Giano

Took some friends here after reading the positive comments and was not disappointed. What a charming spot! Food was excellent - the server recommended the gnudi and it was melt-in-your-mouth good. Cheese plate and eggplant in puff pastry appetizers were lovely and the mint panna cotta dessert was perfect for summer. It was nice to see that almost the entire staff was Italian, and that Italians were eating there as well. Both the bartender and server were extremely friendly and helpful. An overall great experience - can't wait to go back. Pros: food, well-priced wine, service, atmosphere more

Thanks to the previous CitySearch reviews, my boyfriend and I dined here on Saturday night. We were delighted with the service, the menu selection, the ambiance, and the outdoor seating area. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the owner and seated immediately. Our server was very knowledgeable about the specials and made the right entree recommendations. I chose the red snapper and finished every last bite! My bf enjoyed the NY Strip special and polished off his plate! Just a very lovely experience overall. We both agreed that Giano made our favorite restaurants list. We'll be regulars for sure! Pros: Attentive Staff, great ambiance, delicious food more

Had dinner last nite with a few friends and we were plesently surprised with the quality and authenticity of the food. We started with some antipasto (cheese, salami, olives) and then ordered our appetizers. The polenta and eggplant parm with buffalo mozzarella was fantastic. we then had some pasta which was excellent. Our main courses varied from Lamb Shank to Red Snapper and everyone of us polished his plate. Finally we had some awesome tiaramasu for dessert and amazing cafe latte's. Dinner for 5 people with 6 bottles of wine was very, very reasonable for NY. Pros: quality and authenticity of the food Cons: ambiance is strange as 1/2 modern and 1/2 traditional more

I just celebrated my birthday at Giano. I had an unforgettable party! Great ambience, delicious food. more

My boyfriend and I have been regulars at Giano since it's opening - and let me tell you, we keep coming back and always bring guests that are so impressed in the end of the meal! The atmosphere, the staff, and most importantly, the FOOD!!! Amazing!! (and now that they take credit cards we love them even more!) Pros: great menu for any taste! Cons: none (thanks for taking credit cards!) more

My wife and I just came back from eating at this restaurant in the East Village for the 5th time and we can't wait to go back for the 6th time as it is simpy amazing ! The food is the best Italian cuisine I have had outside Italy and we have eaten at most of the top rated restaurants in NYC and have been all over Italy many times. The owners, the chef and most of the staff are all from Italy and you can tell by their passion that goes into everything from the stylish but relaxed atmosphere, attentive and friendly service, excellent wine selections and simply delicious food. The homemade pastas , including the Gnudi and lasagna, are so fresh and taste unbelievable- the best I have had in NYC. The veal was so tender and prepared perfectly. My wife had a special fish entree that she loved and she is very picky with fish. Ask the server or bartender for some wine suggestions to pair with your food and you will not be disappointed ! The homemade Tiramesu is the best I have ever tasted and the homemade cheesecake is right up there as well . On past visits, we had dined at the cool bar in the front and in the main dining room, but this time we sat in the patio in the back and it was like being in a outdoor cafe in Italy. Don't miss this authentic Italian gem , its worth the trip to the East Village. Prices are very reasonable and I think they even lowered them slightly from the last time we ate there- I'm not sure why as they probably could increase the prices for such great quality- but I'm not complaining at all. Bravo Giano ! Pros: Authentic Italian food, great wine selections, cool atmosphere and attentive service more

This relative newcomer to the East Village, run by an old hand, has a kind of split personality, just in keeping with the name of the place. Giano (Janus) was the two-faced god of the Roman mithology. In front the bar, open to the street, with long tables for large parties, music that can be loud at times, a very active social scene. In the back a tranquil lovely East Village backyard/patio with echoes of an Italian trattoria but a distinct lower east side personality. Conducive to quiet conversation, romantic if you are so inclined. Great food, whether you choose from the traditional or the more creative list. Vitello Tonnato, my favorite, brings me back again and again , and is consistently prepared by the Italian chef. Gnudi, another great simple clean dish, a close second. Other entrees are up to par. Wines are good, if a little pricey, and there is an ample selection. Definitely worth the trip. Pros: Backyard, great dishes Cons: Can be loud at times, pricey wines more

Giano is a true gem in the East Village. They have a great dining room, bar and large back patio. They have a great wine list and the cuisine was amazing... offering both traditional and modern Italian dishes. We shared the strawberry spinach, and goat cheese salad, the Gnudi and the Tagliolini with Truffles. All of the dishes were absolutely delicious! Our wine and water were constantly refilled without us even noticing their presence at the table. We ended the meal with tiramisu which was the best I think I have ever had. They just started serving brunch so we will be back soon! Pros: Ambiance, Gnudi, Tiramisu and the Exceptional Service! more

went here for the first time last week for an art event and fell in love with the exposed brick interior and the outside patio. my friend and i were intending to stay only for drinks but once we saw the menu, it was all over... the menu has one page of more traditional dishes, and another with more innovative, creative options. both traditional and non-traditional options are divine. i recommend the pasta with red pesto, the papardelle with lamb, and the stuffed pork chop. oh and don't miss the tiramisu which is to die for. have been back once since my first visit and fully intend to become a regular: staff is friendly and attentive, service is quick, prices are very affordable, food is delicious. highly recommended! Pros: delicious food, nice garden, awesome tiramisu, friendly staff more

This place is truly amazing. Only tell your BEST friends about this new restaurant or soon you will not be able to even get a table. We have been back 4 times already since it opened and I usually never write reviews , but couldn't resist this time. The attention to detail with every aspect from the food, wine list, service , decor, and overall experience is incredible. The food is authentic Italian , both the classic and modern Italian cuisine on the menu. My wife and I have travelled all over Italy and being at this restaurant is the closest to being in Italy. The staff are so friendly and you can really see how much they care and want everyone to enjoy their experience like they are your best friends. Prices are very reasonable for the quality served. Wines range from very reasonably priced to some special bottles if you want to splurge, but you don""t have to as there are so many great options that are inexpensive and also rare to find. Fresh pastas are mouth watering, we have had several and they have all been delicious as well as the desserts- best Tiramesu we have ever had ! Can't wait to go back again. Pros: Food- pastas, meat, fish- desserts- tiramesu and cheesecake are unbeliavable ! Great wine list, cool decor and awesome friendly staff complete the experieince more

My husband and I visited Giano this past Saturday night, and it was fantastic!!! I ordered the cod dish and my husband ordered what I think was pesto nochi or something like that, and they were both really, really good!!! The wine list is extensive and well-priced, and I love how they have the wine menu on a big flatscreen that changes, its really cool! The vibe of this place is really urban and laid-back, I really enjoyed it. We are foodies, so we'll definitely be going back here! Also the owner was really, really nice and attentitive to us - we loved it! Highly recommended! Pros: Really excellent food, nice staff, cool atmosphere Cons: None! more

... in their new place, this how it would be. Pros: All of the above more

from the array of brilliant dishes to the clean and positive energy that flows throughout the well thought out decor of the restaurant/wine bar, it is no wonder you end up making friends so easily as the vast majority of first-timers come back for more. Pros: service, food, ambience, people more

i have been wanting to go into this place for ages but was somewhat intimidated by how ""cool"" it looks. while it is cool, the place is anything but intimidating. the owners are exceptionally friendly and accomodating and have spent a lot of time getting the wine list, menu and decor just right. The prices are totally reasonable and wine we had was very good. So, if you're thinking about going - definitely give it a try! Pros: great wine, decor, friendly owners more

We came here after a recommendation from a friend who said the food was great and atmosphere too. Giano certainly did not disappoint. We were greeted with a warm smile and a glass of champagne. We ate the caprese - buffalo mozzarella and tomato, both were of fantastic quality and fresh too. The skirt steak was tender and very tasty. I also had the menabrea rossa which is my new favourite beer. The owners are possibly the most hospitable people I have ever met. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to those seeking great wine, excellent food and a great night out. The salt bar looks classy too! Pros: hospitality, food, wine, atmosphere more

The last time that I had pasta that good was when eating in Italy. We had the truffle pasta made with fresh pasta and it was to die for. The fragrance as it came out of the kitchen was just the beginning of a wonderful experience. Pros: great food, gorgeous ambience more

this is a place where you will be enjoy great wine, fresh pasta, great cheese and meet all the interesting people. more

WoW! I am so glad this restaurant has opened just a block away from me... I went with my partner on Saturday and have already booked to go back this week! The concept of old and new based on the Roman God Giano is interesting and really works. The new modern bar at the front is perfect for a pre-meal cocktail or glass of wine while the restaurant decor of warm open brick and soft candle light is perfect for a romantic dinner. There is a separate area with a large table towards the back of the restaurant which is ideal for a family dinner or large get together with friends. The food was amazing - we mixed from the traditional Venetian menu and the Contemporary menu. We were not disappointed! Being vegetarian, it was great to have such a selection of more than 'Spaghetti Pomodoro' like the American / Italian restaurants in the City. I had the four cheese gnocchi which was delightfully fresh and soooo tasty! I'm looking forward to the Radicchio, Pear and Taleggio risotto this week. My partner had the lamb and cleaned the plate! He said it was perfectly cooked. The portions are extremely generous and the wine list was classy and great value. I can't wait for the garden to open in the Spring when they plan to open for brunch as well as dinner. This restaurant with 'real' Italian and Soho style food at East Village prices deserves to do well. Good luck Giano! more