by Serenity Joy Miller, Freelance Foodie
After receiving several recommendations from friends to try Gina’s Stonefired Italian & Pizzeria, I decided to check it out for myself on Monday night.
Once I was seated, I started perusing the menu and table topper. Gina’s offers great deals during lunchtime on sandwiches, pasta, and pizza slices from Monday through Friday. On Monday through Thursday nights, Happy Hour goes from 3 PM to 6 PM and each night features a special, as well. For example, Monday Night Football is celebrated with an 18” Cheese Pizza & 20 Wings for $25.95. The regular menu at Gina’s is quite extensive, providing many delicious options and highlighting some of the specialty dishes, including Joey’s White Clam Sauce Pizza and Gina’s Homemade Manicotti.
I had a tough time deciding on what to order, as everything on the menu sounded tasty. I was not in the mood for pizza, or I would have ordered the Monday Night Football special and had a few leftover snacks and meals. I will definitely return to Gina’s in the near future to try the pizza and wings, though. Finally, I decided to order Garlic Rolls and Eggplant Parmigiana. The Garlic Rolls came out first, and they were warm, crisp on top, and soft in the center, as garlic rolls should be. The olive oil had a nice flavor, and the garlic tasted fresh and was not overwhelming. You can’t beat this order of 3 Garlic Rolls for $1.50!
Then, the Eggplant Parmigiana was served with a side of fresh, house-made spaghetti. I still can’t get over the large portion sizes! This meal could have been split between 3 people, and it probably would have filled up each person quite nicely. Since I was dining alone, I happily took home over half of my meal for leftovers. The Eggplant Parmigiana had a delightful flavor, perfectly seasoned with Italian spices and topped with tangy tomato sauce and melt-in-your-mouth cheese. The eggplant itself was very tender with a smooth texture. This was definitely some of the best Eggplant Parmigiana I’ve ever had.
Everyone else in the restaurant that night was a repeat customer, and a couple at the table next to me even brought their friends from out-of-town. The atmosphere was laid back, and murals had been painted on the walls to provide an aesthetically pleasing environment. The lights in the dining room were a little too bright for me, but the restaurant was cozy with a family-friendly vibe. Next time, I might try carryout or order through Delivery Dudes for a nice, quiet night at home.
This was my first visit to Gina’s, but it will definitely not be my last!
