Beyond Oakland Park, Food, Pompano Beach, Restaurants

Gianni’s: Great Italian Food for Italian Food Lovers

Growing up in an Italian household, Sunday night pasta was a must-have in our home. With a father that was a culinary expert and worked in Italian kitchens since he was a teenager, I can say I grew up as a connoisseur of Italian foods.

I’m from Northern NJ and I dare say that this metro area is the hub for the best Italian food. Of course, there are plenty of other cuisines that this metropolis offers, but my niche was and is Italian food. Perhaps it may be more accurate to don the name of Italian-American since any true respected Italian will tell you that the food in Italy is much different than what we find here in the States.

Does Good Italian Food Exist in South Florida?

That being said, ever since moving to South Florida (many moons ago) and living in Oakland Park over the last ten years, I’ve had my share of dining at Italian restaurants. Most recently I’ve surrounded myself in forums where food is the topic.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the group Eating in South Florida? Well, this group, among others, has yielded me with a plethora of options in this realm. All the recommendations have been great! One place that kept popping up was Gianni’s Ristorante in Pompano Beach. Since Pompano Beach is a short drive from our neighborhood in Oakland Park. I decided to give it a go when I was craving some traditional Sunday night pasta.

The Ambiance

I wasn’t sure what to expect, was this a casual spot? Or more like a fine-dining spot? As we approached the restaurant we pulled into their self-park parking lot and observed the outdoor dining area. We entered through the host stand and requested to sit outside since it had an interesting vibe to it.

The host greeted us at the door and was super friendly. We told them it was our first time dining here and they welcomed us and told us we would love the food. The restaurant has been family-owned and operating in Pompano Beach since 1989. We were told that they’re known for their homemade and authentic Italian food.

The Food

We ordered calamari to start and chicken marsala as the main course. The main course came with a house salad and garlic rolls. First off, let me say that everything tasted extremely fresh! The salad had a unique house-made dressing that I wound up loving! It was a vinaigrette form and although it had a slightly sharp taste it paired nicely with the crisp fresh greens of the salad.

The portions are also quite large! This is rarely given since the pandemic I found that many restaurants cut back on their portion sizes, but that was not the case here. We wound up having to wrap up most of our food, which was just fine since we got to enjoy it again the next day.

Overall Experience

I would recommend this place as a nice date night or even a girl’s night out. They had a decent wine list and the ambiance of the restaurant with its smooth music set the tone for a pleasant dining experience. If you’re in the Pompano area, you should check out Gianni’s. I know I can’t wait to return to try more of their menu items!

The restaurant is located at 1601 East Atlantic Blvd in Pompano Beach, FL. To make reservations you can call the restaurant directly at 954-942-1733.

Gianni’s Ristorante: 1601 East Atlantic Blvd in Pompano Beach, FL.

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About the Author

Maria Scudella-Beltran

Maria Scudella-Beltran was born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey, right outside of New York City. She moved to South Florida in 2004 and graduated from Florida International University with a bachelors’ degree in Marketing and Communications.

In 2010, she purchased her first home in the North Andrews Gardens area in Oakland Park. After several years of working in the retail industry, Maria took on a part-time internship at a marketing agency and continued her education through Walden University where she earned her Master’s degree in Marketing and Communications.

Currently, she works in Marketing and during her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and traveling.