A Memorable Italian Dining Experience in San Luis Obispo
Dining at Buona Tavola in San Luis Obispo was the perfect way to celebrate our milestone birthdays.
As we approached the restaurant, my initial thought was, “What a cute little restaurant.” Located in downtown San Luis Obispo, Buona Tavola has an intimate feel from the outside that gives little indication of the beautiful garden dining area waiting in the back.
The moment we entered, we were greeted by friendly staff. Although Buona Tavola is a Northern Italian restaurant, the greetings from each staff member as we walked through reminded me of entering Thipsamai in Bangkok, Thailand. There was something about being welcomed with such enthusiasm, grace and class that immediately made me feel our dining experience was off to a great start.
A Beautiful Garden Patio in Downtown San Luis Obispo
We walked through the restaurant and were escorted to an additional dining area in the back. Buona Tavola describes it as its garden patio, and it was easily one of my favorite things about the restaurant.
It felt enclosed and intimate while still having the atmosphere of outdoor dining. In the center of the garden courtyard was a beautiful bubbling fountain, and our table sat directly across from it. Between the fountain, greenery, soft music and conversations happening around us, the setting had an understated elegance that made it perfect for a birthday dinner.
Our waiter and the manager knew we were celebrating my son’s 21st birthday, and both were amazing.
My son is new to drinking wine and didn’t know what he should select. Instead of simply recommending a bottle or pointing to something on the menu, our waiter patiently asked him questions to figure out what he might enjoy. That eventually led to him trying both red and white wines.
At some point, the manager came to our table carrying a glass of red wine and insisted that my son try it. As my son tasted the wine, the manager explained its different characteristics to him.
It was such a small interaction, but it is exactly the type of thing I remember about a restaurant long after I’ve forgotten what I ordered.
Bruschetta, Salami and Imported Italian Cheeses
We started with the Bruschetta al pomodoro fresco e basilico: grilled garlic bread topped with Roma tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil. Goat cheese can be added, but we opted not to add it.
We love a good bruschetta, and this was by far rich in flavor. I had to pace myself because I wanted to make sure I had room for my entrée.
While we were eating our bruschetta, our waiter surprised us with the “Alle Pia” Affettati Misti, a beautiful assortment of Piemontese salami, artisanal imported cheeses, bagnetto and ’nduja spread.
We both looked at each other and immediately said, “This is something my daughter would have enjoyed.”
She only eats the best salami and imported cheeses, so this would have been right up her alley.
That unexpected plate was another example of what made dinner at Buona Tavola feel different. The experience wasn’t simply about ordering food, eating and leaving.
Pappardelle alla San Pietro
For my entrée, I ordered the Pappardelle alla San Pietro.
The wide ribbon pasta is served with shrimp, braised sweet onions, imported prosciutto and a light creamy tomato sauce.
This was so delicious and filling.
I absolutely enjoyed the rich flavors of every ingredient. The sweetness of the braised onions, saltiness of the imported prosciutto and shrimp all came together in the creamy tomato sauce.
As I continued eating, my stomach was saying, “Enough,” but my mouth was saying, “Keep going.”
In the end, I listened to my stomach.
Orecchiette del Campo
My son ordered Buona Tavola’s Orecchiette del Campo, a hat-shaped orecchiette pasta served with homemade chicken sausage, rapini (broccoli rabe), sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and tomato-basil sauce.
He was pleased with his dish as well.
Buona Tavola is known for Northern Italian cuisine and features handcrafted pastas on its menu. Some of its pasta dishes are specifically made in-house, along with items such as the homemade chicken sausage served in the Orecchiette del Campo.
And, of course, when freshly grated cheese was offered over the pasta, we weren’t saying no.
Chef Varia’s Famous Tiramisu
As dinner was winding down, there was still one more thing we had to try: dessert.
We ordered Buona Tavola’s tiramisu, which the restaurant calls Chef Varia’s famous tiramisu.
The classic Italian dessert features espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with rich, creamy mascarpone and finished with a generous blanket of chocolate shavings.
It was light and fresh, which was exactly what I needed after convincing myself to stop eating that pappardelle.
And because we were celebrating a milestone birthday, a candle made its way to the table too.
The Kind of Restaurant People Return To
As dinner was winding down, conversations from the tables around us filled the garden patio.
Two women were sitting across from us. One of them began telling our waiter that she was excited to dine at Buona Tavola because this was where her son and daughter-in-law had their first date when they were in college.
Now, whenever she visits San Luis Obispo, Buona Tavola is a restaurant she makes sure to return to.
I loved hearing that.
Here we were celebrating my son’s 21st birthday while another mother was returning to the restaurant where part of her own son’s story had begun years earlier.
Maybe that’s what makes certain restaurants special.
It isn’t always just the food.
Our entire dining experience was memorable. Buona Tavola was filled with longtime customers and new diners, great food, wine, light music, a beautiful garden atmosphere and staff who somehow made a busy restaurant feel personal.
Even the accents became part of the evening.
The manager and our waiter both spoke with what sounded to me like Italian accents. Eventually, I couldn’t resist and asked our waiter where he was from.
He wasn’t Italian.
Apparently, after spending so much time learning the menu and working in the restaurant, he had adopted an Italian accent.
Is Buona Tavola in San Luis Obispo Worth Visiting?
If you’re searching for one of the best Italian restaurants in San Luis Obispo, a romantic restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo, or somewhere special for a birthday or celebration, Buona Tavola deserves a place on your list.
Come for the Northern Italian food, but don’t overlook the experience surrounding it: the warm greeting when you enter, the garden patio and bubbling fountain, the wine, the conversations happening at neighboring tables and a staff that understands hospitality.
Just like the woman who returns because of the memories her family made here, I already know I will dine at Buona Tavola again.
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