Having actually stopped by Travinia Italian Kitchen a few
days before they opened and being impressed with the décor inside, I couldn’t
wait to actually eat there. I finally had
my chance yesterday. All I can say is “Mama
Mia!” The food was incredible.
The inside of Travinia was energetic and lively, and the
waitstaff was welcoming and friendly. But even more impressive was the outdoor
seating areas that were perfectly suited for al fresco dining. I also thought it very interested that there was
a bench right beyond the outdoor dining area where I sat waiting for my table.
It was a perfect place to relax and wait for our name to be called. It was far
enough away from the other dinners not to disturb them, but not as far so that
you couldn’t see what they were eating. I was getting hungry.
waitstaff was welcoming and friendly. But even more impressive was the outdoor
seating areas that were perfectly suited for al fresco dining. I also thought it very interested that there was
a bench right beyond the outdoor dining area where I sat waiting for my table.
It was a perfect place to relax and wait for our name to be called. It was far
enough away from the other dinners not to disturb them, but not as far so that
you couldn’t see what they were eating. I was getting hungry.
Once inside, I quickly ordered a glass of Hindsight Cabernet
and it was very full bodied and tasty—just the way I like it. My meal started with a Cesar salad, and I
have to admit this was the second best Cesar salad I had in my entire life. The
first one was at a hotel in New York City where they did the whole production
of making the salad at your table. While Travinia’s wasn’t made at the table,
it was a close second in taste to the New York City one. Each piece of lettuce
seemed like it was hand selected. Every piece was green and crisp. No dead
looking rusty looking leaves here. The dressing was extremely flavorful with a
hint of anchovy and the garlic croutons were crunchy and full of garlic flavor.
A+
and it was very full bodied and tasty—just the way I like it. My meal started with a Cesar salad, and I
have to admit this was the second best Cesar salad I had in my entire life. The
first one was at a hotel in New York City where they did the whole production
of making the salad at your table. While Travinia’s wasn’t made at the table,
it was a close second in taste to the New York City one. Each piece of lettuce
seemed like it was hand selected. Every piece was green and crisp. No dead
looking rusty looking leaves here. The dressing was extremely flavorful with a
hint of anchovy and the garlic croutons were crunchy and full of garlic flavor.
A+
We also had to try the mussels since we saw them come out
when we were waiting for our table. They were large and fresh (but were harder
than usual to get out of the shells). They were swimming in a broth so
delicious that I can’t even begin to describe it. I would say it was made up of butter, garlic,
white wine and oregano and some other secret ingredients. There also were
toasty pieces of bread to sop up the broth which was all gone in a matter of
minutes. A+
when we were waiting for our table. They were large and fresh (but were harder
than usual to get out of the shells). They were swimming in a broth so
delicious that I can’t even begin to describe it. I would say it was made up of butter, garlic,
white wine and oregano and some other secret ingredients. There also were
toasty pieces of bread to sop up the broth which was all gone in a matter of
minutes. A+
Time for a second glass of wine. This time is was the Martin
Ray cabernet and was also a real pleasure to drink. It was also nice to see
that most every table was drinking wine. This seems like my kind of place.
Ray cabernet and was also a real pleasure to drink. It was also nice to see
that most every table was drinking wine. This seems like my kind of place.
For my main course, I went with the seafood pescatora which
is a spicy tomato based seafood dish server over linguini. The seafood, which
consisted of mussels, scallops, shrimp, and calamari was perfectly cooked and
seasoned. The spicy sauce was also very tasty but not overly spicy and really
complimented the seafood. The linguini, I have to admit, was a little
overcooked. But the dish otherwise was very successful and a joy to eat.
is a spicy tomato based seafood dish server over linguini. The seafood, which
consisted of mussels, scallops, shrimp, and calamari was perfectly cooked and
seasoned. The spicy sauce was also very tasty but not overly spicy and really
complimented the seafood. The linguini, I have to admit, was a little
overcooked. But the dish otherwise was very successful and a joy to eat.
My meal ended very traditionally with Tiramisu and a double
espress (of course). But before that
arrived, my dinning partner and I were gifted
with four little cannoli—a very nice, sweet, and tasty touch. Now back to the tiramisu… This ain’t your
nonna’s tiramisu. This is a contemporary
rendition that puts the old classic to shame. It was plated whimsically with
lines of honey and fluffy cream. And of course the taste was out of this world.
I can honestly say this was the best
tiramisu I had ever had.
espress (of course). But before that
arrived, my dinning partner and I were gifted
with four little cannoli—a very nice, sweet, and tasty touch. Now back to the tiramisu… This ain’t your
nonna’s tiramisu. This is a contemporary
rendition that puts the old classic to shame. It was plated whimsically with
lines of honey and fluffy cream. And of course the taste was out of this world.
I can honestly say this was the best
tiramisu I had ever had.
I always think the true test of a restaurant is whether you
would consider going back. Will I go back to Travinia? Absolutely! I haven’t
been to such a flavorful and delicious restaurant in some time. With a well-stocked
wine list, tasty food, great service and reasonable prices, what isn’t there to
love. Mamma Mia!
would consider going back. Will I go back to Travinia? Absolutely! I haven’t
been to such a flavorful and delicious restaurant in some time. With a well-stocked
wine list, tasty food, great service and reasonable prices, what isn’t there to
love. Mamma Mia!
