- November 14, 2024
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Giovanni Spinosa, co-owner of two restaurants in Port Orange alongside his wife Shana, is preparing to introduce a blend of Italian traditions and culinary innovations to the Ormond Beach community.
The Spinosas plan to have their new restaurant, called Don Giovanni, open by Sunday, Oct. 1. The restaurant is located at 1930 W. Granada Blvd. It is the second restaurant by the same name to be opened by the couple. Their original Don Giovanni location is located at 1633 Taylor Road, Suite 5, and their second restaurant, Pizza Pazza, is located at 3761 S. Nova Road, Suite 224, both in Port Orange.
"The concept of Don Giovanni was for me to bring my family tradition, family feelings every time you sit at the table on Sunday when you eat with your family,” Giovanni Spinosa said.
Giovanni Spinosa’s grandfather went by “Don Giovanni," so the restaurant's name acts as a nod to his family roots.
Giovanni Spinosa's culinary adventure began in Italy. He migrated to Florida 12 years ago this October.
After some initial experiences in New Jersey, Giovanni made his way to Florida, eventually settling in New Smyrna Beach. He worked in various restaurants and honed his skills in the kitchen, starting from the ground up. He recalled his first job as a dishwasher, where he would work late into the night, earning around $50. The experience was an eye-opener for Giovanni, who said he realized that hard work could yield financial reward in the United States.
"I kind of worked a little bit around family restaurants and all that kind of stuff, so I finally got to understand a little bit how people interact and everything like that,” he said.
Reflecting on the journey that brought them to where they are today, Shana Spinosa recalled their initial challenge: Opening their first restaurant in Port Orange four years ago, with limited savings and two young children.
Giovanni Spinosa had just returned from a year-long truck driving job during which he obtained his commercial driver's license. He was then encouraged by a friend to open up a restaurant.
"It’s amazing how we will be celebrating two years of being open [at] the first location [of] Don Giovanni Oct. 18, and I’ve only know our regulars for less than two years, these amazing and lovely people of the community have become my friends and family," Shana Spinosa said. "We are blessed to be able to call so many friends."
Don Giovanni specializes in New York-style pizza.
"We have the same pizza as in Italy, but we also have New York style," Giovanni Spinosa said. "It's kind of like when you go to Detroit, when you go to Chicago, you find all different kinds of styles of pizza."
The menu features classic Italian dishes like risotto, pork osso bucco, and spaghetti and meatballs to Mediterranean-inspired salads. Don Giovanni also uses imported mozzarella from Italy.
Don Giovanni’s menu also includes Montanare, which is like a fried pizza. Giovanni Spinosa said this was something he used to enjoy during his school days.
Shana Spinosa said she strives to create a sense of community in their restaurants, where people don't need to be celebrating a special occasion to enjoy their food.
"I love owning our restaurants; our customers become our friends and family," she said. "We create a 'Cheers'-like environment."
