Gianfranco’s Ristorante & Bar
183 George Waterman Rd, Johnston, RI, 02919
Gianfranco’s Ristorante & Bar Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Johnston for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Johnston for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Johnston for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
183 George Waterman Rd
Johnston, RI, 02919 - Phone (401) 349-4838
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
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.
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Michael B.
Great food great service. Now I'm hungry thinking about that veal Marsala. I have a fine a few times. We even had a party of 20. Everyone was completely happy and couldn't rave more about te place.
(5)La C.
I was very excited when I first sat down after reading all the great reviews. The bread was excellent, the bruschetta was fresh and tasty and the wine had great legs. Then, that's when things started to take a turn for the worst. Our meals; chicken parm and veal saltinbucca took a full hour to arrive. Don't get me wrong, once they arrived they were the most fantastic meals ever; abundant, full of flavor and ardently presented. BUT, then once the plates hit the table the waitress disappeared again!! So after a 3 hour meal my boyfriend had to literally venture into the kitchen to get her, she was apologetic but why would you be folding tablecloths during the dinner hour in the back of the kitchen when you could be tending to your guests? Lastly, I think I should also add that the bartender should be fired. While I'm sure she is great for the regulars, she spent her entire time bad mouthing the owners of the restaurant and trash talking a waiter who was apparently new and had the keys to the liquor closet which she didnt (yes, she was that loud and that detailed). Overall, I think the food is outstanding, authentic Italian food and perhaps it was just a bad night for the staff of Gianfrancos so I would go back and give them a second chance but for anyone intending on going, don't expect good service or a quick meal. Sorry.
(3)Kristin R.
I was really expecting better after all the positive reviews. It's a perfectly ok restaurant, I guess, but with all the options in Providence, I'm pretty sure I won't be back. The bread and pesto oil was very good, and the brushetta was nicely presented, although the balsamic glaze was a bit over powering. The house salad was wilted and contained a couple of canned artichokes, which didn't quite meld with the very pungent dressing. Our eggplant parm was salty and the parm cheese shavings on the penne were really thick, so they didn't exactly melt into the pasta. So, yes, I've definitely had better. HOWEVER- the family owned atmosphere was a nice change and the waitress was delightful; very young and eager and obviously trying very hard to provide good service. The portions were ginormous(too big, actually, and I was really glad my dinner companion and I split the entrée, since we still both brought home leftovers) and the pricing is extremely reasonable. So, while I will probably make a different choice for my next dinner outing, it's probably a good option for you if you're looking for home style Italian without the Providence crowds or prices.
(3)Greg S.
Went for the first time last night as we wanted to try someplace new. The service was very good and attentive. The food was also very good. I would recommend and will definitely be back. Huge portions by the way.
(4)Greg Mal E.
Over a year ago, we noticed a sign outside said establishment advertising two entrees and a bottle of wine for $29.95 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We were very impressed on our first and all subsequent visits. The service has always been impeccable and the chef very accommodating of any dietary restrictions. The $29.95 special includes fresh bread & seasoned olive oil for dipping, soup or salad, a choice of entree (the special menu usually includes approximately 4-5 options), a side of pasta or vegetable and a bottle of either red or white wine. We have tried a variety of entrees, all of which were amazing and served in very generous portions. Although the wine is obviously not the priciest, it has always been enjoyable. One evening, the pick was Crane Lake (Charles Shaw, or "Two Buck Chuck" not distributed through Trader Joe's). The food is well-worth its' regular price, but the $29.95 special is well worth taking advantage of, as in our opinion, it is the best deal in the state. Mangia!
(5)Joe S.
My Grandmother's name was Matilda. She came here from Italy and raised six children on Federal Hill. Aside from that, I have lived in Rhode Island for 50 years of my life. So I think I have a pretty good idea of what Italian food should taste like. I mean how can you pick a "best"? With places like Medeteranio, Trattoria in Lincoln .....well, you get my point. So here I go: Gianfranco's, IS THE BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN RHODE ISLAND. Do yourself a favor: Drive to Johnston ( Hey...stop rolling your eyes and just drive there ) and have a seat. Order the figs wrapped in "prechute" with goat cheese for an appetizer. Then pick anything.....really...anything , from their menu for a main course, and if it isn't the best Italian food you have ever eaten, then look to the sky and tell Matilda that her grandson needs his cheeks pinched. But you won't have to do that, because this place is going to blow your hair back. I took my in laws from Italy to Gianfranco's last week. My 80 year old Father in law looked up from his veal, and in his heavy Italian accent said " this guy can cook". I rest my case.
(5)Lauren J.
I cannot even begin to describe how incredible the food is here! I had the pleasure of eating here during a wedding rehearsal dinner. Even with our group of 34, service was good but the food is even better! I will forever dream of the pasta with vodka sauce.
(5)Doug C.
Another stellar evening at Gianfranco's. We had returned a couple of months ago with the kids - whom also loved everything - but this night - once again sans children - we ventured out and sat to a fantastic meal. Again greeted with smiles, questions about the family - and a list of the days specials - we were happy to see the truffle fries we had enjoyed so much at a previous visit are now part of the menu. Added a bottle of wine to our meal selection, and some espresso at it's end. The surf and turf special was fresh and tasty and the arribatta farfalle (with grilled chicken) was full of flavor and went perfectly with the warm, crispy, fresh bread. Everything was perfect. This will forever be one of our favorite spots for both just the two of us - or even with the little ones!
(5)Jennifer P.
This place is just wonderful. The first time I ever went here was for a baby shower, and it was delicious. The food is beyond delicious and the atmosphere was cozy and comfortable. I loved it so much that I suggested it to my fiance for a nice dinner one night. He loved it so much that we decided to have our wedding reception here. Granted, its not a huge place, but we kept our wedding small so it worked out for us perfectly. The antipasto was fantastic, the pumpkin ravioli was like no other and the veal parm was great. They have a nice bar area also. It's a nice quiet place to go for a romantic meal, but they are large enough to have a decent gathering for a party that will impress. The staff worked with us to get every detail just right for our wedding. They are family owned, and treated us like we were family. Very warm and welcoming people.
(5)Jenny R.
Great food and absolutely fresh and delicious!!!! I go every week.
(5)Italian L.
My family and I LOVE GIANFRANCO'S!!!! We are old school Italians! We cook the best of the best at home, recipes from genaration to genartion! So we know good food when we eat it. Gianfranco's is FANTASTIC, AUTHENTIC REAL ITALIAN FOOD!!!! When we eat there, we feel like we are at home eating our home cooked, real Italian food!!!! Also the people that work there make u feel right at home!!! The chef is obviously amazing, and all of the staff that works there makes you always feel right at home!!! Especially that woman we love with the blonde hair that usually takes our order. God forgive me I forgot her name. She's a real sweetheart, along with the woman bar tender also! Great people there! But my point is if you want Authentic, real Italian food and want to feel at home while eating...... Then go to Gianfranco's!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will not ever be dissapointed!!!! :)) Keep it up Gianfranco's we love ya!!!
(5)Sofia R.
This has to be my new favorite restaurant ever. Which is kind of a bummer since I don't live close at all, but the trips back will be very well worth it. The service is AMAZING, and it's clear right away that the employees here truly care about their customers' dining experience. And the food is even better! Freshly baked delicious bread comes to start with some of the best olive oil-pesto I've ever had. My boyfriend and I split a very fresh caprese salad to start and it was phenomenal, along with a fried ravioli app under the specials menu. We then split their gnocchi entree which was so savory and really hit the spot (PS- all entrees come with a soup or a salad: the chicken soup I chose was delicious!) This family-owned place is absolutely unreal. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Caitlin M.
If you are picky about your Italian food, I don't recommend this place. Not to sound pretentious, but I've lived in Italy... and when I read the reviews for this place, I got really excited. So, maybe when I went in my expectations were too high. The place is adorable and intimate and everyone is so nice. It's a place with regulars, which is always a good sign. But... the food... and the wine. So disappointing. The olive oil they bring out at the beginning is cheap, and they mask it with too many salty additions. The wine list is seriously unimpressive (the nicest sauvignon blanc was Cupcake?!). I ordered the linguine alla pescatore after being told that "it's a family restaurant with homemade pasta!" by the (very lovely) waitress. I was surprised to receive a plate of boxed pasta and overcooked seafood (the shrimp were inedible!) Do yourself a favor and drive the 10 additional minutes to Siena in Smithfield instead.
(2)Jason A.
In this day and age of Wal-Marts and big box stores, anytime you find a family run business that serves some of the best Italian food I have ever had, you have found a winner. Like someone else posted, you can't beat their Tues/Wed specials (dinner and a bottle of wine for 2 = 30 bucks) - especially when the leftovers are enough for lunch and dinner the next day. Solid menu selection, friendly service. Don't understand Debbie F.'s experience. Glad I didn't listen to someone who is pretty talented at writing run-on sentences, but doesn't seem too skilled at picking out great restaurants. I'd trust the other reviews, and give it a shot when you're in the area.
(5)Dennis S.
Where has this place been all of my life? I have driven by for years and never went in. Excellent and delightful service and the food was outstanding. We had the chicken Marsala, the salmon special with capers, and chicken Alessandra with artichokes. All dishes were visually appealing and delicious! We will be going back and will make sure to tell friends about this gem of a place!
(5)Austin A.
Meals were HUGE and delicious. Tuscan onion soup was too salty for my liking. Wine was reasonably priced. Took a good hour to bring the main course out but we were a table of 10.
(4)Ami G.
Last weekend, my husband and I joined two friends at an Italian restaurant in Johnston called Gianfranco's. I drive by it every week, as it is near my work, but never really thought to go there. Since our friends are from Johnston, they suggested it and had wonderful things to say about it that proved to be true! Gianfranco's struck me as very homey-- it seemed to me to be family owned and operated-- and it had a very comfortable vibe. We arrived around 7:30 on a very rainy Saturday night, and were seated right away by a warm fire. The restaurant was pretty empty, but I think that had to do with the weather. The service was outstanding. I believe it was the owner herself who came over to chat, read us the specials, take our orders and serve us the food! She was such a nice woman too-- as someone who is visibly pregnant, she went out of her way to make sure I had everything I and the baby needed! We were first served amazing herby olive oil with fresh crusty Italian bread. It was delicious and addictive. For dinner, I ordered a caprese salad and a side of French fries (which were on the kids menu, but they had no problem making them for me!). They had tons of vegetarian pasta dishes, but I was looking for a semi-lighter meal than pasta. My salad was wonderful-- that mozzarella was so creamy and the addition of roasted red peppers really made the plate. The tomatoes were a little bland but hey, it's the middle of winter! My fries were great too-- they were thick steak fries that were super creamy inside. Now my husband had the lamb chop special, which came with a side of pasta. He ordered a side of bow ties with red sauce. The "side" of pasta was legitimately entrée-sized! They gave us so much that even after I ate half of it myself, he still got two meals out of it when we took it home! I was thoroughly impressed by the huge portions! Unfortunately, we were too full to try any dessert, but I imagine it must be good. All in all, for a small suburban Italian restaurant, Gianfranco's really impresses. The food was plentiful and tasty, but more so, I was impressed by the service. I really felt taken care of and will no doubt return just to see the owner again!
(5)Alicia M.
Service was very good! Waitress was very nice and pleasant. We were greeted right away when we walked in. Even though waitress was working alone she did fantastic!!! The food was fantastic!!!
(5)Kerry S.
Went for valentines day last night. Had a great three course menu. Antipasta appetiser was a perfect starter for one person. Saltimbocca and parmeseans were exellent. Everything is home nade, and great service.
(4)