This is my third trip to La Tavolata, but my first on The Episodic Eater.  To see my first two meals recapped on Vintage Zest, click here and here.  There is nothing fussy about the food, it’s just plain and simple what you want to eat when you are craving pasta.

Now, let’s get to it!

I understand when restaurants charge for garlic bread, but these wonderful toasted pieces of focaccia are complimentary!  Personally, I love the tomato-topped version more because I am a tomato fiend.  🙂

Speaking of tomatoes…

Simple and delicious.  The house made vinaigrette was lighter than most, and I believe they used a wine or champagne vinegar instead of a heavier, sweeter balsamic vinegar.  It was fantastic!

with gorgonzola, tomatoes, calamata olives and peperoncini, and creamy house dressing

Simple and delicious.  And so reasonably priced!  Most salads nowadays are ridiculously overpriced, but secretly I think they underpriced this one.  Yum!

light tomato sauce with chilies, clams, mussels, and shrimp

Just a bit of a spice and lots of flavor.  Delicious!

ribbon pasta w/fresh basil pesto, toasted pine nuts

I really loved this!  There is something special about having a lovely pesto during the springtime.  I just crave greens when it starts to get warm out.  Am I the only one?

Anyways, I think this will start to make it into our normal rotation since it never disappoints!

La Tavolata
11688 South St # 106
Artesia, CA 90701
(562) 924-8000
latavolatacafe.com