Davanti Enoteca - Chicago

When restaurateur Scott Harris decided to open his latest restaurant concept, he and the team of chefs from Francesca’s Restaurants did their research. Although already experts in their own right for rustic, Italian cuisine in Chicago, the chefs traveled across the country, eating and tasting to discover how chefs nationwide defined this cuisine. Inspired by their travels, the team is proud to introduce the new wine bar and restaurant: Davanti Enoteca in Little Italy.

Davanti Enoteca (located kitty-corner from Francesca’s on Taylor) carries the theme of our cuisine of simple Italian fare throughout the décor of the rustic wine bar and restaurant. The two back walls feature beautiful arched exposed brick which will serve as the retail wine section as well as the selection of bottles that guests can enjoy at their table.

In addition to multiple high-top and table seating, the 10-seat bar made of 180-year-old refurbished barn wood will house two frozen taps one for local beer and one for chilled house-infused vodka. Additional décor details include lighting made from old glass milk jugs and potato sacks and patchwork wall coverings of the fronts of old wine boxes.

As for the menu, small plate starters include selections of vasi (jars of spreads) and boards (tableside presentations of dishes such as the mascarpone polenta and ragu of the day). Larger shareables will include pastas such as Uovo in Raviolo ‘San Domenico’ (giant ravioli, ricotta, egg, spinach), pizzas like Pizza della Fattoria (farmed egg, potato, pork belly, scallions, asiago, and béchamel) and entrées such as Spada Davanti (grilled swordfish, brussel spouts, pancetta, Calabrian chili).