Semi-amazing dinner @ Giano

So I've been a little bummertown lately this week because the holidays are a little bit depressing when your family is in shambles. (My mom went crazy and gave $400,000 and counting to her "Nigerian prince" boyfriend she has never met, and is involved in a half-dozen other similar schemes and we're all doing separate Thanksgivings and I currently don't have plans etc etc)

But my dad and Sandra took me out to eat at Giano in the East Village for my almost-birthday celebration the other night.

The dinner was semi-amazing in that the appetizers were out of this world, but the entrees were only OK, with Sandra's fish actually being borderline awful.

Appetizers:

Melanzana Alla Parmigiana In Sfoglia - eggplant, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil in light puffed pastry - 5 stars



Quaglia Con Datteri E Gamberi - quail stuffed with dates and shrimp, wrapped in bacon and served with port wine reduction and mashed potatoes - 5 stars times ten million



Pappardelle Al Ragu Di Cervo - home made pappardelle pasta with venison ragout and orange zest - 4 stars



Orata Con Patate E Porcini - orata filet sauteed with porcini mushrooms and thinly sliced potatoes - 1/2 star...it tasted like bait.



And my dad came bearing wonderful presents.

A beauutiful jade-and-diamond ring specially designed for Sandra and made up of some of my grandma's reconstuted jewels..



And sick new headphones for my travels...



Delicious. Thanks Dad!