Gino's - Poughkeepsie

We ate here in December of 2019. I'm the only vegan in the group, but I was so pleased to see vegan mozzarella on the menu. I did my usual careful ordering, double-checking with the server to make sure the crust and sauce were also vegan. I was expecting the typical Daiya cheese, but this establishment uses Violife, and it was delicious. The owner came over to talk to me. His wife is dairy free and they've made a point of searching for the best mozzarella. He told me she experiments with vegan desserts and is looking to add some to the offerings. Toward the end of the meal, the owner came back over to our table with a carryout tub full of shredded cheese for me to take home, and he told me the best way to make a grilled cheese sandwich with it. The awareness about vegan options at this pizzeria is awesome.

We dined at this restaurant in December 2019. I am the only vegan in our group, so I was pleased to find vegan mozzarella on the menu. I carefully ordered and double-checked with the server to ensure that the crust and sauce were also vegan. To my surprise, the restaurant used Violife cheese rather than the typical Daiya, and it was delicious. The owner even stopped by to chat with me, mentioning that his wife is dairy-free and they have made an effort to find the best vegan mozzarella. He also mentioned that she has been experimenting with vegan desserts, some of which they now offer. As we finished our meal, the owner brought me a container of shredded cheese to take home, suggesting the best way to make a grilled cheese sandwich with it. The level of awareness and options for vegans at this pizzeria is excellent.

There are not many vegan options available, but having any at all is a real treat. We were delighted to discover this lovely little restaurant during our trip. The kids were upset that we were not going back for a second day because of the delicious food and friendly service. I enjoy trying new places. The waitress was very friendly and the food arrived quickly. The portions were large and the prices were fair. Definitely worth a visit!

I was pleasantly surprised by this traditional pizzeria. Although they may be new to offering vegan options, they have been making delicious pizzas for a long time, which is evident in their crust and tomato sauce. I ordered the veggie deluxe with vegan mozzarella and the vegetables were abundant, as was the vegan cheese.

Our experience at Gino's was a bit disappointing as it seemed like the food lacked effort. The cheese pizza was decent, but the cheese was sparse and the sauce was overwhelming. The baked ziti was unimpressive, basically just saucy noodles with cheese on top that tasted like a homemade dish. The broccoli rabe had woody garlic bits left in, making it unpleasant to eat. Given the price, we expected better quality. Additionally, we were catcalled four times during our walk to and from the restaurant, which was disturbing and unacceptable. The food definitely did not make up for the harassment.