Davanti Enoteca

The food was OK. The host was uninviting. Our server was amazing. We went on an early Sunday evening and the restaurant was not busy. I thought it was funny the host stand had a sign that said something like “Director of first impressions.” Well it was not a good one as the host was kind of surly when asking if we had reservations and when we said we didn’t want to sit at a high top. There were multiple tables open. I am thankful we asked for a table because we got the best server, Melina. She was so nice, helpful, and full of joy. She made sure we were taken care of without being overbearing. Unfortunately none of our food hit with us. It wasn’t inedible but it all lacked bold flavors. The whipped ricotta, gnocchi pomodoro, and polenta & ragu were meh. The Brussels Sprouts had a few decent bites but many were underwhelming. The lone bright spot was the sausage in the rigatoni vodka as the vodka sauce was not spicy as advertised. A very mid experience overall with a few bright spots thanks to our server.

I recently visited Davanti Enoteca this past weekend and our server Milena was the absolute best! Super friendly and 10/10 service. The drinks were great as well as the food. I highly recommend the vodka pasta and the Sum Basil to drink. We visited on my birthday and Milena brought us a complimentary limoncello and it made the day so special. Will definitely come back again, thank you!

Davanti has a great location, atmosphere, and excellent service. The drinks were amazing. The food was okay, I tried the risotto, and while it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, it was still decent. Overall, a nice spot with fantastic drinks and a beautiful setting.

Ate at the bar for the second time. Same bartender -Ali. Once again - she knows how to mix a martini and an old-fashioned. Her service is top notch. The food is well prepared appetizer through dessert.

Amazing!! Jacob was our server. He was very attentive, answered all of our questions, and gave us many recommendations. He was such a kind person and made our experience great. Everything we had was very yummy. We will definitely be back!

Went on a Saturday night about an hour before close and the service was surprisingly, painfully slow. Our waiter forgot about us. We were seated right by the kitchen and could hear Mexican music blasting in this Italian restaurant, which was kind of funny but also a bit weird. Thankfully it wasn’t a date night. Food was just okay, nothing memorable, except for the Tiramisu which looked like someone already took a bite out of it.

Kimberly our server was soooo attentive and gave such premium service! I recommend this restaurant and her as your server. Super friendly and attentive! Will come again! ❤️

This is one the BEST Italian restaurants I’ve been too. Took my friend and daughter here and are server was Milena. She suggested the Mojitos which which like sitting on the beach with your toes in the sand. The cheese on the bruschetta was perfect. We had the bolognese as well. Superb. The fommagia is handmade. Defientkeybwill come back. The atmosphere is beautiful. Take a walk by the river too when you come here!

We came here yesterday for dinner, and have been a few times before for brunch. Every time we've come it has been a great experience! Last night, we ordered the risotto alla Carbonara, the bolognese, the vodka rigatoni, and one of the linguini al fagottaro. Everything was delicious. I should also note that I've had the avocado toast at brunch twice now, and it was the best I think I've ever had. My favorite part about the food here, aside from the fact that it's delicious, is that the portion sizes are absolutely perfect. I've never had leftovers, and I've never left feeling still hungry. The service is always fantastic. This last time our server was Sal (Salvador M). Our water glasses were never empty, our food came out quickly, and Sal could sense when we were ready for the check. He was friendly and struck the perfect balance of checking in while also leaving us to enjoy our dinner. Last night, we were celebrating my dad's birthday, and Sal brought out a free dessert with a candle lit. That was also delicious and a very nice gesture. Finally, the ambiance is great. It is quiet enough to have a normal-volume conversation with everyone at the table. The lighting is dimmer and gives a cozy kind of feel. Around the perimeter of the main part of the restaurant are wine bottles, the effect of which is that you feel you're sitting inside a wine cellar. Cannot recommend this place enough! Only caveat is that it is on the pricier side, but I would say well worth it for a special occasion or a more intimate dinner.

I came here before going to an author talk at the local college and the food was absolutely amazing and the staff was wonderful. As a solo dinner, sometimes restaurants treat you weirdly and are overly attentive, like you got stood up on a date. But they didn't treat me any differently. Which was lovely. I had the whipped ricotta as an appetizer which was delicious. Messy but delicious. The Gnocchi Pomodoro was also amazing. So flavorful. And I also had a mocktail. I definitely will go back when I'm in the area.

It was disappointing to dine at Naperville Davanti Enoteca given its strong reputation. Almost every dish we ordered was overly salty, and the salad was overwhelmingly sour due to too much vinaigrette. It felt like being served Olive Garden-quality food in a setting that presents itself as upscale. The service, however, was very good--the staff was attentive and friendly. I gave two stars solely because of the service. Based on food quality alone, it would be one star. Overall, a very underwhelming experience.

If you're in downtown Naperville, Davanti Enoteca is a solid choice for some upscale Italian food. Service is friendly and the menu offers a good variety for all tastes. The interior of the restaurant is clean and has bar seating, tables, and booths. Lots of natural light provides an inviting space to chat and linger while enjoying some good food. I liked the red wine and cocktails (try the Limoncello di Bosco). You'll find more wine than cocktails but what they offer in the latter is choice. Food is tasty and really enjoyed everything I had each time I've been here. Pastas and salads were all good so it's really what you're in the mood for. A little pricey compared to other places, but it's consistent in quality and service.

I absolutely love this place. Have come multiple times now and each time has been exceptional. The service is always notably above average, and the food is outstanding. I live in Chicago but every time I come to the suburbs this is my favorite place to go. Best vodka rigatoni I've ever had and perfectly al dente.

Still my absolute favorite Italian place! The server was funny and very helpful, answering or group's many questions. Every dish was freaking amazing! My husband claimed it was the best salmon he had ever tasted. We all drooled over the whipped ricotta. Hint ask for more than the 4 toasts that it comes with. It's a small place so I definitely recommend reservations even during the week. They have a small patio space out front but it was a little too warm for us on the day we went.

Had a nice meal with a group of friends! We had a 5:15pm reservation on a Saturday night and were seated promptly upon arrival. We started with drinks which everyone really enjoyed. The apps (Brussel sprouts, focaccia , meatballs) were also good and the portions were great for sharing. I had the white fish as my entree and it was good not great. Service was good overall and we loved the atmosphere. They were also able to accommodate a baby at the table which was great. The one thing that did stand out was that the music did not match the vibe of the restaurant at all. It was super upbeat club music but seems like the type of place that would do better playing some old school Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin - maybe that's just a personal preference! In a nutshell: Cocktails - Limoncello di Bosco & Sum Basil 10/10 Apps- Brussels Sprouts 6/10 (very sour tasting?) Focaccia di recco 8/10 Meatballs 10/10 (I didn't try but my group loved them) Entree: Pesce Piccata 7.5/10 - not what I expected, portion was a bit small for the price, could have used more accompaniments, fish itself was cooked nicely but skin was soft and would have been nice if it was crispy, broth/sauce was flavorful but needed something to soak it up Overall, I would come back and try more!

We started our meal at Davanti Enoteca with the burrata, which was just okay. The oil they drizzled on top was overpowering, and that's pretty much all we could taste, which was disappointing. However, the Focaccia di Recco was a different story--it was absolutely amazing. If you go to this restaurant, you have to try it. My friend and I still talk about how good it was, and we'd seriously drive back just for that. For the entrées, my friend ordered the gnocchi, which she enjoyed, but I wasn't a fan. I had the rigatoni vodka, and it was a big letdown. It tasted like watered-down tomato sauce with a little cream--just really bland and disappointing. Honestly, after that, I decided I'd only come back for the focaccia bread. The service was fine--nothing special, just your average experience. I'd recommend making a reservation if you go. We were excited to try this place because of the glowing reviews we read beforehand, but it really didn't live up to the hype. I'd return for the appetizers, but definitely not for the main dishes.

Beautiful restaurant and a great date night spot! My husband and I really enjoyed each course. Our server was very kind and knowledgeable. The dessert special was absolutely delicious, highly recommend!

We called on 3/10 to make a reservation for 3/12. No response after 2 days. Made a reservation elsewhere. This location has stopped being open for lunch and has seemed to have closed for dinner on Monday and Tuesday. Think they were very affected by the construction on Washington Street. Expect them to close when their lease expires if not sooner.

We had a table near the bar, which is recommended vs the rear of the establishment as the back of the dining area was stuffy and felt much warmer than the front of house. The service was relatively prompt and attentive but it was a weekend and a full house. Some of my party indicated the food seems a bit salty however I thought it was okay. Atmosphere was bright but not too loud consider a full house of guests. Worth coming back again, imo.

I was really disappointed with Davanti Enoteca in Naperville. The food lacked flavor and seasoning -- everything tasted very bland and uninspired. It definitely didn't feel like authentic Italian cuisine; more like an Americanized version trying to pass as Italian. The atmosphere was nice, but unfortunately the food didn't live up to the expectations.

So lovely! Great dining experience. Beautiful environment. Great food. Very nice service by Gabi and team. I will absolutely return!

Would come back! The restaurant is so cozy. Their hightop seats are also very comfortable, which is great because most times it's not enjoyable sitting at a high top table. We had the Ricotta as an app (amazing) and it comes with honey as well. I tried their espresso martini and it was absolutely one of my favorites in Chicago. It has the perfect foam topping but also isn't too sweet. I had the rigatoni vodka for dinner - loved it. FYI - the Rigatoni Vodka was spicy. It wasn't unenjoyable by any means, but something to know if you don't like spicy foods! Service was good! Recommend making a reservation.

Service was really top notch. Very professional and attentive. Food options were unique and the prices were surprisingly reasonable. I would definitely go back once Naperville construction has died down a bit.

Ruined Saturday evening out. Had a reservation. Host (AKA Director of First Impressions) seated my husband and I next to a couple with a toddler and a baby, and I was immediately hit with the smell of a dirty diaper. Foul. I got up and asked the host if he had another table (there were multiple empty tables). He pointed to a tiny cocktail high top table in the bar by the cold front door and said that was all he would offer me. We left. I have been a Francesca's chain customer for decades. That's pretty likely to change now.

This place wonderful. The interior was beautifully decorated and well maintained. The food was also really good. There were many options to choose from.

Amazing food at this restaurant!! High end rustic Italian with genuine authentic flare! All meals were Delicious and it has a beautiful rustic flare in the restaurant. Drinks were mixologists prepared ranking!! Save this one for special occasions and if you want to impress!! A good place for celebratory events. Price was worthwhile! Staff top notch and very attentive!! Loved it!

3.5 but rounding up to 4 Davanti Enoteca is located in downtown Naperville and thankfully right next to a parking garage. The ambiance is cozy and gives off modern and classic Italian vibes. The view when you first walk in makes you think it's a small establishment but don't be fooled, there is additional seating in the back. Max capacity is 130. Service was quick - my fiancé and I enjoyed our dinner within an hour and 15 mins. Our server was the perfect amount of attentive and checked in us when needed. For food we ordered the Italian chopped salad, rigatoni vodka and the chicken piccata carciofo. I really enjoyed the salad - acidic, fresh and full of flavor. The entrees came out lukewarm - seemed like it was sitting out for a while before coming to our table. I preferred the pasta over the chicken. Chicken was super dry however the flavors were delicious. Pasta is fresh and seems to be made in house.

What a phenomenal Italian restaurant! I came here on a whim with my friends - we had no reservations and were sat immediately. First off the restaurant is pretty spacious and dimly lit which I love, definitely an intimate setting. There's millions of wines on the wall and they had a great wine & cocktail list. The place itself is kind of pricey but worth it for the quality of food. The small plates were under $20 while most of the entrees/pastas were over $25. I think the cheapest I saw was $21 which gives you a gander for how the pricing is here. Not cheap but not terribly expensive; totally worth it though nonetheless! Service: 10/10. Our server John was such a delight. Very personable, makes great conversation, and explained the menu superbly. He was awesome! Checked up on us the perfect amount, too. Nonna's meatballs: 10/10. Not even kidding, best meatballs I've ever had hands down. We all loved them so much. They were pillowy and flavorful. Burrata: 9/10. It was super yummy, but it's hard sometimes to differentiate burrata from other places. It didn't blow me away necessarily but nonetheless was delicious. The roasted tomatoes and pesto were a great touch. Focaccia di recco al tartufo: 10/10. This was very unique focaccia since it was thin and a bit crispy as opposed to being fuller and doughier. It was delicious - there were mushrooms and cheese on the inside, drizzled with honey on top. I could have this every day. The cocktails were great! Strong and different which I love. I didn't try the rigatoni vodka but my 2 friends who got it absolutely loved it. I will definitely come here again for some quality Italian food!

Wonderful dinner. Started with the whipped feta appetizer. I requested the bread on the side since I have to be gluten free. Instead, they offered gluten free bread and it was delicious! My mom and daughter both got the vodka rigatoni. The waiter mentioned it was spicy, which my mom said couldn't like. He offered to have it prepared less spicy. She loved it. And my daughter loved the spicy version. I had the polenta ragu. It was absolutely amazing!!!

I'm inclined to say the place Is casual, because they welcomed me warmly in my shorts and tee shirt. But the atmosphere was a bit classy, and as the evening progressed, people were dressier. Three of us ordered plates to share, so we got a focaccia di Nonna, (not the FLAT bread version), and the roasted (peppery) Brussels sprouts, followed by 2 pasta dishes and Nonna's meatballs. Every dish was delicious, 5-stars, and Our waitress' (Mitrese) recommendations were on-point! There was enough pasta left over for my son to have for lunch tomorrow. We didn't need dessert, but couldn't help ourselves. Mitrese was honest and told us 2 were enough to share 3 ways. We do not agree as a family whether the Brown Butter Blondie with Salted Caramel Gelato was better than the Chocolate Torte with vanilla gelato, but we agree they were both amazing. (My wife is wrong, just this once. Get the blondie!) Even the espresso was top notch. It was not a problem to get a table at 5:45pm this Friday, but the place filled up by 7pm. Many groups of women converged, more than date night. Maybe it was the selection of fine wines (which I did not partake in). Maybe husbands didn't want to pay this much for wine and pasta. It was not a bargain budget meal, but you get the top tier meal you pay for.

The gem of Scott Harris Hospitality Group! My girlfriends and I made our way to Davanti Enoteca in downtown Naperville for our monthly book club meet up. This location was previously Fat Rosie's which has since moved across the street. The inside is very modern, with unique light fixtures and tasteful wine decor. We sat in an area further in the back which made it really easy to talk/hear each other. Our server John gave us a great background of the restaurant, details on specials, helpful recommendations, and paced our meal out perfectly. All of our drinks were the perfect mix of strong liquor and tasty flavors. We started with Nonna's Doc Focaccia which some pieces had a bit of kick but overall was a great starter. Most of us got the Rigatoni Vodka which I can say would be on my top five list. The noodles were perfectly al dente, sauce was just creamy enough, sausage crumbles were flavorful, and torn cheese was a great add. My friend had gotten the short rib risotto with truffle which she said she loved! While the desserts looked intriguing, the portions were certainly large enough so we passed. There were so many menu items I saw that I will certainly be back to try more!

This place was so good, Idon't have one negative comment about this place! Our server, Gaby, was super friendly, attentive and she made the entire menu sound so enticing for us first-timers. The food was so good! 1.We got the lemoncello blackberry drink-- delicious. 2. The "charcuterie" board was amazing. 3. The Rigatoni Vodka spot on!! 4. Vanilla Gelato was heaven in a bowl. (All desserts sounded amazing, but I like to judge the simple dishes.) The place was beautiful and classy, clean, and no one felt like they were on top of each other. We're already planning our next date night here

server salvador was literally amazing. the limoncello drink was yummalicious. would definitely come back!!!

Overall great atmosphere but I don't think the chef knows how to make carbonara :( I ordered it and came here specifically to try and you could tell it wasn't made correctly. Didn't have the courage to send it back, it looks delicious but wasn't. Carbonara is difficult to make so I'll give this place another chance but will not be ordering this dish again. Sapori Trattoria in the city makes an insane carbonara and the kitchen could take some notes! Great waitress and good time just not the best food. I'd recommend vodka pasta instead

Good spot, new to us, went with my wife, son and daughter in law. Caesar salad and fried calamari were excellent, highly recommended. Entrees we had Cacio y Pepe very good, hit the spot but would probably order different next time. Linguini Agli Scampi and Rigatoni Vodka were the stars of the show. I was a little surprised to not get any bread with our dinner. Meals were reasonably priced, drinks a bit high. Gin martini was $18. Portions were reasonable but we are not big eaters and did not take any home. Our server was outstanding and the restaurant is very welcoming. We went on a Thursday night during restaurant week at 6:30 and surprised not a ton of people there. I would like to see these guys succeed, well worth going.

Small but really great food, drink and service. Went here for dinner before Illumination experience in Morton Arboretum. Wish we would have just stayed here longer as M.A.'s Illumination was a waste of money. Alas, a review for another time. Diana, was amazing as a server. Fun, personable and timely. Food was really good. Swordfish was definitely something to come back for. Loved the vibe but need to ensure that you have a reservation as it gets filled quickly. So many good things on the menu and have vegetarian friendly items too. Highly recommended and we will for sure be back. Great for date night!

The food is simply not up to par at ALL. My husband and I both had the carbonara (one of our favorite dishes) and I swear they dumped velveeta cheese on it. Trust me when I say this-- it was exactly like having Annie's mac and cheese on thick soba-like noodles with a few chives thrown in, but there was no flavor at all. We're not snobs or foodies, we just like having nice dinners together on the weekends, and Davanti was NOT that. I wanted to go here because of the reviews and the atmosphere (which was admittedly nice) but my god it's just not worth it. Not only that but the service was incredibly slow. Our waiter was nice enough and tried his best but we waited 30 minutes just to ORDER our entrees after the aps, and our first drinks didn't come for 15. Most of our time was spent drinking water and anticipating the food... until the tiny plate of velveeta carbonara came out. I couldn't even finish mine despite how hungry I was. Do not waste your money here. There are plenty of smaller authentic Italian restaurants in Naperville/Glen Ellyn/Wheaton that are 20x as good for the same price point.

When having a reservation, we were set down promptly. We were brought water, and a few moments later, our waitress came to introduce herself. We started off with drinks that were delicious. The food came out fast and was hot. The brussels sprouts could be a full meall and its own! The rigatoni was cooked perfectly. The portion was a great size. Only downside, our waitress never came back to check on us after the first initial check of food being brought to the table. We acitally had to ask the busboy twice to find her. Turns out she was sitting outside playing with a dog. That was disappointing. It should not take 30 minutes for another check in.

Wife and I tried for first time on a Saturday night...lively crown, pretty loud, but understandable. Food was just ok...I had the Carbonara and it was not well seasoned and pretty bland. My wife had the ricotta pockets that we quite good. Otherwise, there was nothing special or notable about the service, presentation or food. Just average in our opinion.

This place is AHMAZING! First off, big shout out to Diana and Justin the bartenders. Super friendly, attentive and just great people. I got a dirty martini and it was delicious. The food is phenomenal. Best Brussels sprouts I've ever had, loved the prosciutto and egg on top. We also got the focaccia di recco to start with. It was crisp, cheesy, salty and sweet all at the same time and everything blended perfectly. The truffle gnocchi was delicious as well. I'd recommend everything we got over and over a million times. It was the perfect amount of food to split between two people. I'll be back very soon and would get this as my last meal if I was in that position to have one!!

Went for lunch as we were driving through Naperville and they did not disappoint! My husband got their yellow seared tuna salad which was amazing! They had fennel seasonings on the outside of the tuna which tasted amazing. Never would have thought to add that flavor combo and it was so good. I had the orecchietti pasta with their spicy fennel sausage and greens. So delicious! Highly recommend. I normally don't get Italian out because I make it at home so when the dishes were so good I was very pleased.

If you're looking for a good Italian restaurant in downtown Naperville, this is NOT the place for you. TBH, I felt completely ripped off here. We had guests, who wanted to try a new Italian place. So, rather than go with the tried and true, Rosebuds, we went here. Prices were sooo $$$. Noodles were not done; not even al dante. All in all, it was a waste of money. We asked for some bread. We got tiny pieces of toast. Glasses of water requested came warm, so we had to ask for ice. It's just not worth the money you'll pay here.

The staff used the back door to go for smoke breaks leaving it slightly open and allowing freezing cold air in. Two of us had the carbonara it was ok but both entrees were cold before we were done.

This is a very nice trendy, high quality change from typical red sauce italian. Creative dishes, limited wine list, very good service until they got very busy. They are willing to change or"customize " any dish to suit the customer. For me, I had a linguine dish that was to have shrimp and scallops. Not bad. But because I like mussels they swapped out the shrimp and scallops for the mussels. Nice place. We'll go back.

Their service, atmosphere and cocktails were good, but 4 out of 6 us were not impressed with the food. We all got something different, as well. The two thumbs up were for their burger, which did look and sound amazing. Everything else was underwhelming, sadly.

We came here to celebrate our wedding dinner last year and came back on our anniversary! We had such a great time, we sat the bar a the bartender was super friendly! We only had appetizers, desserts and a couple drinks but it was all very good. We'll make it a tradition to go back every year!

Wonderful service from Samuel. We went out to celebrate my husbands birthday. You can tell the pasta is homemade and it was absolutely delicious! Great ambiance as well - it was a classy vibe and quiet enough to hold a conversation without having to yell across the table. Fair prices too, especially for handmade pasta.

Great time and the food was excellent! Staff were welcoming and attentive. The atmosphere was the perfect... looking forward to coming for brunch

Gabby, the bartender was absolutely amazing! She is perky and punctual, she has amazing conversation. She makes the best drinks and she has amazing food recommendations!

I love this place! The food, the service, drinks, atmosphere- 10/10. Whenever we have out of town guests or need to give a suggestion as to where to go, I always recommend this spot.

This was a disappointing experience at Davanti. Our server (the reason for the two stars as opposed to one) was really nice, engaging and knowledgeable about the food. We love the spot as it's convenient and the ambiance is nice. Food on the other hand..: we ordered the Caesar Salad and it was as ordinary as it can get. No difference to a national chain that serves salads endlessly. Ragu and Polenta was not any better. The Ragu was outright cold and the polenta was cream of wheat like consistency as opposed to thick and cheesy. The cocktail was so so at best. Certainly understand the pressures restaurants face - labor, rent costs, food inflation; etc... and they need to adapt to thrive; however; we would expect better when we go to a place like Davanti and spend $150+.

Delicious pasta, amazing Italian wines by the glass or bottle. No bread service at table, needed to-ask for water at table twice, so the wait staff is a little slow (like you wait for a while to be greeted at your table, despite it being slow with few tables. not sure if understaffed when we arrived at 3 pm). Once we got going with our meal, we had friendly attentive service and a beautiful atmosphere to enjoy. Brussel sprout and cheese bruschetta appetiser served 5 min before main entrees, making for too many dishes on small table. Def would return for wine selection and fresh melt in your mouth pasta. Chicken dish a bit salty. Large portions. Pasta lacked enough basil but very good. Delicious choc torte and cherry dessert! This is part of Scott Harris Hospitality Group restaurants and I think Francesca's is also part of that. Francesca's def has their act more together but this place has potential. What we liked best was it was nice and quiet with few patrons on a Saturday afternoon. As we neared 5:30 pm, the place became quite crowded.

The food here is delicious. I had the pollo arrosto alla Romana and it was done exceptionally well. I also had a lemoncello cocktail that was infused with blackberries. It was delicious. The servers were so kind to my family and I constantly checking on us, boxing our items, and even giving us lemoncello shots on the house. I will definetly be going back.

This is our current favorite in Naperville! Like all Scott Harris restaurants, the people are amazing and deliver attentive service. The food is delicious and creative. The menu changes and we flat out love the energy and ambience!

Experience was amazing! Salvador was our server and he was very attentive and respectful. The hostess was welcoming and kind. Bussers were great and every employee was very respectful. The server was very thoughtful of my sisters food allergy as well. The food was amazing! Very cozy and pretty inside. I am very impressed and will definitely be coming back.

7:30pm reservation on a Saturday night. They seated us 30 min late at 8pm. We had a table of 8. They served 6 of us but they took a long time to serve the last 2. The one couple watched the 3 other couples eat. Great food but they really need to figure out scheduling & logistics. Would do Vai's until they can figure out service. Went back Friday November 3 Two bar seats were available so we were quickly seated at the bar. Service was awesome at the bar. All 3 bartenders were super nice and gave us great service. Manhattan cocktail were incredible. Dinner was served promptly. At salad, meatballs and pasta. All tasted fantastic

Went on Wednesday night. Not busy. The waitress came and asked if anyone has any allergies at first. She was friendly and was very good that making sure she understood my customized order right. Had linguine vongole. Portion is small, linguine was a bit more than al dente. Chewy. Taste ok. Table was clean, Silverware was clean, didn't see anything uncomfortable.