Pizzeria Review/ Giovannis Pizzeria Cotati

every once in a while I run into a pizzeria that is good, nice interior design, makes you actually think of Italy, lighting is good not too light not too dark

So I walk in about 8 on a Saturday night and the place is dead!!!! no one there except John and Frank both guys on ther computer and I come in and give em a hard time like I have known them for years (I thought they were going to kick me out) but they didn't and I chatted them up, nice guys

so I ordered a Pizza Medium pepperoni and Mushroom, then told them I was going over to the bar next door for a drink, went to pay and they said not worries pay when you get back

Had a couple drinks and went back for my pizza, another couple had come in (either family or just good customers) and they had there three young kids with them, cute kids and they were having fun----now you may be saying to yourself how boring, get to the point, what was the food like? and I would say shut up its my blog and I will get to the point when I want to any way it was really nice to see a couple of young guys running there pizzeria and interacting with the customers like they were family, this kind of information is really important if you want to find a great little place to enjoy a pie

there are quite a few pizzerias in the area: caprara's in Penngrove, Joe and Julie are great, unfortunately the pizza is average, although they have a new store its not that inviting and they always seem like they are in a rush, great people though Joe and Julie! a new place in Petaluma close by is Rafy's in the orchard supply, in order to have an ego you better be DAMN GOOD sorry Rafy your corn meal crust is less than average and no matter how much you skimp on your toppings your still closing in 6 months, nothing has made it in that spot and your place does on have what it takes

ok so back to Giovannis and yes now for the, my pizza was cooked great! the crust was tasty and had a nice fold to it when I ate it, the sauce flavor was also balanced well, too many places use a lot oregano and salt overpowering the other toppings. when I taste a pizza I am looking for a good crust that is crispy, stands well yet has a defined gum line and good rise (this comes from the proper hydration and that there is still life in the yeast when its put in the oven) they use whole milk mozz and ya knwo EVERYONE SHOULD but they don't so this was a big plus for me, the whole milk mozz has a clean buttery taste with a little hint of salt, then the pepperoni, it was really good, did not shrink up and produce a bunch of oil (like Marys does) so it is a good quality, and the mushrooms were chopped and they did not put too many mushrooms on teh pizza so as too make the pizza soggy.

I really liked the place, for all the reasons I mentioned I will be back again, good guys nice place and quality pizza, go take a taste for your self I know you will like it I definitely did

Giovannis Pizzeria
8270 Old Redwood Highway
Cotati, CA 94931-5243
(707) 664-8460

If you have a place you want me to check out let me know, if you do not read about it that means I thought is was CRAP!!!! :)

Chef Glenn

I love breakfast for dinner!!!!!

Don't you? I mean come on, your a little kid in your jammies, sitting in front of the TV watchin Gilligans Island, thinking about Ginge--------------- ok wait thats not the point I wanted to make

Your mom says its dinner time and you jump up and see pancakes and bacon on the table like it's FRICKIN CHRISTMAS!!!! are you kidding? breakfast for dinner!!!!

The idea here is to mix it up a little
change what you are doing and I am talking about your marketing, your in house marketing what are you doing to increase your sales when you have YOUR SALES sitting right in front of you?

here ya go

Make sure your wait staff has a special to offer the customers, your special should be written by the chef taking into consideration what the kitchen has to move and what has the best food cost for the restaurant.

the waitstaff should also be checking in with the table, how many times have you gone to a local restaurant and ordered a meal only to sit there and wait for another drink? how about some appetizers before your meal? oh ya and dessert, coffee, and when they ask for the check how about a little info card "so if you fill this out we will give you a free dinner on your birthday and 15% off your next meal ! see you soon

the way your waitstaff sells your menu can increase sales by 20% per ticket!!!!! think about it and at the same time they will increase their tips and the customers will be delighted with the service!

trust me when I tell you this works, just ask me I have a really cool story I will tell you

cheers

Chef Glenn