Da Vinci’s: Italian, American foods meet in Lewes
A new Italian restaurant has opened its doors in Lewes, and if the number of people walking through them in is an indicator, they must be preparing food people love.
Da Vinci’s Pizzeria Italian Ristorante by Ernesto features real Italian food prepared by a real Italian, Ernesto Carannate, a Naples original.
“It’s all in here, everything’s in my mind,” Carannate said, taping the side of his head indicating that’s where he’s stored hundreds of classic recipes.
Manicotti stuffed shells, linguini with red or white sauce, veal or eggplant parmesan, ziti Bolognese and cheese and meat ravioli are just a few main course recipes Carannate has available for instant recall.
Da Vinci’s customers eat food prepared by a man who has been doing it in restaurants he owns since 1976.
“I opened my first restaurant with only me, my wife, Luisa, and my daughter, Tina,” Carannate said, about Bella Villa in Smyrna. Since then, he’s opened and still operates Bella Capri in Georgetown, Bella Villa in Dover Downs Shopping Center and two Pizza Gallery restaurants in Seaford.
He opened Da Vinci’s June 21. Carannate said the restaurant is offering only about a dozen Italian main courses until later this summer. After the restaurant obtains an alcoholic beverage license, he said, the menu will expand.
Carannate said after that, favorites such as shrimp scampi, linguini with clams, chicken Marsala and chicken parmesan, fettuccine Alfredo, baked ziti and other dishes will be available.
But until then, there’s no reason to go hungry because Da Vinci’s menu is extensive. There are more than a dozen appetizers including coconut shrimp Carannate prepares in-house, steamed clams or shrimp, mussels marinara and bruschetta.
Among salad selections are Greek, chef, chicken Caesar and Italian antipasto. Carannate is especially proud of the restaurant’s homemade soups – Italian wedding, Maryland crab, pasta and fagioli and crab bisque. “My crab bisque is the best, the best,” he said speaking in thick, Italian-flavored English.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a pizzeria unless they served pizzas, calzones and strombolis. There’s the standard cheese pizza with toppings and specialty pies such as white, meat lovers, buffalo chicken, pesto and seafood pizza. Burger, sub, sandwich and wrap lovers won’t be disappointed in the restaurant’s expansive selection.
Those who save room for sweet treats would enjoy Ernesto’s New York-style cheesecake, cannoli, limoncello or toasted almond cake and classic tiramisu.
Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Da Vinci’s is at 410 East Savannah Road. American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa cards are accepted. To order food to go, or for additional information, call 302-644-2600.
