Giovanni's On The Hill

We had 6:30 reservations at your restaurant on Saturday, November 9. We arrived at 6:20. At around 6:40 the manager came to us and asked if we’d mind if he sat another part of 6 first (they had arrived after we had) as both tables were ready. Ten minutes later I went to the manager and asked about our table, which he had said was ready. He told me that it was almost set up. We were seated shortly thereafter. We ordered around 7 and bread and our salads were brought to our table. About 45 minutes in our waiter stopped by and said that our food would be out in a few minutes. The only thing that happened at our table after that was that our water was refilled. I got up and told the manager that it had been over an hour and a half since our salads had been served and we hadn’t gotten our entrees. He said that we had ordered the Dover Sole and that it took a long time to prepare. (He knew immediately what we had ordered even though he wasn’t involved in the order and he must have thought that I wasn’t a cook as any cook knows that fish doesn’t take that long to prepare.) He said our food would be served shortly and about 10 minutes later it arrived. We were very surprised as after that time, the sole had many bones in it. When we mentioned it to the waiter, he just said “Oh” and shrugged his shoulder. After we had finished eating and ordered dessert, the manager came to our table and told us that the first fish had been over cooked and the meal had to be remade. To make up for it he would provide us with our dessert. I wonder why he wasn’t he honest in the first place with what had happened to our entrees. Why didn’t someone come to our table and let us know what was happening? Since our entrée was delayed for so long, why wasn’t, at the least, some more bread brought out or, at the best, an appetizer presented to help with the rising hunger that we were feeling. I wrote a letter to the owner explaining the above and asking these questions but all I got back were excuses (the owner had surgery that day, the chef was rushed so there were bones, etc.) There are so many wonderful restaurants on the Hill where the $450 we spent on this disaster would have resulted in a wonderful meal and courteous service. more

The food and atmosphere in this restaurant is beyond words. There are not many places that have waiters in... more

An excellent place to dine. My experience was like no other. The food was cooked table side and tasted great. The scene was so classy I just enjoyed every single minute. Cant wait to return more

The food and atmosphere in this restaurant is beyond words. There are not many places that have waiters in tux, just super classy. The food was mad... more

Simply put, Giiovanni's is the best italian restaurant I've ever been to. It is a little pricey but worth it for those special occasion dinners. I live several thousand miles away but will be taking my wife here for our anniversay in a couple of months. I would recommend the calamari for an appetizer and the osso buco and risotto (if it is still on the menu) for a main course. These are both the best I have ever eaten. I use them as the standard by which I judge every other italian restaurant I've been to since. The calamari is light and perfectly seasoned. The osso buco is simply to die for. I can hardly wait to come back to The Hill in a few months and also plan on going to Gian Tony's and Rigazzi's for some great italian food and pizza, respectively. Pros: Fantastic food, great service and atmosphere Cons: I live a couple thousand miles away more