đđźđč Ottawa Food Find: Classic Flavors Hidden in Little Italy
Friends in Ottawa, donât miss out on the deliciousness along Little Italyâs streets! After a meal, you can even stroll over to Dowâs Lake to admire the tulips đ·âpure perfection. Today, Iâm highlighting a standout spot: đŽ Giovanni's Restaurant Since 1983, Giovanni's has stood at the heart of Little Italy, and its enduring success lies in its commitment to serving authentic, home-style flavors from Italy. âš The restaurantâs elegant decor makes it perfect for dates or special occasionsâwarm lighting, charming details, and a cozy vibe that instantly makes you feel welcome. đ From the moment you open the menu, you can tell this place means business when it comes to authenticity! đ They offer nearly 20 types of pastaâeach sounding more tempting than the last đâand an extensive wine list featuring wines, champagnes, and spirits đ·đ„đ„. If you love a little sip with your meal, this is the spot for you! đ„ Pre-Meal Bread Kicking things off, the pre-meal bread is a simple, rustic startâpaired with smooth butter, itâs a no-fuss appetizer that sets the stage for the meal ahead. Perfect for nibbling while you peruse the menu! đ Starter: Polipo We started with Polipo: grilled octopus served with a fresh green lentil salad. The restaurant thoughtfully divided it into two portions for easy sharingâsuch a nice touch! đ„ The octopus was tender with a slight char, and the lentils added a crunchy, earthy contrast. It was light, flavorful, and the ideal way to whet our appetites. đ Main: Risotto Alla Pescatora â $65 This dish was a showstopper! A heaping plate of seafood risotto loaded with visible fresh seafood: plump crab claws, juicy scallops, shrimp, mussels, and clamsâso much that we didnât know where to start first! đŠ The risotto itself was creamy, each grain coated in a rich, savory sauce that soaked up all the briny seafood flavors. Itâs a classic Italian seafood risotto done to perfectionâhearty, comforting, and absolutely delicious. đ Main: Costolette Dâagnello â $65 Rosemary-marinated lamb chops stole the spotlight too! đ€€ The rosemary infuses the meat with a fragrant, herby aroma, while a squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the flavor and balances any richness. Drizzled with a savory lamb jus, each bite was tender, juicy, and packed with depthânever greasy, just pure, satisfying goodness. Pro tip: Their classic Linguine Frutti Di Mare is also a must-try! Itâs loaded with the same luxurious seafood spread as the risottoâperfect if youâre craving pasta over rice. đ đ° Dessert: Poached Peach Sabayon â $15 We ordered dessert mostly to linger a little longer, but it ended up being a delightful surprise! đ This traditional Italian dessert features poached peaches topped with a light chocolate mousse, layered over a zabaione (a creamy custard) mixed with crunchy almond and walnut bits. Best of all? Itâs not overly sweetâjust the right amount of sweetness to end the meal on a high note. đâïž Service The service here is absolutely worth every penny of the tip! The staff were attentive, friendly, and went out of their way to make sure we had a great experience. Plus, the servers were so warm and helpfulâtotal cherry on top! đ If youâre craving authentic Italian flavors in Ottawa, Giovanni's Restaurant is a non-negotiable. From the fresh seafood to the tender lamb chops and sweet, balanced desserts, every dish feels like a labor of love. Itâs easy to see why itâs been a Little Italy staple for decades! đ Address: 362 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4M7 #OttawaEats #OttawaFoodie #LittleItalyOttawa #ItalianCuisine #OttawaRestaurant #OttawaTravel #CanadaLife #OttawaHiddenGems #FoodieAdventures