Consistency can be a beautiful thing. Giovanni’s Ristorante on Preston Street does consistency very well. This is not a restaurant for the bar bites generation. Giovanni’s is old school — service matters, hospitality is everything, and the food seeks to nourish and please rather than dazzle. And despite a glam and glitzy makeover, it still feels homey.
“Hello ladies. Is it still snowing? My goodness, you must be cold. Let me take your coat. I have a nice table ready for you.”
Our chairs are pulled out, linen napkins are placed on laps, the water boy arrives in his server’s assistant uniform. He delivers warm bread and butter balls. Our server in trad waiter garb arrives to recite the specials (“we have a lovely this and a really nice that…”)
I order one of the featured dishes — polenta with house made sausage; my friend orders gnocchi. The special comes with soup or salad. I opt for soup and ask for an extra spoon. Two bowls are delivered. “I didn’t want you ladies fighting, so I had the kitchen split the order.” In front of us are two brimming bowls. The soup is simple — tomato, beef, root vegetables — rustic, gently seasoned. The sausages are loosely packed, heady of fennel and gentle on the salt, while the polenta is downy soft and marvellously rich.
Giovanni’s gnocchi are as Giovanni’s gnocchi have always been — textbook perfect, in a rich 
tomato sauce with fresh basil and gooey globs of buffalo mozzarella.
Portions are hefty. You leave here fed and full and warm all over.
Gnocchi are $19.95. The sausage special with soup or salad was $18.95.
Giovanni’s, 362 Preston Street, 613-234-3156
First published in OttawaMagazine as a Weekly Lunch Pick
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