Gianni's Ristorante Italiano

12/30/06

Very Good Italian Food!

by itzamana at Citysearch

Giannis' is one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to in this area. I'm fussy about Italian food, because I can make better Italian food at home than most of the places I've been to. If I'm going to go out for a meal, I don't want to pay for a food that's not as good as what I can make at home. In my opinion, most Italian restaurants serve food that tastes like bottled sauce and several different shaped pasta, and baked pasta with too much melted cheese. Giannis' fare is simple, but excellant. Lots of Olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs. My favorite pasta dish is the Penne Ala Matriciana (the Roman way) with olive oil, garlic, onion, tomato, bacon, and lots of red pepper. The Spagetti Puttanesca with capers and Kalamata olives, and the Spagetti Caprese with Fresh Mozzarella and Basil are my other favorites. The Minestroni soup is wonderful. The salad, which is served after the meal European style could be improved on. It's fine, but basically just iceburg lettuce. I could list a few other very good Italian Restaurants not terribly far away, but I wouldn't say they are better, just different. The prices are on par with other area restaurants in this category and the menu is huge. If you like real Italian food, you won't be disappointed.

• Pros: Great Minestrone Soup
• Cons: Dull Salad

12/29/06

Are you kidding me???

by ccr26 at Citysearch

I have been going to Gianni's on and off (most often "off" as of lately) for about ten years. I began going there since it was located so closely to my office. The food is EXTREMELY over priced, and although the menu boasts fresh homemade desserts, they come from a box or carton. You can see servers dish store bought desserts while you are waiting to be seated. I believe the restaurant is kept dark so you can't see the dirt and grime. The carpets are disgustingly stained, and YES there are flies! The bathrooms are small and repulsive! Just as I read in a few other reviews, it is common to see the owner yelling and at his staff. This must be why there always seems to be a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. There have been some very nice wait staff; however, they are never the ones to stay employed. I would not recommend this restaurant and would be weary of positive reviews (they look to be made from the owner/proprietor)!!!!

• Cons: Prices, service, cleanliness, management, having to watch owner scream at wait staff.

12/14/06

If you don't like this, then you don't like Italian

by jujuninjitsu at Citysearch

There is nothing bad I can say about Giannis. They treat me and my family like we are their family everytime I come in. The food is actually real italian food... not that McItalian you get at Olive Garden or other large chain restaraunts. The setting is intimate and comfortable. At this price range ($20-40 per person) this is one of my all-time favorite places to eat.