Charmingly small, Gigi’s Italian Kitchen makes a big impact - Review - Atlanta - The Infatuation
"Get stuck on I-285 after 3pm any day of the week, and those “we full” jokes don’t feel quite as tired and cliché. But a visit to Gigi’s Italian Kitchen feels like being whisked away to another time, one that’s light on large crowds and heavy on simple, delicious food made by chefs. Don't come to this Italian restaurant expecting the usual red sauce classics. (They adamantly state on their website that there will be "no lasagna.") Their menu is small and changes a lot, with plenty of seasonal vegetables in the mix. Try the pasta primavera—it's creamy but not heavy, packed with fresh carrots and spinach, and comes with homemade cavatelli. It's a great example of how they can turn very plain, unassuming things into delicious masterpieces. Checkered red and white tables, wooden chairs, family photos, and a huge always-burning melted candle combine to create a mood of whimsical nostalgia, perfect for date nights and reenactments of the Lady and the Tramp scene. Just know other people will have the same thought, so you'll rarely see an empty table. With only a handful of seats, this small Candler Park restaurant is one of the most intimately packed spaces in the city, so it can be tough to find a reservation last-minute, but they they always keep a few spots open for walk-ins. Snag a seat at the bar and watch chefs in crisp white shirts masterfully prepare dishes like tasty polenta topped with caviar and savory beef carpaccio in an open kitchen. Cap the evening with some of the richest, creamiest tiramisu in the city. photo credit: Amy Sinclair photo credit: Amy Sinclair photo credit: Amy Sinclair Food Rundown Pasta Primavera This pasta is light and creamy, not too heavy on the cheese, and filled with vegetables like spinach, carrots, and whatever else is in season. It’s not always on the menu, but when it is, it’s one of the dishes that help showcase why Gigi’s is easily one of the best places in Atlanta. photo credit: Amy Sinclair Tiramisu Gigi’s declaration of having the “best in town” tiramisu is spot on. It’s silky, decadent, and melts in your mouth. It’s the kind of dessert you plan a date night around, then secretly hope your date orders something else so you don’t have to share. Wine There’s a range of Italian wines, like sparkling Brachetto from Piedmont and Grappa from Veneto. And it's easy to close your eyes and pick since they all pair nicely with Gigi's small menu, making this wine list perfect for impressing your date or pretending you know more about wine than you actually do. photo credit: Amy Sinclair Green Salad The menu changes often, as we said before, but there’s always a salad, and it’s always worth ordering. The salad with balsamic, cucumber, and radish is tangy, slightly sweet, and refreshing with subtle drama provided by the black garlic." - Jacinta Howard
