Old World way is the rule at Giovanni's

GIOVANNI'S presents classic Italian cuisine in an elegant setting. Conveniently located close to downtown at 1683 N. Van Buren St. (corner of Brady and Van Buren), the restaurant is a favorite with visitors and locals alike.

Complimentary pick-up from downtown hotels in Giovanni's own vehicle shows thoughtfulness that also is reflected in the caring and knowledgeable restaurant staff. And you know that a special dining experience is in store when a member of the family that operates the restaurant stops by your table.

The restaurant was founded more than a quarter of a century ago by Giovanni and Rosa Safina. In the early 1970s, the newly wed Safinas left Sicily. They brought to America their passion for cooking and authentic recipes.

At Giovanni's, the Old World way is still the rule. Everything is prepared from scratch, on the premises. Another secret to the success of the restaurant is the emphasis on the highest quality ingredients and the freshest meats, seafood, produce and poultry available.

You enter the restaurant's dining room through the bar and lounge area of Giovanni's. This is a great place to savor a martini or glass of wine while being serenaded by the music of Frank Sinatra or Rosemary Clooney, singing Italian-American classics.

At lunch, an abbreviated version of the dinner menu is served. In addition, sandwiches such as Eggplant Parmigiano, Sicilian Filet Tenderloin, and Italian Sausage are offered.

For dinner, appetizers include Oysters Barbarella (topped with spinach, bread crumbs and special seasonings, then baked), Eggplant Strips, and Conch with Garlic Butter.

Several pasta selections come with your choice of tomato sauce, meat sauce, marinara sauce, garlic butter or pesto. Others are classically prepared–Fettuccini Primavera, for example, combines fresh peas, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms and asparagus spears in a white cream sauce. You also can go "off menu" and add chicken, crab, shrimp or scallops to your pasta for an additional price.

There are a number of chicken specialties offered, including Chicken Rianata, baked Sicilian style with fresh garlic and special seasonings, then topped with a special sauce and oven baked Roman potatoes. Seafood lovers can order their favorite, or take advantage of dishes that offer combinations. Scamponi Diablo, for example, features shrimp along with clams and mussels. If you have a steak craving, or long for the perfect pork chop, this restaurant also fills the bill.

But where Giovanni's has earned special rave reviews is with veal dishes. Fork-tender and sublimely seasoned, dishes such as the Veal Scaloppini Marsala and Veal Chop are sublime.

The restaurant's cuisine is available for catering business meetings and parties off site. At the restaurant, there are party rooms available.

Lunch is served 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, dinner from 4-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For information, phone 291-5600 or visit www.giovannismilwaukee.com.

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