40+ Years of Tradition

1180 Rue Bishop, Montréal QC H3G 2E3

I absolutely love traditional Italian restaurants – they may not be trendy, but the spotlight is always on their homemade Italian specialties and it just doesn’t get better than that!

So I was extremely excited to be invited to try Restaurant Da Vinci. Having been around for over 40 years, this place must be doing something right. I just cannot believe I had never been before!

The space has three floors – two for dining and one private party room. The décor, much like the food, is very traditional –  white table cloths, wood panelling, fire places, and chandeliers. The service is also traditional – waiters are detail-oriented, professional, and warm.

The welcoming owner and chef decided on our menu and we enjoyed every last bite. It was the perfect late Valentine’s dinner.

Every table starts with a board of salumi, parmigiano reggiano, and fresh garlic bread. At this point, I was already in love.

Next we were brought a series of Antipasti:

Fork-tender pork belly served on a bed of polenta / Paper-thin beef carpaccio accompanied by crème fraiche and freshly-shaved truffle, arugula and parmigiano reggiano / A large grilled cajun-spiced shrimp propped atop avocado and smoked salmon / A tunisian-style grilled octopus. Though I would describe Da Vinci as a classic Italian restaurant, I could appreciate that they incorporate influences from other cuisines to brighten up some dishes. Overall, my favourites were the pork belly and beef carpaccio, though I thoroughly enjoyed all of these antipasti.

Before the main, we had a small tasting of my absolute favourite – gnocchi. This gnocchi was served in a gorgonzola sauce with porcini mushrooms and black truffle. I like to refer to gnocchi as tiny pillows of perfection and these definitely fit the bill.

For our Secondi Piatti, or main, we had roasted rack of lamb with a mustard crust and aromatic herbs. It was served with creamy mashed potatoes, asparagus, and broccolini. The meat was tender and very well-seasoned, while the vegetables were a vibrant green and perfectly cooked.

We finished on a sweet note with zeppole filled with ricotta, nutella, and crumbled pistachios and accompanied by a drizzle of raspberry coulis. Unfortunately this was a special on the menu for Valentine’s day, but hopefully it will be back soon because it was a great end to a delicious meal.

All in all, it is clear how Restaurant Da Vinci has managed to stick around for 40+ years. They have not strayed far from their roots and have continued serving great food in a traditional atmosphere. If like me, you have not yet visited Restaurant Da Vinci, I think it is time you give it a try!