The Big Nose!

As you're driving through Leslieville on Queen, you are bound to notice a big paper machee nose protruding out of a building without a sign to indicate what it is. This, my friends is Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant (yes, that's the actual name of the place) and it's really, really good homestyle Italian food. I was there for dinner with some friends I hadn't seen in a while and for the first time, I didn't even bother looking at the menu and let my dear friend Ela order. I usually love ordering for people and usually ask my friends and dining companions to put down the menu and let me go to town and what ends up happening is that I get inspired by many things on the menu that I must try and end up over ordering! So I let go this time as I was carried away with our conversations and I've only heard great things about this place. Also I trusted Ela's palette and she didn't disappoint at all!

A few things to know- this place is uber casual and comfy- the servers are wearing jeans and will sit down at your table and gab about the food, the wine, the dessert and the music to you.

Yes, there's live music so it's loud in the restaurant but not too loud so you're shouting at each other at your tables and the prices are very affordable which is great in this economy!

The menu is divided up in 4 different areas- antipastis, primis, secondaris and sides and there are dishes in each section that should be highlighted.

In the antipastis:

We tried Scotty's meatball - which was one of the best meatballs I've eaten.. the sauce was delicious and the meatball was perfectly cooked.

We also tried the lightly grilled calamari which was very light and grilled nicely.

For mains - we had sirloin wrapped in tender braised pork topped with goat cheese- they resembled 3 cigars and came by themselves on the plate but were sooo good - you can taste all the different meats and textures.

We also ordered the special of the evening which was a whole sea bass stuffed with fresh herbs and lemon. It was cooked to perfection - the meat was tender and succulent. We felt so healthy eating this, it was really good.

We had a side of asparagus which was good and then ended the evening with homemade tiramisu!

A dinner experience is truly not only about the food but the company you keep and I would rate this as an extraordinary night on both fronts!

Gio Rana's Really Really Really Nice Restaurant- 1220 Queen Street East,

Queen and Leslie
*** 1/2 stars (out of 5)