Lunardi's Restaurant — Restaurant in Davenport

I love Italian food - eating out, making it at home, it's great either way! It's incredibly simple in both execution and flavor in many cases. I haven't found much I like around the Quad Cities, though (maybe Biaggis?) so I was really excited to have Lunardi's recommended to me by a coworker.

I've not been out to this particular shopping center in decades, but I've not had a reason to either. I think I remember visiting the Black and Gold shop back in high school, perhaps? I don't really remember...

At any rate, Lunardi's has a distinct hole in the wall appearance in this older-ish strip mall. That appearance kind of continues into the restaurant itself, most prominently in the 6 inch square red ceramic tile and rough brick and mortar walls. The bar, by contrast, looks like a relatively new feature in the space. Lighting is provided by a combination of recessed fixtures in the drop ceiling and suspended fixtures with soft incandescent bulbs within large jars. The whole of it comes together to give the place a feeling of being established in the space.

I opted for an order of bruschetta and sausage spaghettini. In hindsight, I probably ordered too much food, especially since the pasta came with soup or salad, for which I got the soup. The soup was a beef broth based sausage, vegetable, and egg noodle soup. I'm a huge soup fan, and this really satisfied! The sausage was tasty, and the broth had some real flavor depth.

The bruschetta was similarly fantastic. It's not like bruschetta at many other places that ends up tasting like seasoned tomatoes on a toasted bread cracker. This bread had some toasty crunch, but was also fluffy and soft underneath. Contributing further to my enjoyment, it also had an oily/buttery/garlic spread under the tomatoes and cheese. Truly, this is great bruschetta!

The pasta was pretty good too. A solid marinara sauce, also containing well reduced peppers and yet again tasty sausage. The only light complaint Id have is it was enough pasta for about three people. No real issues there though - I took over half of it home with me.

I finished out my meal with a slice of tiramisu. This was yet another decision that I was really happy I made. This is now my favorite Tiramisu I. The area. The chocolate layer at the bottom and the coffee soaked Madelines still had some slight texture. The marscapone cream was sweet, but not cloyingly so, exactly as it should be. I'd dome back for this dessert alone!

But I'd also come back for another meal or three, also. You owe it to yourself to try Lunardi's sometime soon if you haven't. It has some good atmosphere, the servers are really friendly, and the food is great....

Called on Wednesday on the 5th for a reservation Friday the 7th for 15 people wanted it at 630 was told that's peak hours and only have so many tables that I had to do 5 or 730. I confirmed to do 730 and was told was good to go at 730 for 15 people for a birthday dinner. I called to inquire about how the checks and gratuity works with a table that of that size. I was informed I had no reservation at 730 and that mistakes happen. I spoke to 2 managers who said they spoke to the person who took my reservation who told them I didn't confirm a reservation. I asked to speak to the person who took my reservation to have that conversation. I was informed that the person was not willing to speak to me about it. The restaurant told me they could not accommodate that many people at that time now because of the mess up. Was told the owner was going to be notified about the situation which I explained that did nothing for the situation as I now had to now figure out a 16 person party. I'm all about promoting local business but after this I informed the staff of the same thing that when speaking to the owner ask them if they're ok with losing a 16 person party. Also explained would not be doing business with the establishment in the future and that the other people would also be doing the same thing. I got a "sorry about that " but still not able...

For the Love of Deliciousness!! Why hasn't anyone I know told me about this place!!

APPETIZER

SPINACH ROLL-UP Wide lasagna pasta rolled around fresh spinach and Ricotta with herbs and spices, topped with marinara and sprinkled with fresh Parmesan.

We shared a thin crust pizza: 1/2 pepperoni and 1/2 mushroom.

Wife's dinner:

RAVIOLI - MARINARA Pasta pillows stuffed with cheese and topped with marinara.

My dinner:

RIGATONI. W/Meat Sauce and added Meatballs

Rigatoni with their house made meat sauce I added meatballs and topped with mozzarella!!

Server was Audrey, she was excellent and on point. We had 1 lil hiccup with the wife's sauce. It was fixed very quickly.

The Spinach Roll was sooo good it had so much flavor.

Pizza was thin and crispy, sauce is ridiculously good. I'm not a thin crust guy, but this pizza was a winner.

Every bite of our food was AMAZING!

The sauce they make tastes so fresh and is some of the best I've tasted. The Meatballs were unlike any I've ever had, I'm so happy I added them to my entree. You could eat them by themselves excellent flavor.

So in short, if you like Italian Food and have not been to Lunardi's. Get off your rear and get over there.

Your mouth will thank you, I Highly Recommend!!

Thank...