Ciao Baby
232 E Main St, Barrington, IL, 60010
Ciao Baby Menu
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Address :
232 E Main St
Barrington, IL, 60010 - Phone (847) 381-3555
- Website https://www.ciaobabyonline.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
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.
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Austin W.
Know what I love about this restaurant besides the delicious food? The sign that shows where all of the food comes from! It is good to see a restaurant serve you food made with fresh, local ingredients. I usually gravitate towards the pastas, and have never been disappointed. There is always food left, due to the large portions (love it!). Not many Italian restaurants serve those kinds of portions anymore. I never walk out of here hungry. From the bread served when you sit down to the final bite, it is amazing through and through. I'll get around to coming here about twice a month, and it is a great place to meet a friend or speak with somebody on neutral ground. Casual atmosphere and friendly wait staff. Would recommend to anybody.
(5)Amanda P.
Ciao Baby has outstanding food and holds a nice place in the downtown Barrington dining scene. However, they need to up the ante on their level of customer service. My experience here last Saturday left my entire family feeling rather sour. I came here with my family to celebrate my parents' 57th and 58th birthdays. My dad had called and made a reservation on Tuesday. However, when we arrived and announced our reservation, the young hostess looked around, mildly confused, and said "Um, all our tables are full, it'll be about a 20-30 minute wait." She didn't reference any reservation book to confirm our arrival or check us in. At this point an older hostess / manager came over and outlined the same 20-30 minute wait for us. When I again asked "But we made a reservation...?", instead of elegantly apologizing and offering us drinks on the house or something, she insisted that whenever SHE dines out with a reservation, she ALWAYS has to wait. Clearly they had sat walk-ins, when they should have reserved a table for the party they took a reservation for. It's one thing if you don't take reservations, but don't take a reservation and not keep it! In customer service, when there's a messy situation, it is the business's duty to remedy the situation as elegantly as possible. Ciao Baby does not have a bar to wait at, nor a waiting area, nor any buzzer system, so we would have had to simply stand on the street for 30 minutes. No thanks. We walked over to Francesca's, explained what happened, and were seated right away, with far more sincere apologies from their hosts than we got from Ciao Baby.
(2)Clara S.
What a cute Italian restaurant located right in downtown Barrington! Ciao Baby is a gem of a restaurant, and the fact that this place was packed on a Thursday night must mean that I'm not the only one who thinks so. Complementary bread with their balsamic and olive oil dip was delicious and authentic. Very chopped salad- per yelp reviews- was also an excellent pick. The candied nuts were a nice touch to add sweetness to the salad. Especially with the tasty mango chutney dressing, the full size split between 2 girls was a delicious but refreshing and light meal. Wine list is great, and prices are reasonable for an Italian restaurant. Service was excellent- more than one waiter were making sure our visit was superb. Ambience is not too romantic but a great family place or meetup with a friend type place. Would love to come back to this restaurant!
(5)Kate L.
I wanted so badly to like this place but it did not live up to these five-star reviews below me. I had recently visited Chef Vince's new restaurant, Zeal, and loved it so much I started to learn about what led up to him opening his own restaurant. Hence, I found this place, where he worked until 2013. Similar menu items but cheaper prices: what's not to love? Well, the reality. On a Friday night, I called in for a takeout order and was psyched when the total for two dishes came to just over $35. When we got there to pick it up, the place was packed, with a crowd of people outside waiting on tables to open up. You'd think that would be a good sign! I had the gluten free pasta with suprema sauce and my friend had the jumbo shrimp diablo. Unfortunately, both were just bland and poorly executed; they sounded great on paper but were total letdowns. My gluten free pasta was overcooked, and it more resembled a shredded pasta soup. My friend's dish was overflowing with sweet peppers and onions that were too big to eat with the pasta. I've worked in the restaurant business before, and I know that those sweet peppers come straight from a can. Take the time to cut them up so they work with the dish. Even cutting down on the quantity of them would have made the dish more edible. Mid-meal I was feeling rather disappointed with my restaurant choice when I felt myself having a reaction to the "gluten free" pasta. This place is NOT safe for people with celiac disease. I don't know if the staff isn't trained on cross contamination or what, but not only was the food severely subpar, but it made me sick. If you have celiac disease absolutely do not come here. And if you like quality food, head over to Zeal in Schaumburg and pay a couple of dollars more. This place was about on par with Olive Garden.
(2)Chad R.
We placed an order for pickup last Saturday. When we arrived they had our order bagged up and ready to go so we paid and left. When we got home we opened the bag and realized that we were not given any utensils or napkins. We were not asked if we needed any (or offered any). The worst part is that both of our entrees were to come with a house salad, but we did not receive a house salad for either. I want to like this place. The Chicken Parmesan (especially the red sauce) was really good. The Chicken Spidini was really not. The Umbriago Salad was good, but it wasn't anything special, and the bread was rock hard. I go back and forth as to whether or not I'd give this place another try. It's really only the Chicken Parmesan (and the red sauce) that would convince me to give it another go.
(2)Carole w.
Nice dim lighting making it a perfect place for date night! Wait staff was very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. Food- We started off with stuffed mushrooms which were very good! My husband had the stuffed meatloaf with seasonal vegetables. He loved it. The only problem was the portion was so huge and it was so good he couldn't stop eating until he was STUFFED! I had the lollipop lamb chops versuvio and they were awesome! It was listed as an appetizer but I couldn't finish the potatoes that came with it. We finished the meal with cappuccinos and a cannoli. We enjoyed the restaurant and food and it didn't break the bank! We'll definitely be back!
(5)Mick B.
We stopped in to Ciao Baby! before going to a movie at the nearby Catlow theatre. We were very pleased with the fresh and flavorful items that we ordered. The interior is nicely decorated with high impact art but also cozy but not overdone. The lighting is subdued and just right it seems for an intimate dinner for two. I seldom order wine (it usually gives me headaches) but I made an exception this time on seeing their very good wine list. The dipping bread and dip (garlic oil and ???) was quite tasty and had us guessing what was in the olive oil that gave its interesting and unique taste. We ordered the "Very Chopped Salad" full order to share as a starter, oddly for something marked on the menu as "eat ours with a spoon", the waiter did not bring us spoons. This was no big deal as we did just fine with forks. The chopped salad was probably one of the more delicious salads that I can remember ordering in any restaurant anywhere. Among the many fresh ingredients, the butter toffee coated nuts were a welcome flavor addition. Please note that this portion of salad can easily serve 3 people with hearty appetites and probably 4 people of average appetities. We shared the four cheese baked (pene) pasta which was very tasty indeed- literally smothered in the baked ricotta, mozzarella, provolone and parmesan cheese goodness. The sauce was a little sweeter than I prefer "gravy" but after a few bites, I understood why the chef made it that way. Pasta was prepared to my liking as well- just right rather than the least bit dried or watery. Because we were somewhat pressed for time- we were not able to try their desserts, but they had a tempting selection of pastries and several flavors of gelato listed on their "specials" blackboard. We had a great experience at Ciao Baby! and are looking forward to our next visit.
(5)Eric T.
My new favorite place in Barrington! Scrumptious, delectable, big-portioned Italian food at a budget price in a upscale setting. Also, service here is fantastic. I don't know how they train the waitstaff, but from the bussers to the waiters, they were all super attentive and caring to my needs. Got really lucky with seating as the restaurant was full and a table just left, so maybe expect a wait. Parking may be tricky as well because it's in the back and there are only a few spots. So, props to the best bread with olive oil with garlic and balsamic vinaigrette(?) . The side salad nice addition as well, I think the dressing had some apply cider vinegar. Ordered the: Chicken Suprema (Dinner special) - The sauce is amazing. Liked the hint of wine, cream, and tomato blended together. The chicken was also juicy and tender and in big portion. Angel hair pasta on the bottom to fill you up! Burnt Pasta - This dish was just A-OK. Thought it would be more aromatic based on the reviews before, but it seemed like angel hair with marinara and some of spices left on a pan till black. Probably shouldn't eat too much of the black parts lol. Steak - My friend got the steak because it was only $16! The meat wasn't super high quality, but it was cooked well. Had a bit more fat than usual, but it comes with roasted vegetables and a baked potato. Caramel Sea Salt Gelato - A little too sweet for me, but my friend found it perfect. Comes with two large scoops for just $6. Taste profile is great though, caramel not too overpowering and you definitely get that sweet and lightly salted taste. Will be back!
(5)Lizabee H.
CHICKEN PARMIGIANA. That is all you need to know. The perfect crispy, crunchy breading. The right amount of cheese and sauce. Sooooooooooooooo frackin good! All the food tastes very fresh. When I come to Ciao Baby, I know my dinner will be well prepared and tasty. This is a cute little place. I highlight little because the times I've come for dinner they have been absolutely PACKED. I'm not sure if they take reservations, but if so, I highly recommend making one. Not the best place to go with a huge group. That being said, the food has consistently been wonderful and we will be back for sure. Tip - try to get a seat away from the door. When they get packed everyone waiting crowds around the door and the couple tables right there have a big crowd of hungry folk hovering over them.
(4)Mark K.
Two stars for pizza, four stars for service and ambience. Pizza lacked flavor. Virtually no sauce. Sausage was bland and cheese was just okay. Very disappointing. Service was excellent, however. Would try again but no pizza! Menu looked very interesting.
(3)Doug P.
Wife and I ordered from daily specials j had the 12oz steak with blue cheese and mushrooms. It came with a interesting pallid if side veggies. A truly good baked potato with large dish of butter plus a large dish of sour cream. Melanie had the lamb special that was so soft it was fork tender . The dessert was to big and has to be split. We just about closed down the place and even knowing that. They were not pushing us out .
(5)Restaurant Vigilant E.
A popular place that has been around for a few years now...back in the day, it used to be a different restaurant called "Pasta Impromptu" and the interior has not changed a ton....this is exactly what Barrington needed though - a real restaurant serving nice meat, fish and pasta and pretty reasonably priced. It is clear the restaurant has a lot of home-town pride and I think it is a great addition....I had a sub sandwich once for lunch (and they have TATER TOTS!!) and it was very good....dinner is a bit nicer though....a few weeks back I had pasta with sausage and it was quite good as well. My only complaint about this place....it is louder than hell!!! Just really terrible acoustics so it is like a 500 person strong cocktail party as far as volume goes, even though there might only be 20 people around....a good choice in downtown barrington
(4)Curtis L.
Walking distance from the train station. This restaurant has plenty of choices for everyone. They were quite happy to work with my diet substituting half of the meal and offering off menu combinations to accommodate my diet restrictions. The light was dim the place was low volume and the wait staff was quite helpful. Although food gets a bit expensive it could easily be a once in a while place. My only problems were that they currently have a fly problem and they cooked my steak well done when i asked for rare. I dont return over cooked meat in general as it will need to be thrown out so i am unaware of how they would resolve the problem.
(4)Heather A.
Had dinner with friends last night. Loved our waiter--easy going, friendly, fun! I asked his opinion and he recommended the Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers and they were amazing! I am dreaming of them today! Huge portion sizes. We all took home a to-go box. Enjoyed a bottle of wine, coffee and dessert. He did recommend the gelato, but we went with tiramisu cake instead. Should have taken his dessert recommendation as we didn't care for cake too much! Overall, outstanding visit.
(4)Char A.
Had an hour to kill and couldn't go to another Starbucks. Picked this place based on the positive yelp reviews. The salad and pizza were great. The restaurant was charming. The wall art includes where their food is sourced from. The service was lovely and I would recommend Ciao Baby as a great spot.
(5)Kevin D.
great burger yes i said great ! nice bread and tasty dip my date loved her fish and chopped salad very nice house wine love the service and prices !! fix the lights on the tree and its perfect ;=] K.D.
(5)Fred V.
Lamb shank over osso bucco with Demi glacé is just excellent. Just very good italian food.
(5)Greg H.
We had one special and one custom pasta. Both were excellent. Short wait without a reservation. Great crowd that was energetic but not too loud. Great couples place to go.
(5)Myki R.
When this establishment first opened food was perfection. Now it has been found out, and showing signs of stress from the kitchen. The chopped salad was a star dish but since the inception to present day the ingredient ratio has been altered. Not as good as it once was. But even in saying that....it's still a favorite. The entrees as a whole are good...a few misses like the lasagna. One real disappointment was the chocolate cake it had refrigerate bite . It would be better to have a deep discount and turn over the deserts in the display case before they age out, serving them to a customer even complimentary is a big mistake .
(4)Peter K.
Great place for solid family style Italian. I always love their pizza and basic pasta dishes. Meatballs are rock solid. The service are pros that know the menu and do their jobs efficiently. I would like to see better wines and improved salads. Otherwise Solid.
(4)Tim K.
One of my favorite spots. The different specials are always good and if they have the portobello mushroom ravioli with bruschetta- get it! Great atmosphere.
(5)Angie J.
This place was so good. The bread, the dip, the pasta....yummy yummy! My coworker and I came here for dinner. Small place, was full when we left. And so were we.
(5)K S.
Food was tasty, service was fine. Great place for some comfort food. We had no wait but we got there early. Recommend it for a family or couple night out. THere's no children menu but we just got the chicken tenders appetizers which they enjoyed (and my husband also enjoyed)
(4)Sherwin C.
Sometimes through Yelp, you find places like Red Apple or Toscana that are underrated, hidden neighborhood gems. Ciao Baby is another example of a restaurant that is in category. Overall, the restaurant is cozy, the portion sizes are generous, and the prices are good. An overall theme I noticed in the food is that a lot of attention is put into sourcing good ingredients. Using good ingredients allows the food to be fresh and flavorful without using a lot of salt or sugar. I like this approach as I can taste every ingredient separately instead of eating mouthfuls of sauce. Here is what I tried: Cream of potato soup with ham off the bone: Just the right consistency -- not too thick with a touch of ham. Homemade gnocchi suprema: The gnocchi is soft and chewy and surrounded by delicious vodkaless vodka sauce. This has a nice soupy consistency to it and is quite a treat for gnocchi lovers. If you liked Artistic Cuisine's gnocchi you'd probably love this as well. Chicken Parmesean: Good flavor and great portion size. I think this could actually use less sauce (to keep the chicken crispier) but overall, great dish. Burnt pasta: You'd never think that fried angel hair pasta in butter and marinara could be so flavorful, but somehow this dish defies all logic. Don't be alarmed that the dish is called burnt pasta as this tastes more of delicious than burnt. Tater tots: It's nice to have an alternative to fries and these were good. Cheesy mozzarella beef: Generous amounts of mozzarella over nicely seasoned beef with garlic bread and a bit of a spicy kick. Outside of Portillos, this is one of the better Italian beef sandwiches I've had. Grilled sea bass: One of the most expensive items on the menu but one of the most delicious ones as well. The fish literally melts in your mouth and is complemented with a delicious mango salsa. I would eat this every day if I could afford it! Lobster tail / jumbo scallops pot pie: Really tasty, really luxurious. A slight bit on the salty side but once you've had this you'll never think of a pot pie the same way again. Tiramisu: WOW. WOW. This dessert was amazing. Very strong flavor or coffee and liquor with fresh cream and cocoa. This and Toscana's tiramisu are probably the best versions I've found in the area. Definitely make sure to give this a try before you leave. Brownies: Nice ribbons of white and dark chocolate. Simple yet exquisite. Chocolate cake: Layers of chocolate folded between chocolate with chocolate cream. Truly a chocolate lovers dream as every component is delicious in this cake. Carrot cake: I'm not really a carrot cake person, but this carrot cake is just superb. This version is filled with tons of nuts, raisins, and other ingredients and is surrounded by delicious fresh cream. The crunchy dried walnuts in the back make this luxurious treat just fantastic. Gelato: I don't think I've had any dairy item this good since the University of Wisconsin Babcock Hall Ice Cream shop. This just feels and tastes extremely fresh. If you think Haagen Dazs is the best ice cream out there, you haven't tried this yet! This restaurant is simple but spectacular, where the food shines as the star of the show. I will definitely be back again soon!
(5)Johnny M.
We just randomly walked into Ciao Baby and what a lucky move. Delicious food and wonderful wait staff. It was very crowded and pretty noisy so expect to have conversations using your outdoor voices. Prices are above average especially the wine but, again, the experience overall was also above average.
(4)Bill S.
I have been here twice for Dinner since my first review I up them a star as the food has been absolutely delicious , first time I had one of their pizza's which was delicious. this past weekend I had the make your own pasta which was absolutely delicious , my wife had the Grouper on their standard menu and she loved it , another at our table enjoyed the Lamb roast which looked awesome , though Im not a lamb lover it looked great. the service is always good, but i recommend that you order your salad first and when it comes then order your entree as the food will come out before your done with the salad I also recommend the chopped salad, it served the 4 of us . you can bring your own wine in and they will charge you a corking fee which is reasonable. I also heard that the counter service at lunch is not that way anymore. Awesome Meatball sandwich I was here last week for the first time for lunch , I had the meatball sandwich which was the best tasting meatball sandwich ever! my daughter had the chicken parmesan which she loved , we had a app " Toasted raviolis " that were wonderful I'm not thrilled with the counter service at lunch. I Feel if you have 3 or 4 waiters there anyway, why not have waiter service ? just doesn't make sense to me Anyway, I can't wait to try this place out for dinner
(5)Joseph G.
Food is fabulous. My only complaint is that when you order carry out they don't give you the salad. If you want it is costs $2.95. When I asked why they said that when you dine in its complimentary just like all other Italian restaurants. I disagree if a salad comes with your meal when dining in it should when carrying out. Was told Maggianos doesn't give you salad. Well they also don't give it to you when you order in. Plus you are a small restaurant in Barrington not a large chain! Management wasn't very nice when talking to them about this.
(3)Phil H.
Stopped in for lunch and was totally surprised about this hidden gem. Great ambiance, locally owned and the food was fresh and delicious. Now I have to drive back from the western suburbs to enjoy dinner.
(5)Faye B.
Came here with my family to celebrate my brother and mother's birthday. It is a small unassuming little spot, but I have to say the food is top notch! I don't think anything we ordered was just okay. Everything we ordered was delicious. My husband had this gnocci with a creamy marinara that must have had addicting qualities because I couldn't stop eating it (neither could he)! It was the best gnocci I have ever had. The lamb and short ribs that other people in our party had was so tender and not over done at all. Have to keep this place in mind if I visit my brother out in Lake Zurich. Can't wait to try something new.
(4)Rebecca G.
Without a doubt my favorite restaurant. The food is just wonderful and the staff is super nice. Anyone I have ever recommended it to have raved about the food as well. I love the casual yet fancy cafe atmosphere, the prices are great for the portions and not to mention tastes like heaven. LOVE CIAO BABY!
(5)Ali E.
My boyfriend and I came to Ciao Baby on a Saturday night. We had absolutely no wait, which is rare to find on a Saturday night. The restaurant is adorable, decorated very nicely. They bring out bread and amazing dip right away(try to hold back so you don't get full too soon.) the dip is to die for!! Our waiter Mike was one of the best waiters ice ever had. He was legitimately passionate about his job! He loved describing the food to us and even told us he could go on about it forever. He warned us how large the portions were prior and he was not lying. It was such a great experience and I'm so glad we discovered this hidden gem! It definitely needs to be on a tv show and deserves more recognition! We can't wait to go back!
(5)Nick K.
Awesome food and great service.
(4)Mike F.
Let me start by saying I'm not a huge Italian fan - all seems to taste the same to me - but the girls love Italian. This place is truly amazing and is one of my favorite places. They use a LOT of grease but, hey, it works. Grease = taste!
(5)Shelley H.
Not safe for people with food allergies!!! They don't understand cross contamination, wouldn't let me see the ingredient list, and argued with me that I should just trust them. Celiacs, stay FAR away!
(1)Ted M.
What happened here? I went here all the time and had GREAT service when they first opened. Now, all of a sudden, service is lacking, and the desserts suck. I would drive up here from the south suburbs because of the service, food and desserts. Now, they are all lacking. I guess this is what you get after a place takes on the owner's personality.
(1)Catherine S.
Came here on the recommendation of a friend and was not disappointed. Star of the meal was the pearl onion marmalade on the pork chops my husband ordered. I'd've liked to have brought a bucket of that stuff home. Smoky, caramelized oniony goodness.
(4)Bart H.
Surprisingly fantastic Italian bistro in Barrington. The Lamb Shank Oso Buco was the best meal I have had this year. Risotto was perfect. The sauce was amazing. Just 5 stars. The only reason for my 4 is that I wish the server gave more suggestions on the menu (apps and desserts). Boston cream pie cake was ok. Calamari strips were good. And the chopped salad was very good. But the Lamb Shank was something special. I can't wait for my next trip. I live in AH and it was worth the drive.
(4)Kristin L.
Great italian restaurant! It is definitely a hot spot because it was always busy. There is usually wait, as the place is on the small side. The portions are ENORMOUS. So you definitely get what you pay for. I LOVED the chopped salad. It had hints of sweet and salty flavors, as well as noodles to make it full bodied. As an entree I enjoyed the Porchini stuffed pasta. It was on special for the evening. Also, the wine was decently priced, approx. $8 per glass. & we are not talking cheap wine here! They have great staff, very attentive and friendly. It's a must try in Barrington!
(4)Kate H.
This adorable cafe is the perfect place for an intimate dinner. The seating area is very small, so I don't recommend it if you have a large group. I've been here a number of times now, and I have yet to have a dish that doesn't impress me. They have a giant chalkboard full of specials each day, and they are always great, but the regular menu items are worth a taste too. I like the wine list because it has unique offerings. I believe they serve beer here too, but I always go straight to the wine list! The meatloaf is some of the best I've ever had. I also love their pizzas. The pizza that has lasagna noodles on it is the best. It has chunks of ricotta and lots of garlicky flavor. It's really hard to choose a dish here because the salads are also very fresh and delicious. They make their own salad dressing. My husband and I usually get a hearty dish and an entree salad then split them both so we can have the variety. I think that's the way to go. But save room for tiramisu! It's a casual but classy place to eat, so you don't have to get dressed up, but I wouldn't recommend going in the clothes you just wore to clean your basement or anything! The prices are a little higher than the average night out for us, but the food, service and atmosphere are worth it. It's more of a special date night destination though. Though they have dishes that are just over $10, I think it's more realistic to expect to pay $40 per person when you include drinks, dessert, appetizers, etc.
(4)Jim C.
What a great find......tasty food, attentive service and a great bar...albeit down the street!
(5)K S.
There are not a lot of restaurants to go to in the Barrington Area for lunch. However, this place has good food. They are a little slow on refilling your drinks but hey it isnt a true place where you get a real waiter/waitress. I always go with what they have as a special of the day and havent been disappointed.
(3)Amanda N.
Delicious food. Great service. The seafood jambalaya is amazing & the pizza is definitely a favorite!
(5)Cindy J.
Awesome in every sense of the word!!
(5)Tiffany T.
I love Chef Vince's food and have been eating in his restaurants for years. And, I have nothing but good things to say about the great meals you can get here at his latest incarnation. But, what I am going to complain about is the ridiculous seating configuration in the restaurant and the lack of a bar, or even some sort of waiting area for a table. Ciao Baby doesn't take reservations, which I understand since it is such a small space. But, what I don't understand is why there is a large area in the back of the restaurant that sits unused as a deli-like display case instead of a bar or waiting area. People crowd around the front door, where there is no space whatsoever to stand, meaning they are right up against the poor diners at those tables. It's, for lack of a better word, quite a cluster-****. The seating configuration is also very poorly done - - someone who knows what they are doing needs to come in and place the tables in such as way as to utilize the small space wisely. This restaurant is about the same size as many downtown restaurants and they fit about 2x the people in there comfortably because they have the tables set up correctly. The whole thing turns me off, frankly, and it seems to bother a lot of people according to this Yelp page. So, Chef Vince, why don't you DO something about it?
(4)Linda R.
Enjoyed a very cold Saturday night at Ciao Baby's. We snagged the last table before the crowds came in, but it was by the door, and the cold air rushed in. Once the new crowds stopped coming in, it was cozy and warm. The host did stand by the door and managed the doors (there are two, but some folks can't read the sign that says wait for one door to close before you open the next), and did the best he could. But onto the food -- can you say very large portions? The meals start with a salad with house Balsamic dressing - no choice of dressing. We had quite a variety of meals - the stuffed peppers were ginormous, but delicious. Chicken spidini was excellent; grouper had a very light breading and the meat was tender and flakey. There were two Shrimp dishes - Shrimp diablo and one with scallops, clams and shrimp. The shrimp were huge, but they had their shells still on. Would have preferred to not be pealing so much. Salted caramel gelato was delish as well. So good food, large portions, and if you're not into pealing, skip the shrimp.
(3)Candice M.
I've eaten here with my family several times now. The biggest thing I take away from Ciao Baby is how generous the portions are. I realize that the word 'huge' is thrown around, but the portions are easily 3 meals, not kidding. Almost too big, but I'm not complaining. Everything I've had is delicious. My favorite so far has actually been something my father ordered, which was the Jambalaya. I don't pretend to be any sort of aficionado when it comes to Italian cuisine, but the sauce was excellent; the perfect amount of both flavor and spice. The salads they serve with each entree are a nice touch. And DO NOT pass up the homemade gelato. I've been here twice just for dessert. The only reason I've left off a star is that while I haven't had an issue yet when it comes to getting a table, the space is extremely small. I can see having a Ciao Baby craving in the future only to be stuck waiting for a table. Otherwise, everything is fantastic.
(4)Donald F.
Based on the reviews, I thought we were in for a treat. I really couldn't point to anything that stood out, except for the bread maybe. Burnt pasta app really was just that - overlooked spaghetti. Two of us had lobster ravioli. I knew something was off when it came served in a bowl. Do you really need that much sauce for something as delicate as ravioli? I had the breaded grouper - which came out oily and, once again, dowsed in liquid. I'd give two stars for an attentive wait staff. Other then that, I'm really not sure where the reviewers are getting their Italian baseline to form such opinions. Quite simply: the food isn't good.
(2)Tj P.
By far some of the best Italian food around. Nothing fancy here..just small place with a nice atmosphere, friendly service & AMAZING food. The only reason for the missing star is because of the wait to dine in. It's a little on the small size & they don't take reservations so when it's busy there can be a pretty long wait. However, on that note, they do have a carryout option. They won me over with their very chopped salad-comes to the table ready to eat. (which was great since I'm not a fan of trying to cut my dinner salad and 1/2 of it falling all over the table.) My boyfriend and I usually get their stuffed artichoke for an appetizer & then I always have a hard time deciding between their stuffed eggplant parmesan entree & their chicken spidini entree. We've tried most of the food on their menu but these are by far our favorites! Can dress up or down for this ciao baby!
(4)Desiree C.
DO NOT ORDER CARRY OUT FROM HERE!!! We ordered carry out meals ($50 worth) and did not get salads or dipping sauce, or even butter for our bread. When we called, the owner was difficult and didn't offer to do anything for us, except say its his fault and maybe it should say this on the menu. We were only asking for our salads and dipping oils. It is not listed on the menu or online. It was very petty and disappointing! The food was good but it should clearly say no salads/dipping oil with carry out, or say "dine in only." Poor customer service for sure.
(3)Ruth Ann M.
I had the privilege of sampling the amazing food from this chef, ("Chef Vince" as the menu reads), at an event he catered. It was so good, I was inspired to visit his new cafe in town. Delish! The cafe is small, casual and classy. The menu ranges from specialty pizzas to sandwiches, pasta, salads and Italian inspired entrees. Though this sounds like standard fare, it is not. The flavors go far above and beyond standard. The lasagna pizza is to die for, topped with ricotta and lasagna noodles, and the meatloaf was the best tasting meatloaf I've ever had. It was moist, crumbly, and full of herbs, onion and FLAVOR! The sandwiches come with french fries or tots. The fries are battered before they're fried, so they are fresh, crispy and tasty.... a perfect compliment to the amazing sandwiches. There is a chalkboard on the wall displaying a large number of specials, which I assume change everyday. The prices were fantastic. The lunches are an average of $6-8, and the dinners are $7-20. You can't beat that! Amazing!
(5)Amanda C.
5 stars for being one of the coolest places in Barrington, which is really lacking in the cool place department. For years there have been too few dinner options in the downtown area so I'm glad this place is here. I've had takeout from here before which is great but recently sat down for dinner with friends. It definitely fills up even on the weeknights. We had the goat cheese appetizer which was pretty standard, but entrees were great. They have several desserts so we split a slice of double chocolate cake, which 3 of us couldn't even finish. If you've seen the movie Matilda, it's just like the cake Brucie was forced to eat and was a highlight. Service was very friendly and it's really cute and homey inside. Easy to see why this is popular.
(5)Richard M.
I eat out about 200 days a year and have done so for a long time . I am shocked and very surprised to find such am excellent restaurant in the small town of Barrington il. Ciao Baby is as fine a place as I have ever enjoyed . I give the place my highest rating. Come here even if you have to travel you won't be disappointed.
(5)Matt P.
Fantastic dinner. Burnt pasta, Italian sausage, chicken suprema, tiramisu are all phenomenal. My new favorite Italian in northwest suburbs. Definitely worth trip from Arlington Heights and our server Michael was outstanding.
(5)The G.
Thanks to chef VInce for consistently outstanding food. This restaurant is our go to place when we want to have a good time with another couple. They always come back on their own. I do wish he could expand so he could take reservations.
(4)Jim G.
(11/26/12) I had dinner here with my dad and we both love this place. The food was modestly priced and the atmosphere was upscale. Two entrees with salads, one appetizer, one wine, one espresso. For about $50 before tip. The food was out standing & this place is a real find. (1/9/13) Our second time at Ciao Baby was good but could be improved upon. The 'Chicken Spidini' was awesome, it was two breasts topped with prosciutto, spinach over pasta in what was pretty much an Alfredo sauce. If you get this ask for linguini instead angle hair pasta. The angle hair was over cooked, so we were thinking the thicker noodle, would hold up better. Rocco had the Pork Chop Vesuvio. This had great potential but really missed the mark. Firstly, all Vesuvio dishes are with potatoes, and these spuds should be roasted Idaho, not boiled red. The later is seriously lacking in crunchiness and taste. Secondly, and most disappointing, was the over cooked pork chops, which seems like a rookie mistake. Dad also found small bones inside his chop, which is an indication of inferior butchering. Usually chops will have a large center bone, easily negotiated, but the unpredictable errant bones are risky and avoidable with proper meat preparation. I really think Ciao Baby is great. I hope they take this critique to heart and up their culinary game.
(3)Tanya K.
We ended up here instead of going to Chicago because of the marathon. We had the grouper, lobster potpie and bacala fish. It was all excellent. The last time we had grouper was in FL and this was as good as it is there. The lobster potpie had a nice flavorful (not just cream) sauce. Desserts....the sea salt caramel gelato was phenomenal. We tend to go to Chicago for a nice evening and meal out but this was outstanding and far less than an expensive steak place.
(5)Phil B.
This place is great. Plenty of food choices and lots of daily special meals. Always hot and fresh, always quick, but a high quality, tasty Italian meal. I've been here about 10 times and the service has been friendly, knowledgeable, and quick. Can't recommend this place highly enough.
(5)Scotty J.
This is my go to place when I'm in the burbs visiting family. They use fresh and local ingredients which really shines through their dishes.They have a few vegetarian options beyond the design your own pizza/pasta. I highly recommend the gnocchi and the burnt pasta. My father loves the zuppa de mare. The complimentary chopped salad is unique since the components are all diced. Service has always been great in all of the visits I've made here. The only downside is that the wait can be long on friday and saturday night and the seating is on the tight side. I recommend getting there before 530 to avoid a long wait.
(4)Cheryl I.
Just stopped in because it was close. So glad we did Small and very busy. Best eggplant Parmesan ever!! Also had the calamari fries which were very tender Save room for a cannoli. So good and large portions
(5)Lynne E.
We love, love, the food. We have just heard about Ciao this past month. We've tried the meatball sandwich-amazing, chicken parm, tenderloin app-very special, the KC burger is the best, & stuffed lasagna. We are huge fans. The food prep/presentation shows the care that is taken with each item. HOWEVER, we have opted to carry it out and had no idea that on take out orders, if you order an entree to go(normally comes w/house salad, bread, Ciao dipping sauce-as listed in the menu), the salad & dipping sauce is not included. YET, the price is the same as dine in. I asked if the price was lower b/c no salad was included. The response was no, but you can add a side salad for $2.50(not sure of the exact price. I responded with how I thought that was not right b/c it states on the menu what's included. The response was that the salad... was complimentary for in-house diners only. Okay- then knock off a few dollars or be up front about what be included. We had placed the order looking forward to the special dipping sauce & salad . By the way, the stuffed lasagna was excellent. Maybe if enough customers mention the unfairness about the lack of sides included for carry out, and same price- they may consider a change. Food for thought....
(4)Shawn K.
I am very impressed with the huge portion sizes and high quality ingredients. I usually order to go but the dinning room has an open floor plan with inviting table seating arrangements. This place is a hidden gem right in downtown Barrington.
(5)Kathleen L.
A lovely little gem in the heart of Barrington.... Huge portions. Delicious meatballs! Love their salads so much - fresh greens and lots of toppings. Even a half size is plenty for 2 people. Try the stuffed meatloaf. It's amazing. We haven't ordered much else so can't comment on other dishes. But as far as I'm concerned they are doing something right in the kitchen!
(4)Michelle W.
Last minute plans brought me to Ciao Baby. Because I was raised as part of an Italian family, I rarely find adequate Italian food dining out. Our first surprise was being seated sooner than we were told - always a pleasure! Portions were large but prices were reasonable so you really feel you are getting a good value. Like some of the other reviewers, we found the very chopped salad and the tiramisu to be amazing. I had a pasta dish which was bowtie, mushroom. sun dried tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic. A tad heavy on the oil for my taste. They have a nice wine list and the server readily gave us direction when we were struggling between choices. Carry out is a great option and if they were to add outdoor seating it would earn an additional 1/2 star from me! There is a wide variety of traditional and unique Italian dishes.
(4)Karen D.
Loved Ciao baby! Whenever I go to a new Italian restaurant I have to order the eggplant. That for me is the gauge of whether they know what they're doing or not. I ordered the appetizer of rolled eggplant and it could have easily been a meal portion, not that I'm complaining because it was excellent! The meatball sammy my husband ordered was HUGE and a little difficult to eat due to the size, but was really good too. The chopped salad and soups were great too. We went for lunch and I would definitely go again, but I'm told dinner is a little challenging cuz the space is small.
(4)Allison R.
Great Food, Bad Service. The ciao baby sticks are a must! Delicious. Very shotty service, but it's almost worth it. Very affordable!
(3)Cara W.
The other reviews are right on... this place is loud. But we sat outside for lunch on a nice day and it was awesome. The food is great and I look forward to trying it out on date night. I had Italian Beef (sweet, with mozz) -- an unexpected item for a restaurant with a wine bar. But it was awesome. Not too wet, not too dry. I also tried the Ciao Baby sticks (based on everyone's recommendation -- Thanks!). These are too good to be good for you, but wow, they are good. I just moved to the area and now live and work nearby so I'm sure I'll work my way through their entire menu soon enough.
(5)Rick S.
Absolutely spectacular food. Large amounts and very authentic cooking. Their deserts are wonderful and again, very plentiful. Good prices especially considering what you get.
(4)Mel V.
They make an aMaZiN aMaZiN Cannolli!!!! Can't wait to go here for a meal, dieing to try the gnocchi suprema & the chopped salad that I have heard so much about! I found my place for a Delish authentic cannolli.
(5)Russell B.
Decided to try a new local place for catering and could not be more pleased. Very chopped salad was on of the best I have ever had, mini deli sandwiches were phenomenal, pasta salad another great choice. Delivery was on time and will be using catering again. Also making plans to dine in very soon.
(5)Blair Z.
Great food. Attentive wait staff. But the noise level was deafening. We will not be back.
(4)Bryan B.
Great food. Not so much great service. I've been here twice and probably won't go again. It was a Saturday night and they were sort of busy. I had no problem waiting. For over an hour though when we were quoted 30 minutes? Come on. Then we get to a table and order food then get asked if another couple could join our table because they don't Have any tables for them... Not okay. But we allowed them to because its common courtesy and did not want to feel like an ass for saying no. Like I said. Food is outstanding. And big portions. Which is why they're getting this many stars. But the hostess and hosts' need to be more attentive.
(3)Denise U.
Ok , the people that work here are pretty marvelous. The food wasn't bad, but and it's a big butt, the Italian beef was as tough as nails. They must have cooked it too fast at too high of a heat. It was sorta in edible.so the eggplant was good though
(3)Lauren P.
My boyfriend and I ate there last night, and based on that experience I would say that the restaurant is overrated. On the plus side, the restaurant had a 30 minute wait, and so directed us to their new, terrific bar the Tip Top Tap. The bar is cozy, conversation friendly, and has a player piano adding ambiance. The bar will start serving appetizers shortly and we will definitely be back! The communication between the bar and restaurant on our seating was good. The restaurant itself did not live up to expectations. First, it was extremely loud. Granted it was a Saturday night, but conversation was very difficult. Second, the food was just so-so. We ordered a special appetizer which was calamari steak composed with grilled peppers and asparagus. The veggies were good, but the calamari was bland despite the balsamic dressing drizzled over it. I ended up salting it, and my boyfriend covered it in Parmesan cheese. For main course I ordered a pasta dish with grilled shrimp and rapini. I think that they precooked the pasta, put it in a bowl with the rapini over it, and then just added some broth. The pasta had no sauce at all. The rapini had way too much garlic and the three main components did not blend into a dish. It tasted like garlic veg and shrimp placed on plain pasta. My boyfriend had a chicken cutlet dish which he enjoyed. I had a bite of it and it was good. Service was attentive and prompt.
(3)A C.
I cant begin to tell how much I love this place. The food is top notch. The service is great! Fresh specials everyday and you never need to worry about small portions. I recommend shrimp diablo, and cheezy beef pizza... but then again ALL the food is great. That's why my family and I keep going back religiously
(5)Wade S.
My quick assessment, Good food, good healthy portions, attentive wait staff. The bad, poor table configuration, very loud, nowhere for people to wait when all tables are full. I had Linguini with the arrabiata sauce and meatballs. My wife had a shrimp dish with angel hair and a white wine sauce. My sauce was good but not as spicy as I would expect for arrabiata. The meatballs where very good and large..almost the size of my fist. My wife thought the breading on the shrimp was a bit soggy...that dish might have been better with sautéed shrimp. While the food was good, we got there at 5:15 on a Saturday night and got the last table by the door. Big mistake...I don't recommend taking this table on a busy weekend night. You'll end up with 10 people crowed behind you hovering while you are eating...very uncomfortable situation. Now if the owner reads this...you need to take a serious look at your table configuration. You have a lot of wasted space because the 4 seat tables are too big for 4 people...they could probably seat 6. But most were being used by 2 or 4 people. I did a quick look while I was waiting and if you used smaller 2 person tables that could be combined to 4 or 6 when needed; you probably could have seated everyone who was waiting. Obviously there is cost to getting new tables, but I think you could increase your capacity on busy nights by at least 20% by using more efficient seating. If seating was better and they do something about the table by the door I would have given it 4 stars, our experience just wasn't enjoyable enough to give it a higher rating. That being said I would probably order their take out and just bring it home because I do think its good reasonable priced authentic Italian food which is hard to come by.
(3)Kaneishia H.
the lasagna and that chicken in the garlic sauce is 'bout it 'bout it
(5)Jess M.
LOVE the food here! Salads, pasta and pizza have all been great. Table configuration could be improved. I've often had to wait (which is understandable considering it's a popular place), but am always stuck at the table closest to the door with others standing right behind it while they wait for a table. If they had a waiting area and better arranged the small space, I would give it 5 stars. Be prepared to wait a bit as this place is packed, whether you go on a Wednesday night or a Friday.
(4)R L.
Substandard food. Pizza good but everything else mediocre. Not impressed.
(2)lew b.
I went here after being recommended by at least two people.The raves were mind boogling.After heading there on a holiday weekend.All I can say is .......speechless so good from salad to starters,could not order entrees..too full...Our waiter randy was right on on every thing he told us. Can"t wait to go back
(5)Lindsay M.
Went here for dinner on a Friday night a few weeks ago at the recommendation of a friend. Didn't have to wait long for a table, and room was packed (not very big seating area) My husband and I split the chicken parmesan and a sausage/pepperoni pizza. Food was excellent, and we will definitely be coming back here again.
(4)Pat N.
We went back for a 2nd time in two years because the first visit was a big disappointment. Vastly improved experience with the food and service. Will definitely plan on returning to try more on the menu. Started with the stuffed moreno peppers with ground beef and a rich cheesy garlicky tomato sauce for dipping the freshly baked crusty french baguette. Yum! Two of us then shared a sinfully delicious Chicago beef and giardenera pizza, and took half of it in a box. And finally, capped off the evening with the homemade carrot cake - uber-moist, just the right sweetness, packed with carrots, nuts, pineapple chunk (I think and I'm not sure), and the cream cheese icing. My biggest loser goals took a detour last night.
(4)Toni S.
My Husband met the owner in a previousestablishment on RT. 59 in Barrington..The food was fantastic and way over the top for Barrington. Then they closed up and re-opened on Lake Cook Rd ( Main st. ) in a much nicer location. Seeing that my husband works in Barrington he kept tabs on VInce's re-opening. I am so glad he did and anyone else who has had the pleasure of eating there will say the same thing. EXCELLENT homemade Italian & Burgers. Everything we have tried has been over the top. I never thought of ordering a burger from an Italian restaurant but, I was told they are great & you can get tator -tots too. My daughter loves any pasta in the "supremo sauce" , I recently tried a Turkey casserole with mashed potatoes , stuffing & turkey double layers with gravy on top..That's an instant Thanksgiving dinner !! The prices are inexpensive as they avareage $8 for lunch , He also has salads built for two. And the BEST Cannoli cake you have ever had !! Do try CIAO BABY and you wont be disappointed !! Toni , Mike & Allie Salerno
(5)Linda S.
The food here is out of this world, or at least, out of this country, (Italy, I mean!!) The Italian dishes very authentic and the portions enough to have another dinner or lunch, or enough to share with a friend. The atmosphere is very cozy and like an Italian cafe. The only complaint I have, and the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars, is that the prices continue to go up up up. I can tell you that eventually the people visiting will notice and stop coming. I really valued the reasonable prices and good portions, something much needed in Barrington, since the other Italian restaurant is way overpriced. I hope they do go back to more reasonable prices. I would definitely frequent even more often.
(4)Jack T.
Went again to give them one more chance and it still sucks!
(1)Larry S.
Ciao Baby seems to have developed a good reputation for very good Italian food at reasonable prices but you could never prove it by me. I have been to this restaurant 3 times but have yet to eat anything. I guess carry-out would be my best chance because I have yet to get a table. The place is somewhat small and they do NOT take reservations, one of my all time pet peeves. It would help if there was a bar or someplace to wait other than the curb outside. And how long do you want to wait before being seated? Each time I waited almost an hour and nothing had opened up. I have enjoyed Vince's cooking at some of his many other places and that is why I attempted to try his new place, which goes against my better judgement of going to restaurants that do not take reservations. In my opinion that policy is a gigantic snub against the customer. I guess the feeling of the owner is "my food is so good......let them wait for a table if they want to enjoy my food". I don't buy it and I doubt I will try a 4th time. What's so difficult about extending the convenience of a reservation to your customers?! Most successful restaurants do.
(1)Yakuza G.
Excellent Italian food, reasonable prices, a great addition to the Barrington dining scene. Pasta and salad portions are generous. The pork chops are wonderful. Seating is cramped - the restaurant is shoe-horned into a space that is too small for its patronage. The 2 or 3 outdoor tables do not do Ciao Baby justice.
(4)W L.
Delizioso! Very glad to have moderately priced quality Italian food in Barrington. We go there at least once or twice every month and we were satisfied with the food every time we went there. The place is very family oriented, but it can get quite crowded and noisy during peak hours. The only recommendation is to change the dessert variety once in a while.
(5)Steve R.
Great food. Chef Vince made sure we felt welcome. We will definitely go back.
(5)Judy B.
We have been fans of Chef Vince for many years. I have never been disappointed by anything he has prepared. My kids are 10 and 13 - they love it as well. The food is definitely worth 5 stars. Like others, the only reason I gave it 4 stars is because of the seating. We waited 30-40 minutes to seat 5 while a large table in the front that seats 8 - 10 sat empty. If they used smaller tables as suggested by others and put them together for larger groups, they would definitely be able to accomodate all size groups in a timely manner. The two times we have been to Ciao Baby we did sit at the table by the door. The food is so good, you forget about the people standing around waiting for their tables. Sitting by the door can be chilly during the colder months though. It is definitely loud in there - not the place to go for a quiet evening. But again, the food is definitely worth it!
(4)Amy B.
Love this new restaurant! I have been to Ciao Baby many times now, and have ALWAYS had great food, generous portions, and good service. It can't be beat. It is a good and reasonally-priced restaurant in Barrington!
(5)jen v.
Excellent food and service. Chef Vince prepares delicious food and offers such a nice variety on the menu. He truly cares and he and his staff work hard to exceed expectations. It's a very kid friendly place as well. Try it out and support this wonderful local restaurant. You will not be disappointed.
(5)