First, the food: Their menu features delicious Italian comfort food and Travinia's own special dishes. While they went through a rough patch with their food I noticed, it has been great again for the last couple of months! Here is a sampling of my own favorites:
- Rigatoni Bolognese: Braised Short Ribs in a red sauce with a dollop of Mascarpone (an Italian Cream Cheese that melts beautifully and in your mouth!) tops this exquisite dish, all served over a hearty bowl of Rigatoni.
- Veal Scaloppini: Simply delicious and plentiful! I go a more Italian traditional route and have red/marinara sauce over just my Capelini instead of the veal sauce which is a lemon butter with artichokes, mushrooms and pancetta.
- Polo Isabella: Chicken Breast (add risotto, yum!) and goat cheese with a lemon butter sauce served over a bed of spinach. This is a favorite of many of my friends.
- Mussels: The mussels I had came in their own "nontraditional" sauce which I loved. A wonderful treat which I highly recommend - you will not want them to take your plate if there is bread left and scooping up the sauce using your shell/spoon is a delight!
- Margherita Pizza: My daughter gets this almost every time and loves it. Served with fresh mozzarella and plum tomatoes. A great kid-friendly dish that adults will enjoy as well.
- I've enjoyed the Caesar, Spinach & Goat Cheese and Granny Smith Apple (not what you think) salads which are all good and plentiful. When ordering one to accompany your own Entree, "share."
- One dish I do not recommend and commented on to a waiter for the kitchen (as did several friends who I asked not to judge them on this dish!) is the Butternut Squash Ravioli. Why? Simply because they are served in butter, and it is too much and does not compliment the ravioli. Butter turns to oil too when heated for a while, so if you love Butternut Squash Ravioli as I do, ask for a sauce substitute like a "light cream." I'd love to see them pair these with a light Sage Cream Sauce I make for my own yellow squash ravioli which would compliment it and not overpower the delicate flavor of the squash.
On the weekends, allow for a wait time, but do not be dissuaded from staying - Travinia has a spacious waiting area with plush couches and their wait times are often shorter than they say they will be. Kids and adults alike are able to sit much more patiently than in such a relaxed environment.
The background music is lively without being loud, so it is always possible to have a conversation with your friends and family while you dine at Travinia.
And speaking of music - Travinia has live jazz every Wednesday from 7 to 10pm. I so was pleasantly surprised to find this out when I was at dinner one evening, so we decided to stay longer to enjoy the fun duo that was performing! And coming soon, there will be a band every Friday night from 10pm to 2am with the dining area cleared for dancing. I can't wait for the fun to begin!
Be sure to check out this happening and delicious restaurant the next time you treat yourself to an evening out. You will not be disappointed.
1605 Village Market Blvd SE, Suite 104, Leesburg, Virginia
http://www.traviniaitaliankitchen.com/travinia-leesburg-va.php
