Giannas
An Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Restaurant Rating and Review

This is a relatively unknown Jersey shore BYOB restaurant that is popular with the locals.

Chef/Owner John Mandica serves up well prepared traditional Northern Italian and Sicilian dishes.

The restaurant is small and the interior is a cozy, with exposed brick walls, dark woods, and an espresso bar at the rear of the restaurant.

The menu selections are prepared with fresh ingredients and served in large portions, although presented without much creativity.

For starters, try the The bruschetta of four crostini topped with melted mozzarella, on a bed of fresh mixed greens, diced Roma tomatoes, with a flavorful herb-olive oil: or the The lightly fried calamari, served very tender with either a marinara sauce or the chef's signature balsamic-citrus sauce.

For dinner entrees, try the Shrimp and Salmon Puttanesca, crunchy, pan-seared with anchovies, capers, garlic, and olives in a zesty tomato sauce tossed with angel hair pasta; or the Chicken and Eggplant Sorrento, lightly breaded chicken cutlets and tender slices of eggplant, sauteed and layered with a Bolognese sauce and a topping of marinara and mozzarella cheese.

Save room for desserts, try Butter Scotch Cheesecake, it's sumptuous

Gianna's is best visited on a week night to avoid the crowd and to capture the intimate feeling of the dining room.

The service is very friendly and attentive