La Tavernetta

1 Reviews on “La Tavernetta”

• Artforartssake

  FOOD TYPEItalianFOOD QUALITYFour of dined on a Saturday night. We started with a shared tomato bruschetta ($10) and a salad di rucola ($13). The bruschetta was neatly presented on crispy toast, with loads of diced tomatoes, olives and shaved parmesan and topped with a few slices of rocket. The salad had rocket, pear, walnut and a homemade dressing, like a vinaigrette. It was fresh and tasty and served in an interesting square bowl. They were both smallish helpings but superior taste and flavour. For mains we had a chicken parmigiana ($30), meatballs (polpette) with parmesan and mozzarella cheese in a napoletana sauce ($28), penna al norma ($25), a penne pasta with eggplant, napoletana sauce and salted ricotta shavings, and a spag scoglio ($29) with seafood in a white wine and cherry tomato sauce. The food was prepared to the highest standard and everyone enjoyed their meals. Like the entrees, serving sizes were smallish but they made up for it, with the high quality of the food. My meatballs were soft and tender, smothered in a rich and flavourful red sauce and topped with thin shavings of ripe mozzarella cheese. My wifes chicken parmigiana was well cooked just the way she likes. The chicken was succulent and tender, and covered in a tangy napoletana sauce and with a smattering of lettuce leaves. And to wash all that down a bottle of 2015 Scalzi Estate Shiraz from the famous Barossa Valley of South Aust ($45).ATMOSPHERESadly the Italian Forum, where this restaurant is located, is a shadow of its former self . We were last here a couple of years ago, when the place was buzzing with energy, and every restaurant was full. Now its like a ghost town, with very few people around, and the majority of restaurants closed up. For sale and for lease signs abound. From what I could see, only this restaurant and La Giara next door, still seem to be operating. But ours still had a reasonable turnout, with probably about 60% of the tables occupied. Next door La Giara was probably only about a third full. We sat outside, under cover. There are a few inside tables as well, but it was pleasant and cool being outdoors on a mild spring night. With a smattering of other diners, the atmosphere was relaxed, casual and homely.SERVICEWe couldnt have been happier with the service from our efficient, friendly and polite Italian waiter. We were made to feel welcome the moment we arrived. Orders were promptly taken and within a few minutes, the bottle of wine was on the table; always a good way to start proceedings. The entrees followed soon afterwards, and it was a short wait of about 10 minutes,before the mains made their appearance. Thats just the way I like it: Fast, efficient service, with no long wait between courses, and everything coming out in the correct order.COMFORTWe were quite happy at our nice little outside table under a canopy. Chairs were firm and comfy and with our efficient, attentive waiter, ensuring that dirty dishes and glasses were swiftly removed, we had no trouble in fitting all the dishes on the table.TOILETSThe Forum toilets are just a few metres outside the restaurant, in the common area. Theyre aging, with a horrid 1980s style hand dryer in the gents, but otherwise, reasonably clean and well stocked. There are ample cubicles to cater for the small number of diners.ACOUSTICSSitting outside, we had no trouble conversing. Tables are well spaced out and the place wasnt overly full. And as mentioned, the whole Italian Forum itself has become a bit of a white elephant, so there was zero noise from outside, just the occasional plane flying low overhead. COSTAfter our $35 Ent Book discount, we paid a reasonable $145 for a bottle of Shiraz, a single entree, a single salad and four main courses. BOOKINGWe took the precaution of booking ahead, using the booking feature on La Tavs own website. Its probably only necessary for weekend dining, but it was reassuring to receive both an email and a polite text confirming our booking.PARKINGYou can enjoy two hours free parking in the Forum car park. That should be enough, but the manager of La Tav. will also give you a ticket for another hour, making it three free hours, and there are plenty of spots available. Just make sure that you drive into the Forum car park and not the next door one, belonging to the Norton Plaza shopping centre. There you will also get two hours free, but after that, youll be up for $18 for the night, so its just not worth it. Street parking around here is a bit of a nightmare.SUMMARYWe had a pleasant evening here and everything went off satisfactorily. Our booked table was ready and waiting for us. The food was of an exceptionally high quality, and prepared with love, care and attention to detail. Our friendly waiter was efficient and helpful, and he made sure that everything ran smoothly for us from the moment we arrived. There are ample clean toilets and three hours free parking. And with your Ent Book voucher youll get a 25% discount up to $35. Its just a pity to see the once bustling Italian Forum, now so empty and deserted with most places having closed down.

  February 10, 2019, 6:26 am

  Log in to Reply