Reflections of a Thin Crust: A Tavola Madeira
Posted Sunday, January 22, 2017Most people in town are by now well-acquainted with a really great, authentic Italian pizzeria in Over-the-Rhine called A Tavola (Ahh TAH-voe-lah). But perhaps only some are aware of their second and arguably better location in Madeira. Why is it better? Two words: Roman style.
While my girlfriend and I have only visited Naples, Italy long enough to catch a plane back home, we did technically step foot in pizza's Italian birthplace, and it was from there that A Tavola's two serious O.G. ovens were shipped. These dome-shaped, tiled, wood-burning ovens are hot, glowing works of art in themselves. And when their fiery maws are filled with bubbling discs of doughy deliciousness? Glory, Hallelujah.
A Tavola Madeira's oven, shipped from Naples, Italy A Tavola's Madeira location resides in the same corner building that once housed a Thai restaurant, near Kroger's and Depot Barbecue. The restaurant features great outdoor seating, where the wind catches and gently circulates wafts of baking pizza throughout the space. Inside is an intimate, yet reasonably spacious dining room of dark wood tavolas..er..tables, a small bar, and a grand view of the bustling open kitchen.
The menu at the Madeira location is very similar if not virtually identical to the OTR location. In addition to their signature pizzas, there are five pasta dishes, sandwiches, salads, delicious antipasti (oh, do try the stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates) and gelato for dessert. But there is one key, very important difference: only A Tavola Madeira offers an additional "Roman style" pizza crust option.
Roman style pizza crust is uniquely thin and crispy --almost cracker-like, that is made so using a unique baking technique that employs olive oil in the dough. For those of us who prefer thin-crust pizzas, this extra-thin variant is like a Holy Grail of pizza, allowing the toppings, not the bread, to dominate the palate. The only perceived down side to this technique is that A Tavola apparently does NOT use the wood-fired oven for Roman style pizzas, instead opting for a conventional one.
Gorgonzola pizza, Roman-style crust On our most recent visit, we ordered the Gorgonzola ($17), which is easily our favorite signature pizza. It features a light, fresh tomato sauce topped with Gorgonzola cheese crumbles, mozzarella, house-made sausage, pepperoni and just a light dusting of cracked black pepper. The sharp, piquant tanginess of the Italian blue cheese variant is balanced nicely by the full-bodied meatiness of the sausage and spicy pepperoni, finished with the clean, refreshing flavor of the tomato sauce. It's the perfect vehicle for showcasing the unobtrusive Roman style crust.
My girlfriend and I rarely (if ever) attempt to visit A Tavola Madeira on a Friday or Saturday night --it's just too damn busy. But it's a perfect spot for a weekend lunch or a weeknight out, relaxing with a draft beer and devouring slice after slice of crispy, crackly, Roman-style pizza.
A Tavola Madeira is a must-try for any discerning "appassionato di Pizza."
7022 Miami Ave, Madeira, OH 45243513-272-0192
Rating: 3.5 out of 4
= Outstanding
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
The best TACO joint in the city. I go there as a treat to myself every Monday. TEX MEX TACOS are delicious culinary treats that look beautiful and taste great. I'm so impressed with this place that I never explore the other items on the menu. If you don't get your taco fix here, you're losing in life.
posted: Tue., Apr 27th, 2021 @ 2:37 PM
My Wife and myself dined at Ferrari’s on Saturday and the Food and service was great/ I had the Butternut Squash Ravioli with misc nuts and sauce and it was the best meal I’ve had there/ My wife had the Fish and Vegetables and was very happy/ I also got a couple of their pizza and olive loaves of bread/ The bread is always a hit at work.
posted: Mon., Nov 23rd, 2020 @ 1:14 PM
@Rick: Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to remember to give them a try.
posted: Sat., Nov 21st, 2020 @ 9:06 AM
Try Joe's Pizza located at Airway and Smithville Rd. You might like it...That's one of favorite haunts. I definitely think it beats Cassano's.
posted: Fri., Nov 6th, 2020 @ 4:19 PM
Hands down the best Indian in the area. I have yet to find their yellow Punjabi dish anywhere. It is my favorite, and what keeps me coming back time after time. I think I have been here over 100 times. I love this place.
posted: Thu., May 28th, 2020 @ 12:03 PM
I found a gyro I keep thinking about
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tazikis-mediterranean-cafe-cincinnati
their lamb gyro is about 2-3 bucks higher in cost than a gyro elsewhere - B U T - it is made with whole pieces of lamb meat, not the lamb and beef loaf that all other Gyro joints in Cincinnati seem to do
it is a chain. A minus for me, and I suspect for you as well.
But its good.
really, really good
one caveat: skip the baklava as it is not made in-house
posted: Mon., Dec 9th, 2019 @ 12:43 PM
I'll take your word for it, then.....it is fairly close to work so it'll be an upcoming lunch
I also need to try out this little taco wagon near Quatmans in Norwood
posted: Mon., Sep 9th, 2019 @ 6:21 PM
Hi @TJ - We were pretty impressed with the quality of the items, which I think justifies some of the pricing. I really liked the house-made tortillas and their salsas. Chilero offered some extra little touches that were a pleasant surprise. :)
Just by way of comparison...that same week we'd tried the new Mazunte location downtown...and our experience at Chilero beat them out.
posted: Thu., Aug 29th, 2019 @ 10:18 PM
Great food and fantastic atmosphere
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 8:29 PM
Seems very pricey for a mostly carryout/counter-service joint
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 5:51 PM