Giovanni’s Legacy Lives On

By Tony Reverditto

The backstory of Giovanni’s is awesome, since 1991, the restaurant had been owned by the Giovanni’s and known as a popular classic fine Italian dining destination for locals. On February 12, 2007, Tom Powers and his wife, Caroline, took over the business and became the new owners of Giovanni’s Pizza and Pasta. Together, they have 55 years of combined experience in the retail food and restaurant industry. Caroline was a manager of Round Table Pizza in Garden Grove for 16 years and Tom was a Bakery Manager for several grocery chains and worked with several restaurants before his 8 years with Sysco Foods as a Marketing Associate which would be the perfect foundation into owning their own eatery.

In the landscape of chain restaurants, they are one of the few successful remaining tried and true family owned and operated businesses in Menifee. At one point they had 12 family members working in the restaurant. Today, both of their sons, Thomas and Daniel, contribute to the operation, Daniel as the Kitchen Manager and Executive Chef and Thomas who wears many hats. Their two granddaughters, Kathryn and Kayla, are in the ranks of the wait staff and the younger grandsons, occasionally help out during special holidays. You could definitely feel the sense of family even with the employees that were not blood related.

According to Tom’s vision, “our mission is to provide diners, not only the best Italian food in Menifee, but the friendliest service possible. We currently have entertainment three nights a week and more than one of our employees may sing for you.” Tom also mentioned that when they took over the restaurant, they removed the sugar and upped the quality of ingredients from the meats to the tomatoes used in their sensational spaghetti sauce recipe to the homemade comforting flourless Alfredo sauce. He shared another fact, “not only do we have great Italian food, but according to our customers, we have the best BBQ Pork Ribs in town, but also lots of delicious non-Italian dishes” and I was surprised how affordable the pricing is. The chefs get creative and present different specials every week and new items are always being introduced. On top of that, they have a menu that caters specifically to Sun City, it is called the "Honorary Citizen Menu" which honors those 60 years and up. The menu features a variety of hearty entrées for $9.99, go in and check out these enticing offerings. 

Our lovely server, Michelle is the niece-in-law of Tom and Caroline and was very attentive and friendly.  To quench our thirst, I started with a Stella on draught and my guest had an appropriate Chianti to get in the Italian mood. For appetizers, we ordered SWEET CHILI SHRIMP, 10 crispy Beer Battered Shrimp gently tossed in sweet chili sauce and a half pound of CALAMARI which are fried strips served with a warm marinara sauce, both were excellent. Tom insisted that we try their legendary 1/2 RACK BBQ RIBS ala Carte, which included 6-7 "Fork off the Bone" Pork Loin Back Ribs with Garlic Bread. They were everything that he said they would be and more (I took them to go). The menu has plenty of choices to cater to just about anyone’s palate including the fact that 90% of the menu can be prepared gluten free.

As for the pizza’s, they are in a league of their own. Besides the restaurant being packed, it was also a revolving door as locals were picking up pizza or pizzas every few minutes. Too many specialty pizzas to describe, but we got one to go, the THAI CHICKEN PIZZA, Thai Peanut Sauce topped with Mozzarella Cheese, diced Chicken Breast, Onions, Carrots, Peanuts & Cilantro and it was to die for. CHOICE OF TOPPINGS PEPPERONI-SAUSAGE-HAM-SALAMI-MEATBALL PIECES- ONIONS-BELL PEPPERS-MUSHROOMS-OLIVES-CHOPPED GARLIC-PINEAPPLE BITS-JALAPENOS-CILANTRO-FRESH or COOKED TOMATOES-PEANUTS-SUNDRIED TOMATOE-BROCCOLI-ARTICHOKES-CHEDDAR CHEESE and a variety of sauces to choose from. Is your mouth watering yet?

For our main course, my guest went for the LINGUINE & CLAMS which included 4 ounces of baby clams out of the shell, sautéed in white wine sauce with garlic and butter. He thought it was amazing and pretty much licked the bowl. I opted for the SPAGHETTI, STEAK & CHOCOLATE CAKE and a tender 6 oz Angus Steak with garlic cheese bread & spaghetti topped with meat sauce and finished off with a slice of chocolate cake for dessert. Tom told me that this unlikely duo was inspired from a restaurant he went to in Orange County many years ago. The menu includes multiple pasta dishes and each one sounded better than the previous. 

Sweet tooth alert!! The CHOCOLATE CAKE was ridiculously decadent with chocolate fudge icing, a true sugar rush waiting to happen. Other classic options include CREME BRULEE CHEESCAKE, a large slice of Crème Brulee style cheese cake with caramel drizzled on top, TIRAMISU, a slice of delightful lady finger pastry with custard filling with a slight rum flavor for that extra zing and CANNOLI, a fried canola shell filled with a whipped cream cheese and chocolate chip filling.

Lunch Specials Daily, 11am - 4pm starting at $6

All You Can Eat Lunch Buffet (Pizza, Soup and Salad), 11am - 2pm for $8.69

They can also cater any event and the menu is on their website.

If you have not been there, get in, if you have been there, get back, and if you are a regular, you know what to do!

GIOVANNI’S PIZZA • PASTA • STEAK • SEAFOOD • BBQ RIBS AND MORE!

26900 Newport Road Suite 112, Menifee CA 92584 Information or take-out orders: www.giovannismenifee.net or 888.904.3180 or 951.672.8080

Business Hours: Open 7 Days * 11:00am to 9:00pm

*Delivery can be arranged through Grub Hub.