Delicious food, great service and cozy atmosphere!! I totally recommend this restaurant
Christine Doolan
Food is phenomenal. We rarely eat Italian in restaurants since our family are such great Italian cools. But with 4.9 stars, definitely decided to try it.Bread was served warm, with delicious soft butter ( not that hard wrapped butter so many places serve),Clams oregenato were the Best we ever had.For entrees, we converted 2 of the other apps into main melas.The eggplant rollatini was served over pasta. Wonderfully thin eggplant. Super flavorful cheese. And marina sauce was spot on.The other app turned entree was the Artichoke hears and spinach over pasta. The hearts were amazing, served francais style. I want to come back just for this dish!We were too full for dessert! ?Considering the quality, I thought the price was reasonable. I am happy to pay more for such a well prepared meal.Thank you! We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggplant Rollatini
Donna P.
Five stars in all categories which I rarely give. Let me start by saying we are from NY and eat out a lot. We set a high standard for food and service. This place has Exceptional service and food. Our go to every time we come to this area. Every single meal and dessert we have ever had was amazing. This is our 10th time and always consistent. Thank you John and family. Absolutely five stars all categories.
Alex Betancourt
I recently had the pleasure of dining at a small, family-owned restaurant, and I must say, their veal chop Parmesan was simply outstanding. The dish was a culinary masterpiece, perfectly cooked and tender, with a delightful blend of flavors. The veal chop itself was juicy and succulent, complemented by a generous portion of rich, melted Parmesan cheese. Every bite was a heavenly experience. The ambiance of the restaurant added to the charm, with its warm and inviting atmosphere. The attentive service and personalized touch truly made it a memorable dining experience. I highly recommend trying their veal chop Parmesan Vodka Style if you're looking for a culinary delight that is sure to satisfy.
Lorie Betancourt
Great restaurant.. service was good and the food was exceptional.We had the veal chop with vodka sauce, the sole oregganta and chicken with vodka sauce. We are still talking about the meal the next day.You won’t be disappointed
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charles Bass
Food was phenomenal. Service was excellent. Price was high and the restaurant was empty. We were literally the only table seated. Between $35 - $48 per entree for chicken dishes is a little high for the area (Highlands NJ).
Louis C.
Hands down one of the best restaurants on the Jersey Shore. Everything, start to finish, is perfectly executed to provide you with the best dining experience. The food is incredible with beyond generous portion sizes. The service is perfect, with high attention to detail. Chef John and the Mandica family do it the right way!!!
Daniel Gomez-Aguilera
John and Vincenzo, father and Son are skilled and hard working entrepreneurs. John in the kitchen, Vincenzo being the host. The name of the restaurant is named for John's daughter.I ordered the special: viel chop with sparragus, mash potatoes ( a lot of it) in a demiglazed sauce. I enjoyed, a little bit pricie $65.The atmosphere is not my style, the area is a little bit depressing,one wants to come in the restaurant and feel more of the personal,homey atmosphere that their personalities protect.What blowed my palate out , that I still remember vividly it was the desert: the cheese cake made by the mother. I could not meet her, I met her work. I would go to NJ just to eat this desert. I think this is the hidden treasure and the hope of this restaurant, maybe to make a Italian pasticetie where the comutters from seastreak can disseminate this wonderful desert to Manhattan and beyond.Respectfully, Bravo Mamma!!!
Chris C.
Among strong competition, Gianna's is my new favorite Italian restaurant in the area after only one visit. It's a quaint spot, wasn't too busy on a Wednesday night so it felt like having dinner in the family's own dining room. Everything was perfectly cooked. Best Fra Diavolo sauce I've ever had. And the Chicken Gianna is a must-try.
Liz Miller
I hesitate to write this review because now you're all going to go there. Gianna's is superb in every way! The menu is so creative and the food is well-prepared - I had the swordfish special that was perfection that night and just as wonderful reheated the next night. Amazing! The service is welcoming and professional and the restaurant is beautiful
I cannot say enough about this restaurant. I literally ate basically the entire menu and I am somewhat ashamed to admit that this food was better than my grandmother’s. The vodka sauce (which is not my typical order) will change your life. This is a local “mom and pop” type place that deserves a Michelin star. Don’t hesitate but don’t take my reservation please.
Carolyn M.
Diverse menu and excellent service. The red sauce is a ten! Small family run business.
J Brooks
Absolutely fantastic! We stumbled here by accident and it's our new favorite restaurant. Easily one of the best Italian places in NJ. Haven't had anything less than amazing, the vodka sauce is particularly great. The house made cheesecakes are worth it every time. You might want to plan for a couple hours, slow and steady is part of the experience.
Anne
Is this the former Il Lago restaurant? Is it the same owners?
Dominick K.
Perfect meal! Rich flavors and good portions. Friendly servers. Worth every penny. This chef respects food!!!
Delicious food, great service and cozy atmosphere!! I totally recommend this restaurant
Food is phenomenal. We rarely eat Italian in restaurants since our family are such great Italian cools. But with 4.9 stars, definitely decided to try it.Bread was served warm, with delicious soft butter ( not that hard wrapped butter so many places serve),Clams oregenato were the Best we ever had.For entrees, we converted 2 of the other apps into main melas.The eggplant rollatini was served over pasta. Wonderfully thin eggplant. Super flavorful cheese. And marina sauce was spot on.The other app turned entree was the Artichoke hears and spinach over pasta. The hearts were amazing, served francais style. I want to come back just for this dish!We were too full for dessert! ?Considering the quality, I thought the price was reasonable. I am happy to pay more for such a well prepared meal.Thank you! We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggplant Rollatini
Five stars in all categories which I rarely give. Let me start by saying we are from NY and eat out a lot. We set a high standard for food and service. This place has Exceptional service and food. Our go to every time we come to this area. Every single meal and dessert we have ever had was amazing. This is our 10th time and always consistent. Thank you John and family. Absolutely five stars all categories.
I recently had the pleasure of dining at a small, family-owned restaurant, and I must say, their veal chop Parmesan was simply outstanding. The dish was a culinary masterpiece, perfectly cooked and tender, with a delightful blend of flavors. The veal chop itself was juicy and succulent, complemented by a generous portion of rich, melted Parmesan cheese. Every bite was a heavenly experience. The ambiance of the restaurant added to the charm, with its warm and inviting atmosphere. The attentive service and personalized touch truly made it a memorable dining experience. I highly recommend trying their veal chop Parmesan Vodka Style if you're looking for a culinary delight that is sure to satisfy.
Great restaurant.. service was good and the food was exceptional.We had the veal chop with vodka sauce, the sole oregganta and chicken with vodka sauce. We are still talking about the meal the next day.You won’t be disappointed
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was phenomenal. Service was excellent. Price was high and the restaurant was empty. We were literally the only table seated. Between $35 - $48 per entree for chicken dishes is a little high for the area (Highlands NJ).
Hands down one of the best restaurants on the Jersey Shore. Everything, start to finish, is perfectly executed to provide you with the best dining experience. The food is incredible with beyond generous portion sizes. The service is perfect, with high attention to detail. Chef John and the Mandica family do it the right way!!!
John and Vincenzo, father and Son are skilled and hard working entrepreneurs. John in the kitchen, Vincenzo being the host. The name of the restaurant is named for John's daughter.I ordered the special: viel chop with sparragus, mash potatoes ( a lot of it) in a demiglazed sauce. I enjoyed, a little bit pricie $65.The atmosphere is not my style, the area is a little bit depressing,one wants to come in the restaurant and feel more of the personal,homey atmosphere that their personalities protect.What blowed my palate out , that I still remember vividly it was the desert: the cheese cake made by the mother. I could not meet her, I met her work. I would go to NJ just to eat this desert. I think this is the hidden treasure and the hope of this restaurant, maybe to make a Italian pasticetie where the comutters from seastreak can disseminate this wonderful desert to Manhattan and beyond.Respectfully, Bravo Mamma!!!
Among strong competition, Gianna's is my new favorite Italian restaurant in the area after only one visit. It's a quaint spot, wasn't too busy on a Wednesday night so it felt like having dinner in the family's own dining room. Everything was perfectly cooked. Best Fra Diavolo sauce I've ever had. And the Chicken Gianna is a must-try.
I hesitate to write this review because now you're all going to go there. Gianna's is superb in every way! The menu is so creative and the food is well-prepared - I had the swordfish special that was perfection that night and just as wonderful reheated the next night. Amazing! The service is welcoming and professional and the restaurant is beautiful
Restaurantji Recommends
I cannot say enough about this restaurant. I literally ate basically the entire menu and I am somewhat ashamed to admit that this food was better than my grandmother’s. The vodka sauce (which is not my typical order) will change your life. This is a local “mom and pop” type place that deserves a Michelin star. Don’t hesitate but don’t take my reservation please.
Diverse menu and excellent service. The red sauce is a ten! Small family run business.
Absolutely fantastic! We stumbled here by accident and it's our new favorite restaurant. Easily one of the best Italian places in NJ. Haven't had anything less than amazing, the vodka sauce is particularly great. The house made cheesecakes are worth it every time. You might want to plan for a couple hours, slow and steady is part of the experience.
Is this the former Il Lago restaurant? Is it the same owners?
Perfect meal! Rich flavors and good portions. Friendly servers. Worth every penny. This chef respects food!!!