THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Giovanni Ristorante

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Giovanni Ristorante Restaurant Review:

Giovanni is a lucky discovery for anybody cruising Ventura Boulevard for a casual place to recharge, and a blessing for the neighborhood locals who pack the intimate dining room. Named after the affable chef-owner’s father, whose black-and-white photos of family line the mustard-colored walls, this candlelit ristorante is a loving tribute indeed. The southern Italian fare is not fancy but consistently satisfying, incorporating quality ingredients and a rustic yet sophisticated style. The Caesar is garden-fresh and assertively seasoned, and the pastas are done just right. The kitchen excels at chicken and veal dishes; a Milanese-style butterflied veal chop, too big for the plate, is at once crispy and buttery tender. Other options we like include gnocchi in pesto, shrimp scampi, pizzas and calzone. For dessert, we recommend the tiramisu and cannoli, which are made fresh in-house.