Gioia Italy - Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Hollywood

UNSAFE FOR celiacs!! Avoid!! If I could give them a (-100) score I would do so. I went there Friday late afternoon with my wife and liked the place. The gluten-free pizza was excellent, GF shrimp was excellent, GF calamari was fair at best. The waiter assured us everything we ordered was gf and safe, separate kitchen, and his mother and cousin had celiac so he understood. Went back next evening, Saturday night, a little busier and got same exact waiter who seemed to remember us. Again stressed to him multiple times that while wife is not celiac, I am celiac, we are sharing, and everything HAS to be GF. We ordered almost the same things we ordered before, only less, GF shrimp and a GF pizza, this time with different toppings. We then ordered a GF dessert and had multiple discussions as to what's gf and safe. We had five different people serve us the meal and clearly nobody was talking responsibility to make sure things were correct. I asked for the check and a new person brings us someone else's bill. I get up and tell him wrong bill, and they finally bring me the correct bill, which says gf shrimp but regular pizza (with gluten). I ask waiter did you forget to charge me the extra for GF, or did you bring me a normal pizza, because if you did I have to go back to hotel and drink several gallons of water and hope I can pass this before I violently throw up. He said no this is what you ordered. I said we requested multiple times that it had to be GF, and we had long discussions 28 hours earlier saying the exact same thing. He admitted he screwed up, and took the poison pizza off the charge, like that freaking helps? Pathetic distracted disinterested dangerous irresponsible service that is beyond unexcusable!!! AVOID this place unless you too want to get sick!!

** I ended being up most of the night with severe cramping, vomiting...

5-stars for the experience 3.5-stars for the food taste

We had a girls night here in early September and wanted to seat in their lovely patio on a cool evening.

The team at Gioia was amazing! They helped us navigate through a table configuration that allowed us to be out of the way with the baby carriage and further from other tables.

They were patient as we tried to figure out the menu, answering our questions and shared great suggestions. They were attentive and always available throughout the evening.

We ended up ordering dessert up front - because life is too short. Panna Cotta with caramel was amazing. The lobster pastry was just okay. Sfogliatella Napoletana was not great but not awful.

For our main course we went with our waiter’s suggestion of the giant 44-inch pizza with 4 variations of our choice. They told us to pick any four from the menu. We did half vegetarian and half carnivore.

Can’t comment on the meat, since I was on the veggie end, but the pizza was just okay. I honestly think the size probably affected the quality. The dough and crust were kind of soggy and thick, not light and crispy. Too much cheese in the middle.

But the presentation was amazing and the two veggie choices we picked were the most unique pizza flavors I’ve ever had. 🍟 on 🍕!!!

Also, the cost of that pizza experience was a just $85, which was an excellent deal. 👏

It was an interesting and unique experience for sure! But next time, I would just get a single pizza to really experience the quality that they are famous for.

I’d definitely give Gioia another try. Thank you to the lovely staff who made our night...

Ducked in to check out the spanking new and larger and swankier location. I loved the first location in downtown Hollywood, on Young Circle. This new spot has only been open a few days. Still has that "new car smell!"

Gold Medal Pizza Champion Massimiliano Stamerra has definitely leveled-up with his new location, and re-created the magic! Chef is currently the most decorated (medals-wise) pizza champion on the planet. All of his many medals and accolades and trophies are on display in the spot. Very impressive.

Oh, he's also an acrobat. And has an amazing vibe, too. Nice and sincere guy, for sho!

Here a few reasons why this place rocks: Great ambiance. Located in new and trendy Atlantic Village. More seating (70 seats more) than the previous location! All new furniture. New everything, including a gorgeous, new Marana Pizza Oven! Variable seating options. An abundance of free parking! SCORE! 48 pizzas on the menu. Including gluten-free options, and Scrochiarella Pizza--crispy exterior with a fluffy, tasty, moist, soft interior. Yasss!! Excellent seafood and pasta. Impressive and unique wine selection. Full. Liquor. Bar!! Andre makes the jam drinks! Exterior wood-burning pizza stove. SCORE! Exterior seating on the West, North, and East side. Excellent service. Appropriately priced.

Love the place. I've known Chef for over 3 years now, and he is a rockstar. He was one of the founding restaurants in my now-famous Hollywood Florida Food Tour. Videos aplenty of Chef and more on my YouTube.

Visit NOW, tell him Cabeza sent ya', see you there!

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