Visiting town from Chicago. The staff at Shady Creek Winery recommended we try here for dinner and it was a win! Cute decor on the inside. They were understaffed but communicated that very clearly and the wait wasn't bad for service. Prices were reasonable and my friend swears that she had the best ribeye she's ever had. Great, friendly staff!
Rick R.
Myself, wife and a friend wanted to try this restaurant. We walked in and wow it looked wonderful. I was impressed, until we me the hostess who just so happened to be the owner. She had a permanent scowl on her face and was very rude to us. Well we got seated, but never saw a server for 15 to 20 minutes. Wow! We order some drinks and 15 minutes later we got them. Then the server disappeared for another 20 to 30 minutes. We actually had to go to the bar for another drink. The food was ok, but the service and the way we were treated was unacceptable. I would never go again nor would I ever recommend it to anyone.
Erica E.
Absolute worst experience. Owner is extremely unprofessional as is the staff. They were incompetent and disregarded my reservation. Will not be returning as they treated us like we were a burden more so than a guest. I've never felt more unwelcome and mistreated in a "friendly" establishment.
markrT7685WG
Great atmosphere combined with good service and good eats. The red sauce will please some but not others. The restaurant is a little pricey.
John J.
I was very pleased with the quality of service and food I received at taverna despite the understandable challenges with restaurant management during covid; the staff worked as a unit and delivered a wonderful dining experience. We ate at the bar and were very well taken care of by the male bartender: beyond adroit skills behind the bar he demonstrated a great understanding of the menu and italian food as a whole. The vodka gimlet was prepared with fresh lime juice and was well balanced. We started with the meatball and they were tender and flavorful; both our starters were served quickly and it was immediately clear bybtheir temperature and quality that they were prepared to order...which is not always the case when dining at bar. The highlight, as always, was the gnocchi: exceptional texture and flavor; I could have had three servings. In additon to the wonderful service and food quality the ambiance and beauty of the restaurant set the mood for a very well rounded dining experience. I was very impressed by the bartender and that the staff as a whole were able to so successfully maintain high caliber service during this challenging time.
397pattip
The food is excellent and the decor is cozy and rustic. However, be aware that there are zero adjustments to make diners comfortable during covid. We visited today at 4:30 in the afternoon on an unbelievably perfect weather day and asked for outdoor seating. The stern faced hostess said without explanation that they were not seating outside in their huge outdoor patio . OK, we will eat indoors although we're disappointed as we watch other diners up and down the main strip enjoy their outdoor dining at every other restaurant. She leads us to the back area where many open tables await. Can we please have a table for four that is spaced away a tiny bit from other guests? No, she replies...the owner has said those are all reserved for all of today. Long story short we are seated at almost connecting tables to guests on either side of us with maybe 12 inches to spare. I realize we could have and should have turned around and left but didn't as it was so awkward. To be honest we will not be back because it made us very uncomfortable throughout the meal. Even if there was no covid situation we could hear the other diners conversation and they ours. When paying this much for wine and dinner for a party of four it should be more comfortable and at least two feet away from the next table, it almost felt like we were an inconvenience. The service here is just not up to par.
Charles B.
This place is great from the hotess/owner to the waiter and the magnificent food. Don't miss it if you are in Michigan city.
L T.
Stopped in on a trip home from Michigan. Saturday evening so the wait was not unexpected. The place had an interesting atmosphere with live piano. 5 stars for the bartender. He made the perfect Negroni. 2 stars for the food and table service, unfortunately like so many restaurants right now, they appeared to short staffed.
David H.
Haven't eaten yet Got her at 7 it's 7:50 Just brought our drinks 7:50 Don't go if you're hungry.
Plain J.
Today my family turned from very big fans to "never again" and all it took was meeting the owner. We ordered takeout and were waiting exactly where the waiter took our order and left us. My daughter felt dizzy, so we sat. The front of the house is all bar, and the owner came speeding over to tell us we were not allowed to sit in the bar because my daughter is under 21. I was not able to finish the sentence, "where should we sit, in the restaurant?" when she went on a rant about losing a hundred thousand dollar license because my daughter sat in the wrong seat. I said, "I only asked where you would like us to sit" (again, very kind, but now in shock) and she told us to sit outside, behind the restaurant, on a 95 degree day, with a dizzy daughter. No courtesy. No kindness. So, so rude. Nope.
This adorable Italian restaurant is in downtown Michigan City, which I had NO idea existed! I'm so glad I asked a local shop owner for suggestions and this was one! It is really cute inside. Great bar area. Food is fresh made to order. I'm 100% Italian so I am very critical. Although nothing is like Mom's for a nice night out for dinner this was PERFECT! You have to pay extra for bread at the table which I found odd, but we had it and it was warm and very good! My pasta dish was ok (Fettuccine with Bolognese Sauce) the sauce tasted burnt! BUT my friends pasta dishes were excellent. We even had dessert. I do not like Blueberries - but we got the Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake and it was amazing. Average price. Our tab for 3 girls with 1 appetizer, bread, 1 glass of wine, entree and shared dessert was $110.
Julio M.
We came here to have a nice birthday dinner. The wait was a bit long but I think that's normal for a Saturday night. The food was very good and I would have given 5 stars if they weren't sold out of some of the main dishes we wanted to try like Lasagna and eggplant parmigiana. All in all it was a nice evening with good food, friends and a beautiful ambiance at the restaurant. The waitstaff was very friendly!
mwebbLaPorte
The warm ambience of Taverna Tonelli in Michigan City's uptown Arts District provided a truly authentic Italian dining experience and a wonderful venue for a birthday celebration. Special Thanks to Lilly, the hostess, Steven, the bartender, Erin our server, and owner, Cindy Tonelli for making our evening extra special. The strawberry infused craft cocktail was a refreshing summer beverage that complimented the perfectly seasoned shared appetizers of meatballs, Italian sausage, and Griglia Mista (shrimp, octopus, and calimari). Just when I though the food couldn't get any better, the plentiful main courses of homemade Gnocci stuffed with gorgonzola, Risotto Asiago with lobster meat, and Veal Marsala were exquisitely prepared and proved to be an absolutely fantastic and memorable meal that left us looking forward with enthusiastic anticipation to our next visit.
614alexiaf
I came for dinner on a Saturday night. They had a pianist and she definitely was entertaining. I sat at the bar and Stephen was working his magic. It's incredible how fast the bartenders move. I had orecchiette and bruschetta and both were very good. Not elegant but very good. Large portion.
madelyn
Five ladies went to dinner at tonelli‘s last night. I ordered an old fashion and asked for the house whiskey. Two others ordered southern comfort old fashions theirs was nine dollars mine was $13 we also noted the drinks had huge ice cubes so there was really very little in the glass I then ordered a glass of Chardonnay which was eight dollars on the menu and she said they were out of it so she gave me a different chardonnay of wine which I assumed would’ve been the next one that was on themenu that was nine dollars instead she charged me $12. Another lady ordered aChianti and they said they didn’t have it so they substituted and charged her $16 another lady at the table ordered a glass of wine with her meal and was told at the end of the meal they were out of it. We got no feedback at all from our waitress. It was a very poor experience and we will not go back. I believe the waitress was Jennifer.
Visiting town from Chicago. The staff at Shady Creek Winery recommended we try here for dinner and it was a win! Cute decor on the inside. They were understaffed but communicated that very clearly and the wait wasn't bad for service. Prices were reasonable and my friend swears that she had the best ribeye she's ever had. Great, friendly staff!
Myself, wife and a friend wanted to try this restaurant. We walked in and wow it looked wonderful. I was impressed, until we me the hostess who just so happened to be the owner. She had a permanent scowl on her face and was very rude to us. Well we got seated, but never saw a server for 15 to 20 minutes. Wow! We order some drinks and 15 minutes later we got them. Then the server disappeared for another 20 to 30 minutes. We actually had to go to the bar for another drink. The food was ok, but the service and the way we were treated was unacceptable. I would never go again nor would I ever recommend it to anyone.
Absolute worst experience. Owner is extremely unprofessional as is the staff. They were incompetent and disregarded my reservation. Will not be returning as they treated us like we were a burden more so than a guest. I've never felt more unwelcome and mistreated in a "friendly" establishment.
Great atmosphere combined with good service and good eats. The red sauce will please some but not others. The restaurant is a little pricey.
I was very pleased with the quality of service and food I received at taverna despite the understandable challenges with restaurant management during covid; the staff worked as a unit and delivered a wonderful dining experience. We ate at the bar and were very well taken care of by the male bartender: beyond adroit skills behind the bar he demonstrated a great understanding of the menu and italian food as a whole. The vodka gimlet was prepared with fresh lime juice and was well balanced. We started with the meatball and they were tender and flavorful; both our starters were served quickly and it was immediately clear bybtheir temperature and quality that they were prepared to order...which is not always the case when dining at bar. The highlight, as always, was the gnocchi: exceptional texture and flavor; I could have had three servings. In additon to the wonderful service and food quality the ambiance and beauty of the restaurant set the mood for a very well rounded dining experience. I was very impressed by the bartender and that the staff as a whole were able to so successfully maintain high caliber service during this challenging time.
The food is excellent and the decor is cozy and rustic. However, be aware that there are zero adjustments to make diners comfortable during covid. We visited today at 4:30 in the afternoon on an unbelievably perfect weather day and asked for outdoor seating. The stern faced hostess said without explanation that they were not seating outside in their huge outdoor patio . OK, we will eat indoors although we're disappointed as we watch other diners up and down the main strip enjoy their outdoor dining at every other restaurant. She leads us to the back area where many open tables await. Can we please have a table for four that is spaced away a tiny bit from other guests? No, she replies...the owner has said those are all reserved for all of today. Long story short we are seated at almost connecting tables to guests on either side of us with maybe 12 inches to spare. I realize we could have and should have turned around and left but didn't as it was so awkward. To be honest we will not be back because it made us very uncomfortable throughout the meal. Even if there was no covid situation we could hear the other diners conversation and they ours. When paying this much for wine and dinner for a party of four it should be more comfortable and at least two feet away from the next table, it almost felt like we were an inconvenience. The service here is just not up to par.
This place is great from the hotess/owner to the waiter and the magnificent food. Don't miss it if you are in Michigan city.
Stopped in on a trip home from Michigan. Saturday evening so the wait was not unexpected. The place had an interesting atmosphere with live piano. 5 stars for the bartender. He made the perfect Negroni. 2 stars for the food and table service, unfortunately like so many restaurants right now, they appeared to short staffed.
Haven't eaten yet Got her at 7 it's 7:50 Just brought our drinks 7:50 Don't go if you're hungry.
Today my family turned from very big fans to "never again" and all it took was meeting the owner. We ordered takeout and were waiting exactly where the waiter took our order and left us. My daughter felt dizzy, so we sat. The front of the house is all bar, and the owner came speeding over to tell us we were not allowed to sit in the bar because my daughter is under 21. I was not able to finish the sentence, "where should we sit, in the restaurant?" when she went on a rant about losing a hundred thousand dollar license because my daughter sat in the wrong seat. I said, "I only asked where you would like us to sit" (again, very kind, but now in shock) and she told us to sit outside, behind the restaurant, on a 95 degree day, with a dizzy daughter. No courtesy. No kindness. So, so rude. Nope.
Restaurantji Recommends
This adorable Italian restaurant is in downtown Michigan City, which I had NO idea existed! I'm so glad I asked a local shop owner for suggestions and this was one! It is really cute inside. Great bar area. Food is fresh made to order. I'm 100% Italian so I am very critical. Although nothing is like Mom's for a nice night out for dinner this was PERFECT! You have to pay extra for bread at the table which I found odd, but we had it and it was warm and very good! My pasta dish was ok (Fettuccine with Bolognese Sauce) the sauce tasted burnt! BUT my friends pasta dishes were excellent. We even had dessert. I do not like Blueberries - but we got the Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake and it was amazing. Average price. Our tab for 3 girls with 1 appetizer, bread, 1 glass of wine, entree and shared dessert was $110.
We came here to have a nice birthday dinner. The wait was a bit long but I think that's normal for a Saturday night. The food was very good and I would have given 5 stars if they weren't sold out of some of the main dishes we wanted to try like Lasagna and eggplant parmigiana. All in all it was a nice evening with good food, friends and a beautiful ambiance at the restaurant. The waitstaff was very friendly!
The warm ambience of Taverna Tonelli in Michigan City's uptown Arts District provided a truly authentic Italian dining experience and a wonderful venue for a birthday celebration. Special Thanks to Lilly, the hostess, Steven, the bartender, Erin our server, and owner, Cindy Tonelli for making our evening extra special. The strawberry infused craft cocktail was a refreshing summer beverage that complimented the perfectly seasoned shared appetizers of meatballs, Italian sausage, and Griglia Mista (shrimp, octopus, and calimari). Just when I though the food couldn't get any better, the plentiful main courses of homemade Gnocci stuffed with gorgonzola, Risotto Asiago with lobster meat, and Veal Marsala were exquisitely prepared and proved to be an absolutely fantastic and memorable meal that left us looking forward with enthusiastic anticipation to our next visit.
I came for dinner on a Saturday night. They had a pianist and she definitely was entertaining. I sat at the bar and Stephen was working his magic. It's incredible how fast the bartenders move. I had orecchiette and bruschetta and both were very good. Not elegant but very good. Large portion.
Five ladies went to dinner at tonelli‘s last night. I ordered an old fashion and asked for the house whiskey. Two others ordered southern comfort old fashions theirs was nine dollars mine was $13 we also noted the drinks had huge ice cubes so there was really very little in the glass I then ordered a glass of Chardonnay which was eight dollars on the menu and she said they were out of it so she gave me a different chardonnay of wine which I assumed would’ve been the next one that was on themenu that was nine dollars instead she charged me $12. Another lady ordered aChianti and they said they didn’t have it so they substituted and charged her $16 another lady at the table ordered a glass of wine with her meal and was told at the end of the meal they were out of it. We got no feedback at all from our waitress. It was a very poor experience and we will not go back. I believe the waitress was Jennifer.