Gia Vin & Grill: A superb Italian homage in Saint-Henri

And it makes four for the Elena family! After treating us to the best of Italy through their first three establishments, the talented team now delights diners at Gia with traditional Abruzzo-style grilled dishes paired with exceptional wines.

A few years before opening, at Elena, Ryan Gray and Marley Sniatowsky were already talking about a new project — one that would allow their team to grow and take on new challenges. But then the pandemic hit, and all plans were thrown off course.

Gia Vin & Grill, the latest addition to the Elena family, finally opened its doors on December 8, 2021, much to the delight of Montreal’s food lovers.

After more than two years of planning, a year of construction, and the trials of a global pandemic, Ryan Gray, Emma Cardarelli, Marley Sniatowsky, Janice Tiefenbach, and Lawrence Fiset brought their vision to life — and not just any vision! From the very first days, Gia was drawing enthusiastic crowds.

Why the name Gia? “It’s a tribute to Giovanna, the owner of Pacina estate in Tuscany, Italy. It’s a way to honor her respect for tradition, for nature, her deep connection to her land, and her phenomenal work with wine. Giovanna truly inspired this place. Marley did a harvest there, his brother too, several of our staff as well — and for me, it was the very first place I visited with my family once we could travel again. She’s a very special and unique woman — our Italian mother, really,” shares Ryan.

Gia Vin & Grill is housed in a small auxiliary building of the grand RCA historical structure dating back to the early 1900s — the very place where stereos and recordings were made back in the day. The restaurant is located at 1025 Lenoir Street in St-Henri, in a very chic area between St-Antoine Street, the highway, and Home Depot. “This location has no residential neighbors, offering us a wealth of opportunities.”

Why set up shop here? “For the magic of the place,” explains Ryan Gray. “There’s no longer any surprise or magic anywhere these days. We wanted to recreate that sense of discovery and magic in this space.” Mission accomplished — the space is simply stunning.

As for the design of Gia, Sarah Pelletier was the mastermind behind the space. How would you describe the look and feel? “It feels like home! The building feels like Los Angeles or Brooklyn because it’s a converted former garage. Inside, we really feel like we’re in Italy. With the granite choices and the woodwork by David Roussel, you feel like you’ve walked into a neighborhood restaurant in Rome.” You’ll also spot a piece by Dan Climan, created specifically for the new space.

A little fun fact: the quote, originally written in Italian, comes from a beautiful photo book by Enzo Tiezzi. Enzo is the father of Giovanna, the namesake of Gia and one of the owners of Pacina.

Upon entering Gia Vin & Grill, you’ll find a 55-seat dining room and a bar area with about fifteen seats. “The restaurant also features a section called the wine island; it’s a space that can accommodate around thirty people without a reservation, located in the wine cellar. Guided by sommelier and partner Larry, you can come here to enjoy a bottle of wine, have an antipasti, wait for a table in the dining room, or simply have an aperitif. Gia also offers the option to privatize their stunning space for your next events.” The wine list features natural wines, with a strong emphasis on Italy. However, Gia brings back some wines that are less “glou-glou” and funky, opting for more powerful ones — a style different from their other establishments. All wines are also available for take-out!

In the kitchen at Gia, Chef Conrad Charron leads the team. The menu is built around the Italian grill, drawing inspiration from trips to central Italy and Tuscany. The dishes are rustic, seasonal, and of course, Italian, prepared with local ingredients. Everything is cooked on the outdoor charcoal grill, which is used year-round. Like the other restaurants from these owners, almost all ingredients come from small local farms — Parcelles, La Fermette, etc., but are interpreted in an Italian way. On the menu, you’ll find grilled meats and vegetables, seafood dishes, crudités, salads, arrosticini, and more. There are also a few typical Tuscan pastas like pappardelle with duck bolognese, Pici with breadcrumbs and garlic, and more. The restaurant is also open for lunch on certain days of the week.

“We’ve had our heads in this project for two years and our hands in it for the past year. The pandemic caught us off guard but gave us the chance to do everything ourselves! Marley became a contractor and almost did everything himself. After the longest wait of my career, I’m so excited to finally share this space with people! And I’m so proud of the amazing team we’re opening this restaurant with.”

A visit to Gia is a must, if you haven’t already been!