Giovanni Di Palma (of Antico Pizza Napoletana) has opened Caffé Gio, a traditional Neapolitan caffé and gelateria. Located behind Gio’s Chicken Amalfitano and adjacent to Antico, Caffé Gio will offer lunch daily with traditional Neapolitan street food such as fresh-to-order Parmigiano or Meatball Panini’s on crispy Ciabatta with San Marzano marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. With al fresco seating, Caffé Gio will also serve 10 original, handcrafted gelato flavors imported from Bologna, Italy, a variety of sorbets and specialty concoctions.
Caffé Gio’s menu features six paninis on homemade Ciabatta served with soup or salad. The caffé will also serve salads made chicken breast, a thin Italian steak or jumbo grilled prawns topped with homemade dressing. All items will be fresh, handmade and artisan-quality, highlighting flavors typical of the Amalfi Coast area around Naples, Italy. Other offerings include Kimbo coffee and espresso roasted in the traditional Neapolitan way as well as a selection of Neapolitan desserts.
Caffé Gio, Antico and Gio’s Chicken will form a Westside Italian Quartiere. It will be a natural progression extending the Antico experience to all-day dining. Opening in Fall 2013, a limoncello bar and Italian market will be the beginning of Piazza San Gennaro that sits in the heart of the Italian neighborhood being created by Giovanni Di Palma.