Phone: +441271321274
Address: 35 Boutport Street, EX31 1RX, North Devon, United Kingdom
City: North Devon
Dishes: 10
Reviews: 4497
Website: http://www.giovannisdevon.co.uk/
"We were disappointed. It was Friday night and we were on a two day break in Barnstable. We arrived, as booked, at 6.30pm and were the only customers to begin with. There was something drab about the décor, as if it badly needed a makeover and an injection of colour. The owner/manager greeted us politely. The pleasant waitress got our drinks. A dishevelled waiter, who seemed as if he had just got out of bed, took out food order. The calamari were poor, rubbery and probably frozen. The other starter, courgette and artichoke was cold our mistake possibly in expecting it to be warm. The veal in the restaurant's own Napoli sauce was uninteresting; the chicken with cream and mushrooms was bland but better. Best of all were the triumvirate of al dente fresh vegetables. We did not have desserts. The house white wine by the glass was fine; the Chianti by the glass, however, was chill and closed, as if it had only just been taken from cold storage and opened by the end of the meal, it had warmed a little and opened up enough for us to begin to savour how it might have been. Two other couples came while we were there, all of us grey or white hairs. The atmosphere was somehow flat and joyless, as if the staff were depressed to be there and just going through the motions. It's a pity, because potentially the restaurant is an appealing size, with comfortable tables and a sense of intimacy. Maybe, we caught it on an off night; but there was no sense of pleasure or enthusiasm and everything seemed dull and uninspired. When the £75 bill came, we felt the meal had not been good value."
Menu - 10 options
All prices are estimates.
Prawn
Juicy prawns grilled to perfection, seasoned with garlic and herbs, served with a tangy lemon butter sauce.
Gnocchi
Soft potato dumplings served with a creamy pesto sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese.
Risotto
Creamy Arborio rice cooked to perfection, with a rich blend of Parmesan and fresh seasonal vegetables.
Calzone
A folded pizza filled with cheese, tomato sauce, and a variety of meats or vegetables, baked until golden.
Tiramisu
A classic Italian dessert featuring layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, rich mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cocoa powder.
Carbonara
A classic Italian pasta dish with creamy egg sauce, pancetta, Parmesan, and a touch of black pepper.
David
Spaghetti bolognese was dry. No sauce. Dissapointed with my visit
Address
Reviews
Maggie
Very friendly staff. Enjoyable quick meal as we were on route elsewhere.
Michael
Really friendly and welcoming. The food was exceptional, full of flavour and as Italian as you would expect. A wonderful experience.
Matthew
Although the interior is dated, the food was quality and everyone enjoyed their meal and drinks. Their bathrooms were clean, however they could do with a refurbishment.
Jenny
Great little Italian, perfect sized portions, lovely little cocktail to start. forgot to take photos of food. Had a prawn tagletilli and husband had a penne nduja one all very tasty with pannacotta for dessert. Service was fantastic
Linda
Food was beautifully prepared. Service was beyond friendly. Great value for the money. If you like spicy, order the Penne Alla Romana, ask for extra spicy on the side absolutely brilliant. Don't forget to seal the meal with a grappa.
keithhJ4388VH
Visited here whilst awaiting viewing the Mousetrap at the nearby theatre with friends. Friendly greeting and good service. However all of us were disappointed with the size of our meals, the food itself was tasty and well served. My wife and I had chicken dishes which appeared to be half a chicken breast thinly sliced, mine a moderate amount of sauce with some pancetta. The portions of pasta were small. The overall impression for all of us was disappointment, we left with a general consensus that we would not be returning.
Darren
We visited Giovanni's in Barnstaple last night a lovely Italian restaurant.we had Mozzarella in Carrozza as a starter which was full of flavour and a nice light starter ,my wife had lasagna al forno as her main it looked very well presented and was delicious for my main I had Penne Pasticciate and this was full of flavour for the dessert we had the tiramisu and a a panacote with chocolate sauce and both were excellent.The service was very friendly and professional and very attentive.I will definitely be visiting again and recommending to all
jmasilittleitaly
We booked pre theatre, there was a nice amount of people in the restaurant. The food was delicious, we both chose from the fish menu, the quality and quantity was beyond our expectations. Which is why I have given the three stars. However that’s where it ended. From the moment we walked in and were shown to our table by (we assume) the owner there was no friendly greeting, no eye contact, we were shown to two tables and told to sit where we liked and then he walked away. During the hour we were there the service was robot like, no interaction from staff or the owner who walked around not really looking at or looking after anyone. When we paid the bill, even THEN he didn’t look at us and more...
cagb
We were disappointed. It was Friday night and we were on a two day break in Barnstable. We arrived, as booked, at 6.30pm and were the only customers to begin with. There was something drab about the décor, as if it badly needed a makeover and an injection of colour. The owner/manager greeted us politely. The pleasant waitress got our drinks. A dishevelled waiter, who seemed as if he had just got out of bed, took out food order. The calamari were poor, rubbery and probably frozen. The other starter, courgette and artichoke was cold our mistake possibly in expecting it to be warm. The veal in the restaurant's own Napoli sauce was uninteresting; the chicken with cream and mushrooms was bland bu...
Categories
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Pizza Delve into our perfectly baked pizzas, crafted with hand-tossed dough, rich tomato sauce, and a blend of gourmet cheeses. Each slice bursts with fresh toppings, ensuring a delightful bite every time.
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Pasta Delight in our selection of classic and contemporary pasta dishes, each crafted with fresh, quality ingredients and flavorful sauces that capture the essence of Italian cuisine in every bite.
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Italian Savor the rich and diverse flavors of Italy with our menu, offering classic pasta, savory risottos, and traditional meat and seafood dishes, all crafted with authentic ingredients and passion. Buon appetito!
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Vegetarian Delight in our vibrant collection of vegetarian dishes, crafted with the freshest greens, rich flavors, and savory spices. Enjoy a wholesome, delectable plate that celebrates nature's finest ingredients.
Amenities
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Mastercard
