Da Vinci Ristorante

We just had one of the worst evenings I think possible at Di Vinci on S. 11th street. The service was terrible. Everyting was slowly served, by a wait staff who could not seem to care a less. The entrees were very sparse, poorly prepared, salty, as well overpriced. The evening culminated in our waitress literally squeezing a pastry trying to tell us that it was "how it was made"when in fact it likely had gone bad. One woman at our table actually got sick from the experience. To go even further when we tried to complain the manager yelled back at us saying "You liste to me". Take my advice as a Philadelphian and a foodie, stay far away from Di Vinci's on 11th street.

For the first time in all of my dining out experiences I felt compelled to call the restaurant to complain WHILE driving home. The service was poor. Some of the portions were small. We repeatedly had to ask for things and then when we asked where our food was, we were made to feel like we were imposing. When I called to expres our dissatisfaction with the service the manager was both unprofessional and unwilling to listen to what I was saying, rather she proceeded to tell me a thing or two. I then spoke with the chef/owner. Although he offered to comp us a meal, I declined, the food, service, and experience was that bad.

To the above comments on Da Vinci...there are customers that know how to dine Italian style, and those who do not. Apparently these folks prefer McDonalds fast food. For a busy Saturday night when your party shows up 45 minutes late, and with your total ignorance to how real Italians dine, how much do you expect? When a waiter has permission to discuss and is honest and happy to explain and comment on the dessert in question, and especially recommend another divine dessert (which everyone so wonderfully enjoyed but were too hard up to smile and be considerate patrons), how much are they to bend over backwards for inexperienced diners? Eating is not a war. It's an experience to enjoy a genuinely regional meal, whether it appeals to your taste buds or not. Da Vinci is true to its hometown ingredients and style, not to the general consensus as most people expect. You will not find such uniqueness anywhere else. And the quotes you referred to ("you listen to me..") came from your lips and you know it. You want abundance in platter, go to a buffet. You want fast food because you cannot sit kindly and enjoy your table's company, go to McDonalds. Critics have a lot to say, but nothing to offer. When a country brings its flavors for the U.S. to enjoy, it does it out of pleasure, not to please the degrading opinions of those ungratefuls out there. You may be too used to the "copycats" or "Americanized fast food Italian restaurants" but you will not find that at Da Vinci. Buon Appetito!

I've been to Da Vinci's many times, I can actually say each time I went back, my meals were always consistant and excellent! I finally found an italian restaurant in South Philly, that I can honestly say is authentic. I have toured Italy plenty of times, and I have to say, when I eat at Da Vinci's I feel like I'm in Italy. I've spoken and complimented the owner/chef every time I visited this restaurant, he was very hospitable, and always made us feel at home, the service is good, and the food is great! I think too many people have too many negative things to say. I hear only positive remarks from friends who recommended me to try Da vinci's, and one Saturday evening that I went there, everybody had smiles on their faces raving about the food and actually applauded the chef when he came out of the kitchen to greet the customers! To each is own! I urge people not to listen to the negative comments, whoever understands authentic italian cuisine sould definitely try this place it's awesome!

Thanks for the clarification on the previous review. Our party is dining there in a couple of weeks and I have read nothing but good reviews for this restaurant. I will not let that one review deter us from what I imagine will be a fine dining exoerience.

An everyday person that walks into Da Vinci Ristorante should have an open mind to specific detail in food and culinary artistry. As I have read harsh comments online about the establishment, these were posted a few months after the completion of the restaurant. Now, after a full year in business, Da Vinci has now proclaimed itself as something of an epicenter of Italian gormet food. Whether choosing to dine on the fresh filled Orata (Mediterranian Sea Bass) to the scrumptious Cavadellis, or the lighter side of fresh mussels and Salsiccia di ripiene (the cantellini beans were a delight!), each dish has a singular and unequaled taste that cannot be duplicated or taken out of a microwave. As the servers explain an array of specials and finish with a delectible homemade dessert menu, proprieters of Da Vinci will begin to see the true Italian standpoint done by the chef(s) and exclaim the a menu of prestige and one of a kind greatness. My experiences there have been nothing but spectacular and I encourage future customers to try an authentic gormet Italian meal.

This is a fantastic restaurant. Someone ought to get 'David's review' off this page. Go in and see for yourself.

We ordered food there last week. There was a huge piece of wax paper in our appetizer, a ravioli style dish in white cream sauce. I told the waitress. She told the chef. When the waitress came back she was like, "Oh, he says that's only from the butter wrapper."

Excuse me, but a FOREIGN OBJECT in one's food is not a good sign and shouldn't be just tossed off.. The chef seemed not to care for his customers' happiness. They restaurant did not even offer to comp the appetizer. The food was by no means rotten overall, but that kind of customer (lack of) service will keep me from being a customer there again.

I am not a picky diner, and I tip 20%. But I draw a line at a chef too preoccupied not to notice a wad of wax paper falling into his dish.