05/02/09

THE BEST ITALIAN FOOD

by ChristineV

This restaurant is outstanding and one of my favorites. I'm one of the few people born and raised in NYC and I have seen good Italian restaurants disappear. Giovanna's captures what a good Italian meal should taste like. I've tried almost everything on the menu, and I can honestly say it's all delicious. Their marinara sauce is fresh, light, and savory. Infact, you can taste the freshness in everything. From appetizers to dessert, you will be pleased with these simple, yet good portion dishes. The ambiance is great, the service, and the price. It is truely a nice experience, and so refreshing to see this business in East Harlem. I can't say nice enough things about it! OH!!! Their pizza is AMAZING too. So don't discriminate b/c it's Uptown, it's worth the trip I promise!

• Pros: EVERYTHING!
• Cons: THEY NEED MORE BUSINESS so help them!

01/25/09

PLEASE give Giovanna's a Chance!

by abarker324

I have honestly NEVER written a review on a website before but I loved my meal here so much and I want this place to succeed so badly that I felt I had to write this. I ate here for the first time tonight. I have always been a big fan of Nick's on the Upper East Side (94th and 2nd Ave.) and the head chef, Divino, is a former Nick's chef. Giovanna's is in fact named after his adorable 10 year old daughter. We got the Grilled Portobello Mushroom salad (similar to Nick's Frankie Portobello but BETTER as the chef changed the dressing slightly and almost HALF the price!) and it was divine! Then we split the chicken marsala. The chicken was perfectly cooked, and the ingredients were clearly high quality and fresh. It was SO GOOD! We got the tiramisu for dessert and it was huge! It was made on site and delicious!!! I'm Italian and this food was truly excellent. The couple next to use ordered a pizza and it looked wonderful.

The ambiance was great. I know some people have criticized it for the lighting being too bright but where we sat it was quite romantic and certainly not bright at all. The restaurant is in two parts and we sat in the part with the bar which is a bit bigger and would be great for date night. Divino explained to us the the other part of the restaurant which is a bit smaller is sometimes rented out for parties and is especially great for kids because they can see how they make the pizza and sometimes especially for birthday parties they will let children learn to make their own pizza!

I would highly recommend Giovanna's. We are definitely going to become regulars. The service was not the best but just fine. Their wine selection is beautifully picked and very well priced. I got a VERY generous glass of exceptional chianti for 6.50. Their prices are perfect, not cheap but definitely not overpriced. This is fabulous for the neighborhood and I sincerely hope they make it.GIVE it A CHANCE!! It's THE neighborhood spot we've been waiting for!

• Pros: Great Ambience, Honest Food, Fabulous Wine Selection, GREAT prices!
• Cons: A bit out of the way for some but worth the trip, staff could be better but still super nice

01/14/09

The Perfect Atmosphere!

by alita87

Last week I decided to walk around East Harlem since I have heard such good things about the area lately. We walk by 100 street and we found this really beautiful restuarant. Since we have been walking around for a while we got really hungry so me and my two friends decided to go in. We ended up sitting in the bar to chat with the bartender who was really nice and entertaining. I ended up getting my favorite Penne Alla Vodka I could actually say this has been the best penne alla vodka i have ever tasted the sauce was superb! We ended up staying there for 2 hours enjoying our food with of course a nice bottle of chianti. Of course we did have dessert we shared a tiramisu and a flan both of them are homemade which made me love them even more. I will be walking up to 100 street more often!

• Pros: Great Food!
• Cons: I had no complains

01/10/09

Excellent

by ademar

I just moved to this area recently and I was looking for a restaurant to eat and fortuly I found this restaurant. The time I entered the restaurant I smelled the crispy pizza in the brick oven and I decided to oder it. The second time I went with my friends and we ordered a pasta, which was linguine it was very tasteful and light. Our appetizers were Stuffed Mushrooms and calamari which was delightful. Now I have a plan to make a party over there.

12/28/08

Perfect Atmosphere

by femmesauvage

I live next door to Giovanna's, and have to admit, I walked past the restaurant's charming window front for months. In November I decided to stop in for a glass of wine. Since that night, I've become a regular! Giovanna's wine list is complete, and reasonably priced. What is more important, though, is where you enjoy your wine. Divino and his wonderful staff have created a classy but relaxed atmosphere. Come with a family, a group of friends, a date, or by yourself- it's all good! Perfect for those who love wine and are "not into" the bar scene.

12/25/08

Great restaurant in Manhattan

by gustavfons

Giovanna's Restaurant was a great surprise in my trip. This was my second time in NY and my girlfriend and I were looking for a nice restaurant for dinner. A friend of us recommended this restaurant and we weren't disappointed at all. I highly recommend the Linguine! Great pasta. My girlfriend also had a Tiramisu for desert and she really liked it.

A great restaurant for family or romantic dinner.

12/20/08

Fresh and neat

by TonyZ1

I liked very much the environment at night with dimmed lights, italian/Brazilian music, not too crowded,

and most importantly fresh food served with a hot bread and a delicious extra virgin olive oil.

the pizza is like Patsy's stile thin crust and brickoven taste. So I guess the only way to check it out is

sttping by and talk to chef/owner Divino.!!!

• Pros: It's a new Restaurant, everything is new!

12/16/08

Very nice setting and great food

by CoLeSne

My husband is a big eater and greatly enjoyed the chicken parm with spaghetti. I sipped on the spinach soup which was better than one could imagine in a SPINACH soup. I highly recommend this spot for romantic dinners and family get togethers.