Dining Guide

Tavolo Wine Bar and Tuscan Grille

Authentic Italian cuisine and award-winning wines

Posted

970 Douglas Pike, Smithfield | 401-349-4979
289 Atwells Avenue, Providence 

Toast to the Italian Coast
Open for a little under a year, Tavolo Wine Bar and Tuscan Grille in Smithfield has quickly become a destination for foodies and celebrated nationally for its superb wine program. Sherri and Leonard Mello, a husband and wife team with over 15 years of restaurant experience, opened the spot last October with a mission to serve high-quality food in a chic yet casual environment. “We wanted to present big city food and ambience without the big city prices,” says Sherri. The menu features the best of authentic Tuscan cuisine. Seasonally inspired, the expansive offerings incorporate local seafood, farm fresh vegetables and meats.  House specialities include grilled swordfish, pan seared scallops, shrimp pancetta and veal Parmesan served with freshly-made pasta.. 

The impressive wine list offers 400 wines by the bottle ranging from $25 to $2,500, and 50 wines by the glass. Wine Spectator has presented the program its Award of Excellence in 2015 and 2016. “It’s really an honor,” says Leonard, who’s also the house sommelier. Tavolo is one of only 20 restaurants in the state to receive the award, and the only one in northern Rhode Island. In addition to the endless wine selection, the bar offers 70 beers and creative cocktails.

Weekly Specials, Special Announcement
In addition to the already reasonably-priced menu, Tavolo offers promotions throughout the week. On Mondays, bottles of wine under $75 are offered at 50% off. A three-course prix fixe is available Monday through Friday for lunch at $14.95 per person, and Sunday and Monday for dinner at $29.95. A happy hour is offered daily (3-6pm on weekdays, 4-6pm weekends) where appetizers enjoyed at the bar are $6 each. And Wednesday evenings brings live jazz with bar specials. 

An exciting second location in Providence is on the horizon, with an anticipated fall 2016 opening. “We’re excited to bring traditional Italian back to Federal Hill,” says Sherri, adding that creative seafood and steak specialties will also be featured on the modern Tuscan menu. The large location will include a beautiful patio and private space that can accommodate events for 15-150 guests. “We’re really excited to bring one of the largest and most diversified wine lists to the city of Providence,” Leonard adds. 

Gluten Free and Delicious: Offering something for everybody, Tavolo’s expansive menu features gluten-free options, including pasta.

Homemade Desserts: Be sure to leave room for their decadent desserts, such as housemade biscotti, tiramisu, cheesecake and Bananas Foster, which is flambéd tableside.

Sample Menu

Steak Frites
Grilled hanger steak, house-cut parmesan truffle fries, cognac au poivre

Porcini Rubbed Filet Mignon
Wild mushroom and asparagus hash sunny side egg, hollandaise sauce

Braised Pulled Chicken
Pan seared gnocchi, pancetta, shiitake mushrooms, roasted tomato, escarole, mushroom pan jus, shaved parmesan

Braised Pulled Beef Shank
Asparagus tips, roasted cipollini, peas, mushrooms, truffle demi butter, pappardelle pasta

Frutti Di Mare
Capellini tossed with shrimp, mussels, scallops, littlenecks, calamari, spicy marinara

Prosciutto Wrapped Cod
Roasted fingerling potatoes, braised mussel chowder, shaved fennel salad

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