Gio Cucina Napoletana

 

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27

Li S.

Encino, CA

If you're stuck in Encino at lunchtime, this place is quite a find (considering your other options are pretty much Islands, Corner Bakery and Chicken Cafe). Homemade pastas are reliably good, veggie soups are always tasty, and there are a few things on the menu that are always good (a shrimp leek linguine thing, a chicken and whole wheat pasta dish, pumpkin ravioli). Only once have I gone horribly wrong here, and that was getting the tuna when it was one of the "specials" that came highly recommended by the waiter. Basically, he was trying to pawn off some about-to-spoil fish -- and, since he's the only waiter there most of the time, I've now learned never, ever to trust his recommendation (or get a seafood special). That being said, there are some reliable favorites, and if you can get a table, it's a nice little find.

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31

30

Sarah D.

Van Nuys, CA

This is my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles!  

I've been going to this place for years...but you'd never find it unless you were looking for it.  On the second floor of a strip mall, with a romantic view of the Land Rover dealership, Gio is not about the ambiance; it's all about the food.  

I've been to Genoa, but this mom-and-pop shop beats any of the authentic northern Italian cuisine I've had.  It's homemade and fresh, with the kind of gourmet touches that delight a real foodie.

Try the soup du jour, order any one of the daily specials, and don't miss the butternut squash cheesecake.  (Trust me on the last one.  It's amazing!)  

Tell Roberto and Francisco that Sarah sent you...and to save me a piece of cheesecake.

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7

12

Ingha H.

Santa Monica, CA

I don't know if I was deliriously hungry or what, but I loved this place when I went recently.  We were drawn to the fresh bread and pasta made with no dairy products. They make everything with olive oil. It is really small in a little shopping plaza. They make their own pasta and bread. Once we sat down, they gave us bruschetta and fresh bread with tapenade. They were both really good.  I got their Farfalle con Menzane Rostizata e Ricotta, which was described as "Bowtie Pasta with Eggplant, Ricotta Cheese, in Light Tomato Sauce." I thought the pasta tasted so different and great being fresh. I would definitely go back to this place. I think it's one of the best restaurants I've been to.

Plus, the staff is super friendly.

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Elite '08

50

178

Chris S.

CA

The only Italian food worth driving to the Valley for. Great cozy place with a tasty Napoletana inspired menu. the dishes are great the wine is good and I always leave fully satisfied.

It's hard to find good authentic Italian food in Los Angeles or Southern California for that matter. This place is a gem.

Buon Appetito!

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Elite '08

94

283

jin n.

CA

Sorry folks, I was super excited and left this place a bit disappointed.  Three other friends who were with me weren't impressed either, so it wasn't just me.  

I had homemade pasta with scallop, calamari, and shrimp on tomato sauce.  A friend had the Parmesan Risotto with Prawns, and some salad.  Everything was just average, and all the dishes were bland.

BUT 5 star for the bread...it's SUPER good...one of the best ever.

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0

5

robynbest l.

Beverly Hills, CA

Bad experience there. Waiter didn't let us sit where we want because he said some people were coming and no one sat there the whole time we were there. I was pissed. Customers who are THERE should get the service they deserve. Not the phantom customers who don't show up.

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Elite '08

9

111

KP P.

Whittier, CA

I was very surprised to find such a perfect example of casual Italian dining in such an unassuming location (upstairs in a strip mall above a dry-cleaner and overlooking the Land Rover dealership). The food is fantastic in it's preparation, simple in it's presentation and there are a huge amount of menu options to choose from. There were six or seven interesting soups alone (many of which change daily) and at least twenty different pasta options that are all made fresh in-house. I recommend the lentil soup with chicken and one of thier salads called "Insalata Misto e Finocchi " that has chopped endive, radicchio, fennel, toasted pine nuts, grilled chicken, shaved parmesan and this amazingly light creamy lemon-lime herb dressing. It is a little bitter but somehow it balances out perfectly, especially when eaten along with their hot rolls made from scratch. Gio is a family-run place and their service is very friendly and accomodating. The only drawback to the restaurant is that the space is so small and it is understandably quite popular during lunch since their lunch specials are a great bargain. They also have cooking classes a couple nights each month which sound fun from the emails they send me.

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