Giovanni Ristorante — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

Well...my husband (I am the wife of the open table account holder) and I were traveling and stopped in Nashville for the evening. On our drive we looked for a nice restaurant to enjoy during our overnight stay. We chose Giovanni because of the menu and made reservations. This was our first time traveling in Nashville.

We saw Love Language patio next door and thought how nice if would be to sit outside. We inquired of the host at Giovanni if there was a patio and he looked at us like we were varmints and said no. Then silently led us to a table where we sat with no menu, no water, and no attention for at least 10 minutes. There were service people walking all around us without acknowledging that we were sitting at a table with nothing. We were baffled and seriously considered going next door to Love Language and having pizza on the patio! Just as we were deciding to leave, someone came and asked if we would like "regular" or sparkling water. We asked for still water and lemon. Then another server came and gave us wine menus and asked if we would like something other than water. We said we would order a bottle of wine (which we ordered), but would like food menus and lemon for the water. The server returned several minutes later with the wine and food menus, I again asked for lemons. We ordered food and asked one more time for lemons. After waiting several minutes, still with staff rushing around the room, I decided to go to the bar myself and get the lemons. At this point our server and the host were falling over themselves apologizing and trying to take the lemons to the table for me...I was perfectly capable to do this myself and did so.

The food....we split a Greek salad and I was looking forward so some leafy greens and veggies...we each got, no lie, 2 tiny pieces of lettuce, some cucumber, 2 cherry tomatoes and 2 olives and a spattering of feta. This was disappointing especially because it was $16, but I do have to say, it was very fresh and delicious. My husband ordered cacio de pepe and I ordered the spinach ravioli in sage butter sauce. The cacio de pepe is my husband's favorite, but what he received was not what he has received at other authentic Italian restaurants. It was basically spaghetti with butter and pepper. Something we could make at home for one dollar and not the $30 we paid. My ravioli was basically flavorless and overcooked...I have had better from the refrigerator section of our local grocery store for $7 instead of the $33 we paid. We split the chocolate mousse cake...another disappointment in flavor.

All in all, I wish we had left and gone next door for pizza and al fresco ambiance instead of paying $162 for mediocre food and subpar service. Giovanni is putting on airs to appear as though they are a 5 star restaurant, but they sorely and completely...

It makes me sad to give a 2 star review because I do feel the space has uniqueness to it and the quality of the pasta itself os quite good. However, too many things needs to be corrected :

1. $500 for 2 bowls of pasta, simple fish with nothing to go accompany it, and wine!? Really??? Prices MUST be adjusted. Pasta isn’t an expensive food. Go to Italy and see for yourself. This isn’t steak fillet. It was literally spaghetti with tomato sauce for $44! Come on people!
2. we ordered a side of broccoli that first of all didn’t show until we asked for it 3 times , and second of all - again - $12 for what exactly?? Few pieces of broccoli with no seasoning or anything ? Are you kidding!?
3. The service: why did we have to wait a whole hour for someone to take our order and when she finally came she said only the manager takes orders and she just takes the menu back. Ha?? So who are we tipping at the end? A waitress who don’t take orders or the manager hahah? Super slow , un helpful service. The manager spoke so softly we couldn’t even hear the specials. And why is it taking so long to arrive??
4. the acoustic: the space itself is beautiful but the acoustic is terrible. So loud. It’s impossible to enjoy a nice conversation. They must do some acoustic treatment with such high ceiling to absorb the echo. For real.
5. too dark to read menus. Need more candles , at least 3 to a table.
6. bread with oil and balsamic is a must at every Italian restaurant and it should come right away. We shouldn’t have to wait 40 mins for it and then ask for balsamic because they only brought oil.
7. wine menu without food menu!? And they keep asking you if you chose the wine already , and yet, still won’t bring you a food menu. How are we supposed to choose wine without knowing what we’re eating? That’s BASIC.
8. water should come to the table right when we sit down. If we then want to add sparking water on our expense that’s a different thing. It’s not ok to ask us what water we prefer and then charge us for it as if we ordered a bottle.

We were there for valentine’s and despite the outrages bill then as well we enjoyed because we figured it was Valentine’s prices. So we paid the $450 for two people and swallowed it. But this time, it was a regular night , we were 3 people and paid $500 for bad service and not much food. We will not come back ☝🏻

You want good Italian in town? Go to maggianos. Great atmosphere and prices. Not as “classy” as Giovanni but food is the same and the acoustic is better , the service is top quality , and the whole night is a wonderful experience that won’t kill...

The ambiance here (Midtopwn location) is great. Love that they have a piano player upstairs with the music cascading to the downstairs dining room. The service was amazing and our server was very knowledgeable on the wine and menu. Form some reason our OpenTable reservation had been cancelled but thankfully the manager and hostess was able to get us seated (it was my birthday dinner). My friend got the Tagliolini al nero di seppia con pomodori arrosto, aglio, olio e gamberi and loved it. I got the eggplant parm and had what is believed to be an unusual experience with it. For whatever reason (i.e., chef's left it in the oven too long, the oven was too hot), the eggplant came out with the sauce bubbling. So, I knew it was going to be hot and waited several minutes before attempting to try it. When trying to cut the eggplant, I noticed it was very difficult to cut through the bottom. That is when I discovered the entire bottom layer was burnt to the bottom of the dish. OK, whatever. But upon taking my first bite, I immediately scrambled to grab my napkin and spit out the bite because it was still scalding hot (I had issues with taste/tingling for 3 days afterwards). But I really wanted the eggplant (it was the whole reason I chose the restaurant). So, when the nice waiter came to check on things, I let him know what happened and showed him all the burnt parts which I had scrapped off and put to the side. He immediately offered to get something else made for me. I declined because I just wanted the eggplant. I only informed him so that the kitchen could be made aware so that it didn't happen to any other diners. A few minutes later, the manager came up and asked what happened. He also immediately offered something else from the kitchen. He profusely apologized. I again said it was ok but just wanted to let someone know so it didn't happen again. Towards the end of our meal, the manager returned and said he spoke with the kitchen and couldn't pinpoint the exact reason it happened, stating it had never happened before (I fully believe him) and said that he took the meal off our bill (which was unnecessary and not requested but goes to the level of service of this place). From what I could taste, I think the eggplant was good. I'd just be sure to let it cool down a little or take a tiny bite to teste out the temp first. I definitely will go back and try the eggplant again. The service was impeccable, ambiance is great, and overall, minus a fluke experience, the food is also great. HIGHLY...