Gia Nina's Pizza — Restaurant in Woodbury

So we would frequent Gia Nina a lot. When I say a lot, I mean a lot. However, yesterday I ordered dinner for company that I was having. So it was a takeout. I did not check it before I left. When I got home, I realized instead of one of dinners being veal parm, it was just the pasta. So I called them up and told them realizing mistakes happen. But then the girl proceeded to tell me in order not to be charged again, I would have to bring the pasta back in to prove they didn't give me the veal. I said what!! Bring the pasta back in??? So into Gina Nina I go to get the original order that she messed up and I bring the pasta back with me. I said to the girl, this is ridiculous this was your mistake. Can I talk to the manager. She said the owner is here. I said great thinking it was the woman who we see all the time when we would go there with the granddaughters and grandson who we had come to know from going there. Instead, the girl says, "Dad" come to talk to this lady. So here comes the owner ,I guess, and I said to him why would you make me bring the pasta back in to prove that you messed up. He said that's our policy. Really!!! I said it would have been nice if she said, oh, I'm so sorry that happened, come pick up your correct dinner. In the meantime all of my other food was at home getting cold for my guests. Please do not insult me by saying you are going to charge me again unless I prove this to you. Then I asked to speak to his wife, who I thought was the lady who really owned the place. Well, that didn't go over well. He said "my wife" and I quickly realized oh, boy, I have really insulted him now. He said that's my mother. And then told me I am embarrassing myself and literally threw me out of the restaurant. Really!!!!! So wait, you insult me, and then you tell me I'm embarrassing myself because I asked for your wife, and I am asking what are you going to do with this pasta you made me bring back in in order to get my correct order. That's what I call great customer service especially to your loyal customers who have been frequenting your restaurant for years. I guess your business is so great you don't care what you say and to who, even if it means losing customers. Instead of berating me, maybe you ought to be a little nicer when you screw up an order and don't ask your customers to prove it. What a shame... Oh, and I should add after all of that, my order was still not right. I ordered in a Fra Diavolo sauce and it was regular. So you insult me and make me drive all the way back there to insult me while all of my food getting cold, and then you can't even get my order straight. Oh, and let me add I paid $96 and change for this insult. Thank you so much for the great...

Latest review...again, the food is good. Well, the lasagna is great. The wife ordered a crab cake, the waiter asked which crab cake dish she wanted as they offered two. She pointed out what she wanted, which was the non-fried crab cake dish. The waiter either never put it in or something happened in the kitchen because he came out with wrong dish and my daughter watched the cook scramble to fry a crab cake and then serve it to her. When we got our bill, it was $127. When I got the bill to sign for my credit card, I was charged $132. When I asked about the difference, I was told they charge a fee for using a credit card. I spent $120 on their food and I'm still being charged to use a credit card? I was told there's a sign that says as much in front of the front desk, and there is...if you read it or happen to have to stand there. We walked right in to an open table and never spent time at the desk. If they want to charge a fee, fine, but to a customer that already has a bill of more than $120? Not cool. And no matter how good the lasagna is, we won't be back.

First review...So, the good news is that the food was great! The not-so-good news is that the waitress was less than engaging/helpful/almost deceitful. While my family watched everyone else around us get bread/butter to start, we got none. When I put in my order, the waitress asked if I wanted soup or salad. I asked what the soup was. Lobster bisque! Sounded yummy (and it was!), so i ordered it. At no point did the waitress say anything about another soup choice or any up-charge. My son ordered the same soup and the waitress didn't mention anything to him, either. Now, I rarely look at my bill, but I happened to glance at ours after we ate. On the bill were two charges for of $2.50 for each soup. When I asked the waitress what the charges were, she said they were up-charges because the lobster soups wasn't the standard soup. Would I go back? Yes. Would I ask about soups and up-charges before I ordered? Absolutely! The food was great, the atmosphere was nice, and the owner came around and...

Gia Nina's is one of many pizza place/Italian restaurants in South Jersey. What sets them apart is the fact that the Italian restaurant side of the house far from the typical pizza place restaurant. As a matter of fact, I've never tried their pizza, stromboli or sandwiches. I have, however, sat in their warmly decorated dining room and enjoyed delicious meals with family and friends on many occasions. They have all the standards... lasagna, stuffed shells, ravioli, etc. All that I've tried have been fantastic, especially the lasagna. They also have a nice selection of steaks and seafood.

Speaking of seafood, I need to mention the "crab spiders." This appetizer, with its rather unique name, is one of the highlights of their menu. It's a combination of crab meat and angel hair pasta fried up and served with sweet lemon curd. I know, it sounds like a strange combination and it is, but it works! It was recommended by the friend I was with the first time I went to Gia Nina's and I've ordered it every time since. Once the crab spiders are gone, be sure to grab your spoon and eat the leftover lemon curd. It's so good!

One day, maybe I'll try their pizza, but in the meantime, it'll remain my go-to Italian spot when I have out of town company or just need a place to take family or friends. The only complaint I have is that they're closed on Sundays, but everyone needs a day to rest. I'd just rather they did...