Tavolavila is a private club.The success of this endeavor depends on the discretion of its members. We are providing this as a service to registered members and their guests.

What’s with the name?

Hey, I’m in marketing so I had to come up with something. Tavola is Italian for table. You figure out the rest.

When is your next dinner?

The only way to receive notices of upcoming dinners is to register to receive our email. When you receive the email it will give you a date and instructions on how to make your reservation.

How often will you host these?

Depends on schedules and moods.

When will you have these dinners?

Typically these events will occur on weekends. When you register for an event, you will receive details.

How much does it cost?

We will have suggested donations listed with menus.

Does the price include wine?

We don’t need the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms busting down our front door, now do we? These events are BYOB. HOWEVER, our sommelier/barista will provide you with suggested wines for the menu and we will have an affiliate program with Wine.com through which you can purchase them.

What kind of food will you serve?

Depends on our mood and the season, but I’ll likely stick to what I know and like to eat—fresh, California/Mediterranean-like foods with influences from Italy, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece. I’ve been dabbling in Northern African and Southern Mexican foods, too, so there could be a surprise. 

Can I see a menu in advance?

Many of our menus will be largely based on seasonal foods, sometimes what we pick up at the farmer's markets that day. We will give you a theme, but probably not an advance menu. Remember...it's not a restaurant. You wouldn't ask your friend for an advanced menu for a dinner party, would you?

What if I have food allergies?

If you are vegetarian or have deadly allergies, please let us know at the time you make your reservation. Sorry, but we cannot accommodate every trendy, hippie diet—we’ll serve carbs, dairy, fat and other delicious real foods. Deal.

Can I bring my friends?

Members can bring guests. But please note that there is a single seating for eight people, and that’s it. So when we’ve sold eight spots, we’re sold out. We may expand later, but for now, dem’s the breaks.

What if I make a reservation but later change my mind or something comes up and I can’t make it?

Due to the nature of these events, we can not accept cancellations or give refunds. You can donate your reservation to a friend as long as you tell us you’re doing so and provide us with that person's name and contact information at least 48 hours in advance.

How is this different than your regular dinner parties?

Many of you have come to one or many of our dinner parties, including the infamous New Year’s Eve extravaganza. We plan to continue those. This is different in a number of ways. First, you contribute money to support the event. Second, the chef and sommelier/barista are not eating with you. Third, you might not know everyone there—that could be a good thing.

Is there a dress code?

What would you wear to a dinner party? Use your imagination. Just remember there is life beyond blue jeans.

Can I bring the kids?

Kids are great. But these are adult-oriented events.

Why are you doing this?

I am not entirely sure, but the best answer I can come up with is “it’s a calling.”

What are your credentials?

I have been cooking since I was eight years old. And while I'm not a reject of society (a la Bourdain) who went to culinary school and frizzled my brain on crank while working late shifts in big city restaurants, I have managed to learn my way around a home kitchen as a self-taught cook. This project is part of my continued education.