Davito’s Italian Restaurant (Boca Raton)
***** Davito’s Italian Restaurant, 19635 State Road 7, Boca Raton, Florida 333498, (561) 482-2323.
Got a good “pop & pop” red sauce Italian joint for you…Davito’s Italian Restaurant which opened 2-weeks ago in Boca Raton. The “pops” that own this joint are Vito Raneri and Dave Acker. Of note, Raneri is the former owner of Dominic’s II (see Dominc’s II review 3/12/08)—suffice it to say, this guy knows how to run a restaurant, consistently serving reasonably priced (the most expensive item on the menu is zuppa di pesce at $22.95)–good food.
Let’s make a long story short.
About a month ago Raneri & Acker “acquired” Anna’s Kitchen (see Anna’s Kitchen review 10/10/09). From what I can tell, other than a sign here and there…the decor is exactly the same—same goes for the plates, silverware, etc. Why Anna’s which opened in October. 2009 didn’t make it, is up for grabs?
One thing that Anna’s “had” decor-wise that I didn’t care for—large oversized wooden tables. Now I’m no decorator, but these tables, make what is basically a small dining space, look/feel even tighter than it really is. Hey! Vito and Dave, this table thing is something you should definitely “think about.”
Last night, Jeff Eats gave Davito’s a shot…arriving at 7:30pm, we were greeted by a packed-house and a 30 minute wait. From a quick “survey”…every person there, was a Vito Raneri “follower.” Like I said before (and in the original Dominic’s II writeup)…Mr. Raneri knows how to run a restaurant and treat customers, just right. Of note, last night, partner Dave Acker was the “master of ceremonies”-making sure, that everything in the “front of the house” was right on target.
Now let’s talk food…garlic rolls, minestrone soup, veal parmigiana, ziti with marinara sauce, chicken sorrentino—A-OK!! I’m gonna bet, Davito’s food is almost, if not, as good as the stuff that your favorite “mom & pop” serves. One final note, friends Jessica and Joe, who just happen to be Italian—thought that the chicken scarpariello and mussels marinara were outrageously delicious…with Joe soaking up every drop of the scarpariello sauce with garlic rolls. Then again, Joe thought that the Yankees were going to be in the 2010 World Series—and we all know how that turned out, don’t we?
In a nutshell, the menu is loaded with tons of appetizers, salads, pastas, veal/chicken/seafood, pizzas. For you hungry folks…the requisite garlic rolls/soup or salad/entree/pasta side—are abundant.
If you are so inclined—a cursory look of Jeff Eats’ index will reveal-that over the past 5 years-243 different South Florida Italian restaurants have been “sampled.” Really don’t have time to put them in numerical-favorite order, but let’s just say, that if you try Davito’s, you won’t be disappointed.
Davito’s is open, Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm and Sunday noon-10pm.
vito did a great job at dominic’s.
looking forward to trying his new venture.
My favorite in Boca is Dominic’s I.
I have also eaten in Dominic’s II.
I didn’t like Anna’s.
Going to see if this new one is good.
jeff, it’s ok, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Jeff:
My wife and I are regular customers at Dominic’s and Dominic’s II both in Boca. We know Vito and agree that when he was at II he ran a great restaurant.
We ate Davito’s and it is good but not as good as either of the Dominic’s.We found that taste wise something was missing. The marinara sauce is not as sweet and is kind of on the bland size.
Davitos also has wooden tables. Some are very large round ones and make a small restaurant seem even smaller.
We know that they just opened a few weeks ago. The crowd indicates that Vito has a ton of folks who like him and the way he does business.
We will let them shakeout the kinks and then give them another try.
nino’s in boca is still the best of breed. and then comes augy’s. dominic’s is good but these two are better.
La Luna is better than those three
We have tried every Italian restaurant in Boca and the WINNER is definitely the new one called DAVITO’S on 441.
The sauces are delicious, the salad dressings outstanding, the baked clams are scrumptious and the fried calamari melt in your mouth.
Every other dish we tried was absolutely
perfect. This place is always crowded so I guess people appreciate great food at even greater prices.
ed, there are alot that are better. davito’s is good, but far from being great. dominic’s II is better, same for nino’s, same for augy’s. you should look into thick n thin in boca. pizza time in boca is also better.
on upscale, matteo’s runs circles around davito’s.
Davito’s was good.
It as good as Dominic’s II where Vito use to be.
It isn’t as good as Nino’s in Boca.
It isn’t as good as Augy’s in Boca.
Jeff, I eat in Dominic’s II on a regular basis. Being doing that for years. I ate at Davito’s, sorry, no match for Dominic’s II. The marinara sauce was bland and virtually tasteless. People will start to go back to Dominic’s II if they don’t get better food.
didn’t like it. found the food mediocre at best. the sauces were tasteless.
the service is ok.
there are many better ones.
don’t waste your time.
Food is ok – Vito ought to be ashamed of himself as to how he treats his customers – A poor example as a restaurant owner. Dominics you win!! People get smart, stay away! Important point, if you object to sitting next to people where legs are touching then dont dine in this restaurant.!
I guess some people are just upset that Davito’s has cut into the profits of other restaurants in the area. That is the American way. Everyone has a chance to make it.
When you criticize a restaurant with positive criticisms that is justified. But when the criticism is vindictive like Frances and DBoone then you know there is more going on than just disliking the food.
and the part owner Vito is one of the most miserable chefs/owners I have ever seen. Quote “my food is never cold” .. I tried to have Vito honor his partner David’s credit on a chicken parmesan sub-a sub-can you imagine and you cannot imagine the scene this man created. Plus the ambiance is really quite dismal-like a cafeteria and the food is so-so average.
the food is run of the mill at best-the seating is right on top of each other-no ambiance-incredibly noisy
the in-spot for those who know no better in Boca….
what is augys/
My wife and I found the food good. It isn’t as good as the food at Dominic’s II. For some reason we found the marinara sauce extremely bland. For a new place the service was just fine. The prices are what you’d expect.
Jeff correctly points out that the tables are cramped. There was one very large round wood table that is ridiculous in that it takes up a huge amount of space.
For right now we are going to stick with our favorites II, Nino’s and Augy’s here in Boca.
I don’t usually comment on Restaurant Reviews,however I read them. What I’ve found is that generally the people that comment are those that have something negative to say. We live in Boca Greens and Davito’s has become our neighborhood staple…The food is always delicious, and consistent. Staff is very friendly and willing to please. I love the ambiance…nice lighting with great music in the background…And as far as the marinara sauce is concerned I found it to b sweet and delicious…Love the pasta …always al dente!!! Highly recommended….
We agree with Sheila. Davito’s is a place we will go back to over and over. Yes, there are many good Italian restaurants in Boca, but this
place offers excellent food at great prices. It is a very UP place because there is a great mix of people, young and old all enjoying life in Florida.
David and Vito love what they do and it shows.
Is the criticsm “vindictive” according to Flo Frey? Well, let’s relate what happened-I called up the same night as receiving an inedible chicken sub. My restauranter David immediately said, a credit was due. When I called about a week later, I ordered a pizza and the “sub”,Vito answered the phone and was instanty and I do mean instantly abusive. What was wrong with the sub? What else was on the order? I’ve never heard of you before-who gave you the credit etc etc etc? The same behavior continued inside the restaurant where it became intolerable-to be told in person that Vito has never seen customers that he has greeted by name is just too much and “game playing” The confrontation almost escalated to blows outside the restaurant. Vito since then has offered to replace my 7.00 sub and asked me to come back to his restaurant. I will never set foot in his establishment again, I love to support new endeavors and was always solicitous of David’s investment and pleased about the degree of patronage. However the co-owner Vito pushes ownership beyond the limits of civility. Look at some of the prior comments re Dominic’s and his behavior at that restaurant. And I reiterate, the food is so-so and the ambience is “strictly from hunger”. How is that turn of phrase..
My husband and I have lived in Boca for over 40 years. Give or take a couple here and there, we have probably eaten in most of the Italian restaurants in a 30 mile radius. We recall way back when, when Mario’s was basically the only game in town.
As far as we are concerned the best mom & pop is Nino’s in Boca. Dominic’s places are ok but not as good. Augy’s in Boca is also very good but Nino’s is a drop better.
On Davito’s, it’s ok, nothing great. In all honesty it isn’t as good as Dominic’s.
So if you want the best in this area, go to Nino’s.
By the way, Nino’s in Boca is better than Nino’s in Delray.
Had dinner there last night, wish I didn’t. Calamari Marinara tasteless, linguine mushy.I could go on and on.
I must have added every available spice on my table to try to get through the meal, but still bland and watery. Service was inadequate and rude. I had to ask if the restaurant served garlic rolls because none were brought out to me, then they brought me out 2 rolls.
I pride myself on knowing good food, and have eaten at the best restaurants growing up in NY. The crowd waiting to get in to this place boggled my mind. How does this place get return customers? Don’t waste your time or money. Also not cheap for a neighborhood pizza place.
We were in town from Long Island visiting relatives who took us to Davitos.
I cannot believe that I was in the same restaurant as some of the people who have commented on this restaurant.
We found the food to be delicious, the service was good and as far as the big round table, it was great. It was like dining at home.
We will definitely be back when we come to visit again. I had a delicious dish which was angel hair with shrimp and spinach and tomato in a very light marinara sauce. Scrumptious!!!
Went back to Davitos Saturday night and am still amazed at some of the comments. Everyone was having a great time and really enjoying the food. It is a very UP place and the service was very good. Great garlic rolls and pizza bread.
My friend who is a food critic in Washington, DC said the food is too good for a local restaurant.
We tried Dominics and Nino’s. Both good but she ranked Davitos higher. We understand that some people like other places better but we are all entitled to our own opinion and a lot of people seem to agree with us because they keep coming back.
FLO, Davitos is good. As a Boca resident I know almost all of the local spots. Davitos isn’t as good as Nino’s or Dominic’s II.
You know something guys-isn’t is coincidental that such an ardent defender of Davitos such as Flo Frey has a friend that is a food critic in Washington and feels Davitos is “too good for a local restaurant”, Can you say “shill”? Can you say set up? Now if we want to talk Italiano, I rediscovered a wonderful restaurant Umbertos in the Sandalfoot area. Their chicken parm sub was everything Davitos was not-freshly cooked chicken-home made bread toasted-cheese w seasoning and a side of marinara. Add in a pizza with Canadian bacon and were talking about a really good authentic Italian restaurant. So, this “restaurant critic” from Boca Raton gives Umbertos four stars at present with more to possibly come. Oh and by the way, a courteous staff without drama!
This is my last response to DBoone. My friend the critic from Washington is paid for her critique of restaurants, therefore she is considered a professional.
You are not paid for your critique ( and while you are entitled to your opinion) we all consider it worthless.
Don’t bother answering me as I do not intend to waste my time bantering with you. As for “shills”. (It takes one to know one) By the way I am a headhunter for attorneys and run a large Washington and Virginia firm. I do not have time to be a shill for anyone.
“We”, the use of the royal pronoun, I quess Flo Frey that you speak for the entire staff of Davito’s/ Who else could “we” be? If I”m a shill, exactly what or whom am I shilling? This is a hometown forum and personal opinions are what counts here. Vito has a long history of abusive behavior, look at reviews of Dominics , The chicken sandwich sucked- period and the owner was argumentative and abusive to an extreme. The interior is like a cafeteria and the food is undistinguished. So in the end, you are welcome to your biased opinion as I am welcome to relate my experience at Davitos restaurant.
I love these debates. In the next few weeks I will try these places mentioned as I have not been to any of them. So many things are subjective with Italian restaurants. It always gets heated up! One funny thing. We were in London a few yrs ago and my wife wanted a baked ziti (no ricotta) We were in a nice Italian restaurant, no ziti on the menu. The owner comes over and he makes it clear he will make anything for a customer within reason. She says, take ziti, put some sauce on it, top it with mozzarella and bake. He did and it was quite good. Funny thing is they had ZERO baked pasta items on the menu. They did not offer anything close. Food was different in Rome also. I happen to love red sauce and if it is sweet even better. Some people like light sauce. I hate garlic. Most people who love Italian food love it.
I gotta say no matter what I know the food is always top of the line best quality at Dominic I,II, and III! I mean only 100% best quality out there!
i like their food.
nino’s is still the best, but food at davito’s is good.
food is average at best,
nothing special here,
The food is very good. Same for the service.
the other night they had jammin jimmy’s karooke singers.
restaurant was jammed.
food was great. singers were incredible.
been to most of the boca red sauce joints. this one is right up there with the best of them.
was there last night and food was delicious.
I think that Davito’s is one of the better red sauce joints.
I also like Nino’s and Dominic’s II in Boca.
i’ve eaten in nino’s and dominic’s 2.
they are good, but i think that davito’s has them both beat by a hair.
I have lived in Boca Raton for over 25 years. Over the years, I have literally eaten in every red sauce joint. Many have come and gone during that time.
I recently at at Davitos.
The food is fair at best.
The prices are the same as all of the others with the typical soup/salad, entree, pasta deals.
To be perfectly honest with you, Davitos is not as good as Nino’s, Dominicks 1 or 11, Augy’s, Pizza Time just to name a few.
That’s the way I see it.
pizza is good. the rest of food is garbage. dominick’s 2 on glades road in boca is better.
Nothing out of the ordinary going on here.
There are 2 partners, David nice guy and Vito who is a creep. The inside of the restaurant is very nice for an upscale pizza shop. The Food is hit and miss. It is a 7.5 out of 10 , not good not bad. Business must be tough I saw the place on south Florida dines.
not the best. there are better ones in the area. like nino’s and dom 1 and 2.
just not that good.
nino’s and domincis 1 an 2 right in the same area are better
Jeff,
I think you should re-review this joint. When it first opened it was decent enough, but in the past 6 months or so I’ve had two not too good meals. Others have told me the same thing.
Jeff,
party of 4 last night, first time for all of us, no one will be going back, food was mediocre at best and the owner was nasty as all hell when we told him about the problems.
Second rate food.
Just that simple.
Vito is a schmuck who argues with his customers when they complain about a dish etc. I ate there twice and the last time out this big slob is yelling at me because his food stinks. Just average food so don’t waste your time or hard earned money.
Vito who owns the joint is a big fat jerk. He looks like a slob and dresses like one. He is nasty to his customers and uses the cheapest ingredients in his dishes.
The food here is lousy. The owner doesn’t use quality food or ingredients. Boca Raton has a load of much better red sauce joints to go to.
Jeff,
My wife and I ate dinner there last week and were extremely disappointed with the food. The service was good.
My favorite dish in Red sauce joints is veal parmigiana. I would rate this dish here as being terrible. I was served a veal pattie not a cutlet. Absolute shit. My wife’s shrimp in garlic sauce was a handful of what positively were frozen shrimp in a tasteless sauce. My ziti side was in a tasteless marinara sauce. This joint should be ashamed of itself for selling crap like this.
Food stinks.
They don’t serve quality food.
There are much better Italian restaurants in Boca.
Ate there this pm for the first time and the food was lousy. Veal parm was a patty and pasta side was cold with a tasteless marinara sauce.
Waste of money.
Vito the owner argues with his customers. No need to listen to his bullshit. Stay away.
The food is mediocre.
Vito the owner needs to take an anger mgt course. He is nasty to customers and having listened to him yell at me I will never set foot in his joint again.