Ciao Bistro
302 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034
Ciao Bistro Menu
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Address :
302 Centre St
Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034 - Phone (904) 206-4311
- Website https://www.ciaobistro-luca.com/default.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Austin P.
We loved Ciao Bistro. We had great servers and they were very attentive. The pizza here might be some of the best we've ever had. Very simple preparation, paper thin crust, fresh flavors, amazing. We'll be back when we're in town!
(5)Mike W.
What an outstanding restaurant! Have been to the area for many years and just found out about Ciao Bistro. Great menu, excellent wine list, and the wait staff could not have been better. We will definitely be back next time we are near!
(5)Roger P.
Just returned from a visit to the area and we ate twice at Ciao. Either earlier reports of slow service has resulted in a change or it was a one off situation. We found the service to be very attentive and one of my favorite situations....no one was territorial in making certain all diners were satisified. On the first night the place was very crowded but service was excellent. I think 5 different staff members helped in our service. The second night was late and the place was far from filled. Everything we tried was very good and properly seasoned. The cannelloni special (beef and chicken with a mushroom reduction) was heavenly! I can easily recommend this place to anyone visiting the area.
(4)Patrick C.
The owner is right there when you come in. The place is a little underwhelming at first, since it is a small storefront in a strip mall. don't let that fool you. It is a very nice, friendly place, with excellent food. The waiter was very friendly and the owner was around to make certain that we were happy. Lots of regulars, but not horribly busy.
(4)Robert C.
Good Italian food choice. Myself and three others dined and all had good meals. I enjoyed the Milanese pork while my wife had the salad special with goat cheese. The owner checks on you to ensure an enjoyable meal. I recommend it.
(4)Shawn J.
Went here with my fiancée after several friends raved about it. Best Italian food in the area. Fast, super friendly staff. The owner seats you and both he and the staff work hard to make sure your visit is enjoyable.
(5)Maria T.
while the food and table service were wonderful, I cannot give higher stars because of poor reservation management. we had a 7:30 reservation (and arrived 10 minutes early) and were not seated until past 8pm. owner kept telling us "just 2 more minutes". truly - had he said, "look it's going to be 30 minutes" we could have made the decision to leave or stick it out. that was irritating. but food was very good; fresh and delicious. server was friendly and accommodating and we appreciated that.
(3)Teresa K.
Delicious meal, very attentive seevice
(5)Chris W.
My wife and I made the decision to go to Ciao for our 13th wedding anniversary dinner. We were surprised at the location - in a strip mall - and at the smallness of the restaurant (the owners would probably prefer "intimate"). Tables were close together, leaving you with the feeling that you were part of the next table's conversation. But the food - the food was outstanding. They bring some amazing bread out almost immediately. My wife had Whole Wheat Penne Primavera, which was flavorful and bursting with vegetables. I had the Chicken Parmesan, which was a large chicken breast covered in melted cheese and a very tasty red sauce. We would certainly return again when in the area.
(5)Dennis M.
Took a party of 16 people on the recommendation of someone at our hotel in July 2010. This place was very good and the service was top notch.
(4)Don R.
The great italian eateries of New York, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco will not have to worry about getting one opted by this restaurant. With that said this a very nice italian restaurant for northern Flordia. Perhaps the best thing here is the service that starts with a very attentive owner. We had a 7:30 reservation and when we arrived at this rather small establishment we were told it would be awhile. Waiting for a reservation is not my favorite activity but sometimes is does happen. The owner offered his apoligies many times in our 15 minute wait and seemed to be doing his best to get our table turned and ready. The wait staff was also very knowledgeable and attentive. The chicken & sausage dish I ordered was flavorful and a nice portion. The sausage in the dish was very bland and lacked the proper spices of great italian sausage. The side pasta was a bit dry but had a flavorful tomato sauce. The bread was warm and satisfying and the salad was very good. This was a good meal but by far not a great one. I would definitely go back and try another entree and maybe be a bit more impressed. This is a warm, friendly bistro that should be visited if you are in the Amelia Island area.
(3)Sandra O.
Best Italian restaurant. Food is great, great service I love this place!!
(5)Chris H.
We had great service & the Lasagna & Penne Con Polo were fantastic The fried cheese balls were awesome. Great way for us to celebrate our 35th Anniversary.
(5)Dawn A.
4 Stars for easy quick seating on a Friday night and good atmosphere! We went here as a spur of the moment, no reservations, let's hope they have a seat for us restaurant. And also heard around town this was a the place to go for Italian food. So we gave it a whirl! Surprising enough we got seated right away around 5:30ish, so it wasn't too much in the rush hour dinner hour. I ordered the seafood lasagna and my husband ordered the veal with angel hair pasta. Both were delicious and tasty. My only comment is I think I like the more traditional lasagna with the meal sauce. And the veal dish was a bit over seasoned with lime and capers. Overall, our experience was good and our waitress was great! I would love to go back again and try something different on the menu.
(4)Guy A.
We sat outside in the patio since the temperature was mild. We didn't have a long wait for the food. The food was wonderful. Everyone at our table enjoyed the Caesar salads and Caprese salad. For the main course two of us had "Spaghetti con polpette di carne" (spaghetti with meatballs) - really tasty. The others had "Farfalle con pollo" and "Chicken ciao" - they were also very good. We all agreed that we would love to eat there again.
(5)Lauren T.
If you want to wait for mediocre food for an hour and a half after waiting for your table, this is the place for you. We get it - it was a busy night on a holiday weekend, but we ordered our cioppino and rigatoni bolognese as soon as we sat down, and it took 90 min for the food to arrive! While we waited there was no bread, no offer of a beverage on the house, no check-in from the server (e/g: your food will be out soon, or sorry it's taking so long). We watched five other tables get seated, served, and leave the restaurant before we ever saw our food. There was no offer for a free dessert. And, after waiting that long, you'd expect a masterpiece, but I could've made a better bolognese myself in 15 minutes. I give it two stars because the ambiance is nice, the bus boy was sweet, and the bruschetta we ate at the bar before we were seated was good.
(2)Sheila L.
Atmosphere was nice! Food took forever to arrive! Meal was bland. Son's meatballs were cold! Family came in that was apparently well known! Our waiter was at their table a lot! Half way through our meal he finally brought the tablespoon to spoon the pasta with a fork! Had to ask for ice in our drinks! Not as good as the restaurant that was located here two years ago!
(2)Cordell S.
Really good food and friendly atmosphere! The caprese, bread, and fettuccini are fantastic. The food came out hot and quick. One of the best meals I've had on this island.
(4)Jeremy H.
Wonderful food, service and atmosphere. While vacationing in Fernandina each year we have been passing by this place. We have our, tried and true, local favorites and don't really like trying anything different. Our teenage daughter pleaded with us to go here and we reluctantly decided to give it a try. Boy were we impressed! Everything from the appetizers, bread, pasta and pizza was amazing. We loved it so much that on our last night there we all had to decide what we wanted our last "BEACH VACATION MEAL" to be.....the overwhelming consensus was Ciao Bistro again! This is going on our list as the first place to eat every time we come into town!
(5)Chris W.
Great Italian restaurant in the downtown historic area would highly recommend visiting here it was small and quaint and had very nice ambience. Everyone was happy with their meals had a nice selection of wines as well.
(4)Karen M.
Ciao is one of the nicer places to eat in Amelia Island. It's a little Italian place with a great ambiance in the historic downtown section. We stopped in here for an early dinner after a long day. Good choice. I only had the calamari and the bruschetta, but they were both excellent, and my hubby said his eggplant parmigiana was outstanding. Good Italian wine list and superlative service from the small yet attentive staff. Definitely worth several return visits.
(4)Joanna D.
Best Italian food. The lasagna is delicious.. My third year coming here and will definitely come again.
(5)Ac B.
This place has amazing Italian food. It's got an okay atmosphere, they cram you in like any Italian restaurant, and it's pretty loud. The wait staff was nice. This is a good place to come for a nice bite to eat with a few friends. The Rigatoni Chao was very very good! The calamari was a good appetizer. My only complaints was the atmosphere, but it was great food.
(4)Martha H.
I attended an event here recently and had a wonderful time with fabulous food. The pizza was so thin and flavorful! The Watermelon Napoleon was a fresh bite of summer. My son's favorite was the Mozzarella in Carrozo...a great switch from cheese with marinara sauce. The owner, Luca was a wonderful host! We will be back very soon!
(4)Donna D.
After driving around the loop trying to decide where to eat, we stopped hear after reading the reviews. It was a Monday night at 9pm and they still had a line at the door. It took a few minutes to be seated as waiters were running, yes running, by us to deliver food. It has a cozy atmosphere. I had the margherita pizza and my husband had the riatoni ciao. Both were excellent. The pizza had the thinnest crust I have ever seen. No cans or frozen stuff here. Authentic Italian food. We will definitely be back.
(5)Scott U.
Great little dinning on centre street. One of our favorites down here. Fast service but relaxed atmosphere. Love the salads and thin crust pizza. Kids love the pasta choices. Pricing is very reasonable as the portions are generous.
(5)Colleen D.
This is not your average Olive Garden or whatever rip off Italian restaurant you usually go to. This is authentic Italian food. We stopped in here off a recommendation from the Ritz Carlton. The waiter we had was Durate. He made the meal. He was attentive and made sure we liked everything and were comfortable. We got the fettuccine alfredo, Veal (to die for according to my Mom) and lasagna. Everything was so good. We could have been eating in Italy for all we know. We are heading back here on Friday night. We never usually go to the same place twice while on vacation. The owner even came by our table to make sure everything was okay. They even give you the bill in an old Italian dvd case. Very cool.
(5)G T.
Wonderful in every way! It's the perfect small Italian atmosphere with great food and staff.
(5)Bob A.
We visited in March on the Friday before the Concours on the recommendation of the desk person at our hotel. We showed up without a reservation but were seated within a reasonable time. There were a lot of large parties and local people in the place. The wait-staff and helpers were constantly hustling to reconfigure the seating as more large groups showed up. I thought the food was just great and our server was friendly and efficient. The crowd was lively but civilized. Overall the restaurant had a positive vibe. One caution: the bar is beer and wine only, but the wine selections are very good. Prices are reasonable for this type of room.
(4)Bob F.
We have dined at Ciao Bistro about a dozen times in the last year and they always deliver a great experience... excellent food and wonderful service in a nice atmosphere. The menu is short but interesting and everything is consistently well prepared. We particularly have enjoyed the Chicken Ciao and the shrimp alla diavolo. They pay as much attention to the starters as they do to the entrees, especially the excellent brushetta. The service is attentive without being over bearing; for the best service we always ask to be waited on by Vladimir, the best waiter in town.
(5)Julie S.
I ordered the pesto cream pasta dish and was not disappointed. I loved it and the portion size, I had enough for leftovers to take home. This restaurant is adorable.
(4)Scott C.
Very nice Italian wine list. Antipasta starters are unique and very good. Pasta dishes are very good and portons are large - seafood pastas are especially good. Pizzas are very thin crust and nice. Owners are very nice and always pay attention to detail. Service is always good.
(5)Melanie H.
Awesome! Even though they were very busy every table was made to feel special. The service was great and the food awesome!
(5)M P.
Absolutely awesome. Every single thing we ordered was delicious. Can't wait to go back!
(5)L R.
Great Italian spot in downtown Fernandina! My husband and I sat outside on the patio, which was lovely. The owner greeted and sat us and all of the staff was very friendly and attentive. We ordered the Burrata for an app - and thought it was one of the best burratas we've ever had (and we live in NYC!). We also got the bruschetta, which was delicious but a smaller portion than expected (3 small pieces). They also served warm delicious bread. For our entrees, I got the margherita pizza, which was really thin crust and very tasty. My husband got the red snapper, shrimp and angel hair pasta, which he loved. Wine list was very reasonably priced and has a solid selection. We got the Chardonnay and Montepulciano and both were great. We'll definitely be back!
(4)Mark B.
We attended the Folio's Bite Club Dinner tonight. Let me say that this place is amazing. The chef's select on a menu was fabulous start to finish. We started with a Margarita Pizza that was a super thin crust with some really fresh cheese and basil. Then we moved onto a watermelon napoleon that just moved my soul. The combo of the watermelon and goat cheese and arugula was smashing then the balsamic glaze set it right over the top. Now the seafood lasagna added a tasty topping to a very filling meal. It just hit all the right note but didn't bang on anyone to hard. The pasta was melt in your mouth yum. Then we had to have a dessert if you weren't busting at the seams already. The tirami su was pure heaven. A light pudding with a creamy cake inside. The whole meal makes us want to go home sleep and come right back for some more. I can't say anything bad about Ciao Bistro. From the service to the meal to the bunch of folio foodies the night was a huge success. Thanks, Caron and Folio Bite Club.
(5)Fred P.
This place has great service and some of the best food in Florida. Get the bone-in veal parm.
(5)Jason B.
1st meal in Amelia Island ... Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic. The ambiance is quaint and romantic while still casual. The service is outstanding. Lisa, our server was terrific. Made our dining experience very enjoyable. She recommended the Arancini appetizer (lightly fried battered ricotta cheese), which was a great starter. The bread and olive oil mix was garlicy and just the way I like it. The pizza was delish. Nice crispy crust with fresh ingredients on top. The bolognese was a little sweet for my taste but delicious none the less. Ciao is outstanding and I will be returning! Happy dining.
(5)Mike S.
Ate there last night for ten year anniversary. Food was excellent and the staff was great. The owner and family were very personable. Very good atmosphere.
(4)Belinda B.
Food is average but over priced. I had the Arabiata pasta which is not on the menu. They brought a big plate with too much sauce and very little pasta and charged $ 16.00. Even with more pasta, I wasn't impressed. My sister had Milanese and it was way too greasy and too expensive: $23.00It was one big piece of meat and nothing else. My dogs will enjoy dinner. Been there twice, first and last time..
(2)Sandra E.
Good Italian food with comfortable atmosphere; both indoor and outdoor dining. Generous (very) servings. I took more than half of the entrée home, so I can't imagine anyone leaving here hungry. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is that my friend's Bolognese sauce was actually a pink Marina sauce. Good, but not as labeled.
(4)Joey T.
I had the lasagna and it was awesome. We had calamari as an appetizer and between that and the fresh rolls I'd come back again.
(5)Lisa A.
Our fav restaurant in town! Food out of this world, friendly servers, indoor/outdoor, great ambiance. Pesto is fantastic!
(5)Jana D.
Very good. Service is excellent. Was such a nice touch that the maitre d' remembered my husband's name when we left. Very surprised by that, as we've never been there. Clearly, good food and good service are really important to these folks.
(4)Jim b.
Had dinner here with our three older grandchildren. Staff was very attentive,service was good,food was OK. We had several different entrees, all where good wholesome food. Price was a bit high. I had the seafood lasagna good but seafood was dry.
(3)Ashley C.
First time writing a review but service and meal were so memorable I had to share. We were greeted by owner, like all his guest, immediately upon arriving. We were treated with a free glass of proseco! Ordered entree had special modification with no issues, staff was happy to accommodate! Perfect quiet patio seating and dim lighting. Loved this place so much had dinner twice while on vacation!
(5)Michelle R.
Had a reservation and still had to wait for our table. Food was tasty but nothing special. Very disappointed that two $3 sharing charges were added to our bill without any prior notification . We ordered a lot of food, were a party of 10, order a bottle of wine, 2 additional glasses of wine and several salads, and 9 entres. Even our 9 year old ordered off of the adult menu. Our 9 year old wanted a side of pasta we were told they don't do that so we ordered him an additional kids meal so he could have pasta. We felt unfairly treated.
(1)Jocelyn M.
This place quite took me by surprise. I kind of thought it was just going to be a regular old Italian place. But I loved it!!! We sat out on the patio right by the window and it was lovely. We all had pasta with creamy sauces and we all had happy plates. I mean, for real. We passed around our dishes until they were gone. Service was awesomely friendly and ambiance was perfect.
(4)Cyndie N.
I'd love to review the food at this restaurant, but after being told there was a 25 min wait and waiting for almost an hour we finally ran out of time to have dinner before having to leave for another commitment. While waiting we watched the host give away another table to a couple who walked in long after us. Disappointing for a rare night out with my husband without kids.
(1)Buddy H.
Food was delicious, service was outstanding !!! Waiter Vladimir really knew the menu inside and out ... Had a great experience, order the giant veal Parmesan , it was like a tennis racket !!!
(4)Lauren S.
WARNING: DO NOT EAT HERE UNLESS YOU ARE A SALT ADDICT I am quite perplexed by the positive reviews. Is this the same restaurant? It took them 30 minutes to bring our menus. I ordered a caesar salad and pasta with marinara sauce. The croutons were greasy and mushy. The cheese on the salad tasted stale. And the salad itself was extremely SALTY. It tasted oceanic. I attempted to eat it all (it wasn't a big salad). A few minutes later, my stomach bloated like a puffer fish and it was very painful. I managed a forkful of pasta. Equally SALTY. I couldn't eat any more. 1 star for slow service, inedibility, and making my stomach hurt.
(1)Jaime C.
I had the most delicious salad, I mean the MOST delicious salad. There were plenty of greens, some heart of palm and an entire avocado. Everything about that salad was good. I also had the fried cheese balls which I thought were mozzarella. Instead, they were some sort of ricotta mix. Perhaps it's my lack of knowledge of Italian that caused the confusion. I was full after eating the salad and cheese balls! The ambiance is wonderful, the water is tasty (anyone who lives on the island understands the importance of tasty water), and the service was great.
(5)Kim G.
LOVED this place! First off super friendly servers and staff, nice decor and fabulous food! We had Caesar Salad and it wasn't salty like a couple of reviews we read on here. Makes me wonder if there's had Anchovies on it and they didn't know. Our server actually asked us if we wanted them or not. Then our entrees were Lasagna and Eggplant Parmigiana both were large portions and delicious!! Our house bottle of Chianti was perfect. Bread with the choice of butter or oil was good also. We finished off our meal with the chocolate cake OMG!! Over all a great meal and can't wait to fine there again! PERFECTO!
(5)Meghna P.
On Valentines Day 2014, also my birthday, we made reservations for 7:45p. When we arrived, the hostess told us 15-min wait. We still weren't seated by 8:45p. We saw others who arrived after us were getting a table before us, to which we asked why. The hosted kept saying 15 more minutes. We walked out. Horrible service; they don't appreciate new customers!!
(1)Tad D.
Awful. Served a $35 steak full of gristle over a bed of arugula I couldn't figure out how to eat. When I finally caught my waitress, she didn't even apologize but just said she would get the manager. He argued with me and didn't apologize. When he finally got around to offering me something else, I just told him to forget it and give me the bill. Very disappointing. Place has gone downhill.
(1)Jordan H.
Fantastic.Fantastic.Fantastic. I so rarely give praise like this, but this place was truly an awesome find. The main location is a little small, but they will be expanding in to downtown Fernandina soon, so that will ease the seating restrictions. Make a reservation, and you wont be disappointed.
(5)Mary F.
Our meal here was great...the food and service are excellent. Portions are really large and you definitely leave feeling full and happy. The staff is great and full of character. My only minor complaint would be service was almost too fast...we hadn't even finished our salads when our main course was in front of us.
(4)Carolyn S.
Excellent experience. Highly recommend the calamari and seafood lasagna. Service by Ashley was great! A must when in the area.
(4)l b.
Wow! I so much enjoyed the delicious tortellini. The sauce was perfectly creamy, cheesey, and seasoned. I'm impressed by their good quality. I'm so jaded from all the franchises of frozen everything with a scoop of salt to fool my taste buds. The atmosphere was lacking inside. It was classy though a bit cramped.
(4)Henry H.
We had a really, really large party when we dined here on Friday night. How big? Let's just say we took up a wall. And they still let us order off the menu! Here are some quick notes. Bread rolls are served with pesto rather than oil at the table. Try the burrata (mozzarella and cream) on prosciutto with arugula and bread sticks drizzled with balsamic vinegar. It was served on a wooden paddle and had great flavor. If the veal osso bucco is offered as a special, try it but be forewarned as it is a generous serving. The marrow is my favorite part and is a great pairing with the meat. The gnocchi that accompanies this dish is almost overkill but you be the judge. We asked if the kitchen was willing to add seared scallops to the shrimp scampi, and they obliged. Customization allowed even for a large party! The rest of the party had everything from the lasagna to pork. None of us had room for dessert, but none of us complained about our respective meals. Overall, a solid dining experience with good service.
(4)Laura K.
My husband and I had a lovely meal here last night. Our waiter was helpful and friendly. The Caesar salad was yummy and I really liked my pizza! They take thin crust to a whole new level!
(4)Jessie S.
We are here on amelia island for a week and this is our 2nd trip here. Food is deelish and Elwin is a very funny efficient server. My kids think he is hilarious! Great pizza ,beer ,rolls and salad! Yummy!
(5)Andy J.
Good food and great service. For the health conscious, they have wheat pasta. The rigatoni ciao is a must.
(5)Ed Y.
Great food, very fresh, perfect portions, A service. Food was really good and it is in a great location for drinks before or fun after!
(4)Rebecka B.
I've had dinner several times at Ciao. My new favorite is the Chicken Marsala. There is no doubt that the owner is the reason this restaurant has consistently great food and service. Great job!
(5)Don W.
Always a pleasure to visit Ciao Bistro. The service was excellent, as always. I had a seafood lasagne special that was outstanding. My glass of tea never got empty, as the waiter was all over it. This was my first visit to their new location downtown and it had great atmosphere. This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants.
(5)Linda H.
We were in Amelia Island for 4 nights, and loved this restaurant so much, we went back a second time during our visit. The staff is very hospitable -- friendly but not hovering. Décor is uncluttered and restful, and the timing of the meal was just right for a relaxed evening. But most importantly, the food and service are outstanding. We have dietary restrictions and our server, Duarte, could not have been more helpful in accommodating our needs. The dishes were delicious and served beautifully. A memorable experience!
(5)Michelle M.
What a great little restaurant! We were warmly greeted by the owner at the door as if he was welcoming us into his home. We were immediately greeted by our waiter and could not have asked for more attentive service. The house Chianti was wonderful and served very generously...my glass was really closer to two glasses! I ordered the Penne with Italian Sausage and Peppers and my husband ordered the Lasagna. My dish was delicious, but my husband's dish was orgasmic! I don't think I have ever had such incredible lasagna. (Please cover the ears of my fragile Italian grandmother!) I kept sneaking bites of my husband's lasagna... I just couldn't resist! We finished our meal off with the tiramisu which was very light and airy, a nice close to our meal. I have had tiramisu in the past that has too many lady fingers and gets a cake-like texture. I am not a fan of cake so I preferred this tiramisu. Please open another restaurant in Tampa; I want more lasagna!!!
(5)John B.
We ordered wine by the glass ($8 each) and were simply astounded at how tiny the portions were. They give you a small wine glass, evidently to disguise how little wine they are giving you. Interestingly, we noticed that people who ordered a bottle of wine received normal sized wine glasses. This was insulting. In other restaurants of this caliber we have been experiencing $6 or $7 for a glass of wine and a full 1/5 of a bottle (served in a standard wine glass). We shared a Rigatoni Bolognese, which was okay ($16), but ordered a side of broccoli. $4 for what amounted to a 1/2 cup of broccoli ... overcooked broccoli at that. The tiramisu was bland ($8). It looked nice, but was uninspired. Sharing charge: $3, yet they didn't do a single thing to earn the $3. i.e. they didn't separate the order of pasta in the kitchen into two portions. Nor did they offer a separate plate at the table. The restaurant has outdoor seating and the ambiance is nice, but overall, we really felt ripped off.
(1)P J.
Yes the food is very good. Yes the service is a tad slow but what's the rush ? I rate it 3 stars as dinner for two with tax, tip, and yes $32 in wine totaled $145.00. Way too much for an Italian dinner in Fernandina Beach...or Atlanta or Miami for that matter.
(3)Upfront B.
Very good - we were a walk in. 2 entrees / 2 glasses of wine = $65 plus tip. Service was excellent - owner was very engaged.
(4)Allison C.
Where to begin...my husband and I went to Ciao's on Valentine's Day. We made a 7:45 reservation and were not seated until 8:45. The service was slow and although the food was nothing special. The server brought bread one piece at a time (which I thought was strange- why not a basket?) and when my entree came I was less than impressed. $18 for 5 raviolis on a plate. I was starving and ended up getting food on my way home. I decided to give Ciao's a second chance seeing as Valentine's Day is a busy night, so we went for dinner again last week. I paid $16 for a small plate of store-bought tasting gnocci with an overwhelmingly thick cheese sauce. My husband's sausage wasn't that great either. The bread they brought out (again, only one piece each) was cold and stale. On the bright side- they had a GREAT red wine sangria and for $9, they definitely filled it up! Their pesto-styled olive oil was amazing too. Overall- the slow service, insane prices, and mediocre food left me craving more.
(2)Guy N.
My wife and I hired the babysitting service at the Ritz so we could have a nice night out. We picked Ciao, arrived and were told we'd still have to wait 25 min. After waiting 30 a couple walked in and asked for a table that was open near the door and the hostess gave it to them. 35 minutes later we left without having dinner, went back to the Ritz and ate at the bar. Not sure how the food is here, never found out... But the hostess was horribly disorganized, leaving us and others with reservations waiting way beyond what was promised (the two girls in front of us waited 40 min past their reservation). Skip this place unless you have all night. I should have read the bad reviews first...they were dead on and most likely written by someone from out of town vs a local. My advice to the owner...get a reservation system in place instead of the piece of scrap paper. It's not that complex.
(1)C B.
Sat on the front porch. Great service. Great food. The Alfredo was perfect and not too thick. Four of us had great meals and appetizers. Service was well paced. Checked on us as needed but were not in our face. Sangria is delicious! Will go back next time we are here
(5)Priscilla H.
Great food, great wine and great service! I would definitely return if visiting the area again. The owner was very friendly and the service was also friendly and attentive. We came on a Saturday evening and had no reservations. It would have been a two hour wait for a table so we just came back the next evening. The owner remembered my face from the night before, pretty impressive for a busy restaurant. I had eggplant parm and my boyfriend had one of the meat cutlet dishes, we both had salads and brought home TIramisu to share. Everything was delicious, no complaints here! Yes, the exterior is kind of a drag. It's just another facade that blends in to many along those beige strip malls. Look careful or you will drive past. But once inside you are greeted warmly with a smile and served some pretty fantastic food and delicious wine, and all is right in the world again.
(4)John S.
Went there with a party of 8. Service was slow from the start. One of our party got a glass of ice water dumped all over her by the waiter. No visit by the manager to apoligize or offer a free drink or dessert (ususal for most when this happens.) We waited almost 30minutes before any bread was offered - one roll at a time and he never returned. Finally got dinner after watching those who came in after us being served. In the end food was just OK. When you're hungry you'll eat anything placed before you! There are much better places to eat in this fun town!
(1)LuLu M.
This restaurant moved to 3rd and center.
(3)Bill F.
Friendly staff, quick service, good wine list. I had the lasagna which was great, my wife had shrimp scampi which she loved. We got out for around 55$ before tip which wasn't bad with 2 entrees, 1 glass of wine, and 1 dessert. I would recommend, only reason not 5 stars is because I reserve that for the best, and I thought it was good, definitely above average...would give it 4.5 if I could. Worth a visit if you are looking Italian on Amelia.
(4)Josh M.
The wife and I went here on New Years Eve 2012. I Rsvp'd a month ahead of time and double checked a week before with them, and of course our RSVP wasnt in their system. They sat us down about 20 mins after our reservation time. The meals were pretty good, although we had a condensed version of their menu due to NYE. Overall, bc they bent over backwards to get us in after all the confusion, I would say it was a "just ok" experience.
(3)Brooke O.
The food was excellent, and a better than expected wine list. My friend and I went in with no reservation on a Wednesday evening at about 8PM, and we were seated within 5-10 minutes, which was nice. I had the fettuccine alfredo and it was delicious. Excellent service as well. My only complaint is that the portions were a little on the small side, but overall, I was very pleased.
(4)Melanie E.
Sincere greeting at door by owner! He's moved his place from NY to here...great decision. Excellent wait staff. Timing superb. Meals delicious. We couldn't have been more pleased. For Italian in this area this is the 1st choice. (don't let the location put you off) This is the owners baby & his care shows.
(5)Laura B.
We called to make a reservation, the lady on the phone was snippy but said we had a 7pm reservation time. After getting soaked in a rainstorm to arrive on time, the guy at the front said our name was not on "the list". We said we spoke to a woman on the phone earlier for a 7pm reservation. He said, "Oh, you have a 45 minute wait then." We said we were leaving. He said, "Okay, Bye!" in a rude tone. I guess they didn't want our business.
(1)Jeff G.
Greasy, salty light Italian fare that is NOT woth an hour wait for seating. We left hungry after a full dinner. Many people were heard complaining about "lost" reservations or the failure to be accurate in guaging how long the wait would be. We were told "30 minutes" twice and the only young man dealing with the 30+ people waiting for a seat was clearly overwhelmed.
(2)John D.
I ate here a month ago and have been to this place five times. Italian food is great. Ask the owner for the ocean view seat. Owner is great and personally greets guest.
(4)Devin M.
Fully enjoyed our experience. I had a creamy pesto based dish with chicken and pasta. Absolutely phenomenal. My husband had veal Marsala, even though it isn't on the menu. He loved it. They were very accommodating and the service was great.
(4)Alan P.
Reservations seem meaningless! Arrived with a party of six, on time. They just added our name to the wait list. The owner got a little attitude over it. Despite this, the food and service was great. Prices on the high side, but is a vacation area with extra overhead to operate. I am a restaurant owner and know the business.
(4)