Gigi’s Cucina Povera is a friendly and comfortable neighborhood restaurant in Kenmore, N.Y. where you will be greeted with nothing but smiles from the staff. The environment seemed energetic and cheerful as many were enthralled by the live entertainment which they have every Wednesday and Saturday evening.
The restaurant serves Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine and focuses on making great food with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. La Cucina Povera is an Italian phrase that means “cooking of the poor,” or “peasant cooking.” On a deeper level it reflects a philosophy that is common to all cultures: making do with what you have to transform humble ingredients into dishes that are more than the sum of their parts–a motto for Gigi’s Cucina Povera!
The substantial menu includes wonderful Sicilian comfort foods like pasta dishes, seafood, and an array of specialty salads and brick-oven pizza. Healthy dining options, gluten-free dishes and fun and healthy children’s fare are also on the menu.
To start, we were served Gigi’s signature Bread Board along with seasoned olive oil, a bean and olive puree and warm crusty bread. Our appetizer was Fried Calamari dressed with Banana peppers, cherry tomatoes with lightly drizzled lemon aioli—Simply amazing!
The main menu has a broad offering of some classics such as Grandma Dano’s Spaghettini with Meatballs, Chicken and Veal Milanese, Linguini Con Vongole and Shrimp Scampi. For an entree we tried the Chicken Marsala and The Veal Parmesan. The Chicken Marsala was sautéed with shallot, cremini mushrooms and a rich marsala sauce and the Veal Parmesan was served over fresh pasta and the portion was extremely generous—both entrees were scrumptious!
The primarily Italian/ Sicilian wine list includes several New York State bottles, as well. The Italian theme continues with classic cocktails like the Godfather, Bellini, Aperol Spritz, and Negroni. The Pinot Noir, Sartori was a nice addition to the primary meal with bold accents.
As for dessert, a small delicious cannoli was the perfect ending to the night.
Next time you are in Kenmore, stop by Gigi’s Cucina Povera–you will not be disappointed!
When you visit Gigi’s Cucina Povera, take a look at some of these other mouth-watering dishes:
Salads:
Caprese Salad – vine ripened tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and basil.
Sapho’s Salad – Field greens with apples, walnuts, gorgonzola, sprouts, golden raisins, shaved fennel and sunflower seeds.
Starters:
Stuffed Banana Peppers –Three cheese stuffing with Herbs.
Arancini – Fresh mozzarella saffron risotto calls served with Pomodoro sauce.
Pastas: (large and small; whole grain or gluten free pasta available)
Linguini Con Vongole – served with either red or white clam sauce.
Shrimp Scampi – Calabrian chili, arugula, tomato, lemon, garlic & butter.
Entrees:
Lamb Chops Scotta Dita – Grilled New Zealand farm raised lamb with Mascarpone polenta.
Polenta Pan Seared Diver Sea Scallops – Fennel, Pancetta arugula, Asiago, polenta along with a red pepper puree.
Gigi’s Cucina Povera is located at 981 Kenmore Avenue, Kenmore, New York 14217 Phone: (716) 877-8788
Kitchen hours: Monday – Thursday 5 pm – 9:00 pm Friday and Saturday 5 pm – 10:00 pm Sunday 4 pm – 9 pm Website: www.gigiscucinapovera.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Gigis-Cucina-Povera-380614762034928/
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