We really enjoy coming here for happy hour. We are gluten free and dairy free, and Tavolata is always accommodating.
We often start with the tavolata salad, without cheese, but it's got so much going on that it's still filled with flavors. My favorite dish is the rigatoni, which I order without cheese and with gluten free pasta. It's spicy but I love it. My wife gets the papardelle, prepared similarly. It's sweeter and the acidity of the tomato sauce really takes center stage.
Tavolata uses the BEST gluten free pasta, so the flavor of the pasta itself is just unbeatable, as far as gluten free pasta goes.
The service is always quality, but I do prefer going here during happy hour. It's quieter and everything is timed to perfection. Happy hour also has great prices.
My one detractor is the atmosphere. ESR initially had a taco joint here that was overpriced and underwhelming, but they retained a lot of the same 'vibe' as the previous restaurant. I'd love to see more of the classic ESR vibe that you find at their other restaurants, such as the Belltown tavolata.