Noshing Around

Tavolina

Just opened at 7090 N. Oracle Road at Ina Tavolina serves Northern Italian fare. Specialties include grilled and roasted meats and homemade ravioli stuffed with butternut squash in a butter-sage sauce. Chef Massimo and his wife, Deborah, welcome you to the 40-seat restaurant. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. 531-1913.


Good News and Bad News

First the bad news: Irene Echeandia, owner of Irene's, is experiencing some hard times. Basically, she's trying to survive with morning sickness and caring for five children (two biological and three who were abandoned by a family member). She receives no monetary support for her three nephews, and her child-support check was frozen in the bank account when her property taxes became late. The county is trying to work with her because she needs to support her family. Then the city told her to enclose her patio, and the neighbors complained the music is too loud. Everything that needs fixing is wrapped up in layers of red tape.

The good news is that Irene's has been around for four years, and her mother and grandmother help out in the kitchen cooking some of the best Nuevo Latino cuisine in Tucson. Irene's is also home of the pisco sour, the Peruvian margarita. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner plus karaoke, live music, electronica and salsa dancing. Call 206-9385 for schedule. Located at 254 E. Congress St.


True or False

Noshing reader Margaret heard a rumor that Bashas' in Oro Valley is moving to Golden Ranch Road in Catalina, and that AJ's will replace Bashas'. Sounds like wishful thinking to me.


Closed

Fusion Cultures in Plaza Palomino, formerly the Nomad Café. It had adequate street signage and a pleasing patio. What gives? I'd love to see a really good Thai restaurant in that space.