526096 Thu Jun 05 11:32:50 -0700 2008 2 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 3752909 I'm writing to let you all know that if you can handle, being served as an F1 car in for a a pit stop, and can take the odour of a pack of cougars prior to the hunt, oh and some loud music that gets better with a wine buzz, then GIO's is back in the books. Enough slamming the pseudo city feel, and let's get to the reason any self respecting lover of Italian food would go there, the food has returned to it's fresh and tasty roots. The last couple of times I have been there over the past year, the food allowed the environment to take over and leave me feeling like the poor University student who wakes up realizing that his Kim Bassinger look a like, is really a cross eyed 50 plus woman who must reapply her war paint prior to going home to her cat. NOT SOO on this evening, to start the over priced Prosecco allowed me to clear the mental air and enjoy a wonderfully fresh Crostini (oven roasted tomoto topped with basil and chevre), coupled with a Meatball that I'm sure they serve in heaven, which was beatifully presented with a wafer thin slice of Pecorino (order more bread before it comes so you can mop up the tasty sauce). The next stop was the pasta, Crespelle with Butternut Squash & Sage is hard to mess up but still off the hook, but the be all and end all was the Linguine "tiepde" fresh pesto, roasted pine nutes and diced tomaotes tossed with hot pasta (I know they are not in season) but it worked very well. Then came the whole Branzino with tarragon & lemon, cooked perfectly with just the right amouunt of EVOO and salt. We also had to dive in for some Sexier Duck which has always been a reason to go, now even better. The veg rocked, beets with chevre & almonds, shredded brussel sprouts with pancetta and parm, I could go on but all this food porn has got me in the mood. Trust me, go with a group of friends so you can be louder than the Beaches Yuppies, and consume a little bit of everything and you won't be disappointed. The wine is somewhat overpriced but the food will make you forget it. Thu Jun 05 11:32:51 -0700 2008 190304 fuelbydamon 1 3753927 Thanks for the fun read fuelbydamon. One of my top spots and reading your post just got me thinking....it's been awhile. God I love those crespelle. You ordered all my favs. Thu Jun 05 15:41:11 -0700 2008 3752909 100701 millygirl 1 3754047 Sounds good and fun. Thu Jun 05 16:14:01 -0700 2008 3752909 42449 mrbozo