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Name: Giovanni’s Cafe
Address: 17864 NW 2nd St, Pembroke Pines, FL, 33029
Telephone: (954) 441-3474
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.79

Giovanni’s Cafe

17864 NW 2nd St, Pembroke Pines, FL, 33029

(954) 441-3474
Store is closed

Giovanni’s Cafe Menu

Appetizers

Fried Seafood Mix

Mixed Ceviche

Fish'n Shrimp Ceviche

Fish Ceviche

Salmon Carpaccio

Tilapia Carpaccio

Beef Carpaccio

Fried Calamari

Fried Mozzarella
Salads

Chef 's Salad

Shrimp Ceasar Salad

Chicken Ceasar Salad

Ceasar Salad

Caprese Salad

House Salad
Sandwiches

Steak Sandwich

Chicken Sandwich

Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich

Meatball Parmigiana Sandwich

Caprese Sandwich
Chicken

Chicken Marsala

Chiken Parmigiana

Chicken Picatta

Chicken Francese

Breaded Chicken Steak

Grilled Chicken Steak
Pasta

Linguini Frutti De Mare

Linguini With Whole Clams

Penne A La Vodka

Fetuccine With Shrimp "alfredo Or Pink Sauce"

Fetuccine With Chicken "alfredo Or Pink Sauce"

Chicken Cannelloni

Spaghetti With Meatballs And Red Sauce
Beef

New York Steak

New York Steak In Red Wine Mushroom And Garlic Sauce

Grilled Skirt Steak

Marinero Grilled Skirt

Grilled Palomilla Beefsteak

Breaded Palomilla Beefsteak

Beefsteak A La Parmigiana

Grilled Pork Chops

Peruvian Style Beef Strips
Sea Food

Fried Red Snapper (whole)

Submarine Fish Filet

Poached Fish Filet

Fish Filet A La Francese

Libornese Fish Filet

Grilled Fish Filet

Shrimp Francese

Garlic Shrimp

Shrimp Marinara

Shrimp And Broccoli In White Wine
A La Carte

Chicken Rice

Peruvian Style Fried Seafood Rice

Yellow Seafood Rice

Seafood Soup

Green Seafood Soup (aguadito De Mariscos)

Healthy Meal suggestions for Giovanni’s Cafe

Appetizers

Fried Seafood Mix [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Ceviche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish'n Shrimp Ceviche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Ceviche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Carpaccio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tilapia Carpaccio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Carpaccio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Chef 's Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Ceasar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Ceasar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceasar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meatball Parmigiana Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken

Chicken Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chiken Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Picatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Francese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breaded Chicken Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Linguini Frutti De Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguini With Whole Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne A La Vodka [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fetuccine With Shrimp "alfredo Or Pink Sauce" [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fetuccine With Chicken "alfredo Or Pink Sauce" [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Cannelloni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti With Meatballs And Red Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beef

New York Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New York Steak In Red Wine Mushroom And Garlic Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Skirt Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinero Grilled Skirt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Palomilla Beefsteak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breaded Palomilla Beefsteak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beefsteak A La Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Pork Chops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peruvian Style Beef Strips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sea Food

Fried Red Snapper (whole) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Submarine Fish Filet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Poached Fish Filet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Filet A La Francese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Libornese Fish Filet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Fish Filet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Francese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Marinara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp And Broccoli In White Wine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
A La Carte

Chicken Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peruvian Style Fried Seafood Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yellow Seafood Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Seafood Soup (aguadito De Mariscos) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Pembroke Pines for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 300 N University Dr )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 11555 Pines Blvd )

Denny’s ( 1290 N University Dr )

Visit below restaurant in Pembroke Pines for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 300 N University Dr )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 11555 Pines Blvd )

Denny’s ( 1290 N University Dr )

Write An Anonymous Review

Donna P.

we watched a "Check Please" show that reviewed Giovanni's Cafe and we decided to try it. From the moment we walked in -- we loved the restaurant. Food - any ceviche -- and especially the fried fish -- fabulous. The entrees --- just go with your mood, you won't be disappointed. The staff is friendly, know the menu, make great recommendations, give attentive but not overbearing service, ... The food is delicious and portions are more than ample -- weekends are packed PACKED so check out a Monday or Tuesday night for a more relaxed dining experience.
(5)
Johana L.

Definitively this place is amazing! Today we order the Peruvian Fried Rice and it was delicious... Also, the services was enjoyable, a Venezuelan guy called Roy was our server and he made us feel like we were friends! In conclusion, this place it is the one that I'm going to recommend to everyone!
(5)
Carl E.

First time visitor to this restaurant. We had a very good experience and we were impressed with the food, the presentation and the prices. We started with a great bottle of Cabernet wine from Washington state priced at just $29. For our appetizer, we ordered the ceviche (shrimp, calamari, muscles, fish, onions,etc), which was a huge portion large enough for four for about $16. Our favorite entrÃ©e was the Peruvian seafood fried rice--it was really good. Another favorite was the "Submarine" grouper which comes topped with shrimp and calamari and a delicious sauce. The live music was very nice. It turned out to be a great evening as Andy, our waiter, took good care of us. We will definitely return, often.
(5)
Roberto S.

The only restaurant in SOFLO that I know of that really uses Corvina fish for their Ceviche, this amazing! Keep it up and exploit that fact. Location not so great it can easily be confused with an italian bakery and its not easy to find.
(4)
Steve L.

This was our first time here and it was well worth it. Nice cozy atmosphere and the service was good. They have live music which was very nice. The food was really good. We will be back soon.
(4)
Beth C.

We have been going to Giovanni's for years and have always loved it. That is, until it changed owners. The quantity and the quality of the food has gone downhill. We went for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and my chicken parmesan sandwich was horrible, hard chicken, tasted microwaved and soggy bread. It also made me extremely sick. My husband's fish soup had 3 tiny pieces of fish in it and tasted like vegetable soup. I don't know if we'll be back.
(2)
Michelle R.

The food was good but it's the only time in my life that they waitress asked me if I wanted black beans and rice with my chicken parmesan!! WHAT????!!!!
(3)
Luis R.

Excellent. Owner/chef and wife/hostess/bartender are the perfect example of how to treat your customers. Food is always good, well prepared and as fresh as can be. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Laura Z.

Awesome ceviche! Great pasta with HUGE shrimp! The staff here is so nice! My fiance and I walked in without a reservation and they were concerned that we had to wait a whole 5 minutes to get seated! The live music created an awesome environment! We want to make this one of our new "Places"
(5)
Eva G.

I was told this place was good so hopped in for lunch with some friends. Only our table and another but took waitress 15 mins before approaching. Ordered right away... Salad finally go to table 35 minutes later. Ordered stuffed chicken cannoli pasta- was like a wet tortilla. Gross. Friend had chicken Parm chicken was dry and over cooked not fresh, frozen ravioli- nasty bland. Our order came 55 minutes after ordering. A group of elderly came in and server gave them food right away. More like fast food dining. Horrible service, nothing Authentic Italian at all... Sweet plantains- stale and hard. Total waste if two hours I can never get back.
(1)
Yolanda S.

Love it. Been twice I think.. First time was better than last... Service and atmosphere was good for me. If you like small mom and pop restaurants then you will like it. I was not lucky enough to experience the live music as I missed it on the days I went. But I really love small cozy restaurants so this works well for me and it is right close to my home. Food was good don't remember what I ordered it has been awhile since I have been but just decided to write a review finally, Just try it....
(4)
Karen N.

You can't beat their lunch specials! I will come back again to try the other specials that were listed. I like the idea that they serve both Italian and Peruvian cuisine. However, I have one suggestion. Since they serve Italian food, it would be nice to have garlic rolls instead of the cuban bread and butter. Don't get me wrong, the bread was great, but when you are eating an Italian dish, a garlic roll dipped in sauce is tastier than cuban bread. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Mariano G.

I'm writing this review as I eat. I've taken two bites and I'm already astonished at how good the good is. I ordered to lomo saltado. My guess have ordered the churrasco (spell check) and linguini with muscles and we've all decided we will be coming back, probably next Saturday. It's in a huddle location, so look for it. Great ambiance and service. Not many places like this is Pembroke Pines so give it a shot. By far it is amazing !!!
(5)
Mimosa N.

Finally got to check this place out and it didn't disappoint! Portions are large and satisfying and prices are very fair. Giovanni's Cafe is so close to my house but I've never been able to stop by because they're closed on Mondays and Monday is the only day my family goes out to eat. Fortunately, my parents took off work 4th of July weekend and we were able pay a visit. The inside is very spacious and nicely decorated. Very chic vibe. There's live music on Friday and Saturday nights too! We ordered the fish ceviche to start off but the kitchen accidentally made the MIXED ceviche and the restaurant was courteous enough to let us keep the mixed ceviche at the fish ceviche price. Lucky us! While it was good, it wasn't the best mixed ceviche I've ever had and they didn't use Peruvian corn. Regardless, we were hungry and licked the plate clean. My dad, brother, and I each ordered a pasta dish for our entrees and they each came with our choice of soup (chicken or fish) or salad (house or caesar). While the caesar salad was pretty basic, the portion was very generous. The fish soup, however, was really good! I got the chicken piccata, my brother got the penne vodka, and my dad got the chicken cannelloni. All were tasty. My sister got the grilled skirt steak with mashed potatoes and tostones instead of rice and fries, and she loved it. The tostones were probably some of the best we've ever had. My mom got the grilled pork chops and actually devoured it. My mom is a very fickle eater and pork chops are usually very hit or miss, but she thought they were flavorful and juicy and went well with the rice and beans. As other yelpers have said, the portion sizes are huge! We have quite the appetite but we still had to pack up some of our food to take home. That's not a bad thing at all considering the prices are so affordable. You really get your money's worth here! Service was efficient as they kept refilling our waters and the food came out in a timely manner. It only took a little long towards the end to get our server's attention. However, we definitely had a good experience and will be back if we ever get the chance again.
(4)
Krystal O.

Really cute spot in Pembroke Pines to have dinner, it's definitely hidden as I'd been to this shopping center many times and had never noticed it until a friend took me to dinner here. They have some of the best ceviche I have ever had. The shrimp are huge and everything is really fresh and full of flavor.
(4)
Michael S.

Where do I even start... The service: Service is not good, not the waitress fault just one person for 7 tables and 3 of them had 10 people. Waited 20 mins for the order to be taken, water was never refilled. The food came all at different times not a couple of minutes apart, like 5 minutes apart. The food: Some of the food came out cold, I had to send it back. Some food didn't even arrive. We had to stand up and ask for drinks because the waitress never came. The ravioli for adults cost twice as much as the same as the ravioli for kids for the same exact amount (5 pieces). The owner: I would have been ok with all of this if the owner when I approached him with constructive criticism would have told me, we are sorry, we'll do better next time and reassured that our next experience would be better but his response was " what do you want me to do about it?" Very defensive, and ignored a lot of what I told him. When the bill came they charged me for food that never came, I had to get it corrected. I will never return to this place or recommended it to anyone. I gave it one stars because some of the food was good according to my other family members
(1)
Dennis B.

This is a Spanish restaurant serving Peruvian food with an Italian twist. We started off by sharing two appetizers. The fish cerviche was piled high with fish and red onions. It was delicious. Next appetizer was a fried polenta in the shape of meatballs. Fried golden brown on the outside with a luscious polenta center. Just moist and delicious. It was served with an outstanding sweet sauce made with figs. It was the perfect sauce to serve with this dish. This was followed by a salad of chopped iceberg lettuce, chick peas and tomato. The salad however was very skimpy. Three fork fulls and I was finished. It came with an Italian dressing on the side which was neither Italian or otherwise. I opted for olive oil and balsamic vinegar. For the main course, I ordered the NY strip steak. It came as I ordered it, medium rare. It was covered in a creamy peppercorn sauce. I found the steak to be tasteless and hard to chew. My waiter was very caring and offered me another entree. I opted for broiled salmon. It came with a somewhat heavy lemon sauce that was sweet. In my opinion, the sweet lemon sauce was not called for. It did nothing to compliment the salmon. My companion had the chicken marsala. Three very large boneless breasts in a marsala sauce topped with mushrooms. My companion stated the chicken dish was just delicious. I tasted it and agreed. Both dishes came with two sides. The best mashed potatoes I ever had with potato bits in it. Perfectly seasoned and mashed just to the right consistency. Thin asparagus spears rounded out the dish. They had no seasoning and were quite skimpy. They only gave two spears. I would certainly not call this a side. It was more like a garnish. After all, who gives just two thin spears. For dessert, I ordered the amaretto with three milks. A small piece of white cake doused in amaretto and frosted. It was very good and sweetened perfectly. My companion had the coconut flan. It was swimming in a sugary syrup. Way too sweet for my taste buds. I was quite disappointed with my overall dining experience. Service, however was excellent.
(3)
Kathy C.

This review is for takeout only! Although, I feel I will be back to dine in pretty soon. I had been looking for restaurants for Friday night takeout and had been recommended Giovanni's a while back by a friend. I was excited to finally try them because I love me some lomo saltado. We called and were told it would be 15 minutes, we showed up 10 minutes later and the food was ready. I had ordered the lomo saltado and my partner had the chicken parm. I agree with the review about Giovanni's having big portions!!! This chicken was huge!! It was smothered in melted cheese and drizzled with sauce. It was sooooo good and still hot! I could have ate the chicken by itself and not have felt like I needed any sides to go along with it. My lomo was delicious and a generous portion as well. You can taste the seasonings all come together in the meat and the veggies/fries accompanying the meat weren't soggy yet. I wasn't able to eat it all but the following day I had leftovers AND the day after that I made myself an egg and lomo quesadilla for breakfast (Yes! That is how big the plates are). Not bad for a dinner takeout that tastes just as good the following day. Next time I hope to be back for the live music!
(4)
William Clyde L.

Giovanni's is not really worth the effort. Their food is OK but falls quite short of being good. The ceviche is excellent. If I just ordered that, It would have been a great meal. The salad was very small but tasted all right. The new york strip steak was tough, too fatty, and overcooked. I should have sent it back. I tasted the salmon that a friend of mine had--it was very fishy tasting. The mashed potatoes were quite good- one of the best things they have if not the very best. I tasted a few of their desserts and didn't like any of them particularly. The coffee was OK. All in all the meal wasn't something I would want to repeat. The service was fair and the place was nice and clean. I couldn't in good conscience recommend Giovanni's.
(2)
Monique M.

Poor management, poor logistics, poorly trained servers! Such a shame, this used to be a nice local gem. However given the change of owner/manager the quality has taken a hit. Waited over an hour for a meal that was mediocre at best. Our table of 8 was unable to enjoy the meal together as 4-5 were fed first while the others waited 20 more minutes for their respective entrees. Manager lacks professionalism, courtesy, and couth. Although I used to bring business clients, family and friends here, I will be taking my business elsewhere. Terrible experience!
(1)
Jeffrey G.

This place must advertise. A true hidden gem of great food and atmosphere. Definitely a quiet romantic evening out, because it's so quiet and not to bright..... Don't be fooled by the surrounding medical offices this is a real deal restaurant with great food....
(5)
Jessica C.

BIG SERVING, MEETS EXPECTATIONS. I thought it was quite funny at first that this place is located at a medical business plaza. But I bet all of those doctors are coming in and enjoying their lunch at this amazing place. As you walk in the door, you're immediately welcomed with the cool and stylish decor. Whoever designed this place should design my house, it's very classy and definitely made a good impression for first-timers like me. My whole party of 20 (big post-mass lunch) was then seated in the restaurant. The waiters and the owner were amiable and very attentive to us. Our whole party ordered a variety of food, the menu offered Italian and Peruvian delicacies. Here's some of the run-down that I tasted and ate: Fried Seafood Mix: This was HUGE. I mean it can feed maybe 5-6 people. It had a variety of friend seafood like mussels, fish, calamari and shrimp. The whole plate was lightly battered and fried to perfection. I mean that fish was fluffy, sweet and fresh. The calamari didn't turn into rubber and just melts in your mouth. The spicy cilantro sauce was pretty good too (just watch out for that kick). It's topped with pickled red onions as well, which adds another acidity to the food. Peruvian Style Beef Strips: My cousin had this one. ANOTHER BIG PLATE. The beef can be more tender, but he said it was perfect. Maybe the aroma of the red wine in the sauce really got to him. I think it tasted good, the sauce is great, but the meat can be cooked in a little bit more. Yellow Chicken Rice: I think this is a must get. I tasted this and it was delicious. Rice was done very nicely and you can taste that chicken broth that they cooked the rice in. It's a yum! Chicken Picatta: This is the one I ordered, I think that the sauce was too thick for my liking. The chicken was done nicely, you can substitute the pasta with mashed potatoes (which we're done well and well flavored). But the cooked artichoke in it was a little off putting. I wish I ordered something else, but this one isn't my favorite of the bunch that we have ordered. Chicken Marsala: My other cousin had this one and it was good. It comes in a huge plate. I've had so many types of chicken marsala, I don't know how to feel about this dish anymore, to be honest. But I think the flavors were done right and it was all cooked well in a thick mushroom sauce. Penne Vodka: THIS IS MY FAVORITE. I think I ended up eating half of my other cousin's plate. I MEAN WOW. I think what increased their stars for me with this place is definitely this penne vodka. Thick creamy vodka sauce that's done right and with BACON? If you're coming here or coming back, definitely get this. I really can lick the plate, it's that delicious. Overall, good job Giovanni's you've earned a fan because of your amazing penne vodka. But tighten up on that house salad though, it's too basic for my taste.
(4)
Tawny W.

Good Peruvian food .. For appetizer the fried mixed seafood is a must .. But a warning it is huge , the fish soup is excellent.
(5)
Zora S.

I had the arroz con pollo for lunch and it was amazing. They make it fresh to order so it arrived nice and hot just the way I like my food. My son had the breaded chicken with rice and beans. The chicken comes in a very close second to my mom's homemade breaded chicken. That's a huge compliment. I will definitely be back to bring the hubby to try their dinner entrees and dessert.
(4)
Amy P.

A big thank you goes out to Giovanni's for making my best friend's graduation dinner so memorable. Located in a quaint medical plaza, you'll find this Peruvian/Italian gem. We came in yesterday around 6:30 PM with a private room in the back reserved for about 15-17 of us. My best friend's family is like my second family to me no lie. I grew up with them with a good portion of my life, so was hoping this night would go smooth to celebrate her big day. From the moment we both walked in to meet the rest of the family already sitting down, we were treated so kind and they catered to our parties need throughout our long stay there. If you have a special event and need a restaurant in the Broward area to cater and host something in a private room, I highly suggest Giovanni's! The sangria, we had a choice of white and red, was flowing non-stop all night. No one had a cup empty for longer than 3 minutes. Which in turn was a direct result of why there was so many funny/weird/emotional toasts going on all night. Haha. They gave our whole party huge plates of mozzarella sticks, fried calamari, and fresh fish ceviche for our appetizers. The ceviche went fast! I think we all went though about 5-6 giant plates of those. THAT GOOD. Then we had salads and bread to go along as well, pretty standard. For the main entrees the catering service let my best friend choose a few items to place on the custom menus they made us. She decided a few days before on the chicken piccata, chicken parm with the pasta, skirt steak with chimi churri and rice and beans. Everyone in the party enjoyed their plates very much. Especially with their spicy picante verde sauce they passed around. In the end we all got a little tipsy and shared amazing stories about the guest of honor, and cracked up all evening. This was such a smooth night with the hospitality of Giovanni's staff.
(4)
Paul M.

We were super surprised to find this gem of a restaurant in the middle of a medical office building. Honestly I do not know how anyone would know about it if it were not for Yelp! Once you go inside, Giovanni's is surprisingly large - there is a private room in the back, a full bar area, a small space for live music, and ample seating. We came here for lunch and although the lunch specials were a great deal - all less than $9.99, we opted for some regular menu items. The cuisine here is mixed - Italian and Peruvian. I am used to seeing Italian - Argentinian restaurants but this is a new combo. We started with the Salmon carpaccio which was HUGE. This is an app that can be shared by 3 people. I found it to be delicious with onions, tomatoes, and capers on thinly sliced salmon. My wife found it to be a bit lemon-y for her but I loved it. I had the lomo saltado and it was pretty tasty. Not as good as some of the ones I have had at pure Peruvian joints but definitely good. My wife had the grilled fish with veggies which was also good. Overall this is definitely a find in Pembroke Pines, we'll be visiting again perhaps when they have some music for dinner.
(4)
James H.

The food is still good. However, when the chef changed about a year ago the black beans have never been the same. Decor is a little cheesy but the ceviche is the best in town.
(3)
Carlos Z.

Very good and fresh ceviche. The service is very good. We all had different fish plates and as all were really good They gave life jazz music Fridays and Saturdays night. I will come back
(5)
Claudia G.

I've never written a review, but I felt compelled to write one for Govanni's Cafe... I want to first say "Thank You" to management and their staff. I couldn't of asked for better service like I got it for my mom's 80th birthday. This was a special day for my mom; and they made it happen. The attentiveness, hospitality, and food was definitely First Class. They helped me with the planning and setting up of the party. They made all the arrangements necessary so that I would get the best experience. They personalized the party for mom and where thoughtful about making sure that special accommodations be made for certain guests that required additional assistance. I loved that they understood the importance of family and the occasion. From beginning to end, the service was remarkable for my guests. They raved how much they enjoyed the live music, clean and beautiful location, quick service and delicious larger portion meals. I totally recommend Govanni's Cafe for your next special event. I know you won't be disappointed. :)
(5)
Luz B.

Delicious food, it's Peruvian and Italian. Service is great with a large menu. One of the only places that you can order a good ceviche and eggplant parm. Great for casual dining or family events.
(5)
Sol O.

Loved this place. Ceviche was good. The kids loved their cheese ravioli. My husband had the Peruvian seafood fried rice; amazing flavor! The service was good. Very friendly and helpful staff. Will definitely be returning.
(5)
Herb G.

Jazz night. Great music again. Unfortunately I was way under dressed. The owner went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable even dimming the lights. Salmon carpaccio was fantastic as always. Caesar salad left much to be desired as always and entree was fantastic.
(5)
Sady A.

Great food! They start off with some delicious Cuban bread so warm that the butter melts right off of it! My boyfriend ordered a frozen lemonade to drink and it was delicious. Not too icy. He had the Peruvian Steak Strips with fries and it was a signature dish. I had the Chicken Marsala and I couldn't finish it! They serve a great amount of food and it was very tasty! Loved the Chicken Marsala. We finished the night with some Taruflo or something like that... Lol it was Italian ice cream (picture is attached) and it was SO GOOD! I recommend this place to anyone!
(5)
Marisabel P.

We ordered the "special" a mahi mahi with guava sauce. We didn't like the taste of the sauce, it was too strong, and it tasted like guava jelly pour directly to the plate. We let the waitress know that we didn't like the dish at all. She came back telling us that she couldn't take that plate out of the check, because it was a certify special by the chef. Unbelievable! I know is not the waitress fault, she said she felt embarrassed about it. I will never come back to this horrible restaurant. A piece of advice: 1. The client is always right no matter what. If you want to succeed think about that. 2. The decor is awful! Change it.
(1)
Melli B.

Here's my experience with this place. Giovanni's is located in a plaza with a lot of medical offices so I had a hard time finding it at first. When I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised at how much larger it was on the inside than I had expected. It's a really pretty place...kinda dark with nice decor. It was empty when I arrived late afternoon on a Wednesday. A few patrons sat eating their lunch. I was seated at a small table and immediately given water and warm bread. There were only two waitresses which seems fine at this time of day. I ordered the fish and shrimp ceviche, the lunch special penne a la vodka which was served with a fish soup. I really was expecting that the ceviche would be sort of an appetizer size but It was HUGE and since I was dining alone, I could t finish it. It was really good though. The fish was very tender and the cilantro and onions helped give it tremendous flavor. The shrimp inside were very large and I think there were three or four. I ate a lot of ceviche and still had a lot left over. This ceviche was definitely meant for sharing. My fish soup arrived next. A small bowl of soup with fish and vegetables inside and a slice of lemon to squeeze inside. I have no doubt that this was a tasty soup but I didn't try it. Initially, I asked if it was made with fish or chicken broth. She told me fish but when it arrived, I knew immediately that it was chicken broth because of the smell. I did not try the soup because I don't eat chicken. Next out was my penne a la vodka. This dish was a bit more saucy than any other penne a la vodka I've had elsewhere. I asked for mine without bacon. It was pretty good but not the best I've had...just a little short on flavor but still good. The waitress was nice enough but often times was nowhere to be found. I waited quite a while for more water, a takeout container, and my check. Overall, out in my neck of the woods this place is DEFINITELY an upgrade considering there aren't a lot of good dining options out west. I thought it was quite pricey though but the lunch menu is affordable and it's a great spot for a date they have a bar, they have a band playing there sometimes because I saw a set up for musical instruments in the corner, it has the perfect lighting, and the staff was nice. I'm sure I'll return with my hubby and my little princess.
(3)
Teresa A.

This is a hidden gem! Outside it looks like a simple walk in office and you walk in and it looks like luxury! Their ceviche is amazing. My husband never eats ceviche, ever! and this is the only place where he orders it as an appetizer and recommends it to everyone we take. All of their foods are full of flavor, their meats, fish, even the chicken is delicious! The atmosphere is great, Great place to take someone you want to impress. Service was great too!
(5)
V M.

Was there for my spouse's birthday. Really regret going here. My seafood dish was served cold, music way too loud and it took an hour and fifteen minutes before out party was served. Overrated.
(1)
Carlos F.

Food is decent. Nice ambiance, Frank Sinatra type music. Good drinks. I had Peruvian Pisco. Which is Peru ' s version of tequila.
(3)
Josie C.

My friend took me here to try the ceviche because I'm a diehard fan. Definitely worth the trip here. Mouthwatering!! Entered a dimly lit restaurant with a nice Peruvian feel. We were greeted by the friendly waitress. She and my friend chatted a bit, I guess they know a lot of the locals by face. Sat down shortly and studied the menu. I had the fish and shrimp ceviche, the green cilantro soup and this other tomato based fished. Two thumbs up!!!! My ultimate favorite will be the ceviche. This alone will be enough to keep me coming back for more. I also tried the Inca Cola. Tasted pretty interesting.. like Japanese marble soda LOL. check out my pictures : )
(4)
Bill L.

Wow, my fellow Yelpers let me down on this one. Started off bad and got worse. Walked in early last night and asked for a table of 3. We were asked if we had a reservation and said no. The place had maybe 4 tables working. They looked around as if it was to be a problem but we were seated anyway. Bread comes out, I ask for some olive oil. Waitress looks like a deer in headlights. I ordered a martini. The waitress looked confused. She apologized, in Spanish, that she had just started here and was unfamiliar. A few minutes later the head waiter or manager or whatever, appeared to clarify my order. When I received my cocktail, it was watered down. I've been drinking martini's for a long time, your supposed to taste the gin. I asked the bartender if he put water or anything else in it, he said no. "Would you like more Beefeater?" I said yes. Assuming he was going to remix the cocktail, I handed him the glass. All he did was dump the cocktail into the mixer (with the already melted ice in it) and put more Beefeater in it. I tried to explain to him the proper way to make it but he didn't speak the greatest English and my Spanish isn't that good. I eventually summoned the manager guy again who had him remix the drink for the third time. It was better but not that great. It's a tough drink to screw up but he managed to anyway. House salad was iceberg lettuce. C'mon people, who eats iceberg anymore? Calamari was not good. Linguine white clam sauce, not good. It almost had a burned taste to it. The meatballs were decent as was the red gravy. I would not return to Giovanni's. I'm frankly surprised it receives as high a rating as it does. I guess they need to figure out if they are Peruvian, Cuban, Italian, or whatever. Focus on what works as they don't appear to have the Italian thing down very well.
(2)
Robert P.

Wanted to start out with thanking our fellow yelpers Read all your reviews I agree with most of them they do need some help in the service department and the language barrier Overall the food was five Stars!!! We started off with a shrimp and fish ceviche Very tasty very fresh love it I ordered the Peruvian style fried rice that I loved and can't wait to have it again Had the grouper soup that was delicious My wife had the beef carpaccio appetizer and she loved it. Can't wait to go back! PS it is a Headin location in a very awkward place but don't let that scare you off.
(5)
Felicia R.

Highly recommend. Casual Peruvian restaurant in pines. Live music on Friday and Saturdays, friendly staff. I have come to done on different occasions and I can't complain. Food its very tasty and flavorful. Items to try: ceviche, carpaccio, calamari, jalea familar, fish soup, lomo saltado, chaufa de pollo, fish desserts are good too. Great cappuccino. Only downside, the decor is a little tacky and bread could be better (just cuban rolls) Review says its dressy, it really isn't.
(5)
Susy A.

I do not know why anybody would give a bad review to a restaurant because there was too much clapping, instead of rating the food which is actually really good if you feel like having Peruvian food. A really nice fancy atmosphere, hands down best in the west Pembroke Pines area with affordable prices. Good seafood too!
(5)
Richard M.

Updating my review from 4 to 5 stars. Been going here for dine in and take out since it opened. The staff are friendly the food and beverages are great and most of all it hs been 100% consistent since it opened. The owner is always present and runs a tight ship, on top of everything. I have taken many friends here and have not been disappointed. It's hard to find but if going at the weekend go early as the locals know it's there and you will have to wait. My only wishes would be for a better wine selection and fresh deserts Try it!
(5)
Henry A.

We've been visiting this restaurant since we moved to the area about one year ago... This is our best find for Peruvian in the area. We generally will order out 2-3 times per month. Here are a couple of our favorite dishes to name a few: Peruvian Style Beef Strips (lomo saltado) Grilled Fish Filet Green Seafood Soup We have ordered other items from the menu and have been pleasantly surprised with their quality. The little ones also enjoy their tasty mashed potatoes along with the meals. Favorably priced. Highly recommended, Enjoy!
(5)
D D.

Their fried rice is very good and a mountain if it. Chop the sweet plantains and mix in the rice to give it a sweet touch. The ceviche is also plenty compared to any other place and excellent tasting. These two plates should be enough for three people. Hidden in what seems a medical plaza.
(4)
Dave D.

OMG, been here half a dozen times, good food and great service. Tonite, terrible.... 90 minutes for appetizers and 2 hours for entree. Unforgivable! If you can't handle it, the restaurant should have turned away patrons. What a waste!
(2)
Erika J.

No complaints. The live music was great, the staff was friendly, service and food was on point tonight. This place is a gem!
(4)
Margorie G.

I have to say I was beyond surprised by how good the food was! I had my doubts, my brain couldn't wrap itself around a Peruvian Italian restaurant but it works! The restaurant and staff are very nice and attentive. They started us off with bread and we ordered beer and wine for the table. We had the ceviche mixto and it was very good very authentic. It could have had a little more lime juice. The spicy huacatay they serve is really good. We had the chicken marasala which was a good size and very tasty. The surprise of the afternoon was their poached fish dish, YOU MUST TRY THIS! It's the same thing as a Peruvian sudado de pescado and I have to say the flavors were all there. Very much authentic Peruvian dish which is so hard to find in a restaurant. I will definitely be eating here again soon.
(4)
Jessy S.

This restaurant has the best jalea that I have ever tasted. Peruvian food is an absolute must and I recommend this dish specially. So this dish has fried seafood along with yuca and the shrimp and fish are the stars of this dish. The pisco martini is really good and all very tasty. I tried their pasta calamari and this dish did not taste fresh..rather very rubbery so I do not recommend that. However it has a very chic look with great service. You will absolutely have a good dinner and they have a nice variety of wines.
(4)
William Clyde L.

Giovanni's is not really worth the effort. Their food is OK but falls quite short of being good. The ceviche is excellent. If I just ordered that, It would have been a great meal. The salad was very small but tasted all right. The new york strip steak was tough, too fatty, and overcooked. I should have sent it back. I tasted the salmon that a friend of mine had--it was very fishy tasting. The mashed potatoes were quite good- one of the best things they have if not the very best. I tasted a few of their desserts and didn't like any of them particularly. The coffee was OK. All in all the meal wasn't something I would want to repeat. The service was fair and the place was nice and clean. I couldn't in good conscience recommend Giovanni's.
(2)
Krystal O.

Really cute spot in Pembroke Pines to have dinner, it's definitely hidden as I'd been to this shopping center many times and had never noticed it until a friend took me to dinner here. They have some of the best ceviche I have ever had. The shrimp are huge and everything is really fresh and full of flavor.
(4)
Monique M.

Poor management, poor logistics, poorly trained servers! Such a shame, this used to be a nice local gem. However given the change of owner/manager the quality has taken a hit. Waited over an hour for a meal that was mediocre at best. Our table of 8 was unable to enjoy the meal together as 4-5 were fed first while the others waited 20 more minutes for their respective entrees. Manager lacks professionalism, courtesy, and couth. Although I used to bring business clients, family and friends here, I will be taking my business elsewhere. Terrible experience!
(1)
Mimosa N.

Finally got to check this place out and it didn't disappoint! Portions are large and satisfying and prices are very fair. Giovanni's Cafe is so close to my house but I've never been able to stop by because they're closed on Mondays and Monday is the only day my family goes out to eat. Fortunately, my parents took off work 4th of July weekend and we were able pay a visit. The inside is very spacious and nicely decorated. Very chic vibe. There's live music on Friday and Saturday nights too! We ordered the fish ceviche to start off but the kitchen accidentally made the MIXED ceviche and the restaurant was courteous enough to let us keep the mixed ceviche at the fish ceviche price. Lucky us! While it was good, it wasn't the best mixed ceviche I've ever had and they didn't use Peruvian corn. Regardless, we were hungry and licked the plate clean. My dad, brother, and I each ordered a pasta dish for our entrees and they each came with our choice of soup (chicken or fish) or salad (house or caesar). While the caesar salad was pretty basic, the portion was very generous. The fish soup, however, was really good! I got the chicken piccata, my brother got the penne vodka, and my dad got the chicken cannelloni. All were tasty. My sister got the grilled skirt steak with mashed potatoes and tostones instead of rice and fries, and she loved it. The tostones were probably some of the best we've ever had. My mom got the grilled pork chops and actually devoured it. My mom is a very fickle eater and pork chops are usually very hit or miss, but she thought they were flavorful and juicy and went well with the rice and beans. As other yelpers have said, the portion sizes are huge! We have quite the appetite but we still had to pack up some of our food to take home. That's not a bad thing at all considering the prices are so affordable. You really get your money's worth here! Service was efficient as they kept refilling our waters and the food came out in a timely manner. It only took a little long towards the end to get our server's attention. However, we definitely had a good experience and will be back if we ever get the chance again.
(4)
Michael S.

Where do I even start... The service: Service is not good, not the waitress fault just one person for 7 tables and 3 of them had 10 people. Waited 20 mins for the order to be taken, water was never refilled. The food came all at different times not a couple of minutes apart, like 5 minutes apart. The food: Some of the food came out cold, I had to send it back. Some food didn't even arrive. We had to stand up and ask for drinks because the waitress never came. The ravioli for adults cost twice as much as the same as the ravioli for kids for the same exact amount (5 pieces). The owner: I would have been ok with all of this if the owner when I approached him with constructive criticism would have told me, we are sorry, we'll do better next time and reassured that our next experience would be better but his response was " what do you want me to do about it?" Very defensive, and ignored a lot of what I told him. When the bill came they charged me for food that never came, I had to get it corrected. I will never return to this place or recommended it to anyone. I gave it one stars because some of the food was good according to my other family members
(1)
Dennis B.

This is a Spanish restaurant serving Peruvian food with an Italian twist. We started off by sharing two appetizers. The fish cerviche was piled high with fish and red onions. It was delicious. Next appetizer was a fried polenta in the shape of meatballs. Fried golden brown on the outside with a luscious polenta center. Just moist and delicious. It was served with an outstanding sweet sauce made with figs. It was the perfect sauce to serve with this dish. This was followed by a salad of chopped iceberg lettuce, chick peas and tomato. The salad however was very skimpy. Three fork fulls and I was finished. It came with an Italian dressing on the side which was neither Italian or otherwise. I opted for olive oil and balsamic vinegar. For the main course, I ordered the NY strip steak. It came as I ordered it, medium rare. It was covered in a creamy peppercorn sauce. I found the steak to be tasteless and hard to chew. My waiter was very caring and offered me another entree. I opted for broiled salmon. It came with a somewhat heavy lemon sauce that was sweet. In my opinion, the sweet lemon sauce was not called for. It did nothing to compliment the salmon. My companion had the chicken marsala. Three very large boneless breasts in a marsala sauce topped with mushrooms. My companion stated the chicken dish was just delicious. I tasted it and agreed. Both dishes came with two sides. The best mashed potatoes I ever had with potato bits in it. Perfectly seasoned and mashed just to the right consistency. Thin asparagus spears rounded out the dish. They had no seasoning and were quite skimpy. They only gave two spears. I would certainly not call this a side. It was more like a garnish. After all, who gives just two thin spears. For dessert, I ordered the amaretto with three milks. A small piece of white cake doused in amaretto and frosted. It was very good and sweetened perfectly. My companion had the coconut flan. It was swimming in a sugary syrup. Way too sweet for my taste buds. I was quite disappointed with my overall dining experience. Service, however was excellent.
(3)
Kathy C.

This review is for takeout only! Although, I feel I will be back to dine in pretty soon. I had been looking for restaurants for Friday night takeout and had been recommended Giovanni's a while back by a friend. I was excited to finally try them because I love me some lomo saltado. We called and were told it would be 15 minutes, we showed up 10 minutes later and the food was ready. I had ordered the lomo saltado and my partner had the chicken parm. I agree with the review about Giovanni's having big portions!!! This chicken was huge!! It was smothered in melted cheese and drizzled with sauce. It was sooooo good and still hot! I could have ate the chicken by itself and not have felt like I needed any sides to go along with it. My lomo was delicious and a generous portion as well. You can taste the seasonings all come together in the meat and the veggies/fries accompanying the meat weren't soggy yet. I wasn't able to eat it all but the following day I had leftovers AND the day after that I made myself an egg and lomo quesadilla for breakfast (Yes! That is how big the plates are). Not bad for a dinner takeout that tastes just as good the following day. Next time I hope to be back for the live music!
(4)
Jeffrey G.

This place must advertise. A true hidden gem of great food and atmosphere. Definitely a quiet romantic evening out, because it's so quiet and not to bright..... Don't be fooled by the surrounding medical offices this is a real deal restaurant with great food....
(5)
Amy P.

A big thank you goes out to Giovanni's for making my best friend's graduation dinner so memorable. Located in a quaint medical plaza, you'll find this Peruvian/Italian gem. We came in yesterday around 6:30 PM with a private room in the back reserved for about 15-17 of us. My best friend's family is like my second family to me no lie. I grew up with them with a good portion of my life, so was hoping this night would go smooth to celebrate her big day. From the moment we both walked in to meet the rest of the family already sitting down, we were treated so kind and they catered to our parties need throughout our long stay there. If you have a special event and need a restaurant in the Broward area to cater and host something in a private room, I highly suggest Giovanni's! The sangria, we had a choice of white and red, was flowing non-stop all night. No one had a cup empty for longer than 3 minutes. Which in turn was a direct result of why there was so many funny/weird/emotional toasts going on all night. Haha. They gave our whole party huge plates of mozzarella sticks, fried calamari, and fresh fish ceviche for our appetizers. The ceviche went fast! I think we all went though about 5-6 giant plates of those. THAT GOOD. Then we had salads and bread to go along as well, pretty standard. For the main entrees the catering service let my best friend choose a few items to place on the custom menus they made us. She decided a few days before on the chicken piccata, chicken parm with the pasta, skirt steak with chimi churri and rice and beans. Everyone in the party enjoyed their plates very much. Especially with their spicy picante verde sauce they passed around. In the end we all got a little tipsy and shared amazing stories about the guest of honor, and cracked up all evening. This was such a smooth night with the hospitality of Giovanni's staff.
(4)
Paul M.

We were super surprised to find this gem of a restaurant in the middle of a medical office building. Honestly I do not know how anyone would know about it if it were not for Yelp! Once you go inside, Giovanni's is surprisingly large - there is a private room in the back, a full bar area, a small space for live music, and ample seating. We came here for lunch and although the lunch specials were a great deal - all less than $9.99, we opted for some regular menu items. The cuisine here is mixed - Italian and Peruvian. I am used to seeing Italian - Argentinian restaurants but this is a new combo. We started with the Salmon carpaccio which was HUGE. This is an app that can be shared by 3 people. I found it to be delicious with onions, tomatoes, and capers on thinly sliced salmon. My wife found it to be a bit lemon-y for her but I loved it. I had the lomo saltado and it was pretty tasty. Not as good as some of the ones I have had at pure Peruvian joints but definitely good. My wife had the grilled fish with veggies which was also good. Overall this is definitely a find in Pembroke Pines, we'll be visiting again perhaps when they have some music for dinner.
(4)
James H.

The food is still good. However, when the chef changed about a year ago the black beans have never been the same. Decor is a little cheesy but the ceviche is the best in town.
(3)
Carlos Z.

Very good and fresh ceviche. The service is very good. We all had different fish plates and as all were really good They gave life jazz music Fridays and Saturdays night. I will come back
(5)
Jessica C.

BIG SERVING, MEETS EXPECTATIONS. I thought it was quite funny at first that this place is located at a medical business plaza. But I bet all of those doctors are coming in and enjoying their lunch at this amazing place. As you walk in the door, you're immediately welcomed with the cool and stylish decor. Whoever designed this place should design my house, it's very classy and definitely made a good impression for first-timers like me. My whole party of 20 (big post-mass lunch) was then seated in the restaurant. The waiters and the owner were amiable and very attentive to us. Our whole party ordered a variety of food, the menu offered Italian and Peruvian delicacies. Here's some of the run-down that I tasted and ate: Fried Seafood Mix: This was HUGE. I mean it can feed maybe 5-6 people. It had a variety of friend seafood like mussels, fish, calamari and shrimp. The whole plate was lightly battered and fried to perfection. I mean that fish was fluffy, sweet and fresh. The calamari didn't turn into rubber and just melts in your mouth. The spicy cilantro sauce was pretty good too (just watch out for that kick). It's topped with pickled red onions as well, which adds another acidity to the food. Peruvian Style Beef Strips: My cousin had this one. ANOTHER BIG PLATE. The beef can be more tender, but he said it was perfect. Maybe the aroma of the red wine in the sauce really got to him. I think it tasted good, the sauce is great, but the meat can be cooked in a little bit more. Yellow Chicken Rice: I think this is a must get. I tasted this and it was delicious. Rice was done very nicely and you can taste that chicken broth that they cooked the rice in. It's a yum! Chicken Picatta: This is the one I ordered, I think that the sauce was too thick for my liking. The chicken was done nicely, you can substitute the pasta with mashed potatoes (which we're done well and well flavored). But the cooked artichoke in it was a little off putting. I wish I ordered something else, but this one isn't my favorite of the bunch that we have ordered. Chicken Marsala: My other cousin had this one and it was good. It comes in a huge plate. I've had so many types of chicken marsala, I don't know how to feel about this dish anymore, to be honest. But I think the flavors were done right and it was all cooked well in a thick mushroom sauce. Penne Vodka: THIS IS MY FAVORITE. I think I ended up eating half of my other cousin's plate. I MEAN WOW. I think what increased their stars for me with this place is definitely this penne vodka. Thick creamy vodka sauce that's done right and with BACON? If you're coming here or coming back, definitely get this. I really can lick the plate, it's that delicious. Overall, good job Giovanni's you've earned a fan because of your amazing penne vodka. But tighten up on that house salad though, it's too basic for my taste.
(4)
Tawny W.

Good Peruvian food .. For appetizer the fried mixed seafood is a must .. But a warning it is huge , the fish soup is excellent.
(5)
Claudia G.

I've never written a review, but I felt compelled to write one for Govanni's Cafe... I want to first say "Thank You" to management and their staff. I couldn't of asked for better service like I got it for my mom's 80th birthday. This was a special day for my mom; and they made it happen. The attentiveness, hospitality, and food was definitely First Class. They helped me with the planning and setting up of the party. They made all the arrangements necessary so that I would get the best experience. They personalized the party for mom and where thoughtful about making sure that special accommodations be made for certain guests that required additional assistance. I loved that they understood the importance of family and the occasion. From beginning to end, the service was remarkable for my guests. They raved how much they enjoyed the live music, clean and beautiful location, quick service and delicious larger portion meals. I totally recommend Govanni's Cafe for your next special event. I know you won't be disappointed. :)
(5)
Luz B.

Delicious food, it's Peruvian and Italian. Service is great with a large menu. One of the only places that you can order a good ceviche and eggplant parm. Great for casual dining or family events.
(5)
Sol O.

Loved this place. Ceviche was good. The kids loved their cheese ravioli. My husband had the Peruvian seafood fried rice; amazing flavor! The service was good. Very friendly and helpful staff. Will definitely be returning.
(5)
Herb G.

Jazz night. Great music again. Unfortunately I was way under dressed. The owner went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable even dimming the lights. Salmon carpaccio was fantastic as always. Caesar salad left much to be desired as always and entree was fantastic.
(5)
Sady A.

Great food! They start off with some delicious Cuban bread so warm that the butter melts right off of it! My boyfriend ordered a frozen lemonade to drink and it was delicious. Not too icy. He had the Peruvian Steak Strips with fries and it was a signature dish. I had the Chicken Marsala and I couldn't finish it! They serve a great amount of food and it was very tasty! Loved the Chicken Marsala. We finished the night with some Taruflo or something like that... Lol it was Italian ice cream (picture is attached) and it was SO GOOD! I recommend this place to anyone!
(5)
Marisabel P.

We ordered the "special" a mahi mahi with guava sauce. We didn't like the taste of the sauce, it was too strong, and it tasted like guava jelly pour directly to the plate. We let the waitress know that we didn't like the dish at all. She came back telling us that she couldn't take that plate out of the check, because it was a certify special by the chef. Unbelievable! I know is not the waitress fault, she said she felt embarrassed about it. I will never come back to this horrible restaurant. A piece of advice: 1. The client is always right no matter what. If you want to succeed think about that. 2. The decor is awful! Change it.
(1)
Yolanda S.

Love it. Been twice I think.. First time was better than last... Service and atmosphere was good for me. If you like small mom and pop restaurants then you will like it. I was not lucky enough to experience the live music as I missed it on the days I went. But I really love small cozy restaurants so this works well for me and it is right close to my home. Food was good don't remember what I ordered it has been awhile since I have been but just decided to write a review finally, Just try it....
(4)
Zora S.

I had the arroz con pollo for lunch and it was amazing. They make it fresh to order so it arrived nice and hot just the way I like my food. My son had the breaded chicken with rice and beans. The chicken comes in a very close second to my mom's homemade breaded chicken. That's a huge compliment. I will definitely be back to bring the hubby to try their dinner entrees and dessert.
(4)
Josie C.

My friend took me here to try the ceviche because I'm a diehard fan. Definitely worth the trip here. Mouthwatering!! Entered a dimly lit restaurant with a nice Peruvian feel. We were greeted by the friendly waitress. She and my friend chatted a bit, I guess they know a lot of the locals by face. Sat down shortly and studied the menu. I had the fish and shrimp ceviche, the green cilantro soup and this other tomato based fished. Two thumbs up!!!! My ultimate favorite will be the ceviche. This alone will be enough to keep me coming back for more. I also tried the Inca Cola. Tasted pretty interesting.. like Japanese marble soda LOL. check out my pictures : )
(4)
Erika J.

No complaints. The live music was great, the staff was friendly, service and food was on point tonight. This place is a gem!
(4)
Melli B.

Here's my experience with this place. Giovanni's is located in a plaza with a lot of medical offices so I had a hard time finding it at first. When I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised at how much larger it was on the inside than I had expected. It's a really pretty place...kinda dark with nice decor. It was empty when I arrived late afternoon on a Wednesday. A few patrons sat eating their lunch. I was seated at a small table and immediately given water and warm bread. There were only two waitresses which seems fine at this time of day. I ordered the fish and shrimp ceviche, the lunch special penne a la vodka which was served with a fish soup. I really was expecting that the ceviche would be sort of an appetizer size but It was HUGE and since I was dining alone, I could t finish it. It was really good though. The fish was very tender and the cilantro and onions helped give it tremendous flavor. The shrimp inside were very large and I think there were three or four. I ate a lot of ceviche and still had a lot left over. This ceviche was definitely meant for sharing. My fish soup arrived next. A small bowl of soup with fish and vegetables inside and a slice of lemon to squeeze inside. I have no doubt that this was a tasty soup but I didn't try it. Initially, I asked if it was made with fish or chicken broth. She told me fish but when it arrived, I knew immediately that it was chicken broth because of the smell. I did not try the soup because I don't eat chicken. Next out was my penne a la vodka. This dish was a bit more saucy than any other penne a la vodka I've had elsewhere. I asked for mine without bacon. It was pretty good but not the best I've had...just a little short on flavor but still good. The waitress was nice enough but often times was nowhere to be found. I waited quite a while for more water, a takeout container, and my check. Overall, out in my neck of the woods this place is DEFINITELY an upgrade considering there aren't a lot of good dining options out west. I thought it was quite pricey though but the lunch menu is affordable and it's a great spot for a date they have a bar, they have a band playing there sometimes because I saw a set up for musical instruments in the corner, it has the perfect lighting, and the staff was nice. I'm sure I'll return with my hubby and my little princess.
(3)
Teresa A.

This is a hidden gem! Outside it looks like a simple walk in office and you walk in and it looks like luxury! Their ceviche is amazing. My husband never eats ceviche, ever! and this is the only place where he orders it as an appetizer and recommends it to everyone we take. All of their foods are full of flavor, their meats, fish, even the chicken is delicious! The atmosphere is great, Great place to take someone you want to impress. Service was great too!
(5)
V M.

Was there for my spouse's birthday. Really regret going here. My seafood dish was served cold, music way too loud and it took an hour and fifteen minutes before out party was served. Overrated.
(1)
Carlos F.

Food is decent. Nice ambiance, Frank Sinatra type music. Good drinks. I had Peruvian Pisco. Which is Peru ' s version of tequila.
(3)
Margorie G.

I have to say I was beyond surprised by how good the food was! I had my doubts, my brain couldn't wrap itself around a Peruvian Italian restaurant but it works! The restaurant and staff are very nice and attentive. They started us off with bread and we ordered beer and wine for the table. We had the ceviche mixto and it was very good very authentic. It could have had a little more lime juice. The spicy huacatay they serve is really good. We had the chicken marasala which was a good size and very tasty. The surprise of the afternoon was their poached fish dish, YOU MUST TRY THIS! It's the same thing as a Peruvian sudado de pescado and I have to say the flavors were all there. Very much authentic Peruvian dish which is so hard to find in a restaurant. I will definitely be eating here again soon.
(4)
Donna P.

we watched a "Check Please" show that reviewed Giovanni's Cafe and we decided to try it. From the moment we walked in -- we loved the restaurant. Food - any ceviche -- and especially the fried fish -- fabulous. The entrees --- just go with your mood, you won't be disappointed. The staff is friendly, know the menu, make great recommendations, give attentive but not overbearing service, ... The food is delicious and portions are more than ample -- weekends are packed PACKED so check out a Monday or Tuesday night for a more relaxed dining experience.
(5)
Johana L.

Definitively this place is amazing! Today we order the Peruvian Fried Rice and it was delicious... Also, the services was enjoyable, a Venezuelan guy called Roy was our server and he made us feel like we were friends! In conclusion, this place it is the one that I'm going to recommend to everyone!
(5)
Carl E.

First time visitor to this restaurant. We had a very good experience and we were impressed with the food, the presentation and the prices. We started with a great bottle of Cabernet wine from Washington state priced at just $29. For our appetizer, we ordered the ceviche (shrimp, calamari, muscles, fish, onions,etc), which was a huge portion large enough for four for about $16. Our favorite entrÃ©e was the Peruvian seafood fried rice--it was really good. Another favorite was the "Submarine" grouper which comes topped with shrimp and calamari and a delicious sauce. The live music was very nice. It turned out to be a great evening as Andy, our waiter, took good care of us. We will definitely return, often.
(5)
Roberto S.

The only restaurant in SOFLO that I know of that really uses Corvina fish for their Ceviche, this amazing! Keep it up and exploit that fact. Location not so great it can easily be confused with an italian bakery and its not easy to find.
(4)
Steve L.

This was our first time here and it was well worth it. Nice cozy atmosphere and the service was good. They have live music which was very nice. The food was really good. We will be back soon.
(4)
Beth C.

We have been going to Giovanni's for years and have always loved it. That is, until it changed owners. The quantity and the quality of the food has gone downhill. We went for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and my chicken parmesan sandwich was horrible, hard chicken, tasted microwaved and soggy bread. It also made me extremely sick. My husband's fish soup had 3 tiny pieces of fish in it and tasted like vegetable soup. I don't know if we'll be back.
(2)
Michelle R.

The food was good but it's the only time in my life that they waitress asked me if I wanted black beans and rice with my chicken parmesan!! WHAT????!!!!
(3)
Jessy S.

This restaurant has the best jalea that I have ever tasted. Peruvian food is an absolute must and I recommend this dish specially. So this dish has fried seafood along with yuca and the shrimp and fish are the stars of this dish. The pisco martini is really good and all very tasty. I tried their pasta calamari and this dish did not taste fresh..rather very rubbery so I do not recommend that. However it has a very chic look with great service. You will absolutely have a good dinner and they have a nice variety of wines.
(4)
Richard M.

Updating my review from 4 to 5 stars. Been going here for dine in and take out since it opened. The staff are friendly the food and beverages are great and most of all it hs been 100% consistent since it opened. The owner is always present and runs a tight ship, on top of everything. I have taken many friends here and have not been disappointed. It's hard to find but if going at the weekend go early as the locals know it's there and you will have to wait. My only wishes would be for a better wine selection and fresh deserts Try it!
(5)
Henry A.

We've been visiting this restaurant since we moved to the area about one year ago... This is our best find for Peruvian in the area. We generally will order out 2-3 times per month. Here are a couple of our favorite dishes to name a few: Peruvian Style Beef Strips (lomo saltado) Grilled Fish Filet Green Seafood Soup We have ordered other items from the menu and have been pleasantly surprised with their quality. The little ones also enjoy their tasty mashed potatoes along with the meals. Favorably priced. Highly recommended, Enjoy!
(5)
D D.

Their fried rice is very good and a mountain if it. Chop the sweet plantains and mix in the rice to give it a sweet touch. The ceviche is also plenty compared to any other place and excellent tasting. These two plates should be enough for three people. Hidden in what seems a medical plaza.
(4)
Dave D.

OMG, been here half a dozen times, good food and great service. Tonite, terrible.... 90 minutes for appetizers and 2 hours for entree. Unforgivable! If you can't handle it, the restaurant should have turned away patrons. What a waste!
(2)
Mariano G.

I'm writing this review as I eat. I've taken two bites and I'm already astonished at how good the good is. I ordered to lomo saltado. My guess have ordered the churrasco (spell check) and linguini with muscles and we've all decided we will be coming back, probably next Saturday. It's in a huddle location, so look for it. Great ambiance and service. Not many places like this is Pembroke Pines so give it a shot. By far it is amazing !!!
(5)
Karen N.

You can't beat their lunch specials! I will come back again to try the other specials that were listed. I like the idea that they serve both Italian and Peruvian cuisine. However, I have one suggestion. Since they serve Italian food, it would be nice to have garlic rolls instead of the cuban bread and butter. Don't get me wrong, the bread was great, but when you are eating an Italian dish, a garlic roll dipped in sauce is tastier than cuban bread. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Luis R.

Excellent. Owner/chef and wife/hostess/bartender are the perfect example of how to treat your customers. Food is always good, well prepared and as fresh as can be. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Laura Z.

Awesome ceviche! Great pasta with HUGE shrimp! The staff here is so nice! My fiance and I walked in without a reservation and they were concerned that we had to wait a whole 5 minutes to get seated! The live music created an awesome environment! We want to make this one of our new "Places"
(5)
Eva G.

I was told this place was good so hopped in for lunch with some friends. Only our table and another but took waitress 15 mins before approaching. Ordered right away... Salad finally go to table 35 minutes later. Ordered stuffed chicken cannoli pasta- was like a wet tortilla. Gross. Friend had chicken Parm chicken was dry and over cooked not fresh, frozen ravioli- nasty bland. Our order came 55 minutes after ordering. A group of elderly came in and server gave them food right away. More like fast food dining. Horrible service, nothing Authentic Italian at all... Sweet plantains- stale and hard. Total waste if two hours I can never get back.
(1)
Bill L.

Wow, my fellow Yelpers let me down on this one. Started off bad and got worse. Walked in early last night and asked for a table of 3. We were asked if we had a reservation and said no. The place had maybe 4 tables working. They looked around as if it was to be a problem but we were seated anyway. Bread comes out, I ask for some olive oil. Waitress looks like a deer in headlights. I ordered a martini. The waitress looked confused. She apologized, in Spanish, that she had just started here and was unfamiliar. A few minutes later the head waiter or manager or whatever, appeared to clarify my order. When I received my cocktail, it was watered down. I've been drinking martini's for a long time, your supposed to taste the gin. I asked the bartender if he put water or anything else in it, he said no. "Would you like more Beefeater?" I said yes. Assuming he was going to remix the cocktail, I handed him the glass. All he did was dump the cocktail into the mixer (with the already melted ice in it) and put more Beefeater in it. I tried to explain to him the proper way to make it but he didn't speak the greatest English and my Spanish isn't that good. I eventually summoned the manager guy again who had him remix the drink for the third time. It was better but not that great. It's a tough drink to screw up but he managed to anyway. House salad was iceberg lettuce. C'mon people, who eats iceberg anymore? Calamari was not good. Linguine white clam sauce, not good. It almost had a burned taste to it. The meatballs were decent as was the red gravy. I would not return to Giovanni's. I'm frankly surprised it receives as high a rating as it does. I guess they need to figure out if they are Peruvian, Cuban, Italian, or whatever. Focus on what works as they don't appear to have the Italian thing down very well.
(2)
Robert P.

Wanted to start out with thanking our fellow yelpers Read all your reviews I agree with most of them they do need some help in the service department and the language barrier Overall the food was five Stars!!! We started off with a shrimp and fish ceviche Very tasty very fresh love it I ordered the Peruvian style fried rice that I loved and can't wait to have it again Had the grouper soup that was delicious My wife had the beef carpaccio appetizer and she loved it. Can't wait to go back! PS it is a Headin location in a very awkward place but don't let that scare you off.
(5)
Felicia R.

Highly recommend. Casual Peruvian restaurant in pines. Live music on Friday and Saturdays, friendly staff. I have come to done on different occasions and I can't complain. Food its very tasty and flavorful. Items to try: ceviche, carpaccio, calamari, jalea familar, fish soup, lomo saltado, chaufa de pollo, fish desserts are good too. Great cappuccino. Only downside, the decor is a little tacky and bread could be better (just cuban rolls) Review says its dressy, it really isn't.
(5)
Susy A.

I do not know why anybody would give a bad review to a restaurant because there was too much clapping, instead of rating the food which is actually really good if you feel like having Peruvian food. A really nice fancy atmosphere, hands down best in the west Pembroke Pines area with affordable prices. Good seafood too!
(5)
Juan K.

First of all..I was expecting a less fancier place from the name "Cafe". Secondly, I thought it was a full Peruvian restaurant :( but its really an Italian restaurant with some Peruvian dishes... The restaurant looks nice. The service was good. The food was OK.. They gave us some Cuban bread - which was amazing For starters - We order some ceviche and sangria for drinks - Ceviche was really good! The sangria was very water downed and it had almost no taste to it...I guess they didn't know how to make the sangria.. 1. Mom order some livornese fish which was OK. 2. Brother order some pasta with salmon dish that had some mussels and calamari in it. The sauce tasted good, the salmon was OK. 3. I ordered a "lomo saltado" (very well known Peruvian dish) and I was disappointed...The beef was dry and hard and a bit too salty for my taste. 4. Sister order the BEST dish out of all of us..Marsala Rib-Eye - it was really good, steak was very nice and tender and the sauce was delicious. Overall I was expecting much more since I read all the good reviews before going to the restaurant. I'm not sure if I would go again. I'd rather just go to a fully Peruvian restaurant next time.
(3)
Barbara S.

We entered the restaurant as a family of four.two of us are gluten free. We kept insisting that we could not have wheat or flour on our meals and we ordered grilled fish as suggested by the waiter and we were told there would be no bread crumbs.When the meal came, there were bread crumbs and the waiter said its just a little bit but we turned back the meal. They made us a second meal which was the same as the first,which was also was sent back. It was the same fish! We called over the manager. Despite the bread crumbs obviously on the second order, the manager denied that the bread crumbs were on the fish. When I asked what was that lying on top of our fish but he refused to answer. He took it back and refused to give us another order. We were charged for the side order to the fish. When we complained that the whole order should have been compted, the manager refused saying we ate the side. We told him that we would bewriting a negative review on yelp he told us to go ahead. We left there and went to another restaurant to eat.
(1)
Dan D.

Live music on Saturday night.
(4)
M R.

There were so many birthdays when I went. Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. It was one huge party nightmare. Entrees took forty-five minutes for that one course alone. Barely had service at all because all the waitresses seemed to be occupied. Everyone wanted their clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Fish soup was pretty good. Not amazing, but okay. Everything else was crap, crap, crap, crap, crap. Including the bill. Outrageous for tasteless crap.
(2)
Steven F.

Really good food and nice atmosphere. Ceviche is great and the portions are ample. One thing to stay away from though.... any item on their menu that says fish is not what they say. The say its grouper and it is swai (catfish). I know the difference. Besides, if it was grouper, why wouldn't they say that on the menu. Otherwise, great place.
(4)
Ed B.

Been going to Giovanni's for a few months and I have to say everything we go its great!! Hidden gem in Pembroke Pines.
(5)
Oscar V.

Wow, I wrote a review three months ago and how this place has changed. The service felt like they did not want to be their. Not one smile as if we were bothering them. When we asked to pack our left overs, they threw it away and told us that they would not do anything about it. When we asked to see the owner, they told us to eave the establishment. Maybe they feel the food alone will keep customers coming back. But, unfortunately that too has gone down hill. Anyway, I won't be going back. Too many other choices in town.
(1)
Morgan C.

Came again and flawless for the money what a lunch with salad and what an ambience . Good service like the food very delicious.
(4)
Michelle G.

Giovanni's is a breath of fresh air in West Pines. Most of the wonderful restaurants are far east from our home but this restaurant really is top drawer. Food is a great value considering the plates are large enough to pack half of it for lunch the next day, Flavorful punch to each dish! Very sweet wait staff. Wish they would bring back delivery like they used to offer.
(5)
Michael F.

Food and Service were very good! Presentation could be improved!
(3)
David C.

Just terrible!!!! I didn't even wait for our food to come. We sat for 15 minutes before some asked us what we wanted to drink. I wanted a water with lemon and was brought water with lime. That was enough so I walked out.
(1)
Rick G.

Best fish Libornese anywhere. The prices are very low considering the great quality of the food. Great food - bargain prices.
(5)
Jessica P.

Favorite local restaurant! Lomo saltado... yum! Churrasco... yum! The pasta dishes are amazing! Friday nights are the best. They have drink specials and they have a live music. Relaxing and I love the customer service. Its hidden in a shopping center which sucks because more people should know about this place.
(5)
Jose S.

Love this place! We come here all the time, great food, awesome staff... Omar's memory is uncanny.... Highly Recommend.
(5)
Suzanne D.

Don't go. Enough said.
(1)
alex h.

Good food. Excellent ceviche and salmon. Service could use some improvement but the food makes up for the slow service.
(5)
Justin L.

Service was slow at first. Another couple ran out of patience and left. But the waitress became more attentive and much nicer. The food was mediocre and the salad was a bit gritty. The calamari tasted artificial. The skirt steak was pretty good and a nice size for the price. The live music was a nice touch. Maybe I'll come back if I am in the mood for skirt steak.
(3)
Lisa M.

Saw the mixed reviews but hubby wanted to try something new. We were greeted immediately and seated. So far so good. Wine order taken water poured. Waiter arrived and seemed indifferent. No mention of dinner specials and I had to ask about the soup. Not a big deal, but worth a mention. Bread provided. Looked like store bought dinner rolls with butter in packets that remind me of cracker barrel. (as a side note, I love cracker barrel, but butter in packets is not what I expect at an upscale restaurant). Salad arrived and yes it was iceberg lettuce. Lettuce was cut in strips, diced tomato and red onion and two garbanzo beans per salad. Dressing tasted like bottled ranch. So disappointing. I had one sample bite hubby had two. Put plates across the table. Another server picked up the plates, saw they were full and asked if we were done. No question about if we liked the salad or a visit by a manager to ask if we liked them. Not asking for free food, but a concerned front of the house manager could have made a difference in our review. Entrees arrived. I had Chicken Marsala. This is my go to dish for a new restaurant. Very happy with the amount of mushrooms. Sauce was good and the chicken was cooked well. Hubby ordered Fish Filet a la Francese. Lemon in sauce was overpowering. Sauce was over fish and pasta. Personal preference would have been to leave the sauce off the pasta. Maybe that would have reduced the overpowering flavor. Did not have dessert. Will not go back. Not bad, just not worth a return visit.
(2)
Tony U.

I love this restaurant. The food is great and the service is excellent.
(5)
Jason H.

Best calamari and pasta on town. Their lunch specials cannot be beat. I am glad I found this place. I will be coming back for sure.
(5)
Ken V.

I have been here several times over the past 6 months and have really enjoyed every meal. The atmosphere is very nice, the service excellent and prices very reasonable. The wine list is a little limited but the choices are all good and reasonably priced. The menu is unique with Peruvian and Italian dishes which may seem like an odd mix but don't be fooled - both are done to perfection. Another thing about this restaurant that you don't always find is that the server gives the prices of the specials when she recites them - none of the "if you have ask you can't afford it" attitude. Another plus is that they are open until 11PM. If you want to have dinner a little later you don't get the feeling you are keeping the staff up past their bedtime. It makes a great place for dinner after a show. It can be little tricky to find. Your GPS will take you a block away and say you have arrived. But don't give up - it's worth the effort to find it.
(5)
Johana S.

I love this place!!! They have the best fish ceviche ever! Great service.
(5)
Elizabeth R.

very nice restaurant ..great food, nice place and staff ..will recomend 5 starts
(5)
Steven F.

Really good food and nice atmosphere. Ceviche is great and the portions are ample. One thing to stay away from though.... any item on their menu that says fish is not what they say. The say its grouper and it is swai (catfish). I know the difference. Besides, if it was grouper, why wouldn't they say that on the menu. Otherwise, great place.
(4)
Ed B.

Been going to Giovanni's for a few months and I have to say everything we go its great!! Hidden gem in Pembroke Pines.
(5)
Oscar V.

Wow, I wrote a review three months ago and how this place has changed. The service felt like they did not want to be their. Not one smile as if we were bothering them. When we asked to pack our left overs, they threw it away and told us that they would not do anything about it. When we asked to see the owner, they told us to eave the establishment. Maybe they feel the food alone will keep customers coming back. But, unfortunately that too has gone down hill. Anyway, I won't be going back. Too many other choices in town.
(1)
Morgan C.

Came again and flawless for the money what a lunch with salad and what an ambience . Good service like the food very delicious.
(4)
Michelle G.

Giovanni's is a breath of fresh air in West Pines. Most of the wonderful restaurants are far east from our home but this restaurant really is top drawer. Food is a great value considering the plates are large enough to pack half of it for lunch the next day, Flavorful punch to each dish! Very sweet wait staff. Wish they would bring back delivery like they used to offer.
(5)
Michael F.

Food and Service were very good! Presentation could be improved!
(3)
David C.

Just terrible!!!! I didn't even wait for our food to come. We sat for 15 minutes before some asked us what we wanted to drink. I wanted a water with lemon and was brought water with lime. That was enough so I walked out.
(1)
alex h.

Good food. Excellent ceviche and salmon. Service could use some improvement but the food makes up for the slow service.
(5)
Justin L.

Service was slow at first. Another couple ran out of patience and left. But the waitress became more attentive and much nicer. The food was mediocre and the salad was a bit gritty. The calamari tasted artificial. The skirt steak was pretty good and a nice size for the price. The live music was a nice touch. Maybe I'll come back if I am in the mood for skirt steak.
(3)
Rick G.

Best fish Libornese anywhere. The prices are very low considering the great quality of the food. Great food - bargain prices.
(5)
Jessica P.

Favorite local restaurant! Lomo saltado... yum! Churrasco... yum! The pasta dishes are amazing! Friday nights are the best. They have drink specials and they have a live music. Relaxing and I love the customer service. Its hidden in a shopping center which sucks because more people should know about this place.
(5)
Jose S.

Love this place! We come here all the time, great food, awesome staff... Omar's memory is uncanny.... Highly Recommend.
(5)
Suzanne D.

Don't go. Enough said.
(1)
Lisa M.

Saw the mixed reviews but hubby wanted to try something new. We were greeted immediately and seated. So far so good. Wine order taken water poured. Waiter arrived and seemed indifferent. No mention of dinner specials and I had to ask about the soup. Not a big deal, but worth a mention. Bread provided. Looked like store bought dinner rolls with butter in packets that remind me of cracker barrel. (as a side note, I love cracker barrel, but butter in packets is not what I expect at an upscale restaurant). Salad arrived and yes it was iceberg lettuce. Lettuce was cut in strips, diced tomato and red onion and two garbanzo beans per salad. Dressing tasted like bottled ranch. So disappointing. I had one sample bite hubby had two. Put plates across the table. Another server picked up the plates, saw they were full and asked if we were done. No question about if we liked the salad or a visit by a manager to ask if we liked them. Not asking for free food, but a concerned front of the house manager could have made a difference in our review. Entrees arrived. I had Chicken Marsala. This is my go to dish for a new restaurant. Very happy with the amount of mushrooms. Sauce was good and the chicken was cooked well. Hubby ordered Fish Filet a la Francese. Lemon in sauce was overpowering. Sauce was over fish and pasta. Personal preference would have been to leave the sauce off the pasta. Maybe that would have reduced the overpowering flavor. Did not have dessert. Will not go back. Not bad, just not worth a return visit.
(2)
Tony U.

I love this restaurant. The food is great and the service is excellent.
(5)
Jason H.

Best calamari and pasta on town. Their lunch specials cannot be beat. I am glad I found this place. I will be coming back for sure.
(5)
Barbara S.

We entered the restaurant as a family of four.two of us are gluten free. We kept insisting that we could not have wheat or flour on our meals and we ordered grilled fish as suggested by the waiter and we were told there would be no bread crumbs.When the meal came, there were bread crumbs and the waiter said its just a little bit but we turned back the meal. They made us a second meal which was the same as the first,which was also was sent back. It was the same fish! We called over the manager. Despite the bread crumbs obviously on the second order, the manager denied that the bread crumbs were on the fish. When I asked what was that lying on top of our fish but he refused to answer. He took it back and refused to give us another order. We were charged for the side order to the fish. When we complained that the whole order should have been compted, the manager refused saying we ate the side. We told him that we would bewriting a negative review on yelp he told us to go ahead. We left there and went to another restaurant to eat.
(1)
Juan K.

First of all..I was expecting a less fancier place from the name "Cafe". Secondly, I thought it was a full Peruvian restaurant :( but its really an Italian restaurant with some Peruvian dishes... The restaurant looks nice. The service was good. The food was OK.. They gave us some Cuban bread - which was amazing For starters - We order some ceviche and sangria for drinks - Ceviche was really good! The sangria was very water downed and it had almost no taste to it...I guess they didn't know how to make the sangria.. 1. Mom order some livornese fish which was OK. 2. Brother order some pasta with salmon dish that had some mussels and calamari in it. The sauce tasted good, the salmon was OK. 3. I ordered a "lomo saltado" (very well known Peruvian dish) and I was disappointed...The beef was dry and hard and a bit too salty for my taste. 4. Sister order the BEST dish out of all of us..Marsala Rib-Eye - it was really good, steak was very nice and tender and the sauce was delicious. Overall I was expecting much more since I read all the good reviews before going to the restaurant. I'm not sure if I would go again. I'd rather just go to a fully Peruvian restaurant next time.
(3)
M R.

There were so many birthdays when I went. Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. It was one huge party nightmare. Entrees took forty-five minutes for that one course alone. Barely had service at all because all the waitresses seemed to be occupied. Everyone wanted their clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Fish soup was pretty good. Not amazing, but okay. Everything else was crap, crap, crap, crap, crap. Including the bill. Outrageous for tasteless crap.
(2)

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Address : 17864 NW 2nd St
Pembroke Pines, FL, 33029
Phone (954) 441-3474
Website https://www.giovanniscafe.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :Closed
Mon : Closed
Tue

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Giovanni’s Cafe

17864 NW 2nd St, Pembroke Pines, FL, 33029

Giovanni’s Cafe Menu

Appetizers

Salads

Sandwiches

Chicken

Pasta

Beef

Sea Food

A La Carte

Healthy Meal suggestions for Giovanni’s Cafe

Appetizers

Salads

Sandwiches

Chicken

Pasta

Beef

Sea Food

A La Carte

Donna P.

Johana L.

Carl E.

Roberto S.

Steve L.

Beth C.

Michelle R.

Luis R.

Laura Z.

Eva G.

Yolanda S.

Karen N.

Mariano G.

Mimosa N.

Krystal O.

Michael S.

Dennis B.

Kathy C.

William Clyde L.

Monique M.

Jeffrey G.

Jessica C.

Tawny W.

Zora S.

Amy P.

Paul M.

James H.

Carlos Z.

Claudia G.

Luz B.

Sol O.

Herb G.

Sady A.

Marisabel P.

Melli B.

Teresa A.

V M.

Carlos F.

Josie C.

Bill L.

Robert P.

Felicia R.

Susy A.

Richard M.

Henry A.

D D.

Dave D.

Erika J.

Margorie G.

Jessy S.