Not very impressed with the service. Cleanliness was something to be desired. Both my wife and I had food with crusted utensils.    [01 Jul 2004 19:26:41]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 

     ­Anonymous   

Gio Di Portifino poor service
Previously frequent customers of this establishment but after last visit?? We came to Gio's for dinner (not busy, was a thursday nite) and was seated by the hostess outside and 25 minutes later no drinks or bread or even a waiter. We inquired with the hostess if we could get a waiter and she asked if a hostess seated us and I replied yes YOU did. She stared at me for awhile and I sat down for another 5 minutes and no waiter, no water, no drinks, nothing! We left 1/2 hour is a long time to wait just to get your order taken!    [19 Oct 2004 17:48:46]

Food: -   Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: can you get one?

     ­Anonymous   

I have eaten at the Bradenton location many times, always enjoying a freshly prepared and delicious meal. I have also used Gio's on numerous occasions outside the restaurant - food has always been well prepared and never a complaint.

I will continue to frequent this location as it is one of the few "upper end" restaurants in our area.
The pizza is the best in town!    [10 May 2006 11:49:58]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Vendura salad - Steak is best in town.

     ­Anonymous   

Extraordinary pizza and much, much more
I've eaten at Gio's (formerly Portofino's) about 15-20 times since 2002. I don't know what happened to the service in 2004 (see other reviews) but I never experienced poor service or poor food here.

Gio's has, hands down, the best thin crust pizza I've ever had. Having spent many years in the Philadelphia, South Jersey and New York region...that says something!

Certainly Gio's has other terrific Italian dishes...lobster ravioli, calamari fritta, veal, etc, ...but the few times I've tried these admittedly terrific dishes I always miss their pizza. It's magic.

Tonight we stuck to the basics...a terrific Caesar salad with extra garlic and anchovies, the complimentary fresh baked bread basket with olive oil for dipping, a Margarita pizza (cheese, fresh tomato sauce and basil) and a bottle of Penfolds Shiraz. Tab was $65. Teetotalers could have the same dinner for $32.

Our server this evening was Sasha; friendly, polite, quick and attentive. Water within 3 minutes of sitting down...wine and bread basket within 5 minutes. We've never had bad service here. More than any other restaurant (even the exceptionally well managed Bonefish Grill) Gio's staff has always impressed me. Many look like models and all are poised. Again, I don't know what was going on back in '04 but I never experienced it.

Atmosphere is romantic, albeit a bit dark during the day. They have a martini bar that's quite popular. Desserts are all homemade...we elected to bring ours home - fresh canolli and triple chocolate pie. They also had homemade gelato.

Two caveats about the pizza - First, I love toppings on pizza. Their Margarita is so perfect that, to me, the toppings detract from it's flavor. Keep it simple. Second, enjoy this pizza in Gio's, fresh out of the oven. Sure it's still great after a 20 minute car ride home but it's no longer world class - order a nice glass of wine and enjoy it in the restaurant at its best. You'll be glad you did.

Bottom line is that Gio's pizza, ambiance, and service are worth a detour. Enjoy!    [25 Jun 2008 22:33:21]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Margarita pizza.

     ­Kent_Davis