daVinci’s

We have been regular diners at daVinci’s since 1998 and haven’t tired of it yet even though we eat here at least twice a month. Cozy atmosphere in an old bank building (I believe the bar stores booze in the old vault), ability to make reservations, bottomless salad bowl (delicious and fresh), the bottomless bread (the BEST BREAD EVER), and the food are consistently good. I would not classify this as authentic Italian, but more «American» Italian. Not foo-​fooey –just plain good and filling (like your American Mom would make!). Favorites: Chicken Marsala, Chicken Parmesan, and the bread — did I mention the bread? The bar is a great hangout, a regular crowd, live music most Thursdays, service is consistently good but when it’s busy you might wait a bit but it’s not a place to have a rushed meal. Jay, Katy, Jenny, and Nathan, and every server are friendly and on their toes. It’s «our place» to go and we love it!

One of my favorite places to eat! Homemade pasta and sauce make for a great dinner. Everything I’ve had from here is amazing. A total treat to get the Alfredo and a side of meatballs! I come here often and will continue to do so!

My wife and I stopped in on a random Wednesday. Ordered the meat lasagna and tri colored tortellini Alfredo. Bread was delivered after ordering, so maybe 15 minutes into being seated. On first contact would be nice. Bread was really crisp and crumbly, so about 50% was enjoyable to eat and it made a big mess. Butter was cold pre wrapped butter like at a hotel breakfast. Food took about 45 minutes to arrive. I expected low lighting, nice music, and a little nicer atmosphere, but there were no curtains making the lighting awkward, and pop tunes were playing like we were listening to satellite radio. The table we received was right next to the servers computer, and very close to the kitchen, so dish washing noises were constantly heard.
When the food arrived, the tortellini was obviously under-​cooked (stiff) and both the noodles and sauce tasted like they were from a box or can, not fresh or unique. The lasagna was filled with carrots which were not listed in the description (meat lasagna was distinct from veggie lasagna). And it was in a bowl presumably because they do not make a lasagna that can stand freely and hold its shape. It did not have ricotta cheese which is pretty standard… So it ultimately turned into a stew/​humble pie with noodles. Service was adequate, albeit casual.
In the end it was $ 50 for 2 people, and I would say a total miss on the value. I don’t think any piece of the experience was especially Italian, or fine dining. I’d say, save $ 20 and eat at a sports bar. If you want nice Italian try Asiagos, and if you want an eclectic place try Cucina Di Paolo.

Great bar and friendly, efficient wait staff. But the food — not so much. I ordered «Meat Lasagna». When the order came I cut into the serving and found quite a bit of this orange-​looking stuff. When I asked the waitress what it was — she said «carrots — the chef puts in lots and lots of those — although some people think it is a little «weird». Weird, indeed. The menu should have said, «Carrot Lasagna With Some Meat Sauce».
To be fair I will give this restaurant one more shot, but I hate it when a chef takes standard Italian dishes and «improves» them or makes the into «nouveau cuisine».

I gave this place 3 chances as I know that any business (especially a restaurant) can have an «off day/​night» however they totally blew it every time! Terrible service and upon speaking with the owner on the third time he was rude and condescending. It seems that this place is a «big fish» in a small pond of places to eat and we will never be back (despite now living in Eagle) and we will never refer the location. There are far better places to eat with a much higher class of consistent quality service.

Love the Chicken Parmesan, bread, and salad! Great service and atmosphere!

I usually get the Seafood lasagna and it is always great! Love the atmosphere, and the waitstaff has been great.

Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere. But the food left a lot to be desired. One of the things I love and associate with Italian food, is the big robust flavors. Husband ordered the fettuccine with clam sauce which was too thin, did not cling to the noodle at all. Undersalted and the clams were very sandy. I ordered the chicken marsala, which was also under salted, as were the steamed veggies. Aside from the salad dressing, everything was just very bland. (For the record, I don’t cook with a lot of salt and very rarely ever add salt when eating) I don’t know if we went on an off night, maybe they had a fill in chef, but for the cost… we probably won’t return.

Good service. personable waitress and the waitstaff was savvy in making sure we wanted for nothing. We had drinks, appetizer and salad. Food was fresh and drinks were cold. Only recommendation would be to make the calamari more of a signature dish with a little more flavor.

I have been to this establishment 5 times over a six year period living in Eagle Idaho. We were there over the weekend of July18 & 19. We came in around 9:30 pm on a Saturday night, sitting in the bar. I am sure we sat there for at least 8 minutes with the squatty bartender looking at us and not moving toward us and two servers young and blond also looking at us with no intention of helping us. So I got up with my wife and mad as hell told the bartender I guess you have made enough money for the night and the service here stinks. We went across the street and had an enjoyable night cap and dinner. My last experience was just as bad believe me sitting on the sidewalk outside the restaurant I had to use my cell phone and call inside to get some service. This will be my last ever attempt to eat or drink in this poorly serviced establishment.

We have been told this is the place to go for Italian food in the Boise area.
We liked the bottomless salad and bread, but the entrees were not that great. They were okay, but not like Italian food we are used to. The lasagna sauce had carrots in it and was much lighter than we thought it should be. The chicken piccata and marsala were also different. Both sauces were very sweet and did not complement the pasta and chicken that well. The kids spaghetti had a tasteless red sauce.
The waiter was okay, but a little slow and this was before they got busy.
For the price, we expected more in taste and service.
We have other Italian options to try, so will probaly not be back.

The reason I won’t go back was not the food. The waiter brought out the salad and some plates. My plate had a few crumbs on it. No problem, but then the waiter took his finger and attempted to wipe the crumbs off the plate. No thanks. I won’t be back. I remembered davincis as being the best Italian food around. Must have been the free wine. I ordered spinach linguini with red clam sauce. Boring. The sauce was so thin, it did not stick to the pasta. I ate tasteless pasta, and a nice watery sauce with way to much garlic. I felt nauseous.

Just so you know, I realize that some people can just have an off day, therefore I usually give businesses multiple chances to do good. This was my forth and last visit to this restaurant. I went by myself as the family was out of town. The setting, a bar full of people, 4 families dining and 5 waiters. 20 minutes later, someone takes my order! 45 minutes later I get my dinner; spaghetti and meatballs. ($ 16.00) No offer of cheese or anything else. The noodles were so over cooked, a piece of gum would have been better. I told the waiter the problem; he responded, «I’m sorry you feel that way.» I cashed out and left; didn’t even finish my meal. When walking towards the door, I see the waiter hugging some girl in the bar. Real professional! Done with this place! Similar slow service and crappy food the previous visits!

I’ve been going here for years. It’s slowly gotten worse. But still okay. The service has gotten worse. The food has gone down hill over the years.

This was our first visit and let me say we were not disappointed! Calamari was delicious, done perfectly. The garlic sauce with it was amazing. I ordered veal Parm and the hubby had chicken Alfredo. Both were out of this world! Especially the Alfredo, perfect noodles and sauce from scratch. Their house Chianti is really nice and that is honesty because I’m not usually a red wine girl. The bread that came with the salads was hot and fresh.
Desert was great! Tiramisu eloping was huge compared to what I’ve gotten in the past at other places.
The atmosphere is pleasant. Not a huge restaurant but not too small. No need to get all dressed up if you don’t want to. It’s more laid back than all that. Great music playing while we were there like Etta James and Billie Holiday. We originally had a reservation but got there 45 min early and got a table immediately. Not too shabby for a Friday eve about 5:30!
I will be returning to this place! Thanks for a great meal!

Not terrible but not that great. It’s the small details that makes the difference in the overall experience. The clams appetizer was overcooked and way too salty. Clams are supposed to be plump and juicy and slightly steamed. Not an exciting menu and the food lacked luster. Nothing really separates this place from similar Italian food chains. My seat cushion was not attached and moved and our table wobbled. Service was good and our waiter was appropriately attentive.

We moved here from New England and had been spoiled by Boston’s North End and many other great Italian places to choose from. Davinci’s is the best Italian restaurant we have found in the Boise area. It is very low key but with great, simple Italian food. My favorite is the spinach linguini with their Tuscan tomato sauce. It tastes very much like my husband’s Sicilian family red sauce recipe :).

This is a great place to enjoy traditional Italian food in a atmosphere that is friendly and comfortable. Perfect combo clams appetizer (best I’ve ever had) and Bolognese sauce is crazy good. My wife L O V E D the lasagne. The clams are addictive as they come with a tasty broth an bread to mop it up. Add a fat tire brew and I’ve died and gone to heaven. Miss it already.

A neighborhood favorite for years with consistently great food! We always sit in the bar where the environment is casual and you’re never rushed. Wonderful bartenders and servers … they always remember your names and happy to see you when you walk in, which is unusual for the area. Bolognese sauce is the BEST! Great place!

We finally got around to trying DaVinci’s after passing by several times and thinking what a cool old building that is. We had also hoped that the comfy, unpretentious interior and moderately-​priced menu meant that DaVinci’s just might be the «local Italian place» we’ve been looking for since moving to the area. You know the place — where you go on a Wednesday night when you don’t feel like cooking and you’re not up for a big event. DaVinci isn’t exactly that place, but it’s pretty close, and will do just fine until or unless we find one that hits the bulls-​eye.
The menu resembles an abridged version of what you find in nearly every strip mall in NJ: A few standard appetizers, house salad, mix & match pasta/​sauce, and a few specialties (lasagna from Mama’s secret old world recipe!). Mama is missing at DaVinci’s, and so are several pasta types (only the flat stuff here) and sauces (puttanesca, arrabbiata, etc.), but there’s still plenty to choose from and the sauces are homemade, though the pasta apparently isn’t.
This isn’t the place if you’re dieting. We didn’t find many lighter options — the clam sauce we were told is made with cream and butter and is, besides the Alfredo and pesto, the only non-​red options as we recall. The veal parm was buried under a layer of bubbly cheese, but was quite tasty. The chicken marsala was a bit sweet for our taste, so we’ll try the piccata next time or maybe the bolognese. The fried calamari appy was crispy and not a bit oily, although you really must have marinara dipping sauce with this dish, which we will request next time. We skipped dessert.
The prices are reasonable, in the teens for the entrees. There’s a better wine list than we often see at restaurants in this category, with several good by-​the-​glass options.
Seating is comfortable, with the tables well-​spaced. Noise level was moderate even though the place was mostly full on this weeknight. No TV in the dining room (yay!). Service was friendly and competent.
For fine dining with an Italian accent, we’ll go to Alavita or Vicino, but for standard everyday Italian, DaVinci’s is our current default. Even though we do kinda miss the red checkered tablecloths, not to mention Mama.

Service: Could be improved. I strongly dislike being stranded at the table staring at our empty plates and glasses wondering of we will ever see our waiter again to give us our check. Service wasn’t «bad» just a bit blah lacking pizazz.
Entrees come with unlimited salad & french bread!
We loved the salad very fresh, light yet bold flavor!!! Mmmmm!
French bread & butter was also delicious!
We ordered baked spaghetti and meatballs! Flavor had a bit of spice and overall very nice quality! Meatballs were good but not the best I have ever had.
Tortellini Alfredo, creamy & rich. Easy to eat fast! I love how fresh the noodles and sauce taste! Enjoyable dish, portion was smaller than spaghetti.
Food was tasty but we haven’t tried anything yet that blew us away.

I’ve been dining at daVinci’s for the better part of a decade, and never had a great meal. Most of my friends enjoy it, but it should be noted few of them have traveled outside Idaho to experience food in other areas of the US or world (unfortunately many think Olive Garden is awesome Italian food… ugh, I know). Me? I’ve dined in Boston’s North End, Philly’s Italian district and throughout Venice, Rome and small towns away from the tourist traps. I digress.
I go to daVinci’s because parking is great and my friends like the atmosphere. I always hesitate going because I and a few others have experienced gastrointestinal issues after eating the same menu item, but I will take one for the team. The service is always excellent and the tables large enough for our crew of 10 to 15.
Alas, the other week, I finally had a good meal. I take that back: a GREAT meal. It was the Sicilian I believe. Meatballs were hearty, juicy, seasoned/​spiced perfectly, the pasta was robust and not dry (unlike the sad excuse of angel hair they serve on the side). If memory serves me right I paid about $ 15. Worth. Every. Penny. Almost licked the plate clean to make sure no sauce was left behind. The Sicilian was so good it almost erased the memories of every lackluster meal I’ve had at daVinci’s since the late 90s.
Instead of hesitating I eagerly look forward to the gang’s next gathering here.

My grandmother was Italian. She emigrated here in 1928 and she managed to retain her culture — namely her language and her exquisite cooking. She could get me to eat foods that no one else could get me to eat (I’m looking at you, spinach!). I’ve also been to Italy and have tasted the finest, freshest pasta you can imagine. Needless to say, I’m kind of a snob when it comes to Italian food.
I like lasagna so much I could give Garfield a run for his money. It’s like a noodle cake, and who doesn’t like cake? I don’t order it too much at restaurants because I am always left a little bit disappointed. I decided to be bold this time and order the lasagna. I don’t think it’s (too) hyperbolic to say that this was the BEST lasagna I have had in decades (sorry, dad!). It needed no additional seasoning, the cheese was crispy on top and ooey-​gooey in the middle. And, (squeeeee) they used my favorite sauce in this lasagna– bolognese. The portion was huge. The wine was good. Our server was nice and efficient. The dessert (unlike a lot of «Italian» restaurants) was homemade so delicious. I almost want to move to Boise now so I can get my fix.
Oh, did I mention they actually make their own pasta? You can tell because the noodles come out square, instead of round. You can also tell because it tastes just that much better.

Prices are too high for what you get. The food is good but not spectacular. $ 20 a dinner I expect a bit more than ok. My husband had the veal Marsala and it was too sweet. They do have a good wine list though and the atmosphere is nice. I think that it is a slightly confused model as it looks upscale but the plates are more standard Italian cuisine.