Staff Report

Have dinner plans Thursday night? If not, you might want to consider some bird as Giovanni Di Palma, of Antico Pizza Napoletana fame, continues his Little Italy-like takeover of Hemphill Avenue on the westside with tonight's opening of Gio’s Chicken Amalfitano.

Like Antico, Gio’s will begin as a takeout-only operation, offering signature Italian chicken dishes like the world-famous Sorrento Lemon Chicken, highlighting flavors typical of the Amalfi Coast area around Naples, Italy.

Gio’s will open at 5 p.m. and will close when the truck full of Bell & Evans chickens is empty. Temporary hours - with just 100 orders of chicken per night - will continue through the month of December and expanded hours will begin on January 4.

Gio’s features five signature chicken dishes - plus a few rotating and seasonal offerings - available to-go in individual and family-style sizes, served with roasted potatoes and homemade focaccia. Other offerings include chicken soup, baked ziti and ricotta cheesecake. True to form, everything will be fresh, handmade and artisan quality.

Joining Antico and Gio’s, Bar Antico, a traditional gelateria and caffe, will open this spring. In total, these Italian eateries will form Piazza San Gennaro, an Old World-style piazza, along an entire city block. Diners can enjoy the beloved Italian experience of all-day dining in a family-friendly, casual environment.

Gio’s Chicken Amalfitano is located in a former Brinks cash depository building adjacent to Antico at 1099 Hemphill Ave. (guests will enter through the alley next to Antico) and will be open for takeout daily from 5 p.m. until they run out of chicken. For more information, please visit www.gioschicken.com.