Davio

Recommends

MFCB

Joined 4 years ago

A Special Occasion Restaurant. Davio is a great restaurant to celebrate a special occasion. The prices mentioned in the other posts are accurate - expect to pay $30 for a pasta entree, and up to $55 for the veal chop. However, the price is well worth it. As also mentioned on the other posts, the meal is started off if house made bread accompainied by three dips - olive oil, gorgonzola spread, and white bean spread. The olive oil is good quality, but the cheese and bean spreads are not to be missed. So far as appetizers go, don't miss the greens and beans or the grilled sausage. For dinner, the pasta is great, but not housemade. I'd suggest splurging for the veal "elephant ear" - a veal chop pounded thin (listen carefully after you order and you will hear the pounding!), breaded, and pan fried, or for the veal chop - available a number of ways but best plain. Dessert is notewarthy, especially the chocolate cake. But, the check arrives with cookies - usually macarrons and some other treats - which are not to be missed.

Service is acually ok, but sometimes the waitresses seem as if you are putting them out by dining there.

Doesn't Recommend

ddanad

Joined 4 years ago

Terrible Customer Service. My boyfriend made reservations at this restaurant for our Valentine's Day. We could not celebrate it on the 14th, so we decided to go the night before. As we walked into the establishment, there were several other couples & parties waiting. As we were waiting to be seated, we were crammed into the dining area (standing over top of people who were already seating having their meals) and asked to stay out of the way. After 45 minutes of waiting for a reservation at 8:30, we were the last couple to be seated and a woman (owner, manager?) approached us. She explained that she did not feel that any parties would be leaving soon because everyone seems to be staying later than expected, so we should go somewhere else. She even recommended that we go to the restaurant next door. Despite our reservations, we were pretty much asked to leave.

I was appalled at the terrible service, and how my celebration of the holiday was treated with such disregard. Did I find it upscale? Absolutely not. I have been to "upscale" restaurants where customer service is of utmost importance, which is not apparent at Davio. I do not recommend this restaurant, and I will make sure that I let many other people know about my experience.

Recommends

mrsdinaround

Joined 6 years ago

remarkable food and ambiance. Upon entering this little restaurant, we knew by the decor this place was going to be very special, and to say the least, expensive. Original paintings and antique flow blue china decorate the walls. The bread is still warm just having been baked, and serves as a perfect foundation for the little bowls of spreads, marinated olives and cheeses, marinated beans, and a wonderful olive oil dip. The lobster bisque was to die for, and the pear salad was delicious. The veal chop with huge crabmeat lumps and a creamed asparagus sauce was phenomenal; my husband is still raving. I ate the chili sea bass with lobster tail and lobster sauce; and I'm still raving. And just before the check arrived, we were served, with the restaurant's compliments, a thick slice of grilled pineapple with chocolate sauce, fresh baked soft coconut macaroons, and black walnut truffles, all made in their own kitchen. Just the perfect way to soften and sweeten the amount of the check. But so very well worth every penny. This is not your everyday restaurant, but it certainly is one of the very few places I consider to be a real restaurant. My birthday is coming this weekend, and that's where we're going to celebrate.

Doesn't Recommend

mespit

Joined 6 years ago

Cmon..You have to be kidding me. I was looking forward to a good meal as I have dined here before. We were hungry but only shared a buffalo mozzarell appetizer, then had a veal chop with sweet and hot peppers and Sea Bass with lobster cream sauce, thats it. The food was very good as usual. The Bill was $133.00 not including my tip. You have to be out of your mind. I have dined in the best restaruants in the world. Do the math. If was great, not the best restaurant in the world, but not worth $60 for a veal chop and $50 for a piece of fish.

You banged me over the head, the food is great but not worth it.

+

Recommends

errolsiegel

Joined 9 years ago

THE BEST. Davio is for people who are serious about Italian food. Not a place to take kids and chow down on lasagne...take your own wine and feast on fabulous veal chops and a filet that puts Morton's to shame. Seafood is a definite A+. Food is cooked to order, thank God!

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Seating 28 people, this Beechview nook is notable.. The Scene
Elegantly furnished with unusual art on the walls, Davio is one of the area's most popular dining spots. David Ayn has been a chef in Pittsburgh for decades, and his patrons have followed him from restaurant to restaurant. His food comes in huge portions, such that few ever finish a full meal here, and there is no liquor license, so people can bring their own wine.

For Starters
Upon being seated, diners are brought fresh, warm bread accompanied by an exceptional and addictive white bean spread called fagiolini. The huge salad is always fresh and well-dressed, followed by pasta. The simple red sauce is smooth and light, and diners are usually groaning about being stuffed at this point.

The Food
Just when you think you're done, the main course arrives. There are all sorts of choices here, but most regulars speak glowingly of the veal chop. It is actually a double chop, grilled beautifully. Homemade desserts, if you have room, are worth the surge.

Doesn't Recommend

vetset

Joined 11 years ago

Disappointed. Wait staff seemed as if we were a bother. I have been here before and had better experiences but I'm not sure about a return visit.

Recommends

ls5z

Joined 11 years ago

Outstanding. I am 75 years of age. A pittsburgh native and have travled for my job. I have been in the service and eaten around the world. I have NEVER had a better meal anywhere. THE chef is a culinary marvel.