re: new link restaurant, gianna

I need to go back. Went way too early, like day 5. Food was excellent, and as mentioned above the portions were small for the price. Service was good as well, but hard to overcome a 40 minute wait for a 9:45pm reservation. No offer to buy a round, comp dessert, etc.

Herbsaint is one of my favorite places in town, so I knew Rebecca would have the food on point. As for the complaints of dishes being simple, they are, but exemplary. I would have returned sooner, but the lack of customer service left a bad taste.

And speaking of CBD Italian restaurants, lunch at Sofia a couple of weeks ago was great. They have a two course $18 special. Well worth it.

Sounds like a common theme

Not to start a new thread but any thoughts on saffron?

Went to saffron right when they opened, it was great.

A friend of mine who goes regularly said it has slacked off a bit. I hate saying that without experiencing it myself, though

Another place you may want to look into in that area is Costera, which is in the old La Thai building. Co owners are a former chef and a former somm at Peche. There was a thread on here awhile back and it was universally liked, it appeared.

quote:

---

Costera

---

When it first opened went like once a week, but haven’t been since October. It’s one of my favorite places around. The pan con tomato is so simple but so amazing, and only like $4 an order.

Gianna struck me as Link's most underwhelming restaurant. It's a very above average place, but in a tier below Cochon, Herbsaint, and Peche.

Maybe I just didn't order the right stuff or it was an off night, but I was underwhelmed by Peche the one time I went there. I have thoroughly enjoyed both times I have been to Gianna.

quote:

---

Maybe I just didn't order the right stuff or it was an off night, but I was underwhelmed by Peche the one time I went there.

---

What did you order?

Their fish special they have (which varies from time-to-time with different broths/preparations) is usually fantastic. They also have really good oysters and appetizers, my fav being the fry breads and the tuna dip. Their hush puppies are by far the best I've ever had too (came with the most recent fish special, which was black drum with some sort of crab-fish broth).

The one thing I ordered there (which was my first time going) that I absolutely did not like was their Lobster Roll. I remember being underwhelmed with Peche, but it was because I ordered that and not the fish special.

Count me in the underwhelmed group as well. I just don't think the menu is for me. Combined with the amount of food for the price (I'm not a large person either), I just don't have a desire to go back. I'd go to Cochon or Herbsaint every time over Gianna.