I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned how much I adore my girl KC here. Well, I do. She’s one of my favorite people in the world; the girl cares about her friends and family more than just about anyone I know. She’s insane, and she’ll go out of her way for her loved ones like no one else. She’s just awesome 🙂
So when she mentioned wanting to check out Giano in the East Village, I said of course! and we made plans to visit one gorgeous night in early May. Beer Boor joined us as well, and we dragged him to try to see James Franco afterwards (speaking of which: I was serious. If any of you have some way possible for my girl to meet the man, I would really appreciate it!).
We browsed the menu while munching on some yummy breadsticks and bread.
Our first appetizer: fried calamari. Not chewy at all, with a lovely dipping sauce… perhaps a bit more tentacles than most people prefer, but since I don’t mind eating those, it worked out fine. Very tender, light on the breading.
Our next appetizer was something that caught our eyes right away: parmagiano-reggiano creme brulee.
The spoon on the side had a bit of very good, aged balsamic vinegar. Beer Boor took charge and drew us a design. As for the taste… well, just wow. The crust on top was crunchy, perfectly sweet to counter the creamy, slightly sweet and yet savory cheese underneath. A bit of cracker or a less fluffy bread to eat with it might have been nice – there were moments when I paused from shoveling spoonful after spoonful of cheese into my mouth to realize, “I’m eating spoonfuls of cheese with extra dairy/fat fluffed in!” And it was so good.
On a whim, we added on a meat entree as an appetizer: honey glazed pork belly, candied shallots, chestnut puree and black pepper honey. This was the biggest fail of the night – they weren’t bad, per se, just that it didn’t excite any of us when we ate it. It was… okay. A little chewy… and the flavor felt a little flat.
KC ordered a pasta with sausage and sun dried tomato. I think she liked it, though she didn’t finish it.
I ordered a whole wheat tagliatelle with… I thought it had lamb in it. I liked my dish, especially once I’d mixed in the pesto on the bottom, but I wasn’t able to eat all of it as well, maybe because of all the cheese I’d just eaten…
Beer Boor ordered one of the specials: duck carbonara, made with duck prosciutto and duck egg. I tried a bite and found it super creamy, but the duck egg didn’t really change what it was. The portion was a bit small, and swam in the carbonara – I was surprised by that, because when I’d made (and eaten) carbonara in the past – the traditional kind, not the “I added cream to it” kind – there hasn’t been all that much liquid. Interesting.
Yvo says: Overall, sitting by the open doors on a nice night was great (minus all the noise of passersby with screaming children and cars on the street). The food was enjoyable, though some dishes could be improved. Prices were about what we expected; with a bottle of wine (or was it two?), it came to $60/person (with tax/tip). I would say that Giano is not a must-visit yet, but perhaps over time… there’s a lot of potential there.
recommended… try that parm creme brulee!
TT says
savory creme brulee? never saw that before. what was bruleed? the parmesan?
i like the tentacles, so much more exciting to eat than plain old rings.
That sucks about the “carbonara.” ain’t carbonara if cream is added.
looks like you are really getting a hang of the new camera! nice work.
Feisty Foodie says
I think the whole thing was made of cheese, actually.
Also, I don’t know that there was actually cream added. I just meant that there was a lot of liquid for a real carbonara (I’m pretty sure they did it the proper way, based on the menu and the feel of the place). Being made with duck egg didn’t change the taste at all.
Thanks!
BeerBoor says
Oh, it was two bottles, all right. Not a terrible price on the rosé, either.
It was $60 a person for the two of you, incidentally.
Feisty Foodie says
Ah. I don’t recall the bill’s total price.
BeerBoor says
I bought us a bottle of wine as penance for arriving last, and we shared the other one.
CT says
I love the tentacles! Usually more crunch! I’m liking this idea of a cheesy creme brulee and I’m a little surprised I’ve never seen it more. I may have to try something like this at home…
Feisty Foodie says
The entire thing was cheese… it was great. If you make it, let me know how it turns out!
kim says
Giano is always empty during brunch service (compared to 7A and Pylos). I do want to try it for brunch though.
Feisty Foodie says
Let me know how it is if you go!
Melissa says
The Parm creme brulee is intense. Love the aged balsamic vinegar too.
Did they have the hamburger dessert when you were there? That was the most memorable part of my meal (surprise surprise).
Feisty Foodie says
We were too full to order dessert, doh. We looked at the dessert menu, though, and I’m sure I’d remember if the word ‘hamburger’ was on that side of the menu!
skippymom says
Cheese brulee as an appetizer and Melissa mentioned a hamburger dessert – wow – don’t understand while restaurants have to “mix it up” so much to be unique. The brulee definitely needs a cracker or bread – eating cheese like that at the start of a meal is defeating the purpose of ordering more. It sounds so heavy.
And, at first, I thought it was 60 dollars a person and was appalled – I realize it IS NY [excuse us while we faint in wonder at your beautiful city] but even at the 30 bucks with wine – your entrees didn’t look to be all that.
No offense. This left me less then impressed. No worries. I don’t live there so it doesn’t affect me. Wish it had been more tho’.
Feisty Foodie says
Actually, the creme brulee was rather light and airy, I just really wanted something to spread it on cuz it was so good!
And the price WAS $60/person with tax, tip and a bottle of wine. NYC isn’t cheap, especially if you want to drink alcohol with your meal. Ah well! It’s not for everyone 🙂