Table Talk: An Italian BYOB, 'but no veal parm'

Six years after opening Augusto's in Warminster, chef Augusto Jalon has ventured into Huntingdon Valley for his second restaurant.

Tavolo (2519 Huntingdon Pike, 215-938-8401), also an upper-end BYOB, occupies the onetime dentist's office between Philmont Avenue and Byberry Road last held by Stefano's.

While Augusto's cuisine is global, Tavolo's takes advantage of the Ecuadoran-born chef's Italian resumé: Il Cantuccio, La Veranda, and Il Pastaio.

"But no veal parm and that sort of stuff," says Jalon, whose menu highlights include housemade pastas (goat cheese ravioli, gnocchi, and the Piemontese staple tajarin, from $16.50 to $19) and entrees (chicken breast with mascarpone polenta; veal chop with prosciutto and formaggio di Parma; whole fish; and Black Angus filet, with entree prices starting at $21). See the menu at http://go.philly.com/tavolo.

It's open nightly. Lunch will start next month, and Sunday brunch is on the burner for next year.

Coming and going

Beck's Cajun Cafe is set to open Monday across from Di Nic's and Tootsie's Salad Express in Reading Terminal Market (215-592-0505). Beck is Bill Beck, who from 1996 to 1999 owned Pompano Grille and Bohemian Bistro Lounge at what is now a bank building at Fifth and Bainbridge Streets. He promises muffalettas, to-order beignets, eggs royal, fried oyster po' boys, and chicken, andouille and shrimp gumbo.