Gigi's Italian Restaurant

Gigi’s Italian Restaurant - South Pasadena, Florida 11/16/06
Gigi’s is a family owned restaurant that has been handed down through several generations. It first opened its doors in 1967. More modest then at present, it was soon discovered by, among others, the local high school set and its popularity spread rapidly. Many of those who were among the first to "discover" Gigi’s way back then, including my wife, still frequent the familiar and comfortable surroundings. Over the years good food and a good reputation has allowed Gigi’s to expand. It has more than doubled its seating capacity in the original South Pasadena store and it has opened two other venues. One is in Treasure Island and the other in St. Pete Beach.

The lighting is dim, a strived for "candle lit atmosphere" without the need for candles. Even in the dim light one can see a neat, clean and orderly dining room with a low noise level. The center aisle tables have freshly laundered deep-red tablecloths. Although he booths along the walls do not have the tablecloths, they share the red lined napkins with the rest of the restaurant. In the quiet hours you can stroll through the dining room and choose your own table.
The substantial menu features complete dinners ranging in price from 12 to 20 dollars. Fresh seafood from Tampa Bay and the Gulf are also featured. The back page has a nice selection of pizzas and optional toppings. An Early Bird menu, 4 to 6pm, is also featured with a nice selection of entrees , your choice, $7.99. Early Bird specials come with soup or salad and bread.
It was an early dinner so we ordered from the Early Bird menu. My father-in-law ordered manicotti and meatballs, the same thing he always orders when he comes here. The wife ordered the grilled chicken and rice pilaf. My favorite is lasagna and it is also the benchmark I use for comparison on my first visit to a new Italian restaurant.

The salad was ample in quantity. The chosen dressing is served on the side so you can add as you like it. The bed of mixed salad greens was mixed with slices of celery, ripe and green olives, and delicate mandolin-cut rings of red onion. A wedge of tomato and a pepperoncini completed the salad. The lettuce was fresh and crisp. The tomato ripe and firm.
The manicotti and meatballs was, as usual, good and in an unusual display of appetite, my father-in-law completed his meal and there wasn’t any doggie-bag for the dogs. The wife was satisfied with her chicken and rice pilaf. The lasagna was oven baked and after the obligatory warnings about a hot dish, I was able to sample the lasagna. The sauce was savory but not overpowering and rich with meat. The noodles were cooked through and the cheese stuffing tasty. All in all, I would rate it as one of the better lasagnas I have sampled over the years. The entree was served with Italian-style bread, cut in slices, buttered and lightly toasted. It was the perfect accompaniment to the entrees.

The young lady who was our server was polite, efficient and made frequent, unobtrusive stops by the table to access our needs and satisfaction. We never had need to call for her, she was just there when you needed her. She added to the dining pleasure that evening. Gigi’s has been a favorite of my in-laws over the years and after my initial visit, I believe it will become one of my favorites too.