There are a few parts of New York City that you simply do not want to find yourself hungry in, and that little stretch of 9th Avenue near the Port Authority Bus Terminal is certainly one of them. However, if you find yourself working (or living) in the high west 30′s or low west 40′s, there are a few restaurant gems to be found, and Tavola is one of them. This Italian restaurant makes excellent fresh pasta in a “let’s pretend we’re in a market in Rome” kind of setting, and while the pizzas look good and are probably the best available in a ten block radius, they’re not the reason for a visit. Tavola does the classics best, including a straightforward lasagna that we’ll be coming back for. Ultimately, Tavola is a situational restaurant worth having in your repertoire in an area where there’s not much to have in your repertoire. Whether you need a solid lunch spot near the office, a meal near Port Authority, or a place to pre-game before a Broadway show, keep it in your back pocket.