****, $20-30 a person.
Raved about by my friend's boss (the dining editor of Chicago Magazine), our most recent adventure had to be here. The experience at Davanti started with our garrulous waiter and continued with the great decor. Tasteful amounts of wood paneling, an open yet comfortable dining room, and their lists of wines by the glass and beer pasted on a gigantic bottle (passed from table to table) all added to the character of the establishment.
As our visit fell on "thirsty Thursday", meaning all beers were $3, I took the opportunity to get the Goose Island Sofie. As I often pay as much as $9 for a bottle of this excellent local craft beer, it was an opportunity I couldn't afford to pass on.
The aforementioned boss raved about the Cow's Milk Foccaccia, and we were glad we did. Our second course was the Pizza Della Terra, a masterpiece of mushrooms, leeks, and truffle oil on a perfected crisped crust lightly coated in taleggio. I had pegged it as my had-to-have dish before showing up, and our waiter recommending it sealed the deal. We finished with the crispy pork belly with peach mostarda, and the sweet mostarda set off the cured and quickly fried pork belly perfectly. Each was a symphony of flavors and textures, in sync for an impeccable experience.
For dessert we had a few scoops of rather average gelato (Italian vanilla and raspberry) and a torta bacio - a chocolate-hazelnut mousse atop a crunchy base. The torta bacio was worthy of my previous praise, and one of the best desserts I have had for a long time.
They don't take reservations, but do have great daily specials which are listed on their menu. The check for two came out to just under $55, an incredible deal for the quality (and quantity!). They also sell all their bottles of wine retail-style. That is, you can stop by to grab a bottle without staying for dinner, or you can pay the same price after being seated for a meal. Opening the bottle at the table will cost you a $7 corkage fee. Though I didn't partake of the wine, the list was respectable (if unimpressive) and reasonably priced.
Come in a group, and share the generously sized small plates. This is undoubtedly a place I will return to soon.
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