Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse — Restaurant in Reston

Outstanding! I made a reservation to celebrate a special birthday with my mom and couldn't have chosen a better restaurant. I live close to the restaurant but have never eaten there. I'll be back.

Bryce and Layla were our server team, and they handled everything and all of our needs, from the Maitre 'd to the busboys to the waitstaff; everyone who came to our table was friendly and professional. It was like eating at a Michelin-star restaurant, which I have done and therefore could use as a comparison.

We asked the waitstaff for recommendations for cocktails, appetizers, the cold seafood tower, entrees, sides, and dessert, and they took care of us, making the proper recommendations throughout.

Davio's is a restaurant for patrons, and they give great suggestions. Each suggestion was perfect and delicious, and we got what we wanted the way we wanted. We started with cocktails, and I got a classic called Something Funky! I had them do a small pour with little alcohol, and it was sweet, which is what I prefer.

We decided to get a lobster tail to share as an appetizer. It was just enough to share and save us a little money since there were several things my mother didn't eat in the small cold tower.

My mother got the Sea Bass for our entrees, which was highly recommended and looked delicious. We ended up splitting her fish and the 16 oz 55-day aged Ribeye that I got. Bryce highly recommended both, and I can see why. Both were excellent suggestions and delicious! We got the spinach, which had almonds and golden raisins in it. Both entrees were large and filling. The Sea Bass came with Asparagus Risotto and tasted good.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see the dessert cart being rolled out. Pictures to follow! Every dessert was explained, and I knew which one I wanted, but I asked for recommendations since the recommendations had been fantastic all night! I opted for the molten lava cake with the ice cream and the most delicious cherries I had ever tasted. My mother got the homemade cannolis with fruit in this light and tasty sauce. I had some of it, and it was perfect, a different style of cannoli and much lighter.

Overall, we went on a Monday night, so it was quiet, and there weren't many people in the restaurant. We also went early in the evening and were the only people in the dining room when we sat down. A few kids were sitting at the bar when we arrived and were not keeping their voices low, and they reverberated off the ceilings. The restaurant would probably be very noisy on a busy weekend evening.

This is most certainly a restaurant to come to for a special occasion. It is a relatively expensive restaurant, but you get quality food and fantastic service, and it is terrific. I've been to other top restaurants around the area, and it tops them. I can't say enough about my meal, the food, the service, and how friendly and welcoming every team member we encountered was. I so look forward to going back...

Updated 2/14/2024: My bride and returned last night (2/13) for a Valentine's Day dinner out with our adult daughter. The restaurant continues to offer an excellent experience.

Our waiter, JC, was very engaging and personable. He was attentive without being overbearing. He checked in on us periodically but regularly walked by the table, visually checking on things. We again ordered the table-side Caesar Salad which was well made. The chef asked if we wanted it spicy, but we weren't sure what "spicy" meant. They will add Hot Sauce to the homemade dressing if you want it spicy. We chose to not go spicy.

My wife and I ordered steaks (fillets) which were well seasoned and flavorful. Both were cooked perfectly to our Medium Well requests. My wife ordered the version with a prawn, which was large and well cooked, and mashed potatoes which were creamy. My daughter ordered the Bolognese which was excellent - the noodles were perfectly cooked and there was the right balance of sauce - noodle ratio. The meat sauce had several meats included which added a nice texture and flavor.

We chose to only eat half our entrees and take the rest home, saving room for a dessert. We ordered the tiramisu which was a good size and well made. It had more chocolate in it than most versions, but it was delicious. The coffee we ordered with the dessert was hot and rich flavored. JC brought it to us before the dessert was brought out which we appreciated. Cocktails continued to be good sized for the price.

Original post in 2022: The overall experience was excellent.

The cocktails seemed expensive at $16-19 but were double the size of most other restaurants. Each of us enjoyed our martinis, but that was all we drank - normally we might have wine with the meal. Our cocktails lasted the entire meal.

Our waiter, Mark, was excellent. He provided excellent feedback on our choices. We shared a table side Caesar salad - the chef (missed her name - from El Salvador) who made it was very engaging and made an excellent salad. We talked about different foods we liked. The food was hot and presented well. The duck and carrots were very well prepared. The were 2 sauces that paired well - a cherry sauce and a white sauce. The scallops my wife ordered were perfectly seared and made to order. We split a cannoli dessert which was delicious. The other desserts looked really good. The cannoli cookie had a perfect amount of snap and the filling want too sweet.

An excellent experience although perhaps a little artificial - we were there during the Super Bowl and there were very few...

My husband and I rarely go to expensive restaurants, but it was our 17th anniversary so we decided to splurge. We arrived to a nearly empty place on a Saturday evening at 6 with a reservation, and we were greeted unenthusiastically and made to stand and wait a short while as the host tapped things into a computer before finally asking us how many in our party, etc.

We were led to a booth all the way in the back corner of the beautiful dining room right beside the kitchen and immediately offered water, which we appreciated. I think when we told our server we wouldn’t be drinking, maybe that’s what turned him off to our table? Or potentially it was the apparent VIP guest in the next booth over who seemed to constantly have someone attending to him and his date? Not sure.

Either way, we were in good spirits and looking forward to an amazing dining experience together, so we weren’t too concerned about it. My husband’s water glass was empty for quite a while after he finished it, but we just laughed it off when the server realized. I ordered the lobster risotto and he ordered the 10 oz filet mignon, medium well. His steak arrived raw on the inside, totally red and translucent with a light sear. My lobster risotto needed a spoon, it was so soupy.

I don’t know. Maybe we just aren’t fine diners, because looking at a single bowl of rice soup with some chunks of lobster in it, knowing we spent $45 on that single dish in front of me just made me feel a tinge of disappointment and regret. There was nothing special about it. It was very rich and tasty, and I enjoyed it, but it didn’t taste like $45. Plus it was a bit sad to pick at it while my husband had an empty place in front of him waiting for the steak to be “warmed up.”

We did order dessert, which was comped. And my husband said his steak was good, but not really $65 good (and that was just for the steak alone. Sides were extra, as they are at these places). And all the while I felt like a bit of an afterthought as the table beside us received constant attention. I think he must have been some professional athlete? Neither of us recognized him though.

Our dessert was amazing, and I did end up ordering a drink which was delicious and strong, so the evening ended on a high note. We were both pleasant and cheerful to everyone we interacted with, and the service we did get was accommodating. I guess I was just expecting more attention and “special” from a high dining experience. I don’t get the appeal of that kind of splurge when the splurge isn’t really worth it. I think we’ll be sticking to Sweetwater...