Giovanni’s – one of the best family restaurants in the nation
There’s no question I like exploring new restaurants. On the other hand, you can’t ignore a restaurant that’s been in business since 1980. My feeling is they must be doing something right. As is the case with Giovanni’s, 2101 Pulaski Highway in Edgewood. It’s been in the Martino family since that year and today is run by two very well-trained brothers and restaurant professionals, Frankie and Johnnie. You’ve got to love those names.
It’s open seven days serving lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner daily. There’s seating for about 150 and that includes a room off to the side ideal for a private function. And if your event is planned for some other place, they can bring the food to you. Of course if you don’t have time to dine out, call in advance and carry-out. It is certainly casual. Plenty of free parking all around the building and you can enjoy live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights from 8 to 12. That does include dancing. As an aside, years ago a gentleman by the name of Mickey Light performed here, singing Sinatra. I was on occasion his warm up act asking trivia questions for prizes. So I have a relatively long history here.
With a name like Giovanni’s you would assume their entrees are heavy on the Italian side. How astute you would be. If it’s Italian, you can order it here. My guess is, if you don’t see something on the menu and you want it, if they have the ingredients in house you can get it. This is after all a neighborhood restaurant that aims to please. With more than 30 years in business you can assume they know how to make their customers feel right at home.
Of course there are other items to try. My dining companion had the combination crab cake and steak. Over a week later he’s still talking about it. He let me have a taste and he was right, excellent. It goes without saying a restaurant doing business in the Baltimore area better be serving a better than average crab cake. If not, they wont be in business 34 years. I asked one of the brothers to name two of the favorites and he mentioned the chicken and veal Sinatra and the seafood tomato cream. In the dessert category, there’s the cheese pie, rice pudding and cannolis. As one of the gangsters said in The Godfather, ‘leave the gun, take the cannolis.’ But believe me readers, this is primarily Italian. And if you have a late night craving, the kitchen is open to 11 on weekends.
Restaurant.com named Giovanni’s one of the top 50 family friendly restaurants in the country. Quite a honor. While there ask them about the Club Card. You can get discounts when dining. The bar is usually crowded. Happy Hour is from 3 to 7 with a complimentary buffet. Reservations are suggested on weekends. What I like about the restaurant, besides the food, is that is it unpretentious. It’s not trying to be something it isn’t. It doesn’t have to.
It’s a place that serves very good food with reasonable prices in a comfortable atmosphere. By the way Frankie and Johnny are the chefs.
They can be reached at 410-679-9797 or check out their website.
Eddie Applefeld is a Baltimore native and a graduate of Towson University. He has been in the broadcasting profession for over 30 years. Currently he is the Promotions Director of WCBM radio. Before that, he was part of the Rouse & Company show on WQSR, host of a cable TV show called Dining Out and adjunct instructor at Towson.
His past accomplishments include being named a finalist in Baltimore Tourism’s Employee of the Year Program and winner of Toastmaster’s Speaker of the Year contest. He was also twice a heartthrob for the American Heart Association’s gala fund raiser.