Ristorante Divino
803 Gervais St, Columbia, SC, 29201
Ristorante Divino Menu
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Address :
803 Gervais St
Columbia, SC, 29201 - Phone (803) 799-4550
- Website https://www.ristorantedivino.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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John C.
We went there last Friday night without reservations on the night before the South Carolins / Georgia game. We didn't mind the 1 1/2 hour wait because we were in good company and wanted to catch up since we only get together once a year for the game - but seriously get reservations! The owner made us very comfortable, we did get seated, and we closed the place. But the food was worth it. We all enjoyed our meals and even had dessert. I gave it 5 stars because of the food, service, and atmosphere. We will get reservations next time - especially on a night before a USC football game.
(5)Patrice G.
One of the most enjoyable evenings I've ever had. We sat at the bar with Jessica. One of the most educated and entertaining mixologists I've known in a long time. From recommendations of exotic cocktails to pairings of wine for appetizers. She was dead on each time. We so enjoyed our seat that we declined to be seated in a booth. All the waitstaff and maître d George made a point of coming over to make sure we were taken care of. Our meal consisted of the charcuterie platter, baked oysters, duck salad, and mussels as our main course. The suggested cheese platter was the perfect end for dessert. Whether a local or visitor in town, you can't miss a visit and a meal at Ristorante Divino.
(5)Marc S.
Looking for an elegant dining experience where food is art on the plate and a ballet on your tastebuds ? Look no further than Restaurante Divino. No matter what dish you order - even if you can't come close to pronouncing it correctly - not only will you not be disappointed, but you will sing its praises at length with anyone & everyone who will listen ! It doesn't have to be a special occasion - any night will do, but arrive with an appetite and an open mind. You are guaranteed to leave this amazing establishment with your head, heart, & stomach all full and very happy...
(5)Vince W.
So sorry my review isn't a five ! Our meals for four people - lobster risotto, veal marsala, pappardela (however it's spelled) fabulous mussels, something I've forgotten and my wife's "favorite bread I've ever had" were absolutely excellent as was the service by Jake D. We had reservations for 5:30 so there were very few customers and the staff weren't distracted BUT our wait for desert was unexpectedly/unacceptably long. I hope the place deals with this issue, if it wasn't some anomaly because it detracted from an otherwise absolutely great meal.
(4)Ron V.
Based on yelp reviews we decided to give this restaurant a try after 12 years living in Columbia! We went here for the first time Friday night. Complementary valet parking awaits you right in front of the restaurant and eases the pain of finding parking. We had reservations for 7:00 but arrived about 25 minutes early and were immediately seated. I guess it may have been a little early but the restaurant wasn't too busy at this time. Not sure if this is normal or not for a Friday night. The restaurant is smaller than what I expected, but the atmosphere is great. Nice lighting, tables and booths, and a it is just right for a nice dinner or a more romantic setting for a special occasion dinner. Not too loud and you can actually hear the person your with as compared to some of the other spots we've been to. The wait staff was excellent. Our waitress was Casey and promptly greeted us and took our drink orders. They have a nice selection of wines on the wine list and she brought out waters, fresh hot bread with olive oil/pepper dipping sauce. I wanted to order the calamari, as most yelp reviewers had given high grades for, but when we heard the Bruschetta description we ordered it instead. The Bruschetta came with four crustinis; two with an avocado spread with tomatoes on top and the other two had a boursin/goat cheese spread with pulled pork meat from pork shanks on top. Both were good but the pulled pork/boursin cheese was by far our favorites. We would order this again in a heart beat. The Wedge salad looked appetizing but we passed on a salad since we had the crustini. My wife went out of the box and ordered the Parpadelle with a wild boar bolognese sauce. She is not a big beef person but based on the waitress recommendation she ordered it. I had a hankering for spaghetti and meatballs earlier in the week and decided to got with that. I generally do not order spaghetti and meatballs and was tempted to try the short ribs or the gnocchi. The waitress hadn't said anything about the spaghetti prior to me ordering it, but when I placed my order she said "We have the best Spaghetti and meatballs in the city". Our entrees came very quickly. To my surprise my wife loved the Parpadelle. I tried a bite of it and it was extremely good. There was a taste that was unusual and after talking with the owner that came around to our table he said that they cooked the boar meat bolognese and add cinnamon and nutmeg. That was the taste that I recognized once he said it. We both would order this again. My spaghetti came out and looked great. The meatballs were very tender and are made with the traditional veal, pork and beef mixture with a lot of spices. They were mixed with the spaghetti and had a little melted cheese (I believe mozzarella) over the top. This truly was the best spaghetti and meatballs that I've had in Columbia. My wife tried a bite and also said it was excellent. We had to pass on desserts for the evening. Total bill was $78 and that was for 3 glasses of Chardonnay ($8/glass) (not including gratuity). We decided that this was one of our favorite restaurants and will definitely go back for special occasions.
(5)Vida J.
Nice evening out with girlfriends. Ordered two appetizers the stuffed peppers and an Italian sausage and pasta special. Both were superb. For my entree I enjoyed rack of lamb and lightly sautéed spinach. I also sampled stuffed trout, spaghetti and shrimp scampi from the others. This is worth a repeat performance!
(5)Erika K.
I really enjoyed my evening at Ristorante Divino. It's one of the pricier restaurants on Gervais, but you get every penny's worth both in quality and quantity of food. Because of that, I definitely recommend you go hungry because you'll want to try out all the courses and otherwise won't have room. To start out, I enjoyed the insalate divino and gazpacho (the soup of the day). I'm used to portions being small at nicer places, so I was pleased that both the soup and the salad were satisfactory portions. I loved the salad. I could tell everything in it was fresh, and appreciated the juicy strawberries. I'm not sure what the dressing was (it tasted like it had pesto in it), but it was delectable. The gazpacho was right on point- not too garlicky and chilled to just the right temperature. My husband enjoyed the calamari appetizer and a bowl of bisque. The calamari plate was a generous portion and I would say you could share it easily with a party of four. We ended up taking home the leftovers. The calamari came with two sauces: marinara and pesto. We both assumed the marinara sauce would be our favorite since that is what is typically enjoyed with calamari but the pesto by far took the day. I liked that it wasn't oily and greasy like other pestos. I don't know how they make it, but it seems like they include more basil than most pestos. In any event, I wish I had their recipe because I would eat their pesto with a spoon straight from the jar. For my entree, I ordered the gnocchi with the pomodoro sauce. The sauce had a sort of smoky, bacon-like flavor to it. It wasn't bad, but just unexpected. I'm used to pomodoro sauces having a tangier more tomato-like taste. If you like smokier flavors then definitely go for the pomodoro. I'll probably try a different sauce the next time (maybe I can get them to make it with their amazing pesto). My husband is a big fan of seafood-based Italian dishes and really enjoyed his ciopinno. We both polished off our entrees despite the fact that we were already full from our appetizers. We had no room left for dessert, but the options sounded rich and delicious. I guess we'll have to come back! I also didn't have the opportunity to try out the wine menu since I'm currently pregnant. I'll be back to try that out as well and will update my review when I do. Other things I really enjoyed about the restaurant: complimentary valet service and the fact that both the manager and chef came out to chat with patrons and see how they were enjoying their experience- I liked that personal touch. In terms of things where there is room for improvement, they definitely need to fix the air conditioner as it was uncomfortably warm inside. Luckily we were placed at a table under the air vent, so that helped. Also, they seemed a bit understaffed when we first walked in- it took awhile for us to get seated and get our waters and menus. In their defense, we did walk in about 40 minutes until close, so this could explain the slow start. Overall, if you are looking for quality Italian food for a special occasion or a nice evening out, you should definitely come here. I know I'll be back!
(4)Angie W.
The new chef/owner makes this place all the better. We enjoyed our date night with friends and felt comfortable. We had lobster risotto and spicy shrimp linguini. I hate to say it but I don't remember the wine we had (although it was amazing) nor do I remember what my friends ate (although they both loved their dishes). Great evening.
(5)Samantha A.
I can't say enough about how wonderful this place is. It's our favorite special occasion restaurant in Columbia (we go every New Year's Eve). This was our first time dining there now that it is under new ownership, but we weren't disappointed. We started with a scallops appetizer. It was delicious,and the scallops were the most perfectly cooked I've ever seen. Next, my gentleman friend had a lobster bisque (which he annihilated). I had an arugula salad with roasted beets, fried goat cheese, and a lovely lemon oil dressing. It was divine, and I'm not even a fan of beets or goat cheese. For entrees, I ordered the Veal Chop, which was huge and cooked to perfection with a gorgonzola crust. He had the lamb, which was also excellent. We also had a few specialty cocktails before and after dinner. They were delightful. The ambiance and service at this establishment is unmatched. From start to finish, we were treated like royalty (they even let us switch tables because I was cold). They were super busy because it was New Year's Eve, but the staff handled the crowd with grace and ease. We will see y'all soon!
(5)Charles G.
One of worst entrees I've ever had. Ate at Divino last week and ordered their Cioppino, which I have had many times before. In the past, it was OK -- not nearly the best version compared to restaurants in New Orleans or Charleston. This time, however, it was inedible: the fish pieces were as hard as a rubber eraser. Not wanting to interrupt the flow of the meal, and feeling pretty full from other courses (which were not bad), I ate around the fish (the mussels, shrimp, pasta and sauce were OK). When the waiter asked how the meal was, I told her the truth, and even asked her to take the fish pieces back to the chef so he or she could see what they had sent out. A manager did come out and apologize, and they subtracted the amount of one cocktail from the bill (I did not ask for any kind of compensation). All four of us at the table felt this response was inadequate, given the magnitude of the problem. None of us will consider this a top Columbia restaurant in the future, and it is doubtful we will return. There are much better choices.
(2)Laura L.
Had dinner at Ristorante Divino last night for the first time, and what a great experience it was. From the valet guy to the chef, the service was impeccable. The entire staff was extremely hospitable. And the food and wine did not disappoint. We started with the calamari appetizer then I had the wedge salad while my mom had the special for the night, an arugula salad with roasted beets, fried goat cheese, and a blood orange vinaigrette. The wedge salad was very good but the special was to die for (I mean friend goat cheese, come on.) For our entrees, I had the duck while my mom had the Lobster Fra Diavolo, both were excellent. I also recommend the salted caramel torte for dessert, it too was amazing. For the quality of the service and the food and wine, prices are very reasonable. I would be willing to say that this is the best dining experience I've had to this date in Columbia. And to top it off, the chef supports local farmers and producers, a big plus!
(5)Adam B. J.
I've only dined twice at Restorante Divino, but this last trip had me wanting to go back the next day! First let me say that this has that old school fine dining feel. They know who they are and what they do and run with it. This is great Italian food, not total Americanized Italian. It's not new, it's not trendy, it's just stinking good. We started with the mussels as an appetizer. The saffron broth was amazing. I could have ordered a second order as my meal, but I opted for the cioppino as did my friend. Our wives both got the Scallops. (All of the special's sounded great, but I'm a sucker for cioppino). The cioppino was one of the best I've ever had. Two jumbo scallops, two or three jumbo shrimp, tons of calamari, more mussels, and two large grouper filets in another delicious saffron broth. AMAZING. I wanted to go back the next day, and the next, and the next. Our wives' scallops were good, and the spinach dumplings were to die for, but compared to my cioppino I won (I had two perfectly cooked scallops in mine). We finished with espressos and shared a creme brulee. Perfect ending to a perfect meal.
(4)R R.
Again....Divino met and exceeded all expectations! From the duck I had to the steak my friend had, this visit beat my last.....I'm also telling you the buzz you feel here (Dan Marino...never got a super bowl ring but should of and Dick Vitale from ESPN all here in the last month) does not feel like Columbia SC.....trust me when I say its a great experience.....
(5)J M.
I'm from Miami and my husband it's going for 8 months to afganistan so I came to visit him to Columbia , SC and we decided to walk around the city and we where looking for a nice place to Have dinner We end up in Restorante Divino we didn't have a reservation we set at the bar with Jessica the bartender she was amazing she offer some amazing drinks and we had a blast . It was perfect ... The food was more than delicious the bread the soup the wedge salad , spaghetti and meatballs where more than amazing we are in love with the place ! The manager or owner of the place was so attentive ! Really recommend this place Great service
(5)Brett F.
Great restaurant! The staff and food are both equally amazing. The new owners have kept the traditional favorites of this Columbia establishment and have added a breath of fresh air at the same time. The only thing I can say is that its even better than it was before. My personal favorites are the Charcuterie Plate, Lobster Caprese, and Pappardelle Bolognese, and I've never been disappointed by one of their specials.
(5)Lee C.
Everything was amazing! Started with the gnocchi Gorgonzola and shared the veal chop and the scallops!
(5)Katharine K.
This is the best restaurant in Columbia in my humble opinion. We have had a great relationship with this restaurant for years, and I have never had a bad experience. We are always greeted by name and treated very well. Fulvio, the chef, never disappoints, and the cozy atmosphere only makes it better. The only place to find food more authentic than that served by Divino's would be Italy itself!
(5)Alleyne R.
Hands down one of the best meals we've had in Columbia so far. We met one of the owners a few days ago at the grocery store and he invited us to check the place out. I was stunned that there were no yelp reviews, but we decided to make a reservation anyway. We arrived a few minutes early and took a seat at the bar, where the bartender was able to make me my favorite drink using a liquor that most places don't have. This won my heart right away. Any place that can make me an aviation is a five star in my book. We sat down in a booth to some of the most attentive service we've ever received. Wine suggestions were really helpful and the complementary bread was delicious (the perfect combo of crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside). Both the bf and I thoroughly enjoyed our entrees and unfortunately were too full sample dessert. The only down side was the rest of the crowd seemed a little old. That might have been because it was a Tuesday night though.
(5)Megan H.
I heard there was new management so I decided to give it a try. Hands down the best night out I've had in a long time. I was greeted by the friendliest staff. I had the lobster far diavolo, I think it was called which was very tasty! It was paired with a nice glass of wine recommended by my server but I don't recall the name unfortunately . The service was prompt and the food delicious I will be back no doubt! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality Italian dinner.
(5)Marcus R.
This a very good restaurant with great service and attention to detail. I have never been diappointed with the food, service or value. Of our group all meals were outstanding with the exception of one. Seemed a little.... a lot overcooked. Overall for Columbia, a reasonably priced spot with mostly quality food and good service. While not our favorite Columbia restaurant it is one of the better Italian restaurants and we will be back.
(4)Gary G.
Wanted to like this place. Nice decor and I really love good Italian food. I had the ravioli with two sauces and my friend had risotto of the day, wild mushroom? I had a arugula salad and my friend had a scallop appetizer. The ravioli was the best of the bunch and even that was nothing special. The risotto was tasteless and bland plus undercooked (hard to do) . The salad so simple I thought it looked like they had just drops some leaves on the plate. Boring as well. The scallops looked great but were overcooked. For this kind of money (our bill was 140 dollars) it should have been good if not great....it was neither. Columbia needs a high end Italian food place...
(1)Amanda G.
My husband and I went to Dinvinos last night for dinner. After looking at the menu we were very excited, and booked reservations that night. When we arrived we chose valet and they were very polite and walking into the restaurant we loved the quaint atmosphere. However, after we were seated it took about 10 minutes for someone to take our drink order and then we continued to wait another twenty for those drinks. After seeing other tables being served drinks and menus (we hadn't gotten those yet either) we decided to leave. No drinks and menus after 30 minutes is pretty ridiculous, right?? So as much as we were looking forward to enjoying a meal there we will never go back due to the TERRIBLE service. Don't waste your time and money at this place.
(1)John C.
What an enjoyable experience! Great service, food, and wine. The menu is excellent with a reasonable number of choices, but not too many. Everything is prepared well and the specials are indeed special. Worth a visit. The food is obviously made with fresh ingredients cooked in the northern Italian style.then gnocchi and fresh tomato sauce is a classic.
(4)Elizabeth S.
I was taken here for a romantic dinner and this place was perfect! The stuffed banana pepper was to die for, we had a great and nice server, the food was prompt and the scallops were probably the best thing I've ever eaten. This place is worth a visit!
(5)James B.
I made reservations for 8:00 and got there 10 minutes early, I watched as at least 5 tables opened up, however, no one elected to 'Turn" the tables, the host WHO WAS RUDE! told me it would be at least a 20 minute wait. I told him I made reservation and he told me there was nothing he could do and I could eat at any number of restaurants in the Vista if time was an issue....NEVER AM I RETURNING TO THIS PLACE!!!!
(1)Will H.
Just an excellent little Italian restaurant in a great little neighborhood. The atmosphere is quiet and intimate. It would be a great place for a business deal or a special date night out. I went here with a coworker on a trip and we were both very happy with our meals. Absolutely one of the most delicious things I've eaten ever was the Tomato Crab Soup... big pieces of crap chunk, smooth tomato soup excellent flavor and seasoning... We had the antipasto tray with some delicious cheese, meat, peppers. I had a great veal & sausage meatball spaghetti dish with great seasoning and their red sauce has just a great texture with pieces of tomatoes and not over oil'd or over garlic'd... just a great balanced taste. I recommend this restaurant to anyone interested in a great meal, with excellent service and an outstanding Italian experience.
(5)Don D.
We often go to Divino to celebrate and are never disappointed. The atmosphere is great with a wood and brass dinner club aura. The wait staff is really professional. The food is good. They always have lamb on special and you can't go wrong. I like pasta with seafood and this is pretty good on that. Great bar and good drinks. But what I like most about this place is that it is a place you can dine, talk, relax. It is quiet and grown up.
(4)Dave M.
Very formal, white table cloth, amazing authentic Italian food. Calamari steak appetizer is my favorite - usually a special but worth asking if not. Good steaks too.
(5)Monica K.
Service was excellent, food/wine was great! We had a huge table of 15 and the service was prompt and very friendly. Ordered the shiraz which I would recommend. Multiple specials - everything was really tasty according to the coworkers. I ordered a vegetarian version of their lobster risotto - it came with what looked like asparagus and mushrooms. It was really tasty, if a little heavy on the cheese. The portions were perfect.
(5)Tanya R.
I'm sad to say my experience at this supposedly wonderful restaurant was less than I expected. Every one talked about it like there was no better. I guess our taste is different!! The atmosphere was romantic. A cute little bar. Staff was very nice. Then they seated us in a quaint little table in the corner, sound good so far right, next to a window. Through out the whole night I was so cold I was shivering. Drinks were good. They had a nice selection of wines and cocktails. The food, however, was just ok. If I go back it will be because a friend asked me to go with them.
(3)Stephen M.
We stopped in on a whim pretty late, but they were happy to seat us. Service was great, the waiter was friendly. We had the Veal chops with fingerling potatoes and the Northern Italian lasagna with béchamel sauce. It was fantastic. So was the Nappa red we tried, and the dirty martini was perfect. The cheesecake was yummy, and the crème brulee among the best I've ever had. We will be back, no question.
(5)Dexter M.
This is likely the best Italian food in the area. I was not expecting to be so formal, I was a bit under dressed.
(3)Melody B.
Nice little place, but not ideal for solo business travelers. It is not really set up to dine at the bar. The bread was very good and I ordered the cioppino, which was large enough for two people. The sauce was delicious, but some of the seafood was overcooked in it. Overall, it would would be a great place for a date. Valet parking is only $3!
(4)Laura H.
Steak cooked correctly but not good quality. It was tough and my jaws are tired. No veggies on plate. A token succotash or medley would have been appreciated.
(3)David S.
So good, my foodie gourmet chef wife Lisa mentioned this as one of the truly stand out restaurants we have enjoyed over the past few years of extensive nationwide and international travel.
(5)Tim H.
Columbia's best restaurant. Owner Chef. Excellent food preparation. Very good veal dishes. Good atmosphere. Limited seating and intimate atmoshere.
(4)S B.
Good atmosphere, tasty pasta, tasty soup, good service, decent wine/beer list. The hot food was piping hot, and the cold food was cold. The wine was good too. Plenty of seating for couples and small groups. They had a small bar. Intimate lighting.
(4)Tania S.
It was like eating in a hotel restaurant in the 80's. The food is mediocre. I would never eat here again.
(2)