Located on the Delmar Loop just past the well-known Pi Pizzeria, Tavolo V is a casual Italian restaurant with a varied menu and friendly service. It is the ideal restaurant for those nights out when you are seeking pasta or pizza and don’t feel like driving to the Pastaria or the Hill.

Three friends and I just wanted to escape the monotony of Bear’s Den and decided to venture out into the cold St. Louis night last Friday just to see what we could find. We picked Tavolo V the day before after searching for Italian restaurants within walking distance of campus. And we were not disappointed.

Served immediately as we sat down, the warm bread was a great way to begin the meal. Sliced into several pieces and presented with Parmesan cheese and olive oil, it was a major highlight of the experience.

The menu includes a selection of salads, pizzas and chicken dishes, as well as some classic choices such as Alfredo ($12), served with chicken, spinach and garlic cream sauce, and bruschetta ($6), prepared with tomato, basil, garlic and olive oil and excellent for sharing. The chicken scallopini ($18), a dish that features breaded chicken with a side of gnocchi and spinach, was particularly delicious. The breading gave the chicken a flavorful and crunchy quality while the potato gnocchi was light and simple. The menu made it sound so appealing that three of us ordered the dish. While some Italian restaurants offer portions that seem impossible to conquer without a to-go box, the scallopini felt like just the right size, and it even left us with room for frozen yogurt after.

Another friend chose the meatballs ($12), made with spaghetti and a tomato cream sauce, which were somewhat overwhelming but still very tasty. The meal came with two enormous meatballs and a small mound of spaghetti. My friend remarked that the ratio seemed a bit off as she ended up with a lot of meatball to share and little pasta to go with it, but she still enjoyed the dish.

Tavolo V’s unique, artsy vibe was also a plus. The back wall is plastered with a black-and-white mixed media print of a map of St. Louis. The print features the Arch and terms such as “Forest Park” and “World Series Champions.” It also includes prints of various local heroes and some charming “Did You Know?” facts about the city.

Dimly lit, the restaurant has a certain ambiance that you cannot find in Bear’s Den or the Danforth University Center. Most of the diners were young adults with the exception of a few families with children. Our waiter was attentive and friendly and happy to provide us with a second plate of bread and separate checks. The service was very quick as we did not have to wait long for our food after we ordered.

Next time you are searching for a restaurant on the Loop, consider Tavolo V. If your nights tend to be busy, the restaurant also serves lunch throughout the week as well as brunch on Sundays. It is within walking distance from the South 40, making it convenient for those without cars. For those who do choose to drive, there is a parking lot located on the left-hand side of the restaurant. Although it does not take dinner reservations, a table should be available if you arrive before 7 p.m.