The part usually played by Kirk is once again being played by Cathy.
Hi. You have probably seen Giovanni’s, either on Clairmont Mesa or on Balboa and hopefully you have gone in. The Mister and I used to go to one or the other location on Football Saturdays to watch Our Team play college football, but alas, both places got to be too crowded with alumni, who all seem to have moved to Southern California after having spent one too many winter/snow seasons in the Great Lake State and so now out alumni now meet here on Saturdays between September and November and, ideally on January 1st.
So, anyhow… We used to meet here. 
This is the Giovanni’s on Clairmont Mesa, right next to the Registrar of Voters office. The menu is fairly extensive, with pizzas, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, pastas. They also serve breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday also, which was good when a football game started at noon on the east coast….although there were many times we had pizza or a sandwich for breakfast…along with whatever beer was on special…ah, when we were young, and didn’t sometimes have to work on a weekend…
So, on this day, The Mister and I wanted just a little bit to eat. We got the calamari appetizer ($5.75)
Light and crispy, lightly seasoned breading. The calamari rings were tender and not all rubbery. 
We also got the small antipasti salad ($6.75). That is a low bowl it’s served in, so there is a *lot* of lettuce, (romaine and iceberg) as well as olives, tomatoes, three meats and a really good provolone. Alas, they were out of anchovies that day, but, I lived. The dressing is a standard Italian and good.
We decided to share a cheese calzone. 
..Its only $4.50…kind of looks small on the plate….but… 
it’s got a *very* thin, delicate crust…with good, sweet and olive oil flavors…and it’s FILLED with ricotta, provolone and Parmesan, as well as a small (just right) amount of the home made (i.e. chunky with tomatoes, onions, bay leaf and olive oil) marinara.
All in all, Giovanni’s has very good to excellent food, is large enough to accommodate large parties (and does, regularly…lots of after-soccer groups of teens and pre-teens meet here; there are video games in the back room) and is informal enough for a quick ‘date’ with someone for lunch…or breakfast on the weekend.
Giovanni’s 9353 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92111 (858) 279-6700 and 6133 Balboa Avenue (858) 278-9191
