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Giovanni's Ristorante

3.9 (24 reviews)
Ultra High-EndItalian, Desserts, Pizza
Closed • 5:00 pm - 8:00 PM

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This is all I could manage to choke down.
Daniel B.

I haven't been to this restaurant in over a year until last night. Wow things have changed. I remember getting authentic Italian food and service, rare for the rural mid island area. I understand the original owner has retired and the restaurant has changed hands. The service was nothing special. The other patrons all looked over 80, half of them needed walkers to get in the door. It looked like a retirement home cafeteria. And unfortunately the food tasted worse. I ordered the veal special (veal osso bucco). And my date ordered the veal piccata of the menu. Both tasted the same!!! Almost like the the chef bought microwave veal dinner and boiled it. Plates were covered in watery sauce. Which may have been from the penne side that came with it not drained enough before plating. Which also tasted bland and life less. I attached a picture of my Veal Osso Bucco. For those who are unfamiliar with this dish, just google veal osso bucco and take a look at the difference!! Poor ingredients, poorly executed dishes, no one is checking platings going out of the kitchen. Either this restaurants new owner is incompetent in how to run a restaurant or doesn't care! I don't normally write bad reviews, I'll generally blame myself for not picking a good establishment and not return. But at $25-$30 per entrée, I hope I can save someone else a $125 meal. Go to Cuckoo's in Coombs, even if it's just for the stone oven focaccia bread!

View from the entrance.

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5 months ago

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2 months ago

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7 years ago

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2 years ago

Great dinner, everyone enjoyed it and the fun server! No photos to protect the guilty!

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5 years ago

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16 years ago

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5 years ago

Tasty deep dish vegetarian pizza. Good location in town near many nice shops. Enjoy a glass of wine or beer while waiting for your pizza.

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

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8 years ago

Great Italian mid-Island spot. Lounge has great atmosphere but menu is limited. Great 'full-bodied' pizza.

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6 years ago

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12 years ago

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Review Highlights - Giovanni's Ristorante

“What the lounge may lack in outward beauty, that is fully made up for (and then some) with its main course.”

Mentioned in 5 reviews

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People searched for Italian 120 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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Cuckoo Italian Trattoria & Pizzeria - Carbonara

Cuckoo Italian Trattoria & Pizzeria

3.7(147 reviews)
5.0 km
•$$

I went here with my family as I haven't had Italian food in quite some time. The food was great but…read morethe service needed some work. Upon arrival it took quite a while to be seated. Living on Vancouver Island I think it's unreasonable to expect 5 star service from rural community's where the hiring pool is limited. The servers were not rude and instead quite nice, it just took a little longer to get things done. This place doesn't deserve 1 or 2 star reviews because of it. The food came out shockingly fast, same with the drinks. They provide a free bread basket as well which was a nice touch. Fettuccine Salmone: This was my first time trying a dish like this, It was very delicious but also very rich. I was very impressed at how generous the kitchen was with the salmon portion, I'm so used to restaurants being overly skimpy on seafood. Getting the platter for $47 is definitely the best value, serves two people with leftovers compared to a single serving for $30. The sauce was a little on the runny side but I didn't mind. Limoncello Spritzer: Nice summery drink, Could've used a bit more limoncello I thought for $13 but as someone who doesn't drink often I'm still gaging what's an appropriate price for different beverages. Atmosphere was nice and they had a good playlist of music.

We've had lunch at Cuckoo's once before so we knew pretty much what we were getting ourselves into…read more It's decorated in quite a traditional manner, and currently set up for Christmas. The floors look to be original hardwood, and there are lots of beams and logs to see. I personally love the old style look, but it might not be to everyone taste. The service is quite good, our server especially, although it did seem like one individual was more interested in polishing glasses and not running food or bussing tables. He was a little passive aggressive with another staff member when he did run a couple of plates, came back and said "see that wasn't that hard." Not a good look. The food was quite good, although we felt, this time like the last, it was a little on the expensive side. It is quite a tourist mecca just outside of Parksville so that's likely part of the reason. It's also quite busy so clearly people are willing to pony up. We had the soup of the days Chantrelle mushroom soup. Evidently those mushroom are very plentiful in the area this time of year. It was quite good, creamy for sure, but we would have liked some more noticeable bits of mushroom. We also shared a Caprese salad which needed more balsamic and a little salt. The capers were a nice add. We finished with Margherita pizza which was nicely cooked and finished with fresh basil. Can't believe I am saying this, but there was too much cheese on it and maybe a little shy on the tomato sauce. Peroni beer on tap is a total winner for me. Have been twice, might go again, but likely not.

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Cuckoo Italian Trattoria & Pizzeria - The wood fired oven

The wood fired oven

Cuckoo Italian Trattoria & Pizzeria
Cuckoo Italian Trattoria & Pizzeria - Bread provided was very nice

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Bread provided was very nice

Salt Pizzeria - CAPRICCIOSA- Tuscan Ham, marinated artichokes, kalamata olives, mushrooms

Salt Pizzeria

4.7(35 reviews)
7.1 km

Great pizza place just outside of Parksville. They do a Neapolitan style pizza when thin base…read morewithout it being soggy. Lots of customers while we were there on a weekday afternoon. They do half baked pizzas to go as well so you can finish up when you get home. We got 2 large pizzas. Can't remember the cost but total came to over $50. Their "regular" pizzas are pricey for what they are. Pepperoni and cheese are priced the same or v similar to something more exotic w truffle oil. There are a few tables inside, pretty no frills and 2 tables outside. I'd go back again for some quality pizza when you are in or around Parksville.

4.5 rounded up Full…read moredisclosure, I had very low expectations. I was filling up with gas when this place caught my eye. The first thing I thought was "gas station pizza". Similar to gas station sushi. Something anyone with a brain interacting with taste buds wouldn't do. I also didn't have internet. The connection was spotty so I couldn't check the reviews. Throwing caution into the wind, I went for it. What a surprise! The pizza was incredible. Apparently their pizzas sometime sell out according to some local reviews. I can certainly see why! So good, I got one to go. A hole in the wall location in the middle of nowhere along the Island Highway, Small spot seating maybe 10 inside along with a picnic table outside for some additional seating. Friendly service. More take away than dine in. This may be one of the best pizzas I've had. See my pics. They don't skimp on the toppings. Bonus: they have a liquor license. Recommended

Photos
Salt Pizzeria - Margherita

Margherita

Salt Pizzeria - This is a half salami (they were out pepperoni) and half four cheese pizza.   You do pay a bit more for half and half.

This is a half salami (they were out pepperoni) and half four cheese pizza. You do pay a bit more for half and half.

Salt Pizzeria - This is the prosciutto fresco. You can't do half baked for this one.

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This is the prosciutto fresco. You can't do half baked for this one.

Grove Hall Farms Italian Kitchen and Deli

Grove Hall Farms Italian Kitchen and Deli

4.8(13 reviews)
82.8 km

Great wood fired italian pizza. I discovered this place by…read moreaccident looking for a honey farm that was nearby. As it turns out we were hungry so I stopped in and we had that vegetarian pizza.. It was remarkably good so it came back a couple weeks later and tried some of the other varieties. Well, worth it

Three different times I stopped for take out & all were lovely supper experiences. My friend & I…read morereally enjoyed the pizza from here (a first for both of us in 2025 during the Cowichan Valley Dine Out event meal features). I also ordered pick up for just myself another time. Lots of dessert & pre-made meal choices. Even if you're just stopping for something to drink, you'll enjoy browsing through the little shop. They're focused on Italian specialty items but have a mix of other goods there too. Staff are always friendly & are very patient with my packing logistics so I can carry everything myself while using my cane. There's seating inside & on the patio. I'm yet to go early enough in the day to enjoy the patio or on a nicer weather day but I do appreciate the very sturdy ramp up to the restaurant/shop doors & patio. Decent amount of parking too. Quick to drive to from Duncan & I first noticed this place when I took Lake Road for different views. Immediately off the main road but pay close attention to google maps (or whatever you use) when you're driving to the restaurant. As you see the sign & restaurant after you should be slowing down to turn into driveway. By my third visit, I knew what to look for & I didn't have to circle back. Looking forward to stopping here in 2026 & trying more items off the menu.

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Grove Hall Farms Italian Kitchen and Deli - I enjoyed a delicious latte made by a most kind and genuine gentleman.

I enjoyed a delicious latte made by a most kind and genuine gentleman.

Grove Hall Farms Italian Kitchen and Deli
Grove Hall Farms Italian Kitchen and Deli - Vegetarian pizza

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Vegetarian pizza

The Gumboot Garden Cafe

The Gumboot Garden Cafe

3.7(43 reviews)
58.7 km
•$$

Great and comforting food options, funky vibe, fave place to go for a good and affordable meal…read more Staff is awesome!

Ambience: Nice, with plenty of seating both inside and outside…read moreFood: 4/5 Service: Staff were sweet and welcoming Price: Decent, though a little expensive for a café We stopped by Gumboot Café for breakfast and had a pleasant experience. There wasn't much of a crowd, and there was plenty of seating available both indoors and outdoors. The service was quick, and everyone was friendly. We ordered eggs, coffee, a breakfast platter, and a peanut butter pastry. The eggs were well made, and the food overall was good. While it wasn't quite a 5/5 for me, it was definitely enjoyable, especially considering the limited breakfast options in the area. The café has a very cute small-town vibe, which adds a lot to the experience and makes it a nice place to relax and enjoy a meal. I also have to give them extra credit for something that meant a lot to me personally. I had accidentally lost my bag during our trip near this cafe, and some kind strangers turned it in to the café. The staff kept it safe until we came back looking for it. I was incredibly relieved and grateful. This act of honesty and kindness is something I will always remember, and it definitely earns this place a few extra points in my book. Overall, I would definitely go back again for the friendly service, cozy atmosphere, great location, and the kindness that helped turn a stressful situation into a happy ending.

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The Gumboot Garden Cafe
The Gumboot Garden Cafe - Kids menu

Kids menu

The Gumboot Garden Cafe - Thai curry

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Thai curry

Giovanni's Ristorante - italian - Updated October 2026

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