Giovanni
2420 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94704
Giovanni Menu
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Address :
2420 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA, 94704 - Phone (510) 665-7700
- Website https://originalgiovanni.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
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.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Barney M.
Great service, very good food, good, authentic-feeling atmosphere, fair prices.
(4)Mayana P.
I had a lovely time her and the food was good. Cesar salad was good. I really enjoyed the sauteed mushrooms and the crust of the pizza was crispy, light and yum! The back seating by the big fireplace was lovely and I loved the ambiance of the "outside" feel to it. The service was quick and server was attentive. I'd definitely love to come back here again and try some of their other dishes. I really liked the host that seated us, he was a very old fellow and didn't say anything. I thought he was awesome. :)
(4)Brian Louis M.
Each time I have gone to this restaurant I have always been pleased. If you are deciding to go for a nice dinner its a great place, especially near the fire place, the lights are set for a low lighting setting you get a real nice feeling off of it. If you are coming in with a large crowd its a great place also. The food is always delicious and the service is amazing. The staff are super friendly and try to make it a good experience for me. If you are not sure what to eat and its the beginning of their open hours they will even try to make you a dish that you might like as long as its italian and they have the ingredients. Their starting bread is delicious I can never have enough and their cheese they give you is amazing. I greatly appreciate this place.
(5)Kristy K.
I went here with a group for a birthday dinner. They were really nice at accommodating our group especially on such short notice. They also took kept the cake for us while we were eating. The service was good. I really liked the Giovanni Salad. Every component went really well together and the sauce. It was pretty good. We also ordered 3 large pizzas to share. It was enough for 8 people to eat. The pesto, sun dried tomato, and chicken- It was pretty good. I thought it would be a pesto sauce, but there was tomato sauce and the pesto sauce was actually on the chicken. It was pretty good. The chicken wasn't too dry and the crust was crispy. The Napoletana was my least favorite of the three pizzas. The crust, sauce, cheese was good, but it was just too salty for me. Not ordering this next time I go. If you love anchovies, olives and sun dried tomatoes, you should definitely order this one. The Seafood was probably my favorite though I didn't even taste/see the touch of pesto. The crust was crispy. Perfect tomato-cheese ratio. The seafood was juicy and embedded into the pizza. All in all it was a good pizza.
(3)Eva Leona Lerriqs S.
The foccacia is delicious, but save room for a humongous calzone filled with mozzarella, ricotta, tomato, roasted peppers, and artichoke hearts. Yum!
(3)Jason B.
This place has made a great comeback. Now that Giovanni Schipani (the original owner) has bought it back, it's really starting to shine. I moved to Berkeley about 4 years ago, and tried it then. I wasn't impressed. However, I gave it another chance last month and I've been going back every other day since. I'm addicted to their house made focaccia and fettucini. Everything there is fresh and home made, the wait staff is very courteous and knowledgeable and I really dig the open kitchen in the front of the house. Their hours are 4pm to 11pm. They have two happy hours from 4 to 7 and 10 to 11 with $3 micro brews. Plus, between 10 and 11 they have a light fare bar menu with delicious calamari, chicken wings, antipasta and more for $5! Do yourself a favor--check this place out.
(5)Ben T.
I'm giving this place a two-star rating because the food was three stars, and the service was one star. I took my girlfriend here for valentines day. Granted, we didn't have a reservation, but the place didn't exactly appear slammed, and we waited patiently at the bar for something to open up. After about a half hour, we were seated at a table about the size of a large pizza (which had been unoccupied since we walked in the door). I waited behind to pay the bar tab for about 5 minutes after asking the bartender for the bill, while he chatted with the wait staff and cleaned wine glasses. I was the only person at the bar. Next up was the actual dining experience. We had no less than three different servers, and there was an OBSCENE delay every step of the way- from waiting to place our order, to waiting for the appetizer, to waiting for the entree, to waiting for dessert, to waiting to ask for the bill, to waiting for the bill- you get the idea. The bread they bring to the table is really delicious. The balsamic vinegar is kind of inaccessible at the bottom of a deep ramekin of olive oil, but it didn't really need it anyway. The steamed mussels were WONDERFUL. the broth it came in was very tasty too and was especially good with the bread. I had the Eggplant Parmesan. It was very nice. Very hearty and filling for a meatless entree. She had the fettuccine Alfredo- which, to our disappointment, turned out to be spaghetti Alfredo. Not very good. They comped that one for us, which was nice. The Tiramisu was soggy and not very flavorful. All in all, dining at Giovanni was a pretty underwhelming experience. It was nice of them to accommodate us on a busy night with no reservation, but it would have been nice to not feel completely neglected. Especially towards the end of the night when there was barely anyone else left in the restaurant, we were still being ignored. It was like dining in time-out.
(2)Lynn G.
I grew up making pasta before my head could see over the kitchen table. Needless to say, I know good pasta, and the house made pasta here is spot-on. This is also one of the few places with Carbonara on the menu that actually knows how to make it correctly (hint: if you see "Alfredo" in the description, run away!). Their other sauces also rock. The prices aren't as cheap as they were under the former ownership, but the food is worth every cent.
(5)Yelper Y.
I'm borderline between 2 stars and 3, but given the menu pricing, I bumped it down because: "Meh. I've experienced better." The ambiance is alright. It would be better with some Italian background music playing, as mozzarella cheesy as that may be. You know, some Frank Sinatra, "That's Amore..." This place also could use some cloth napkins. It would make it feel a bit more upscale. I like the fact that this seems to be a family owned establishment. The host was a sweet old man that you can imagine as a fisherman in a picturesque scene from Napoli. Our server was very nice and accommodating as well. The food, though, was just alright. The bread they serve is bland in taste. They should serve some olive oil or marinara with it. Cold butter that won't spread or melt isn't going to cut it. The appetizers ordered were the mussels (I didn't care for them), the mushrooms (again, mediocre), & the calamari (these were excellent!). The minestrone soup was very good as well. I ordered the Giovanni salad and the description of it was so awesome. The menu says it comes with roasted bell pepper, onions, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, cheese, kidney beans, salami. I think that was it. WELL, there was literally only like a morsel of the roasted pepper. Not even a slice! The onions were cut so finely that it was hard to fine. Same as the tomatoes. Also, I could count all the kidney beans and garbanzo beans. That's how few there were. The salad was basically ROMAINE LETTUCE. They must have used an entire head of lettuce. I was really disappointed with this salad. They should just re-name it to be more accurate: Lettuce. Cheap lettuce. I added grilled chicken to the salad & that was good. Also, the chicken addition was a good price ($ 3 extra). I really wish I had ordered something different. My dinner companion ordered the Frutti di Mar. He is a server and has worked at so many different establishments (& has tried plenty of dishes!) so I trust when he says that the food was just okay (as far as Italian food goes). I don't think I'll go back again so I will never know if the other main courses or pizzas taste better. But for the price, I'd rather go to the Olive Garden. I don't know why people knock that place so much. Their unlimited bread, soups, & salads are bomb! & no, I don't work for them.
(2)Jessica W.
We moved to Berkeley in the past 6 months and were looking for a nice neighborhood Italian restaurant. We came in originally with a living social coupon but have come back many times since. They have half price bottles of wine on monday and tuesday, which is awesome. Plus their happy hour specials are really good (4pm-7pm daily). The food is very good and the staff wonderful. I also really like that it's a local family business with a lot of history. Check it out, you won't be disapointed =).
(5)Miriam R.
The former owner bought the restaurant back and greeted and sat us when our party of 6 showed up. Pared down menu and it was COLD in there , we all kept our coats on the whole time. The server was nice but service was spotty. ( it looked like there was only one waitress.) Wine was good. Prices have gone up. I got a small pizza and it arrived cold. But it is a good pizza, took half of it home for lunch the next day. ONly half of us got our entres , the rest had to wait and wait. The two paninni folks ordered were good as was the calzone according to those who ate them. Concenus on the soup was , meh, thin and too much pasta not enough anything else. we'll go back but not on a cold rainy evening. The server actually brought one of our group a cup of hot water so she could warm her hands.
(2)Patrick Z.
Stopped in for lunch with my father. It was pretty dead on a Tuesday at around 1pm, but the food was decent, if not knock-my-socks off. My father's lasagna was tasty and the portion was decent. My grilled chicken and pesto sandwich on foccacia was tasty, but the pesto was lacking a bit of zing. I think that the ratio of oil to basil/garlic was a bit too high, cutting down the bite and washing out the flavor a bit. The highlight of any trip to Giovanni is the foccacia they bring out at the beginning of the meal. It's nothing complicated, just simple triangles of bread infused with olive oil and rosemary, but it is done very well.
(3)Victoria L.
You'll wait forever, for mediocre food (fyi, your table's dishes may all arrive at different times), all the while trying to ignore the obnoxious, highly offensive profanities being yelled out across the restaurant from the "regulars" at the bar. Not so kid friendly, not so date friendly either. Also, our cocktails arrived waaay after our late food. Just avoid altogether.
(1)Kerry W.
Great atmosphere for the family. Very clean and good menu. The appetizer bread is very good. Live music at 7 was classy and warmed the feeling of the place. But please turn up the heat! LOL. Good joint and we will be back.
(4)Brandon K.
I use to love going to this place...something has changed. Service seemed to be very rude....and the food, the food, come on man.....I ordered the linguine with clams. It was bland, the taste of butter and pasta starch. The pizza was ok, but how bad is pizza when your hungry...I decided to try again a few laters....I got the salmon special and pizza. Salmon was good...decent portion on a huge plate made it look less than its worth. Pizza was the saltiest thing I have ever eaten...I am disappointed. Not sure if I will visit again
(2)Eli H.
As soon as my gf and i walked in no was there to greet us. When we sat down it took awhile for our server to take our order. Think she was to busy hanging out wit friends at the bar area. So this is what we ordered... Rav Alfredo, which was cold and i think the raviolis were frozen Genoa Ravioli. Which u can get at any supermarket. I had the veal parm which wasn't that bad, but not great and kinda cold. I didn't get a refill of my soda or even been offered to refill it. When i got dessert which was these little cannoli's i wanted coffee. The server brought me bad cream. Being there i noticed the lack of attentiveness with the staff. I mean there were a group of Italian men sitting next to us and they spilled their wine and no one went over to clean. Seems the staff was busy socializing. I work as a bartender at a fine dining restaurant so i dint wanna seem rude, but ill never go back to this place. The inside is beautiful but the staff was off... way off.
(2)Ann T.
Everything was excellent!! We went on a Monday night (every Monday & Tuesday night it's 1/2 off all bottles of wine--yay!) and it was very mellow. There were three of us and we each ordered one of their homemade pasta dishes. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauces were rich and creamy. Finished off dinner with the ambrosial tiramisu, it was wonderfully fluffy and melted in my mouth. Looking forward to returning again now that the original owner is back at the reins.
(4)Fabiola H.
This is an interesting place in Berkeley. Decor is unexpected and funky. I wasn't too sure but their Alfredo fettuccine was delicious! It was a bit expensive but it didn't disappoint me. You never know what you're going to find in Berkeley!!!
(3)Mary R.
Great Italian restaurant and consistent. Try their warmed brussel sprouts salad. It is delicious. In addition I had their Scampi. All very good and flavorful. My guest had the scallopini. The bread brought with the dinner is homemmade and so good you want seconds. Service was attentive. When we arrived at 4PM we were the second couple in the restaurant. By the time we left it was filled, so go early or make reservations. You will love it!
(4)Tina Y.
The waitstaff, bread and ambiance ALWAYS keep me coming back for more. At one point, I was here three times within one month for 3 different birthdays. Admittedly, their food isn't the greatest I've ever had for the price but I have always had a great experience there. My regular waiter is Michael (who I haven't seen lately) and he is just about as great as it gets and Giovanni, his wife and his daughters always make you feel at home. I love sitting in the back by the fireplace with girl friends, dates, etc and I have brought a dozen different people to this establishment because of how much I love it.
(5)Cindy Z.
Ok so my ex bf brandon and I were regulars here he introduce me to this spot and our first experience together was great and romantic..waitress was all in our buisness though conversation wise and for that she didn't get good tip.lol.our second time there was this cute old couple watching dancing with the stars at the bar and that same waitress turned it off infront of them and told them it was too loud. My ex bf and I mouths drop shocked that the waitress was mean to the old cute couple...well I got up and walked over to the bitch I mean waitress and told her to turn the tv back on because we were watching too.. besides that I can't complain on the food..we like going for the food..but the service I'm going to have to give it three stars.
(3)Maryam R.
wow..my boyfriend and I went here at around 7 on a thursday and it was not packed but not empty. We got a spot by the fire...and it was so beautiful. We ordered the spinach salad, a bellini, veggie pizza, veal, and cannolies. the total bill came out to $70...but we had a deal so we only paid $30 (tax and tip included). the bellini was delicious, so was the salad. The pizza filled me up after 2 slices..and I didn't try the veal (I don't eat meat)...my boyfriend loved it though (maybe cause I deprive him of it..haha). The bread before the meal so fresh..yum! The cannolies were decent..I don't know if I would get them again, they were to gritty textured for me (almonds???). All and all..we would go back..but its just too pricey for us students without the deal. Oh yeah, and the service was wonderful. They guy who attended us was super gracious along with the hostess...they get an A+.
(4)Joyce B.
decent italian restaurant. the ambience is actually a lot nicer than i had expected because they have a huge room in the back with a nice fireplace. Food: They have a nice selection of food (not a lot vegetarian options, tho). However, I do think they're a bit pricy for the portion that they serve. The complementary bread was probably my favorite. I couldn't help myself for some more. Also, the tiramisu cake was amazing. Verdict: There are much better italian places around berkeley for a cheaper price but the service and ambience here is definitely nice for large parties, especially.
(3)Karen W.
Pleasant man welcomed us. Server was great. Bread with wine yum. Sweet wholesome ambiance
(4)pat h.
I've written before that I've always loved the original Giovanni's, and am glad that the Schipani family is back running it again and bringing back it's former quality. For our daughter's small wedding reception, we met with Anna, Giovanni's wife and Tracy, his daughter, and they helped us plan a menu.... and taste the wine while doing so.... There would only be 32 guests, but they made it very special. We thought we would all be seated in the middle dining room at a couple of long tables, but we were delighted to be shown to the very back room, warmed by a fireplace and candles to use as a place to receive guests. Along with the lovely mural of Venice surrounding us, they left some of the Christmas lights up for us to add to the ambiance. Tracy and another waiter poured champagne and drinks for a toast and served antipasto and the special mushrooms and focacia bread for appetizers. Time for dinner, and we moved into the main dining room (with the big fireplace),and were served platters and platters of Giovanni salad and Caeser Salad. Then the mouthwatering Chicken Marsala, Pasta with Shrimp and pesto, and really tasty spaghetti and meatballs, and of course pizza for the kids. Wine was poured for us, and the good thing about being in a restaurant rather than having a caterer is that if you want more wine, or pizza or focacia, it's always available! we went back into our reception room to enjoy our cupcake wedding cake and more toasting, and went home with all the leftovers packed up for the happy couple to enjoy later. Everyone at the party had all good things to say for our experience at Giovanni's. I know one couple that says they'll come back for every anniversary.
(5)Mark S.
Best Homemade Pesto. This restaurant is one of the best kept secrets in the Bay Area. It doesn't have to be a secret though. The service was excellent and I even spoke to one of the owners who freely shared the beginnings of the restaurant and how the chefs were trained in Italy.
(5)Adam M.
Caffe Giovanni. I've eaten at this restaurant with my family for so many years. You would arrive to a packed restaurant; it was often hard to get a table. When you sat down, you would immediately be served these wonderful hot rolls, a triangle foccacia with herbs that would awaken your senses & make your heart melt. Eaten by themselves, with butter or vinegar & olive oil, delicious any way. Everyone always wanted more. Perusing their menu was an exercise in futility: no matter what you chose, you'd eat a great meal, but there's probably something better that you'll never find among the sea of options. Their seafood pizza was a very special treat. Their entrees were arguably some of the best, most flavorful, best presented italian dishes you could find anywhere. Price wasn't cheap, but was simply irrelevant because you were so happy with the meal you just ate. Everyone left sated & smiling. Over the past many years, I noticed when I went there that the back of the restaurant was mostly empty. The recession kept many diners at home, even though food was still wonderful. Now, the restaurant is simply called "Giovanni" under new management, the Giovanni family. Obviously the recession drove the old owners out of business. The menu has been extremely paired down to size. No seafood pizza anymore. Few entrees listed. They're working on getting their liquor license, so currently they serve soft drinks; no beer & wine (soon, hopefully within weeks), and no hard liquor (later). The back of the restaurant was nearly empty, which was actually nice. A basket of rolls came to the table -- which were luke warm, a little over baked, thin, crunchy crust -- not the little herby foccacia pillows I had dreams about. Later they brought fresh ones -- hot, a little burnt, thin, not flavorful. And later they brought some more. Hot, not burnt, soft... Yet still not a lot of herbs like the old ones. Now they're just bread, they're not the wonderful gifts to your palate the old ones were. They need to do some work on the recipe here, or something. Olive oil & vinegar were nowhere to be seen. I LOVE fried cheese. The cheese sticks came out with a thin breading, that was oily, dusted with grated parmesan cheese dust as you get out of a Kraft can - not thin strands of parmesan deliciousness. Cheese dust is what's swept up off the floor when someone is shredding parmesan cheese. Cheese dust is great poured over homemade spaghetti & meatballs, just like mom used to make, but it has no business being in a professional Italian restaurant, sorry. I often love the breading on cheese sticks, but this was just not lovable. The cheese sticks were served with a cream-tinted thin marinara that needed a richer color & chunks of tomato. I know a great marinara when I see & taste it; this just wasn't it. I can normally polish off an order myself if they're great, yet one was left on the plate; neither one of us could finish it, too oily. These need work. The caesar salad was decent, once again covered in parmesan cheese dust instead of grated parmesan as expected. No discernible anchovies tho. My veal marsala was nothing special. There's normally a very special slightly sweet taste in the sauce that was missing here. The sauce on my plate looked like the fat was coming out of suspension from the sauce. The vegetables were just steamed, once again, no amazing flavor here. It wasn't superb, it wasn't terrible, it was just... Nice. Nice doesn't cut it when there are so many dining options available these days. My friend had them add chicken to their fettuccini. It was no problem for them, but this is the kind of standard item that should be on the menu. The pasta wasn't al dente, it was a little soft for my buddy's taste. Overcooked? Not fresh? Who knows, I didn't try any of his. The whole meal was simply unremarkable. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive. The restaurant is clean & well kept. The price was expensive considering how unmoved I was; there are other Italian restaurants I might spend this much at (or less) & have a more flavorful meal. I LOVE Giovanni's historically, so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt & try again in a few months. If they're looking for constructive criticism, I suggest they order every item from the menu, and sit with people who historically LOVE this restaurant, and listen to what's wrong with each item individually. If you want to go through and create a new restaurant & new menu & new tastes, that's fine. But Giovanni's was so fantastically delicious you don't need to change anything -- you just need to sit with historically happy patrons who can tell you what you're doing wrong. - Adam
(2)Jess G.
The NEW Giovanni!! This restaurant puts the previous management to shame. They have a smaller menu that revolves around an elegant selection of fresh, local meals. As a vegetarian, I found no issue getting an incredible meal; my waiter was totally understanding and accommodated all of my picky substitutions (props to the kitchen!). I've gone twice: once for the eggplant parm and again for the putanesca--both were incredible. And whether you are full to the brim or not, you must try the Tiramisu -- I have never had one soo delicious. Looking forward to returning soon!
(5)Michael A.
When I first moved to the Bay Area in 1989, I lived in Berkeley and loved Giovanni. I just had the pleasure of visiting again last Saturday night and the place is still magnificent. Excellent service, fair prices, excellent ambience and that gorgeous fireplace! Food is very good and this remains a great little Italian place in Berkeley.
(4)K R.
My wife and I have been patrons of Giovanni's since 1998 and it was always a favorite place for us after a concert at Zellerbach, the Paramount or even when we were in the City and and wanted to get some good food close to home. As they stay open until midnight on Friday and Saturdays we went often enough that the wait staff recognized us. When that version (Cafe Giovanni) closed we thought "Oh No! Where are we gonna go after a show?" Then we discovered that THE restaurant's namesake Giovanni (80 years young) re-opened it himself after the slumping economy did Cafe Giovanni in. The "new" or original Giovanni is back and serving good food, good drinks in a old school style restaurant. the wait staff is friendly, Giovanni is quiet, but has a charming smile, his daughter Sara really cares about making this place a success. Good Luck Giovanni-glad you're back and I hope folks discover you again.
(4)LM S.
I took my mom for an early-ish birthday dinner on a Wednesday night. I used to come here as a "treat" dinner with friends many years ago, but have not been recently. Contrary to some of the negative reviews here, we were very pleased with the good food and great service! All the pasta is hand made and tastes wonderful, I had the lasagna and it was packed with meat and cheeses. The ricotta was smooth and rich, not like the grainy stuff you sometimes get. It was a sizable portion served with a well cooked vegetable medley. Mom had Chicken Marsala, and the sauce was really wonderful! There was enough left over that she even had a take home box. The bread was served warm and very yummy! The waitress was attentive and available the entire time & the prices were reasonable, from $9 - $18 for most dinner entrees. 4 noms!
(4)Chen C.
This place is soooooooooo beautiful!!!! I totally dig the interior of it! It's elegant and romantic and classy. I went there with 14 other people and we're all stunned by the inside of it. Before our dished came the waiter served a LOT of appetizers (but I don't know if they're free...) like salami sausage, zucchini sticks and a special kind of bread. I like the zucchini sticks and the bread soooo much! The sticks are so crispy and the bread was really soft and warm and it had a special kind of scent. For main dish I ordered Frutti de Mare, which is a seafood pasta. It looked really good and there was indeed a lot of seafood in there, but the texture of the pasta was not that good. It's a bit hard on the edge. I also had a taste on the pizzas which were pretty good. But besides the little pity on the pasta, everything was really impressive. The waiters are so well-trained, polite and gentle. They remembered who ordered what so clearly and all the special requests, and almost every waiter there was so cute! It was really an enjoyment eating there. I'll definitely go there again one day...only if I had money.
(5)Amanda W.
My boyfriend took me here for a celebratory end-of-spring-semester-classes dinner last night, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We were seated by the owner, Giovanni, and one of his daughters, Anastasia, waited on us. We sat at one of the tables circling the fireplace (it got a little too hot by the end of dinner). I wanted to order pretty much all of their appetizers, but we settled on garlic bread (no mozzarella). My boyfriend ordered the linguini vongole and I had the seafood cioppino (one of the specials that night). Interestingly enough, the entrees came before the appetizer, but that was no problem because they provide you with focaccia bread and butter first. Garlic Bread - $4 Yum! The crust was a little burnt around one edge, but the bread overall was delicious. I only wish they gave a little more of it! Linguini Vongole - $16.50 I didn't get to try any of this, but I was impressed by the presentation of the dish: the entire perimeter of the noodles is surrounded by clams. My boyfriend, who is a bit of a picky eater, reports that the clams were "cooked perfectly" and the sauce was "just clammy enough" for his taste. It was "really good" to him. Seafood Cioppino - $19 This dish was actually cheaper than the one I was going to originally order (Frutti Di Mare - $19.75), and I'm really glad that they had this as their special last night. It's deceivingly filling--while the bowl may not seem too large, I couldn't finish the stew and had to take home some leftovers. It was chock full of seafood: 2 or 3 squids (tentacles and all--never seen that before!), mussels with shell, clams with shell, 2 or 3 LARGE shrimp/prawns, 1.5 big chunks of salmon (very well cooked!), scallops, many de-shelled clams (?), as well as other pieces I may be missing (NOTE: no crab in here -- but this wasn't a problem for me). It also had also some veggies and bell peppers in there. The broth was great: not too tomato-y and complemented the seafood well. I'm used to paying $25-$30 for my cioppinos (probably because of crab), but I would choose Giovanni's cioppino over them any day. I woke up craving this dish this morning. Good thing I had leftovers--I ate it for dinner! But now I want it again...when's the next time they'll have it? Overall, a great experience. The entire dinner came out cheaper than I expected for this quality. I love how close this is to campus and will definitely be coming back for another special occasion.
(5)Nik N.
giovanni has had a turn around... we stopped in on a tuesday night for some bar snack ands libations.... there was live jazz goin' on in the front bar... and the happy hour featured $5 small plates. we ordered two cocktails from the cocktail menu (priced at $9 each). both arrived as described and delicious... and for eats, we got the mozerella sticks, the bruschetta, and the mushrooms. all very very good and - for two of us - filling. with a great old school vibe, and delcious food and drink offerin's - giovanni is a great place to stop in for happy hour... we will definately be back to try dinner. (p.s. - giovanni is a family owned institution... when you go, you will likely encounter the family owners themselves... a nice touch in this day and age, if you ask me....)
(4)Daron C.
I love supporting family restaurants and this was a very pleasant experience for our family of four. Sarah was beyond gracious in seating and serving us and the food was outstanding. We had the calzone, the Giovanni Salad, and Chicken Parmesan. Will come here again.
(5)Peter N.
Very impressed with the food... we had gnocchi and a Brussel sprout appetizer... Service was excellent. Wine was very nice.... Prices are reasonable....
(4)Omar G.
I have been going to Giovanni for 3 years now. They have awesome food and an awesome staff to go with it. The atmosphere is awesome especially at night when they have the indoor fire pit going. It's definantly a great place to take your parents, friends, date, or that special someone. The prices aren't that bad especially when the food is good. They don't mix drinks so its pretty much just beer and wine, but that's not bad because they have a great selection. I will continue to return to Giovanni whenever I can. I recommend this place to everyone I know.
(5)Michelle H.
Decided to spend a random day in Berkeley. With no major plans we stumbled upon giovanni's right around dinner time. We were seated around a warm fireplace in the middle of the room. The food was good, but very heavy on the pepper. We brought that to the attention of our waiter and he promptly brought us a new entree without any pepper. They even gave us complimentary dessert. Great place to take a date because it is very cozy inside around the fireplace in the middle of the room.
(5)Jonathan S.
This place is Berkeley history - if you want to think you have eaten your way through the city by way of the gourmet ghetto, you have missed a place where many great meals have been enjoyed. From 1980 to 2011, Giovanni's has always been my "go to" spot for Italian with ambiance, great service and reliable food. Not for trends, and not for the trendy - just for a relaxing meal in a place that locals love. I owe Giovanni for more than a few good night kisses - his kitchen made my date nights more romantic.
(4)greg h.
I don't get to Berkeley that much, and we wanted to try some Italian after a movie. I make a mean lasagna, so I am hard to impress when I dine out. This place had a really tasty lasagna, and the other food was very very good. I'd love to go back again, will have to make some excuses. They are also in the Entertainment book, so you can get a very good value. Nice place, too!
(4)Marco F.
This place has potential. The food needs a little updating to go from OK to memorable. It's old school Italian. The decor is70's wrought iron, with a big cage/Jail thing and an ugly wine rack dominating thespace. Could be funky fun old room with a little work.
(2)Chie M.
I gave 1 star becuse the service was awful and food is 2 star. I had never been to this place but decided to give it a try after seeing a coupon on living social. My husband and I were excited and the restaurant looked nice. It was a Friday night but they seemed to have enough staff working yet EVERYTHING took a long long time!! It took a long time for them to get our orders, bread took about 10mins to come out. About 15 mins after we ordered, the waiter came back and asked us what we had ordered. (and he came back again later and asked the same questions!!!!). Our water pitcher was empty (and of course, no refills). We looked around the table and the same waiter was asking the same questions to other tables asking what they have ordered. We had ordered carbonara and chicken parmesan and it was OK, but we will most likely not going back to the place again. At the end, we ordered canolli for to-go. We waited another 10mins or so thinking what is taking so long. I finally had it enough and asked another waitress that we have been waiting for canolli. The waiter brought our canolli and didn't even apporogize for him forgetting. Horrible service and no curtesy what so ever to the customer! Even with the coupon, I totally feel like I wasted my money and time and I will definetely not going back. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY!!!!!!! IT ISN'T WORTH IT!
(1)Erin G.
My boyfriend and I tried this place when it was under old management, and we were not impressed. It's pretty dark and dingy inside. My dish (pasta primavera was fine) but my boyfriends was not great. We returned after new management took over to give it another try. Atmosphere was still the same, dark and dingy, maybe some people are into that, but personally, I am not. Food was not great, service was not terrible, but not great either.
(2)Nia L.
I went last night with the family to celebrate my daughter's birthday. No one in our party had ever gone except for me, and that was in the early '90s! I gotta say, we really enjoyed ourselves, the food, and the awesome wait staff. First, they greeted us really warmly and seemed to really take notice when I mentioned that my daughter was a birthday girl. The waitstaff was really attentive, making sure that everything was alright and keeping water glasses and drinks filled. They also totally understood that with five people in the party we'd need plenty of fresh warm foccacia bread, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. They sure didn't skimp and kept us happy as we waited for our meal. This place is really down to earth with a great vibe and no pretension. The food was really good and surprisingly, not one of us had a complaint with our eggplant Parmesan, chicken Marsala, and variety of pizzas. Even though we were stuffed and declined dessert, the waitstaff was kind enough to bring out a slice of cheesecake with a candle and sing happy birthday! They really seem sincerely nice and their attention to detail made this a great place for an affordable birthday celebration. I have to say that I agree with the folks who say that the decor is somewhat dated in the back of the restaurant, so I'd recommend that you sit up front in the cute and cozy bar area if you are just eating out as a couple. I sure hope that they update the decor...maybe a few tablecloths and candles, as this is a place that deserves a second look! We certainly will return.
(4)Matthew N.
After reading in the East Bay Express that the original owner and his wife (who opened the place 50+ years ago) bought this place back from folks who had ran it into the ground, I gave Giovanni a try. I wanted to like it sooooo much. And first impressions were good: the place has been lovingly renovated and redecorated from stem to stern, and looks great. But you come for the food, right? And the food is just bland, bland, bland. And our service was both slow and inept (wrong entrees brought to the table, etc.). With tax and tip, dinner for two was nearly $75 -- and was just plain disappointing on so many levels I really would like to see this Berkeley institution hit a new stride, but I hope the owners are reading the reviews here and recognize they need to take it up a level.
(2)Sara S.
Giovanni's is truly a special place. The owner, at 80 years old is there every day keeping this Berkeley institution alive . He envisioned this incredible restaurant 50 years ago- and it has withstood the test of time. Giovanni, his family, and staff genuinely invite you in as if it is an extension of their dining room table. Thank you Giovanni for all the memories and delicious meals... and cheers to the many more to come!!
(5)Chris G.
The Chicken Marsala was DELICIOUS and the Truffle Fries were extra tasty. I will definitely go back when I am in the area = ) The waitress was actually Giovanni's daughter. She was very sweet and seemed passionate about the reopening of the restaurant. She explained how her family reopened the place and her father, Giovanni, came out of retirement at 80 years of age to help run it. Their family is obviously extremely vested (emotionally and financially) into their business. Check it out if you're in the area = )
(5)Jan M.
I really believe that the new(old) owners are doing their best to make this a great place to go. I've been coming here a million years and when I heard it closed I was sad. Then I saw it had reopened and gave it a shot. We normally don't eat dinner but sit in the bar and have snacks. They have a small but good Italian wine list and just a few beers. The zucchini is always good as is the garlic bread but this time I ordered a pizza to go. I love just mushroom, olive and onion and they did a great job! The onion was sweet, the mushrooms cooked and they used kalamata olives for such a unique taste. I think they need time and money to grow and become the family restaurant they were. I'll go back and until they do it wrong, I will support them!
(4)Munch M.
On a cold, rainy night, there's nothing better than gathering around Giovanni's open hearth with a glass of Prosecco, a pizza with perfectly blistered crust, and good company. Excellent service and fine food. We'll be back!
(4)Patricia H.
With anticipation, my husband and I went to Giovanni's for dinner last night. As others have mentioned, we had read about the change in ownership and were looking forward to a good meal. We were disappointed for the following reasons: 1. Menu selection extremely reduced. 2. Entrée prices had increased $2-3. 3. Fried calamari appetizer much too spicy (overwhelmed taste of the seafood). 4. Pizza was overly salty (too many anchovies & salty olives). 5. Veal Marsala tasted more like chicken breast and sauce was not as flavorful as it was (white wine instead of red?). We spent close to $60 without ordering drinks or dessert. I sincerely hope that this formerly venerable restaurant is able to make some adjustments in the kitchen. Portions are decent, but the preparation needs to be seriously tweaked. To be fair, we will try Giovanni's once more in hopes that it can become one of our favorite dining spots again.
(1)shalana u.
I LOVE THIS PLACE!! AMAZING FOOD The food is made on premise..the pasta, the alfredo, the sauces....omg...I am in heaven at this place..the fireplace ..A-MAZ-ING simply because of how captivating it is and to sit next to it with a few glasses of wine, homemade alfredo fettuccine and an elated husband..OMG...I have been trying to find a place to substitute my love for IL PORTO in NYC while im living on the west coast and they have met all of my demands and more. The wait staff is excellent, polite, efficient and patient. The hostess, which I'm assuming is an owner was sweet, genuine and how an owner should be..proud and humble...OMG....we live in San Leandro, which isn't so far but I will definitely be heading to Berkeley just for them several times a month...I friggin love this place..My husband's only gripe was there weren't enough anchovies in this anchovies dish he ordered but I hate anchovies though....sooooooooo........everything was excellent!!!! I will forever go to this place...UNLESS they stop making the pasta and sauces(gravy) from scratch and service changes...
(5)NOfakey R.
I have recently dined here on my birthday & it was sooo much fun the experience at this place by far made my birthday that much more sweet the staff was warm & very friendly especially 2 specifically named anna & jenny it is now a very nice/dear memory for me if u are not a local or if u are treat ur self to exquisite food hospitable service & beautiful atmosphere then dine & wine here.
(5)Amber A.
actually i like this place more than indicated by my 3 stars--but i'm not quite willing to round up to a 4. the decor is definately old school. nice to see families and couples of all ages enjoying their food. the food here is classic american/southern italian. lots of cheese and tomato sauce on everything (which isn't a bad thing). my spaghetti and meatballs was prepared nicely although i found it a bit bland. i saw lots of peeps trying the pizza-that looked good. next time ill try it out. pricepoint was a bit high, but not unreasonable. the service was good and efficient which allowed a quick turnover of the tables without feeling too rushed.
(3)Brian S.
New owners...Much better food!!! I came here with a couple friends and not only had great food, but the service and the family that started Giovanni's were very pleasant. I had a homemade fettuccine noodle that was awesome!!! The proportions were very generous and the flavors excellent. I will be back!!
(4)Megan G.
I hadn't been to Giovanni since I was in high school. My Boyfriend and I were looking for nice, homey Italian food in a comfortable setting. Boy, were my expectations exceeded. We were greeted by the hostess and offered seats next to a cozy fireplace. Our server Michael was charming and attentive. We lucked out by coming in on a Tuesday when they had half off bottles of wine. We split a lovely costal pinot. The bread was fresh from the oven, savory and addictive. We started with the calamari. I'm somewhat of a calamari snob, and I HATE when they don't fry it properly or give you nothing but rubbery rings. Giovanni's version was crisp to perfection and piping hot. I reccomend asking for a side of the aoli with them, it is garlicy and delicious. The ceasar salad clearly used real anchovies in the dressing and the lasagne was one of the best I've ever tasted. In fact I had to stop by the kitchen to tell the cooks (both named Alex) how impressed I was. We will be back for sure!
(5)robert h.
I have not ordered food yet at the new Giovanni which is actually the old Giovanni the older man who greets you is the long time owner. My friend really likes the food so i will give it a try as i have been a customer 30 yrs plus. If you want a beer or a good glass of wine go for Happy Hour great price. The staff is really great.
(3)Jessica H.
Love this little place. It's cozy, the food was delicious. The wait staff was nice and respectful. Definitely try this place out!
(5)Rachel M.
yuck. My husband and I ate here for the first time and we can't believe they're open in Berkeley. Linguine carbonara was tasteless, flaccid. Pasta puttanesca was salty as all get out. We will NOT be back. $40 wasted.
(2)Katie Brooke C.
ive been to Giovanni's a few times since the original owners took it over again and i have to say what a relief.. the place is magical. i mean old italian eatery with the most amazing fireplace EVER indoors. there are so many details i love about Giovanni. The front seating area with the windows.. The open kitchen where you can see all the action and amazing italian pizzas being cooked.. The iron chairs with the sixties fabric on the backs of the chairs, the old booths. everything. i just adore this place.. ive sat at the bar and eaten 3 times, and love the wine. the house chianti is amazing!! i LOVE Anastasia and find her style to be amazing and her calm and kind and relaxed personality. she truly cares about the people who come in and i am sure has some regulars who come in just to catch up with her! the pizza is amazing. it was just the other night the owners wife offered me a little piece to try and i was blown away.. i have enjoyed the eggplant, the spinach, the gnocci, the pizzas, and more.. The service in my opinion has been great. the food, outstanding and authentic, and the wine was good for the price. i mean you can't beat that happy hour can you?? i really want to see Giovanni back on the map like it was in the old days. I love the daughter that greats everyone, and i love the new chef from NY who was trained with the best, i really think this place is already great but about to get even better! i am so grateful for places like this because my dad loves no frills old family style italian. i am about to have my 31st bday there that is how much i love it! anyways just thought i would drop a note. Giovanni rocks! i hope everyone checks it out and supports this Berkeley locale!
(5)Paula G.
I called to make a reservation if needed and to double check that the entertainment book coupon could be used which offers the lower priced entree for free as I saw that the restaurant was back with the original owner recently. I spoke with a woman on the phone who stated that her husband was the owner and went on and on about the fact that the privious owner was trying to destroy their business and that they didn't list the restaurant in the entertainment book but that it was the same name and they would honor the coupon but was not happy about it. She then proceeded to suggest a free dessert instead and I stated that I was getting very uncomfortable and I could just go elsewhere and she agreed that there were many other restaurants so that is what I am going to do. It seems strange to me that although she said that she did not want to turn away business that was exactly what she did! Seems like not good business sense at all.
(1)John C.
Giovanni's is a delicious restaraunt and community partner. I know each through experience. A week ago tomorrow, Giovanni's graciously hosted the Cal Vets Valentine Auction feast. Vets and their dates were treated to a comped meal, unbelievable service and a warm, family atmosphere. Support your local businesses so they can support you- I bought 4 bottles of champagne to do my part, how about you? Anyhow, place was packed from when we got in (mid-evening) to when they kicked us out at closing. Comments: Great, great food and a wonderful venue to gather large, small and medium parties. Was there for a one-man live music show.. didn't rock us out of our shoes and good tunes to boot. Nice spot to reconnect -ran into two people I know and I don't even live in Berkeley. Cheers and enjoy! John
(5)Veronica D.
I've reviewed this place before (before it changed ownership), but I think it deserves another review and an extra star! I've eaten here about four times now, and out of those four, three have been really wonderful for one simple reason: they have extremely delicious free bread. I've tried a few different menu items with varying degrees of success. My advice is to stick with the calzones and possibly stay away from the pasta-type dishes, unfortunately. It seems like Giovanni's specialty is bread and all bread-related items. I bet the pizza would be good. We had a server named Michael who was really attentive and BOMBARDED us with free bread, and we ate nearly all of it and took home the rest. It really is absolutely delicious. Thanks, Michael! This place is adorable and really relaxing inside. It has a fireplace and it's one of those restaurants that tries to mimic the outdoors indoors with wrought iron fixings on the ceilings and murals and pretty lights, and I'm a sucker for that stuff. I realize that this place is on the less-classy end of Shattuck, but it's worth a try, if only for the bread and the ambiance.
(4)Betty D.
I went here twice over a three day period - on purpose .... okay, it was because my Groupon was expiring but it was on purpose. The first night I went with my friend Robin L. We were seated at a tiny table where we were freezing so we asked to be moved - no problem they moved us. We managed to be there during happy hour and while they say the have happy hour wine, they tell you which one you can have. And by which one, I mean, the give you the option of ONE. So, I took the bait - why not? It wasn't bad either. My friend ordered a calzone (probably made to her exact liking) and I ordered the Spaghetti Putanesaca Della Casa on a recommendation by the waiter. OMG!! I can still take it! It was soooo good! I highly recommend. The next time I went I went with my friend Jules ... unfortunately, I don't remember what she had but I do remember that I had the Linguini Pesto ala Siciliana. Very good too ... but I'd get the Spaghetti Putanesaca Della Casa next time - yes, it was that good! The ambiance of this restaurant is .... ummm .... old. It's definitely dated but it gives you and your companion(s) something to talk about! Not a place I'd go for a date - well, as long as it wasn't during the initial courting period. Believe it or not, I'd go back - even without a Groupon!
(3)Brian G.
I really want to give this place a better review, but the food just didn't warrant it last night. My girlfriend and I split the gnocchi and a pizza. Neither lived up to my expectation. The gnocchi was the right texture, but the sause fell short. The pizza, just bad. I know this place has changed hands a few times in the last few years. I had my graduation dinner from college here a while ago. I've had a good experiences here, but they were too long ago to remember. I'll give it another shot, because it is a staple, but otherwise I probably wouldn't.
(2)Sung L.
First thing you notice is the setting. Very large place, but dark and feels intimate in some way. Gets you in the mood for red wine and to relax back. Felt like I was a mob boss. Service is great- very friendly and server always kept a sincere smile and good suggestions. Even when we left, she gave us a coupon for free dinner on any day within a week before or after our birthday- good deal! Food was very good as well; had the spinach/feta/apple/walnut salad that was dressed perfectly and the clam/garlic pizza that was great. Definitely coming back.
(4)Winé C.
... I would come to Giovanni if I wanted to either 1) Spend lots of money or 2) Have it as a pre-meal or post-meal. When Italian food comes to mind, most people think hefty portions and heavy meals, but we are not on the same page here. We receive a small plate of sauteed mushrooms in a well-made garlic sauce. So delicious that you would not mind taking shots of it. The bread was pure gold. It was the perfect amounts of crispiness, warm, and tender. It was great on everything that you eat it with. Sauteed mushrooms, a little bit on the pricier end though... The portions are incredibly small! What was supposed to be an entree salad came on an appetizer plate and barely filled my friend up. I ordered a pizza which was enough for two and the boy ordered a Chicken Parmesan. A couple of notes. There was not a lot of sauce on the Chicken Parmesan. An ok amount of cheese, and a small handful of pasta. Ingredients were fresh but may have needed proper execution. The breading on the chicken was soggy (Remember there is not much sauce here) but the chicken itself was incredibly fresh. The pizza I ordered had incredibly salty olives which made the experience almost sickening. The pizza itself (when you did not bite into an olive) is incredible. Nicely melted cheese with flavorful meats and quite a good amount of it also.The olive could have used a couple of rinses. But all the food and 4 beers came up to $80... Portions were incredibly small. Good flavor, fresh ingredients, but tapa sized pieces.
(3)Katherine L.
I would go to this place for special occasions many years ago, and was sad to see the quality decline after the owner retired. Now that the owner has reacquired the restaurant, the food is again wonderful. I recently brought some friends from Europe there for dinner. They said it was the best lasagna they'd ever had in their lives. I'm a fan of their homemade fettuccine. It melts in your mouth! For one visit, the waiter was too busy, but once we told him that we had to leave by a certain time for a show, he made a point to get us out on time. I've always found the staff to be extremely helpful and friendly. And I love being brought to the table by Giovanni himself Since I work in Berkeley, I wish they were open for lunch. But I guess it's quality over quantity. When I eat dinner in Berkeley, I want to eat at Giovanni!
(5)Peggy L.
I've passed by this restaurant so many times and never thought to look in or stare at the menu. When looking at the store from the outside, all you see are hard wooden doors with no peephole to even take a glimpse inside the restaurant. It's also hard to see into the restaurant through the windows since it is pretty dark in the front room--the bar. If it weren't for LivingSocial, i may never have discovered this wonderful restaurant. My boyfriend and i opened the door to this restaurant and to our surprise, there was a beautiful, fairly large restaurant inside. It was nicely decorated and dimly lit in the front. We were led to the back room and seated next to the glowing firepit in the middle of the room. Now, This Is a Date Night! We were informed that since it was Tuesday, all the bottles of wine were half off. After tasting one of the wines, we got a bottle of white wine for the two of us for around $13. Since we had never been here before, we asked the waiter what he recommended. Based on his recommendations we ordered: 1. Veal Scallopini: Veal with mushrooms and tomatoes. Served with sauteed vegetables and penne. 2. Pizza- Confusion: Pepperoni, sausage, peppers, black olives, mushrooms. We switched the peppers for Arugula and added pineapple. While we waited for our food, my boyfriend remarked that this menu was very traditionally Italian--the type of food you'd actually eat in Italy. How was there such a cute/romantic/classic restaurant so close to my home that i never noticed it! Completely a hidden gem! The waiter handed us our bread and the reviews were right. This bread was good! The Focaccia was made with rosemary, which gave it such a wonderful aroma and taste. I even took the last one home with me! The Veal Scallopini was excellently portioned. I was not in the mood to stuff myself to the brim--the goal was to eat a delicious, well-portioned meal and that was exactly what i got. As someone who has only had veal a few times, this veal was very tender. Very Tasty and i finished my entire plate feeling pleasantly full rather than uncomfortably full. My boyfriend got the pizza--he wasn't too hungry and wanted something that would still be good the next morning. The pizza was good-- a lot of protein! If your a meat person, this is the pizza for you. As for me, i prefer lots of veggies on my pizza so my boyfriend probably enjoyed this pizza a lot more than i did. Still yummy though! Overall: The service was excellent--we made small talk with our waiter, who was very nice and personable. The restaurant itself is very beautiful, classic, and casually romantic. I loved it! The food was also very tasty! A complete hidden gem!
(4)Marcie K.
I've only been here once and probably won't go again. The food was regular italian, nothing special. The restaurant itself is really cute and you could go there on a date or with your family or friends. The problem was the service, our waiter was goofing off in the back doing who knows what and we tried to flag him down several times to ask a question. In the end we just asked a different waitress if she would serve us for the rest of our dinner (she was very sweet and even gave us free dessert). I just don't think it's worth a 30 minute wait to ask if there's any pork in my meal...
(3)Shane V.
This is almost a 5 star btw. My gf and I originally ate here because of a Trubates $40 for $20 deal and im glad I purchased it. Im now a fan and going back soon. 1. Decor is great. Old school Italian! My gf and I loved it. 2. The service was friendly and prompt. The waitress was the daughter of the owner and was so courteous. 3. The food was delicious. We started with the fried mozzarella. Off the hook. I then had the f. carbonara, again, delish. Gf had the pork special, very tasty. 4. Prices are very fair. I helped run an Italian restaurant in San Diego and you get what you pay for, period. Im glad to discover such a lovely place!
(4)Rory H.
Nice somatic atmosphere. Pizza was really good. Kinda skimpy on the toppings but delicious nonetheless
(4)Charles C.
I have been going here for years. Good service. Wonderful food and bread to die for. The interior could use a bit of updating and the open bar needs to come back but I would recommend this to anyone.
(4)Garo Van G.
Some co-workers and I ate here early in 2010 before the current owners were in charge here. The food was fucking awful. I mean really, really bad. Soggy vegetables, stale bread, dry meat, you name it. Nazis wouldn't have served the food they had there to the Jews in the height of World War II. Luckily you can't screw up a tap beer, so that was helpful. I recently saw that there were new owners, so I thought I would give it another shot. As I walked in the first thing I noticed was how ridiculously clean the place was. The it smelled clean, looked WAY better than it used to and the menu was simplified and classy. Unfortunately there was no alcohol, but no biggie. I ordered the chicken panini and I was pleasantly surprised. Fresh vegetables, fresh cibata bread, fresh chicken. It was like Gordan Ramsay came through and kicked this place in the balls. I will definitely be back here soon. Oh, and as I passed by today there was a sign in the window that read "now serving alcohol". It is on.
(5)Fred K.
Giovanni is a great old-world Italian restaurant with lots of character and charm. The food was authentic and very good. The service was not great however. There was a large party and they were clearly unprepared to handle them and their regular patrons. We had also made a reservation indicating that it was our anniversary, but the was no mention of it or any kind of gesture on their part. I would have liked to at least see some kind of acknowledgement.
(3)Olivia S.
This is the cutest restaurant! Fireplaces in the back you can be seated by and live music on some nights! I mainly went for the happy hour and got the mushroom appetizer (so good!) and the warm bread. The other food I've tried is pretty good (Pizza was excellent). Awesome atmosphere after a long day!
(5)Krystie M.
I'm sad to say that my perception of this place has plummeted. After having a great 1st time experience here in December, I decided to bring my good friend and her boyfriend here when they came to visit me in Berkeley. My boyfriend had a Restaurant.com coupon so we figured that it was a win-win situation. Unfortunately, the experience was mediocre, to say the least. The SERVICE was extremely SLOW and they servers were inattentive. Our meal was extended for at least 30-40 extra minutes because the servers took so long to take our orders and to bring us our food. The wait time was ridiculous and for that wait time, we were expecting phenomenal food. Unfortunately, the food was subpar. We ordered: 1) Veggie risotto 2) Meat lasagna (2 orders) 3) Confusion pizza The RISOTTO was no good. My friend was being polite when she said that she's "had better" but I could tell she was just eating it to be nice. The MEAT LASAGNA was good, but it wasn't spectacular. I could've gotten something better from the frozen aisle at Safeway. It was a little bland in flavor and lacked real substance. The PIZZA was SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than the last time I came to eat pizza here. It was tiny and burnt. Again, we could've found a better deal at Dominos or Papa Johns. The only positive from this experience was the ROSEMARY FOCACCIA, which is FREE. Sigh, Giovanni, I would prefer that you stop being bipolar because I was really looking forward to deeming you my favorite Italian spot in Berkeley...
(3)Allison L.
I quite honestly was really disappointed in my experience here. The reviews were good, but we didn't have a great experience. The décor is so old and dated and the place just doesn't look clean. The menu is very "ho hum" and the food was ordinary. Our waiter was also very disinterested - did the basics, but not very friendly or attentive. Not a repeat for us.
(2)Stephanie H.
A-OK is an understatement. My one good thing I can say about this place is the center fireplace in the middle of the restaurant and the great service. Food is a different story. Lacked flavor and density. The pasta noodles were mediocre, and the sauces were lacking in texture and savory goodness. It was like the pasta was cooked in water (duh), then soaked in a water based sauce. Ok...my second thing I liked was the bread that was served to us alongside our meals. I know-That sure does say a lot!
(3)Amber C.
The food was great and our server Michael was DA BOMB!! He is super good looking and nice ta boot! I suggest asking to be seated in his area, because the experience will be phenomenal. If I had a restaurant, I'd steel him! The bread was great and so was the chicken Alfredo. It tasted very authentic and the ambiance feels like a little mom and pop home in Italy. I am not from Berkeley, but when I go back, this place will definitely be on my visit list. It seems like the place got bad reviews on Management below, but since I only experienced the food and our server Michael, I was nothing but pleased!! You should definitely visit!
(5)Gabby R.
If you USED to visit this location, don't return. I USED to be a faithful patron during the 15 years I lived in Berkeley. One of the things that I loved about them was that their soup and salad was a great take-out option. The salad was yummy, the soup filling AND THE BREAD was amazing...Alas, I am sorry to say I will not be returning. We didn't originally choose to dine here, but the other restaurant we wanted to visit had a hand written sign saying "Closed Until Oct 11th." My partner was starving so this was the next best choice walking up Shattuck. As usual, I will break down my review part by part: 1. Location: Giovanni is one of the last places that actually FEELS like a restaurant. It isn't a cookie cutter design that has to be set up by the folks up in corporate. Thus, the atmosphere is an A+. 2. Food: This is where things begin to falter. Their menu seems highly diminished from what I remember, and the prices don't seem to warrant what they have to offer. Fruiti De Mer for $19? I'm not sure Macaroni Grill charges that much--and you get WAY more food. My other benchmark comparison for Italian food is Strings in El Cerrito. He said that Giovanni'a Fruiti De Mer was sub par compared to String's. It was also a MUCH smaller portion. I had my old favorite--soup and salad. The salad was a plateful of spring mix with a few onion pieces and exactly 1.5 cherry tomatoes. I hate to sound picky, but in the Bay Area, during the Autumn, if you can't find it in you to AT LEAST SERVE REAL TOMATOES you are just a fail restaurant. Come on people. Is it TOO much to ask for a real tomato in your salad? The soup--where do I start? HOW do you screw up a bowl of minestrone soup? Really? They could have served me a can from the super market and it would have been twenty times better. I got a bowl of what appeared to be broth, vegetables, and about twenty kidney beans. NO MEAT. NO BODY. It was honestly the WORST bowl of soup I have ever had in my entire life. I told the server about it and he seemed surprised. I asked for a credit because at that point I had already eaten my salad and I just wanted out of there... 3. Service: our waiter was pleasant enough but paying with a larger bill seemed to confound the entire payment process. It would have been helpful to be alerted that he was going to be busy taking care of the whole change situation... I don't think Giovanni's has weathered the economic downturn well at all. It's sad that a place that USED TO BE so good is now a shadow of it's former self. If you can't even get soup and salad right, what about the rest of the menu? Oh, and if you're going to rip me off for $20 bucks for a crappy plate of some seafood and noodles, at least toss in a salad.
(2)Ali M.
I have not been to Giovanni's in YEARS. I noticed that they have recently re-opened and so I decided to read the reviews. I am surprised by the mix of loves, likes, and disappointments. I checked out their menu online and can't find the focaccia bread!! I am also surprised that no one mentioned the mice problem that this place had?? I have literally seen a mouse run from the booths in the back and into the center of the floor while I was having lunch in the bar area!!! I wonder if that had anything to do with them closing...but the fact that everyone thinks it's such a warm cozy atmosphere is really amazing. This is why I am still on the fence of going back!!
(2)Javier G.
Tasted okay, but way too expensive.
(2)Esther R.
In the entirety of my undergrad career at Berkeley, I never step foot in the place. I wish I had! This was a nice hidden gem! (OK, it's not really hidden - it's right on Shattuck, but I never felt the need to stop by.) Came here a few weeks ago with the boyfriend because I had a LivingSocial deal. The inside of the restaurant is a very romantic, dark and intimate setting. Totally perfect for a date night :) The dinner menu has a decent variety of Italian food - salads, appetizers, paninis, pastas, pizzas and specials. And I'd say they're pretty reasonably priced for an Italian place. The boyfriend ordered the Gamberi Scampi ($18) and I got the Veal Scapollini ($19.50). We also got an order of the garlic fries. The order came with the most AMAZING bread! I usually steer clear of the bread, but the bf was raving about it so I took a little bite....and was hooked! It was hot - straight out of the oven, probably - soft and buttery. I think it was foccacia? Whatever it was, it was delicious! The garlic fries were really yummy too! Nothing extraordinary, but garlic fries done right! Just the right amount of crisp to the fries and a generous amount of seasoning. And it was a big plate for $5. The entrees were great as well! The gamberi scampi was really tasty - big shrimp (i think 6-8 pieces?) and came with veggies and linguini pasta, so you were definitely full afterwards. Same sides for the veal scallopini. To be honest, I was a little disappointed in the veal. There was a sauce on it, but I don't think it was marinated in it long enough because the meat itself wasn't very flavorful. I preferred the scampi. So my veal was OK, but the scampi and fries (and bread!) were delicious. The server was really sweet and friendly too. Really made our experience feel special :) In conclusion, try the bread, get the garlic fries to share, avoid the veal scallopini and enjoy your time at Giovanni. I can definitely see myself coming back here, even without a coupon :P
(4)Steven K.
Entertainment Book Coupon: Buy One Get One (Up to $14 or $15 off, I'll check later) Lasagna ($15): We got this on both visits, and it is very good. Simple as that. Spaghetti and Meatballs ($13): Pretty good, but nothing special. C really likes bread, and she loved it here. I think overall everything was pretty good, but it's not a place I'd go without BOGO. Dishes are medium sized and appropriate for a single person to eat. C gorges herself on bread, so we actually ordered two entrees for three people (though it was second dinner for me) and were quite satisfied.
(4)Neal K.
I've gone here for decades when I lived in Berkeley, and still drop in when I'm in town. They are open quite late, and the food is very good. My favorites are the "confusion" pizza and the Caesar salad. Service is friendly.
(4)Leila S.
Food is good (not great). Service is good. HOWEVER, Extremely OVERPRICED for what they offer! (i.e. very SMALL portions for very "OKAY" quality of food, but with HIGH PRICES) -- I'd go somewhere else if I have a craving for Italian food next time.
(3)Raymond L.
I have been here twice for dinner, and, while they did not offer the most impressive Italian food, from a somewhat limited menu, I will be returning more. The setting is large, dark, and cozy, and unconventionally romantic. Back room has a central fire place, and front room has a Bar which, at first glance, almost looks like a Sushi Bar, until you remind yourself you're at Giovanni. Waiter service is handsomely charming, and friendly, but what's even better is the complimentary warm focaccia bread. Be careful with ordering appetizers, as you may not need any -- but then again, that's not what dining out is about is it? Mondays = half off wine. Always a big plus. Dress attire for dinner is casual. I walked in with a sweater over a T-shirt for a Friday night dinner, and I felt well overdressed. The old gentleman who greeted us at the door himself was dressed in a plain white T. Maybe he owns the place? I am not sure But, this is lack of formality is one of the reasons I love this place, or in a more encompassing manner, Berkeley in general. Prices and portions are reasonable. My friend and I ordered a garlic bread appetizer, two main pasta courses (one for each), and I got a drink, totaling less than $40. I even had some pasta to take home. Tip: The Garlic bread appetizer does come in a large portion. And ask for the mozzarella toasted on top.
(4)Melissa L.
If you're looking for a very classy place to have dinner, I wouldn't recommend Giovanni's. Not that the food isn't good, but the service could use an upgrade. After a very long hiatus from this place, the time finally came for me to try it out with the new owners. Food: Margherita pizza was delicious and the lasagna was good as well. Not amazing, but pretty good. Their portions are definitely enough to fill you up and then some. But that doesn't even matter because you'll probably be packed with bread before your entree arrives. I would come here just for the foccacia bread. You will literally have to hide that shit under the green napkin in the bread basket or push it away from you. Do something. Because once you start on the bread, you will not stop. And they will refill you. Drinks: From what I could tell (I'm underage), they don't have a very extensive wine list. You can basically choose from their house red, their house white, or beer. My roommate's parents went with the house red. It was a sparkling wine. Tasted a bit like grape juice and a little diluted. They didn't cork it at the table either. Service: We started out with one waitress, but she disappeared and another waiter took her place. No real problems with that, just a little unprofessional. And if you get the waiter we did, you'll have to pour your own wine. He's underage. Also, he served the soup we requested to-go at the table. He fixed it, but the only container he could find for the soup was a coffee cup.... odd. Ambiance: Very clean interior, dimly lit with a nice bar area and a fireplace in the center of the back dining area. Lots of seating so great for large groups or for dinner for two. All in all, I'll be back. But that's mostly for the bread.
(3)El L.
I believe it was a Thursday night when my friend and I stopped here to eat. We were in the mood for pizza and on Shattuck but neither of us are too familiar with Berkeley and decided to stop here. We sat in the top level area by the fireplace. I think It was some tasty pizza. We ordered the medium pepperoni pizza. I think it could have used a bit more pizza sauce but it had plenty of pepperoni on it so I was good. The wait staff was extremely friendly and kept checking on us and filling the our drinks. The lighting was a bit low but it wasn't a big deal. For dessert, we ordered the Tiramisu which had white chocolate shavings on top. It wasn't bad but it wasn't the best either. I'm not a white chocolate fan so that didn't help. I would go back to try it again. Overall, cheap price for pizza and dessert for $26 including 20% tip.
(4)Andy C.
This place is bomb! (Albeit a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for.) If you're craving Italian food, look no further. I had the meatball sandwich w/ minestrone soup, gamberi scampi, and the Giovanni Salad for takeout and they were all good! The gamberi scampi is especially worth noting. The sauce is a light buttery sauce with a good amount of flavor. And it came with 6 huge prawns. :D So gooood! Satisfied my seafood cravings for a while. ^^ The meatball sandwich is probably the best meatball sandwich I've ever had. They didn't dump an enormous amount of marinara sauce -- just enough for flavor. You also get a choice of salad or soup, and I chose the minestrone soup. This is actually the first time I've enjoyed minestrone soup. The flavor was great, but the soup was a tad on the oilier side, not that I mind. The Giovanni Salad was mildly disappointing though. It tasted great and all, but the portion size was a bit small for the $9.50 I paid for it. Don't get me wrong, the cheese, salami, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, mushrooms, tomatoes and roasted red peppers tasted great on the salad. (Ha. Totally copied from their online menu) But the size was a bit lacking. The fresh complimentary bread that came with my takeout order was delicious as well. Oh mannnnn! So good! I think it was foccacia with rosemary? Not entirely sure though. All in all, the food was great! I'll definitely be dropping by there more often considering how close it is to where I live :)
(5)J E.
We had a great time! Checked it out because of a Living Social, but would go back especially during happy hour-that lasts til 7 (!) Decor is a little old-school, but got a great seat by the fire and love the dark lighting. Our waitress was wonderful, really great service. The bread was yummy and warm, the drinks were great, and the food was delicious! I got the pesto linguini-perfect amount of cream and the dried tomatoes were a great touch. My dining partner got the gumbo pasta special which he fell in love with. We split a perfectly green salad and yummy slightly lemony cannolis for desert. Great meal!
(4)Crissy M.
I love, love, love Giovanni! My dad first took me in 2007, when I first moved up here. Now it is my go to spot when my girlfriends and I need a place for moscato and carbs and a good venting. Only 4 stars because sometimes the service is TERRIBLY slow, even on a not so busy night. But as long as the alcohol is coming, usually it's not a big deal...and there was one time our server (Ill give her the excuse that maybe she was new) did not tell us the 86'd items, so everything I wanted was out, and it was this back and forth thing, so I pretty much just had bread lol. I'm not easily angered, and everyone has their off nights. Overall great experience, good food, adorable atmosphere. You've got a lifelong customer!!
(4)sylvia e.
How on earth have I missed Giovanni til tonight?! In the 14 years I've lived in North Berkeley, never did I guess this gem lay behind the oft-glimpsed but unimposing Shattuck Ave. facade. My husband stumbled onto it courtesy of "Living Social" and I am in LOVE... The decor is stupendously, authentically, uniquely retro --- and in tip-top shape, clean as a whistle, comfortable as all get-out. Tables are generously spread out for ease and privacy. Classic oversized vinyl booths, a fireplace-in-the-round, lazy Susans made of wine barrels, more wrought iron than I have ever seen in one room in all my life... and a sprinkling of the most incredible iron curlique/vintage-upholstered chairs that would sell for $500 a pop at Anthropologie... I was swooning even before I opened my menu. Food: classic and irresistible. Thinnest hand-tossed pizzas, piping hot at the table. Hand-battered calamari fritti, taken up a notch with a generous sprinkling of fresh parsley. Hot, fresh rosemary bread --- instantly addicting. Craft beer (3 bucks, happy hour!) and a perfect Prosecco. Service: fresh-faced college boys had it down pat. Quick as lightning (hello, I have 3 kids, this is HUGE) and ultra gracious. Special requests all came through with flying colors. I spied a semi-private party room at the back of this place and am already scheming to have my 50th birthday there --- if I live that long.
(5)alexey b.
Definitely a hidden treasure of Berkeley. I was impressed by the very cozy and picturesque ambiance and the remarkably friendly and pleasant service. This restaurant has been operating for 50 years in this location and the original family has recently taken over management again; they are doing a great job. The prices are reasonable for the quality of food, and, as everyone notes, the house-made bread is delicious. The menu offers a variety of classic Italian dishes, ranging from nice salads and pastas to veal and chicken dishes to pizza. Accessible and good dishes, not too fru-fru. The restaurant features a sunnier front room and bar and a surprisingly large back room with frescos painted on the walls and a huge central copper fireplace. Quite impressive! They also have a semi-private room available. Recommended.
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