Giovanni's

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  10     

I went here on a Thursday night, so there were not many people. I had beef tortellini and my husband stuffed chicken breast. We were both very satisfied with our meals, the pasta is delicious, and great value for money. Although the menu warned that pasta can take a while as it is freshly prepared, we did not have to wait long at all, though as I said, there were not many people there. Really good food and great value, service very friendly. I recommend.

Feb 17, 2012 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  8     

An evening with my wife and my adult son. A shared entrée, salt & pepper squid - we all enjoyed it, tender and tasty. The service was attentive and friendly. The three main courses were generous and tasty. The restaurant has a small indoor area and an outside area at the base of the building. I would return!!

Aug 29, 2011 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

How refreshing, to have a down-to-earth, good quality restaurant in Dee Why! This place is lovely for a cosy dinner. I went with my partner and his parents, and although we all ordered very different dishes, we were extremely satisfied with our choices. I personally thought my crab ravioli main was the best. We shared an antipasto platter to start, and it was just right for the 4 of us.

I suggest you make a booking, as the place is quite small and inside seating is limited. And make sure you BYO!

May 28, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

We eat here almost weekly. I love the fresh and tasty meals. The Crabmeat ravioli is the best! Great for a lunch without the crowds. Really friendly and helpful staff. BYO. If they are busy you do have to wait, but it is worth it for fresh food cooked to perfection.

Jun 02, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  10     

Giovanni's is one of our favourite small eateries. The price is extremely reasonable and the owners are friendly. On weekends the service can be very slow as there is only one chef cooking. Try the pasta, especially the penne carne. Its byo so make sure you take your own drinks. More a casual dining restaurant rather than one for a special occasion.

Mar 31, 2009 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  9     

Little restaurant that makes good use of a small space. Outdoor area to the street, surprisingly sheltered from the wind and kept warmish. We had pasta and the food was excellent. Very flavoursome and satisfying. Not a romantic setting but good for a feed with friends. The price is excellent $38 got us garlic bread and 2 mains (no drinks). BYO. Revisited recently.

Unfortunately, they could not handle the busy night and it took about 2 hours for a meals to come out. We were not the only ones annoyed with another table walking out. Shame because it is a nice place and nice people, but the kitchen should have handled it better.

Nov 22, 2008 

5.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  6      Value  7     

I read the reviews below and was really looking forward to our visit to this restaurant. What a disappointment ! First, the restaurant is freezing cold inside (uncomfotably, so wear your long johns). And it's noisy. Although the decor is modern and fresh.

The menu is broad - they might have been better doing less. We had the antipasto - it was very weird. There was certainly a couple of small pieces of grilled eggplant and token olives, but the rest was not Italian, more 'global'; spring rolls and prawn cocktails (Chinese and I'd put money on the fact that they were out of a packet), fried calamari, taramasalata (Greek and also not homemade) and a sliver of cheese with two slices of bread. All these were piled on top of each other on a plate that was way too small.

The garlic bread was tasteless. The duck ravoili was very rich and mixed Asian duck flavours with creamy French mushrrom sauce. Our other dishes were passable and the bill was certainly acceptable.

The service was friendly but not really professional - please don't remove my plate when other members of our party are still eating. I'm sorry to bring this restaurant's average score down but it doesn't deserve the 8 out of ten that it has now.

Jul 10, 2008 

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  5     

What a great little restaurant. The best steak I have had for a long while cooked exactly medium/rare without having to return it! My wife enjoyed a very good schnitzel and the service was commendable. BYO adds to the value too.

Apr 18, 2008 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

Highly recommend! Such a lovely restaurant with A+ service, food and atmosphere. I had a linguine marinara and my husband had a beef steak with paper sauce. Marinara was superb, I was almost going to lick my plate as the tomato sauce was just good and tasty with the flavour from fresh seafoods which are in the dish. (just three suggestion from italian food lover, 1) it would be nicer to be served on a plate, not in a bowl. 2)Also add a bit more fresh herbs at the end. 3) different spaghetti (linguine) noodles, maybe with Bucatini and cook "al-dente").

Dear owner, sorry to be fussy. I am not criticizing at all! I just loved it! The steak with pepper sauce was wonderful, too! I am not a big fan of block of meat, but it tasted totally different. Also it was cooked perfectly. There is no yacky smell of beef and the papar sauce was very smooth and matched with meat and veges very well.

The other impressive thing was "Customer Service". All staffs were friendly and even the chef in the back was friendly! I had a great, great, great time with wonderful food and lovely people. I can't wait to go back to Giovanni's again!

Mar 31, 2008 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

We were invited here for the first time by friends. Bruchetta was superb. The freshest tomato and not drowning in oil. Both my wife (King Prawns) and I (Chicken) greatly enjoyed out main courses. We had made it clear that we were there for a relaxing time and not in a hurry. Service was therefore suitably slow but very attentive and informative. John, the owner, stopped by a couple of times during the evening to check that eveything was fine. We will definitely go back to try some of the other dishes.

Mar 08, 2008