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🍝🇮🇹 Ottawa Food Find: Classic Flavors Hidden in Little Italy

Friends in Ottawa, don’t miss out on the deliciousness along Little Italy’s streets! After a meal, you can even stroll over to Dow’s Lake to admire the tulips 🌷—pure perfection. Today, I’m highlighting a standout spot: 🍴 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. ✨ The restaurant’s elegant decor makes it perfect for dates or special occasions—warm lighting, charming details, and a cozy vibe that instantly makes you feel welcome. 💑 From the moment you open the menu, you can tell this place means business when it comes to authenticity! 📖 They offer nearly 20 types of pasta—each sounding more tempting than the last 🍝—and an extensive wine list featuring wines, champagnes, and spirits 🍷🥂🥃. If you love a little sip with your meal, this is the spot for you! 🥖 Pre-Meal Bread Kicking things off, the pre-meal bread is a simple, rustic start—paired with smooth butter, it’s a no-fuss appetizer that sets the stage for the meal ahead. Perfect for nibbling while you peruse the menu! 🐙 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 sharing—such a nice touch! 🥗 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. 🍚 Main: Risotto Alla Pescatora – $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 clams—so much that we didn’t know where to start first! 🦞 The risotto itself was creamy, each grain coated in a rich, savory sauce that soaked up all the briny seafood flavors. It’s a classic Italian seafood risotto done to perfection—hearty, comforting, and absolutely delicious. 🐑 Main: Costolette D‘agnello – $65 Rosemary-marinated lamb chops stole the spotlight too! 🤤 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 depth—never greasy, just pure, satisfying goodness. Pro tip: Their classic Linguine Frutti Di Mare is also a must-try! It’s loaded with the same luxurious seafood spread as the risotto—perfect if you’re craving pasta over rice. 🍝 🍰 Dessert: Poached Peach Sabayon – $15 We ordered dessert mostly to linger a little longer, but it ended up being a delightful surprise! 😋 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? It’s not overly sweet—just the right amount of sweetness to end the meal on a high note. 💁♂️ 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 helpful—total cherry on top! 👍 If you’re 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. It’s easy to see why it’s been a Little Italy staple for decades! 📍 Address: 362 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4M7 #OttawaEats #OttawaFoodie #LittleItalyOttawa #ItalianCuisine #OttawaRestaurant #OttawaTravel #CanadaLife #OttawaHiddenGems #FoodieAdventures

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Harper Fisher
Harper Fisher
5 months ago
Harper Fisher
Harper Fisher
5 months ago
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🍝🇮🇹 Ottawa Food Find: Classic Flavors Hidden in Little Italy

Friends in Ottawa, don’t miss out on the deliciousness along Little Italy’s streets! After a meal, you can even stroll over to Dow’s Lake to admire the tulips 🌷—pure perfection. Today, I’m highlighting a standout spot: 🍴 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. ✨ The restaurant’s elegant decor makes it perfect for dates or special occasions—warm lighting, charming details, and a cozy vibe that instantly makes you feel welcome. 💑 From the moment you open the menu, you can tell this place means business when it comes to authenticity! 📖 They offer nearly 20 types of pasta—each sounding more tempting than the last 🍝—and an extensive wine list featuring wines, champagnes, and spirits 🍷🥂🥃. If you love a little sip with your meal, this is the spot for you! 🥖 Pre-Meal Bread Kicking things off, the pre-meal bread is a simple, rustic start—paired with smooth butter, it’s a no-fuss appetizer that sets the stage for the meal ahead. Perfect for nibbling while you peruse the menu! 🐙 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 sharing—such a nice touch! 🥗 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. 🍚 Main: Risotto Alla Pescatora – $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 clams—so much that we didn’t know where to start first! 🦞 The risotto itself was creamy, each grain coated in a rich, savory sauce that soaked up all the briny seafood flavors. It’s a classic Italian seafood risotto done to perfection—hearty, comforting, and absolutely delicious. 🐑 Main: Costolette D‘agnello – $65 Rosemary-marinated lamb chops stole the spotlight too! 🤤 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 depth—never greasy, just pure, satisfying goodness. Pro tip: Their classic Linguine Frutti Di Mare is also a must-try! It’s loaded with the same luxurious seafood spread as the risotto—perfect if you’re craving pasta over rice. 🍝 🍰 Dessert: Poached Peach Sabayon – $15 We ordered dessert mostly to linger a little longer, but it ended up being a delightful surprise! 😋 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? It’s not overly sweet—just the right amount of sweetness to end the meal on a high note. 💁♂️ 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 helpful—total cherry on top! 👍 If you’re 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. It’s easy to see why it’s been a Little Italy staple for decades! 📍 Address: 362 Preston St, Ottawa, ON K1S 4M7 #OttawaEats #OttawaFoodie #LittleItalyOttawa #ItalianCuisine #OttawaRestaurant #OttawaTravel #CanadaLife #OttawaHiddenGems #FoodieAdventures

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Giovanni's Restaurant
Giovanni's RestaurantGiovanni's Restaurant