene' Y.
This is the spot where I meet with my girls. Brunch on the pation on a sunny Sunday or just the bar area on Friday evening, wine and apps. I had never been in the dinner room but I love the atmosphere and the mosaic tile floor!! The interior is so tastelyful done, the food is good and it is reasonabley price. Nice wine selection.
(4)
Nancy L.
This is the second time I have been to Tavolino's and I wanted to share a big kudos. We spent a lovely evening outside, enjoying the nice weather and company. As we were paying the check, it started pouring. Just before heading to our cars, the hostess offered 2 umbrellas for us to take to our car. Then we drove back to the curb near the entrance and a waiter (or busboy) came to our car to retrieve the umbrellas. That was a very nice gesture. As for the food/drinks: like last time, I did not like the calamari (too heavy batter) and the risotto balls were not that tasty. But that's me; my 2 friends liked the food and their $5 martinis.
(4)
Seth D.
My mother, father, wife, and I ate at Tavolino today for Mothers' Day dinner. The service was friendly but slow. By the time we received our entrees some of them were cold. My wife sensed that our waitress was stressed. To me Tavolino feels like a diner that's trying in vain to be and serve something more upscale. Plus the last thing Westborough needs is another Italian restaurant. A short drive opens up so many better options.
(2)
Julie T.
I've been here twice and I can't complain. The food here is excellent! I've had the grilled scallops and they were absolutely amazing. I've also tried the scallop and bacon pizza, and that was to die for. My boyfriend has also had just about everything on the menu, and he still goes back, so they're apparently doing something right. Tavolino's has an outdoor patio, so it's nice to sit out there and enjoy dinner and a drink while it's still warm out. Last friday that i was there, there was a band playing inside. It's a really great atmosphere to unwind after work or for a casual date.
(4)
Sally F.
The food was EXCELLENT! The one thing that stood out was how fresh everything was. I love anchovies on my caesar salads and they were 100% fresh and NOT from a can. I got the Salmon which was fantastic and the side of cheesy risotto was aaahhhmmmazing! There isnt one bad thing I can say.
(5)
Kay G.
Live music was the draw this Friday PM (and Luanne Crosby in the bar did not disappoint!) and the music was the best part of this dining experience. You should know that this is one of the noisiest restaurants you will ever dine in (after shouting with my dining companions just to be heard by each other at our own table, my throat was sore for hours!). The layout is a bit odd; it's kind of an "L" shape resulting in three areas very distinct from each other: 1) the bar/lounge with bar and booths (and where the music was this night); 2) the 'elbow' of the L: a very exposed pocket, with the front door/hostess station on one side and the pizza bar/oven on the other, and open both to the bar and 'dining room' (a stone floor and other hard surfaces made the noise unbearable in this elbow section. This also seems to be where they put larger groups, which turns up the volume even more!), and... 3) a rear room that looks like more like a traditional restaurant dining area. (Whatever you do, do not sit in the middle, pizza oven (kitchen?) area! The food would have had to be pretty good to want to return to such a noisy space. Alas, the food left much to be desired. The pizza was about the best thing we ordered, and yet the crust should have been crisper and firmer (maybe it sat too long before being served; the bottom crust seemed almost to have steamed from its own heat). The calamari was large, but soggy with oil (again: where is the crisp?). The generous portion of eggplant parmagiana suffered from a similar fate (eggplant laden with oil) and its angel hair bed was inadequately sauced. The panzanella is overpriced as it is composed almost entirely of bread (panzanella is a bread salad, but it is usually a salad; this was a dish of bread with a couple of grape tomatoes and some red onion slivers). They did make a nice cappucino and the two desserts sampled (a decent and generous lemon pound cake and a fruit cobbler) were pretty good, tho I was pretty much finished with my coffee by the time they arrived. We won't be back...
(1)
Scott A.
I have enjoyed my meals at Tavolino in the past. I am convinced now that is due the attentive service of Paul who has been our bartender on each occasion in the past. On Patriots day we went to have nice relaxed dinner at the bar and we were surprised at how busy and unprepared the restaurant was. We easily found a seat at the nearly empty bar but the bartender was extremely busy making drinks for the extra busy patio. It took a long time for her to acknowledge us and she had to ask her manager for a trashcan. That seemed a bit odd. We ordered our drinks and mine arrived quickly but wife's drink took about ten minutes for her to make while she found the appropriate ingredients and garnishes (another indication of lack of preparedness)...This routine continued for our appetizer order and additional drinks. The bartender came to us and apologized and told us that our fisrt round would be "on Tom" I assume he is the trashcan fetching manager. The appetizers were very good, although the calamari could have benefited from more than two peppers. We also ordered entrees and the came in short order mine was excellent Pork Marsala (small plate) but wife's tasted strange to her..we determined that this was due to the smoked mozzarella and THICK sliced prosciutto she could not eat it. I give Tavolino FOUR STARS due past experiences, the quality of most of food & drink and the professionalism that was executed by both the manager and the bartender in addressing my wife's meal...next time I will make sure that Paul is working before I go to the bar.
(4)
Katherine B.
My boyfriend and I have been looking for a near-by pizza place for a while now; more so, we've been on the search for a place that has thin-crust pizzas with fresh toppings as opposed to the local pizza places that are really greasy and thick or chain pizza places. We decided to try Tavolino last Friday night, and I think we've found our new pizza place. We haven't had the chance to have a sit down meal at the restaurant yet, so I'm strictly basing this review on the pizza and take-out service. Overall, the pizza was good - We ordered both a pepperoni and a house special pizza. To me, the house special was a little too sweet - but if you're looking for a good Friday pizza and movie night, the pepperoni was great - I'm sure a plain cheese would we just as good. The dough was nice and soft (like a NY style pizza) - not too crispy for a thin crust, which can happen if its too thin or over cooked. Service was pretty good. We called to order the pizza and they gave us an estimated time of 25 minutes. We ended up arriving at Tavolino a few minutes early, expecting to wait - but the pizza was already ready and still hot - so they hadn't been waiting long. We'll definitely be trying Tavolino again for pizza, and also hopefully have the chance to get in for a nice sit-down date night!
(4)
Stephanie K.
This place is one of my favorites! Awesome atmosphere and a really creative menu. Large wine selection and delicious homemade bread. Everything I have ordered is something I would come back for. I especially love the sweet potato gnocchi, steak and fire-grilled pizzas.
(4)
Donna M.
Tried this restaurant for lunch and was very disappointed. I had the Mediterranean salad with an addition of grilled chicken. The salad was meager and the chicken was a small portion as well. I paid over $23 with the tip and tax for a very mediocre lunch. Basically I had a lot of romaine! I often try a restaurant for lunch to see if I want to return for dinner and based on this meal we will not be returning.
(1)
David C.
Erratic and weak service. Forgot to ask if we wanted appetizers. Didn't inform us for 30' that one of the appetizers was no longer available. Gluten free bread arrived 45' into meal after initially being told 10'. Main courses were forgettable, nothing we couldn't prepare at home of equal or superior quality. Wine list was decent and up charges quite fair. But the wine wasn't enough to offset a forgettable meal in an unremarkable but noisy atmosphere. Was much better when we were here a year ago. But with so many missing points of service and food quality, they are not worth a retry.
(2)
Warren L.
This review is of the bathroom. I know, how many times have your read Yelp reviews, and see a bathroom review? We were @ Tav on Valentines day for dinner. I just want to say this is the first restaurant I have been to in a while that has a properly laid out bathroom. Its possible to wash your hands, dry them with paper towels, use the paper towel to open the bathroom door without touching it, and throw the paper towel out. Normally the trash cans in bathrooms (if they even have them -- because of the hot air issue), are not right next to the door. So here, its possible to actually leave the bathroom without having to touch the inside door handle (and thus have clean hands.) The service was slow but we ate at one of the bar booths, and the bartender was busy. They (she?) messed up two of our orders, but gave us one free to make it right.
(4)
Karen M.
Very limited menu, it's price on the high side for being OK.
(2)
Amy Y.
I have never had a bad (or even mediocre for that matter) meal at Tavolinos. The food is creative and delicious and the staff is friendly and efficient. The Prosciutto and Fig pizza (ask them to toss on some spiced or candied walnuts) is amazing! The Roasted Beet Salad is perfectly balanced. Bistecca is perfectly prepared as are all the dishes. The prix menu is a great way to try several things, and in my opinion a deal. Cocktails are creative and satisfying. They also offer take home family dinners that I look forward to trying it some hectic night. Save room, as with everything else, desserts are yummy too!
(5)
G H.
This still my go to place for a good meal close to home. There's no place in Grafton worth eating at so I often find myself dining in Westboro. The meals were great as usual and I must say the service has improved. Our waiter was prompt, attentive and had a great personality. He was training a new waiter and yet that didn't interfere with his ability to provide good service. I like the small dessert options. Get a couple and share!
(4)
Ray S.
Used to be our fav place. The servers need to be more sensitive to special dietary requests and not seem annoyed by questions about the ingredients. Ridiculously slow service with only 5 tables occupied. Server was not knowledgeable about the menu.
(3)
Cindy H.
Food was OK, nothing special. The service was exceptional though. While it took awhile to get the food, the man holding down the bar was extremely polite and attentive. It's pretty pricey for what you get, so I probably won't be coming back.
(3)
Alicia G.
This place is amazing! I sat at the bar last night and I tried the "mocktail". My suggestion to everyone is please try the mocktail. It is sooooo good. I literally drank it within 2 minutes. The best part is that it's nonalcoholic so everyone can have them. For my meal, I had the wild boar. I really liked it. I can't wait to try more food. I highly suggest Tavolinos if you are a person who loves high quality food for perfect prices
(5)
Dale H.
Good service, friendly atmosphere. Our waiter Chris was efficient and very polite. The Caesar salad was excellent, but the crust of the gluten free pizza fell flat of being good. The molten cake was great.
(4)
Brandon D.
So far not a good impression. Made a reservation well in advance for a party of 12 and weve sat here for roughly 2 hours now and weve only had bread 2 apps and only some of us are recieveing drink refils while the rest of the table is being neglected. Servers are nice and kind when spoken to however the resturaunt is severely understaffed for a saturday during lunch rush. Seeing as there are multiple parties going on as well as a fairly filled dining area. Apps seemed okay though. The only that has been served so far though after 2 hours :/
(2)
Tracey I.
Have never had a bad experience here. I've come for lunch during the week with my staff, date night and now Sunday dinner. The 4-course dinner (available 4-10 Monday-Thursday and all day Sunday) with or without wine pairings is a STEAL! Tons of great food and ample portions of wine are well thought and delicious. For the gluten free (which is me), they do really well. This is the only place I've ever found a GF meatball. And while the new recipe has them bigger and therefore a little denser, they are just as good as the smaller, fall apart when you look at them version. GF pizza and many entree options are also available. If you're in the bar area on the weekend, look for Lindsay. Great cocktails and great service will be yours for the effort. This is the only 5-star review I've ever given. That's really all that needs to be said.
(5)
C C.
I love supporting the neighborhood restaurants as I love to eat out every night! I have to say I was thoroughly disappointed tonite with both the service and the food. The menu was not varied, a major hard "pistachio" nut in my pistachio nut farmed salmon. No - oh my gosh I'm so sorry - could I buy you dessert? Sad to say it's off my list - never was a favorite, but never horrible either. Got to say it was uncomfortable, waiters staring and standing, poor service, environment, food all around!...
Omg!! Went here for the first time last night with my family and everything was PERFECT! The caesar salad was nice and fresh with a great dressing and my mom's veal piccatta was delicious, it is hard to find a good piccatta sauce and this one was done just right. I ordered the butternut squash tortellini with cranberries...seriously amazing I don't think I've ordered anything so yummy before! Everyone in our party was so beyond pleased with their meals, the atmosphere, and the service. Our waitress Mallory was so sweet and professional, and the manager came over and even gave us a coupon for the next visit, so nice of her! I hope we have Mallory as our server again next time. I can't wait to bring my boyfriend here soon, will definitely be returning!!
(5)
Laura D.
Me and my boyfriend love it here!!! They sat us in a corner and the service was great! Amazing apps, meal, and desert.
(5)
Eric F.
Food was good. But service was very slow, including the bar. The only fast service was the bus staff clearing plates as soon as a fork was put down.
(3)
Lin M.
We went for a work lunch meeting. They were able to handle our large party of 15 without any misfires. The servers were quick, efficient and pleasant. The food was enjoyed by a... I had the pulled pork sandwich which was surprisingly smoky. When I ordered I wasn't expecting true BBQ flavor but it was there. As a group we decided it was worth a return visit
(4)
Jim M.
Went here for a beer dinner with Jack's Abbey Brewery. The chefs did an amazing job creating dishes that went great with the beer selection. Dinner started off with seared scallops, then a shaved Brussels sprout salad, then Halibut, followed by lamb lollipops (beer was smoke and dagger). All with great beer selections. Dessert was a flourless red chili chocolate cake with blood orange sorbet paired with Hoponious Union. The brewer and chefs explained the pairings. Great spot and the food/beer was excellent!
(5)
Christina K.
I'm not sure why some of the reviews are so positive. We've been here 3 times, and each time, the food has been mediocre at best. We tried different dishes every time we went: Margherita pizza tasted watery, like the tomatoes had been sitting in their own tomato water and put on the pizza while cold, then cooked, leaving them without flavor. The Prosciutto and Fig Marmelatta pizza had a sickly sugary-sweet "balsamic drizzle." The wild boar on the gnocchi was mush. The only highlight is the staff is very nice and gracious - if only the food was as good! We won't be back.
(2)
Stephanie T.
not impressed with food or service. Place was very empty but seems upscale from the outside. Do not be fooled
(1)
Anthony N.
I went with my parents, my brother and his fiance. We had reservations at 6 it wasn't very busy when we showed up, but they filled up soon after. For apps we ordered the grilled artichokes, the calimari, and the wild boar with gnocchi. The artichoke was amazing, I would recommend that. The wild boar with gnocchi was alright, I wasn't too fond of the seasoning, maybe cinnamon? The calimari was good, but a little oily. For an entree I had the veal saltimbocca over fettuchini with grilled asparagus. The veal was wonderful, it wasn't tough like most places, and was cooked perfect. The sauce and pasta tasted great, but the asparagus didn't have too much flavor. All in all this is a wonderful place to go with your family, or on a date. I would definitely go again, and recommend them.
(4)
D J.
The service okay. The server was fairly young in high school or just out of and was not very polished in the menu. Forgivable, not a big deal. He also flubbed a many salad orders with white anchovies instead of the brown I requested and forgetting drinks. Once again not a biggie. I was very under impressed with the food the expedition from the kitchen as it was slow and the meals although arriving at the same time where at different temps. I could tell my steak had been sitting for awhile along with the pasta from another member in our party. The roasted potatoes were in edible, tough, cold and over seasoned. The margherita pizza was very average, not worth the $18 price tag, on par with take out from domino's. Not a place that I look forward to returning.
(2)
Debora P.
The food is delicious food, nice place and a great service by Alexander. I highly recommend this restaurant. I will return more times.
(4)
Geoff G.
2.5 stars, rounded up. While I see the appeal, this place just doesn't do it for me. In the summer, the patio always looks inviting from afar, but disappoints in actual ambiance. They usually have some too-cool-for-school type alt techno music playing, inconsistent service, an underwhelming menu and higher prices than the food quality, portions and location merit. There are way too many places to get mediocre (or better) Italian food in Mass. not to mention within a few blocks of here. Arturo's is better, so is Sabatini et al.
(3)
Latitada H.
Excellent ambience and food. Bonus: outdoor patio. The eggplant bruschetta and the artichoke appetizers were scrumptious! Our entree was a stuffed porkchop, and it, too, was delightful. Only drawback was a seemingly inexperienced bartender, who, albeit friendly, was a little slow on the uptake.
(4)
Chrissy M.
My husband and I had been wanting to try this restaurant out, so when they popped up on Groupon, I just had to get it. I'm glad we did! The service at this restaurant was a 10 all the way around, from when we were greeted at the door all the way until the door was held open for us by the manager on the way out. I don't know if they were trying to revamp their image or what, but let me tell you, this place was attentive. Our waiter, Aleksander, was PHENOMENAL. Professional, helpful, funny, and all around just a great person. He really made our dining experience the best it could be. He made sure our wine was full and that we were comfortable. He was great and if I could have him wait on me at my house, my life would be complete! The food was fantastic. We started with the stuffed fire roasted red pepper, my husbands pick. The cheese was bubbling out of the freshly roasted peppers and the flavors complimented each other extremely well. Slightly smoky and covered in a creamy tomato sauce, this was really an excellent way to start the meal. My husband ordered the chicken saltimbocca and I had the rosemary bourbon steak tips with garlic broccolini and parmesan spinach risotto. I couldn't have asked for a better meal. The steak tips were cooked perfectly to my request of medium rare. The flavoring of the rosemary and bourbon really popped in my mouth. The risotto was perfectly creamy and the broccolini done just right, not too soft or too undercooked. Perfect pairings for the steak in my eyes. My husbands saltimbocca was excellent as well. I ordered a petite dessert, just a tiny version of their regular tiramisu. It was the perfect ending to my meal - just a little something sweet for the palette. Next time I might have to try the real deal, just to enjoy it a little more! I really can't rave enough about this place. We were given a sealed envelope that has a card in it which is worth anywhere from 10% off to 100% off the bill the next time we dine there. We haven't been back yet but I fully intend on returning! The prices are average for a quality restaurant. However, if you are on a budget, they have a pizza menu that isn't outrageous and they looked phenomenal! If you are looking for a great meal with service that makes you feel important, I highly recommend Tavolino!!
(5)
Eric D.
I recently visited this neighborhood spot by myself and had an excellent dining experience that started with Sam my waitress suggesting a great wine to accompany my delicious prosciutto and fig pizza. YUMMY! The Coconut cake topped it off perfectly. I would recommend this restaurant for family get togethers to business dinners and much more .
(5)
Dawn E.
So I've only had apps and drinks here but they've left me wanting more. The wines are pricey but well chosen. The fried cheese is crazy good but the sauce kind of overwhelms it so go easy on the sauce (even thought the sauce is spicy and good too). The meatballs are pretty good but the marinara is DIVINE. Like really good. Service at the bar tables was a bit absentee and my water never saw a refill until I asked for one *with the bill.* Still, this place is worth checking out, and the ambiance is nice and warm. This would be a good place to bring a date after a movie.
(3)
Rita V.
OK, 3.5 to 4, I had to give it a re-try. I needed to go back to resample their menu before I decided whether or not this is a venue worth special events. In the business development phase of my life outside of government,I was working on figuring out a venue for a special event - one for a sales but another for clients. Chef Antonio has grown into his own, and lunch was almost flawless. Wine list is still great, the manager on duty (another Anthony!) was wonderful, our server (Lauren) is a keeper, and the crab cakes are crave-worthy. PLUMP with lump crab, barely any mayo, crispy outside - scrumptious! The salmon on my cesar salad was perfectly medium rare and everything perfectly seasoned. The only issue was the ciabatta roll on my hubbys sandwich - a bit chewy and not crisped, but in general, his ultimate turkey panini was wonderful. Desserts are now small bites, and the chocolate mousse cake was the perfect little bite. So, now I guess I will have to return for those crab cakes, a nice glass of wine and a perfect little piece of sweet heaven that disappears in two bites... I sure hope Lauren is there again! She is a gem. Welcome back Tavolino - its good to see you on the upswing!
(4)
Nicole L.
The waiter (Alexander) remembered us from 4 month earlier and remembered what we had to eat. Very impressive. His service was excellent as before. We had the Tuscan rustic wings. Very different. I would have never thought of these flavor together but it was very good and the dip complimented it well. The crispy ravioli pizza was also ordered because it was so unique. Awesome choice and flavoring together. Artichoke hearts, goat cheese, tomatoes, and fried ravioli's with balsamic drizzle. Another great pizza hit here. Can't wait to try another pizza selection. We mentioned it was our anniversary and our dessert said "happy anniversary". Very nice touch. My experience this time was a 5 star. Based on last time I would give it a 4.5 total. The only down fall is that we will not order entrees here because of the portion size and price. Change that and it will be 5 stars.
(4)
Patty S.
I'll start with the service - it really was amazing and attentive without being overbearing - I was leery from having read the comments and ended up amazed! The artichoke appetizer is fabulous - not vinegary and the artichoke hearts were huge with a perfect texture - the Wild Boar with parmesan gnocchi was wonderful and the guys loved their lamb shank - I order the butternut squash pasta dish because of the rave reviews, but , although the pasta was excellent the dish was too sweet for my taste - not enough earthy fall taste like I usually get with a butternut or pumpkin pasta dish. We hope to make this a regular spot!
(5)
Jacqui P.
The food is good, but not great. I keep coming back because the service has always been amazing.
(4)
Kate P.
Reading recent reviews I was a bit worried. It sounded like service and food had gone downhill, but I had a gift certificate to use and thought we'd give it a go. Service wasn't amazing (it was a slow-ish Monday and our waitress was training) but not notably lacking, either. They have a great 4-course special for $25 with a pretty extensive selection; I assume it's a weeknight thing, but it was pretty impressive. The food....THE FOOD. I got the stuffed pepper for an appetizer, requested the beet salad for my 2nd course (I let them know I was glad to pay whatever for an up charge--I had to have it!), the butternut tortelicci, and a hazelnut chocolate cannoli. My friend had the calamari, a Caesar salad, chicken Marsala, and the tiramisu. standouts were the beet and goat cheese salad, my pasta dish, and the tiramisu. With a bottle of wine and a cappuccino it was a very reasonable total and a great meal. I was pretty pleased and will definitely be back with my husband--I think the fig pizza is in my future. ;-)
(4)
Fanny L.
Writing a review after a couple drinks, is that okay? Anyway, good stiff rum and coke, and my friend ordered a manhattan, which i had never tried before but really liked. Ordered a roasted vegtable wrap that wasnt so good. Too much arugula and not really any "roasted" flavor. French fries lack seasoning. All around decent experience.
(3)
B B.
Went in for a group lunch...it was my first time and it was a wow! We had a private room and the service was great. The food was so very good - can't wait to go back for dinner. Thank you so much!
(4)
Daniel P.
I've been here a few times and each time has been excellent. The service is very prompt without being pushy, and all of the servers are friendly with actual personalities. The wine selection is quite extensive for the area, and I HIGHLY recommend the Manhattan if you like a great cocktail. The best dish I've had thus far is the lamb shank, it is braised, juicy, and a great piece of meat. For your first visit, I recommend going with the four course menu, it gives you a good variation. Also, add the wine pairing for only 11.95, it is WELL worth the extra cost. All in all, I will certainly be back every so often.
(4)
Darlene B.
I utilized Tavolino's catering service today and it was awesome. The food was excellent, the staff was super knowledgeable and equally friendly and I really wished I could give them 5 more stars. They would be an excellent choice to cater any large occasion. Especially those where you have guests with special needs, ie. gluten free!!!!
(5)
Amy H.
Went there with my mother for a post-Christmas dinner before she went back home. Sunday through Thursday they have a four-course prix-fixe menu that we both got. Since the portions are smaller, it actually was the perfect amount of food. We didn't get the wine-pairing but I probably would have done that if I had noticed it in time. Really well-priced and the food was fantastic! The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars was because the service left a little to be desired, although overall I thought the service was good. If I could do 4.5 stars I would. I'll definitely go back!
(4)
Adam T.
Brought Dad to Tavolino for Father's Day. We went at 4pm just as dinner was beginning and despite being one of only a few in the place the service was fairly slow. We had one app followed by dinner and spent nearly 90 minutes there. The decor was very modern and the atmosphere pleasant. We got the calamari first and it was very good. Definitely fresh ingredients perfectly cooked and a large portion. Next came the veal marsala and steak tip and mushroom pasta. Neither dish came with the fresh artisanal creste di gallo but they were happy to swap it in. Most pastas are interchangeable no matter where you go but whenever you are able to get homemade pasta it's a no brainer and was nice to see no up-charge for it on the bill. It was thick and hearty and with an old school design to it. Delicious! The steak was slightly over cooked and b/c it was part of a pasta dish there wasn't much of it, maybe one large tip sliced thin. The veal however was very tender and the pieces plump. No skimping there. Also worth noting, the steak tip pasta came with a gorgonzola cream sauce but they had no objections to making it a roasted garlic cream sauce for me instead. Overall, I did enjoy the Tavolino experience and would come again for a special occasion but it is pricey and like I said the service was a little slow. The waitress although fairly attentive to our ordering didn't come back frequently enough to even refill our drinks, but it was clearly the kitchen which held up how quickly the food came out. If that's how it is from 4-5:30 then I wonder what its like during busier dinner hours.
(3)
Sonia J.
Restaurant had a trendy but relaxing atmosphere. The food was delicious and came hot. Dessert was okay. I would definitely go back again because the food was so good! Waiter was super nice and very attentive. I would have given it 5 stars had the dessert been a little better.
(4)
Jillian M.
Been here 2-3 times for lunch over the past year and haven't had a bad experience. Over time, co-workers and I have tried the calamari, steak salad, soup specials, pizza's, various pastas and even once I was craving veal saltimbocca and it's on the dinner menu but they made it up as a lunch portion which was great! Everything we've had here has been exceptional and the service is solid and outstanding. I would love to stop in here after work sometime for dinner to see if it's the same during lunch!
(4)
Barbara S.
For the first time in my Groupon Life, I was not treated like a second class citizen! Tavolino was very busy. They have a wonderful menu. We ordered the soup of the day, it was not anything special and the Caesar Salad, very tasty dressing. We also tried the Polpette Al Forno, homemade meatballs with the house marinara & fresh parmesan. The sauce had a sweet taste to it; we approved. For the main course, my husband and I shared the 18 oz Bone- in Angus Delmonico with mushroom marsala sauce and two sides. All in all, we enjoyed our evening.
(4)
Binki D.
I have been to Tavolino about 8 times and had all variety of experiences there. From an obviously drunk man who was hitting on everyone in site (including me , while I stopped in to get gift certificates) to very good to being left out on the patio for a 2 hour+ lunch (hostage is more like it) to a great family meal. A hair on the fries was remedied by the waiter by removing it and setting the plate down , until we reminded him to take the pale and throw away the fries! (Okay he was very young, inexperienced) Tonight we had the BEST time of all. Superb service . All staff working including the manger constantly, but not overbearing . Excellent food and presentation. The place was busy and all the food came out on time and really HOT! A big plus with us. We feel like this place finally has it right. I am so glad. I look forward to many more dinners here. I hope Lee Ann is there for a long time. I only gave it four stars because of previous visits that have had spotty service, food. By the way...the manager handled the drunk man wonderfully in a bad situation. Refusing him more drinks and speaking to him out of range of other guests. Big points for that tact. )
(4)
Hope L.
Have had a couple of great experiences here. Great staff, especially the ginger assistant manager Allie! First time I went my drink was strong, and the bartender fixed it up perfect no problem! Food was great- DEFINITELY recommend both the fried ravioli pizza and mushroom pasta (sorry I forget the real names). They have live music on weekends- I saw this Boston band play there, they were great! The atmosphere in this place is wonderful; makes you feel warm and welcome in the cold winter. It also has a homey feel, like many of the people are regulars- but whether regulars or not, the staff aims to please all!
(5)
Sean M.
3.333 Stars Missed another first review because I wanted to be fair and get a few visits under my belt. This establishment is 1.3 miles from my house, and it is certainly a welcomed addition to the dinning scene here in town. As I mentioned I went just after they opened and there are always kinks to be worked out. With that in mind... The room has a slightly quixotic layout but that is the due to the floor plan, and I think they make good use of the space. The bar is quite nice with decent seating options including a nice "gangsta-booth" towards the back. There is also a Sushi-styled Pizza Bar where you can watch they chefs, a nice idea. The dinning room is slightly problematic, I would not take tables near the head of the room, the tables farther back are more intimate. They have televisions almost everywhere, including the dinning area. I like that my wife thought it wasn't a good idea. The food is a version of Italian that is not that authentic but it isn't Olive Garden-esque either. Dishes that should have more robust flavors are somewhat muted. A prime example of this the Osso Bucco, the meat should have been more tender and the dish lacked seasoning, it didn't pop for me. The Chicken Parmesan is less successful because it is caught in limbo between "Upscale New American Italian" and "Ma and Pa Red Sauce Italian". I felt they should follow through with the former and shun giving a nod to the later. The pizza offerings are a strong suit here, again it isn't NY Style and it isn't quite traditional Neapolitan, but melding of the two. The Margherita Pizza was interesting but we are beginning to favor their plain cheese. The pizza does make the take-out rotation when we need an escape from Greek pizza or Papa Ginos. The two best things on the menu so far for me are the pappardelle bolognese and the wild boar appetizer. Both these dishes demonstrate the "concept" they are shooting for with excellent results. Deserts here are a bit lack luster and perhaps the low bar on the execution scale. The bartending staff is first class, the hostesses and dining room staff are courteous but inexperienced. I'm hoping with time they can develop the service, especially in the dining room to a level that matches these prices. Clearly it is lack of experience and training. The bus boy who brought my Osso Bucco announced it as "some sort of pork". They have a decent B+/B wine list and knowledgeable bar/management people, but the dinning servers could use some training in handling and perhaps a few employee tastings are in order so they know the product. If you are running a chain even a mini-chain a strong training program is a must. * great bar, ample beer and wine choices at reasonable mark up. * by the glass pours are quite generous * better lunch choice * reservations are actually a good idea for dinner. * it's part of a local chain * makes "Upscaled New American Italian" a new category?
(3)
Rolo C.
The restaurant has very nice decor, modern, and clean. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Everything other than the food was good. I've read good things about their pizza and tried the Italian sausage. It is super salty and not very good. Even the appetizers weren't good. I won't be going back again.
(2)
P.j. A.
First time at this location . I usually go to the Patriot Place. The pizza hardly had anything on it . I would not go back. Not a good bang for the buck last night.
(2)
Angela B.
I see that some of the other reviewers here aren't glowing with their remarks but I have to say, I liked this place. We have been twice and both times the pizza was delicious, the service was great and the wine- very nice. There aren't a whole lot of choices in these parts and I appreciate this one.
(4)
Jenny C.
Meals are always great! We had our rehearsal dinner at the Patriot's Place location and go to the Westboro location for dinner once in a while. The food is fresh, the service is great, and it's always consistent. I really enjoy the Chicken Saltimboca and the Scallop dish.
(5)
gus w.
we decided, last minute to get out for dinner on a Saturday night, and quickly hit opentable to gamble our night away. We'd seen this place on the Chronicle special, and thought we'd give it a whirl.....they also had a 730 reservation open, which sealed the deal and we fff to the really depressing and empty bay-state plaza in Westborough. We ordered drinks and appetizers at the same time (my wife had the Tomato soup, I the cesar) and oddly, they came before our drinks. I was actually done with my salad before my beer arrived. We went thinking we wanted appetizers, but the big ass pizza oven and the 30 selections changed our minds, and we split a chicken and mushroom pizza. It was outstanding. Lots of meat, mushrooms and tomoatoe's piled onto a perfectly cooked crust. The place felt a little funky though, like 3 seperate designers each took a piece of the resturant and then stuck it all together. Despite the goofy service, the food was good and we'll be heading back for another try.
(3)
Bill K.
Good bar food. Very good take out pizza. Reasonable prices. Four stars for value provided.
(4)
Margo O.
Have dined there twice. Very nice atmosphere. Service is prompt and courteous. Food was excellent! The beet salad (one of my favorites) was perhaps the best version I've experienced. The spinach and mushroom ravioli is excellent too. My son was served chicken parmesan (which he reported was delicious) that was more like 2 dinners for the price of one!? This restaurant is a great addition to Westboro!
(4)
Sandy B.
Tavolino was a very nice night out for my husband and me. We made reservations (Saturday night at 7) not sure if we would need them or not, but when we arrived there were multiple parties waiting. We got there about 10 minutes early and the hostess apologized for not having a table ready for us and gave us a pager. We waited maybe five minutes and were paged and brought to a table in the corner of the restaurant. Our waitress was pleasant and professional. We ordered the bottle of wine they recommended and when we were only able to have a glass each, she happily bagged it for us so we could take it home. We started with calamari - my husbands choice, but I have to admit it was delicious. We each had a spinach salad, which was the highlight of the meal for me. It was perfectly dressed. We finished the meal with the sweet potato pizza - a creation I had never tried before. While it was good, I probably wouldn't order that again, the flavors just didn't work for me. As for the space itself, it is smaller than it seems like it should be and the tables are close together so it gets pretty loud. They did a nice job with the layout of the tables to help with the oddly shaped room, but getting up to go to the ladies room, I had to dodge in and out of tables to make sure I didn't bother any other diners or walk into the wait staff. All in all, a nice place - we'll be back esp for the spinach salad.
(4)
David G.
Been there three times since they opened, with the most recent trip on Dec. 28. Two of our three visits have been lackluster, marred by such issues as cold entrees, inattentive service, and middling though relatively expensive food. On the plus side, it has a pleasant ambiance that I would describe as a hybrid of trendy and traditional. The best thing I ate there was one of their gourmet pizzas, but don't think this is enough to lure me back.
(2)
Bill K.
4 stars for the bar food and pizza and reasonable prices.
(4)
joe m.
I was happy to see another new restaurant added to the Commons, and wanted to give Tavolino a try. We walked down and sat at the bar to grab a quick lunch and a drink. Turns out, the lunch took about 20 minutes to come out (I ordered a Caesar wrap). Needless to say, I was a little disappointed with the time it took for the food to come out. The food was pretty good though, and the bar was loaded with TVs (big plus). I will certainly give this place another shot sometime once they get a little more established.
(3)
B M.
Okay, nothing too great. Theplace is set up weird, very confused on what the theme is. Pretty cool, packed little bar there., very lively on the weekend nights. Have tried a couple pasta dishes. Not bad, nothing rememberable though either. It has only been a few weeks and I already forgot what I had there. I have tried many of the pizzas and they are usually a little above average. All in all the place is okay, the bar is cool, they have outdoor seating and the food seems to be okay to slightly above average, the layout is terrible though. The service has been okay when I am there, so I can't complain too much. Hopefully they will hit a homerun with the food the next time I am there. There is just so little in the way of options in Boston and the western area of Boston, I guess I might go back by default.
(3)
Phil K.
This is my second review of Tavolino. We had been impressed but now on our fourth visit we find some recurring themes. Our first visit was so nice it has taken a while to sour my view and we are sad - we want this place to succeed and yet, it's not always crowded as in our first couple of visits and it seems we are seeing why. The wait staff is not well trained and may not really understand the concept of service. For two of our previous visits, our server was outstanding. Now, based on two other visits it's clear she was one of few exceptions. Examples. This week, Sunday Brunch. No black tea - this is a recurring issue at Tavolino and each time they don't have plain old caffeinated black tea I'm told that many people mention this. I suggested they take a walk to the grocery store and buy some - the server may have thought I was joking. They have ignored my and other patrons request for an item that any other restaurant has. Maple syrup - the real kind from a tree - is offered on the menu for an upcharge. We asked if they had any today and were assured they did. Two of us (the syrup snobs) ordered breakfast that would compliment syrup. The syrup came and was not real. We told the server who looked at us and said - that's all we have for syrup. It didn't even occur to her to cover for the fact that she had already said they had it. Thjis server assumed that the patron can't tell the difference. We can. The food is really quite good but it is expensive and we don't get the service I expect for that price. It was a disappointing visit, an expensive, disappointing visit. We had come to show off the place to our son and his new wife. We should have gone to a diner.
(2)
Ed L.
2.5 Stars We were really looking forward to this new addition to the local dining scene, but left somewhat disappointed... The crowd was impressive (2 deep at the bar when we walked in), but that didn't deter the bar staff from providing us with excellent service. The bartender immediately recognized us as new arrivals and took our order immediately without the usual awkward wait and reach between people at the bar. Before long, the crowd cleared and we settled into a nice visit with friends that had joined us. We were seated promptly at our reservation time, but noticed immediately that the same level of service didn't follow through into the dining room. The floor staff just wasn't as polished or professional as the bar staff was. Timing was all good, but something seemed a little 'off' - exemplified by when the kid who brought our dinners wasn't sure what the meals were and didn't have a clue of who ordered what. The menu offered some diverse and interesting options, but my wife decided to play it safe and order Chick Parmigiana (since that's a basic dish she likes to judge new restaurants by). She was disappointed. On the other hand, I ordered an interesting Veal Steak special which had great flavor but for the money wasn't a very edible cut of meat (and looked like it had sat too long before being expedited to the table). The other members of our party ordered a Fish Special (Mahi Mahi) and Mediterranean chicken, and both were happy with their meals. The appetizers were good, with some unique choices available, and I do expect to return to try out the Pizza options. But no matter how much I'd like to, I won't be ordering desert again. It seems the chef is committed to doing a lot of things right while offering some adventurous and tasty meals. I would suggest they eliminate or modify the offering their heart's not into, and get the staff motivated to carry the commitment to good food and service beyond the bar and onto the floor. All the little things that were 'a little off' ended up having a much bigger impact than one might expect. Some minor adjustments would warrant a 4 star review.
(2)
Stephanie K.
This place is one of my favorites! Awesome atmosphere and a really creative menu. Large wine selection and delicious homemade bread. Everything I have ordered is something I would come back for. I especially love the sweet potato gnocchi, steak and fire-grilled pizzas.
(4)
Donna M.
Tried this restaurant for lunch and was very disappointed. I had the Mediterranean salad with an addition of grilled chicken. The salad was meager and the chicken was a small portion as well. I paid over $23 with the tip and tax for a very mediocre lunch. Basically I had a lot of romaine! I often try a restaurant for lunch to see if I want to return for dinner and based on this meal we will not be returning.
(1)
David C.
Erratic and weak service. Forgot to ask if we wanted appetizers. Didn't inform us for 30' that one of the appetizers was no longer available. Gluten free bread arrived 45' into meal after initially being told 10'. Main courses were forgettable, nothing we couldn't prepare at home of equal or superior quality. Wine list was decent and up charges quite fair. But the wine wasn't enough to offset a forgettable meal in an unremarkable but noisy atmosphere. Was much better when we were here a year ago. But with so many missing points of service and food quality, they are not worth a retry.
(2)
Warren L.
This review is of the bathroom. I know, how many times have your read Yelp reviews, and see a bathroom review? We were @ Tav on Valentines day for dinner. I just want to say this is the first restaurant I have been to in a while that has a properly laid out bathroom. Its possible to wash your hands, dry them with paper towels, use the paper towel to open the bathroom door without touching it, and throw the paper towel out. Normally the trash cans in bathrooms (if they even have them -- because of the hot air issue), are not right next to the door. So here, its possible to actually leave the bathroom without having to touch the inside door handle (and thus have clean hands.) The service was slow but we ate at one of the bar booths, and the bartender was busy. They (she?) messed up two of our orders, but gave us one free to make it right.
(4)
Karen M.
Very limited menu, it's price on the high side for being OK.
(2)
Amy Y.
I have never had a bad (or even mediocre for that matter) meal at Tavolinos. The food is creative and delicious and the staff is friendly and efficient. The Prosciutto and Fig pizza (ask them to toss on some spiced or candied walnuts) is amazing! The Roasted Beet Salad is perfectly balanced. Bistecca is perfectly prepared as are all the dishes. The prix menu is a great way to try several things, and in my opinion a deal. Cocktails are creative and satisfying. They also offer take home family dinners that I look forward to trying it some hectic night. Save room, as with everything else, desserts are yummy too!
(5)
G H.
This still my go to place for a good meal close to home. There's no place in Grafton worth eating at so I often find myself dining in Westboro. The meals were great as usual and I must say the service has improved. Our waiter was prompt, attentive and had a great personality. He was training a new waiter and yet that didn't interfere with his ability to provide good service. I like the small dessert options. Get a couple and share!
(4)
Ray S.
Used to be our fav place. The servers need to be more sensitive to special dietary requests and not seem annoyed by questions about the ingredients. Ridiculously slow service with only 5 tables occupied. Server was not knowledgeable about the menu.
(3)
Cindy H.
Food was OK, nothing special. The service was exceptional though. While it took awhile to get the food, the man holding down the bar was extremely polite and attentive. It's pretty pricey for what you get, so I probably won't be coming back.
(3)
Alicia G.
This place is amazing! I sat at the bar last night and I tried the "mocktail". My suggestion to everyone is please try the mocktail. It is sooooo good. I literally drank it within 2 minutes. The best part is that it's nonalcoholic so everyone can have them. For my meal, I had the wild boar. I really liked it. I can't wait to try more food. I highly suggest Tavolinos if you are a person who loves high quality food for perfect prices
(5)
Dale H.
Good service, friendly atmosphere. Our waiter Chris was efficient and very polite. The Caesar salad was excellent, but the crust of the gluten free pizza fell flat of being good. The molten cake was great.
(4)
Brandon D.
So far not a good impression. Made a reservation well in advance for a party of 12 and weve sat here for roughly 2 hours now and weve only had bread 2 apps and only some of us are recieveing drink refils while the rest of the table is being neglected. Servers are nice and kind when spoken to however the resturaunt is severely understaffed for a saturday during lunch rush. Seeing as there are multiple parties going on as well as a fairly filled dining area. Apps seemed okay though. The only that has been served so far though after 2 hours :/
(2)
Eric F.
Food was good. But service was very slow, including the bar. The only fast service was the bus staff clearing plates as soon as a fork was put down.
(3)
Lin M.
We went for a work lunch meeting. They were able to handle our large party of 15 without any misfires. The servers were quick, efficient and pleasant. The food was enjoyed by a... I had the pulled pork sandwich which was surprisingly smoky. When I ordered I wasn't expecting true BBQ flavor but it was there. As a group we decided it was worth a return visit
(4)
Jim M.
Went here for a beer dinner with Jack's Abbey Brewery. The chefs did an amazing job creating dishes that went great with the beer selection. Dinner started off with seared scallops, then a shaved Brussels sprout salad, then Halibut, followed by lamb lollipops (beer was smoke and dagger). All with great beer selections. Dessert was a flourless red chili chocolate cake with blood orange sorbet paired with Hoponious Union. The brewer and chefs explained the pairings. Great spot and the food/beer was excellent!
(5)
Tracey I.
Have never had a bad experience here. I've come for lunch during the week with my staff, date night and now Sunday dinner. The 4-course dinner (available 4-10 Monday-Thursday and all day Sunday) with or without wine pairings is a STEAL! Tons of great food and ample portions of wine are well thought and delicious. For the gluten free (which is me), they do really well. This is the only place I've ever found a GF meatball. And while the new recipe has them bigger and therefore a little denser, they are just as good as the smaller, fall apart when you look at them version. GF pizza and many entree options are also available. If you're in the bar area on the weekend, look for Lindsay. Great cocktails and great service will be yours for the effort. This is the only 5-star review I've ever given. That's really all that needs to be said.
(5)
C C.
I love supporting the neighborhood restaurants as I love to eat out every night! I have to say I was thoroughly disappointed tonite with both the service and the food. The menu was not varied, a major hard "pistachio" nut in my pistachio nut farmed salmon. No - oh my gosh I'm so sorry - could I buy you dessert? Sad to say it's off my list - never was a favorite, but never horrible either. Got to say it was uncomfortable, waiters staring and standing, poor service, environment, food all around!...
Omg!! Went here for the first time last night with my family and everything was PERFECT! The caesar salad was nice and fresh with a great dressing and my mom's veal piccatta was delicious, it is hard to find a good piccatta sauce and this one was done just right. I ordered the butternut squash tortellini with cranberries...seriously amazing I don't think I've ordered anything so yummy before! Everyone in our party was so beyond pleased with their meals, the atmosphere, and the service. Our waitress Mallory was so sweet and professional, and the manager came over and even gave us a coupon for the next visit, so nice of her! I hope we have Mallory as our server again next time. I can't wait to bring my boyfriend here soon, will definitely be returning!!
(5)
Laura D.
Me and my boyfriend love it here!!! They sat us in a corner and the service was great! Amazing apps, meal, and desert.
(5)
Christina K.
I'm not sure why some of the reviews are so positive. We've been here 3 times, and each time, the food has been mediocre at best. We tried different dishes every time we went: Margherita pizza tasted watery, like the tomatoes had been sitting in their own tomato water and put on the pizza while cold, then cooked, leaving them without flavor. The Prosciutto and Fig Marmelatta pizza had a sickly sugary-sweet "balsamic drizzle." The wild boar on the gnocchi was mush. The only highlight is the staff is very nice and gracious - if only the food was as good! We won't be back.
(2)
Stephanie T.
not impressed with food or service. Place was very empty but seems upscale from the outside. Do not be fooled
(1)
Anthony N.
I went with my parents, my brother and his fiance. We had reservations at 6 it wasn't very busy when we showed up, but they filled up soon after. For apps we ordered the grilled artichokes, the calimari, and the wild boar with gnocchi. The artichoke was amazing, I would recommend that. The wild boar with gnocchi was alright, I wasn't too fond of the seasoning, maybe cinnamon? The calimari was good, but a little oily. For an entree I had the veal saltimbocca over fettuchini with grilled asparagus. The veal was wonderful, it wasn't tough like most places, and was cooked perfect. The sauce and pasta tasted great, but the asparagus didn't have too much flavor. All in all this is a wonderful place to go with your family, or on a date. I would definitely go again, and recommend them.
(4)
D J.
The service okay. The server was fairly young in high school or just out of and was not very polished in the menu. Forgivable, not a big deal. He also flubbed a many salad orders with white anchovies instead of the brown I requested and forgetting drinks. Once again not a biggie. I was very under impressed with the food the expedition from the kitchen as it was slow and the meals although arriving at the same time where at different temps. I could tell my steak had been sitting for awhile along with the pasta from another member in our party. The roasted potatoes were in edible, tough, cold and over seasoned. The margherita pizza was very average, not worth the $18 price tag, on par with take out from domino's. Not a place that I look forward to returning.
(2)
Debora P.
The food is delicious food, nice place and a great service by Alexander. I highly recommend this restaurant. I will return more times.
(4)
Amy H.
Went there with my mother for a post-Christmas dinner before she went back home. Sunday through Thursday they have a four-course prix-fixe menu that we both got. Since the portions are smaller, it actually was the perfect amount of food. We didn't get the wine-pairing but I probably would have done that if I had noticed it in time. Really well-priced and the food was fantastic! The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars was because the service left a little to be desired, although overall I thought the service was good. If I could do 4.5 stars I would. I'll definitely go back!
(4)
Chrissy M.
My husband and I had been wanting to try this restaurant out, so when they popped up on Groupon, I just had to get it. I'm glad we did! The service at this restaurant was a 10 all the way around, from when we were greeted at the door all the way until the door was held open for us by the manager on the way out. I don't know if they were trying to revamp their image or what, but let me tell you, this place was attentive. Our waiter, Aleksander, was PHENOMENAL. Professional, helpful, funny, and all around just a great person. He really made our dining experience the best it could be. He made sure our wine was full and that we were comfortable. He was great and if I could have him wait on me at my house, my life would be complete! The food was fantastic. We started with the stuffed fire roasted red pepper, my husbands pick. The cheese was bubbling out of the freshly roasted peppers and the flavors complimented each other extremely well. Slightly smoky and covered in a creamy tomato sauce, this was really an excellent way to start the meal. My husband ordered the chicken saltimbocca and I had the rosemary bourbon steak tips with garlic broccolini and parmesan spinach risotto. I couldn't have asked for a better meal. The steak tips were cooked perfectly to my request of medium rare. The flavoring of the rosemary and bourbon really popped in my mouth. The risotto was perfectly creamy and the broccolini done just right, not too soft or too undercooked. Perfect pairings for the steak in my eyes. My husbands saltimbocca was excellent as well. I ordered a petite dessert, just a tiny version of their regular tiramisu. It was the perfect ending to my meal - just a little something sweet for the palette. Next time I might have to try the real deal, just to enjoy it a little more! I really can't rave enough about this place. We were given a sealed envelope that has a card in it which is worth anywhere from 10% off to 100% off the bill the next time we dine there. We haven't been back yet but I fully intend on returning! The prices are average for a quality restaurant. However, if you are on a budget, they have a pizza menu that isn't outrageous and they looked phenomenal! If you are looking for a great meal with service that makes you feel important, I highly recommend Tavolino!!
(5)
Eric D.
I recently visited this neighborhood spot by myself and had an excellent dining experience that started with Sam my waitress suggesting a great wine to accompany my delicious prosciutto and fig pizza. YUMMY! The Coconut cake topped it off perfectly. I would recommend this restaurant for family get togethers to business dinners and much more .
(5)
Dawn E.
So I've only had apps and drinks here but they've left me wanting more. The wines are pricey but well chosen. The fried cheese is crazy good but the sauce kind of overwhelms it so go easy on the sauce (even thought the sauce is spicy and good too). The meatballs are pretty good but the marinara is DIVINE. Like really good. Service at the bar tables was a bit absentee and my water never saw a refill until I asked for one *with the bill.* Still, this place is worth checking out, and the ambiance is nice and warm. This would be a good place to bring a date after a movie.
(3)
Rita V.
OK, 3.5 to 4, I had to give it a re-try. I needed to go back to resample their menu before I decided whether or not this is a venue worth special events. In the business development phase of my life outside of government,I was working on figuring out a venue for a special event - one for a sales but another for clients. Chef Antonio has grown into his own, and lunch was almost flawless. Wine list is still great, the manager on duty (another Anthony!) was wonderful, our server (Lauren) is a keeper, and the crab cakes are crave-worthy. PLUMP with lump crab, barely any mayo, crispy outside - scrumptious! The salmon on my cesar salad was perfectly medium rare and everything perfectly seasoned. The only issue was the ciabatta roll on my hubbys sandwich - a bit chewy and not crisped, but in general, his ultimate turkey panini was wonderful. Desserts are now small bites, and the chocolate mousse cake was the perfect little bite. So, now I guess I will have to return for those crab cakes, a nice glass of wine and a perfect little piece of sweet heaven that disappears in two bites... I sure hope Lauren is there again! She is a gem. Welcome back Tavolino - its good to see you on the upswing!
(4)
Nicole L.
The waiter (Alexander) remembered us from 4 month earlier and remembered what we had to eat. Very impressive. His service was excellent as before. We had the Tuscan rustic wings. Very different. I would have never thought of these flavor together but it was very good and the dip complimented it well. The crispy ravioli pizza was also ordered because it was so unique. Awesome choice and flavoring together. Artichoke hearts, goat cheese, tomatoes, and fried ravioli's with balsamic drizzle. Another great pizza hit here. Can't wait to try another pizza selection. We mentioned it was our anniversary and our dessert said "happy anniversary". Very nice touch. My experience this time was a 5 star. Based on last time I would give it a 4.5 total. The only down fall is that we will not order entrees here because of the portion size and price. Change that and it will be 5 stars.
(4)
Patty S.
I'll start with the service - it really was amazing and attentive without being overbearing - I was leery from having read the comments and ended up amazed! The artichoke appetizer is fabulous - not vinegary and the artichoke hearts were huge with a perfect texture - the Wild Boar with parmesan gnocchi was wonderful and the guys loved their lamb shank - I order the butternut squash pasta dish because of the rave reviews, but , although the pasta was excellent the dish was too sweet for my taste - not enough earthy fall taste like I usually get with a butternut or pumpkin pasta dish. We hope to make this a regular spot!
(5)
Darlene B.
I utilized Tavolino's catering service today and it was awesome. The food was excellent, the staff was super knowledgeable and equally friendly and I really wished I could give them 5 more stars. They would be an excellent choice to cater any large occasion. Especially those where you have guests with special needs, ie. gluten free!!!!
(5)
Kate P.
Reading recent reviews I was a bit worried. It sounded like service and food had gone downhill, but I had a gift certificate to use and thought we'd give it a go. Service wasn't amazing (it was a slow-ish Monday and our waitress was training) but not notably lacking, either. They have a great 4-course special for $25 with a pretty extensive selection; I assume it's a weeknight thing, but it was pretty impressive. The food....THE FOOD. I got the stuffed pepper for an appetizer, requested the beet salad for my 2nd course (I let them know I was glad to pay whatever for an up charge--I had to have it!), the butternut tortelicci, and a hazelnut chocolate cannoli. My friend had the calamari, a Caesar salad, chicken Marsala, and the tiramisu. standouts were the beet and goat cheese salad, my pasta dish, and the tiramisu. With a bottle of wine and a cappuccino it was a very reasonable total and a great meal. I was pretty pleased and will definitely be back with my husband--I think the fig pizza is in my future. ;-)
(4)
Fanny L.
Writing a review after a couple drinks, is that okay? Anyway, good stiff rum and coke, and my friend ordered a manhattan, which i had never tried before but really liked. Ordered a roasted vegtable wrap that wasnt so good. Too much arugula and not really any "roasted" flavor. French fries lack seasoning. All around decent experience.
(3)
B B.
Went in for a group lunch...it was my first time and it was a wow! We had a private room and the service was great. The food was so very good - can't wait to go back for dinner. Thank you so much!
(4)
Daniel P.
I've been here a few times and each time has been excellent. The service is very prompt without being pushy, and all of the servers are friendly with actual personalities. The wine selection is quite extensive for the area, and I HIGHLY recommend the Manhattan if you like a great cocktail. The best dish I've had thus far is the lamb shank, it is braised, juicy, and a great piece of meat. For your first visit, I recommend going with the four course menu, it gives you a good variation. Also, add the wine pairing for only 11.95, it is WELL worth the extra cost. All in all, I will certainly be back every so often.
(4)
Jacqui P.
The food is good, but not great. I keep coming back because the service has always been amazing.
(4)
Geoff G.
2.5 stars, rounded up. While I see the appeal, this place just doesn't do it for me. In the summer, the patio always looks inviting from afar, but disappoints in actual ambiance. They usually have some too-cool-for-school type alt techno music playing, inconsistent service, an underwhelming menu and higher prices than the food quality, portions and location merit. There are way too many places to get mediocre (or better) Italian food in Mass. not to mention within a few blocks of here. Arturo's is better, so is Sabatini et al.
(3)
Latitada H.
Excellent ambience and food. Bonus: outdoor patio. The eggplant bruschetta and the artichoke appetizers were scrumptious! Our entree was a stuffed porkchop, and it, too, was delightful. Only drawback was a seemingly inexperienced bartender, who, albeit friendly, was a little slow on the uptake.
(4)
Adam T.
Brought Dad to Tavolino for Father's Day. We went at 4pm just as dinner was beginning and despite being one of only a few in the place the service was fairly slow. We had one app followed by dinner and spent nearly 90 minutes there. The decor was very modern and the atmosphere pleasant. We got the calamari first and it was very good. Definitely fresh ingredients perfectly cooked and a large portion. Next came the veal marsala and steak tip and mushroom pasta. Neither dish came with the fresh artisanal creste di gallo but they were happy to swap it in. Most pastas are interchangeable no matter where you go but whenever you are able to get homemade pasta it's a no brainer and was nice to see no up-charge for it on the bill. It was thick and hearty and with an old school design to it. Delicious! The steak was slightly over cooked and b/c it was part of a pasta dish there wasn't much of it, maybe one large tip sliced thin. The veal however was very tender and the pieces plump. No skimping there. Also worth noting, the steak tip pasta came with a gorgonzola cream sauce but they had no objections to making it a roasted garlic cream sauce for me instead. Overall, I did enjoy the Tavolino experience and would come again for a special occasion but it is pricey and like I said the service was a little slow. The waitress although fairly attentive to our ordering didn't come back frequently enough to even refill our drinks, but it was clearly the kitchen which held up how quickly the food came out. If that's how it is from 4-5:30 then I wonder what its like during busier dinner hours.
(3)
Sonia J.
Restaurant had a trendy but relaxing atmosphere. The food was delicious and came hot. Dessert was okay. I would definitely go back again because the food was so good! Waiter was super nice and very attentive. I would have given it 5 stars had the dessert been a little better.
(4)
Jillian M.
Been here 2-3 times for lunch over the past year and haven't had a bad experience. Over time, co-workers and I have tried the calamari, steak salad, soup specials, pizza's, various pastas and even once I was craving veal saltimbocca and it's on the dinner menu but they made it up as a lunch portion which was great! Everything we've had here has been exceptional and the service is solid and outstanding. I would love to stop in here after work sometime for dinner to see if it's the same during lunch!
(4)
Barbara S.
For the first time in my Groupon Life, I was not treated like a second class citizen! Tavolino was very busy. They have a wonderful menu. We ordered the soup of the day, it was not anything special and the Caesar Salad, very tasty dressing. We also tried the Polpette Al Forno, homemade meatballs with the house marinara & fresh parmesan. The sauce had a sweet taste to it; we approved. For the main course, my husband and I shared the 18 oz Bone- in Angus Delmonico with mushroom marsala sauce and two sides. All in all, we enjoyed our evening.
(4)
Mike S.
We had been here two years ago and were not impressed. Tonight, we joined 4 friends and the result was the same. The bartender told me the executive Cheif was new and so was the menu. Unfortunately, the food was not any better. The food came out room temperature and had very little flavor. I had the Italian family style special with appetizer, salad, main course and desert. Appetizer of mussels was ok. Salad was lame. Steak tips were mediocre, spinach risotto was terrible. Chocolate cake for desert was so so. I would give it no more then 2 stars. Arturo's in Westborough is a much better choice in Westborough. If you want good Italian food try Mare e Monte in Worcester on Wall Street. It is the best and by far the freshest ingredients every day. Mike
(2)
Steve B.
Fried Calamari was excellent. 10/10 The drink my girlfriend got was pretty good (white sangria I think) Everyone raved about the ceasar salad and it tasted like a CEASAR SALAD. The Pizza was below average. Plain, thin, and nothing better than a greasy-box delivery place. Service was excellent. Waitress was quick, knowledgeable, and polite as were the several people who helped serve us. 10/10 there The most fun was the $90 check....yup...1 pizza, 2 side salads, 2 drinks, 1 app, tip = $95 Overall, I'd go back if I wasn't paying and I didn't want pizza.
(3)
Elizabeth A.
Last week a friend and I had dinner at Tavolinos and must say it was delicious. Our server Christopher went out of his way to make sure we were happy. The food was good (and I love to cook) the portions were large enough to take half home, and the service was delightful!!
(5)
Bill W.
We decided to try a new place and this one had some great reviews, we were not disappointed. We went in casual dress (jeans) and felt a bit intimidated when we walked in; they asked if we wanted to sit in the dining room or a booth in the bar and we decided to play it safe and go with the bar. The menu was very nice and offered great appetizers, salads, pizzas, and entrees. We ordered Cesar Salads and a pizza; there was an incredible pizza selection. We went with the fried ravioli pizza; it is a white pizza with artichoke hearts, pesto, fresh tomato, and fried ravioli. The food was very good - they bring out bread wedges with an oil and parmesan dipping sauce (tasty but the bread was a little stale) - next the salads, I have to say the Cesar dressing was awesome...a definite "10" - finally the pizza, it was really good and the leftovers reheated very well! Bottom line: Great place to take a date and make a good impression or take someone for a special occasion - a little pricey ($35 for two salads and a pizza) but worth it for a special event. I would dress a notch above casual if I go again.
(3)
Brad L.
Decent atmosphere, large food portions. Drink selection was good but cocktails were out of season; summer drinks in October. Service is excellent. Fried calamari was good. Chicken marsala was OK. Lamb shank was excellent.
(3)
Molly O.
I've been several times and truly enjoyed each meal. I LOVE the salad and the pizza. Service is usually pretty good however can they can be slow at times getting the meals out.. It can be loud and a bit crowded but it's a solid dinner choice.
(4)
Pavi G.
I'll preface by stating, I average one post every two years. I should try to do better since I value thoughtful Yelp posts. I'm posting today because Tavolino warrants it. The backstory is as follows: I am in Westborough for business purposes. Downtown Westborough was about 3.5 miles from my hotel. I decided to parlay an evening run into dinner. The weather was nice when I left the hotel, sunny but humid. I chose Tavolino for dinner since they had a nice bar area with several TV's. The Bruins were playing Game 1 of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs so, the atmosphere was fun. I usually opt for a bar seat when I'm travelling for work. However, all but one seat were taken with the game on. I didn't feel like snuggling up with strangers. Nor would they want me squeezing in while I was still sweating from my run. There was one booth left in the bar area. The bar booths seat four people. The host saw no problem with giving me the last table - even though I was by myself. Sometimes (understandably) a restaurant will block off the four-tops for more than a single person. A nice server named Matt was attentive and not pushy. When I was torn between two beers, he made sure I got a tasting of a beer I never had before so I could adequately make my decision. I ended up going with the old faithful Peroni on draft. I ordered the four-course meal (a very reasonable ~$28). I started with the muscles. Delicious spicy white wine sauce. I ended up requesting a spoon since I loved the sauce and I found myself filling up on bread while sopping up the deliciousness. The second course was a spinach salad. I was in no hurry to get through my courses since I had nothing else better to do later (hence my yelping right now). Even though I was eating slow, the courses came at my pace and were not pushed upon me dictated by the kitchen's pace. That was nice. Spinach salad was great. It had bacon and feta cheese, with a light sauce. Yummy. 3rd course was a cod. The cod was less memorable, but the service made up for it! After the cod and two Peronis, I was stuffed and actually opted out of the tiramisu. Matt offered to pack it for me, but since I was going back to a hotel and had been eating less than healthily all week, I figured I would pass all together. By this time it was dark and it had started to rain. I knew I didn't want to run back. I had plenty of excuses (dark, rain, busy streets with no sidewalks). But mainly because I had drank two beers and I was lazy. I asked Matt if he or the hostess could call a taxi. All I carried with me was my ID, a credit card, my hotel key, and $10 cash - no phone. The server and the hostess took care of calling a taxi who claimed would show up in 15 minutes. I finished my beer about the same time that the 3rd period in the hockey game started. After about a half hour, the taxi showed up. By now, I had paid for the bill. By the way, Matt modified my order so that I didn't pay for the four-course menu (since I didn't want dessert) and it was more economical without even requesting it. Cab driver was a jerk, so I opted out. So I went back to Tavolino. Matt was still there. He called around for another cab. Matt and Tavolino went above and beyond to make sure I had a great experience at their establishment and that I got back to the hotel safely. Thank you, Matt. And thank you, Karen.
(5)
Christopher R.
Pretty good menu selection. The bread and dip they serve is really good I had a pizza that was just so so. Service was kind of slow that day as well. I would try them again because it seems like they have potential
(4)
Robert K.
Needs reliable kitchen help! Let me first say that I have been here several times and it's always been very good. Except for tonight. Everything started out alright, seated right away. Not too busy for a Sunday night. Polite and friendly waitress. Table next to us had several annoying children running around, crawling under the tables and doing what young children do, but thats not Tavilino's fault. Only reason I mention that table is because they called the manager over due to the fact that they found a piece of plastic in one of their meals. Manager came over and apologized, offered to comp the meal and include dessert. So here we are eating our meals thinking that mistakes happen when the wife makes a strange face and pulls something out of here mouth. Not plastic like the table next to us but it was paper. She had a couple of pieces of paper in or on her steak. Almost like the butcher type paper that meats get wrapped in. We mentioned it to our server and she had the manager come over. He was nice and offered to get us some free drinks or free dessert. We weren't mad, more concerned than anything. Took the manager up on the free dessert which was a mistake, it was prettty bad. Got the trio of shooter style desserts which were dry, chalky and gritty. Decided we had enough and got out of there. Too bad, I used to really like this place. While I understand that mistakes do happen finding plastic and paper in your food is unacceptable.
(1)
Kara M.
Good food but service is always really slow and waiters take too long to bring the check and then later to take the check back and bring change. Food is probably the only good and worth while part of all of the experiences I've had here.
(3)
Audra M.
One of my favorite restaurants. Have been there countless times over the years, and always great service, great food and a great experience.
(5)
Mark O.
Very good, on par with Arturos just down the street. Pizza is delicious, as are all the apps. The place is not cheap though.
(4)
Cath B.
We have eaten at this restaurant many times since it opened and it seems to get worse instead of better. First, I absolutely hate the music. Some fake euro-techno music that would be annoying even if you could actually hear it. The place is LOUD. The pizzas are the best option on the menu, and the other entrees are overpriced. The bread is sometimes stale. Some of the servers try too hard, and become cloying. The menu could change more frequently and feature more meatless options. Overall, I think they try too hard to be a city place when located in a suburban setting. This doesn't mean you have to make it a chain, just lighten the atmosphere up and play decent music and soften the acoustics.
(3)
Katharine O.
We love Tavolino's. It's the only pizza that I really like in our area, and it's not even really "in" our area. It's a good 25 minute drive out of the way, but it's a drive worth making. We've only ever sat at the bar and the bartenders have always been attentive and chatty, but not obnoxiously so. The martinis are awesome. Oatmeal cookie martini, to die for. We've had apps, entrees, pizza and dessert and honestly can't complain about any of it!
Simply put... Has fallen off the rails. We went from going 3-4x per month to never again after several declining meals to one that was just horrible. I can pick things apart, but suffice to say that... Something happened... Chef change.. Management change... But it's not what it was... Go elsewhere.
(2)
S K.
Went here for the first time, had a very good experience. Decided on a 4 course dinner For appetisers for the fried calamari, caesar salad, entree-potato crusted haddock and some gourmet chocolcate cake for dessert. I wasn't expecting a lot from the caesar salad, but I can say, this is the best caesar salad dressing I have tasted. Normally I am a non-creamy dressing person but this was worth it. The fish was great and so was the dessert. My husband had a chicken dish, don't remember the name but he loved it. The alfredo sauce pasta and grilled chicked that we ordered for kids was very light and good too. Overall loved the food a lot, service was excellent too. Our waiter was Alexander and was very polite, gracious and attentive. For dessert it took a tad bit longer, but Alex informed us that the chef did not like the way it came out at first so he did it again. We had a groupon for this place, but nowhere did we feel that in the service! Would definitely go there again.
(4)
Jaclyn R.
eeeehhhhhhh....overrated. I went here with my husband on Valentines Day. We had never tryed it before and thought, what the hey...it's look like it would be good..maybe? My husband would have given this place one star, but I'm more open minded (I guess). The ambiance was very nice. Very, hip and trendy, but not enough to make me give it more stars. For what the food was, it was over priced and overrated. Not that the food was bad, it was just OK for the price I payed. so...I give you an "A-OK"
(3)
Rob M.
Food was ok... However, I was SHOCKED when they had the ACC lacrosse playoffs on the big screen right above the main bar while the Celtics were playing the Heat in the playoffs on the shitty little screen... It was absurd... I mean it's not a sports bar, I get that, but why have them at all then?? They wouldn't change it so we finished our calamari app (which was standard) and went next door to Teds who realized we were in Westboro near Boston not John Hopkins... The bartender was nice But clueless... The manager should have realized such a gaff IMO...
(2)
Christopher M.
First time at Tavolino - it was good but not great. A solid 3.5 stars but they get the benefit of the doubt, i don't think 3 stars is fair for them either. 5 of us went on a Sunday evening and it was quiet, which is nice, and usually the reason to pick a Sunday night. On a Saturday I am sure it can get pretty busy given the lack of many options in the area. The food was good, but I felt that the portions were a little too large and bathed in sauce(s). I wish restaurants would opt for quantity over quality, but I feel that the Worcester area is used to heaping portions that you can make 3 or 4 meals out of, regardless of the quality. In any event, the dishes seemed as authentic as I've seen, but I am not an Italian cuisine expert. I was happy with my wild mushroom and pasta dish - had some peas and prosciutto in it as well. the cream sauce was nice, and not too thick. However, I felt the soup I got left a lot to be desired as far as flavor and ingredients go. It was the soup of the day, which I forget exactly the name of it, but contained meat and vegetables in a light broth. Excellent Italian wine list and the service was also very good. They serve some delicious looking thin crust style pizzas that I really want to go back for. and they serve brunch on Sundays, which I had no idea - definitely checking that out. I would recommend this place if you live in the area and are seeking some decent to good Italian food.
(4)
Joelle G.
Went here with my husband to celebrate our anniversary and was very impressed. The food, service, and ambiance were all fantastic. It had a wonderful warm feeling about it and the specials were delicious. We ate A LOT of food because and it was all great-we'll be back!
(4)
cathy g.
Awesome place for upscale Italian food without traveling into Boston. Spent a birthday celebration there on a Sat night (even though we got there early I would recommend reservations as it was busy). Had great salads, unique selection of homemade pizza and delicious entrees. We had a fabulous waitress, Katie, who met all of our needs and was very friendly. they provide a "first time visit' coupon that they give you to come back and get a discounted % off your next meal. The atmosphere is modern/Tuscan decor and the entire staff were very pleasant and outgoing to make yoru experience a wonderful one. Will definitely return. cathy
(5)
C L.
Love Tav definitely for the bar, the atmosphere, and the people that work there. They make your meal very enjoyable. The food is good but can be unpredictable. The managers Anthony, Karen, and Colleen are great and so friendly. Also, Paul, Lindsey and Nick are kick-ass bartenders! Great time sitting at the bar!
(4)
John A.
Great food and service. We would definitely go back.
(4)
Jason A.
Food was very very good. Service was ok. Very busy, and very loud. Would be a lot nicer sitting outside on a nice day.
(4)
Mike M.
The food at Tavolino never seems to disappoint, while the service can be very hit or miss. We went on a Tuesday night and had very mediocre/slow service, but it WAS a Tuesday night. The drinks are always good there, very tasty Mojito with a sugarcane stick, which is always a nice touch in a Mojito. They also have a good variety of martinis. We tried the blue crab cake appetizer, it was very tasty and smooth. The balsamic drizzle was very good and wish there was a bit more, but the lemon-caper-tarragon aiöli made the dish, as it was the perfect complement to the crab cake. We could see just getting a soup and one order of these each for dinner. My Wife had the Bolognese, which we get a lot, and easily one of their best dishes! I ordered the NY Strip but actually got steak tips, which ended up being pretty good. I didn't feel like sending it back as it was pretty good. I had the Florentine Risotto which was perfect, very creamy and it didn't last too long. I also had the root vegetable hash which was basically just a few of them julienned, so nothing special. On the side I had the Gorgonzola butter which is NOT worth getting, all it was was drawn butter with 2-3 small crumbles of cheese. I was expecting a lot more cheese and not butter I would use with lobster. Still a great place overall, and you will get a great meal and overall experience if you go on a Fri/Sat night! The pizza is also great, and I am a big fan of the house special pizza.
(4)
Nate E.
For this place to have an average rating of 3 is a disgrace. What is there to possibly complain about at Tavolino? I've been here twice, once for dinner and once for brunch. The dinner prices might be considered a bit steep for the area, but I live in NYC and regularly pay a lot more for food of similar quality. I was blown away by how good the food was for dinner my first time here. Not only is it worth the price, I would call it a value for what you are getting in both portion size and quality of food. I just got back from eating brunch here and I'm even more impressed. It seems that not a lot of people are aware of the brunch service as there weren't a whole lot of people here, unlike dinner which was packed. I had the crab cake eggs benedict, my friends got the caprese frittata and the monte cristo. We all couldn't stop raving about how good the food was. Taste was exceptional, everything was fresh and high quality. My only complaint at Tavolino is the service. While I haven't experienced anything terrible, I wouldn't call it the most attentive service experience. It seems like they employ a lot of young, inexperienced servers. I am a patient person and like to take my time and enjoy my dining experience, so this isn't enough for me to sacrifice a star. In Manhattan this restaurant would be average, in central mass it's exceptional. Ignore any rating you see here below a three and just go, enjoy the atmosphere, the amazing food, and the reasonable prices.
(5)
Susan B.
The french fries are terrible, but the burger is decent. French fries are important, people! How difficult is it to figure out a good recipe for French fries? Open a French cookbook and find a recipe, for example. We also ordered the chicken parm which was edible, but not worth going back for. I like that they have two serving sizes, though. Overall, not worth it.
(2)
Tyler L.
Tavolino does a great job, all around. They place emphasis on customer service, which is a rarity these days (although a down economy may yeild a correction in this area). We visit this location a couple of times a month since the opening, and I go once a week or so for lunch as well. Always happy with the menu, service, wine selection and desserts as well. Last night we visited after first eating elsewhere, and drinking a bit at the Higgins Armory Festival of Ales. So we went for wine and dessert. But then my wife decided she might like some cheese. We asked if they had a cheese plate, but they did not have anything on the menu. Our server asked the chef and as if by magic this amazing plate arrived with pears and blackberries - delicious. I really do not think you will be dissapointed here.
(4)
Rick B.
Disappointing pizza. I'm a huge fan of thin crust New Haven style pizza and had high hopes for this place. The pizza here is thin crust, but the dough was sour, tough, and unevenly cooked. The pizza we ordered was supposed to have fresh mozzarella, but it was pretty clear that it was your basic mozzarella from the grocery store. The staff was nice and the atmosphere was hip, but the pizza is not very good. We also ordered the lettuce wraps. They arrived as a collection of chopped vegetables and three strange sauces, none of which tasted very good. Not recommended.
(2)
Paul L.
Pricy for what you get. The service is SLOW.
(3)
Tara K.
4.5 to 5 stars for a recent trip on our anniversary. This was our second visit to Tavolino and both times we have been very impressed with the staff. On this visit special consideration was given to our seating as we were going out to eat with our newborn for the first time. Our table worked out perfectly and the hostess came by to check and ensure that we felt comfortable. This was key for first time parents going out to eat for the first time. Our tuscan bread salad was split for us to share, without even asking! I enjoyed the melanzana pizza and my husband the chicken picatta. We both had plenty for leftovers the next day. Our waitress was attentive and quick with everything we requested (Marissa I believe). The only negative was the bread wasn't very soft, but we had plenty else to eat. I would definitely go back for the great service and good food!
(5)
Matt O.
My fourth or fifth trip to Tavolino, first sitting in their outdoor patio. Experience was great, one of the best meals in this corner of MetroWest. Wine and cocktails top notch, great spirits/Bourbon/Scotch selection. Had the Wild Boar Chop special, beautifully grilled and presented, the fresh peach and sage salsa bursting with flavor. This place is great as a special night out, or a casual dinner with family, the place sees it all. Service is getting better since October 2009 opening, it's good, but it keeps this from being 5 star.
(4)
Erica L.
This place is great!! I've eaten here about three times now and enjoy it every time! I usually have the pizza (prosciotto and fig is amazing!) but last night i had a pasta dish tortelacci with cranberries, butternut squash, it was absolutely delicious! I had the leftovers for lunch today! I was surprised we got a table quickly on a Friday night, service was right on target.
(4)
Martha R.
Friends recommended this new spot, so I eagerly made a reservation for New Year's Eve. Maybe not the best time to try a new restaurant, but there are so few choices in the area, and the menu sounded very appealing, so thought I'd take a chance. Loved the look and feel of the place; the service was very good/excellent as well. However, on NY Eve, in addition to the regular menu, they were also offering specials and a Prix Fix menu. I think they were maybe trying to do too much at once, because nothing we had was awesome, though it had the potential. Hubby started with a house salad with a very nice balsamic vinaigrette. He had the Flank Steak off the regular menu, and it was dry and boring, as were the accompaniements, a twice-baked potato and broccoli. He ended up pouring the bread dipping oil all over the food to try to get some flavor and moisture into it (gross, but he was desperate). The serving of steak was adequate; not too much, not too little. I had the Hazelnut-Crusted Scallops, which were served with a fennel orzo, a couple of asparagus spears and a schmear of sweet potato puree. It felt as thought the plate had been put together sometime that afternoon, with the hot, freshly cooked scallops (all three of them) added at the last minute. Very tasty, but somehow not fresh or exciting. In addition, while the portion sizes were OK for us, I can see many people balking at the small-ish portions, especially in light of the high-ish prices. I would like to try the restaurant again on a non-holiday and see if they can do better. The menu is really appealing and I want them to do well. Hopefully I can add a star or two to the review once I try again.
(2)
Falon F.
We went for dinner for the first time last night. We had 6 in our party and had a reservation. We arrived and still had to wait a half hour for our table. We finally sat down in a pretty spacious booth. The manager arrived with an antipasto and an apology for the wait within minutes of us being seated. We didn't even have to request to speak to a manager--they just made it right--good business! Our waitress was funny and efficient. Good drink recommendations. I like that most of their dinner dishes come in two portion sizes, small and large. Our table ordered a variety of dishes--chicken, risotto, shrimp scampi, pasta. All the dishes were good--not necessarily great (hey, we're a picky group of Italians!). Prices were reasonable. Atmosphere is actually kind of vibrant for the area, which is nice. They have a patio with tables and umbrellas, for when the weather's nice. We'll be back, but I think pizza and drinks might be the way to go.
(4)
Corinne S.
Amazing! Never had a bad meal
(5)
Emz P.
One of the few upscale restaurants in town. Food and specially wine is good. It competes with Romaine's in Northborough. Tavalino would not compete with Boston restaurants in the same price range. In other words, kind of overpriced. But if you want to eat something nice and don't want to drive, then not a bad choice. Some entrees are salty.
(3)
Jay G.
Very average, decent service, nice room expected better food.
(3)
B R.
2nd trip. Sill delicious. Might venture into the Pizza next time but still too many things to try. Has the italian meatloaf this time. Was very good but felt it might have sat under the warmer just a bit too long. Overall, still fun but pricey, and still very loud. :)
(4)
HM H.
Skimming the reviews on here, it appears this place has been making an active attempt to improve itself. I have to say, without having experienced it *beforehand*, I was quite impressed, and I could easily see us returning in the future. Ambiance was good, IMO. It was a Friday night following a school event and was quite crowded, but I still had no problem hearing my family. Though upscale, the atmosphere was also upbeat and lively, not stuffy. The service was very good. The waitress was very polite, and although we did have to ask for bread, all of the food that we ordered was brought quite promptly given how busy the restaurant was. Food was very good. It wasn't quite "knock your socks off" excellent, but very good Italian -- good enough to justify a return in the future. Overall, this was a nice find, and I am sure we'll be back again.
(4)
Rene' Y.
This is the spot where I meet with my girls. Brunch on the pation on a sunny Sunday or just the bar area on Friday evening, wine and apps. I had never been in the dinner room but I love the atmosphere and the mosaic tile floor!! The interior is so tastelyful done, the food is good and it is reasonabley price. Nice wine selection.
(4)
Nancy L.
This is the second time I have been to Tavolino's and I wanted to share a big kudos. We spent a lovely evening outside, enjoying the nice weather and company. As we were paying the check, it started pouring. Just before heading to our cars, the hostess offered 2 umbrellas for us to take to our car. Then we drove back to the curb near the entrance and a waiter (or busboy) came to our car to retrieve the umbrellas. That was a very nice gesture. As for the food/drinks: like last time, I did not like the calamari (too heavy batter) and the risotto balls were not that tasty. But that's me; my 2 friends liked the food and their $5 martinis.
(4)
Seth D.
My mother, father, wife, and I ate at Tavolino today for Mothers' Day dinner. The service was friendly but slow. By the time we received our entrees some of them were cold. My wife sensed that our waitress was stressed. To me Tavolino feels like a diner that's trying in vain to be and serve something more upscale. Plus the last thing Westborough needs is another Italian restaurant. A short drive opens up so many better options.
(2)
Julie T.
I've been here twice and I can't complain. The food here is excellent! I've had the grilled scallops and they were absolutely amazing. I've also tried the scallop and bacon pizza, and that was to die for. My boyfriend has also had just about everything on the menu, and he still goes back, so they're apparently doing something right. Tavolino's has an outdoor patio, so it's nice to sit out there and enjoy dinner and a drink while it's still warm out. Last friday that i was there, there was a band playing inside. It's a really great atmosphere to unwind after work or for a casual date.
(4)
Kay G.
Live music was the draw this Friday PM (and Luanne Crosby in the bar did not disappoint!) and the music was the best part of this dining experience. You should know that this is one of the noisiest restaurants you will ever dine in (after shouting with my dining companions just to be heard by each other at our own table, my throat was sore for hours!). The layout is a bit odd; it's kind of an "L" shape resulting in three areas very distinct from each other: 1) the bar/lounge with bar and booths (and where the music was this night); 2) the 'elbow' of the L: a very exposed pocket, with the front door/hostess station on one side and the pizza bar/oven on the other, and open both to the bar and 'dining room' (a stone floor and other hard surfaces made the noise unbearable in this elbow section. This also seems to be where they put larger groups, which turns up the volume even more!), and... 3) a rear room that looks like more like a traditional restaurant dining area. (Whatever you do, do not sit in the middle, pizza oven (kitchen?) area! The food would have had to be pretty good to want to return to such a noisy space. Alas, the food left much to be desired. The pizza was about the best thing we ordered, and yet the crust should have been crisper and firmer (maybe it sat too long before being served; the bottom crust seemed almost to have steamed from its own heat). The calamari was large, but soggy with oil (again: where is the crisp?). The generous portion of eggplant parmagiana suffered from a similar fate (eggplant laden with oil) and its angel hair bed was inadequately sauced. The panzanella is overpriced as it is composed almost entirely of bread (panzanella is a bread salad, but it is usually a salad; this was a dish of bread with a couple of grape tomatoes and some red onion slivers). They did make a nice cappucino and the two desserts sampled (a decent and generous lemon pound cake and a fruit cobbler) were pretty good, tho I was pretty much finished with my coffee by the time they arrived. We won't be back...
(1)
Scott A.
I have enjoyed my meals at Tavolino in the past. I am convinced now that is due the attentive service of Paul who has been our bartender on each occasion in the past. On Patriots day we went to have nice relaxed dinner at the bar and we were surprised at how busy and unprepared the restaurant was. We easily found a seat at the nearly empty bar but the bartender was extremely busy making drinks for the extra busy patio. It took a long time for her to acknowledge us and she had to ask her manager for a trashcan. That seemed a bit odd. We ordered our drinks and mine arrived quickly but wife's drink took about ten minutes for her to make while she found the appropriate ingredients and garnishes (another indication of lack of preparedness)...This routine continued for our appetizer order and additional drinks. The bartender came to us and apologized and told us that our fisrt round would be "on Tom" I assume he is the trashcan fetching manager. The appetizers were very good, although the calamari could have benefited from more than two peppers. We also ordered entrees and the came in short order mine was excellent Pork Marsala (small plate) but wife's tasted strange to her..we determined that this was due to the smoked mozzarella and THICK sliced prosciutto she could not eat it. I give Tavolino FOUR STARS due past experiences, the quality of most of food & drink and the professionalism that was executed by both the manager and the bartender in addressing my wife's meal...next time I will make sure that Paul is working before I go to the bar.
(4)
Katherine B.
My boyfriend and I have been looking for a near-by pizza place for a while now; more so, we've been on the search for a place that has thin-crust pizzas with fresh toppings as opposed to the local pizza places that are really greasy and thick or chain pizza places. We decided to try Tavolino last Friday night, and I think we've found our new pizza place. We haven't had the chance to have a sit down meal at the restaurant yet, so I'm strictly basing this review on the pizza and take-out service. Overall, the pizza was good - We ordered both a pepperoni and a house special pizza. To me, the house special was a little too sweet - but if you're looking for a good Friday pizza and movie night, the pepperoni was great - I'm sure a plain cheese would we just as good. The dough was nice and soft (like a NY style pizza) - not too crispy for a thin crust, which can happen if its too thin or over cooked. Service was pretty good. We called to order the pizza and they gave us an estimated time of 25 minutes. We ended up arriving at Tavolino a few minutes early, expecting to wait - but the pizza was already ready and still hot - so they hadn't been waiting long. We'll definitely be trying Tavolino again for pizza, and also hopefully have the chance to get in for a nice sit-down date night!
(4)
Binki D.
I have been to Tavolino about 8 times and had all variety of experiences there. From an obviously drunk man who was hitting on everyone in site (including me , while I stopped in to get gift certificates) to very good to being left out on the patio for a 2 hour+ lunch (hostage is more like it) to a great family meal. A hair on the fries was remedied by the waiter by removing it and setting the plate down , until we reminded him to take the pale and throw away the fries! (Okay he was very young, inexperienced) Tonight we had the BEST time of all. Superb service . All staff working including the manger constantly, but not overbearing . Excellent food and presentation. The place was busy and all the food came out on time and really HOT! A big plus with us. We feel like this place finally has it right. I am so glad. I look forward to many more dinners here. I hope Lee Ann is there for a long time. I only gave it four stars because of previous visits that have had spotty service, food. By the way...the manager handled the drunk man wonderfully in a bad situation. Refusing him more drinks and speaking to him out of range of other guests. Big points for that tact. )
(4)
Hope L.
Have had a couple of great experiences here. Great staff, especially the ginger assistant manager Allie! First time I went my drink was strong, and the bartender fixed it up perfect no problem! Food was great- DEFINITELY recommend both the fried ravioli pizza and mushroom pasta (sorry I forget the real names). They have live music on weekends- I saw this Boston band play there, they were great! The atmosphere in this place is wonderful; makes you feel warm and welcome in the cold winter. It also has a homey feel, like many of the people are regulars- but whether regulars or not, the staff aims to please all!
(5)
Sean M.
3.333 Stars Missed another first review because I wanted to be fair and get a few visits under my belt. This establishment is 1.3 miles from my house, and it is certainly a welcomed addition to the dinning scene here in town. As I mentioned I went just after they opened and there are always kinks to be worked out. With that in mind... The room has a slightly quixotic layout but that is the due to the floor plan, and I think they make good use of the space. The bar is quite nice with decent seating options including a nice "gangsta-booth" towards the back. There is also a Sushi-styled Pizza Bar where you can watch they chefs, a nice idea. The dinning room is slightly problematic, I would not take tables near the head of the room, the tables farther back are more intimate. They have televisions almost everywhere, including the dinning area. I like that my wife thought it wasn't a good idea. The food is a version of Italian that is not that authentic but it isn't Olive Garden-esque either. Dishes that should have more robust flavors are somewhat muted. A prime example of this the Osso Bucco, the meat should have been more tender and the dish lacked seasoning, it didn't pop for me. The Chicken Parmesan is less successful because it is caught in limbo between "Upscale New American Italian" and "Ma and Pa Red Sauce Italian". I felt they should follow through with the former and shun giving a nod to the later. The pizza offerings are a strong suit here, again it isn't NY Style and it isn't quite traditional Neapolitan, but melding of the two. The Margherita Pizza was interesting but we are beginning to favor their plain cheese. The pizza does make the take-out rotation when we need an escape from Greek pizza or Papa Ginos. The two best things on the menu so far for me are the pappardelle bolognese and the wild boar appetizer. Both these dishes demonstrate the "concept" they are shooting for with excellent results. Deserts here are a bit lack luster and perhaps the low bar on the execution scale. The bartending staff is first class, the hostesses and dining room staff are courteous but inexperienced. I'm hoping with time they can develop the service, especially in the dining room to a level that matches these prices. Clearly it is lack of experience and training. The bus boy who brought my Osso Bucco announced it as "some sort of pork". They have a decent B+/B wine list and knowledgeable bar/management people, but the dinning servers could use some training in handling and perhaps a few employee tastings are in order so they know the product. If you are running a chain even a mini-chain a strong training program is a must. * great bar, ample beer and wine choices at reasonable mark up. * by the glass pours are quite generous * better lunch choice * reservations are actually a good idea for dinner. * it's part of a local chain * makes "Upscaled New American Italian" a new category?
(3)
Sally F.
The food was EXCELLENT! The one thing that stood out was how fresh everything was. I love anchovies on my caesar salads and they were 100% fresh and NOT from a can. I got the Salmon which was fantastic and the side of cheesy risotto was aaahhhmmmazing! There isnt one bad thing I can say.
(5)
Rolo C.
The restaurant has very nice decor, modern, and clean. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Everything other than the food was good. I've read good things about their pizza and tried the Italian sausage. It is super salty and not very good. Even the appetizers weren't good. I won't be going back again.
(2)
P.j. A.
First time at this location . I usually go to the Patriot Place. The pizza hardly had anything on it . I would not go back. Not a good bang for the buck last night.
(2)
Angela B.
I see that some of the other reviewers here aren't glowing with their remarks but I have to say, I liked this place. We have been twice and both times the pizza was delicious, the service was great and the wine- very nice. There aren't a whole lot of choices in these parts and I appreciate this one.
(4)
Jenny C.
Meals are always great! We had our rehearsal dinner at the Patriot's Place location and go to the Westboro location for dinner once in a while. The food is fresh, the service is great, and it's always consistent. I really enjoy the Chicken Saltimboca and the Scallop dish.
(5)
gus w.
we decided, last minute to get out for dinner on a Saturday night, and quickly hit opentable to gamble our night away. We'd seen this place on the Chronicle special, and thought we'd give it a whirl.....they also had a 730 reservation open, which sealed the deal and we fff to the really depressing and empty bay-state plaza in Westborough. We ordered drinks and appetizers at the same time (my wife had the Tomato soup, I the cesar) and oddly, they came before our drinks. I was actually done with my salad before my beer arrived. We went thinking we wanted appetizers, but the big ass pizza oven and the 30 selections changed our minds, and we split a chicken and mushroom pizza. It was outstanding. Lots of meat, mushrooms and tomoatoe's piled onto a perfectly cooked crust. The place felt a little funky though, like 3 seperate designers each took a piece of the resturant and then stuck it all together. Despite the goofy service, the food was good and we'll be heading back for another try.
(3)
Bill K.
Good bar food. Very good take out pizza. Reasonable prices. Four stars for value provided.
(4)
Margo O.
Have dined there twice. Very nice atmosphere. Service is prompt and courteous. Food was excellent! The beet salad (one of my favorites) was perhaps the best version I've experienced. The spinach and mushroom ravioli is excellent too. My son was served chicken parmesan (which he reported was delicious) that was more like 2 dinners for the price of one!? This restaurant is a great addition to Westboro!
(4)
Sandy B.
Tavolino was a very nice night out for my husband and me. We made reservations (Saturday night at 7) not sure if we would need them or not, but when we arrived there were multiple parties waiting. We got there about 10 minutes early and the hostess apologized for not having a table ready for us and gave us a pager. We waited maybe five minutes and were paged and brought to a table in the corner of the restaurant. Our waitress was pleasant and professional. We ordered the bottle of wine they recommended and when we were only able to have a glass each, she happily bagged it for us so we could take it home. We started with calamari - my husbands choice, but I have to admit it was delicious. We each had a spinach salad, which was the highlight of the meal for me. It was perfectly dressed. We finished the meal with the sweet potato pizza - a creation I had never tried before. While it was good, I probably wouldn't order that again, the flavors just didn't work for me. As for the space itself, it is smaller than it seems like it should be and the tables are close together so it gets pretty loud. They did a nice job with the layout of the tables to help with the oddly shaped room, but getting up to go to the ladies room, I had to dodge in and out of tables to make sure I didn't bother any other diners or walk into the wait staff. All in all, a nice place - we'll be back esp for the spinach salad.
(4)
David G.
Been there three times since they opened, with the most recent trip on Dec. 28. Two of our three visits have been lackluster, marred by such issues as cold entrees, inattentive service, and middling though relatively expensive food. On the plus side, it has a pleasant ambiance that I would describe as a hybrid of trendy and traditional. The best thing I ate there was one of their gourmet pizzas, but don't think this is enough to lure me back.
(2)
Bill K.
4 stars for the bar food and pizza and reasonable prices.
(4)
joe m.
I was happy to see another new restaurant added to the Commons, and wanted to give Tavolino a try. We walked down and sat at the bar to grab a quick lunch and a drink. Turns out, the lunch took about 20 minutes to come out (I ordered a Caesar wrap). Needless to say, I was a little disappointed with the time it took for the food to come out. The food was pretty good though, and the bar was loaded with TVs (big plus). I will certainly give this place another shot sometime once they get a little more established.
(3)
B M.
Okay, nothing too great. Theplace is set up weird, very confused on what the theme is. Pretty cool, packed little bar there., very lively on the weekend nights. Have tried a couple pasta dishes. Not bad, nothing rememberable though either. It has only been a few weeks and I already forgot what I had there. I have tried many of the pizzas and they are usually a little above average. All in all the place is okay, the bar is cool, they have outdoor seating and the food seems to be okay to slightly above average, the layout is terrible though. The service has been okay when I am there, so I can't complain too much. Hopefully they will hit a homerun with the food the next time I am there. There is just so little in the way of options in Boston and the western area of Boston, I guess I might go back by default.
(3)
Phil K.
This is my second review of Tavolino. We had been impressed but now on our fourth visit we find some recurring themes. Our first visit was so nice it has taken a while to sour my view and we are sad - we want this place to succeed and yet, it's not always crowded as in our first couple of visits and it seems we are seeing why. The wait staff is not well trained and may not really understand the concept of service. For two of our previous visits, our server was outstanding. Now, based on two other visits it's clear she was one of few exceptions. Examples. This week, Sunday Brunch. No black tea - this is a recurring issue at Tavolino and each time they don't have plain old caffeinated black tea I'm told that many people mention this. I suggested they take a walk to the grocery store and buy some - the server may have thought I was joking. They have ignored my and other patrons request for an item that any other restaurant has. Maple syrup - the real kind from a tree - is offered on the menu for an upcharge. We asked if they had any today and were assured they did. Two of us (the syrup snobs) ordered breakfast that would compliment syrup. The syrup came and was not real. We told the server who looked at us and said - that's all we have for syrup. It didn't even occur to her to cover for the fact that she had already said they had it. Thjis server assumed that the patron can't tell the difference. We can. The food is really quite good but it is expensive and we don't get the service I expect for that price. It was a disappointing visit, an expensive, disappointing visit. We had come to show off the place to our son and his new wife. We should have gone to a diner.
(2)
Ed L.
2.5 Stars We were really looking forward to this new addition to the local dining scene, but left somewhat disappointed... The crowd was impressive (2 deep at the bar when we walked in), but that didn't deter the bar staff from providing us with excellent service. The bartender immediately recognized us as new arrivals and took our order immediately without the usual awkward wait and reach between people at the bar. Before long, the crowd cleared and we settled into a nice visit with friends that had joined us. We were seated promptly at our reservation time, but noticed immediately that the same level of service didn't follow through into the dining room. The floor staff just wasn't as polished or professional as the bar staff was. Timing was all good, but something seemed a little 'off' - exemplified by when the kid who brought our dinners wasn't sure what the meals were and didn't have a clue of who ordered what. The menu offered some diverse and interesting options, but my wife decided to play it safe and order Chick Parmigiana (since that's a basic dish she likes to judge new restaurants by). She was disappointed. On the other hand, I ordered an interesting Veal Steak special which had great flavor but for the money wasn't a very edible cut of meat (and looked like it had sat too long before being expedited to the table). The other members of our party ordered a Fish Special (Mahi Mahi) and Mediterranean chicken, and both were happy with their meals. The appetizers were good, with some unique choices available, and I do expect to return to try out the Pizza options. But no matter how much I'd like to, I won't be ordering desert again. It seems the chef is committed to doing a lot of things right while offering some adventurous and tasty meals. I would suggest they eliminate or modify the offering their heart's not into, and get the staff motivated to carry the commitment to good food and service beyond the bar and onto the floor. All the little things that were 'a little off' ended up having a much bigger impact than one might expect. Some minor adjustments would warrant a 4 star review.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Mike S.
We had been here two years ago and were not impressed. Tonight, we joined 4 friends and the result was the same. The bartender told me the executive Cheif was new and so was the menu. Unfortunately, the food was not any better. The food came out room temperature and had very little flavor. I had the Italian family style special with appetizer, salad, main course and desert. Appetizer of mussels was ok. Salad was lame. Steak tips were mediocre, spinach risotto was terrible. Chocolate cake for desert was so so. I would give it no more then 2 stars. Arturo's in Westborough is a much better choice in Westborough. If you want good Italian food try Mare e Monte in Worcester on Wall Street. It is the best and by far the freshest ingredients every day. Mike
(2)Steve B.
Fried Calamari was excellent. 10/10 The drink my girlfriend got was pretty good (white sangria I think) Everyone raved about the ceasar salad and it tasted like a CEASAR SALAD. The Pizza was below average. Plain, thin, and nothing better than a greasy-box delivery place. Service was excellent. Waitress was quick, knowledgeable, and polite as were the several people who helped serve us. 10/10 there The most fun was the $90 check....yup...1 pizza, 2 side salads, 2 drinks, 1 app, tip = $95 Overall, I'd go back if I wasn't paying and I didn't want pizza.
(3)Elizabeth A.
Last week a friend and I had dinner at Tavolinos and must say it was delicious. Our server Christopher went out of his way to make sure we were happy. The food was good (and I love to cook) the portions were large enough to take half home, and the service was delightful!!
(5)Bill W.
We decided to try a new place and this one had some great reviews, we were not disappointed. We went in casual dress (jeans) and felt a bit intimidated when we walked in; they asked if we wanted to sit in the dining room or a booth in the bar and we decided to play it safe and go with the bar. The menu was very nice and offered great appetizers, salads, pizzas, and entrees. We ordered Cesar Salads and a pizza; there was an incredible pizza selection. We went with the fried ravioli pizza; it is a white pizza with artichoke hearts, pesto, fresh tomato, and fried ravioli. The food was very good - they bring out bread wedges with an oil and parmesan dipping sauce (tasty but the bread was a little stale) - next the salads, I have to say the Cesar dressing was awesome...a definite "10" - finally the pizza, it was really good and the leftovers reheated very well! Bottom line: Great place to take a date and make a good impression or take someone for a special occasion - a little pricey ($35 for two salads and a pizza) but worth it for a special event. I would dress a notch above casual if I go again.
(3)Brad L.
Decent atmosphere, large food portions. Drink selection was good but cocktails were out of season; summer drinks in October. Service is excellent. Fried calamari was good. Chicken marsala was OK. Lamb shank was excellent.
(3)Molly O.
I've been several times and truly enjoyed each meal. I LOVE the salad and the pizza. Service is usually pretty good however can they can be slow at times getting the meals out.. It can be loud and a bit crowded but it's a solid dinner choice.
(4)Pavi G.
I'll preface by stating, I average one post every two years. I should try to do better since I value thoughtful Yelp posts. I'm posting today because Tavolino warrants it. The backstory is as follows: I am in Westborough for business purposes. Downtown Westborough was about 3.5 miles from my hotel. I decided to parlay an evening run into dinner. The weather was nice when I left the hotel, sunny but humid. I chose Tavolino for dinner since they had a nice bar area with several TV's. The Bruins were playing Game 1 of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs so, the atmosphere was fun. I usually opt for a bar seat when I'm travelling for work. However, all but one seat were taken with the game on. I didn't feel like snuggling up with strangers. Nor would they want me squeezing in while I was still sweating from my run. There was one booth left in the bar area. The bar booths seat four people. The host saw no problem with giving me the last table - even though I was by myself. Sometimes (understandably) a restaurant will block off the four-tops for more than a single person. A nice server named Matt was attentive and not pushy. When I was torn between two beers, he made sure I got a tasting of a beer I never had before so I could adequately make my decision. I ended up going with the old faithful Peroni on draft. I ordered the four-course meal (a very reasonable ~$28). I started with the muscles. Delicious spicy white wine sauce. I ended up requesting a spoon since I loved the sauce and I found myself filling up on bread while sopping up the deliciousness. The second course was a spinach salad. I was in no hurry to get through my courses since I had nothing else better to do later (hence my yelping right now). Even though I was eating slow, the courses came at my pace and were not pushed upon me dictated by the kitchen's pace. That was nice. Spinach salad was great. It had bacon and feta cheese, with a light sauce. Yummy. 3rd course was a cod. The cod was less memorable, but the service made up for it! After the cod and two Peronis, I was stuffed and actually opted out of the tiramisu. Matt offered to pack it for me, but since I was going back to a hotel and had been eating less than healthily all week, I figured I would pass all together. By this time it was dark and it had started to rain. I knew I didn't want to run back. I had plenty of excuses (dark, rain, busy streets with no sidewalks). But mainly because I had drank two beers and I was lazy. I asked Matt if he or the hostess could call a taxi. All I carried with me was my ID, a credit card, my hotel key, and $10 cash - no phone. The server and the hostess took care of calling a taxi who claimed would show up in 15 minutes. I finished my beer about the same time that the 3rd period in the hockey game started. After about a half hour, the taxi showed up. By now, I had paid for the bill. By the way, Matt modified my order so that I didn't pay for the four-course menu (since I didn't want dessert) and it was more economical without even requesting it. Cab driver was a jerk, so I opted out. So I went back to Tavolino. Matt was still there. He called around for another cab. Matt and Tavolino went above and beyond to make sure I had a great experience at their establishment and that I got back to the hotel safely. Thank you, Matt. And thank you, Karen.
(5)Christopher R.
Pretty good menu selection. The bread and dip they serve is really good I had a pizza that was just so so. Service was kind of slow that day as well. I would try them again because it seems like they have potential
(4)Robert K.
Needs reliable kitchen help! Let me first say that I have been here several times and it's always been very good. Except for tonight. Everything started out alright, seated right away. Not too busy for a Sunday night. Polite and friendly waitress. Table next to us had several annoying children running around, crawling under the tables and doing what young children do, but thats not Tavilino's fault. Only reason I mention that table is because they called the manager over due to the fact that they found a piece of plastic in one of their meals. Manager came over and apologized, offered to comp the meal and include dessert. So here we are eating our meals thinking that mistakes happen when the wife makes a strange face and pulls something out of here mouth. Not plastic like the table next to us but it was paper. She had a couple of pieces of paper in or on her steak. Almost like the butcher type paper that meats get wrapped in. We mentioned it to our server and she had the manager come over. He was nice and offered to get us some free drinks or free dessert. We weren't mad, more concerned than anything. Took the manager up on the free dessert which was a mistake, it was prettty bad. Got the trio of shooter style desserts which were dry, chalky and gritty. Decided we had enough and got out of there. Too bad, I used to really like this place. While I understand that mistakes do happen finding plastic and paper in your food is unacceptable.
(1)Kara M.
Good food but service is always really slow and waiters take too long to bring the check and then later to take the check back and bring change. Food is probably the only good and worth while part of all of the experiences I've had here.
(3)Audra M.
One of my favorite restaurants. Have been there countless times over the years, and always great service, great food and a great experience.
(5)Mark O.
Very good, on par with Arturos just down the street. Pizza is delicious, as are all the apps. The place is not cheap though.
(4)Cath B.
We have eaten at this restaurant many times since it opened and it seems to get worse instead of better. First, I absolutely hate the music. Some fake euro-techno music that would be annoying even if you could actually hear it. The place is LOUD. The pizzas are the best option on the menu, and the other entrees are overpriced. The bread is sometimes stale. Some of the servers try too hard, and become cloying. The menu could change more frequently and feature more meatless options. Overall, I think they try too hard to be a city place when located in a suburban setting. This doesn't mean you have to make it a chain, just lighten the atmosphere up and play decent music and soften the acoustics.
(3)Katharine O.
We love Tavolino's. It's the only pizza that I really like in our area, and it's not even really "in" our area. It's a good 25 minute drive out of the way, but it's a drive worth making. We've only ever sat at the bar and the bartenders have always been attentive and chatty, but not obnoxiously so. The martinis are awesome. Oatmeal cookie martini, to die for. We've had apps, entrees, pizza and dessert and honestly can't complain about any of it!
(4)Janet C.
My husband and I started with the Parmesan and Sausage Arancini for a appetizer..We wanted to try something different and were pleasantly surprised that it tasted very good. For entrées we had the Chicken Parmesan and the Stuffed Italian meatloaf.. The chicken parm tasted very good but it was cooked to crispy for me and the chicken was too thin, however the capellini was a great complement with the parm bc the capellini is light therefore you did not feel overly stuffed after the meal ..my husband ordered the meatloaf and liked it very much however he did not like the broccolini with it..he would of preferred broccoli ..most men would and usually a man would order meatloaf dining out.. The service was excellent and the ambience of Tavolino's was very warming..
(3)Kevin S.
Simply put... Has fallen off the rails. We went from going 3-4x per month to never again after several declining meals to one that was just horrible. I can pick things apart, but suffice to say that... Something happened... Chef change.. Management change... But it's not what it was... Go elsewhere.
(2)S K.
Went here for the first time, had a very good experience. Decided on a 4 course dinner For appetisers for the fried calamari, caesar salad, entree-potato crusted haddock and some gourmet chocolcate cake for dessert. I wasn't expecting a lot from the caesar salad, but I can say, this is the best caesar salad dressing I have tasted. Normally I am a non-creamy dressing person but this was worth it. The fish was great and so was the dessert. My husband had a chicken dish, don't remember the name but he loved it. The alfredo sauce pasta and grilled chicked that we ordered for kids was very light and good too. Overall loved the food a lot, service was excellent too. Our waiter was Alexander and was very polite, gracious and attentive. For dessert it took a tad bit longer, but Alex informed us that the chef did not like the way it came out at first so he did it again. We had a groupon for this place, but nowhere did we feel that in the service! Would definitely go there again.
(4)Jaclyn R.
eeeehhhhhhh....overrated. I went here with my husband on Valentines Day. We had never tryed it before and thought, what the hey...it's look like it would be good..maybe? My husband would have given this place one star, but I'm more open minded (I guess). The ambiance was very nice. Very, hip and trendy, but not enough to make me give it more stars. For what the food was, it was over priced and overrated. Not that the food was bad, it was just OK for the price I payed. so...I give you an "A-OK"
(3)Rob M.
Food was ok... However, I was SHOCKED when they had the ACC lacrosse playoffs on the big screen right above the main bar while the Celtics were playing the Heat in the playoffs on the shitty little screen... It was absurd... I mean it's not a sports bar, I get that, but why have them at all then?? They wouldn't change it so we finished our calamari app (which was standard) and went next door to Teds who realized we were in Westboro near Boston not John Hopkins... The bartender was nice But clueless... The manager should have realized such a gaff IMO...
(2)Christopher M.
First time at Tavolino - it was good but not great. A solid 3.5 stars but they get the benefit of the doubt, i don't think 3 stars is fair for them either. 5 of us went on a Sunday evening and it was quiet, which is nice, and usually the reason to pick a Sunday night. On a Saturday I am sure it can get pretty busy given the lack of many options in the area. The food was good, but I felt that the portions were a little too large and bathed in sauce(s). I wish restaurants would opt for quantity over quality, but I feel that the Worcester area is used to heaping portions that you can make 3 or 4 meals out of, regardless of the quality. In any event, the dishes seemed as authentic as I've seen, but I am not an Italian cuisine expert. I was happy with my wild mushroom and pasta dish - had some peas and prosciutto in it as well. the cream sauce was nice, and not too thick. However, I felt the soup I got left a lot to be desired as far as flavor and ingredients go. It was the soup of the day, which I forget exactly the name of it, but contained meat and vegetables in a light broth. Excellent Italian wine list and the service was also very good. They serve some delicious looking thin crust style pizzas that I really want to go back for. and they serve brunch on Sundays, which I had no idea - definitely checking that out. I would recommend this place if you live in the area and are seeking some decent to good Italian food.
(4)Joelle G.
Went here with my husband to celebrate our anniversary and was very impressed. The food, service, and ambiance were all fantastic. It had a wonderful warm feeling about it and the specials were delicious. We ate A LOT of food because and it was all great-we'll be back!
(4)cathy g.
Awesome place for upscale Italian food without traveling into Boston. Spent a birthday celebration there on a Sat night (even though we got there early I would recommend reservations as it was busy). Had great salads, unique selection of homemade pizza and delicious entrees. We had a fabulous waitress, Katie, who met all of our needs and was very friendly. they provide a "first time visit' coupon that they give you to come back and get a discounted % off your next meal. The atmosphere is modern/Tuscan decor and the entire staff were very pleasant and outgoing to make yoru experience a wonderful one. Will definitely return. cathy
(5)C L.
Love Tav definitely for the bar, the atmosphere, and the people that work there. They make your meal very enjoyable. The food is good but can be unpredictable. The managers Anthony, Karen, and Colleen are great and so friendly. Also, Paul, Lindsey and Nick are kick-ass bartenders! Great time sitting at the bar!
(4)John A.
Great food and service. We would definitely go back.
(4)Jason A.
Food was very very good. Service was ok. Very busy, and very loud. Would be a lot nicer sitting outside on a nice day.
(4)Mike M.
The food at Tavolino never seems to disappoint, while the service can be very hit or miss. We went on a Tuesday night and had very mediocre/slow service, but it WAS a Tuesday night. The drinks are always good there, very tasty Mojito with a sugarcane stick, which is always a nice touch in a Mojito. They also have a good variety of martinis. We tried the blue crab cake appetizer, it was very tasty and smooth. The balsamic drizzle was very good and wish there was a bit more, but the lemon-caper-tarragon aiöli made the dish, as it was the perfect complement to the crab cake. We could see just getting a soup and one order of these each for dinner. My Wife had the Bolognese, which we get a lot, and easily one of their best dishes! I ordered the NY Strip but actually got steak tips, which ended up being pretty good. I didn't feel like sending it back as it was pretty good. I had the Florentine Risotto which was perfect, very creamy and it didn't last too long. I also had the root vegetable hash which was basically just a few of them julienned, so nothing special. On the side I had the Gorgonzola butter which is NOT worth getting, all it was was drawn butter with 2-3 small crumbles of cheese. I was expecting a lot more cheese and not butter I would use with lobster. Still a great place overall, and you will get a great meal and overall experience if you go on a Fri/Sat night! The pizza is also great, and I am a big fan of the house special pizza.
(4)Nate E.
For this place to have an average rating of 3 is a disgrace. What is there to possibly complain about at Tavolino? I've been here twice, once for dinner and once for brunch. The dinner prices might be considered a bit steep for the area, but I live in NYC and regularly pay a lot more for food of similar quality. I was blown away by how good the food was for dinner my first time here. Not only is it worth the price, I would call it a value for what you are getting in both portion size and quality of food. I just got back from eating brunch here and I'm even more impressed. It seems that not a lot of people are aware of the brunch service as there weren't a whole lot of people here, unlike dinner which was packed. I had the crab cake eggs benedict, my friends got the caprese frittata and the monte cristo. We all couldn't stop raving about how good the food was. Taste was exceptional, everything was fresh and high quality. My only complaint at Tavolino is the service. While I haven't experienced anything terrible, I wouldn't call it the most attentive service experience. It seems like they employ a lot of young, inexperienced servers. I am a patient person and like to take my time and enjoy my dining experience, so this isn't enough for me to sacrifice a star. In Manhattan this restaurant would be average, in central mass it's exceptional. Ignore any rating you see here below a three and just go, enjoy the atmosphere, the amazing food, and the reasonable prices.
(5)Erica L.
This place is great!! I've eaten here about three times now and enjoy it every time! I usually have the pizza (prosciotto and fig is amazing!) but last night i had a pasta dish tortelacci with cranberries, butternut squash, it was absolutely delicious! I had the leftovers for lunch today! I was surprised we got a table quickly on a Friday night, service was right on target.
(4)B R.
2nd trip. Sill delicious. Might venture into the Pizza next time but still too many things to try. Has the italian meatloaf this time. Was very good but felt it might have sat under the warmer just a bit too long. Overall, still fun but pricey, and still very loud. :)
(4)Tyler L.
Tavolino does a great job, all around. They place emphasis on customer service, which is a rarity these days (although a down economy may yeild a correction in this area). We visit this location a couple of times a month since the opening, and I go once a week or so for lunch as well. Always happy with the menu, service, wine selection and desserts as well. Last night we visited after first eating elsewhere, and drinking a bit at the Higgins Armory Festival of Ales. So we went for wine and dessert. But then my wife decided she might like some cheese. We asked if they had a cheese plate, but they did not have anything on the menu. Our server asked the chef and as if by magic this amazing plate arrived with pears and blackberries - delicious. I really do not think you will be dissapointed here.
(4)Rick B.
Disappointing pizza. I'm a huge fan of thin crust New Haven style pizza and had high hopes for this place. The pizza here is thin crust, but the dough was sour, tough, and unevenly cooked. The pizza we ordered was supposed to have fresh mozzarella, but it was pretty clear that it was your basic mozzarella from the grocery store. The staff was nice and the atmosphere was hip, but the pizza is not very good. We also ordered the lettuce wraps. They arrived as a collection of chopped vegetables and three strange sauces, none of which tasted very good. Not recommended.
(2)Paul L.
Pricy for what you get. The service is SLOW.
(3)Tara K.
4.5 to 5 stars for a recent trip on our anniversary. This was our second visit to Tavolino and both times we have been very impressed with the staff. On this visit special consideration was given to our seating as we were going out to eat with our newborn for the first time. Our table worked out perfectly and the hostess came by to check and ensure that we felt comfortable. This was key for first time parents going out to eat for the first time. Our tuscan bread salad was split for us to share, without even asking! I enjoyed the melanzana pizza and my husband the chicken picatta. We both had plenty for leftovers the next day. Our waitress was attentive and quick with everything we requested (Marissa I believe). The only negative was the bread wasn't very soft, but we had plenty else to eat. I would definitely go back for the great service and good food!
(5)Susan B.
The french fries are terrible, but the burger is decent. French fries are important, people! How difficult is it to figure out a good recipe for French fries? Open a French cookbook and find a recipe, for example. We also ordered the chicken parm which was edible, but not worth going back for. I like that they have two serving sizes, though. Overall, not worth it.
(2)Matt O.
My fourth or fifth trip to Tavolino, first sitting in their outdoor patio. Experience was great, one of the best meals in this corner of MetroWest. Wine and cocktails top notch, great spirits/Bourbon/Scotch selection. Had the Wild Boar Chop special, beautifully grilled and presented, the fresh peach and sage salsa bursting with flavor. This place is great as a special night out, or a casual dinner with family, the place sees it all. Service is getting better since October 2009 opening, it's good, but it keeps this from being 5 star.
(4)Martha R.
Friends recommended this new spot, so I eagerly made a reservation for New Year's Eve. Maybe not the best time to try a new restaurant, but there are so few choices in the area, and the menu sounded very appealing, so thought I'd take a chance. Loved the look and feel of the place; the service was very good/excellent as well. However, on NY Eve, in addition to the regular menu, they were also offering specials and a Prix Fix menu. I think they were maybe trying to do too much at once, because nothing we had was awesome, though it had the potential. Hubby started with a house salad with a very nice balsamic vinaigrette. He had the Flank Steak off the regular menu, and it was dry and boring, as were the accompaniements, a twice-baked potato and broccoli. He ended up pouring the bread dipping oil all over the food to try to get some flavor and moisture into it (gross, but he was desperate). The serving of steak was adequate; not too much, not too little. I had the Hazelnut-Crusted Scallops, which were served with a fennel orzo, a couple of asparagus spears and a schmear of sweet potato puree. It felt as thought the plate had been put together sometime that afternoon, with the hot, freshly cooked scallops (all three of them) added at the last minute. Very tasty, but somehow not fresh or exciting. In addition, while the portion sizes were OK for us, I can see many people balking at the small-ish portions, especially in light of the high-ish prices. I would like to try the restaurant again on a non-holiday and see if they can do better. The menu is really appealing and I want them to do well. Hopefully I can add a star or two to the review once I try again.
(2)Falon F.
We went for dinner for the first time last night. We had 6 in our party and had a reservation. We arrived and still had to wait a half hour for our table. We finally sat down in a pretty spacious booth. The manager arrived with an antipasto and an apology for the wait within minutes of us being seated. We didn't even have to request to speak to a manager--they just made it right--good business! Our waitress was funny and efficient. Good drink recommendations. I like that most of their dinner dishes come in two portion sizes, small and large. Our table ordered a variety of dishes--chicken, risotto, shrimp scampi, pasta. All the dishes were good--not necessarily great (hey, we're a picky group of Italians!). Prices were reasonable. Atmosphere is actually kind of vibrant for the area, which is nice. They have a patio with tables and umbrellas, for when the weather's nice. We'll be back, but I think pizza and drinks might be the way to go.
(4)Corinne S.
Amazing! Never had a bad meal
(5)Emz P.
One of the few upscale restaurants in town. Food and specially wine is good. It competes with Romaine's in Northborough. Tavalino would not compete with Boston restaurants in the same price range. In other words, kind of overpriced. But if you want to eat something nice and don't want to drive, then not a bad choice. Some entrees are salty.
(3)Jay G.
Very average, decent service, nice room expected better food.
(3)HM H.
Skimming the reviews on here, it appears this place has been making an active attempt to improve itself. I have to say, without having experienced it *beforehand*, I was quite impressed, and I could easily see us returning in the future. Ambiance was good, IMO. It was a Friday night following a school event and was quite crowded, but I still had no problem hearing my family. Though upscale, the atmosphere was also upbeat and lively, not stuffy. The service was very good. The waitress was very polite, and although we did have to ask for bread, all of the food that we ordered was brought quite promptly given how busy the restaurant was. Food was very good. It wasn't quite "knock your socks off" excellent, but very good Italian -- good enough to justify a return in the future. Overall, this was a nice find, and I am sure we'll be back again.
(4)Rene' Y.
This is the spot where I meet with my girls. Brunch on the pation on a sunny Sunday or just the bar area on Friday evening, wine and apps. I had never been in the dinner room but I love the atmosphere and the mosaic tile floor!! The interior is so tastelyful done, the food is good and it is reasonabley price. Nice wine selection.
(4)Nancy L.
This is the second time I have been to Tavolino's and I wanted to share a big kudos. We spent a lovely evening outside, enjoying the nice weather and company. As we were paying the check, it started pouring. Just before heading to our cars, the hostess offered 2 umbrellas for us to take to our car. Then we drove back to the curb near the entrance and a waiter (or busboy) came to our car to retrieve the umbrellas. That was a very nice gesture. As for the food/drinks: like last time, I did not like the calamari (too heavy batter) and the risotto balls were not that tasty. But that's me; my 2 friends liked the food and their $5 martinis.
(4)Seth D.
My mother, father, wife, and I ate at Tavolino today for Mothers' Day dinner. The service was friendly but slow. By the time we received our entrees some of them were cold. My wife sensed that our waitress was stressed. To me Tavolino feels like a diner that's trying in vain to be and serve something more upscale. Plus the last thing Westborough needs is another Italian restaurant. A short drive opens up so many better options.
(2)Julie T.
I've been here twice and I can't complain. The food here is excellent! I've had the grilled scallops and they were absolutely amazing. I've also tried the scallop and bacon pizza, and that was to die for. My boyfriend has also had just about everything on the menu, and he still goes back, so they're apparently doing something right. Tavolino's has an outdoor patio, so it's nice to sit out there and enjoy dinner and a drink while it's still warm out. Last friday that i was there, there was a band playing inside. It's a really great atmosphere to unwind after work or for a casual date.
(4)Sally F.
The food was EXCELLENT! The one thing that stood out was how fresh everything was. I love anchovies on my caesar salads and they were 100% fresh and NOT from a can. I got the Salmon which was fantastic and the side of cheesy risotto was aaahhhmmmazing! There isnt one bad thing I can say.
(5)Kay G.
Live music was the draw this Friday PM (and Luanne Crosby in the bar did not disappoint!) and the music was the best part of this dining experience. You should know that this is one of the noisiest restaurants you will ever dine in (after shouting with my dining companions just to be heard by each other at our own table, my throat was sore for hours!). The layout is a bit odd; it's kind of an "L" shape resulting in three areas very distinct from each other: 1) the bar/lounge with bar and booths (and where the music was this night); 2) the 'elbow' of the L: a very exposed pocket, with the front door/hostess station on one side and the pizza bar/oven on the other, and open both to the bar and 'dining room' (a stone floor and other hard surfaces made the noise unbearable in this elbow section. This also seems to be where they put larger groups, which turns up the volume even more!), and... 3) a rear room that looks like more like a traditional restaurant dining area. (Whatever you do, do not sit in the middle, pizza oven (kitchen?) area! The food would have had to be pretty good to want to return to such a noisy space. Alas, the food left much to be desired. The pizza was about the best thing we ordered, and yet the crust should have been crisper and firmer (maybe it sat too long before being served; the bottom crust seemed almost to have steamed from its own heat). The calamari was large, but soggy with oil (again: where is the crisp?). The generous portion of eggplant parmagiana suffered from a similar fate (eggplant laden with oil) and its angel hair bed was inadequately sauced. The panzanella is overpriced as it is composed almost entirely of bread (panzanella is a bread salad, but it is usually a salad; this was a dish of bread with a couple of grape tomatoes and some red onion slivers). They did make a nice cappucino and the two desserts sampled (a decent and generous lemon pound cake and a fruit cobbler) were pretty good, tho I was pretty much finished with my coffee by the time they arrived. We won't be back...
(1)Scott A.
I have enjoyed my meals at Tavolino in the past. I am convinced now that is due the attentive service of Paul who has been our bartender on each occasion in the past. On Patriots day we went to have nice relaxed dinner at the bar and we were surprised at how busy and unprepared the restaurant was. We easily found a seat at the nearly empty bar but the bartender was extremely busy making drinks for the extra busy patio. It took a long time for her to acknowledge us and she had to ask her manager for a trashcan. That seemed a bit odd. We ordered our drinks and mine arrived quickly but wife's drink took about ten minutes for her to make while she found the appropriate ingredients and garnishes (another indication of lack of preparedness)...This routine continued for our appetizer order and additional drinks. The bartender came to us and apologized and told us that our fisrt round would be "on Tom" I assume he is the trashcan fetching manager. The appetizers were very good, although the calamari could have benefited from more than two peppers. We also ordered entrees and the came in short order mine was excellent Pork Marsala (small plate) but wife's tasted strange to her..we determined that this was due to the smoked mozzarella and THICK sliced prosciutto she could not eat it. I give Tavolino FOUR STARS due past experiences, the quality of most of food & drink and the professionalism that was executed by both the manager and the bartender in addressing my wife's meal...next time I will make sure that Paul is working before I go to the bar.
(4)Katherine B.
My boyfriend and I have been looking for a near-by pizza place for a while now; more so, we've been on the search for a place that has thin-crust pizzas with fresh toppings as opposed to the local pizza places that are really greasy and thick or chain pizza places. We decided to try Tavolino last Friday night, and I think we've found our new pizza place. We haven't had the chance to have a sit down meal at the restaurant yet, so I'm strictly basing this review on the pizza and take-out service. Overall, the pizza was good - We ordered both a pepperoni and a house special pizza. To me, the house special was a little too sweet - but if you're looking for a good Friday pizza and movie night, the pepperoni was great - I'm sure a plain cheese would we just as good. The dough was nice and soft (like a NY style pizza) - not too crispy for a thin crust, which can happen if its too thin or over cooked. Service was pretty good. We called to order the pizza and they gave us an estimated time of 25 minutes. We ended up arriving at Tavolino a few minutes early, expecting to wait - but the pizza was already ready and still hot - so they hadn't been waiting long. We'll definitely be trying Tavolino again for pizza, and also hopefully have the chance to get in for a nice sit-down date night!
(4)Stephanie K.
This place is one of my favorites! Awesome atmosphere and a really creative menu. Large wine selection and delicious homemade bread. Everything I have ordered is something I would come back for. I especially love the sweet potato gnocchi, steak and fire-grilled pizzas.
(4)Donna M.
Tried this restaurant for lunch and was very disappointed. I had the Mediterranean salad with an addition of grilled chicken. The salad was meager and the chicken was a small portion as well. I paid over $23 with the tip and tax for a very mediocre lunch. Basically I had a lot of romaine! I often try a restaurant for lunch to see if I want to return for dinner and based on this meal we will not be returning.
(1)David C.
Erratic and weak service. Forgot to ask if we wanted appetizers. Didn't inform us for 30' that one of the appetizers was no longer available. Gluten free bread arrived 45' into meal after initially being told 10'. Main courses were forgettable, nothing we couldn't prepare at home of equal or superior quality. Wine list was decent and up charges quite fair. But the wine wasn't enough to offset a forgettable meal in an unremarkable but noisy atmosphere. Was much better when we were here a year ago. But with so many missing points of service and food quality, they are not worth a retry.
(2)Warren L.
This review is of the bathroom. I know, how many times have your read Yelp reviews, and see a bathroom review? We were @ Tav on Valentines day for dinner. I just want to say this is the first restaurant I have been to in a while that has a properly laid out bathroom. Its possible to wash your hands, dry them with paper towels, use the paper towel to open the bathroom door without touching it, and throw the paper towel out. Normally the trash cans in bathrooms (if they even have them -- because of the hot air issue), are not right next to the door. So here, its possible to actually leave the bathroom without having to touch the inside door handle (and thus have clean hands.) The service was slow but we ate at one of the bar booths, and the bartender was busy. They (she?) messed up two of our orders, but gave us one free to make it right.
(4)Karen M.
Very limited menu, it's price on the high side for being OK.
(2)Amy Y.
I have never had a bad (or even mediocre for that matter) meal at Tavolinos. The food is creative and delicious and the staff is friendly and efficient. The Prosciutto and Fig pizza (ask them to toss on some spiced or candied walnuts) is amazing! The Roasted Beet Salad is perfectly balanced. Bistecca is perfectly prepared as are all the dishes. The prix menu is a great way to try several things, and in my opinion a deal. Cocktails are creative and satisfying. They also offer take home family dinners that I look forward to trying it some hectic night. Save room, as with everything else, desserts are yummy too!
(5)G H.
This still my go to place for a good meal close to home. There's no place in Grafton worth eating at so I often find myself dining in Westboro. The meals were great as usual and I must say the service has improved. Our waiter was prompt, attentive and had a great personality. He was training a new waiter and yet that didn't interfere with his ability to provide good service. I like the small dessert options. Get a couple and share!
(4)Ray S.
Used to be our fav place. The servers need to be more sensitive to special dietary requests and not seem annoyed by questions about the ingredients. Ridiculously slow service with only 5 tables occupied. Server was not knowledgeable about the menu.
(3)Cindy H.
Food was OK, nothing special. The service was exceptional though. While it took awhile to get the food, the man holding down the bar was extremely polite and attentive. It's pretty pricey for what you get, so I probably won't be coming back.
(3)Alicia G.
This place is amazing! I sat at the bar last night and I tried the "mocktail". My suggestion to everyone is please try the mocktail. It is sooooo good. I literally drank it within 2 minutes. The best part is that it's nonalcoholic so everyone can have them. For my meal, I had the wild boar. I really liked it. I can't wait to try more food. I highly suggest Tavolinos if you are a person who loves high quality food for perfect prices
(5)Dale H.
Good service, friendly atmosphere. Our waiter Chris was efficient and very polite. The Caesar salad was excellent, but the crust of the gluten free pizza fell flat of being good. The molten cake was great.
(4)Brandon D.
So far not a good impression. Made a reservation well in advance for a party of 12 and weve sat here for roughly 2 hours now and weve only had bread 2 apps and only some of us are recieveing drink refils while the rest of the table is being neglected. Servers are nice and kind when spoken to however the resturaunt is severely understaffed for a saturday during lunch rush. Seeing as there are multiple parties going on as well as a fairly filled dining area. Apps seemed okay though. The only that has been served so far though after 2 hours :/
(2)Tracey I.
Have never had a bad experience here. I've come for lunch during the week with my staff, date night and now Sunday dinner. The 4-course dinner (available 4-10 Monday-Thursday and all day Sunday) with or without wine pairings is a STEAL! Tons of great food and ample portions of wine are well thought and delicious. For the gluten free (which is me), they do really well. This is the only place I've ever found a GF meatball. And while the new recipe has them bigger and therefore a little denser, they are just as good as the smaller, fall apart when you look at them version. GF pizza and many entree options are also available. If you're in the bar area on the weekend, look for Lindsay. Great cocktails and great service will be yours for the effort. This is the only 5-star review I've ever given. That's really all that needs to be said.
(5)C C.
I love supporting the neighborhood restaurants as I love to eat out every night! I have to say I was thoroughly disappointed tonite with both the service and the food. The menu was not varied, a major hard "pistachio" nut in my pistachio nut farmed salmon. No - oh my gosh I'm so sorry - could I buy you dessert? Sad to say it's off my list - never was a favorite, but never horrible either. Got to say it was uncomfortable, waiters staring and standing, poor service, environment, food all around!...
(1)Lori G.
We went there because they have a gluten free menu and one person in our party has a sensitivity. The food was good, but what I would consider very over-priced. Look at the menu before you go. My husband and I split an antipasto appetizer. A few slices of meat, couple of cheese cubes, olives, peppers - almost $15. Ouch. I had the Chicken Marsala - there is an option of ordering a small or entrée size. I went with Entrée - because it was dinner. it was a single chicken breast, sliced horizontally (to make 2 thin breasts) w/ mushrooms over fettuccine - $22 dollars. Ridiculous. There is nothing especially creative or difficult about chicken marsala. Even if I had ordered the small (which I assume would just be one of the halves of the breast) it would have been an equally ridiculous $15. PLUS, they used SWEET Marsala wine, which I did not expect. I've only heard of it being made with dry marsala.. Honestly, not to my liking. The décor is attractive. We had a table in the corner, which I appreciated because it seemed to be rather noisy in some areas. Our waiter was excellent - attentive and prompt. Overall, no real complaint. But I have other restaurants where I can get food that is just as good, for 1/2 the price.
(3)Jenna A.
Omg!! Went here for the first time last night with my family and everything was PERFECT! The caesar salad was nice and fresh with a great dressing and my mom's veal piccatta was delicious, it is hard to find a good piccatta sauce and this one was done just right. I ordered the butternut squash tortellini with cranberries...seriously amazing I don't think I've ordered anything so yummy before! Everyone in our party was so beyond pleased with their meals, the atmosphere, and the service. Our waitress Mallory was so sweet and professional, and the manager came over and even gave us a coupon for the next visit, so nice of her! I hope we have Mallory as our server again next time. I can't wait to bring my boyfriend here soon, will definitely be returning!!
(5)Laura D.
Me and my boyfriend love it here!!! They sat us in a corner and the service was great! Amazing apps, meal, and desert.
(5)Eric F.
Food was good. But service was very slow, including the bar. The only fast service was the bus staff clearing plates as soon as a fork was put down.
(3)Lin M.
We went for a work lunch meeting. They were able to handle our large party of 15 without any misfires. The servers were quick, efficient and pleasant. The food was enjoyed by a... I had the pulled pork sandwich which was surprisingly smoky. When I ordered I wasn't expecting true BBQ flavor but it was there. As a group we decided it was worth a return visit
(4)Jim M.
Went here for a beer dinner with Jack's Abbey Brewery. The chefs did an amazing job creating dishes that went great with the beer selection. Dinner started off with seared scallops, then a shaved Brussels sprout salad, then Halibut, followed by lamb lollipops (beer was smoke and dagger). All with great beer selections. Dessert was a flourless red chili chocolate cake with blood orange sorbet paired with Hoponious Union. The brewer and chefs explained the pairings. Great spot and the food/beer was excellent!
(5)Christina K.
I'm not sure why some of the reviews are so positive. We've been here 3 times, and each time, the food has been mediocre at best. We tried different dishes every time we went: Margherita pizza tasted watery, like the tomatoes had been sitting in their own tomato water and put on the pizza while cold, then cooked, leaving them without flavor. The Prosciutto and Fig Marmelatta pizza had a sickly sugary-sweet "balsamic drizzle." The wild boar on the gnocchi was mush. The only highlight is the staff is very nice and gracious - if only the food was as good! We won't be back.
(2)Stephanie T.
not impressed with food or service. Place was very empty but seems upscale from the outside. Do not be fooled
(1)Anthony N.
I went with my parents, my brother and his fiance. We had reservations at 6 it wasn't very busy when we showed up, but they filled up soon after. For apps we ordered the grilled artichokes, the calimari, and the wild boar with gnocchi. The artichoke was amazing, I would recommend that. The wild boar with gnocchi was alright, I wasn't too fond of the seasoning, maybe cinnamon? The calimari was good, but a little oily. For an entree I had the veal saltimbocca over fettuchini with grilled asparagus. The veal was wonderful, it wasn't tough like most places, and was cooked perfect. The sauce and pasta tasted great, but the asparagus didn't have too much flavor. All in all this is a wonderful place to go with your family, or on a date. I would definitely go again, and recommend them.
(4)D J.
The service okay. The server was fairly young in high school or just out of and was not very polished in the menu. Forgivable, not a big deal. He also flubbed a many salad orders with white anchovies instead of the brown I requested and forgetting drinks. Once again not a biggie. I was very under impressed with the food the expedition from the kitchen as it was slow and the meals although arriving at the same time where at different temps. I could tell my steak had been sitting for awhile along with the pasta from another member in our party. The roasted potatoes were in edible, tough, cold and over seasoned. The margherita pizza was very average, not worth the $18 price tag, on par with take out from domino's. Not a place that I look forward to returning.
(2)Debora P.
The food is delicious food, nice place and a great service by Alexander. I highly recommend this restaurant. I will return more times.
(4)Geoff G.
2.5 stars, rounded up. While I see the appeal, this place just doesn't do it for me. In the summer, the patio always looks inviting from afar, but disappoints in actual ambiance. They usually have some too-cool-for-school type alt techno music playing, inconsistent service, an underwhelming menu and higher prices than the food quality, portions and location merit. There are way too many places to get mediocre (or better) Italian food in Mass. not to mention within a few blocks of here. Arturo's is better, so is Sabatini et al.
(3)Latitada H.
Excellent ambience and food. Bonus: outdoor patio. The eggplant bruschetta and the artichoke appetizers were scrumptious! Our entree was a stuffed porkchop, and it, too, was delightful. Only drawback was a seemingly inexperienced bartender, who, albeit friendly, was a little slow on the uptake.
(4)Chrissy M.
My husband and I had been wanting to try this restaurant out, so when they popped up on Groupon, I just had to get it. I'm glad we did! The service at this restaurant was a 10 all the way around, from when we were greeted at the door all the way until the door was held open for us by the manager on the way out. I don't know if they were trying to revamp their image or what, but let me tell you, this place was attentive. Our waiter, Aleksander, was PHENOMENAL. Professional, helpful, funny, and all around just a great person. He really made our dining experience the best it could be. He made sure our wine was full and that we were comfortable. He was great and if I could have him wait on me at my house, my life would be complete! The food was fantastic. We started with the stuffed fire roasted red pepper, my husbands pick. The cheese was bubbling out of the freshly roasted peppers and the flavors complimented each other extremely well. Slightly smoky and covered in a creamy tomato sauce, this was really an excellent way to start the meal. My husband ordered the chicken saltimbocca and I had the rosemary bourbon steak tips with garlic broccolini and parmesan spinach risotto. I couldn't have asked for a better meal. The steak tips were cooked perfectly to my request of medium rare. The flavoring of the rosemary and bourbon really popped in my mouth. The risotto was perfectly creamy and the broccolini done just right, not too soft or too undercooked. Perfect pairings for the steak in my eyes. My husbands saltimbocca was excellent as well. I ordered a petite dessert, just a tiny version of their regular tiramisu. It was the perfect ending to my meal - just a little something sweet for the palette. Next time I might have to try the real deal, just to enjoy it a little more! I really can't rave enough about this place. We were given a sealed envelope that has a card in it which is worth anywhere from 10% off to 100% off the bill the next time we dine there. We haven't been back yet but I fully intend on returning! The prices are average for a quality restaurant. However, if you are on a budget, they have a pizza menu that isn't outrageous and they looked phenomenal! If you are looking for a great meal with service that makes you feel important, I highly recommend Tavolino!!
(5)Eric D.
I recently visited this neighborhood spot by myself and had an excellent dining experience that started with Sam my waitress suggesting a great wine to accompany my delicious prosciutto and fig pizza. YUMMY! The Coconut cake topped it off perfectly. I would recommend this restaurant for family get togethers to business dinners and much more .
(5)Dawn E.
So I've only had apps and drinks here but they've left me wanting more. The wines are pricey but well chosen. The fried cheese is crazy good but the sauce kind of overwhelms it so go easy on the sauce (even thought the sauce is spicy and good too). The meatballs are pretty good but the marinara is DIVINE. Like really good. Service at the bar tables was a bit absentee and my water never saw a refill until I asked for one *with the bill.* Still, this place is worth checking out, and the ambiance is nice and warm. This would be a good place to bring a date after a movie.
(3)Rita V.
OK, 3.5 to 4, I had to give it a re-try. I needed to go back to resample their menu before I decided whether or not this is a venue worth special events. In the business development phase of my life outside of government,I was working on figuring out a venue for a special event - one for a sales but another for clients. Chef Antonio has grown into his own, and lunch was almost flawless. Wine list is still great, the manager on duty (another Anthony!) was wonderful, our server (Lauren) is a keeper, and the crab cakes are crave-worthy. PLUMP with lump crab, barely any mayo, crispy outside - scrumptious! The salmon on my cesar salad was perfectly medium rare and everything perfectly seasoned. The only issue was the ciabatta roll on my hubbys sandwich - a bit chewy and not crisped, but in general, his ultimate turkey panini was wonderful. Desserts are now small bites, and the chocolate mousse cake was the perfect little bite. So, now I guess I will have to return for those crab cakes, a nice glass of wine and a perfect little piece of sweet heaven that disappears in two bites... I sure hope Lauren is there again! She is a gem. Welcome back Tavolino - its good to see you on the upswing!
(4)Nicole L.
The waiter (Alexander) remembered us from 4 month earlier and remembered what we had to eat. Very impressive. His service was excellent as before. We had the Tuscan rustic wings. Very different. I would have never thought of these flavor together but it was very good and the dip complimented it well. The crispy ravioli pizza was also ordered because it was so unique. Awesome choice and flavoring together. Artichoke hearts, goat cheese, tomatoes, and fried ravioli's with balsamic drizzle. Another great pizza hit here. Can't wait to try another pizza selection. We mentioned it was our anniversary and our dessert said "happy anniversary". Very nice touch. My experience this time was a 5 star. Based on last time I would give it a 4.5 total. The only down fall is that we will not order entrees here because of the portion size and price. Change that and it will be 5 stars.
(4)Patty S.
I'll start with the service - it really was amazing and attentive without being overbearing - I was leery from having read the comments and ended up amazed! The artichoke appetizer is fabulous - not vinegary and the artichoke hearts were huge with a perfect texture - the Wild Boar with parmesan gnocchi was wonderful and the guys loved their lamb shank - I order the butternut squash pasta dish because of the rave reviews, but , although the pasta was excellent the dish was too sweet for my taste - not enough earthy fall taste like I usually get with a butternut or pumpkin pasta dish. We hope to make this a regular spot!
(5)Jacqui P.
The food is good, but not great. I keep coming back because the service has always been amazing.
(4)Kate P.
Reading recent reviews I was a bit worried. It sounded like service and food had gone downhill, but I had a gift certificate to use and thought we'd give it a go. Service wasn't amazing (it was a slow-ish Monday and our waitress was training) but not notably lacking, either. They have a great 4-course special for $25 with a pretty extensive selection; I assume it's a weeknight thing, but it was pretty impressive. The food....THE FOOD. I got the stuffed pepper for an appetizer, requested the beet salad for my 2nd course (I let them know I was glad to pay whatever for an up charge--I had to have it!), the butternut tortelicci, and a hazelnut chocolate cannoli. My friend had the calamari, a Caesar salad, chicken Marsala, and the tiramisu. standouts were the beet and goat cheese salad, my pasta dish, and the tiramisu. With a bottle of wine and a cappuccino it was a very reasonable total and a great meal. I was pretty pleased and will definitely be back with my husband--I think the fig pizza is in my future. ;-)
(4)Fanny L.
Writing a review after a couple drinks, is that okay? Anyway, good stiff rum and coke, and my friend ordered a manhattan, which i had never tried before but really liked. Ordered a roasted vegtable wrap that wasnt so good. Too much arugula and not really any "roasted" flavor. French fries lack seasoning. All around decent experience.
(3)B B.
Went in for a group lunch...it was my first time and it was a wow! We had a private room and the service was great. The food was so very good - can't wait to go back for dinner. Thank you so much!
(4)Daniel P.
I've been here a few times and each time has been excellent. The service is very prompt without being pushy, and all of the servers are friendly with actual personalities. The wine selection is quite extensive for the area, and I HIGHLY recommend the Manhattan if you like a great cocktail. The best dish I've had thus far is the lamb shank, it is braised, juicy, and a great piece of meat. For your first visit, I recommend going with the four course menu, it gives you a good variation. Also, add the wine pairing for only 11.95, it is WELL worth the extra cost. All in all, I will certainly be back every so often.
(4)Darlene B.
I utilized Tavolino's catering service today and it was awesome. The food was excellent, the staff was super knowledgeable and equally friendly and I really wished I could give them 5 more stars. They would be an excellent choice to cater any large occasion. Especially those where you have guests with special needs, ie. gluten free!!!!
(5)Amy H.
Went there with my mother for a post-Christmas dinner before she went back home. Sunday through Thursday they have a four-course prix-fixe menu that we both got. Since the portions are smaller, it actually was the perfect amount of food. We didn't get the wine-pairing but I probably would have done that if I had noticed it in time. Really well-priced and the food was fantastic! The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars was because the service left a little to be desired, although overall I thought the service was good. If I could do 4.5 stars I would. I'll definitely go back!
(4)Adam T.
Brought Dad to Tavolino for Father's Day. We went at 4pm just as dinner was beginning and despite being one of only a few in the place the service was fairly slow. We had one app followed by dinner and spent nearly 90 minutes there. The decor was very modern and the atmosphere pleasant. We got the calamari first and it was very good. Definitely fresh ingredients perfectly cooked and a large portion. Next came the veal marsala and steak tip and mushroom pasta. Neither dish came with the fresh artisanal creste di gallo but they were happy to swap it in. Most pastas are interchangeable no matter where you go but whenever you are able to get homemade pasta it's a no brainer and was nice to see no up-charge for it on the bill. It was thick and hearty and with an old school design to it. Delicious! The steak was slightly over cooked and b/c it was part of a pasta dish there wasn't much of it, maybe one large tip sliced thin. The veal however was very tender and the pieces plump. No skimping there. Also worth noting, the steak tip pasta came with a gorgonzola cream sauce but they had no objections to making it a roasted garlic cream sauce for me instead. Overall, I did enjoy the Tavolino experience and would come again for a special occasion but it is pricey and like I said the service was a little slow. The waitress although fairly attentive to our ordering didn't come back frequently enough to even refill our drinks, but it was clearly the kitchen which held up how quickly the food came out. If that's how it is from 4-5:30 then I wonder what its like during busier dinner hours.
(3)Sonia J.
Restaurant had a trendy but relaxing atmosphere. The food was delicious and came hot. Dessert was okay. I would definitely go back again because the food was so good! Waiter was super nice and very attentive. I would have given it 5 stars had the dessert been a little better.
(4)Jillian M.
Been here 2-3 times for lunch over the past year and haven't had a bad experience. Over time, co-workers and I have tried the calamari, steak salad, soup specials, pizza's, various pastas and even once I was craving veal saltimbocca and it's on the dinner menu but they made it up as a lunch portion which was great! Everything we've had here has been exceptional and the service is solid and outstanding. I would love to stop in here after work sometime for dinner to see if it's the same during lunch!
(4)Barbara S.
For the first time in my Groupon Life, I was not treated like a second class citizen! Tavolino was very busy. They have a wonderful menu. We ordered the soup of the day, it was not anything special and the Caesar Salad, very tasty dressing. We also tried the Polpette Al Forno, homemade meatballs with the house marinara & fresh parmesan. The sauce had a sweet taste to it; we approved. For the main course, my husband and I shared the 18 oz Bone- in Angus Delmonico with mushroom marsala sauce and two sides. All in all, we enjoyed our evening.
(4)Binki D.
I have been to Tavolino about 8 times and had all variety of experiences there. From an obviously drunk man who was hitting on everyone in site (including me , while I stopped in to get gift certificates) to very good to being left out on the patio for a 2 hour+ lunch (hostage is more like it) to a great family meal. A hair on the fries was remedied by the waiter by removing it and setting the plate down , until we reminded him to take the pale and throw away the fries! (Okay he was very young, inexperienced) Tonight we had the BEST time of all. Superb service . All staff working including the manger constantly, but not overbearing . Excellent food and presentation. The place was busy and all the food came out on time and really HOT! A big plus with us. We feel like this place finally has it right. I am so glad. I look forward to many more dinners here. I hope Lee Ann is there for a long time. I only gave it four stars because of previous visits that have had spotty service, food. By the way...the manager handled the drunk man wonderfully in a bad situation. Refusing him more drinks and speaking to him out of range of other guests. Big points for that tact. )
(4)Hope L.
Have had a couple of great experiences here. Great staff, especially the ginger assistant manager Allie! First time I went my drink was strong, and the bartender fixed it up perfect no problem! Food was great- DEFINITELY recommend both the fried ravioli pizza and mushroom pasta (sorry I forget the real names). They have live music on weekends- I saw this Boston band play there, they were great! The atmosphere in this place is wonderful; makes you feel warm and welcome in the cold winter. It also has a homey feel, like many of the people are regulars- but whether regulars or not, the staff aims to please all!
(5)Sean M.
3.333 Stars Missed another first review because I wanted to be fair and get a few visits under my belt. This establishment is 1.3 miles from my house, and it is certainly a welcomed addition to the dinning scene here in town. As I mentioned I went just after they opened and there are always kinks to be worked out. With that in mind... The room has a slightly quixotic layout but that is the due to the floor plan, and I think they make good use of the space. The bar is quite nice with decent seating options including a nice "gangsta-booth" towards the back. There is also a Sushi-styled Pizza Bar where you can watch they chefs, a nice idea. The dinning room is slightly problematic, I would not take tables near the head of the room, the tables farther back are more intimate. They have televisions almost everywhere, including the dinning area. I like that my wife thought it wasn't a good idea. The food is a version of Italian that is not that authentic but it isn't Olive Garden-esque either. Dishes that should have more robust flavors are somewhat muted. A prime example of this the Osso Bucco, the meat should have been more tender and the dish lacked seasoning, it didn't pop for me. The Chicken Parmesan is less successful because it is caught in limbo between "Upscale New American Italian" and "Ma and Pa Red Sauce Italian". I felt they should follow through with the former and shun giving a nod to the later. The pizza offerings are a strong suit here, again it isn't NY Style and it isn't quite traditional Neapolitan, but melding of the two. The Margherita Pizza was interesting but we are beginning to favor their plain cheese. The pizza does make the take-out rotation when we need an escape from Greek pizza or Papa Ginos. The two best things on the menu so far for me are the pappardelle bolognese and the wild boar appetizer. Both these dishes demonstrate the "concept" they are shooting for with excellent results. Deserts here are a bit lack luster and perhaps the low bar on the execution scale. The bartending staff is first class, the hostesses and dining room staff are courteous but inexperienced. I'm hoping with time they can develop the service, especially in the dining room to a level that matches these prices. Clearly it is lack of experience and training. The bus boy who brought my Osso Bucco announced it as "some sort of pork". They have a decent B+/B wine list and knowledgeable bar/management people, but the dinning servers could use some training in handling and perhaps a few employee tastings are in order so they know the product. If you are running a chain even a mini-chain a strong training program is a must. * great bar, ample beer and wine choices at reasonable mark up. * by the glass pours are quite generous * better lunch choice * reservations are actually a good idea for dinner. * it's part of a local chain * makes "Upscaled New American Italian" a new category?
(3)Rolo C.
The restaurant has very nice decor, modern, and clean. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Everything other than the food was good. I've read good things about their pizza and tried the Italian sausage. It is super salty and not very good. Even the appetizers weren't good. I won't be going back again.
(2)P.j. A.
First time at this location . I usually go to the Patriot Place. The pizza hardly had anything on it . I would not go back. Not a good bang for the buck last night.
(2)Angela B.
I see that some of the other reviewers here aren't glowing with their remarks but I have to say, I liked this place. We have been twice and both times the pizza was delicious, the service was great and the wine- very nice. There aren't a whole lot of choices in these parts and I appreciate this one.
(4)Jenny C.
Meals are always great! We had our rehearsal dinner at the Patriot's Place location and go to the Westboro location for dinner once in a while. The food is fresh, the service is great, and it's always consistent. I really enjoy the Chicken Saltimboca and the Scallop dish.
(5)gus w.
we decided, last minute to get out for dinner on a Saturday night, and quickly hit opentable to gamble our night away. We'd seen this place on the Chronicle special, and thought we'd give it a whirl.....they also had a 730 reservation open, which sealed the deal and we fff to the really depressing and empty bay-state plaza in Westborough. We ordered drinks and appetizers at the same time (my wife had the Tomato soup, I the cesar) and oddly, they came before our drinks. I was actually done with my salad before my beer arrived. We went thinking we wanted appetizers, but the big ass pizza oven and the 30 selections changed our minds, and we split a chicken and mushroom pizza. It was outstanding. Lots of meat, mushrooms and tomoatoe's piled onto a perfectly cooked crust. The place felt a little funky though, like 3 seperate designers each took a piece of the resturant and then stuck it all together. Despite the goofy service, the food was good and we'll be heading back for another try.
(3)Bill K.
Good bar food. Very good take out pizza. Reasonable prices. Four stars for value provided.
(4)Margo O.
Have dined there twice. Very nice atmosphere. Service is prompt and courteous. Food was excellent! The beet salad (one of my favorites) was perhaps the best version I've experienced. The spinach and mushroom ravioli is excellent too. My son was served chicken parmesan (which he reported was delicious) that was more like 2 dinners for the price of one!? This restaurant is a great addition to Westboro!
(4)Sandy B.
Tavolino was a very nice night out for my husband and me. We made reservations (Saturday night at 7) not sure if we would need them or not, but when we arrived there were multiple parties waiting. We got there about 10 minutes early and the hostess apologized for not having a table ready for us and gave us a pager. We waited maybe five minutes and were paged and brought to a table in the corner of the restaurant. Our waitress was pleasant and professional. We ordered the bottle of wine they recommended and when we were only able to have a glass each, she happily bagged it for us so we could take it home. We started with calamari - my husbands choice, but I have to admit it was delicious. We each had a spinach salad, which was the highlight of the meal for me. It was perfectly dressed. We finished the meal with the sweet potato pizza - a creation I had never tried before. While it was good, I probably wouldn't order that again, the flavors just didn't work for me. As for the space itself, it is smaller than it seems like it should be and the tables are close together so it gets pretty loud. They did a nice job with the layout of the tables to help with the oddly shaped room, but getting up to go to the ladies room, I had to dodge in and out of tables to make sure I didn't bother any other diners or walk into the wait staff. All in all, a nice place - we'll be back esp for the spinach salad.
(4)David G.
Been there three times since they opened, with the most recent trip on Dec. 28. Two of our three visits have been lackluster, marred by such issues as cold entrees, inattentive service, and middling though relatively expensive food. On the plus side, it has a pleasant ambiance that I would describe as a hybrid of trendy and traditional. The best thing I ate there was one of their gourmet pizzas, but don't think this is enough to lure me back.
(2)Bill K.
4 stars for the bar food and pizza and reasonable prices.
(4)joe m.
I was happy to see another new restaurant added to the Commons, and wanted to give Tavolino a try. We walked down and sat at the bar to grab a quick lunch and a drink. Turns out, the lunch took about 20 minutes to come out (I ordered a Caesar wrap). Needless to say, I was a little disappointed with the time it took for the food to come out. The food was pretty good though, and the bar was loaded with TVs (big plus). I will certainly give this place another shot sometime once they get a little more established.
(3)B M.
Okay, nothing too great. Theplace is set up weird, very confused on what the theme is. Pretty cool, packed little bar there., very lively on the weekend nights. Have tried a couple pasta dishes. Not bad, nothing rememberable though either. It has only been a few weeks and I already forgot what I had there. I have tried many of the pizzas and they are usually a little above average. All in all the place is okay, the bar is cool, they have outdoor seating and the food seems to be okay to slightly above average, the layout is terrible though. The service has been okay when I am there, so I can't complain too much. Hopefully they will hit a homerun with the food the next time I am there. There is just so little in the way of options in Boston and the western area of Boston, I guess I might go back by default.
(3)Phil K.
This is my second review of Tavolino. We had been impressed but now on our fourth visit we find some recurring themes. Our first visit was so nice it has taken a while to sour my view and we are sad - we want this place to succeed and yet, it's not always crowded as in our first couple of visits and it seems we are seeing why. The wait staff is not well trained and may not really understand the concept of service. For two of our previous visits, our server was outstanding. Now, based on two other visits it's clear she was one of few exceptions. Examples. This week, Sunday Brunch. No black tea - this is a recurring issue at Tavolino and each time they don't have plain old caffeinated black tea I'm told that many people mention this. I suggested they take a walk to the grocery store and buy some - the server may have thought I was joking. They have ignored my and other patrons request for an item that any other restaurant has. Maple syrup - the real kind from a tree - is offered on the menu for an upcharge. We asked if they had any today and were assured they did. Two of us (the syrup snobs) ordered breakfast that would compliment syrup. The syrup came and was not real. We told the server who looked at us and said - that's all we have for syrup. It didn't even occur to her to cover for the fact that she had already said they had it. Thjis server assumed that the patron can't tell the difference. We can. The food is really quite good but it is expensive and we don't get the service I expect for that price. It was a disappointing visit, an expensive, disappointing visit. We had come to show off the place to our son and his new wife. We should have gone to a diner.
(2)Ed L.
2.5 Stars We were really looking forward to this new addition to the local dining scene, but left somewhat disappointed... The crowd was impressive (2 deep at the bar when we walked in), but that didn't deter the bar staff from providing us with excellent service. The bartender immediately recognized us as new arrivals and took our order immediately without the usual awkward wait and reach between people at the bar. Before long, the crowd cleared and we settled into a nice visit with friends that had joined us. We were seated promptly at our reservation time, but noticed immediately that the same level of service didn't follow through into the dining room. The floor staff just wasn't as polished or professional as the bar staff was. Timing was all good, but something seemed a little 'off' - exemplified by when the kid who brought our dinners wasn't sure what the meals were and didn't have a clue of who ordered what. The menu offered some diverse and interesting options, but my wife decided to play it safe and order Chick Parmigiana (since that's a basic dish she likes to judge new restaurants by). She was disappointed. On the other hand, I ordered an interesting Veal Steak special which had great flavor but for the money wasn't a very edible cut of meat (and looked like it had sat too long before being expedited to the table). The other members of our party ordered a Fish Special (Mahi Mahi) and Mediterranean chicken, and both were happy with their meals. The appetizers were good, with some unique choices available, and I do expect to return to try out the Pizza options. But no matter how much I'd like to, I won't be ordering desert again. It seems the chef is committed to doing a lot of things right while offering some adventurous and tasty meals. I would suggest they eliminate or modify the offering their heart's not into, and get the staff motivated to carry the commitment to good food and service beyond the bar and onto the floor. All the little things that were 'a little off' ended up having a much bigger impact than one might expect. Some minor adjustments would warrant a 4 star review.
(2)Stephanie K.
This place is one of my favorites! Awesome atmosphere and a really creative menu. Large wine selection and delicious homemade bread. Everything I have ordered is something I would come back for. I especially love the sweet potato gnocchi, steak and fire-grilled pizzas.
(4)Donna M.
Tried this restaurant for lunch and was very disappointed. I had the Mediterranean salad with an addition of grilled chicken. The salad was meager and the chicken was a small portion as well. I paid over $23 with the tip and tax for a very mediocre lunch. Basically I had a lot of romaine! I often try a restaurant for lunch to see if I want to return for dinner and based on this meal we will not be returning.
(1)David C.
Erratic and weak service. Forgot to ask if we wanted appetizers. Didn't inform us for 30' that one of the appetizers was no longer available. Gluten free bread arrived 45' into meal after initially being told 10'. Main courses were forgettable, nothing we couldn't prepare at home of equal or superior quality. Wine list was decent and up charges quite fair. But the wine wasn't enough to offset a forgettable meal in an unremarkable but noisy atmosphere. Was much better when we were here a year ago. But with so many missing points of service and food quality, they are not worth a retry.
(2)Warren L.
This review is of the bathroom. I know, how many times have your read Yelp reviews, and see a bathroom review? We were @ Tav on Valentines day for dinner. I just want to say this is the first restaurant I have been to in a while that has a properly laid out bathroom. Its possible to wash your hands, dry them with paper towels, use the paper towel to open the bathroom door without touching it, and throw the paper towel out. Normally the trash cans in bathrooms (if they even have them -- because of the hot air issue), are not right next to the door. So here, its possible to actually leave the bathroom without having to touch the inside door handle (and thus have clean hands.) The service was slow but we ate at one of the bar booths, and the bartender was busy. They (she?) messed up two of our orders, but gave us one free to make it right.
(4)Karen M.
Very limited menu, it's price on the high side for being OK.
(2)Amy Y.
I have never had a bad (or even mediocre for that matter) meal at Tavolinos. The food is creative and delicious and the staff is friendly and efficient. The Prosciutto and Fig pizza (ask them to toss on some spiced or candied walnuts) is amazing! The Roasted Beet Salad is perfectly balanced. Bistecca is perfectly prepared as are all the dishes. The prix menu is a great way to try several things, and in my opinion a deal. Cocktails are creative and satisfying. They also offer take home family dinners that I look forward to trying it some hectic night. Save room, as with everything else, desserts are yummy too!
(5)G H.
This still my go to place for a good meal close to home. There's no place in Grafton worth eating at so I often find myself dining in Westboro. The meals were great as usual and I must say the service has improved. Our waiter was prompt, attentive and had a great personality. He was training a new waiter and yet that didn't interfere with his ability to provide good service. I like the small dessert options. Get a couple and share!
(4)Ray S.
Used to be our fav place. The servers need to be more sensitive to special dietary requests and not seem annoyed by questions about the ingredients. Ridiculously slow service with only 5 tables occupied. Server was not knowledgeable about the menu.
(3)Cindy H.
Food was OK, nothing special. The service was exceptional though. While it took awhile to get the food, the man holding down the bar was extremely polite and attentive. It's pretty pricey for what you get, so I probably won't be coming back.
(3)Alicia G.
This place is amazing! I sat at the bar last night and I tried the "mocktail". My suggestion to everyone is please try the mocktail. It is sooooo good. I literally drank it within 2 minutes. The best part is that it's nonalcoholic so everyone can have them. For my meal, I had the wild boar. I really liked it. I can't wait to try more food. I highly suggest Tavolinos if you are a person who loves high quality food for perfect prices
(5)Dale H.
Good service, friendly atmosphere. Our waiter Chris was efficient and very polite. The Caesar salad was excellent, but the crust of the gluten free pizza fell flat of being good. The molten cake was great.
(4)Brandon D.
So far not a good impression. Made a reservation well in advance for a party of 12 and weve sat here for roughly 2 hours now and weve only had bread 2 apps and only some of us are recieveing drink refils while the rest of the table is being neglected. Servers are nice and kind when spoken to however the resturaunt is severely understaffed for a saturday during lunch rush. Seeing as there are multiple parties going on as well as a fairly filled dining area. Apps seemed okay though. The only that has been served so far though after 2 hours :/
(2)Eric F.
Food was good. But service was very slow, including the bar. The only fast service was the bus staff clearing plates as soon as a fork was put down.
(3)Lin M.
We went for a work lunch meeting. They were able to handle our large party of 15 without any misfires. The servers were quick, efficient and pleasant. The food was enjoyed by a... I had the pulled pork sandwich which was surprisingly smoky. When I ordered I wasn't expecting true BBQ flavor but it was there. As a group we decided it was worth a return visit
(4)Jim M.
Went here for a beer dinner with Jack's Abbey Brewery. The chefs did an amazing job creating dishes that went great with the beer selection. Dinner started off with seared scallops, then a shaved Brussels sprout salad, then Halibut, followed by lamb lollipops (beer was smoke and dagger). All with great beer selections. Dessert was a flourless red chili chocolate cake with blood orange sorbet paired with Hoponious Union. The brewer and chefs explained the pairings. Great spot and the food/beer was excellent!
(5)Tracey I.
Have never had a bad experience here. I've come for lunch during the week with my staff, date night and now Sunday dinner. The 4-course dinner (available 4-10 Monday-Thursday and all day Sunday) with or without wine pairings is a STEAL! Tons of great food and ample portions of wine are well thought and delicious. For the gluten free (which is me), they do really well. This is the only place I've ever found a GF meatball. And while the new recipe has them bigger and therefore a little denser, they are just as good as the smaller, fall apart when you look at them version. GF pizza and many entree options are also available. If you're in the bar area on the weekend, look for Lindsay. Great cocktails and great service will be yours for the effort. This is the only 5-star review I've ever given. That's really all that needs to be said.
(5)C C.
I love supporting the neighborhood restaurants as I love to eat out every night! I have to say I was thoroughly disappointed tonite with both the service and the food. The menu was not varied, a major hard "pistachio" nut in my pistachio nut farmed salmon. No - oh my gosh I'm so sorry - could I buy you dessert? Sad to say it's off my list - never was a favorite, but never horrible either. Got to say it was uncomfortable, waiters staring and standing, poor service, environment, food all around!...
(1)Lori G.
We went there because they have a gluten free menu and one person in our party has a sensitivity. The food was good, but what I would consider very over-priced. Look at the menu before you go. My husband and I split an antipasto appetizer. A few slices of meat, couple of cheese cubes, olives, peppers - almost $15. Ouch. I had the Chicken Marsala - there is an option of ordering a small or entrée size. I went with Entrée - because it was dinner. it was a single chicken breast, sliced horizontally (to make 2 thin breasts) w/ mushrooms over fettuccine - $22 dollars. Ridiculous. There is nothing especially creative or difficult about chicken marsala. Even if I had ordered the small (which I assume would just be one of the halves of the breast) it would have been an equally ridiculous $15. PLUS, they used SWEET Marsala wine, which I did not expect. I've only heard of it being made with dry marsala.. Honestly, not to my liking. The décor is attractive. We had a table in the corner, which I appreciated because it seemed to be rather noisy in some areas. Our waiter was excellent - attentive and prompt. Overall, no real complaint. But I have other restaurants where I can get food that is just as good, for 1/2 the price.
(3)Jenna A.
Omg!! Went here for the first time last night with my family and everything was PERFECT! The caesar salad was nice and fresh with a great dressing and my mom's veal piccatta was delicious, it is hard to find a good piccatta sauce and this one was done just right. I ordered the butternut squash tortellini with cranberries...seriously amazing I don't think I've ordered anything so yummy before! Everyone in our party was so beyond pleased with their meals, the atmosphere, and the service. Our waitress Mallory was so sweet and professional, and the manager came over and even gave us a coupon for the next visit, so nice of her! I hope we have Mallory as our server again next time. I can't wait to bring my boyfriend here soon, will definitely be returning!!
(5)Laura D.
Me and my boyfriend love it here!!! They sat us in a corner and the service was great! Amazing apps, meal, and desert.
(5)Christina K.
I'm not sure why some of the reviews are so positive. We've been here 3 times, and each time, the food has been mediocre at best. We tried different dishes every time we went: Margherita pizza tasted watery, like the tomatoes had been sitting in their own tomato water and put on the pizza while cold, then cooked, leaving them without flavor. The Prosciutto and Fig Marmelatta pizza had a sickly sugary-sweet "balsamic drizzle." The wild boar on the gnocchi was mush. The only highlight is the staff is very nice and gracious - if only the food was as good! We won't be back.
(2)Stephanie T.
not impressed with food or service. Place was very empty but seems upscale from the outside. Do not be fooled
(1)Anthony N.
I went with my parents, my brother and his fiance. We had reservations at 6 it wasn't very busy when we showed up, but they filled up soon after. For apps we ordered the grilled artichokes, the calimari, and the wild boar with gnocchi. The artichoke was amazing, I would recommend that. The wild boar with gnocchi was alright, I wasn't too fond of the seasoning, maybe cinnamon? The calimari was good, but a little oily. For an entree I had the veal saltimbocca over fettuchini with grilled asparagus. The veal was wonderful, it wasn't tough like most places, and was cooked perfect. The sauce and pasta tasted great, but the asparagus didn't have too much flavor. All in all this is a wonderful place to go with your family, or on a date. I would definitely go again, and recommend them.
(4)D J.
The service okay. The server was fairly young in high school or just out of and was not very polished in the menu. Forgivable, not a big deal. He also flubbed a many salad orders with white anchovies instead of the brown I requested and forgetting drinks. Once again not a biggie. I was very under impressed with the food the expedition from the kitchen as it was slow and the meals although arriving at the same time where at different temps. I could tell my steak had been sitting for awhile along with the pasta from another member in our party. The roasted potatoes were in edible, tough, cold and over seasoned. The margherita pizza was very average, not worth the $18 price tag, on par with take out from domino's. Not a place that I look forward to returning.
(2)Debora P.
The food is delicious food, nice place and a great service by Alexander. I highly recommend this restaurant. I will return more times.
(4)Amy H.
Went there with my mother for a post-Christmas dinner before she went back home. Sunday through Thursday they have a four-course prix-fixe menu that we both got. Since the portions are smaller, it actually was the perfect amount of food. We didn't get the wine-pairing but I probably would have done that if I had noticed it in time. Really well-priced and the food was fantastic! The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars was because the service left a little to be desired, although overall I thought the service was good. If I could do 4.5 stars I would. I'll definitely go back!
(4)Chrissy M.
My husband and I had been wanting to try this restaurant out, so when they popped up on Groupon, I just had to get it. I'm glad we did! The service at this restaurant was a 10 all the way around, from when we were greeted at the door all the way until the door was held open for us by the manager on the way out. I don't know if they were trying to revamp their image or what, but let me tell you, this place was attentive. Our waiter, Aleksander, was PHENOMENAL. Professional, helpful, funny, and all around just a great person. He really made our dining experience the best it could be. He made sure our wine was full and that we were comfortable. He was great and if I could have him wait on me at my house, my life would be complete! The food was fantastic. We started with the stuffed fire roasted red pepper, my husbands pick. The cheese was bubbling out of the freshly roasted peppers and the flavors complimented each other extremely well. Slightly smoky and covered in a creamy tomato sauce, this was really an excellent way to start the meal. My husband ordered the chicken saltimbocca and I had the rosemary bourbon steak tips with garlic broccolini and parmesan spinach risotto. I couldn't have asked for a better meal. The steak tips were cooked perfectly to my request of medium rare. The flavoring of the rosemary and bourbon really popped in my mouth. The risotto was perfectly creamy and the broccolini done just right, not too soft or too undercooked. Perfect pairings for the steak in my eyes. My husbands saltimbocca was excellent as well. I ordered a petite dessert, just a tiny version of their regular tiramisu. It was the perfect ending to my meal - just a little something sweet for the palette. Next time I might have to try the real deal, just to enjoy it a little more! I really can't rave enough about this place. We were given a sealed envelope that has a card in it which is worth anywhere from 10% off to 100% off the bill the next time we dine there. We haven't been back yet but I fully intend on returning! The prices are average for a quality restaurant. However, if you are on a budget, they have a pizza menu that isn't outrageous and they looked phenomenal! If you are looking for a great meal with service that makes you feel important, I highly recommend Tavolino!!
(5)Eric D.
I recently visited this neighborhood spot by myself and had an excellent dining experience that started with Sam my waitress suggesting a great wine to accompany my delicious prosciutto and fig pizza. YUMMY! The Coconut cake topped it off perfectly. I would recommend this restaurant for family get togethers to business dinners and much more .
(5)Dawn E.
So I've only had apps and drinks here but they've left me wanting more. The wines are pricey but well chosen. The fried cheese is crazy good but the sauce kind of overwhelms it so go easy on the sauce (even thought the sauce is spicy and good too). The meatballs are pretty good but the marinara is DIVINE. Like really good. Service at the bar tables was a bit absentee and my water never saw a refill until I asked for one *with the bill.* Still, this place is worth checking out, and the ambiance is nice and warm. This would be a good place to bring a date after a movie.
(3)Rita V.
OK, 3.5 to 4, I had to give it a re-try. I needed to go back to resample their menu before I decided whether or not this is a venue worth special events. In the business development phase of my life outside of government,I was working on figuring out a venue for a special event - one for a sales but another for clients. Chef Antonio has grown into his own, and lunch was almost flawless. Wine list is still great, the manager on duty (another Anthony!) was wonderful, our server (Lauren) is a keeper, and the crab cakes are crave-worthy. PLUMP with lump crab, barely any mayo, crispy outside - scrumptious! The salmon on my cesar salad was perfectly medium rare and everything perfectly seasoned. The only issue was the ciabatta roll on my hubbys sandwich - a bit chewy and not crisped, but in general, his ultimate turkey panini was wonderful. Desserts are now small bites, and the chocolate mousse cake was the perfect little bite. So, now I guess I will have to return for those crab cakes, a nice glass of wine and a perfect little piece of sweet heaven that disappears in two bites... I sure hope Lauren is there again! She is a gem. Welcome back Tavolino - its good to see you on the upswing!
(4)Nicole L.
The waiter (Alexander) remembered us from 4 month earlier and remembered what we had to eat. Very impressive. His service was excellent as before. We had the Tuscan rustic wings. Very different. I would have never thought of these flavor together but it was very good and the dip complimented it well. The crispy ravioli pizza was also ordered because it was so unique. Awesome choice and flavoring together. Artichoke hearts, goat cheese, tomatoes, and fried ravioli's with balsamic drizzle. Another great pizza hit here. Can't wait to try another pizza selection. We mentioned it was our anniversary and our dessert said "happy anniversary". Very nice touch. My experience this time was a 5 star. Based on last time I would give it a 4.5 total. The only down fall is that we will not order entrees here because of the portion size and price. Change that and it will be 5 stars.
(4)Patty S.
I'll start with the service - it really was amazing and attentive without being overbearing - I was leery from having read the comments and ended up amazed! The artichoke appetizer is fabulous - not vinegary and the artichoke hearts were huge with a perfect texture - the Wild Boar with parmesan gnocchi was wonderful and the guys loved their lamb shank - I order the butternut squash pasta dish because of the rave reviews, but , although the pasta was excellent the dish was too sweet for my taste - not enough earthy fall taste like I usually get with a butternut or pumpkin pasta dish. We hope to make this a regular spot!
(5)Darlene B.
I utilized Tavolino's catering service today and it was awesome. The food was excellent, the staff was super knowledgeable and equally friendly and I really wished I could give them 5 more stars. They would be an excellent choice to cater any large occasion. Especially those where you have guests with special needs, ie. gluten free!!!!
(5)Kate P.
Reading recent reviews I was a bit worried. It sounded like service and food had gone downhill, but I had a gift certificate to use and thought we'd give it a go. Service wasn't amazing (it was a slow-ish Monday and our waitress was training) but not notably lacking, either. They have a great 4-course special for $25 with a pretty extensive selection; I assume it's a weeknight thing, but it was pretty impressive. The food....THE FOOD. I got the stuffed pepper for an appetizer, requested the beet salad for my 2nd course (I let them know I was glad to pay whatever for an up charge--I had to have it!), the butternut tortelicci, and a hazelnut chocolate cannoli. My friend had the calamari, a Caesar salad, chicken Marsala, and the tiramisu. standouts were the beet and goat cheese salad, my pasta dish, and the tiramisu. With a bottle of wine and a cappuccino it was a very reasonable total and a great meal. I was pretty pleased and will definitely be back with my husband--I think the fig pizza is in my future. ;-)
(4)Fanny L.
Writing a review after a couple drinks, is that okay? Anyway, good stiff rum and coke, and my friend ordered a manhattan, which i had never tried before but really liked. Ordered a roasted vegtable wrap that wasnt so good. Too much arugula and not really any "roasted" flavor. French fries lack seasoning. All around decent experience.
(3)B B.
Went in for a group lunch...it was my first time and it was a wow! We had a private room and the service was great. The food was so very good - can't wait to go back for dinner. Thank you so much!
(4)Daniel P.
I've been here a few times and each time has been excellent. The service is very prompt without being pushy, and all of the servers are friendly with actual personalities. The wine selection is quite extensive for the area, and I HIGHLY recommend the Manhattan if you like a great cocktail. The best dish I've had thus far is the lamb shank, it is braised, juicy, and a great piece of meat. For your first visit, I recommend going with the four course menu, it gives you a good variation. Also, add the wine pairing for only 11.95, it is WELL worth the extra cost. All in all, I will certainly be back every so often.
(4)Jacqui P.
The food is good, but not great. I keep coming back because the service has always been amazing.
(4)Geoff G.
2.5 stars, rounded up. While I see the appeal, this place just doesn't do it for me. In the summer, the patio always looks inviting from afar, but disappoints in actual ambiance. They usually have some too-cool-for-school type alt techno music playing, inconsistent service, an underwhelming menu and higher prices than the food quality, portions and location merit. There are way too many places to get mediocre (or better) Italian food in Mass. not to mention within a few blocks of here. Arturo's is better, so is Sabatini et al.
(3)Latitada H.
Excellent ambience and food. Bonus: outdoor patio. The eggplant bruschetta and the artichoke appetizers were scrumptious! Our entree was a stuffed porkchop, and it, too, was delightful. Only drawback was a seemingly inexperienced bartender, who, albeit friendly, was a little slow on the uptake.
(4)Adam T.
Brought Dad to Tavolino for Father's Day. We went at 4pm just as dinner was beginning and despite being one of only a few in the place the service was fairly slow. We had one app followed by dinner and spent nearly 90 minutes there. The decor was very modern and the atmosphere pleasant. We got the calamari first and it was very good. Definitely fresh ingredients perfectly cooked and a large portion. Next came the veal marsala and steak tip and mushroom pasta. Neither dish came with the fresh artisanal creste di gallo but they were happy to swap it in. Most pastas are interchangeable no matter where you go but whenever you are able to get homemade pasta it's a no brainer and was nice to see no up-charge for it on the bill. It was thick and hearty and with an old school design to it. Delicious! The steak was slightly over cooked and b/c it was part of a pasta dish there wasn't much of it, maybe one large tip sliced thin. The veal however was very tender and the pieces plump. No skimping there. Also worth noting, the steak tip pasta came with a gorgonzola cream sauce but they had no objections to making it a roasted garlic cream sauce for me instead. Overall, I did enjoy the Tavolino experience and would come again for a special occasion but it is pricey and like I said the service was a little slow. The waitress although fairly attentive to our ordering didn't come back frequently enough to even refill our drinks, but it was clearly the kitchen which held up how quickly the food came out. If that's how it is from 4-5:30 then I wonder what its like during busier dinner hours.
(3)Sonia J.
Restaurant had a trendy but relaxing atmosphere. The food was delicious and came hot. Dessert was okay. I would definitely go back again because the food was so good! Waiter was super nice and very attentive. I would have given it 5 stars had the dessert been a little better.
(4)Jillian M.
Been here 2-3 times for lunch over the past year and haven't had a bad experience. Over time, co-workers and I have tried the calamari, steak salad, soup specials, pizza's, various pastas and even once I was craving veal saltimbocca and it's on the dinner menu but they made it up as a lunch portion which was great! Everything we've had here has been exceptional and the service is solid and outstanding. I would love to stop in here after work sometime for dinner to see if it's the same during lunch!
(4)Barbara S.
For the first time in my Groupon Life, I was not treated like a second class citizen! Tavolino was very busy. They have a wonderful menu. We ordered the soup of the day, it was not anything special and the Caesar Salad, very tasty dressing. We also tried the Polpette Al Forno, homemade meatballs with the house marinara & fresh parmesan. The sauce had a sweet taste to it; we approved. For the main course, my husband and I shared the 18 oz Bone- in Angus Delmonico with mushroom marsala sauce and two sides. All in all, we enjoyed our evening.
(4)Mike S.
We had been here two years ago and were not impressed. Tonight, we joined 4 friends and the result was the same. The bartender told me the executive Cheif was new and so was the menu. Unfortunately, the food was not any better. The food came out room temperature and had very little flavor. I had the Italian family style special with appetizer, salad, main course and desert. Appetizer of mussels was ok. Salad was lame. Steak tips were mediocre, spinach risotto was terrible. Chocolate cake for desert was so so. I would give it no more then 2 stars. Arturo's in Westborough is a much better choice in Westborough. If you want good Italian food try Mare e Monte in Worcester on Wall Street. It is the best and by far the freshest ingredients every day. Mike
(2)Steve B.
Fried Calamari was excellent. 10/10 The drink my girlfriend got was pretty good (white sangria I think) Everyone raved about the ceasar salad and it tasted like a CEASAR SALAD. The Pizza was below average. Plain, thin, and nothing better than a greasy-box delivery place. Service was excellent. Waitress was quick, knowledgeable, and polite as were the several people who helped serve us. 10/10 there The most fun was the $90 check....yup...1 pizza, 2 side salads, 2 drinks, 1 app, tip = $95 Overall, I'd go back if I wasn't paying and I didn't want pizza.
(3)Elizabeth A.
Last week a friend and I had dinner at Tavolinos and must say it was delicious. Our server Christopher went out of his way to make sure we were happy. The food was good (and I love to cook) the portions were large enough to take half home, and the service was delightful!!
(5)Bill W.
We decided to try a new place and this one had some great reviews, we were not disappointed. We went in casual dress (jeans) and felt a bit intimidated when we walked in; they asked if we wanted to sit in the dining room or a booth in the bar and we decided to play it safe and go with the bar. The menu was very nice and offered great appetizers, salads, pizzas, and entrees. We ordered Cesar Salads and a pizza; there was an incredible pizza selection. We went with the fried ravioli pizza; it is a white pizza with artichoke hearts, pesto, fresh tomato, and fried ravioli. The food was very good - they bring out bread wedges with an oil and parmesan dipping sauce (tasty but the bread was a little stale) - next the salads, I have to say the Cesar dressing was awesome...a definite "10" - finally the pizza, it was really good and the leftovers reheated very well! Bottom line: Great place to take a date and make a good impression or take someone for a special occasion - a little pricey ($35 for two salads and a pizza) but worth it for a special event. I would dress a notch above casual if I go again.
(3)Brad L.
Decent atmosphere, large food portions. Drink selection was good but cocktails were out of season; summer drinks in October. Service is excellent. Fried calamari was good. Chicken marsala was OK. Lamb shank was excellent.
(3)Molly O.
I've been several times and truly enjoyed each meal. I LOVE the salad and the pizza. Service is usually pretty good however can they can be slow at times getting the meals out.. It can be loud and a bit crowded but it's a solid dinner choice.
(4)Pavi G.
I'll preface by stating, I average one post every two years. I should try to do better since I value thoughtful Yelp posts. I'm posting today because Tavolino warrants it. The backstory is as follows: I am in Westborough for business purposes. Downtown Westborough was about 3.5 miles from my hotel. I decided to parlay an evening run into dinner. The weather was nice when I left the hotel, sunny but humid. I chose Tavolino for dinner since they had a nice bar area with several TV's. The Bruins were playing Game 1 of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs so, the atmosphere was fun. I usually opt for a bar seat when I'm travelling for work. However, all but one seat were taken with the game on. I didn't feel like snuggling up with strangers. Nor would they want me squeezing in while I was still sweating from my run. There was one booth left in the bar area. The bar booths seat four people. The host saw no problem with giving me the last table - even though I was by myself. Sometimes (understandably) a restaurant will block off the four-tops for more than a single person. A nice server named Matt was attentive and not pushy. When I was torn between two beers, he made sure I got a tasting of a beer I never had before so I could adequately make my decision. I ended up going with the old faithful Peroni on draft. I ordered the four-course meal (a very reasonable ~$28). I started with the muscles. Delicious spicy white wine sauce. I ended up requesting a spoon since I loved the sauce and I found myself filling up on bread while sopping up the deliciousness. The second course was a spinach salad. I was in no hurry to get through my courses since I had nothing else better to do later (hence my yelping right now). Even though I was eating slow, the courses came at my pace and were not pushed upon me dictated by the kitchen's pace. That was nice. Spinach salad was great. It had bacon and feta cheese, with a light sauce. Yummy. 3rd course was a cod. The cod was less memorable, but the service made up for it! After the cod and two Peronis, I was stuffed and actually opted out of the tiramisu. Matt offered to pack it for me, but since I was going back to a hotel and had been eating less than healthily all week, I figured I would pass all together. By this time it was dark and it had started to rain. I knew I didn't want to run back. I had plenty of excuses (dark, rain, busy streets with no sidewalks). But mainly because I had drank two beers and I was lazy. I asked Matt if he or the hostess could call a taxi. All I carried with me was my ID, a credit card, my hotel key, and $10 cash - no phone. The server and the hostess took care of calling a taxi who claimed would show up in 15 minutes. I finished my beer about the same time that the 3rd period in the hockey game started. After about a half hour, the taxi showed up. By now, I had paid for the bill. By the way, Matt modified my order so that I didn't pay for the four-course menu (since I didn't want dessert) and it was more economical without even requesting it. Cab driver was a jerk, so I opted out. So I went back to Tavolino. Matt was still there. He called around for another cab. Matt and Tavolino went above and beyond to make sure I had a great experience at their establishment and that I got back to the hotel safely. Thank you, Matt. And thank you, Karen.
(5)Christopher R.
Pretty good menu selection. The bread and dip they serve is really good I had a pizza that was just so so. Service was kind of slow that day as well. I would try them again because it seems like they have potential
(4)Robert K.
Needs reliable kitchen help! Let me first say that I have been here several times and it's always been very good. Except for tonight. Everything started out alright, seated right away. Not too busy for a Sunday night. Polite and friendly waitress. Table next to us had several annoying children running around, crawling under the tables and doing what young children do, but thats not Tavilino's fault. Only reason I mention that table is because they called the manager over due to the fact that they found a piece of plastic in one of their meals. Manager came over and apologized, offered to comp the meal and include dessert. So here we are eating our meals thinking that mistakes happen when the wife makes a strange face and pulls something out of here mouth. Not plastic like the table next to us but it was paper. She had a couple of pieces of paper in or on her steak. Almost like the butcher type paper that meats get wrapped in. We mentioned it to our server and she had the manager come over. He was nice and offered to get us some free drinks or free dessert. We weren't mad, more concerned than anything. Took the manager up on the free dessert which was a mistake, it was prettty bad. Got the trio of shooter style desserts which were dry, chalky and gritty. Decided we had enough and got out of there. Too bad, I used to really like this place. While I understand that mistakes do happen finding plastic and paper in your food is unacceptable.
(1)Kara M.
Good food but service is always really slow and waiters take too long to bring the check and then later to take the check back and bring change. Food is probably the only good and worth while part of all of the experiences I've had here.
(3)Audra M.
One of my favorite restaurants. Have been there countless times over the years, and always great service, great food and a great experience.
(5)Mark O.
Very good, on par with Arturos just down the street. Pizza is delicious, as are all the apps. The place is not cheap though.
(4)Cath B.
We have eaten at this restaurant many times since it opened and it seems to get worse instead of better. First, I absolutely hate the music. Some fake euro-techno music that would be annoying even if you could actually hear it. The place is LOUD. The pizzas are the best option on the menu, and the other entrees are overpriced. The bread is sometimes stale. Some of the servers try too hard, and become cloying. The menu could change more frequently and feature more meatless options. Overall, I think they try too hard to be a city place when located in a suburban setting. This doesn't mean you have to make it a chain, just lighten the atmosphere up and play decent music and soften the acoustics.
(3)Katharine O.
We love Tavolino's. It's the only pizza that I really like in our area, and it's not even really "in" our area. It's a good 25 minute drive out of the way, but it's a drive worth making. We've only ever sat at the bar and the bartenders have always been attentive and chatty, but not obnoxiously so. The martinis are awesome. Oatmeal cookie martini, to die for. We've had apps, entrees, pizza and dessert and honestly can't complain about any of it!
(4)Janet C.
My husband and I started with the Parmesan and Sausage Arancini for a appetizer..We wanted to try something different and were pleasantly surprised that it tasted very good. For entrées we had the Chicken Parmesan and the Stuffed Italian meatloaf.. The chicken parm tasted very good but it was cooked to crispy for me and the chicken was too thin, however the capellini was a great complement with the parm bc the capellini is light therefore you did not feel overly stuffed after the meal ..my husband ordered the meatloaf and liked it very much however he did not like the broccolini with it..he would of preferred broccoli ..most men would and usually a man would order meatloaf dining out.. The service was excellent and the ambience of Tavolino's was very warming..
(3)Kevin S.
Simply put... Has fallen off the rails. We went from going 3-4x per month to never again after several declining meals to one that was just horrible. I can pick things apart, but suffice to say that... Something happened... Chef change.. Management change... But it's not what it was... Go elsewhere.
(2)S K.
Went here for the first time, had a very good experience. Decided on a 4 course dinner For appetisers for the fried calamari, caesar salad, entree-potato crusted haddock and some gourmet chocolcate cake for dessert. I wasn't expecting a lot from the caesar salad, but I can say, this is the best caesar salad dressing I have tasted. Normally I am a non-creamy dressing person but this was worth it. The fish was great and so was the dessert. My husband had a chicken dish, don't remember the name but he loved it. The alfredo sauce pasta and grilled chicked that we ordered for kids was very light and good too. Overall loved the food a lot, service was excellent too. Our waiter was Alexander and was very polite, gracious and attentive. For dessert it took a tad bit longer, but Alex informed us that the chef did not like the way it came out at first so he did it again. We had a groupon for this place, but nowhere did we feel that in the service! Would definitely go there again.
(4)Jaclyn R.
eeeehhhhhhh....overrated. I went here with my husband on Valentines Day. We had never tryed it before and thought, what the hey...it's look like it would be good..maybe? My husband would have given this place one star, but I'm more open minded (I guess). The ambiance was very nice. Very, hip and trendy, but not enough to make me give it more stars. For what the food was, it was over priced and overrated. Not that the food was bad, it was just OK for the price I payed. so...I give you an "A-OK"
(3)Rob M.
Food was ok... However, I was SHOCKED when they had the ACC lacrosse playoffs on the big screen right above the main bar while the Celtics were playing the Heat in the playoffs on the shitty little screen... It was absurd... I mean it's not a sports bar, I get that, but why have them at all then?? They wouldn't change it so we finished our calamari app (which was standard) and went next door to Teds who realized we were in Westboro near Boston not John Hopkins... The bartender was nice But clueless... The manager should have realized such a gaff IMO...
(2)Christopher M.
First time at Tavolino - it was good but not great. A solid 3.5 stars but they get the benefit of the doubt, i don't think 3 stars is fair for them either. 5 of us went on a Sunday evening and it was quiet, which is nice, and usually the reason to pick a Sunday night. On a Saturday I am sure it can get pretty busy given the lack of many options in the area. The food was good, but I felt that the portions were a little too large and bathed in sauce(s). I wish restaurants would opt for quantity over quality, but I feel that the Worcester area is used to heaping portions that you can make 3 or 4 meals out of, regardless of the quality. In any event, the dishes seemed as authentic as I've seen, but I am not an Italian cuisine expert. I was happy with my wild mushroom and pasta dish - had some peas and prosciutto in it as well. the cream sauce was nice, and not too thick. However, I felt the soup I got left a lot to be desired as far as flavor and ingredients go. It was the soup of the day, which I forget exactly the name of it, but contained meat and vegetables in a light broth. Excellent Italian wine list and the service was also very good. They serve some delicious looking thin crust style pizzas that I really want to go back for. and they serve brunch on Sundays, which I had no idea - definitely checking that out. I would recommend this place if you live in the area and are seeking some decent to good Italian food.
(4)Joelle G.
Went here with my husband to celebrate our anniversary and was very impressed. The food, service, and ambiance were all fantastic. It had a wonderful warm feeling about it and the specials were delicious. We ate A LOT of food because and it was all great-we'll be back!
(4)cathy g.
Awesome place for upscale Italian food without traveling into Boston. Spent a birthday celebration there on a Sat night (even though we got there early I would recommend reservations as it was busy). Had great salads, unique selection of homemade pizza and delicious entrees. We had a fabulous waitress, Katie, who met all of our needs and was very friendly. they provide a "first time visit' coupon that they give you to come back and get a discounted % off your next meal. The atmosphere is modern/Tuscan decor and the entire staff were very pleasant and outgoing to make yoru experience a wonderful one. Will definitely return. cathy
(5)C L.
Love Tav definitely for the bar, the atmosphere, and the people that work there. They make your meal very enjoyable. The food is good but can be unpredictable. The managers Anthony, Karen, and Colleen are great and so friendly. Also, Paul, Lindsey and Nick are kick-ass bartenders! Great time sitting at the bar!
(4)John A.
Great food and service. We would definitely go back.
(4)Jason A.
Food was very very good. Service was ok. Very busy, and very loud. Would be a lot nicer sitting outside on a nice day.
(4)Mike M.
The food at Tavolino never seems to disappoint, while the service can be very hit or miss. We went on a Tuesday night and had very mediocre/slow service, but it WAS a Tuesday night. The drinks are always good there, very tasty Mojito with a sugarcane stick, which is always a nice touch in a Mojito. They also have a good variety of martinis. We tried the blue crab cake appetizer, it was very tasty and smooth. The balsamic drizzle was very good and wish there was a bit more, but the lemon-caper-tarragon aiöli made the dish, as it was the perfect complement to the crab cake. We could see just getting a soup and one order of these each for dinner. My Wife had the Bolognese, which we get a lot, and easily one of their best dishes! I ordered the NY Strip but actually got steak tips, which ended up being pretty good. I didn't feel like sending it back as it was pretty good. I had the Florentine Risotto which was perfect, very creamy and it didn't last too long. I also had the root vegetable hash which was basically just a few of them julienned, so nothing special. On the side I had the Gorgonzola butter which is NOT worth getting, all it was was drawn butter with 2-3 small crumbles of cheese. I was expecting a lot more cheese and not butter I would use with lobster. Still a great place overall, and you will get a great meal and overall experience if you go on a Fri/Sat night! The pizza is also great, and I am a big fan of the house special pizza.
(4)Nate E.
For this place to have an average rating of 3 is a disgrace. What is there to possibly complain about at Tavolino? I've been here twice, once for dinner and once for brunch. The dinner prices might be considered a bit steep for the area, but I live in NYC and regularly pay a lot more for food of similar quality. I was blown away by how good the food was for dinner my first time here. Not only is it worth the price, I would call it a value for what you are getting in both portion size and quality of food. I just got back from eating brunch here and I'm even more impressed. It seems that not a lot of people are aware of the brunch service as there weren't a whole lot of people here, unlike dinner which was packed. I had the crab cake eggs benedict, my friends got the caprese frittata and the monte cristo. We all couldn't stop raving about how good the food was. Taste was exceptional, everything was fresh and high quality. My only complaint at Tavolino is the service. While I haven't experienced anything terrible, I wouldn't call it the most attentive service experience. It seems like they employ a lot of young, inexperienced servers. I am a patient person and like to take my time and enjoy my dining experience, so this isn't enough for me to sacrifice a star. In Manhattan this restaurant would be average, in central mass it's exceptional. Ignore any rating you see here below a three and just go, enjoy the atmosphere, the amazing food, and the reasonable prices.
(5)Susan B.
The french fries are terrible, but the burger is decent. French fries are important, people! How difficult is it to figure out a good recipe for French fries? Open a French cookbook and find a recipe, for example. We also ordered the chicken parm which was edible, but not worth going back for. I like that they have two serving sizes, though. Overall, not worth it.
(2)Tyler L.
Tavolino does a great job, all around. They place emphasis on customer service, which is a rarity these days (although a down economy may yeild a correction in this area). We visit this location a couple of times a month since the opening, and I go once a week or so for lunch as well. Always happy with the menu, service, wine selection and desserts as well. Last night we visited after first eating elsewhere, and drinking a bit at the Higgins Armory Festival of Ales. So we went for wine and dessert. But then my wife decided she might like some cheese. We asked if they had a cheese plate, but they did not have anything on the menu. Our server asked the chef and as if by magic this amazing plate arrived with pears and blackberries - delicious. I really do not think you will be dissapointed here.
(4)Rick B.
Disappointing pizza. I'm a huge fan of thin crust New Haven style pizza and had high hopes for this place. The pizza here is thin crust, but the dough was sour, tough, and unevenly cooked. The pizza we ordered was supposed to have fresh mozzarella, but it was pretty clear that it was your basic mozzarella from the grocery store. The staff was nice and the atmosphere was hip, but the pizza is not very good. We also ordered the lettuce wraps. They arrived as a collection of chopped vegetables and three strange sauces, none of which tasted very good. Not recommended.
(2)Paul L.
Pricy for what you get. The service is SLOW.
(3)Tara K.
4.5 to 5 stars for a recent trip on our anniversary. This was our second visit to Tavolino and both times we have been very impressed with the staff. On this visit special consideration was given to our seating as we were going out to eat with our newborn for the first time. Our table worked out perfectly and the hostess came by to check and ensure that we felt comfortable. This was key for first time parents going out to eat for the first time. Our tuscan bread salad was split for us to share, without even asking! I enjoyed the melanzana pizza and my husband the chicken picatta. We both had plenty for leftovers the next day. Our waitress was attentive and quick with everything we requested (Marissa I believe). The only negative was the bread wasn't very soft, but we had plenty else to eat. I would definitely go back for the great service and good food!
(5)Matt O.
My fourth or fifth trip to Tavolino, first sitting in their outdoor patio. Experience was great, one of the best meals in this corner of MetroWest. Wine and cocktails top notch, great spirits/Bourbon/Scotch selection. Had the Wild Boar Chop special, beautifully grilled and presented, the fresh peach and sage salsa bursting with flavor. This place is great as a special night out, or a casual dinner with family, the place sees it all. Service is getting better since October 2009 opening, it's good, but it keeps this from being 5 star.
(4)Erica L.
This place is great!! I've eaten here about three times now and enjoy it every time! I usually have the pizza (prosciotto and fig is amazing!) but last night i had a pasta dish tortelacci with cranberries, butternut squash, it was absolutely delicious! I had the leftovers for lunch today! I was surprised we got a table quickly on a Friday night, service was right on target.
(4)Martha R.
Friends recommended this new spot, so I eagerly made a reservation for New Year's Eve. Maybe not the best time to try a new restaurant, but there are so few choices in the area, and the menu sounded very appealing, so thought I'd take a chance. Loved the look and feel of the place; the service was very good/excellent as well. However, on NY Eve, in addition to the regular menu, they were also offering specials and a Prix Fix menu. I think they were maybe trying to do too much at once, because nothing we had was awesome, though it had the potential. Hubby started with a house salad with a very nice balsamic vinaigrette. He had the Flank Steak off the regular menu, and it was dry and boring, as were the accompaniements, a twice-baked potato and broccoli. He ended up pouring the bread dipping oil all over the food to try to get some flavor and moisture into it (gross, but he was desperate). The serving of steak was adequate; not too much, not too little. I had the Hazelnut-Crusted Scallops, which were served with a fennel orzo, a couple of asparagus spears and a schmear of sweet potato puree. It felt as thought the plate had been put together sometime that afternoon, with the hot, freshly cooked scallops (all three of them) added at the last minute. Very tasty, but somehow not fresh or exciting. In addition, while the portion sizes were OK for us, I can see many people balking at the small-ish portions, especially in light of the high-ish prices. I would like to try the restaurant again on a non-holiday and see if they can do better. The menu is really appealing and I want them to do well. Hopefully I can add a star or two to the review once I try again.
(2)Falon F.
We went for dinner for the first time last night. We had 6 in our party and had a reservation. We arrived and still had to wait a half hour for our table. We finally sat down in a pretty spacious booth. The manager arrived with an antipasto and an apology for the wait within minutes of us being seated. We didn't even have to request to speak to a manager--they just made it right--good business! Our waitress was funny and efficient. Good drink recommendations. I like that most of their dinner dishes come in two portion sizes, small and large. Our table ordered a variety of dishes--chicken, risotto, shrimp scampi, pasta. All the dishes were good--not necessarily great (hey, we're a picky group of Italians!). Prices were reasonable. Atmosphere is actually kind of vibrant for the area, which is nice. They have a patio with tables and umbrellas, for when the weather's nice. We'll be back, but I think pizza and drinks might be the way to go.
(4)Corinne S.
Amazing! Never had a bad meal
(5)Emz P.
One of the few upscale restaurants in town. Food and specially wine is good. It competes with Romaine's in Northborough. Tavalino would not compete with Boston restaurants in the same price range. In other words, kind of overpriced. But if you want to eat something nice and don't want to drive, then not a bad choice. Some entrees are salty.
(3)Jay G.
Very average, decent service, nice room expected better food.
(3)B R.
2nd trip. Sill delicious. Might venture into the Pizza next time but still too many things to try. Has the italian meatloaf this time. Was very good but felt it might have sat under the warmer just a bit too long. Overall, still fun but pricey, and still very loud. :)
(4)HM H.
Skimming the reviews on here, it appears this place has been making an active attempt to improve itself. I have to say, without having experienced it *beforehand*, I was quite impressed, and I could easily see us returning in the future. Ambiance was good, IMO. It was a Friday night following a school event and was quite crowded, but I still had no problem hearing my family. Though upscale, the atmosphere was also upbeat and lively, not stuffy. The service was very good. The waitress was very polite, and although we did have to ask for bread, all of the food that we ordered was brought quite promptly given how busy the restaurant was. Food was very good. It wasn't quite "knock your socks off" excellent, but very good Italian -- good enough to justify a return in the future. Overall, this was a nice find, and I am sure we'll be back again.
(4)Rene' Y.
This is the spot where I meet with my girls. Brunch on the pation on a sunny Sunday or just the bar area on Friday evening, wine and apps. I had never been in the dinner room but I love the atmosphere and the mosaic tile floor!! The interior is so tastelyful done, the food is good and it is reasonabley price. Nice wine selection.
(4)Nancy L.
This is the second time I have been to Tavolino's and I wanted to share a big kudos. We spent a lovely evening outside, enjoying the nice weather and company. As we were paying the check, it started pouring. Just before heading to our cars, the hostess offered 2 umbrellas for us to take to our car. Then we drove back to the curb near the entrance and a waiter (or busboy) came to our car to retrieve the umbrellas. That was a very nice gesture. As for the food/drinks: like last time, I did not like the calamari (too heavy batter) and the risotto balls were not that tasty. But that's me; my 2 friends liked the food and their $5 martinis.
(4)Seth D.
My mother, father, wife, and I ate at Tavolino today for Mothers' Day dinner. The service was friendly but slow. By the time we received our entrees some of them were cold. My wife sensed that our waitress was stressed. To me Tavolino feels like a diner that's trying in vain to be and serve something more upscale. Plus the last thing Westborough needs is another Italian restaurant. A short drive opens up so many better options.
(2)Julie T.
I've been here twice and I can't complain. The food here is excellent! I've had the grilled scallops and they were absolutely amazing. I've also tried the scallop and bacon pizza, and that was to die for. My boyfriend has also had just about everything on the menu, and he still goes back, so they're apparently doing something right. Tavolino's has an outdoor patio, so it's nice to sit out there and enjoy dinner and a drink while it's still warm out. Last friday that i was there, there was a band playing inside. It's a really great atmosphere to unwind after work or for a casual date.
(4)Kay G.
Live music was the draw this Friday PM (and Luanne Crosby in the bar did not disappoint!) and the music was the best part of this dining experience. You should know that this is one of the noisiest restaurants you will ever dine in (after shouting with my dining companions just to be heard by each other at our own table, my throat was sore for hours!). The layout is a bit odd; it's kind of an "L" shape resulting in three areas very distinct from each other: 1) the bar/lounge with bar and booths (and where the music was this night); 2) the 'elbow' of the L: a very exposed pocket, with the front door/hostess station on one side and the pizza bar/oven on the other, and open both to the bar and 'dining room' (a stone floor and other hard surfaces made the noise unbearable in this elbow section. This also seems to be where they put larger groups, which turns up the volume even more!), and... 3) a rear room that looks like more like a traditional restaurant dining area. (Whatever you do, do not sit in the middle, pizza oven (kitchen?) area! The food would have had to be pretty good to want to return to such a noisy space. Alas, the food left much to be desired. The pizza was about the best thing we ordered, and yet the crust should have been crisper and firmer (maybe it sat too long before being served; the bottom crust seemed almost to have steamed from its own heat). The calamari was large, but soggy with oil (again: where is the crisp?). The generous portion of eggplant parmagiana suffered from a similar fate (eggplant laden with oil) and its angel hair bed was inadequately sauced. The panzanella is overpriced as it is composed almost entirely of bread (panzanella is a bread salad, but it is usually a salad; this was a dish of bread with a couple of grape tomatoes and some red onion slivers). They did make a nice cappucino and the two desserts sampled (a decent and generous lemon pound cake and a fruit cobbler) were pretty good, tho I was pretty much finished with my coffee by the time they arrived. We won't be back...
(1)Scott A.
I have enjoyed my meals at Tavolino in the past. I am convinced now that is due the attentive service of Paul who has been our bartender on each occasion in the past. On Patriots day we went to have nice relaxed dinner at the bar and we were surprised at how busy and unprepared the restaurant was. We easily found a seat at the nearly empty bar but the bartender was extremely busy making drinks for the extra busy patio. It took a long time for her to acknowledge us and she had to ask her manager for a trashcan. That seemed a bit odd. We ordered our drinks and mine arrived quickly but wife's drink took about ten minutes for her to make while she found the appropriate ingredients and garnishes (another indication of lack of preparedness)...This routine continued for our appetizer order and additional drinks. The bartender came to us and apologized and told us that our fisrt round would be "on Tom" I assume he is the trashcan fetching manager. The appetizers were very good, although the calamari could have benefited from more than two peppers. We also ordered entrees and the came in short order mine was excellent Pork Marsala (small plate) but wife's tasted strange to her..we determined that this was due to the smoked mozzarella and THICK sliced prosciutto she could not eat it. I give Tavolino FOUR STARS due past experiences, the quality of most of food & drink and the professionalism that was executed by both the manager and the bartender in addressing my wife's meal...next time I will make sure that Paul is working before I go to the bar.
(4)Katherine B.
My boyfriend and I have been looking for a near-by pizza place for a while now; more so, we've been on the search for a place that has thin-crust pizzas with fresh toppings as opposed to the local pizza places that are really greasy and thick or chain pizza places. We decided to try Tavolino last Friday night, and I think we've found our new pizza place. We haven't had the chance to have a sit down meal at the restaurant yet, so I'm strictly basing this review on the pizza and take-out service. Overall, the pizza was good - We ordered both a pepperoni and a house special pizza. To me, the house special was a little too sweet - but if you're looking for a good Friday pizza and movie night, the pepperoni was great - I'm sure a plain cheese would we just as good. The dough was nice and soft (like a NY style pizza) - not too crispy for a thin crust, which can happen if its too thin or over cooked. Service was pretty good. We called to order the pizza and they gave us an estimated time of 25 minutes. We ended up arriving at Tavolino a few minutes early, expecting to wait - but the pizza was already ready and still hot - so they hadn't been waiting long. We'll definitely be trying Tavolino again for pizza, and also hopefully have the chance to get in for a nice sit-down date night!
(4)Binki D.
I have been to Tavolino about 8 times and had all variety of experiences there. From an obviously drunk man who was hitting on everyone in site (including me , while I stopped in to get gift certificates) to very good to being left out on the patio for a 2 hour+ lunch (hostage is more like it) to a great family meal. A hair on the fries was remedied by the waiter by removing it and setting the plate down , until we reminded him to take the pale and throw away the fries! (Okay he was very young, inexperienced) Tonight we had the BEST time of all. Superb service . All staff working including the manger constantly, but not overbearing . Excellent food and presentation. The place was busy and all the food came out on time and really HOT! A big plus with us. We feel like this place finally has it right. I am so glad. I look forward to many more dinners here. I hope Lee Ann is there for a long time. I only gave it four stars because of previous visits that have had spotty service, food. By the way...the manager handled the drunk man wonderfully in a bad situation. Refusing him more drinks and speaking to him out of range of other guests. Big points for that tact. )
(4)Hope L.
Have had a couple of great experiences here. Great staff, especially the ginger assistant manager Allie! First time I went my drink was strong, and the bartender fixed it up perfect no problem! Food was great- DEFINITELY recommend both the fried ravioli pizza and mushroom pasta (sorry I forget the real names). They have live music on weekends- I saw this Boston band play there, they were great! The atmosphere in this place is wonderful; makes you feel warm and welcome in the cold winter. It also has a homey feel, like many of the people are regulars- but whether regulars or not, the staff aims to please all!
(5)Sean M.
3.333 Stars Missed another first review because I wanted to be fair and get a few visits under my belt. This establishment is 1.3 miles from my house, and it is certainly a welcomed addition to the dinning scene here in town. As I mentioned I went just after they opened and there are always kinks to be worked out. With that in mind... The room has a slightly quixotic layout but that is the due to the floor plan, and I think they make good use of the space. The bar is quite nice with decent seating options including a nice "gangsta-booth" towards the back. There is also a Sushi-styled Pizza Bar where you can watch they chefs, a nice idea. The dinning room is slightly problematic, I would not take tables near the head of the room, the tables farther back are more intimate. They have televisions almost everywhere, including the dinning area. I like that my wife thought it wasn't a good idea. The food is a version of Italian that is not that authentic but it isn't Olive Garden-esque either. Dishes that should have more robust flavors are somewhat muted. A prime example of this the Osso Bucco, the meat should have been more tender and the dish lacked seasoning, it didn't pop for me. The Chicken Parmesan is less successful because it is caught in limbo between "Upscale New American Italian" and "Ma and Pa Red Sauce Italian". I felt they should follow through with the former and shun giving a nod to the later. The pizza offerings are a strong suit here, again it isn't NY Style and it isn't quite traditional Neapolitan, but melding of the two. The Margherita Pizza was interesting but we are beginning to favor their plain cheese. The pizza does make the take-out rotation when we need an escape from Greek pizza or Papa Ginos. The two best things on the menu so far for me are the pappardelle bolognese and the wild boar appetizer. Both these dishes demonstrate the "concept" they are shooting for with excellent results. Deserts here are a bit lack luster and perhaps the low bar on the execution scale. The bartending staff is first class, the hostesses and dining room staff are courteous but inexperienced. I'm hoping with time they can develop the service, especially in the dining room to a level that matches these prices. Clearly it is lack of experience and training. The bus boy who brought my Osso Bucco announced it as "some sort of pork". They have a decent B+/B wine list and knowledgeable bar/management people, but the dinning servers could use some training in handling and perhaps a few employee tastings are in order so they know the product. If you are running a chain even a mini-chain a strong training program is a must. * great bar, ample beer and wine choices at reasonable mark up. * by the glass pours are quite generous * better lunch choice * reservations are actually a good idea for dinner. * it's part of a local chain * makes "Upscaled New American Italian" a new category?
(3)Sally F.
The food was EXCELLENT! The one thing that stood out was how fresh everything was. I love anchovies on my caesar salads and they were 100% fresh and NOT from a can. I got the Salmon which was fantastic and the side of cheesy risotto was aaahhhmmmazing! There isnt one bad thing I can say.
(5)Rolo C.
The restaurant has very nice decor, modern, and clean. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Everything other than the food was good. I've read good things about their pizza and tried the Italian sausage. It is super salty and not very good. Even the appetizers weren't good. I won't be going back again.
(2)P.j. A.
First time at this location . I usually go to the Patriot Place. The pizza hardly had anything on it . I would not go back. Not a good bang for the buck last night.
(2)Angela B.
I see that some of the other reviewers here aren't glowing with their remarks but I have to say, I liked this place. We have been twice and both times the pizza was delicious, the service was great and the wine- very nice. There aren't a whole lot of choices in these parts and I appreciate this one.
(4)Jenny C.
Meals are always great! We had our rehearsal dinner at the Patriot's Place location and go to the Westboro location for dinner once in a while. The food is fresh, the service is great, and it's always consistent. I really enjoy the Chicken Saltimboca and the Scallop dish.
(5)gus w.
we decided, last minute to get out for dinner on a Saturday night, and quickly hit opentable to gamble our night away. We'd seen this place on the Chronicle special, and thought we'd give it a whirl.....they also had a 730 reservation open, which sealed the deal and we fff to the really depressing and empty bay-state plaza in Westborough. We ordered drinks and appetizers at the same time (my wife had the Tomato soup, I the cesar) and oddly, they came before our drinks. I was actually done with my salad before my beer arrived. We went thinking we wanted appetizers, but the big ass pizza oven and the 30 selections changed our minds, and we split a chicken and mushroom pizza. It was outstanding. Lots of meat, mushrooms and tomoatoe's piled onto a perfectly cooked crust. The place felt a little funky though, like 3 seperate designers each took a piece of the resturant and then stuck it all together. Despite the goofy service, the food was good and we'll be heading back for another try.
(3)Bill K.
Good bar food. Very good take out pizza. Reasonable prices. Four stars for value provided.
(4)Margo O.
Have dined there twice. Very nice atmosphere. Service is prompt and courteous. Food was excellent! The beet salad (one of my favorites) was perhaps the best version I've experienced. The spinach and mushroom ravioli is excellent too. My son was served chicken parmesan (which he reported was delicious) that was more like 2 dinners for the price of one!? This restaurant is a great addition to Westboro!
(4)Sandy B.
Tavolino was a very nice night out for my husband and me. We made reservations (Saturday night at 7) not sure if we would need them or not, but when we arrived there were multiple parties waiting. We got there about 10 minutes early and the hostess apologized for not having a table ready for us and gave us a pager. We waited maybe five minutes and were paged and brought to a table in the corner of the restaurant. Our waitress was pleasant and professional. We ordered the bottle of wine they recommended and when we were only able to have a glass each, she happily bagged it for us so we could take it home. We started with calamari - my husbands choice, but I have to admit it was delicious. We each had a spinach salad, which was the highlight of the meal for me. It was perfectly dressed. We finished the meal with the sweet potato pizza - a creation I had never tried before. While it was good, I probably wouldn't order that again, the flavors just didn't work for me. As for the space itself, it is smaller than it seems like it should be and the tables are close together so it gets pretty loud. They did a nice job with the layout of the tables to help with the oddly shaped room, but getting up to go to the ladies room, I had to dodge in and out of tables to make sure I didn't bother any other diners or walk into the wait staff. All in all, a nice place - we'll be back esp for the spinach salad.
(4)David G.
Been there three times since they opened, with the most recent trip on Dec. 28. Two of our three visits have been lackluster, marred by such issues as cold entrees, inattentive service, and middling though relatively expensive food. On the plus side, it has a pleasant ambiance that I would describe as a hybrid of trendy and traditional. The best thing I ate there was one of their gourmet pizzas, but don't think this is enough to lure me back.
(2)Bill K.
4 stars for the bar food and pizza and reasonable prices.
(4)joe m.
I was happy to see another new restaurant added to the Commons, and wanted to give Tavolino a try. We walked down and sat at the bar to grab a quick lunch and a drink. Turns out, the lunch took about 20 minutes to come out (I ordered a Caesar wrap). Needless to say, I was a little disappointed with the time it took for the food to come out. The food was pretty good though, and the bar was loaded with TVs (big plus). I will certainly give this place another shot sometime once they get a little more established.
(3)B M.
Okay, nothing too great. Theplace is set up weird, very confused on what the theme is. Pretty cool, packed little bar there., very lively on the weekend nights. Have tried a couple pasta dishes. Not bad, nothing rememberable though either. It has only been a few weeks and I already forgot what I had there. I have tried many of the pizzas and they are usually a little above average. All in all the place is okay, the bar is cool, they have outdoor seating and the food seems to be okay to slightly above average, the layout is terrible though. The service has been okay when I am there, so I can't complain too much. Hopefully they will hit a homerun with the food the next time I am there. There is just so little in the way of options in Boston and the western area of Boston, I guess I might go back by default.
(3)Phil K.
This is my second review of Tavolino. We had been impressed but now on our fourth visit we find some recurring themes. Our first visit was so nice it has taken a while to sour my view and we are sad - we want this place to succeed and yet, it's not always crowded as in our first couple of visits and it seems we are seeing why. The wait staff is not well trained and may not really understand the concept of service. For two of our previous visits, our server was outstanding. Now, based on two other visits it's clear she was one of few exceptions. Examples. This week, Sunday Brunch. No black tea - this is a recurring issue at Tavolino and each time they don't have plain old caffeinated black tea I'm told that many people mention this. I suggested they take a walk to the grocery store and buy some - the server may have thought I was joking. They have ignored my and other patrons request for an item that any other restaurant has. Maple syrup - the real kind from a tree - is offered on the menu for an upcharge. We asked if they had any today and were assured they did. Two of us (the syrup snobs) ordered breakfast that would compliment syrup. The syrup came and was not real. We told the server who looked at us and said - that's all we have for syrup. It didn't even occur to her to cover for the fact that she had already said they had it. Thjis server assumed that the patron can't tell the difference. We can. The food is really quite good but it is expensive and we don't get the service I expect for that price. It was a disappointing visit, an expensive, disappointing visit. We had come to show off the place to our son and his new wife. We should have gone to a diner.
(2)Ed L.
2.5 Stars We were really looking forward to this new addition to the local dining scene, but left somewhat disappointed... The crowd was impressive (2 deep at the bar when we walked in), but that didn't deter the bar staff from providing us with excellent service. The bartender immediately recognized us as new arrivals and took our order immediately without the usual awkward wait and reach between people at the bar. Before long, the crowd cleared and we settled into a nice visit with friends that had joined us. We were seated promptly at our reservation time, but noticed immediately that the same level of service didn't follow through into the dining room. The floor staff just wasn't as polished or professional as the bar staff was. Timing was all good, but something seemed a little 'off' - exemplified by when the kid who brought our dinners wasn't sure what the meals were and didn't have a clue of who ordered what. The menu offered some diverse and interesting options, but my wife decided to play it safe and order Chick Parmigiana (since that's a basic dish she likes to judge new restaurants by). She was disappointed. On the other hand, I ordered an interesting Veal Steak special which had great flavor but for the money wasn't a very edible cut of meat (and looked like it had sat too long before being expedited to the table). The other members of our party ordered a Fish Special (Mahi Mahi) and Mediterranean chicken, and both were happy with their meals. The appetizers were good, with some unique choices available, and I do expect to return to try out the Pizza options. But no matter how much I'd like to, I won't be ordering desert again. It seems the chef is committed to doing a lot of things right while offering some adventurous and tasty meals. I would suggest they eliminate or modify the offering their heart's not into, and get the staff motivated to carry the commitment to good food and service beyond the bar and onto the floor. All the little things that were 'a little off' ended up having a much bigger impact than one might expect. Some minor adjustments would warrant a 4 star review.
(2)