Davinci's Ristorante Italiano

Located in a building that looks more like a laundromat than a mid to high end Italian eatery, Davinci's turns out some fairly decent food at a fair price in a very laid-back setting.

I've visited about 6 times, and am generally pleased with their offerings. Their menu favors Italian-American standbys like spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, lasagna, cioppino and veal piccata. Every main course comes with a salad. You walk out stuffed, and the value to dollar quotient is pretty high.

Several years ago, we were fortunate to partake in their "culinary tour of Italy," which highlighted various regionally-inspired dishes, rotating the menu every 2 weeks. Regional wines were paired with the food, and it was a very enjoyable experience, offering up something a bit different than their more North Beach / Little Italy inspired fare.

We've ordered their pizzas for take-out before, and they were pretty good. The crust was not crispy enough, but it was a nice sauce and over all a decent enough attempt.

My one real beef with Davinci's is that the service, especially the last 2 or 3 times we visited, has been awful. Often times, we've felt ignored, and then rushed when the server has finally graced us with their presence (usually you ask people if they would like a cocktail or glass of wine before you ask what they are eating.) We've had our wine order, which we placed when we ordered our meal) brought out after our entrees arrived. I sent the bottle back. Last visit, there was a group of local high school students all decked out to the 9's before a formal at their school. Our server made a comment that the girls didn't eat much because they were watching their figures, and that they would be "prime material" once they came of age. Now, I didn't mind this too much, but my wife was really creeped out by this. Not something you should say to someone unless you know them well.

Davinci's is not in the same league with regards to sophistication as some of the higher end Italian restaurants in Portland. However, the kitchen does turn out some damn good food. Last visit, I had a rib-eye steak with mushrooms and sautéed veggies that was excellently prepared, and walked out happy. The price was right, too. If they could only reign in their wait staff a bit, this would be a real gem on 99e.

Davinci's website: Davinci's Ristorante Italiano