Reviewing Gianni’s: Upscale Italian Mediterranean food at the former Versace mansion in Miami Beach.

Gianni’s is a special occasion bucket list kind of place, so it attracts all kinds of people. This was my fourth visit, and I have seen everything from the casual-to-the-smartly dressed, to “mamas shouldn’t let their daughters out of the house in those outfits,” to hotel guests lounging around poolside in Versace swimsuits and matching flip flops. However, unless you are a hotel guest at the pool,  the dress code states no beach or tourist wear, and jackets are not required. 

Putting it in perspective, Gianni’s is in the glorious Versace mansion and he bought the adjoining Revere Hotel in ‘93 to claim the stunning pool and garden area for his house. After his infamous murder by Andrew Cunanan in 1997, the property was sold for $19 million, and then again for $41.5 million in 2013. Gianni’s sits inside a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of South Beach, so I would avoid dressing like a Vegas tourist.

There is a check-in point and then the hostess stand, both Instagram-worthy. The entire grounds at Gianni’s are majestically designed. No matter who you are, you will eventually find yourself grinning for a pose by the pool before you leave. Enough about the ambiance; you’ve been warned, so let’s move on to the good stuff. 

I have always found the service at Gianni’s to be excellent. White tablecloths, leather seats, candles, fans, and overhead covers keep you comfortable in a totally outdoorsy setting. There is a small enclosed dining area on the main level and dining up above the pool level, but I would recommend the poolside/main level dining. Nighttime at Gianni’s has a particularly lovely and romantic atmosphere. 

I brought visitors during the day, and we started with some crusty bread dipped in olive oil and pepper and some signature cocktails. We tried the 24-karat golden margarita, a standard margarita topped with Cointreau and gold flakes, with the traditional salted rim. We also got the Passion in the Mansion, which was my fav. It was made with passion fruit vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Prosecco. I ordered the Gianna Spritz with Aperol, Prosecco, club soda, a splash of Elderflower, an orange slice, and a sprig of rosemary. After recently returning from northern Italy, where Aperol Spritzes are absolutely king right now, I was disappointed. I was warned that it had a dirty twist, and I guess I’m a purist, as I wasn’t wowed. Should’ve gone with the Passion in the Mansion.

For our main entrees, we ordered off of the executive lunch menu, which is an amazing deal for $34. You chose one of 7 different appetizers (some have a supplemental upcharge, such as the octopus carpaccio.) Two of us chose the fried shrimp, which were a half dozen very lightly fried tempura battered extra-large shrimp served with lemon and spicy mayo (and an edible flower.) Delicious and filling. Our other guest got the Gianni thin crust pizza for an appetizer. An entire Margherita pizza came to the table. It was super light, and delicious, but I still can’t get over a whole pizza as an appetizer.   

Moving along, though,  I got the grilled Branzino for my entree. It came with a bruschetta-like topping, with grilled carrots and broccolini. I thought it perfect, especially after having a half dozen shrimp. The youngest guest got the prime burger and fries. Sitting on a brioche bun it looked enormous. They were out of Mayo, but Luciano brought out some spicy Mayo, even better, right? Our other guest ordered the Lobster spaghetti, at a $15 supplementary charge.

The dish was a delicious homemade pasta and a half of a Maine lobster. Yes, as delicious as it looked! The executive lunch at Gianni’s comes with a choice of three desserts, and today’s actually was a choice of six. On the menu was a fruit plate, two scoops of coconut sorbet, a brownie, or Key lime pie. The out-of-towners wanted the Key lime pie (their second in a row dessert request for this, I must add), but Luciano came back with the news that it was sold out, so he offered additional choices of flan or a guava sponge cake, which won out. Both were delicious. I thought the brownie was on the small side, but it still hit the spot, and I didn’t need extra calories, anyway. 

We left Gianni’s as happy tourists, and did our quick little photo shoot on the way out. Tip: don’t miss the zebra lounge before you leave.