Giovanni's Restaurante

The Kitchen Crew, Bobby, Thomas, & Armando.  Server Daniel Berset & Maitre d' Chad Long.  Server Kelly Goetze.

Some of the People

John 'Giovanni' Panelli works in the restaurant daily, keeping the whole operation running.  He also owns and operates a mobile home park and modular community. 

Chad Long is the Maitre d'.  His experience is largely from years spent in the Napa Valley and managing other local establishments.

Thomas Morse learned his trade in Montana, and has worked as head chef at Monte Vista prior to coming to this restaurant.  When he isn't working here, he loves serving family and friends great BBQ.

Amy Amrhein has served here for over four years, and is often the most frequently requested server.  She also workes as a nurse caring for the elderly.

Kelly Goetze has worked here since she was hired as a busser at the age of 16.  She has been serving here for many years.  She loves her dogs so much she takes them to hotels.

Robin Perrone works as a cocktail server and bartender.  She is here most nights.  She is actively pursuing a goal of becoming a nurse.

 

The Story of Shady Glen Inn & Giovanni's

 

In 1941, Gulio and Josephine Panelli moved with their son and daughter John and Julia from the historic Union Hotel in Nevada City.  The mining boom was over and many of the patrons who stayed there regularly were beginning to move on to other pursuits.  They decided to move to the small community of Shady Glen, just outside of Colfax on Highway 40- the main route over the Sierras at the time.  They bought the Auto Camp and began cooking and serving food & beverage at the establishment.  Back then the name was kept Shady Glen and the Inn was added, because the travelers along the road would rent space to camp over- and at that time it wasn't fashionable to call an alcohol serving establishment a 'bar.'  Even though people no longer camp along the highway, the Shady Glen Inn remains the name of the adult beverage serving establishment.

When Gulio passed away in 1945, Josephine continued to serve Italian food.  Most of those who look back on this place who lived at the time still remember it affectionately as "Josie's Place,' as it was most commonly called then.  Josie later remarried Marcello Figeroli, and continued to serve food until 1961. It was at that time after 40 years of her living in America they took a trip to Italy to visit her sisters and mother.  Upon their return, they chose not to continue food service.

In the meantime, son John Panelli taught automotive repair at Sierra College in Rocklin, Ca.  After his mother passed away in 1975, he began renovating the property. The building was expanded and renovated to it's present appearance, and the Auto Camp has been developed into a manufactured home development.  To give tribute to his Italian roots, and in the spirit of having a name to remember such as 'Josie's' was, the restaurant was opened under his Italian name 'Giovanni's' in 1982.  He has since retired from his teaching career and now devotes himself daily to the excellence of the restaurant.