18 replies to this topic

[Viajero-Tiempo]

We go to givanni's about once a week for dinner.
His pastas and fishes are very good.
The service is good.
The prices are fair.

It's in the strip shopping center where Tabarka and the Bufalo Burger are.

I understand he's reviving music on a couple of evenings (Tue and Fri) I think.

We like his place.

[HelperGuy]

I think the prices are good and the pasta is fair. You get a salad and garlic bread, always included. I had chicken with a very large side of pasta, no extra charge, 90 pesos. The canneloni came with the salad and bread for a measly 50p.

[Sailor]

We used to go at least 3 times a month until the son took over and we found the food not as good anymore and have stopped going along with several of our friends. Maybe it has inproved and if so, will try it again. We used to love the marinated mushrooms but when we tried them the last time we were there, they weren't anything like the ones Giovanni made. I wish he would come back.

[Viajero-Tiempo]

giovanni is there.

[datura]

Yes, Giovanni is back and in charge.

[HelperGuy]

... and has been for several months, since it opened in the current location... beside an older location.

[crjd]

Focaccia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focaccia Bread with various spicy toppings! Something like "Italian Cooking 101". One huge recommendation for this restaurant and those who operate. Buy a very good Italian cook book and after reviewing the recipes apply them religiously to what's served. It's almost hard to recognize most dishes being served as having any level of allegiance to Italian cuisine. When a good Italian restaurant finally opens in Ajijic they'll do well, make money and survive providing the owner can train and control the staff. Just because an Italian "name" is involved doesn't make it an Italian restaurant!

[G598738]

Can anyone list his prior locations chronologicaly ?? First location I think is now Johnny's ??

[crjd]

Giovanni has been in at least 12 locations here in Ajijic, San Juan Cosala (possibly Jocotepec) and I'm pretty confident that someone will prove me wrong and the number will end up higher. One reason and only one.......Not one of those restaurants have offered true Italian. In fact, it's hard to know how to describe the cuisine.............but Italian it isn't! Dear Ms. Hijacker: Maybe he should try Chinese. There's an opportunity because that's another cuisine that simply doesn't exist in Ajijic.

[Viajero-Tiempo]

crjd,

What restaurant in the area offers real Italian.
You know, like luigi made back home... NoB

[gringal]

Try Angelica's (Across the street, lake side, from Pannino's) .

[Viajero-Tiempo]

We like them too...

[antigo]

I thought Giovanni left town after asking for money for his sick grandmother or something. That man and his sons have a history of opening, reopening, closing, and starting all over again in various areas ...mostly in Ajijic. His son Gerard does the best job of anyone in the family out in the Racquet Club....however......beware of changing menu prices on a daily basis.

[Viajero-Tiempo]

Agreed, Quatro Mori is good too.

Each place is a little different.
Each has meseras/os that do their jobs well and try to make a living by doing a good job.

I dont know the history of any of the owners.
I have no reason to avoid them.

We do like some live dinner music so if Giovanni has it, they might be higher on our list.

And we still need to try the place east of Chapala - Foccacia?

So many nice places, so little spare waist in the pants.

Different Strokes

[datura]

Count me among those who really like Giovanni's. I don't care if it's "authentic" Italian or not, the food is good and the service good. For a little while, Giovanni was out of town and his son was running it, and it wasn't quite as good then, but Giovanni is back at the helm. It doesn't matter to me how many places he has been in. He's been in this one for at least 2 years, and I like it. Restaurant business is tough in this town. If your rent goes up, or your location otherwise becomes unsuitable, I wouldn't fault you for moving.

[Lexie]

I thought Giovanni left town after asking for money for his sick grandmother or something. That man and his sons have a history of opening, reopening, closing, and starting all over again in various areas ...mostly in Ajijic. His son Gerard does the best job of anyone in the family out in the Racquet Club....however......beware of changing menu prices on a daily basis.

What an uncalled for unpleasant post: ...money for his sick grandmother "or something"? Why post this kind of remark?

Giovanni is one of our quixotic culinary characters. We've followed him from place to place with good humor and high hopes. I mean, like everywhere he's been in the last 10 to 15 years. We've come to expect his itchy urge to move on even when things are going beautifully, and that's when his very nice son Cristian is called upon. Sadly, it's a bad sign.
I'm glad to see he still has a following at his current place. We've given up here. But we wish him well.
Lexy