We had a lovely dinner at Gianni’s tonight. The food was excellent. The service was also very good. Highly recommend this restaurant, although it is small, so you should consider reserving a table.
Family friendly restaurant, good food. I ordered Sacchettini Pasta for myself. Tasted good but, 6 shrimp and 7 pasta. Nothing like the picture they have on their website. The portion was so little that I was left hungry after I finished and it's not common for me, I don't eat large amounts, that's saying a lot. the rest of the meals were fine, my favorite was the Norwegian salmon carpaccio and bruschetta. The waitress was very friendly and helpful. Overall I like the restaurant, just the portion of that specific pasta, the Sacchettini Shrimp, is a kid portion.
The food was amazing! We ordered two appetizers Prosciutto Melone and Artisan Salad and for main dishes my husband had Veal Marsala he loved it! It was AMAZING! I ordered Sacchettini Pasta it was Glorious Flavors were Magnificent !!! The Staff are very polite, helpful and nice! Even The Chef came to our table and talked to us!We were very pleased with food and the service!It’s a most of you come to Mount Dora!!
placed a pick up order. Came to pick up, went home since we only had two pasta entrees we didn’t check in store.Opened it up and can’t believe how small that “portion” is. Looks like someone ate from it. Very disappointing for almost 19$. The other pasta dish was a normal size…..
I have been two other times and food was decent so we took my parents there last night. The mussels appetizer was not fresh. Mussels were not fresh. Maybe frozen? not sure.. The bruschetta did not have flavorful tomatoes. Very bland. Linguini carbonara. Extremely salty. Extremely oily. Signature dish. The ravioli are very good. The shrimp was not fresh and very dry. The soup was sent back. I like to support local businesses however if chef wants to attract good Italian customers then the food needs to be better. My parents were very disappointed in the food and I agree. It was really really bad and the service was not exceptional. Maybe chef was out last night. I am not sure. I would like to hear back. I am not going to go as far to say someone should not give this restaurant a try because the first two times were pretty good and it is the best Italian restaurant in Downtown Mt. Dora. It is quaint and private. Nice for a couple or small group. Update: Chef Responded privately but not to me directly. I would like to know what Chef said. My Husband was quite embarrassed to have brought our parents to this restaurant and for the meal to not be good.
My wife selected Gianni’s as at that time when she checked, it was rated #3 in Mt. Dora. We had reservations but we were hungry so we took a chance and arrived early. Josh greeted us and said there would be no problem. We requested to sit out side. Josh would be our server. He was very courteous and pleasant. He seemed to enjoy his job. He proved knowledgeable about the food and was helpful with suggestions. My wife ordered the chef’s specialty, Sacchaettini. Josh highly recommended it as it was his favorite. I ordered the Linguini Fra Diavola (with mussels). Our salads were fresh and tasty. The bread was airy and flavorful. Our entrees were served promptly and piping hot. My wife just rolled her eyes with her first taste. She shared a bite with me. The flavor was extraordinary. The sauce was velvety and the pasta was perfectly el dente. It had wonderful flavor profile. I knew I had just tasted something very special that only this chef could create because he knew the special combination of flavors incorporated in this delightful dish. My mussels were fresh, meaty and tender. The pasta again cooked perfectly el dente as it should. The tomato based sauce had a very nice consistency that comes from using crushed tomatoes. It did bring the heat with flakes of red pepper blended in the sauce. Josh was attentive but not intrusive. Josh’s final suggestion was best. He suggested we try the Tiramisu. It was the chef’s grandmother’s recipe. So we tried la Nonna’s tiramisu. It was like eating sweet clouds, so very soft and airy. Josh told me privately that the chef’s grandmother passed away in 2020 in Italy, her grandson could not see her before she passed because of Covid lockdowns prohibited travel to Italy. This is indeed a special dessert and a worthy tribute from a grandson to his Nonna. I took note that the chef was trained in an Italian culinary school. I tasted what he learned from his grandmother.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Café Gianni. Our waiter, Josh, was extremely helpful, informative, personable and prompt. My husband had the Linguini Fra Diavola with Mussels and I had the house specialty, Sacchettini, purse-shaped pasta stuffed with four Italian cheeses and fresh pear served with shrimp in a light wine sauce. Words cannot describe this taste sensation. Josh made sure he brought a spoon with my meal so that I could enjoy every drop of the sauce. My husband and I shared an incredibly light tiramisu for dessert after Josh informed us that this was the recipe of Chef Gianni’s Nonna from Italy. The food was reasonably priced also.
Parked in a legal parking spot in front of the Cafe Gianni restaurant and a waiter comes out to inform me that the spot is 'reserved'. I scanned the spot and asked where it said that it was reserved and the waiter stated that it is unofficially the spot reserved for the chef and I had to move the car. Nope - will NEVER solicit this place with this attitude.
We've visit Cafe Gianni nearly every visit to Mt. Dora. The food is predictably well prepared. The menu offers variety and specials enhance the choices. On this visit Chef Gianni and his team were overly accomodating and attentive. The wine list is well developed and priced fairly. Great value in a relaxing atmosphere.
My new buddie. Chef is the best. I could sit there all day to drink and talk. The food? I give out to many 5's, so this is really a 6 star. Definitely a return.