DINING OUT ... WITH FRIENDS AT
GIORGIO ' S ITALIAN GRILL & PIZZERIA
by Mike Sanchez Photos by Mike Sanchez and Mia Shlapfer
on Nov 8th Prior to that , he was the CEO / president of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce for 10 years . Sue recently retired from the Santa Clara County Water District after 41 years , where she served as a Real Estate Unit Manager and Senior Real Estate Agent . She is now a Realtor with Remax Realty in Morgan Hill . We have been friends with the Turners for over 30 years , first meeting at South Valley Community Church in Gilroy “ way back in the old days .” These two are truly a South County power couple . The next four years will be exciting ones for Mark and Sue , and we ’ re excited to see what ’ s in store for them as they serve the community of Morgan Hill . The Turner ’ s have three grown daughters , two sons-in-law , and three grandchildren .
It was great to catch up with these two . We broke bread , chatted about everything under the sun , and as always , had a few good laughs .
F or this installment of Dining Out we decided to check out the newest Downtown Morgan Hill eatery — Giorgio ’ s Italian Grill & Pizzeria . We showed up early to guarantee a place to sit . Even still , the place was popping . Walking in , a full bar welcomes you like you ’ re walking into a scene from ‘ Cheers .’ Tables left right and center , filling up around the dinner hour this day with hungry , happy patrons . Chatter and laughter filled the air in this very welcoming place .
Our Dining Out friends on this late-November afternoon were Morgan Hill ’ s new first couple — Mark and Sue Turner . Mark had just been elected as Morgan Hill ’ s mayor two weeks prior
The restaurant ’ s much-anticipated Morgan Hill location opened in late October of 2022 . It is the latest of three restaurants under the Giorgio ’ s banner , owned and operated by the D ’ Ambrosio family of San Jose — who also own New York Style Sausage Company in Sunnyvale , and distribute those great products to most local grocery stores . The original “ Giorgio ’ s Pizza House ” was founded in the Foxworthy shopping center in San Jose in 1959 . A second location was opened in Milpitas in 1997 . Their original location was a favorite of Mark and Sue – then San Jose residents . Mark fondly remembers “ being there all the time .”
Giorgio ’ s is a great addition to an already bustling Downtown food scene . Their open interior and beautiful outdoor patio are on par with their well-appointed , well-planned neighboring establishments .
Giorgio ' s Italiano Antipasti
Steamed Clams Fried Calamari
64 WINTER 2023 gmhTODAY Magazine gmhtoday . com