As the Tavola Tuscan Bistro continues to grow since it opened in November 2010, owner and master chef Lee Ann Dansby has expanded the restaurant's catering service. Most notably, she has become more invovled with various charities.

A busy holiday season for the Bistro involved preparing around 2,400 holiday meals for Methodist hospitals, according to Dansby.

Dansby, who also caters events for the American Heart Association and several breast cancer groups, said she enjoys being able to cater for charities.

"We do as much as we can," she said. "We hope we can keep doing it going forward."

Since opening, Dansby has experimented with new menu items and specials as well, while keeping the old Italian standards that everyone loves, she said.

The Bistro's wine selection, which features almost 250 wines, earned it a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence last year.

"We try to keep the mark as low as possible so people can really experience good wines at affrodable prices," she said.

Dansby said the $6.99 bottomless soup and salad lunch special is a popular addition to the menu. Business overall has gone well, she said.

"We feel very blessed that we have been able to do so well in a struggling economy," she said.

32623 FM 2978, Magnolia

281-252-8700

www.tavolaonline.com