Gigi Italian Bistro BYOB, located at 4357 Main Street, formerly So Crepe, is set to open its doors for dinner this Wednesday, August 3rd.

Owned by Chef Craig Wilson of Maya.J, also in Manayunk, and his fiancee Jacqueline Au, Gigi (what the Wilsons called their mother) will be an homage to all mothers and grandmothers who have lovingly made comfort food for their families for generations.

After traveling the world and living in New York for the last decade, Craig Wilson has come home and is starting his own family. His partner and fiancée Jacqueline is pregnant with their first child. At Gigi, Craig and Jaqi want guests to feel like they are being invited into their home. It will be cozy, casual and unpretentious.

The decor will reflect a combination of rustic with a contemporary feel. Wilson and Au reached out through social media requesting photos of their friends’ beloved grandmothers. Almost 100 photos were submitted. The selected photos, filled with generations of love, will hang proudly on the walls. There are 46 seats in the dining room and 8 seats on Main Street for those who prefer to dine al fresco.

The menu will offer a variety of appetizers, salads, pizza, pasta, poultry, meat and seafood. There will also be a kid’s menu.

Menu staples include:

Insalata di Rucola baby arugula, roasted red pepper, asiago with balsamic vinaigrette ($11)

Vongole Clams with a choice of three sauces – long, short or bianco sauce ($14)

Fusilli Parmigiano parmesan cream sauce, mushrooms and fresh spinach ($19)

 

Shrimp Scampi spinach over linguini ($26)

Linguini Fra Diavolo mussels, clams, shrimp and cherry peppers in long sauce ($30)

Chicken, NY Strip and a Petite Filet are offered in a variety of preparations:

• Chicken Parmigiana ($22); Simple Grill ($19-$24)

• Marsala Mushroom ($22 – $26); Gorgonzola ($22 – $26)

• Saltimbocca ($28 – $32)

Pizza offerings include: Margherita ($15); Pepperoni ($15); Italiano ($16); Bianca ($17); Gambretti ($18); and Funghi ($15).

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GigiManayunk

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigi.italian.byob/