Scott Harris, the mastermind behind the wildly successful Chicago-based family of Francesca’s Restaurants, has brought his rustic Italian cooking to the Little Italy neighborhood of San Diego. Located at 1655 India St., Davanti Enoteca offers the same incredible dining experience as its Windy City counterpart but inspired by its San Diego surroundings.
On Friday, August 12, San Diego diners were introduced to Harris’ inventive approach to shareable Italian small plates. As promised, people were pleased with the plentiful dishes as well as the exquisite, moderately-priced wine list, but no one was more pleased about the successful opening then Harris himself. "We opened the doors Friday night to test things out and ended up with a full house,” he says. “We’re blown away by the warm welcoming and hope that San Diegans will embrace our fresh approach to familiar food accompanied by outstanding service."
When it comes to Davanti’s décor, hardwood floors and exposed brick walls flanked with large open windows create a rustic ambiance. A generous outdoor patio and authentic Italian décor allow diners to experience a piece of Italy without ever leaving San Diego.
A chef-driven menu filled with an assortment of antipasti, salads, crispy thin crust pizzas, pastas, risottos, seafood, and more showcases authentic Italian flavors. Decadent desserts such as the Salted Caramel Panna Cotta served with saba, honey roasted peanuts, a strawberry balsamic, and whipped cream, are the perfect way to end an already memorable meal.
An impressive wine list of domestic and international wines complement the flavorful dishes on Davanti’s menu. Not in the mood for vino? Try one of the restaurant’s enticing cocktails, like the Garden Delight – a refreshing combination of Hendricks gin, fennel fonds, lime, and soda.
