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Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Italian, Tapas/Small Plates [Edit]
1220 Queen St EToronto, ON M4M 1L7
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
(416) 469-5225
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 6 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
71 reviews for Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant
Review Highlights
"I had the scallops+pork belly, gnocchi, and lamb chops."
(in 4 reviews)
"Butternut Squash Crespelle: Excellent."
(in 12 reviews)
"I had an amazing dinner experience at the Nose."
(in 26 reviews)
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71 reviews in English
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Review from Chris T.
East York, ON
12/21/2011
I heard a lot about this place from my fellow yelpers so what else would i do than try it out? i took my gf and dad here Sunday night and i was very impressed with the quality of food, service, and atmosphere. You guys weren't kidding that they don't have a sign but instead a nose, a really big nose lol
The service was very good. He was waiting about 6 or 7 tables at a time and was on top of everyone to make sure glasses were full of water or that we had everything we needed. top notch.
atmosphere was great because you could talk and talk loud and no one can ease drop on any convos. i tried and i couldn't get a word from any other table lol ( i was only testing to see if i could haha)
we walked in and were greeted and seated right away. we ordered the risotto balls, grilled calamari, and scallops with pork belly (my fav) for our apps. everything was delicious and cooked perfectly. the calamari was nice and tender, risotto balls cripsy on the outside and soft inside and the scallops were cooked perfectly but the winner was the pork belly. it was very cripsy and salty and complimented the sweetness of the scallops. YUM!
for our primi we ordered the risotto with sausage ragu, spaghetti, and gnocchi. here is where it gets interesting. my gf asked to have linguine instead of spaghetti but when we got it they gave us spaghetti. more about this later because it gets spicy in a good way. Moving on, just like the apps these were amazingly good. the gnocchi had that homemade look to it because it was rolled out and cut instead of the how you usually see it packaged (sort of like a gnudi instead of gnocchi). the spaghetti was perfectly cooked but the tomato sauce was out of this world. i was scooping the rest of the sauce after i was done haha.
secondi- this was the best part for me. we ordered the braised beef ribs, salmon, and cod. i didn't try the fish but my ribs were ridiculously good! the meat fell off the bone and the meat was infused with so much taste i couldn't stop and wanted more. ahhh i want more now!!!
ok back to the spicy part where they gave us spaghetti instead of linguine. the server gave me the bill and informed me that he removed the spaghetti off the bill for the mistake. i was amazed because usually you do not see that especially when i said "it's fine no problem, no need to take it back". that made the rest of my night cause that just took it to another level. i will be back and soon for sure.
Thanks Gio Rana!! -
Review from Lauren M.
12/10/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Holy crap, this place really IS really really nice!
I've heard about Gio Rana's via Yelp, but I thought with such a stupid name that there was no way in hell it could really be a nice place. I was wrong! (In my mind I was picturing some kind of douchy East-Side-Marios type place, but I was so off).
Was taken here by someone who is a regular, so we may have been given special treatment, but the service was excellent.
The place was absolutely rammed (Friday night) and there was some loud but fun music. Decor is a la "hipster/italian". Tables are set fairly close together so the place is boisterous,if you like quiet places you will not be a fan of Gio's.
The food here is fairly traditional Italian but served on small plates/tapas style. Most of the appetizers are $10ish and the primi and secondi (pasta and meat dishes) around $15 with $5 side dishes (veg and potatoes, etc)
We tried caprese salad, prosciutto with figs and the grilled calamari (served with capers and tomatoes! OMG) for our appetizers. I had the lamb shank (daily special) and my DC had the pork tenderloin. We had sweet potato mash and a side of beets for veg dishes. Food was all incredibly delicious and served in a very rustic Italian fashion.
Finished off the evening with a tiramisu (yum! super boozy).
I want to go back!!!!! -
Review from Cindy C.
Toronto, ON
11/8/2011
This place wins on the vibe, it is so chill and relaxing perfect for a group of friends or an intimate date. The place should be called "the nose", where they came up with the name is beyond me...
Went with a small group, we tried the GRILLED CALAMARI, always my fav, PROSCUITTO with FIGS. It was a great blend of flavors.
For my main, I had the WHOLE FISH, it came with the head and everything, I loved it, it reminds me of traveling and it was just so fresh and delicious!
Go for fun with friends or on a date, it got treat atmosphere and great service, very laid back and cool atmosphere -
Review from Amanda L.
Toronto, ON
1/27/2012
Such wonderful, affordable food. Have been a couple times now. Once our server was spectacular. The last time I went, the dude was super lame and dry. Will still go back as I'm sure that dude was just having a bad day. Still tipped 15%.
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Review from Brian K.
11/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very impressed with the food, service, and venue. Booked for a birthday party, eleven (11) of us were squeezed into the private wine cellar room at the rear of the restaurant. It was definitely tight to get out of your seat and move around the cellar, but once seated the table was more than spacious. This is a great little private space, and the noise concerns noted in other reviews don't apply here.
We ordered a number of antipasti, and asked for enough to share on platters family-style:
bruschetta (toppings change weekly)
arancini - fried risotto balls
mozzarella and tomato w/ basil pesto
fig w/ prosciutto, gorgonzola & pistachio
scotty's meatball in ragu sauce
fritto misto - fried calamari and shrimp
They were all tremendous, and I can't say I was disappointed with any of them. The meatballs were amusingly large, and everything was well prepared and delicious. Plenty of bread (and at least three varieties) was provided.
I started with the crespelle (Italian crêpes) with roasted butternut squash & sage butter. I can't say I loved it; it could have used more salt or more parmesan, as I found it tasted fairly flat. Okay if you're looking for subtler flavours.
The ossobuco was much more impressive. I was surprised to see it priced so cheaply at $13.95, but this reflects the presence of only one hunk of bone (from whence the marrow flows). The meat was tender and well-seasoned.
My partner ordered the involtini (shredded pork wrapped with rib eye), and it was a very pathetic looking dish - three little sad lumps of meat. The flavour was okay with assistance from the goat cheese, but I found the texture of the meat made the dish even less appetizing.
None of the secondi come with sides, but again we ordered platters to share. The coleslaw and new potatoes were the standouts.
No dessert as we brought our own cake, and they served it up without any hassle. Plenty of chianti kept us well lubricated throughout the evening.
Overall a fantastic meal!Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge [NOV]
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Review from Ian H.
Toronto, ON
1/21/2012
Really great food, but you'll pay through the nose for it. Very loud atmosphere, apparently it's part of the charm. Decent service, but when it's busy, expect to wait a while for your dishes.
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Review from Jeanine L.
Toronto, ON
12/22/2011
I recently dined at Gio Rana's with my girlfriends in the Vault. We had an amazing meal!! They don't usually take reservations BUT if you have 6-8 guests coming to dinner you can reserve the old bank vault and have a semi private dinner. Drinks were great, food was AMAZING. We really loved how they served our sides on a big platter for all of us to share. Most of us had the pork involtini and some had the salmon. Both were perfectly cooked. The timing of our food (restaurant was packed by the way) was just right. The only thing we would have liked is that our server pay a little bit more attention to us at the end of our meal - we were sitting for quite some time waiting for our bill and waiting to pay. We will all go back 100%.
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Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
8/7/2011 2 photos
Excellent food. Great atmosphere. Came here for a birthday dinner on a Saturday night. It was extremely busy, so I recommend reservations.
This wouldn't be a place to take your first date. It's a group dining experience and it's loud. Loud enough that shouting becomes your main way of talking, and then you forget how to talk softly. I'm not even sure how the servers hear us.
Food was really good. And well priced. Lots of small appetizers to choose from, and really, you could make a meal out of it by just choosing the small dishes and sharing with one or two other people.
For the two of us, we ordered 2 antipasti and one main course to share, and it was enough with still room for some dessert.
The Giant Meatball was excellent. I don't know what was in the sauce, or what's in the meatball but I wanted another one.
The grilled calarmari was also good (not spectacular) but flavourful and soft, yet still crunchy. ($8.95-$11)
Our main was the slow cooked beef ribs with pan fried gnocchi. I did expect a bed of gnocchi but there were only 4. And they were undercooked and difficult to eat. BUT, the beef ribs was amazeballs. Falling off the bone, even had some tendon to suck on. The sauce was my favourite.
The service was interesting. Our server was not extra attentive, just enough. We were also sitting right in the middle of the restaurant and it's hard to miss us.
At some point in the meal, we for plates that we were told was pulled pork and something else. Then about 5 minutes later the busboy came and took it away: it was neither pulled pork or for our table.
However, our server did play along when I was asking for a pretend dessert but really planning a birthday surprise. I guess that's twhere they loudness came into my advantage.
Our bill couldn't be separate, even by groups. How disappointing.
The wines we got (reds, 2 different ones) were watery tasting. A coffee connoisseur at the table gave the espresso a 3 out of 5 as the flavour wasn't rich enough.
Yah, I'd come back . Just the loudness factor really takes away from a good meal.Listed in: Don't expect Separate Bills
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Review from Matt T.
Toronto, ON
1/8/2012
I went to the "nose" last week for my regular monthly visit. This place never disappoints. The meatball app is mandatory. This place is not quiet, especially on the weekends, but you will notice that people are enjoying themselves. The service is always good, you can tell that most of the people who work here aren't newbies to the restaurant buissiness. The service is a good balance of being attentive without being pushy or fake.
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Review from Maryam N.
Toronto, ON
1/11/2012
I give this place 4 star because of the coziness of the place combined with decent good food. There is nothing fancy about this place but there is lot of great art on walls. the tables are very close to each other. it is noisy in a acceptable level. food is like homemade. nothing fancy but taste good and looks fresh and healthy, you need to order side dish like salad since the main dish is really just the main. and that is what I think keeps it good. cause they keep it simple therefore fast and free of mistakes. I liked how people are mixed in this place, artists, famillies, young and old professionals and pretty much a mirror of the neighborhood. trustable food in a cozy European looking atmosphere. I liked it and i think I will go back. I liked the fact that the waiters were not in black uniforms.
I orderd ossobuco and some aregula salad. both tasted good, not salty ( not salty is a key factor for me) and not loud on garlic and herbes undertone. ( you know what I mean? some Italian places try to cover up every thing with garlic, that was not the case with this place). Oh! and as I said make sure to role your eye around and give you eyes some food as well as your mouth since they have plenty of art works on the walls and they sell them too. dont let that big nose hanged outside fool you. it is a nice place. -
Review from Evelyn W.
9/27/2011
I've been here twice, and I like it.
They don't take reservations unless you are a very large party, so if you don't want to wait go early.
If you are taking an older person they will be frustrated by the volume level. I didn't give a whoa, and kind of like that frantic-people talking-over-music thing, especially in Italian joints. BUT, guaranteed if you bring your mom or dad (or other person over 55) they will comment on the noise.
You order the sides separately AND they have pasta starters. Double win.
The big meatball starter isn't the greatest, but it's worth it because it's fun to have around. I recommend the Osso Bucco, and their pastas WITHOUT Tomato Sauce.
Enjoy the noisy nose! -
Review from Anabel L.
Toronto, ON
8/31/2011
The nose knows, you know. That's the only marker indicating you have arrived at my favourite Italian restaurant. I confess I was reluctant to share this one. There are only a handful of restaurants, including Gio's, that I hold close to my heart. I want to shield them from being overrun by the uncivilized hordes that populate this city and have no appreciation for quality. But that's not you, is it?
This traditional restaurant is one of the funkiest places to eat. Its decor is bargain chic - a haphazard mess of mismatched chairs and beautiful vintage chandeliers. The interesting and well-published fact is that the building used to be a bank, and Gio kept the vault intact to use as a private dining area. It's details like these that build character, and we know it's all about the details - in life, in fashion, and in food.
The best part of Gio's is the food. Where do I begin? It's all so good so I'll just tell you what my last meal was: pan-seared scallops with pork belly and Scotty's meatball to start. My primi was the crespelle and I ended with the involtini. If I could, I would order absolutely everything. The sexy duck and ossobuco are two of my other favourites, as is the asparagus with gorgonzola, but that's because I love cheese - and the funnier the name, the more inclined I am to order it. I'm drooling all over my keyboard...
Gio's is simply the best, amazing food in a whimsical setting. All the right elements for a perfect night. -
Review from Menu-Mei L.
North York, ON
1/9/2012
We went here for dinner a few weeks ago on a Friday night and it was extremely busy with a good relaxed neighborhood vibe. Food was mixed, we shared two appetizers, one was a giant meatball which was ok, nothing special, similar to a Martha Stewart recipe. Second app was a red pepper spread on flat bread which was quite standard as well. For mains, my husband had the risotto which was absolutely TERRIBLE! Can't believed they served it, it was uncooked rice. I had the seafood linguine which had absolutely no flavours. My friend had pulled pork wrapped with bacon which was very delicious and the pulled pork was nice and soft. It's a good spot if you order the right items on the menu. Price was quite reasonable: 2 apps, 3 mains, 2 deserts, 2 bottles of wine, taxes and tips came up to $200.
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Review from Rhona M.
Scarborough, ON
1/9/2012
I musy say We from BellaRouge salon and spa are so glad we picked Gio Rana's 'The nose" for our after Christmas party.Evertbody loved every thing about it!! the staff, "The shooters" The food was amazing,Thanks again for a fun night!! And great food.We and all our clients we be seeing you soon;)))
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Review from Lora K.
Toronto, ON
9/10/2011
Went here with a friend from out of town and my boyfriend. We found the nose amusing, and the interior decor is really quite nice and interesting.
Service was so-so. We came in, were seated and given menus. Very soon after, the waiter comes to ask if we wanted to order wine. We did, but hadn't looked at the list yet, so we asked for another minute. We quickly decided on the wine... and the waiter didn't come back. It took flagging him twice before he came back for the wine order. By then, we'd decided on food too.
The butternut squash crespelles were fantastically good. A little salty, but I like salt. I had the salmon, which was on par with what I'd expect for salmon in a nice restaurant, but nothing exceptional. The side of sweet potato mash was not at all good - something was seriously off with the texture. I'm used to skin on sweet potatoes, so it wasn't that. It was just not good.
The overall experience was fairly nice, but I think the crespelles were what pushed this place to a 4 star review for me. Everything else was average or below expectations. -
Review from Madelyn S.
Toronto, ON
7/20/2011
I LOVE the nose. This is one of my favourite restaurants in Toronto. I had my birthday dinner with a close group of friends in the back bank wine cellar vault. It is nice to be away from the noise and to eat amongst all the wine!
i have been to this restaurant several times, but this is my first review. The service is always impeccable. the food always top notch and the new menu is great! We always had the duck, but our new favourite is a beef-pork dish. The new menu is amazing for those of us with Gluten Allergies that don't think we can eat at said restaurants where pasta lives. They are wonderfully open to ensure that I receive a meal that is healthy both for my stomach and the gut!
Ah, always a fan of this restaurant for nights when you dont' feel like cooking to days when you need to celebrate birth, life and love.
My birthday event was lovely. My friends had created a lovely dessert for me because I dont' like and can't eat many desserts. It was a flower arrangment made out of fruit. it was awesome to see the staff cut up the watermelon at the end of the night because we were en route to dance th enight away. It just seems like such a great team.
Service from the owner to busperson is always great.
if you haven't tried this place, it is a MUST!
*gluten in the meatball, *flour in all cheese sauce. They will put it on the side. -
Review from Charlotte W.
North York, ON
5/24/2011
How did I find out about this restaurant? Read my previous review on Fare Bistro as this is a continuation of what could have been a horrible night, but turned out into a wonderful, wonderful evening.
Intro. My amour, the ever spontaneous and great-researcher, found out about this restaurant (on Yelp!!!!) and we decided to go there as we were actually 2 blocks away. He called and was informed there were tables for 2 but no reservations would be taken. We quickly walked. My amour said that there was a nose outside the restaurant and I noticed it first. As you walk in, you think it's going to be a dingy, small place, but as you turn a quick corner into the restaurant, it's expansive and tall and BUSY! We did got a lovely, secluded spot and I immediately loved it.
Food. My amour said the food was nothing special, but for me, it was so very, very, good. It could have been the let-down I experienced at Fare Bistro and so I was willing to think any other restaurant was better. Or, it could have been simple Italian food done well. Either way, I was not disappointed. For appetizers, we had the Fritto Misto (which was sort of a disappointment because it was one fried shrimp and one fried calamari. I believe Fritto Misto is supposed to be a medley of vegetables and none other than the Zucchini Flower). We also had Scotty's Meatballs which is just one large meatball in tomato sauce and bruschetta which was very good.
For the main, I had the duck leg which was soooo very tasty and tender. I am a big duck fan so despite the ordinary appetizers, I was in love with my duck. My amour had the cod in papillote which was also very tasty. The fish is not fishy, but tender. My amour also had the risotto as a primi piatti which was divine. The risotto was not al dente which is how I normally like mine cooked, but it was delicious nonetheless. And for dessert, we shared the Tiramisu which was a fitting end to a lovely night.
Service. AMAZING! We were served by (I think his name was Zack), and he just made the whole evening.
Ambiance. Busy. Noisy. Walls are kind of dingy, but you're here for that homey kind of place.
All in all, I would recommend this restaurant to anybody in the area. I do not think this restaurant is expensive, so you are going to get your value for your money. It is just a fun, fun place to eat. I am only beginning to discover Leslieville restaurants, and glad to have discovered this place.Listed in: All About Leslieville -…
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Review from Lorian H.
Toronto, ON
5/26/2011
Food 3.5, service 1, decor 2.
Food. I went with a big group so I got to try a few dishes. The highlights were the giant meatball, and the osso bucco. But all in all, nothing spectacular that you can't get at other italian restaurants in Toronto (minus the offensively bad service).
Service. I came a bit later than the rest of my group and it took the waiter 45 minutes to get me a drink. Seriously. Then, he proceeded to bring out everyone's food at all different times, bring out wrong dishes, forget to bring drinks we ordered, and generally neglect our table. After I complained to him and the manager, they still had the audacity to tack on the large group 18% tip. I will never go back even if someone else is paying. -
Review from Helen L.
Toronto, ON
3/3/2011
Sorry, but I have to do it! One star it is.
I've been trying to eat vegan and this place was not all that veg friendly. The tomato sauce for linguini w/tomato sauce and basil is made with chicken. The roasted mushroom side dish is served with jus. The waiter assured me they can do the mushroom without jus but as soon as I ate it, I knew something was off. I am pretty sure they roasted the mushrooms with other meat dishes. my dinner was basically a side salad (arugula & tomato) which normally would've been fine since I LOVE salads but this tasted really bad. Got sick after eating here. Will not return. -
Review from John F.
North York, ON
3/6/2011
Went here last night for a birthday treat. If I were rating the food and the friendliness of the service only, it would get five stars. Unfortunately it suffers from some ambiance and presentation issues.
Carpaccio was not a huge portion but the quality and flavour was excellent. The baked cod with fennel and tomatoes was out of this world and the cooking en papillote caused the fennel flavour to infuse the fish.
Side orders of mushrooms, green beans and potatoes were all winners as was my partner's ribs cooked in wine. Great bread and good desserts.
The old bank location would be cute but the "under construction" decor just doesn't make it. We sat in the side room which includes a faux balcony with naked mannequins and a toilet - items that seemed a bit weird for a restaurant. Additionally, my fish was served in the paper it was baked in leaving me to unceremoniously tear it and dump it on my plate - it should have been removed by the server.
Another issue is the high noise level, which is fine for people seeking a lively venue, but does not make for good dining conversation. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Toronto, ON
5/3/2011
I've been wanting to go to Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant (aka: the nose) for a long time now and finally made it tonight.
It didn't disappoint. I started with my classic 'lychee martini' I have this everywhere I go :P and then followed up with one of their fun cocktails (sexy mofo). Drinks were pretty good.
The food was great! They have a fantastically tasty selection of 'contourni' or side dishes. My favs were the green beans with mint and garlic and the asparagus with gorgonzola. The rapini with garlic and lemon is worth ordering too.
For my main, I had the garlic shrimp with crispy parmesan risotto cake - it was really flavorful but my only complaint was that the portion was pretty small (as is the case in many places when you order shrimp as a main dish). There were lots of other things on the menu at looked good so i will definitely go back and try them.
For desert I had the chocolate raspberry tartufo which was one of the best I've ever had.
I've read some of the other review and many people say they had bad service but our service was really good. Our waitress was attentive, friendly and spent a fair but if time talking to us after we paid.
Overall, costs were mid range but worth it from my perspective. Two of us ate for about $50 each which included a couple of drinks, sides, main dishes and desert. -
Review from Eleni D.
Toronto, ON
2/23/2011
I can't believe I hadn't been to this restaurant sooner. Lively crowd, tasty food, active bar, good music - all in all a great place to hang out on a Friday night. Only problem - it seems to empty out around 11ish, a bit early in my opinion.
The Italian menu doesn't disappoint; the food is on par with several other good Italian restaurants in the city. Butternut squash crespelle appetizer is a must-have. -
Review from David N.
11/7/2010
Summary, delightful dance-club beat combined with some inventive flair executed pretty well. Some mistakes but enthusiastically corrected by the staff.
Came in on a crowded Saturday night. Was able to work me in 35 minutes at the bar. Probably would have been only 25-30 minutes if I wanted a table. Staff did a good job of making sure I wasn't lost in the crush at the door.
Entry is next to the DJ booth. Internal doors look blocked until you realize you aren't supposed to go through the double doors, instead go into the entrance on the door to the left after you go through the main doors under the 4' paper-mache nose and nothing else. Took me a moment to figure it out and I saw several patrons struggle with it. It looks like you are going in the wrong way and there is some other entrance you are missing. Follow the nose and the arrow and you'll be okay.
Decor is kind of interesting: downscale unpainted walls, odd entrance under a 4' paper-mache nose with no other signage, some interesting paintings organized in clumps, obligatory characitures of famous past patrons above the exit and nice chandeliers hang from maroon-tiled ceilings. A telling combination of kruft, tack and inspired decor.
At the bar, the bartender nudged me to a delightful Shiraz (Six Rows '09 from Australia). Went for the crostini special, a special humis, garlic with prosciutto with a dark drizzle reduction of some kind (guessed hoison but could have been something else) on a toasted focaccia. Anyway, special was a joy. The pork tenderloin was a bit over cooked and dry but the bar tender returned it without question, doing a better job on the second try, doing justice to the red wine, onion reduction and they made amends with an complementary helping of a very special brussel-sprout slaw (shredded salad with feta, pine-nuts and bacon to great affect) and an extra glass of the 3-rows. The spinach salad was also a delight and, with the amenity at the bar, shared a wonderful tasting of scallops. Dessert was an acceptable Tiramisu and
cappuccino.
Summary, favorite dishes was the crustini and the inventive brussel-sprout slaw with acknowledgements to the spinach salad. The atmosphere of a dance-club sound-track hightened the conversational din of the place. A semi-casual atmosphere, great energy, proactive staff and fun surprises on the menu made friends of us strangers at the bar. Good times and enjoyable meal. This patron will return.
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Review from Tony D.
Toronto, ON
6/4/2011
This is a pretty interesting place. Overall, the experience was good. Food was tasty, service good, atmosphere great. In terms of value I think there's room for improvement. The entrees are ordered a-la carte, so when you order the chicken or fish it usually comes with nothing else but the meat. You need to order your sides all separately. It ends up adding quite a bit to the bill, since the entrees run around $15-20, and the sides in the $6-8 range. The quality of food is high, so if you're willing to splurge a bit this is a good place. 3.5 stars overall.
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Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
8/23/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I think Gio's is really nice. I really do.
It is the best choice in the neighborhood and is consistent. The food is always of consistent quality, the service is very good (no matter who you have) The drinks are reasonably priced and the atmosphere lends to a good meal experience. Always. It is our go-to place when we have friends come in from out of town and they want to eat close to our house as we know that we are guaranteed a memorable time. Casual and always buzzing. Great for birthdays.
The Salmon is really good. The Osso Bucco is a favorite of my SOs, and the Calamari is tasty, as is the Gnocchi.
The "Sides" are not really worth it. They are small portions and are always left over. If you order a couple of things and share tapas style, you get the best value. A decent bottle of wine is $40. -
Review from natalie d.
Toronto, ON
9/21/2010
I have been to "The Nose" about four times now and I absolutely love this restaurant! I'm new to TO and tried this place one night and now it's my go to restaurant :) Anytime we have guests in from out of town, we come here. Service is great, ambience/vibe is perfect, not too loud but definitely not quiet. And the food, I love it! Dish sizes are great, price is right, and the service/food has been amazing every time.
My fave so far: Pulled pork wrapped in beef with goat cheese... Dee-lish! -
Review from Imran N.
3/24/2011
A very interesting and unique place is called Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant. The actual place does not have a name, just a huge Nose on the front door, which is why it's popularly called 'The Nose'. It's downtown in Leslie Ville. The restaurant hasn't spent a cent on marketing, but they were featured in an Amex commercial recently and the nose itself has made it all the way upto the Supreme Court of Canada debating on whether or not it can be considered art (some douche bag mayor found it offensive). It's so good, they rely on word of mouth.
It's my most favourite restaurant in Toronto.
The food is just made with lots and lots of love.
The family that owns this place is extremely nice and interesting, with a good philosophy on life and food.
The food is mouth watering good. It's REAL Italian food, not just the commercial 'pasta'. The owners fly in their olive oil, ingredients and wines from Italy. The food is rich, and done very well. Almost everything on the menu tastes exceptional. Service is personable and on point.
My favourites include the ossobuco and scotty's meatballs, and surprisingly the side of brussel sprouts with pancetta or the beat root and goat cheese side. The crespelle will warm your soul and change your life.
The place however looks strange. The location is actually an old old bank so on the inside, there is a real old fashioned safe that has been converted into a wine cellar. The interior is 'unique', and no work has actually been done. It's all really authentically old, but the reason I am telling you this, is because some ppl get put off. Trust me, the food is amazing and once you eat the food, you will get the humour and personality of the interior. It's a little pricier, just because you will want to try everything. You have to order things separately because it is proper Italian food (start with an anitipasti, follow it with little pasta , then have your main carne with ordering vegetables on the side). When I go out with my friends, we spend about $80 per head sharing all our food. Make a reservation if you can - the place is very very popular (I don't think they take them on weekends). -
Review from Dale M.
Toronto, ON
11/3/2009 ROTD 2/15/2010
Gio Rana's is like a Really Really Nice East Side Mario's
That's not necessarily a bad thing. I waffled back and forth on this place, unable to decide if it was worth three or four stars. I settled on three and a half, and rounded down because it's Monday. Notwithstanding the rating, I recommend you try it at least once.
After a weekend jam-packed with excitement, Thursday seems so long ago but I remember vividly the group of about 20 of us that gathered to say farewell to FARC and fellow meatatarian Deanna "if it once ate, I'll eat it at least once" W. I arrived late but still had a little time to case the joint before getting a beer* in my hand and my order in. Gio Rana's is built inside an old bank**, with high ceilings and an open-concept kitchen near the back of the large dining area. It's not that exciting, save for the Really Really cool private wining and dining room that used to be the bank's vault.
The menu consisted of a sheet of white paper, printed double-sided, in a ratty plastic sheath. Really Really cheap-looking. Thankfully, selection was good, and everyone at the table seemed to be able to find something they wanted. I found lots, and ended up settling on pan-seared scallops with pork belly and jus, pork tenderloin in a walnut and gorgonzola sauce and beet, tomato and goat cheese salad. (these, and two bottles of beer, set me back $60 including a respectable gratuity).
Scallops
My first bite gave me a bit of a foodgasm. Two scallops, and a healthy dose of pork belly. They were Really Really big, and perfectly cooked. Regrettably, a bit of grit (not sure if that's a given with scallops, but I wish it weren't). The pork belly was a nice nod at the more traditional bacon-wrapping, and the jus was a nice complement.
Pork Tenderloin
Really Really Nice Gorgonzola sauce. Portion was quite large, and the pork was nicely done. Found myself mopping up the sauce with whatever I could find around me. Eventually just picked the plate up and licked it clean.
Beet Salad
Tasty, but unremarkable. It was what it was and I'd probably try something else next time. Also, got hit with a giant piece of onion near the end of it that left me with onion-mouth until I got a few pints of draught in me at our next stop.
Service:
Our group of 20 was handled professionally from where I was sitting. Deanna's co-FARC Christine "charfcuterator" C may beg to differ; sitting across from me the poor doll was elbowed and bumped for most of her time at the table. Still, we were taken care of and we weren't kept waiting any longer than might be expected for such a large group.
Is Gio Rana's Really Like an East Side Mario's? Really?
I kinda think so. It's loud and chaotic, and the décor is equally kitschy. The service is "run around like a chicken with your head cut off" style (but effective) and the place is good for large groups.
While the food is absolutely delicious, I still feel like I'm getting hosed when I pay 60 bucks at a place that so desperately needs a makeover (or at least a nosejob) and has such horribly cheap-looking menus.
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* Not pleased that there was no draught beer - if I wanted a bottle, I'd cry for mama.
** Get it? Case the joint?Listed in: My Epic Reviews, Bragging Rights
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Review from Ktimene G.
5/9/2009 ROTD 11/18/2009
In my fellow Yelpers I now trust! And in Leslieville I now obsess.
Gio Rana's is warm & irresistible from the moment you are greeted to the invitation to return.
First impressions: the heady fragrance (drool-worthy), vaulted ceilings and tall windows, huge portraits, a pleasant buzz, a diverse crowd of patrons with an artsy air. The tables are staggered in height, so even in the middle of the room you feel "nestled" in!
My shrimp were so pretty in pink, and so plump, I had to coo at them before I took a bite. They topped a risotto cake that was crispy on the outside, creamy on the in. My friend's ravioli stuffed with rabbit was bursting with flaky pink meat (what was with the pink tonight?), and a nearby gnocchi, I'm told, was just shy of spectacular. The grilled calamari was reminiscent of 5 Doors North (my fave), and I learned these two establishments were linked at some point. These are just a handful of the tapas-style plates, and each was an ACE!
Our server was seemingly omnipresent and picked up on subtle cues when we needed something.
When the music went 80's-early 90's over our desert of tartufo and berries, I was BLISSED OUT!
THE NOSE, even your nostrils are nice! -
Review from Kat F.
Still my favourite, and consistently wonderful. All of the servers look happy to be working there. Try to get Josh, the dude that looks like a cuter David Arquette, as your server. He's the best of the best.
Lovely ambiance, terrific food, great specials and funny decor! Oh, and you'll have to take everyone's word for it that the place is really called Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant as there's no signage and no website to verify this fact.
NOTES: Closes early (10pm I think?) and they don't take debit. Whatever you do, for the love of all things holy, don't come without cash on hand. The nearest ATM is across the street, and if you know anything about what's across the street, it's what's currently giving Leslieville a bad rep. You can chance it, but if you get shot, don't say I didn't warn you!Listed in: The Best Places To Eat, Shop &…, List Of Things For New Yorkers…, Best Toronto Restaurants For…, The Most Sinfully Decadent…, Toronto's Best Italian…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/11/2009
LONG LIVE THE NOSE!
My absolute #1 spot for dinner in the city. I love long, drawn out dinners from… Read more »
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Review from Angela L.
2/24/2010
Making a decision off of a menu on which everything sounds good is always a challenge. That's why more traditional Italian meals are such a treat: You get to have an antipasto, a primo, and a secondo! Our server deserves a special mention for handling my "Do you find the black cod too fennelly?" inquiry with utmost grace. After describing the flavours and comparing it to that of my other options, she assured me that I could always let her know if I did indeed find the fennel overwhelming and would then get a new dish hassle-free. Although I thankfully did not have to exercise this option, her patience and ingenuity were most refreshing.
We came for good food and good food was what we got. The grilled whole calamari with tomatoes and capers were delightfully plump and juicy, the triangular crespelle filled with butternut squash and sage puree swimming in cream sauce were decadently rich, and the black cod and infant's fist-sized shrimp in spicy tomato sauce were served in their wax paper steam dome and cooked to perfection. My dinner date's rack of lamb was perfectly cooked, oozing with fragrant juices from the blushing centre. The many libations on the import-heavy wine list were great accompaniments to the delicious dishes as well.
The decor of the large open space is an eclectic menage of classy-industrial. Intricate chandeliers and large framed art pieces are juxtaposed with unfinished walls and ceiling and exposed piping, including a vent draped with Christmas lights. To kick things up another interesting notch, there's also a Village People record sleeve and other random tidbits of 80's nostalgia tucked here and there. Following the same principle of mixing it up, the music for the night ranged from Prince to T.I., making it impossible for anyone to not sing along at some point.
Gio Rana's was a great place for two, but judging by the looks of the larger party and constant flow of mouth-watering dishes arriving at their table next to us, size really doesn't matter. -
Review from Neil T.
Toronto, ON
11/1/2009
2nd highest rated restaurant on Yelp? Is this a joke? This place gets 3.5 Stars from me, which I hope will help drive down the ridiculous rating! Here's why it gets 3.5:
+++PROS+++
1. For the type of food, the prices are good
2. The service is excellent. They handled our group of 20 or so Yelpers as smoothly as they could have.
3. Lots on the menu, plenty of options for all, even those annoying vegetarian friends.
---CONS---
1. If you're going to call yourself a "Really Really Nice Restaurant", you may want to invest in things like, paint on the walls, a janitor to clean your bathroom, etc.
2. The most important thing, the food, simply wasn't that great. Just good, not really or really really good. I had the scallops+pork belly, gnocchi, and lamb chops. The gnocchi was the best of the bunch.
To be perfectly honest, there's too many good restaurants in Toronto for Gio Rana's to be a destination location for me. The high Yelp rating and great expectations don't help either. Overall, I liked it and would return, it is just not up to the rating or hype, and not in an area I would go out of my way to have a meal. -
Review from Justine K.
Toronto, ON
4/14/2010
More like Gio Rana's Really Really Mediocre Restaurant. Man, I have been waiting to say that for an entire week!
As soon as we sat down, it was quite obvious that our server wanted us out of there asap. She asked us if we were ready to order after having been seated for less than a minute. If I wanted to be treated like theatre crowd I would have gone to KitKat or Fred's Not Here.
The food was OK, not terrible, but nothing to write home about. I had the house wine, which was pretty terrible. This is coming from a girl who drank 2 buck chuck for an entire year while on a budget.
I left unimpressed and unsatisfied. -
Review from Daniel B.
1/10/2010
The more I think about it, the more I realize that this is my favorite restaurant in Toronto.
Delicious and interesting food. A unique environment. Wonderful service. Unrushed. Unostentatious. Unpretentious. Special as can be.
Every time you go to "The Nose" you feel that it's a special occasion. It doesn't matter if it's just a casual weekday meal or a celebration of your monumental promotion. It's always just that good. This is a place to EAT.... not just be seen. The involtini is one of the finest dishes in the country. The creative serving of brussel sprouts cause even the finickiest eater to dive in with both forks with reckless abandon.
Interestingly enough, whenever I end up talking to 'foodies' about good restaurants in town this place is always mentioned by someone... almost without fail. It's that kind of place.
There's no other restaurant like it in the city. It's not super fancy. It's not expensive. You can pronounce all the food on the menu. You feel like you're in a old friend's favorite place.
This is the reason that you decided not to cook tonight. -
Review from Jon S.
Toronto, ON
4/13/2009
This place is pretty fun. If you go earlier in the evening, it makes for a more, um, peaceful dining experience, but even after it's packed with patrons, both the food and atmosphere are great.
Try the salmon. It's like making love to Zeus: all lightning bolts in your mouth and stuff. -
Review from Gaurav S.
Toronto, ON
2/12/2009
This is the spot.
Warm. Cozy. Classy. They dish out perfect meals, and although I don't really like to, I'm obliged to dish out a perfect score. Gio Rana, you've definitely built one really really nice restaurant! :)
Keeping it (very) low key at the northwest corner of Queen and Leslie, Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant bares no actual signage. Well, there is that massive human nose affixed above the main entrance, but that's about it. 2 points for the conversation starter (annnnd 1 for non-traditional marketing tactics).
A lovely staff will have you seated in what always feels like no time. If there's a bit of a line up, crack a bottle of wine and warm up in the waiting area. The staff knows their vino and bottles are definitely well priced. If you're one for random conversation, the hosts are awesome at indulging in some fun banter before guiding you to your table.
Gio Rana's is a gorgeous space. High ceilings, great background music, warm mood-lighting and beautiful decorative pieces all over the place. If you've got a group, I suggest booking the wine-cellar in advance. It's gets a bit tight for really large groups, but with the right minds, in that space, you're bound to spark conversations that will change your life.
As if you're not already sold, let's talk a bit about your meal.
Never one to disappoint, Gio's mouth-watering Antipasti will get your tastebuds dancing at first bite. If you've got a carnivorous bone, light it up with the "Classic Beef Carpaccio w/ Grano Padano, Arugula and Lemon" - wow!!.
The mains are all top notch. I'd steer away from the chicken if possible and maneuver towards the "Sexy Duck" or the Braised Beef Ribs (with portobello and fried gnocchi - zing!).
The Contorni options balance out the meal. If you're with a group, Gio's generally puts these sides on a long share plate, so you can get a taste of everything. Is it just me, or does food ACTUALLY taste better when you're sharing it?
If I was forced to be critical of my dear Gio, veggie options don't really exist, and the washrooms could use a reno. These criticisms are neither here nor there for me though - I'm in love, remember?
Gio Rana's is hands down, my favourite restaurant in Toronto - a definite must for every non-veg foodie around the globe. Get there soon though. Queen East is developing rapidly, and it's inevitable that this joint will lose a bit of its charm once West-Queen-West infiltrates. -
Review from Chris P.
10/30/2009
Yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum
Eat here. You will like it. Trust me.Listed in: The best of YYZ
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Review from Katrina L.
Richmond Hill, ON
10/30/2009
I'm not a frequenter of Queen East, mainly because I don't really know what's around there but this restaurant has been on my radar since someone told me the story of the famed papier maché nose, which completely intrigued me.
Finally I got to eat here, although it was a sad occasion (Deanna's departure) it was great to meet up with so many people and just have a great time. Since we were a large party (18 in total), dishes obviously took a little longer to prepare but service remained excellent.
I was one of the first to arrive and when seated with only 2 others our server came by a few times to ask us if we needed anything or wanted to take drink orders, she made sure our pitchers of water were filled and that we were all set.
I loved the rustic decor. It was a little dark to see but I noticed the mismatched chairs and the bar stools and tables and the antique wooden buffet that was used as the server station. There is also a "vault" in which a party of max. 10 people would be able to enjoy.
The food was great. Not spectacular but great. I didn't choose anything that was too adventurous to solidify my claim of good food. Scotty's meatball was sub par, it wasn't too special and tasted like there was not enough meat and too much filler. The rigatoni with tomato and basil was really good but don't bother getting the entree size at $14, opt for the appetizer which is half the size for is $7 and the entree size isn't even that big.
I also tried the fried calamari and it was good, nothing special but it did come with shrimp as well which is always a bonus. I also had the creseulla, some name of that sort which is stuffed pastry with sweet potato and herbs, amazing! It's really good. When I come back, yes I said when, I will be having that for sure!
Bathrooms are not the typical scary Toronto bathroom but only in the sense that they aren't in the basement. Is it that difficult to put a little bit of money into the nasty rundown bathrooms? Bathrooms are what I deem to be the difference between a nice hotel and a crappy motel, so why do I not have the same rating system for restaurants? Because it's a known fact that Toronto has the grossest bathrooms around.
I would definitely come back here, regardless of the bathroom situation, it's got a great feel and decent looking servers (re: Kat F's comment of the David Arquette lookalike named Joshua or Joseph) and everyone is laid back and super unpretentious which is a nice change from the stuff I'm used to every day.
Good food, good friends...what could be better?Listed in: Yelp Made Me Do It
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Review from Michael J.
7/23/2010
Dear Gio Rana,
I would like to formally submit this inquiry through a third party medium, that of which being http://Yelp.com, to officially request that you drop both of the "Really" in the title of your restaurant due to false advertisement, in that being that your restaurant is not "Really Really nice." It is not even "Really nice" Close to "Really nice." Approaching "Really nice." In the vicinity of "Really nice." But not quite fully "Really nice."
This was my biggest problem, the only time I have ever attended your venue, and that is if I'm going to a place that, in its title claims that it is "Really really nice", then I have extremely high expectations. If an establishment is arrogant enough to exclaimed to the people of this world that it is "Really really nice", then I expect nothing short of perfection. Am I wrong to expect that? If this place was called "Gio Rana's Restaurant", I would probably give it 5 stars. Food is good. I like the whole setting and atmosphere. Service could have been a little better, but considering how busy they were when my wife and I went, I suppose I can't complain too much. But again, I thought this place was "Really Really Nice", so you know what...I expect the best service I have ever experienced at a restaurant. You did not provide that, Gio Rana.
Do you know what this place reminds me of? That really, really, really, arrogant, snobish, selfish prick of a person that we've all come across in our life times. They talk a huge game, but when it's time to handle business, these people completely fail at virtually every aspect of life. That is what this place reminds me of. After all, if you're arrogant enough to have "Really Really Nice" in the title of your business, then I have every right to expect nothing short of wonderful. Gio Rana, you failed to provide that. You were mediocre. Run-of-the-mill. You're like a fancy Olive Garden without the endless breadsticks, and Michael J. loves those breadsticks.
Gio Rana is mediocre in every sense. It's not a bad thing. Like I said, I enjoyed the food. I enjoyed my overall experience at Gio Rana's, but I've had a lot better at many, many other places. Perhaps if the overall arrogance of this place were to dissipate, then I might be inclined to give more stars on my review, but I'm sorry Gio Rana...you are not Really Really Nice. At best, you're just nice. -
Review from Dave O.
Toronto, ON
11/3/2009
I had an amazing dinner experience at the Nose. It's got spectacular service, great ambiance, a hip and trendy clientele and some truly incredible gastronomic delights.
I started my meal with a snifter of excellent port, and the gorgonzola-stuffed fig with prosciutto, which was divine! My entree was the delightful peppered halibut and shrimp cartoccio, the fish was flaky and moist and with just the right amount of pepper, tomatoes and onions. It was sublime.
It's easy to mistake the decor for laziness, but a lot of work (and not a lot of money) went into making this hipster dive gourmand house. Saving money where prudent and spending it on the kitchen and top-notch ingredients is what makes good food. The proof is in the pudding, when you walk in to Gio's it exudes a sense of hip-apathy, while still being inviting and cozy.
The service was excellent for a table of 20, I can't fault the wait staff for being a little slow, co-ordinating with the kitchen to have 20 appetizers and 20 entrees with sides ready simultaneously is a tremendous challenge, and I feel they did a great job.
Gio's is a great place to have a quality Italian meal, it's expensive, but I think good things are worth paying for. :)
