Sometimes the sheer convenience of a restaurant is enough reason to make reservations, but it helps if the food is good and the prices are fair. That’s why when Nancy and I make it to the Regal Cinema in Charlottesville, we are likely to eat at nearby Travinia, one of Charlottesville’s top Italian Restaurants.
Travinia Italian Kitchen is a chain with about a dozen locations, spread across the south. They offer a wide range of Italian classics including pasta dishes, Italian entrees and flatbreads with sauces – Italian pizza. My general choice at Travinia is veal – they offer it in multiple versions but the Veal Marsalla is especially good.
Last weekend on our “date night”, Nancy and I saw Madea’s Halloween Movie, which was mildly entertaining, funny at times, but not likely to pull in many Oscar awards. Afterwards, it was drinks and dinner at Travinia. Scanning the menu and struggling with the many options, I made a last minute decision to order Short Ribs and Rigatoni. It was excellent – superb flavors. Nancy ordered – as she almost always does – the Chicken Picatta. Each time she has enough left over for lunch the following day, but I ate every morsel of the Rigatoni.
The atmosphere at the restaurant is delightful. We ate outside beside one of the toasty fire pits on an unseasonably warm October evening.
The only drawback to Travinia is the service. If you are lucky, it will be okay. It has never been exceptional in the half dozen or so times I have frequented the restaurant, but it’s generally acceptable.
The problem with chains such as Outback, Bonefish, Appleby’s and the like is the tremendous turnover in personnel. It is hard to retain a really good server. If you ever eat at Travinia or a similar restaurant and if you see a waiter you recognize, sit at her or his table if possible. They will have experience and likely render excellent service.
Even with just average service, Travinia Italian Kitchen is a good choice when “Eatin’ Out”.