It wasn't until Ash said it that I realized it had been 20 years since our days at Children's Memorial and Zig Zag Kitchen! So when I needed someplace fabulous to celebrate my daughter's birthday, I immediately thought of Ash. Over the years, we worked together on parties, luncheons, and fundraisers. It was such a fun time in my life, although I had some very demanding people I had to answer to! No matter what I threw his way, Ash made me look good every single time. Twenty years later, he did it again. I made sure to take pictures because hopefully I can post them! I had the Halibut Scottato, and it was outstanding. My daughter had the Aleppo Chicken. I rarely eat chicken, but hers looked so good I had to have a bite. Excellent. Then there was the focaccia bread with this special oil. Oh. My. Goodness. It was so good that my daughter was hoping her entrée would hurry up and come because she wanted that bread all to herself! She kept talking about how good it was in her Oprah voice: "I LOVE BREAD!" And we can't forget the lavender lemonade--so good! Even the cheesecake at the end of the meal was superb. The food was phenomenal, but somehow, the service was even better. One piece of advice: make reservations. It may not look crowded when you first arrive, but that changes very quickly. You can tell Tala House already has its loyal customers--and after this experience, we're adding ourselves to that list. Walk in? No. We're not doing that. When you find a place with beautiful ambiance, great décor, phenomenal food, and exceptional service, you don't just visit once. You become a regular. Thank you so much to Tala House for making my daughter's birthday so special. She loved everything about the experience, and that made this mom very happy. And Ash--20 years later, you're still making me look good. read more

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Amazing hospitality and ambiance at this Andersonville gem! Each of the dishes are packed full of flavor and the menu is amazing for sharing with friends! Tuna tostada & watermelon salad are great starters to share and all of the mains are excellent. Pro Tip: patio does not take reservations but WORTH the wait! read more

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Tala House was a vibe-- from the chic décor and excellent food. We ordered the smoked salmon omelet and Prime Allen Brothers skirt steak and then came a dessert tray to choose from so we went with the key lime pie, and it was absolutely heavenly. Cute atmosphere + great food + great service = definitely a spot to save for your next Chicago brunch. read more

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10 out of 10 experience. It's so clean and beautiful inside, I really didn't want to leave lol I was so comfortable; I really liked how bright the inside is. We went here on a Sunday for brunch, we were a big group (6) with a little one. We made reservations ahead. The service was excellent, our waiter was so nice and welcoming because of him we are going back. He was so caring about our little one. The food was delicious including the drinks. Such a great dining experience!! read more

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A hidden gem in Andersonville. Incredible hospitality from the moment you walk in and the servers have great recommendations across the different menu parts. The patio is gorgeous. We enjoyed five small plates. Tuna tostada and roasted cauliflower were highlights. I would skip brussels sprouts salad. The baked feta & cod on mushroom risotto was our favorite. They entice you with a dessert tray at the end and we picked a light raspberry white chocolate mousse to end the night. read more

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Had a beautiful time celebrating my husbands birthday last night with Tala House. There is a good amount of space inside the restaurant and some great tables in back on the patio. Definitely a hidden gem in the Andersonville neighborhood. We tried a new item which were the labneh balls which were very flavorful and came with crackers and some bread slices, the halibut which was the star of the show, as well as the ahi tuna plus some mashed potatoes. Service was good and diligent and food was tasty. Despite this, I am only giving four out of five stars because while we enjoyed our time, I do think that the food was up charged in comparison to how much we received. If an additional side was already included with each main course like some mashed potatoes to each plate then I think the price would be more justified. But it is rare for us to go out and spend close to $200 with tip and not bring any food home. read more

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Oh my I typically add pictures to all of my reviews. The only thing I could include in this review was the a picture of our drinks. Trust me it's simply because when the food came out it was so delicious and the presentation was exceptional that I lost my mind ... gobbled everything up and then realized I didn't take a pic. So moral of the story, go lose your mind on this place! It's well worth it. Your taste bud will thank you!!! I promise. YUM! read more

Tala House - Cheers! Elegant cocktails await! - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Note- I'm a first timer and went for brunch. The restaurant is beautiful- lots of neutrals with some pops of green. Great place to for a family meal or a date night. I went for brunch and had the pancakes. To my surprise, the restaurant does not serve standard breakfast meat, so I got a side of pastrami to accompany my pancakes. The pancakes were smaller than I expected, but were fantastically fluffy with a very tasty vanilla sauce. The fruit was all fresh and flavorful, and the pastrami, surprisingly, accompanied the pancakes well. It was a perfectly seasoned and incredibly moist. Would come back to have the actual sandwich. Service was solid, if not a little slow, but everyone we saw was incredibly friendly. All in all, this place is a fantastic addition to Andersonville and I highly recommend you give it a try! read more

Ambiance was 10/10 - quaint and cozy. The patio was a great spot. Food was great and lots of gluten free options. read more

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Service was so personable, funny, and welcoming. We went here for my step dad's 70th bday and everyone walked out beaming. The food was fresh and made with care. Overall amazingggg experience the staff will 100% make it one to remember. read more

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Another great selection for Restaurant Week 2025. Let me get this off my chest before I dive into the food and service. This space use to be the Bongo Room. I was not a fan of the front room and this has not changed. There is a lovely bar area and in the main window is a table that seats 10 people, then two four top tables in the space. The problem with this set up is the addition of two four top tables in this small space. I will not speak for the folks at the other table, but our table was not ideal. Tala should really consider not having a table next to the bar. The table itself was a nice size to accommodate our dishes, which is important for me. The placement of the table is what knocked this review down to four stars. As you can see from one of the photos, we were in direct line with the front door opening and closing. While there was a small heater next to our table, the door closing and opening created a wind tunnel directed at us. As there is no space for people to wait after checking in at the hostess stand (which is literally a small desk at the door as you walk in), we had people standing near and around our table. At one point I had to gently push a woman away from the wine stand as she was about to tip it over as she was moving back to speak to someone in her party. Thanks goodness the food and the service was on point because the seating arrangement sort of put a damper on our experience, although The Doctor went to the back and stated next time we will request to sit back there. Now on to the food. I started with the mussels in a lovely chipotle cream sauce. That sauce was crazy good and great for dunking the bread into. I have never had steamed mussels in a cream sauce and I would do that again. The sauce had a lovely flavor profile that was weirdly flavorable, but did not overpower the taste of the mussels. My BFF #1 got the Homemade labneh and shishito peppers and left no crumbs behind. That plate was clean. The Doctor got the Roasted cauliflower with fresno peppers and a salsa macha; again no crumbs were left behind. For dinner, I got the Allen Brothers Prime steak with potatoes. If you are not familiar with Allen Brothers meat, you are in for a treat. This was prepared well and at the temperature I requested. The dish itself was simple, but well executed. The potatoes were nicely seasoned and the sauce that came with it was a nice complement. My BFF got the filet mignon with green beans and said that it was cooked to the correct temperature that he ordered. I tried some of the green beans and they were very good, fresh and had a nice crisp to them. The Doctor got the Ahi Tuna. There was a mix up as his plate came out with Tuna but nothing else. It was sent back and the issue was rectified. The Doctor said that the tuna was well prepared and tasty, and that the rice it came with was very good. Dessert was pretty standard as far as that goes. Other than the mix up with the tuna, the service was great. At one point I went to the ladies room and ran into one of the servers, who complimented me on my outfit for the night and proceeded to show me to the ladies room. We chatted for a bit and by the time I got back to the table, we had glasses of tequila, the good kind, sent to us. That was a lovely touch. This could have been a better experience for us, and we were all in agreement, that Tala needs to reconsider having no dining tables beyond the large one in the window, in that main room. People coming in need to be able to stand somewhere to wait to be seated, just not in the face of people dining. I could see having small bistro tables in that room to allow people to sit and have a drink while waiting to be seated. There could be a larger hostess stand where our table was, to allow people to come inside and check in. Just some suggestions to consider read more

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First time here. Atmosphere was very nice. Server was just average, not very attentive. Don't love the upsell orientation of any server and he definitely had one. Went for brunch and the menu is definitely upscale pricing. Got the pastrami sandwich which was flavorful, but I have never seen such little meat on a sandwich. For $24 I certainly expected something a little more sizeable. Sandwich came with small serving of potatoes and lettuce. Everything was good, just not in line with the cost. Interesting that the restaurant does not have iced tea which seems like a universal offering at restaurants. All in all, a pleasant meal with friends but much too pricey for us to consider this a regular brunch spot. read more

Carlos our waiter was outstanding and the food was delicious. Will definitely return! read more

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Everything at Tala House exceeded our expectations! We had great service, the cocktails were perfect, and the focaccia & heirloom tomato were both great appetizers. Would highly recommend and eager to come back to try other parts of the menu! read more

Been here twice so far one for brunch and once for dinner. Wonderful place friendly service very nice outdoor garden and great food The brunch is amazing! Very flavorful and delicious mid eastern touch that you can't find elsewhere in the city like hallpumi with pesto and home made labneh and the omelette is super delicious- Dinner was excellent too with of great seafood and steak! Wish they would add a mid eastern main dish too The rice pudding is amazing! Will come back! read more

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What a wonder find within a mile of my home. There is nothing not to like. Unique menu, guacamole the best serve with fresh veggies Service warm , welcoming and efficient. Ate on patio. Beautiful--walk through interior beautiful!! read more

Let me start by saying that this space used to be The Bongo Room and was one of my favs so I wasn't super thrilled to give a new establishment in the same space a real open minded chance. Well, as luck would have it, I was lured there by a friend and I'm so glad I was. The second I had my first sip of the spicy mezcal cucumber concoction Edgar, the bartender made for me, I was hooked! We sat at the bar which was absolutely charming. The staff was extremely warm and hospitable. We ordered the shosito peppers and they were a delightful charred treat and there was a cracker bread served with it that blew me away. Next up was a tuna tostada. Sounds okay, right. It was spectacular. The flavors were just beyond. Last and possibly my favorite was this chimichuri style shrimp served over these buttermilk potatoes that was so soulful and special, I wanted to lick the plate. We had a fig rimmed margarita as well as a traditional margarita and all of them were exceptional. I was really pleasantly surprised and can't wait to go back. Do yourself a favor and stop in so you too can get over your grudge over the bongo room's departure. It's a new day in a new place and I'm here for it! read more

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Such an amazing place and I will definiteky be back! The Mixologist Edgar is amazing with the drinks!!! He made me different mocktails and they were so good I can drink em all night! I ordered the Skirt steak it was seasoned and cooked perfectly as requested. My friend ordered the Seabass and i fell inlove and Im still thinking abt it. I would need to go back to and get it soon! The Tuna Crudo Tostada was a surprise coz i steer clear of raw but i would have this again. .the place has a patio and it seems small when u walk in but its really spacious at the back. Servers were all amazing and took care of us. Must try place! read more

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Beautiful patio ( be warned patio seating on a first come first serve basis only so you can't make a reservation out there ). Service was good, food was very good. Restaurant was LOUD. Not sure exactly what the acoustic issue was , but it was hard to hear my dining partners in the dining room. Our group of 6 started with the Halloumi ( delicious), beet salad ( also delicious) and cauliflower ( yep, also delicious again ) Was very happy with my Cesar salad made light with Greek yogurt dressing and grilled chicken .Husband really enjoyed the sea bass but portion was quite small . Loved the BYOB ( this policy could change soon as restaurant is quite new). Prices were reasonable and fair. Would go back if I could snag a patio spot .... read more

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Wow! They have only been open two months and are already knocking it out of the park. We were so lucky to visit on a perfect summer evening. The patio is intimate and creates a beautiful backdrop to enjoy the food that is to come. I especially loved the garden fixed to the walls behind the tables. It was so hard to order because everything sounded amazing. We ended up going with the elote to start and a margarita. For my main I had the filet mignon which was perfectly cooked. The food came out quickly. Random other positives: - I especially loved that we never felt rushed. -Parking was easy to find. -The prices were very reasonable given the quality It would have been fun to learn a little more about the restaurant/menu when we sat down. I knew very little about the place/chef before coming (just that the food would be great). . read more

Tala House - Elote appetizer - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overall, Tala House is charging more upscale prices than most places in the neighborhood ($37+ per entree, small portion, no substantial side) and I don't necessarily think that it met the value. Shaved Brusselsprout salad could use some refinement. Apple, avocado, mint, dill, cilantro, spicy mango dressing, and pumpkin seeds. Something felt like it was missing. Maybe it was too much fresh herb? Dill and mango? The flavors didn't complement each other the way I would've liked. "Crusted Risotto Halibut" ... turns out this is a piece of fish with a fried risotto patty on top. The risotto is unflavored, completely plain, and did not add to or brighten the fish (only added a crunch juxtaposition to the flaky fish and mushy veggies it sat atop). Service was very good. Water glasses were constantly full. Decor is modern and clean, but tight and loud. read more

Came for the fish. Left with the filet mignon. Lordy... it was perfect. I got a side of potatoes. You could taste the red wine reduction but not in a bad way in a ... they made this to order. I ate every single bite and did not feel stuffed. read more

Tala House - Filet mignon - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Enjoyed a great dinner at tala House last night. The food is great, tuna tostado, the shrimp, the enchilada, and the Skirt Steak! Their garden is delightful and quiet. Hard to believe you are in the center of the city! I highly recommend. read more

The owner Ash greeted me with warmth and welcoming, like a friend. The restaurant is visually beautiful inside and out. We ate in the garden which has beautiful flowers and plants. The food is amazing. Fresh. Creative. Well seasoned and beautiful presentation. Every one of 7 of us were raving about our choices as everything was so delicious. The staff were fantastic. All superlatives. A little pricey but so worth it. Highly recommend. read more

Absolutely excellent food, top notch. Great atmosphere, good service, nice vibes. Definitely pricey, but I think they'll survive because people feel it's worth it for true fine dining quality food. read more

Found on Yelp on went last minute since we were down in the city. Reservations on line is a great convenience. Walked in and the hostess gave my wife an overview of the seasonal menu and as we passed the kitchen the manager/owner(?) greeted us warmly and thanked us for coming. Atmosphere was great, though we sat inside the open patio space draws your eyes back - definitely want to try eating there next time. I ordered the house margarita - spot on. We ordered the seasonal fig appetizer which was fantastic, then the shaved brussel sprout salad. Both were shareable and fantastic. For the main shared course we ordered the tuna. My wife will not eat raw fish so we asked if they would cook the tuna through. We also said we would understand if not. The waiter advised us that the dish may be different than intended and we said we understood. The dish came out perfect for my wife who enjoyed it immensely. The kitchen expeditor came back to check with us to see how the dish was. This was service at its best. We appreciated that and our waiters concern about the special order. We capped our shared meal off with a delicious key lime pie. I cannot say enough about our experience at Tala and have touted it to all since. read more

Awesome restaurant and located south of an ever-expanding Andersonville. The restaurant itself has a cool clean modern vibe and we were greeted immediately by a very nice and gracious hostess. Now that's a way to make a good first impression! We were seated right away (had 7:45 res) in their main dining room past the gorge open kitchen. Too muggy to sit outside in their gorge back patio. I started with the Ojos Locos cocktail and it was so good I had another! U gotta try it if u like heat. Friends had espresso martinis and it looked potent! Apps were fantastic! We had the roasted cauliflower and it was prob the best I've had. Same with the heirloom tomatoes. Can't believe how fresh and delicious they were! Also had the foccacia bread and some spicy dipping sauce. Not sure what was in it but it was great but needed more focaccia bread if I had a criticism about it. Entree-wise: black cod was fresh, flaky, nicely seasoned and with a unctious buttery sauce omg get me a towel. Filet and skirt steaks were perfect. The filet was probably one of the best and better than a steakhouse steak downtown. We ordered 4 deserts and the winner prob was the chocolate mousse thingy. Service-wise, Alex was really good. Efficient, friendly, and suggested what he liked and didn't quite like, and we loved his honesty! The backwaiters were fantastic too and weren't overly intrusive. Ok so this is not one of my better written reviews but I think you get the picture: you need to go here! read more

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Popped in here for brunch yesterday (memories of Bongo Room). But this new restaurant in the space is fantastic! Apparently this is only their second week doing brunch - get in here now, 'cos I suspect they will get crowded FAST. I had the dill omelette, and my BF had the chilaqueles. Both were superb, excellent use of spices and interesting flavors. The dill omelette (I LOVE dill) was a stand out. Eggs with a lot of dill, accompanied by a mild salsa verde, pico de gallo and guacamole. A nice amount of food - these are not ginormous American portions that leave you stuffed and not feeling well. This is delicious, energizing, healthy food! Just perfect. The excellent Bloody Marys, carefully prepared by charming bartender Tavos, were a real stand out - we had to have two! The garnish was unusual and delicious - olive, red radish and (my favorite) yellow radish. Lots of thoughtful little details will make this restaurant a favorite in Andersonville. Personally, I love the Middle Eastern connection. Lots if interesting spice combinations, though, from all over the world. Want to come back for dinner, for some of that Chilean Sea Bass, my favorite! Welcome to Andersonville, Tala House, we are going to love you!!! read more

Tala House is one of those rare places that hits the trifecta in the restaurant industry. The food, service and ambiance all win. Taking first place is the food; always excellent and inventive. This week, the menu featured Mexican-inspired dishes in recognition of Cinco de Mayo. Everything, from the shrimp ceviche to the short rib tacos, was amazing. In second place (or really tied for first) is the service. From the greeting at the door to the moment you leave, you'll experience friendly, professional service that goes above and beyond without feeling stuffy. We arrived five minutes before our reservation, but our table wasn't ready yet. Rather than ignoring us while we waited, three people on the team apologized to us. But, as if the apologies weren't enough (which they were), one server brought us shots of Cava while we waited. Once seated, the server brought us a free appetizer and another gratis shot of Cava after dessert. This more than made up for the nine minutes into our reservation time that we waited. Rounding out third place is the ambiance- clean and modern but warm and comfortable. The lively atmosphere can be slightly loud when the place is full, but this is hardly a "ding" on everything else that makes Tala House a resounding success! If they keep up this level of food, service and ambiance, I'll be a customer long into the future. read more

I took an out of town guest to Tala House on Saturday, making a reservation via Open Table for 1:00. It was the first time I had been there. I arrived promptly and my guest about five minutes later. We hadn't seen each other in some time and looked forward to a long lunch catching up. The first sign of trouble was when after our tea and coffee were brought to the table, our server asked if we were ready to order and we said we needed a few more minutes. He said, "the kitchen closes in 20 minutes." I was a bit taken aback as I had no idea the restaurant stopped serving at 2:00. We were made to believe that we could stay longer even if the kitchen was closed. The service was terrible. My guest's coffee was not refilled nor was I asked if I wanted more hot water for my tea. Twice we were asked if we were finished eating even though it was clear we were still eating. The minute we put our forks down the plates were cleared and the bill given. We were not asked if we wanted desert. The restaurant should at least tell its 1:00 lunch guests that they will be shooed out by 2:30 in order that guests can make a decision to go elsewhere. We would have certainly gone to a different place as we wanted to spend a long lunch catching up. This place is not inexpensive ($63.00 for two without alcohol). The food was fine but given the service, it was not worth it. In fact, it was nothing less than a horrible experience. read more

Delicious food and great service! Kid and baby friendly. Looking forward to going back. If the weather is nice, sit in the courtyard.

Great food. Wonderful service. Owner came by table to greet patrons. Beautiful ambience.

Service was great. A little loud but passable. Food was amazing! Had the Sushito Peppers over Labneh & Black Cod over Risotto. Both were truly excellent. Will definitely go backbagain. read more

Great service, great food. Went for a birthday and the staff was very thoughtful. Would come back again.

Best meal we had while visiting Chicago! Very welcoming and service was excellent. Dined on the back patio as weather was perfect.

Easily one of the best meals I've had in Chicago. From start to finish, the food was well executed, well balanced and beautifully presented. Our drinks were also well done. The staff was warm yet professional. They did a great job of being attentive without intrusive. The space is bigger than expected but still cozy, so I would recommend planning ahead and making a reservation. read more

I absolutely love this place and bring everyone I know here. I'm not exaggerating! Tala House somehow manages to feel both special and completely comfortable at the same time. The ambiance is beautiful and inviting. It's the kind of space that works just as well for a relaxed night out as it does for a celebratory dinner, of which I've done both. The food is consistently excellent. Truly, there isn't a bad dish on the menu. Favorites include the beets, focaccia, baked feta, tuna tostada, filet and the seabass, but I've never had anything here that wasn't thoughtfully prepared and delicious. What really sets Tala House apart, though, is the people. Ash, Carlos and the entire team are incredible! They are warm, attentive, and genuinely make you feel like family every time you walk in. That kind of hospitality is rare and it's the reason I keep coming back. This is one of those places you proudly recommend because you know it will never disappoint. A true neighborhood gem and one of my absolute favorites in Chicago. read more

Tala has been open a little over a year. We ate there last night for the first time. The food was extraordinary, the plating was gorgeous, and the service was amazing from the moment we walked in. Our servers (several people attended to us to make sure we were well attended) were all helpful and kind. Our main server was delightful--warm, knowledgeable, and friendly. The table behind us was laughing with him and he had us laughing too at one point. That said, no one was intrusive or imposing. Of note, the menu of wonderful options--including three distinct fish entrees--is carefully labeled for people seeking dairy free, gluten free, or vegetarian fare. They even label dishes containing cilantro for those to whom it tastes like soap. Fortunately, we love cilantro. We will be back. read more

Tala House was a last minute, fantastic Yelp find. It looked brand new and was designed beautifully. Inside decor was clean, modern and very chic and they have an outdoor area that was beautiful as well. My husband is a general contractor and commercial real estate developer and he was very impressed. Service was great and everyone greets you with a smile so it felt very warm and inviting. The owner Ash came over to talk to us and check in on how everything went, which I always appreciate, but he did it in a very genuine way. As we spoke, we discovered his sister has the same name as me and he has the same name as my brother which just added to the family vibe :) Finally the food was amazing and we enjoyed everything: 1) tuna crudo tostado: 5/5 - Amazing flavors with a bit of a kick (and I love serrano so if you are super sensitive to heat, u might wanna skip it) 2) watermelon salad: 4/5 - It had feta, pistachios and balsamic which was refreshing but the flavor wasn't as exciting as the tuna crudo but still a great summer option 3) roasted cauliflower: 4/5 - anything with chili crisp gets me but most surprisingly my husband who isn't really a cauliflower fan liked it so we'd probably order it again 4) sea bass: 5/5 - cooked to perfection. delicious, light but packed with tons of flavor. 5) skirt steak: 5/5 - 6oz which is on the small side but perfect for me and the chimichurri sauce was delicious and not too oily. our waiter surprised me with some grilled serrano which gave it an extra kick that I loved Everything all in with tax and tip was under $150 which is pretty good considering we had a salad, app, side and got sea bass and steak. We will 100% be back! read more

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All I can say is WOW! Do not sleep on this wonderful addition to A-ville! I was excited to taste every single dish - and each one exceeded my expectations. Everything was fresh, presented well and with well balanced flavors. Not Pictured: - Figs on whipped honey ricotta - This is the most delicious appetizer I've ever had. The figs were fresh which are hard to find. The honey ricotta was just sweet enough. This is a must try! - Halloumi cheese - the fresh blueberry jam balanced out the salty cheese. Pictured: - Seabass - cooked perfectly and very fresh fish. The portobello risotto complemented the fish well. - Salmon - the fish with the fruit and avocado mash was a match made in heaven. Just the right amount of spice! Tala dessert - super rich chocolate mousse which is my taste! If their mocktail menu is an indication of what their cocktails will be like - I can't wait to try them! On top of the outstanding food, the patio is lovely and the service is top notch! Felt like a fine dining experience without the pretentiousness. The staff was knowledgeable and attentive. Well done, Tala House! And welcome to the neighborhood. read more