Gino's Italian Restaurant

Have you ever felt the need to invent a gastronomic time machine? If you are anything like me and find yourself occasionally craving the artery blocking cheesy goodness of the Italian Family Food of your youth, then Gino's in Hamilton, Brisbane is the place for you.

"Retro Italian" is best represented here with generous family portions that encourage sharing - generally baked in a béchamel sauce that rivals that of your mum's.

Gino's has a relaxed feel to the busy restaurant, and while they claim to seat "200+" you cannot help to shake the feeling that you are sitting in Nanna's kitchen. The decor is basic "no frills", but polite floor staff and efficient service make you feel like the valued customer that you oh so deserve to be.

The "baked spaghetti" (I told you... retro) was a dish my husband could not resist. It came to our table straight from the oven, and while we both had a desire for it to be a little more "tomatoey", was hot, hearty and cheesy.

I was apprehensive to order a pizza since my food scan of other people's meal choices on entry showed what looked to be a solid, and over cooked rendition. Nevertheless we risked a traditional marguerita (ham, olives, anchovies and additional mushrooms). It arrived looking burnt but closer inspection revealed a tasty combination with just enough topping on a base as light as a feather. The slices remained super tasty long after the heat subsided.

Ultimately, Gino's is not somewhere you would go if you are looking for wood-firing or gourmet pasta. If you want a hearty relaxed meal it is a great option. The take away service was also doing a roaring trade.

The basic fare is a little pricey - $20-$22 for mains that could feed an army, $16 for the pizza that is really a single serve, but when you see that the packed Gino's is smack bang in the middle of affluent Hamilton / Ascot, you think that the owners deserve the extra $4 a serve that they are charging.

We will definitely give Gino's another shot when our tummies eventually empty.

Cheesy, Cheery, Comfortable - Gino's Traditional Italian Restaurant - 7/10


Gino's Traditional Italian Restaurant
468 Kingsford Smith Drive
Hamilton
http://www.ginosrestaurant.com.au
Ph: 3268 5366

Tues-Sun

Posted by Alison (the first of what has just become a new addiction)