Reviews of Gia Vin & Grill describe a standout Italian dining experience defined by delicious, inventive dishes and a strong wine program, with highlights including fresh seafood, house pastas, grilled meats, arrosticini, focaccia, and standout desserts like tiramisu or chocolate tart. The atmosphere is repeatedly praised as warm, stylish, and unpretentious, with a lively bar area that still feels conducive to conversation. Attentive and knowledgeable service is often noted, particularly for wine pairings, though a few comments mention occasional slower service or a busy night that can feel rushed. Some critiques mention small starter or main portions and a higher price point relative to plate size, and one tasting-menu incident that led to frustration, but overall the sentiment emphasizes quality, creativity, and value. Many reviews call it a hidden gem in the area, a go-to for special occasions or memorable nights, and several repeat visit claims underline consistency across dishes, drinks, and ambiance, making it a top Italian option for food and wine lovers.
A must in Montreal, really damn good drinks (love that there are bottles of licor in the middle of the restaurant. Attention was excellent as well as the food. Kind of loved the location too
I recently dined at this fantastic restaurant, where the warm ambiance immediately set the tone for an enjoyable evening. The staff's friendliness made us feel truly welcome. As for the food, every dish was amazing, with a special mention to the exceptional pasta. Perfect for a date!
Jan 6, 2024
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Jan 5, 2024 The food here is always amazing. That being said, the staff has some sort of attitude issue which i cannot stand. Not all of them of course, but some think that they do us the honor of accepting us. We ended up spending close to 1K & we were only 4 people. Yet we got extremely poor service. When we got there, one waiter recommended a drink that ended up costing $60 per shot. We only found out the price at the end when we tried to re-fill. Who suggests that as a first drink without a warning? Anyhow, another waitress then asked us progressively what we wanted (entree, main dish...ect) & we ordered accordingly. When we got to the main dish, we were told that our choice takes 1h to prepare & that we wont have time to eat it because our table is only reserved for 2h. I argued that is not our fault & that we should have been warned from the beginning. In addition, we ordered on time everytime the waitress had requested it. She didnt want to accommodate us but we agreed to eat something else in exchange of keeping our seating. 30 min later another waitress who we never say the whole night took over & told us the agreement doesnt work & that we have to change seatings regarldess. We argued our case without success. 30 min later, the chef came causing a scene & saying we wont have enough time. We finally got them to bring our main dish (they of course forgot the side dish salad which they nevertheless charged us for) & we ended up having the time to eat it fast fast. Ultimately, we had finished on time anyways & this entire thing lasted 1h. In no instance were we provided with a solution, a free drink or anything else to compensate. If we were told to change seatings but that dessert was on them instead of arguing with us & giving us attitude we would have been fine. Instead they made us feel unwanted & we were pretty much rushed out. My friends, who always tip 25-40% sometimes, decided not to which caused another scene where we were explained how wrong we were & that it was "weird". I am sorry, but when a table spends close to 250/300 per person in a short window of 2h & your waiters do not warn anyone about cooking time & blame you, the restaurant is the problem, not the customer. easily, they could have proposed free cheap drinks to the next clients & to us or just could have not said anything & we would have finished on time anyways. extremely arrogant.
From outside you wouldn't think it's a restaurant. But once inside, you have this cute little decor. The staff were amazing. The sharing menu for 75$ if I recall correctly, was well proportioned & delicious. They also have this wine selection that comes with a nice story from the wine steward.
Been at Gia several times & always an amazing experience, excellent food (Fenouil salad is a must!!!) & private import wine selections are great, all this with a great vibe. On top of this, parking super easy due to location.
Been at this restaurant a couple times over the last few weeks. Not cheap but we knew that. Only detail is no bread unless you order it. I mean... but can get over that. Good wine list, interesting menu with flavors that stand out. The server though has no personality, kinda tries to oversell & keeps interrupting conversations without much subtlety. Plates are removed as fast as they're empty, they want you to go on to the next service, creating a sense of urgency. They do want to get you out of there on the 2 hour limit. It's different for everyone, I guess, but for me, managing the clock & being steered takes away too much of the enjoyment of a nice evening. To the owner: enjoy the ride while it lasts, but this is not how you build a lasting clientele.
I recently dined at Gia in Montreal & I love the experience. The simple & refined decor caught my attention. & the aroma wafting through the air as you enter? Absolutely inviting. A huge perk was the accessible parking, which made the visit hassle-free. Now, let's talk about the food. It was fresh, portion sizes were just right, & the flavors were spot on. They've managed to strike a perfect balance - the food wasn't overly fatty or salty, which is a big win in my book. The only downside was the service speed. It was a bit on the slower side. Despite this, I'm definitely planning to go back. Gia has something special going on, & I'm looking forward to my next meal there!
Amazing atmosphere, delicious food, & great drinks! They also have a large selection of different vines! The menu offered a variety of options, I went with their skewers & steak & it was an absolute culinary delight! The service was impeccable, friendly & attentive servers & bartenders displaying both knowledge & enthusiasm! Special thank you to bartender Jon, who is one of the most knowledgeable mixologists I've ever met. He goes out of his way to create the best drinks & atmosphere for the clients!
Gia has it all: crazy good food, service & ambiance. Drinks too. I went for the first time last night & will definitely be back asap. This place is going on my short list of super faves.
Nov 23, 2023
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Tellement déçu. Service tellement impersonnel. On avait l'impression de déranger les serveurs & la cuisine. Si vous ne voulez pas acceuillir un groupe à 21h30, faites juste dire que c'est complet.
We had really great service, the waiter allowed us to taste a few wines to find one of our liking & was patient, knowledgeable, & polite & we enjoyed our time there but each dish we received just felt like it was okay. It was still good, but also just okay. Compared to other similarly priced restaurants serving up Italian fare (even its sister restaurant), it couldn't compete. For the price of cocktails (~20 each) & the food, I would have expected a better meal. I'll say that if the food had been maybe 10-15% less expensive I would not feel the same. If your mains are 30+ then I expect a cut above not something I could prepare myself. I am a big fan of the brand & Elena but in my experience for a similar price I'd rather go to Elena. I would go back but if the food next time was not much better, that would probably be my last time there.
It was just okay. Appetizers were great, mains were lacking flavour. Bread was outstanding. Drinks were not very generous. Cool vibe, but we're in no rush to go back.
My first time at this restaurant. Work on Rue du College around the corner. Have to say best chicken sandwich I have ever had. I now have a new place to take business clients for lunch. I will be back!
