Giovanna

We had dinner at Giovanna last night and had a wonderful time! The food was delicious, the staff went above and beyond, and the ambiance inside was really cool. I also appreciated that they had gluten free pasta as I’m gluten free 😄 pictured dishes are the scallops, gf penne pasta, and octopus. My boyfriend also had the lasagna which he very much enjoyed! We will be coming back soon!

This maybe the best restaurant in the LoSo area.......
This is a great Italian restaurant!
Professional wait staff.
Richard has hit a home run on this new place!
Congratulations!!!
They offer valet parking... Take advantage of this...

I had the pleasure of attending a private dinner party at this restaurant. This is a fairly new Italian restaurant located in Charlotte, NC. The private dinner room was beautiful with a glass wall that separated the dining area from the long hallway leading to the restroom. I had the lasagna which I didn’t particularly like but the rest of the food was really good. They have way more drink options than food but this is definitely a place for good ambiance & a fine dining restaurant experience. 😋

Giovanna, a fresh addition to the Lower South End neighborhood, brings cherished recipes passed down from Chef Richard’s grandmother. If you're familiar with Zinicola in Ballantyne—where the menu draws from his mother's recipes—you'll notice a familial culinary link. Giovanna brands itself as a "relaxed Italian fine dining" spot while Zinicola defines itself as a more family-friendly Italian restaurant.

Parking can be a challenge, but thankfully, complimentary valet service is available right at the entrance. Inside, the decor strikes a pleasing note, with both high and low top tables neatly arranged and a full bar that accommodates around 20 people. The highlight is undoubtedly the open kitchen, where you can watch chefs artfully prepare your meal, although the choice of today's top hits for background music and the less-than-ideal acoustics might detract from the otherwise relaxed fine dining ambiance.

The menu is concise, focusing on unique daily specials rather than typical Italian-American staples like chicken parmigiana or baked ziti. I kicked off my meal with the Stuffed Baby Portabella mushrooms, generously filled with Italian sausage and resting on a scrumptious housemade vodka sauce—a delightful start and great for sharing. The Meatball antipasto followed, featuring three well-seasoned, albeit slightly dense, meatballs atop a robust housemade red sauce.

The star of the evening was the lasagna bolognese. Layered with housemade pasta sheets, a rich blend of vodka meat and béchamel sauce, and perfectly melted cheese, it was nothing short of spectacular, securing its place as my top lasagna choice in Charlotte.

Service was somewhat slow, which I’ll attribute to the restaurant's opening week adjustments. Despite this, the attention to detail in every dish served was evident.

I'm already looking forward to my next visit to Giovanna, eager to try their pizzas and calzones, anticipating another exquisite meal.

I’m not one to leave reviews but the food and service here was amazing. The manager Carmen who came by to tell us the history of the business and the server Tiana were amazing.

The wild mushroom pasta was unreal. Give this place a shot.