The atmosphere was inviting and the smell of freshly baked bread met me as I entered what resembles a quaint Italian bistro in Sundance Square.A friendly member of Fort Worth’s Taverna Pizzeria and Risotteria staff took me to my table, where I observed the tall ceilings and beautiful decor that covered the walls.

The unique curtains and lighting would have made for a romantic setting had it been dinner and not lunch.

The sounds of the semi-exposed kitchen along with a very modern mix of jazz music was quite relaxing.

The server greeted me with a friendly smile and a generous basket of the chef’s baked focaccia bread topped with Parmesan cheese and served with a side of rosemary olive oil for dipping.

When I asked what he recommended, the server suggested Fiocchi al Gorgonzola e Pera, Taverna’s signature dish.

A pear-filled pasta with walnuts, arugula and dolce latte cream sauce, the Fiocchi al Gorgonzola e Pera looked delicious when the server sat it in front of me.

My first bite was divine – very sweet and unlike any pasta dish I’ve tasted before. I enjoyed the dish until I bit into the walnuts, which I had requested to be taken out.

The dish was uniquely sweet, but oftentimes too much of a sweet thing can be bad, and in this case, it was.

The pasta was so sweet, I was unable to finish the meal, which was an extremely small portion for what I was about to pay for it.

A fancy dish garnished with herbs, the Fiocchi al Gorgonzola e Pera should have tasted as good as it looked, but because it was so small, it would have only allowed for about five bites before it was gone.

The server asked if I’d rather have the pan-seared sea bass or the salmon. Perhaps either of those would have been a better choice, but being an Italian pizzeria, I didn’t exactly consider ordering fish.

I paid my bill and left on an empty stomach and even thought about stopping at Subway on my way home.

For all you students who don’t want to empty your pockets for a meal that will leave your stomachs growling, this Italian eatery is not for you. Don’t let the name Taverna Pizzeria and Risotteria offset your taste buds – Taverna’s Dallas location is excellent and most definitely worth the drive.