|
   |
Gino’s Trattoria
Food and Fun
Finds Final Fruition
|
Gino Knows How to
Entertain |
|
Expansion Handles Banquets and
Weekend Crowds |
It has taken about a year to reach fruition but the eponymous Gino’s
Trattoria has finally finished its long promised expansion with
the completion of a second room. It can be used for private banquets up
to 40 or for the regular weekend overflow that had often taken place at
the 15-table gem-like corner location on Thousand Oaks Blvd west of the
23 Freeway. It should no longer be a problem to score a weekend time at
this casual but crisp white table clothed trattoria.
|
However, there has been no loss of intimacy since
owner- maitre ‘d Gino, although recently celebrating his 51st
birthday and his 7th year in business at this location continues
with his high energy act every night except Monday. Authentic,
mostly Napolitano food is not the only reason to dine here. You see, Gino
appears to fly around the room nightly (without props) and generally
succeeds in making some sort of contact with every table. His performance
makes Roberto Benigno’s comic waiter of “ It’s a Beautiful
Life” seems like a slacker.. Many people think Gino alone is worth the
price of the meal. But some consider him an acquired taste. The decision is
yours.
|
Veteran Team Makes Gino's a Fun Place
|
The fairly priced and satisfying trattoria style food is
prepared with Gino’s original and authentic family recipes from Naples
by veteran chef Richard Hoffman. He had worked under the
direction of the famous restaurateur George Lang, who owned
The Four Seasons in New York and the #1 rated Gundel’s in
Budapest (???). If he seems overly friendly with the personable and
competent waitperson, Monika, it is because she is also Hungarian
and in fact is his wife. Amazingly, along with Gino the group combines
to make this casual dining experience a combination of food and fun. |
The menu consists of “The Usual Suspects” minus
Kevin Spacey. Among the choices are very fresh splittable green
salads ($5.25), classic fettuccini Bolognese ($10.95) spaghetti with manila
clams ($12.75), veal Parmigiana ($15.95), chicken marsala ($13.95) and a few
specials each night such as Osso Buco, small veal chops and a fish of the
day. As with any restaurant, be sure to ask the price of the specials
if that information is not offered. Gino’s dramatic presentations can
overwhelm you.
|
|
|
|
My constant favorite at Gino’s, however is the pizza. Pizza was born on the
back streets of Naples and Gino delivers that kind of an experience. The
pizza is large, medium crusted and folds to be eaten by hand. I prefer pizza
slightly crisp and Gino does that upon request. It makes a great appetizer
for 4 or more and you can take some home for breakfast the next morning.
|
|
|
|
My favorite is funghi and prosciutto. It always takes me back to the
wonderful pizzas in sunny Sorrento (an environ of Naples). There is
also the classic Margherita ($10.95) along with a vegetarian pizza.
Interesting choices of authentic Southern Italian desserts are available.
There is a limited list of fairly priced Italian and
domestic wines. Gino’s also does catering. The restaurant is open Tuesday
through Sunday for dinner and Tuesday through Friday for lunch.
Gino’s Trattoria
720 East Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks
805-494-7743 Most Credit Cards Easy Street Parking or in rear of
restaurant. |
|
|
|
