Foodie News
Giacomo's cuts the counter at dinner: Trays don't fly in River Oaks
Complexity: Great for flavors. Not ideal for an ordering system.
Giacomo's Cibo e Vino has quietly made a name for itself among the River Oaks neighborhood crowd for its boutique wines and Italian comfort dishes of all sizes.
But what most people first notice about Giacomo's is the unorthodox ordering system. There are cold plates on display at the front counter (cibo supito), plates that can be ordered and served promptly (cibo rapido) and traditional entrees that require a wait (cibo lento).
Now none of this is rocket science, but it is a bit complex for a casual dinner, especially if groups try to coordinate ordering options to eat. (Not to mention that the price point is rather steep for a restaurant that requires trays.) So after receiving feedback from guests, owner Lynette Hawkins has switched to table service after 5 p.m.
"My customers have spoken and they want table service when they join us for dinner," she says.
Those enamored of the tripartite ordering system will still have lunches and the afternoons to use counter service.