Gianna Via’s Restaurant & Bar

They are charging for the large portions you would expect at an Italian restaurant but thats not really what we got. Everyone’s portions seemed like a half portion. But the cup of soup was a good size as was my child’s enormous plate of mac n cheese. The food tasted so-​so, we wouldn’t go out of our way to eat there again. Definitely do not order the $ 10 wedge salad which is under the dinner salads, its very small and certainly not enough food for a dinner. And if you send it back the manager will let you know that he has always charged that price for the four slices of cucumber, two cherry tomatoes, a tablespoon of bacon, and ½ of the inner portion of the ¼ of a wedge of a small head of lettuce. I was polite and he offered to get me something else but as someone who has been a waitress I can’t imagine working for him is fun. The waitstaff was awesome though, SUPER friendly!

I’ve eaten here a few times and the food is pretty good. I ordered the chicken parm and it was delicious. pasta and chicken were both cooked perfectly. however, the prices are a little high for a glorified diner in caste village.

Loved the outside dining area. Beautiful day for some good Italian food!

We visited this restaurant last night. We were greeted very prompt and was told there would be a wait. We only waited about 10 minutes which is good for a Saturday night. We sat in a booth in the bar area which was very nice. The server came took our drink order forgot my husbands beer twice. We had the spinach dip. Which was very bland it was served on what seemed to be a pre cooked pizza shell. The wedding soup was amazing. My husband ordered chicken Parm I had a margherita pizza. The chicken Parm was horrible. The server was very rude. When she asked after we were ready to leave how our food was I started to tell her and she blurted I’ll take it off. Then stormed off. She did not check on us at all during our meal only to tell us that our food would be awhile. I believe her name was Tiffany. I will not be returning.

Decent service. Marginal food. Horrible atmosphere created by owners, a married couple, who squabble in public. Convenient location had been regular meeting place for friends. After owner’s public berating of service staff and management, almost anywhere is a better place to meet and eat with friends. With so many restaurants in the area, will not return to Gianna Via’s.

Terrible service and shameful food. The «lobster» bisque was basically flavored gravy and not one piece of lobster or chunk of anything in site. For $ 5.00 it was a rip off. The filet Panini was NOT filet and supper tuff and gristle. The hoagies were lacking and were made with cheap lunchmeat and soggy tomatoes. The fries were undercooked to the point that they were still potato raw inside. Big disappointment and took forever to get our food from the cranky waitress. The only good experience with this place was the super warm greeting from the hostess. We will not back. The owner should be ashamed of themselves and call this an Italian restaurant!

Owner is an absolute terror. Yelling at servers across the dining area and raucously partying with friends/​family while my family is trying to enjoy a meal. I was shocked when I complained and the server told me the seemingly intoxicated bafoon was the owner. Food was mediocre at best (think below Olive Garden and way below Pasta too) and atmosphere stinks.

Who knew that two of our favorites restaurants in Pittsburgh would end up in Caste Village?!
Our first time there tonight was a total treat. My husband had a Stromboli with mushrooms and spinach and thought it was outstanding. I had Pasta D’Angelo and a café salad. Both were delicious (we’re always a fan of side salads that come with chick peas, and the balsamic was quite good). Even our 15 month old was enjoying it – she ate more tonight than she has in months.
They were even quite accommodating when we realized my dish came without the chicken. Didn’t matter. Was delicious without it.
Service is top notch. Our waitress was super friendly and attentive. Also very family friendly. Lots of families with young kids.

Visited for lunch recently with my mom as her friend recommended that we try it. I have to admit that my expectations were low going in because it seems I’ve become somewhat of a city snob, thinking that all the suburbs have to offer is chain restaurants and pizza. Shame on me because Gianna’s is serving up some tasty classic Italian fare.
They served warm bread with a delicious balsamic dipping oil — seriously, I couldn’t stop dipping even with my wedding less than 5 days away! We both ordered the wedding soup (2.50 extra with the lunch specials but included in most entrees). I thought the broth had great depth of flavor and I loved that fresh spinach was added just before serving so it retained the pretty green color and a little texture. I’d have liked more noodles, but I always have this complaint so never mind me.
For my lunch dish, I ordered the lunch portion of the Tuscan Florentine. Still a huge portion that would have been more than enough for a dinner but I cleaned my plate because it was so tasty. Angel hair pasta tossed with marinara and heavy cream, just the right amount of cream that the sauce was still light but decadent. The tangy bursts of sun dried tomato and the fresh spinach mixed throughout made for a very well rounded pasta dish. I think it’d be great with the grilled shrimp add-​on for dinner.
They aren’t reinventing the wheel, everything on the menu is familiar and sometimes that’s what is so great about italian food. I’ll definitely stop back to try some other items off the menu and check out their cocktail menu.

Stopped there for breakfast on Saturday. Observed only two tables were occupied. We were seated and then watched one of the three waitresses go to a nearby table several times. She served them coffee walked away, came back to give them their check, walked away and then came back to get their money, walked away AGAIN and then came back to give their change then walked away AGAIN… without even a hello or I’ll be with you in a minute. (That small gesture would have satisfied us) It never came so we got up and left after! We will not be going back.

Good food and friendly staff. Have to agree about the wedding soup, very good. Beer selection is very good. Try the Harry’s Pizza.

What a great find! We tried this restaurant at the advice of a relative, and we were thrilled. The place doesn’t look like much from the outside, and the inside décor isn’t anything to write home about either, but the food is fantastic! I loved the variety of items on the menu, including gluten free pizza crust, and the cocktails were great as well. As someone who is gluten sensitive, I LOVE being able to have brick oven gluten free pizza!!! And best of all, the prices are super reasonable. Even the service was perfect. Our server was one of the most attentive servers we have had in a restaurant in a very long time. Her service was better than we have had in some 4-​star establishments. I can’t say enough good about this restaurant, except that we will definitely come here whenever we come to Pittsburgh.

I have been to Gianna Via’s several times, I think because I wanted to like it since I love Italian food! However, I unfortunately can honestly say that I am not impressed. Nothing was particularly bad or awful, but it was overall underwhelming.
The service and atmosphere was fine and the outdoor seating nice in good weather. I thought the food was mediocre and overpriced for the product. I specifically recall getting a penne a la vodka dish with chicken but it wasn’t actual chicken breast. Instead it consisted of some sort of shredded chicken. The pizza was also bland and had too much crust around the outside.
I really don’t recommend Gianna Via’s. I would return if someone with me really wanted to go, but if you’re in the mood for Italian, I think you can do better.

I must start my review with a disclaimer: I am a former employee of GiannaVia’s. I started as a dishwasher and worked my way up to line cook. I don’t know how things have changed since I left to take a full-​time job in 2013, but I know my experience there was great, and I have been back many times since to keep in touch, and to eat the food of course!
I grew up in Whitehall Borough; it’s a tiny, tiny little place with not much in the way of unique eateries. You have to travel to neighboring boroughs to find much worth your time. Armstrong’s is in the same shopping center as GiannaVia’s, and I was never a fan of it, so I was happy that with GiannaVia’s renovation and addition of a bar, Armstrong’s finally had some decent competition. GiannaVia’s is a highlight in Whitehall because of its focus on quality ingredients and diverse menu.
GiannaVia’s has a menu that has expanded much over the past few years, offering a range of Italian dishes, from the simple, rustic (and very popular) pasta d’angelo, to more ‘luxurious’ fare like pesto gnocchi and salmon with risotto and mixed vegetables. They also offer more standard food like personal pizzas, panini, fried appetizers of all kinds, and a great bunch of salads.
I know from firsthand experience that a large percentage of the dressings, sauces, and entrée components are made from scratch, in-​house. The ingredients are quality. The head chef there is a very passionate, driven young guy who takes food service and culinary creativity very seriously. I think he’s a wonderful fit for the restaurant; he is always coming up with new ideas for specials, and does his best to maintain quality. Rest assured that if you have an issue with your food at GiannaVia’s, it will be taken care of.
Even before I was an employee here, I would come in often with my family to get the soup of the day (usually one broth-​based soup and another cream-​based) with a panini. The panini are just the right size, with a toasty ‘crunch’ when you bite into the bread. The classic Italian panini was always my favorite — the perfect combo of capicola, salami, ham, and the like. I also love their pizzas, which are all baked to-​order in a wood-​fire oven. I’d recommend the buffalo chicken pizza if you like the conglomeration of salty, creamy (blue cheese!), smoky, and spicy. You honestly can’t go wrong with a pizza here if you don’t want to stray too far from ‘normal.‘
For some reason I think GiannaVia’s salads stand out. They can get a bit pricy (I’m looking at you, salmon salad), but I love the combinations of ingredients. Try the beet salad, with roasted beets, pears, and goat cheese, or opt for my favorite, the heirloom tomato tower, a non-​traditional «salad» that puts thick, juicy heirloom tomato slices in the spotlight, accompanied by fresh mozzarella, capers, and a balsamic glaze that I swear I could guzzle right out of the container.
GiannaVia’s has a pleasant atmosphere, with lots of seating, a modest but beautiful bar that’s out of the way of the regular dining room (without feeling like the bar and restaurant are separate entities), and an additional, spacious party room with some nice fixins’ like a flat-​screen TV and a fireplace. I have personally come back after my employment there for a party for my grandfather and can say that having a party catered at GV’s is generally hassle-​free. Servers are friendly and knowledgeable. Food comes out quickly, and I know from working in the kitchen that the flow of things is organized and quality-​oriented.
The restaurant also has a breakfast menu, which is pretty good, though it’s not the best breakfast in the ‘Burgh. Expect to wait a while if you come for breakfast on a Sunday morning. Churchgoers from across the street seem to overflow right into the waiting area.
I can’t say much else other than I really enjoy the food here. It can get a little expensive if you add appetizers, sides, and entrees together — it’s very easy to spend $ 20 here — but I think it’s well worth it for the portions and quality.

First off, I’ve been here multiple times and my cousin is the head chef. So maybe I’m a bit biased. But I also love good food and can honestly tell you that you will get it here. Today I had the spinach artichoke dip for the first time which is served on bread, kinda like a small pizza. It is creamy without being overly cheesy and heavy. My boyfriend got veal Marsala which was cooked to perfection! The meat was tender and the sauce very flavorful. I got rigatoni with meat sauce that was good, not great. I should’ve gone with the lobster ravioli. I highly recommend stopping in. Chef Matt loves to experiment and come up with new exciting dishes.

Great food at a reasonable price. I recommend the pizza and pasta specials but never had a bad meal. Looking for a quiet bar to meet friends this is your place. Great bartenders.

Excellent little café! I stopped in this week to have breakfast with my grandmother. I could not believe how good the prices were. Most items were under $ 7. We both had the Village breakfast which had potatoes, eggs, toast and a choice of meat. The food was prepared quickly and was cooked very well. They have HUGE coffee cups, which is always a plus!
The best part about my visit was our waitress. Robin waited on us. She was so positive, happy and attentive! Her attitude and great survive made my day!
I can’t wait to go back and try lunch or dinner!

This place is right by my office and I can always go for their wedding soup. I’m not sure how to explain their wedding soup other than it’s just amazing. It comes in an actual cup with a handle, which I love, there are always tons of noodles as well. The food that I’ve had has been great but I have not heard great things about the pizza though I’ve never had it from there. The turkey flatbread is awesome as well as the tuna but I always say light in the mayo for the tuna.

Service wasn’t very good. We wanted breakfast at 12:15pm according to the signs breakfast is served until 12:30pm. Waitress said she would ask, 15 minutes later the table next to use gets their breakfast waffles and server comes back and I ask, so can we order breakfast and she says sorry no?! So we ordered our food, I was last wanted a panini and she said oh we don’t have those and point out the menu says they are only available from Monday to Thursday and after 10pm on a full moon if you get what I am saying. Oh well ordered something else. My brothers girlfriend wanted balsamic dressing for her salad and she comes back and says we don’t have any made yet, but will later!!! Why can’t you make it now I am thinking? All in all won’t be going back ever

While I don’t make it down to Gianna Via’s as much as I’d like, it’s one of my favorite places in Whitehall. The food is good and the bar is event better.
Food wise, I normally stick with the pizza. The dough and other ingredients are always extremely fresh and the sauce is delicious. The pizzas are cooked perfectly in a woodfired oven. Now, when I do pizza I do it right. The last one I had here was custom with mushrooms, italian peppers, red onion, meatballs, spinach, artichokes, banana peppers, and fresh basil.
Bar wise, I think they should use this as a tag line…“Dive bar prices in a high class space.” Seriously, I can’t drink at the corner bar or in the South Side for half the price of Gianna Via’s. The bartenders are awesome, drinks are great, TVs easy to see, and the crowd is laid back. Appetizers are half off at the bar, they have a great beer selection, and their’s always a great drink special on top of their already great prices. Last night it was $ 5 Long Islands with the lowest quality liquor being Bacardi… not bad! Thursday are also wine bottle night… they’re all $ 17 (or something close to that).
If you’re looking to entertain some friends, or watch a game, this is a great place to do it!