9802 Baymeadows Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32256-7917
(904) 646-1370

www.thegiulianosjax.net

 One of my favorite things to do is to visit a good lunch buffet. Going to Giuliano’s in Jacksonville, Florida is a real treat. I must admit that I am a regular to Giuliano’s before I start this review. My first experience was with the lunch buffet in the spring of 2009. Since then I have ordered pizza as a take out and have had the buffet many times. Now on the last visit to Giuliano’s in October of 09 I once again had the lunch buffet. On this day they offered a fresh salad with iceburg lettuce, small tomatoes, peppers, cheeses, and various dressings. There are always two options for pizza (this day was pepperoni and tomato and cheese). There is something different that they do to the pizza there, something that makes their pizza one of the best you will have.

 On the main part of the buffet you will find different options each day. This particular day was chicken marsala, chicken parmesan, lasagna, and a crab fettuccini. The wait staff was very helpful and kept our drinks filled. So much to the point I had to let them know that I was done with my drink. The reason that I say them is that the staff seemed to share the duties and we did not have one server only. They (the servers) also kept us stocked with fresh bread and oil for the dipping.

 Giuliano’s is a wonderful and quaint restaurant that is tucked away in a strip mall. The restaurant offers a little bar that is not actually in the dining area. Then to the other side of the bar is a little wine and gourmet shop. The lighting is dark and some may say romantic in the dining side of Giuliano’s. There is always great Italian music playing softly and the smell of the great things to come out of the kitchen. The men’s room is clean and large. The rest of the restaurant is also clean and again, the staff is wonderful. Do not be surprised if the manager comes to your table to ask if everything is going well.

So, if you find yourself traveling on I-95 in Jacksonville, Florida you need to exit off of onto Baymeadows then go East to the corner of Baymeadows and Southside. You will find Giuliano’s in the in the corner of the shopping center on the right, before Southside. They are open 11 am until 10 pm. They do offer take out, catering as well as delivery. You can also check them out on the web www.thegiulianosjax.net

Reviewed by Pie, email: pie@piesplate.com

9902 Old Baymeadows Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32256-8103
(904) 646-4455

So, it is a Saturday evening, already went out earlier, its 9 pm…hungry as all heck!  Where do you go?  The “sidewalks roll up at sunset” in Jax.  What’s open besides Waffle House and Cracker Barrel?  I looked around the corner from my house on Southside and Baymeadows to the Bowl of Pho.  Bowl of Pho is in the Publix Plaza across from FCCJ Deerwood.

When Pie and I walked into the restaurant, the place was extraordinarily busy.  Barely a seat in the house.  We were quickly seated at a booth in the back of the restaurant.  We were asked by our waiter Leo what we wanted to drink; we gave him our order and started to look at the menu.  I was craving something lite but filling and Pie was just HUNGRY.  When Leo came back with our drinks, we put in our orders.  Pie got the chicken fried rice and I got the medium “Bowl of Pho” and some fresh grilled pork spring rolls for an appetizer.  We waited a short time and my appetizer came out to the table.  Great spring rolls, plenty of grilled pork wrapped in a supple rice paper wrapping.  The dipping sauce was plenty and flavorful.  Before we knew it, our dinner order came to the table.  The Bowl of Pho was huge even for a medium.  It came with fresh basil, cilantro and bean sprouts to put into the soup.  The broth was beef and spiced with ginger and garlic.  There were thin rice noodles in the bottom of the bowl, like angel hair pasta.  I put the basil, cilantro and sprouts into the soup and started eating.  I finished every drop in the bowl.  I was full and satisfied.  Pie ate his fried rice and was happy; it was done to perfection.

We don’t usually order dessert, but Pie wanted to try something different, he ordered a bean starch dessert.  It came in a large wine glass and was like a gelatin with cream on top of red beans.  Strange…but good none the less.  Not sweet at all, but not like you would expect beans to be.  Granted, it wasn’t what we were expecting, but it wasn’t bad at all.

When we paid the bill, our order only came to $20.  Who can beat that?  The restaurant was tastefully decorated.  Totally modern Chinese, natural elements and clean lines.  The service was great, and the food was fantastic!  

I visited the restroom before I left.  I must say I was quite impressed.  Ample room in the stalls, clean and the coolest sink and faucet I have seen in a restaurant.  The staff was happy, upon checkout, to answer any questions we had and to tell us about the restaurant.  They have a takeout menu also; if you order a “Bowl of Pho” you will have to pay .50 extra for packaging, but it is well worth the price!

 If you are out and want something to finish the night with, I would recommend the Bowl of Pho.  You definitely won’t be disappointed…the service is great, the food is fantastic and the price is perfect!

Reviewed by Rhonette, email: Rhonette@piesplate.com