Since District 1860, a mixed-use development in Lincolnwood, began its launch last summer, a LensCrafters and Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar have opened and many residents have moved in. Most recently, Davanti Enoteca has opened its doors.
Scott Harris Hospitality owns the enoteca, or wine bar, which has two other locations, in Naperville and Western Springs. Chief Operating Officer for Scott Harris Hospitality Jaysen Euler said the group recently sold its San Diego location.
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“I think it’s very much what you would eat in a small farm town and fishing towns of Italy,” said Euler. “I wouldn’t call ourselves Northern Italian or Southern Italian,” he continued. “You’ll see items on our menu that are true to the North, and you’ll see items true to the South and some items that are true to like Central Italy — like Rome.”
Euler said Corporate Executive Chef Jonathan Court crafted the menu for the Davanti Enoteca in Lincolnwood. It was heavily influenced by the original Davanti Enoteca on Taylor Street in Little Italy, which closed during the pandemic. Euler said Scott Harris and the late chef Luigi Negroni mentored him and Court and took trips with them to Italy to get ideas and inspiration for their menus.
Euler said the restaurant relies heavily on its servers to help create the dining experience for its guests. He said the servers have a deep knowledge of the menu and go through training and testing before service every day. He also said servers learn the menu in a classroom setting and shadow other servers during their training. The wine training is also an integral part of it, said Euler.
Euler said the Lincolnwood location does not have a full-time sommelier or wine specialist, but that several servers have knowledge of wine pairing.
Euler said the restaurant also uses a Cruvinet wine preservation and dispensing system that allows them to serve a variety of wines by the glass.
Davanti Enoteca employs about 30 people and has enough room in the Lincolnwood location’s dining area for 160 guests,said Euler.
Euler said Davanti Enoteca plans to would start a brunch service for the weekends, including a Bloody Mary bar where guests can garnish their drinks. He said a mix of pasta and egg dishes would be available.
Euler said that besides the grand opening coming up later in the month, there is nothing on the books for wine tastings or dinners. Given some more time, Euler said the Lincolnwood location would happily partner with a vineyard or distributor to create a special event.