In fact, Tavola owes its very existence to the love that Keaveny has for his wife, whom he calls his “muse.” The Keaveny’s love of each other, their customers, and their food are at the heart of Tavola, which in just three years has gathered a loyal following of regulars. Yet, Tavola, which chef Michael Keaveny owns jointly with his wife Tami, has a marriage behind its success. Gone are the days of a “Mom and Pop” on every corner. These days, it is rare for a restaurant to be owned jointly by husband and wife. None of this should be surprising when you consider that the story of Tavola is really a love story. And, most of all, it’s the soulful, rustic Italian fare that tastes as though it is made by people who love what they are doing.
It’s also the affable servers who seem sincerely to care about each customer’s experience. It’s not just the cozy vibe of the 37-seat wood-floored storefront that makes it feel so warm. Tavola may be Charlottesville’s warmest restaurant.
