On a busy Saturday evening, we made our way through bustling Belltown for our dinner reservation at Tavolàta, chef/owner Ethan Stowell’s Italian restaurant along Second Avenue.

We were starving, so quickly ordered the Grilled Octopus with Spring Onion, Lemon, Anchovy, and Capers. The octopus arrived in all its glory, its tentacles artfully twirled, its texture perfectly tender and pleasantly chewy. A squirt or two of fresh lemon juice really brought out its sweet/salty flavor.

Campanelle with Mediterranean Mussels, Asparagus, Basil Pesto, and Preserved Lemon was rich, creamy, and toothsome, not to mention such a generous portion we took more than half home to enjoy another night.