La Traviata

Recommends

Monika Kowalczyk

Joined 4 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. Although often filled to capacity, the restaurant feels more cozy than bustling. The stone-walled dining room features a bar and wine racks. While the business crowd populates the scene at lunch, come nightfall, La Traviata is a haven for couples. The menu changes seasonally, but highlights include the crispy polenta with Gorgonzola sauce, calamari puttanesca and spaghetti bolognese in a sauce that takes 12 to 18 hours to prepare.

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PaddyMcP

Joined 4 years ago

Great Italian Food in Downtown. You can't go wrong starting your evening with a great Italian meal at La Traviata. They have a great menu with a wide variety of pasta and meat dishes to choose from. The wine list isn't extravagant, but good enough for all but the most discerning winos. Service was knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend the rigatoni with spicy lamb meatballs. EXCELLENT!

Being smack-dab downtown, it's expected that the restaurant will be crowded. Don't expect to have a ton of space. But the friendly hosts and patrons will make you feel at home at this great downtown Italian eatery.

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rwschroeder

Joined 5 years ago

Worth the downtown hassle. My girlfriend and I went to La Traviata for Valentine's day. It was a total hassle finding parking, but it was well worth it for the meal we had. There was a set three course meal and each one was amazing. I'm not a big salad person, but even the salad was great. I had the beef tenderloin and it was so soft I almost didn't have to chew it. It just melted!! The desert. Well....let's just say no matter what you like, if it's sweet they have you covered.

We had never been there before, so I didn't know what to expect. It's small and cozy, but not too small. It's perfect for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. I will definitely be going back and would highly recommend La Traviata to anyone who truly appreciates great food.

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heatherinaustin

Joined 5 years ago

One of the BEST places in Austin to eat!. The mushroom pasta is so creamy it melts in your mouth. I love the atmosphere. Very "Austin"... Can get a bit loud, but that is just part of the experience. Service is far above average and food is incredible. A "must eat" when downtown...

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AnnaDL

Joined 5 years ago

Great Restaurant. We decided to go for our first year anniversary. My husband isn't as big on Italian, but we both liked the menu. It was absolutely delicious! We ordered the crispy polenta for a starter which I totally recommend. It was so good! I also had the spaghetti carbonara. I wish I could make this. It was so flavorful and although I was unsure of the uncooked egg, I was pleasantly surprised. I would definitely recommend this dish and this restaurant. It is quaint and comfy and the wait staff is really accommodating.

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ckincan

Joined 5 years ago

Loved it!. My sister and I went for lunch the day of my wedding and had a great meal (roasted red peppers & goat cheese, mesclun salad with shaved parmesan, etc.), so we took a bunch of family back the next night and had another wonderful meal. My husband's veal with a white truffle sauce was amazing! Nice atmosphere, good service, great wine list, and fantastic food...definitely recommend it!

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HappyDinner76

Joined 5 years ago

Absolutely Delicious. It was our anniversary so we were hoping for a nice evening and La Traviata definetly delivered. Our reservations were for 6 but we arived early at 530 and they promptly seated us. We had a nice little table for two. The watiter quickly came to te... Read morell us of the specials, and help us pick out a glass of vino, and a few appitizers. he crispy polenta was all I had read about on other reviews the crisp outside with the creamy inside sitting in a creamy pungent gorgonzola suace was heavenly and perfect for such a cold day. The prosciutto and parmasean was elegant and another must try when dinning here. For the entrees my wife got the spaghetti bolognesse, which made her moan through the meal, and I tore into the osso buco, the roast was so tender I never picked up my knife rather all was needed was to flake tender juicey peicesd off with my fork run it around the garlicy creamy polenta and enjoy. As for the wait staff, they were there when we need and invisible when we wanted time alone. We never found ourselves waiting for anything. So if your palate con only handle the over salted foods of the chain italian restraunts, and your idea of good service must include a ADHD caffiene hped up flare wearer who squats at your table so eagerto fawn over you I would suggest TGIF or Olive Garden, but if you want to try an elegant marriage of earthy, bold flavors, and a classy dinning staff this restraunt is a must. My wife and I both look forward to our return visit.

Doesn't Recommend

foodloverr11

Joined 6 years ago

Horrible Service, Great food. The food was delcious but the service was horrible! I would definetly have recommended the restaurant had it not been for the HORRIBLE service .The blonde waitress that we had pay no attention to us and blew us off most of the time. She only had 2 other tables and gave them 85% more service. She judged us because we looked like college students so she probably figured she would not get a good tip. But never judge a book by its cover. I would love to go back because the food was wonderful, but I probably wont becuase of the service. I would not recommed this restaurant.

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robmazz

Joined 6 years ago

Anyone open for Italian?. This is a great restaurant in Austin. It is Italian with a Congress Avenue wash. The food is surprisingly good. Lunch is easy on the pocketbook. How nice it is not to have another Italian restaurant from a cookie-cutter mold with food prepared on a pound of butter. What is interesting about this restaurant is that it has old time charm (okay a hundred some years) without the Welcome-to-Paris, Give-us-what-you've-got- in-your-wallet- so-that-you-can leave-hungry. Like many of the commercial properties on Congress Ave, the space is narrow: Hats off to the decorators' use of paint, mirrors, and a bar to give the restaurant a great start. Add in clientele and the pursuant conversation and you've got an interesting beginning. But the key is definitely in the surprisingly consistent excellence of the food. God bless Texas or the Italian-capable cook who took up residence.

Okay. I like this restaurant; it made the list of where to bring visiting friends, business associates or coworkers for a rejuvenating midday meal.

Good value, delicious food, great atmosphere (though it does get loud mid-day.)

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plasticdonut32

Joined 7 years ago

Finally! Good Italian food in Austin!. Wonderful Italian dishes, and I loved the atmosphere. It is a bit busy and slightly loud, but that's what gives it its hopping vibe. They have a good wine list, but the service could use some improvement. I'm just excited that I found another rarity to Austin...a good Italian restaurant besides Vespaio.