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From Tulsa World-August 29, 2003 SPOT Section-Restaurant Review

Bellissimo!

Dining at fabulous new Ciao restaurant is a beautiful experience

By SCOTT CHERRY

Tulsa World Staff Writer 8/29/2003

Food * * * * Atmosphere * * *1/2 Service * * * *

Ciao!, baby!

That was my reaction, exclamation points and all, when my wife offered me one of the lobster raviolis off her dinner plate at the fabulous new Ciao restaurant at the north end of Brookside.

The three raviolis, shaped like extra-large fried eggs, had a wondrous mellow lobster flavor that blended well with a lemon-butter sauce and the perfectly cooked al dente pasta. They were the highlight of the evening.

Stacked on top of the raviolis was a small serving of beef tenderloin medallions, cooked a perfect medium-rare and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Three crunchy asparagus spears and three grape tomatoes gave the dish, held in a triangular white plate, some color.

The dish is called Italian Surf 'N' Turf on the menu. It also is the most expensive dish ($22) and worth every penny.

My fascination with this dish does not belittle the others we tried. Everything had substance and style.

A gorgonzola-and-roasted walnut pizza ($6) was a memorable appetizer. The rich gorgonzola -- a pungent cow's milk cheese -- and roasted walnuts were balanced with a little garlic, olive oil, fresh basil and mozzarella on a thin, crisp crust slightly charred on the edges.

Another appetizer, two pieces of broiled Parmesan bruschetta ($3), featured a simple but effective combination of roma tomatoes, olives and artichoke hearts. It was served on a triangular, brick-colored dish.

Caesar salad ($2 with entree) was prepared with a light, lemony touch, with neither anchovy nor garlic flavors overriding one another.

Rao's Chicken ($14) is made from a recipe adapted from a dish at Rao's restaurant in New York City. A seared crust held in the juices of a fork-tender half chicken that derived much of its flavor from a peppery marinade and lemon-garlic sauce.

Another chicken dish, Pollo Cotto ($14), consisted of a grilled chicken breast covered with sauteed zucchini, carrots and yellow squash. This combo sat in a pool of mild tomato-and-white wine sauce.

Pasta alla Bistecca ($14) was like a rich beef stroganoff, featuring tenderloin tips, a butterfly pasta, sauteed mushrooms and onions in a white wine sauce. This dish was spicy but not hot and filled a man-sized bowl.

The menu is not lengthy but has a nice assortment of offerings. In addition to the above dishes, Ciao has five more pastas, three steaks, a pork chop, a veal and a salmon dish. Halibut was the daily special when we were there.

Desserts are made in-house, and it shows. A warm chocolate-and-hazelnut tort ($6) with Frangelico caramel sauce was rich and decadent. The chocolate-orange creme brulee with Grand Marnier sauce ($5) was a big orangy for my taste, but that isn't to say someone else wouldn't find it exquisite. Bananas Foster ($7) covers a large dish and is centered with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

I counted 28 wines, including six Italian, on the wine list, divided equally with a nice selection of reds and whites. The bar offers more than 30 beers, including some Italian imports, as well as a full line of specialty drinks.

Some nonalcholic drinks, ice tea for instance, are served in tall Pilsner glasses with lemon wedge and straw.

Our server, Jonathan, was exceptional, not too chatty, on the spot when needed and invisible when not. All the servers used towels to keep their hands from touching water pitchers and glasses.

One long wall is almost all brick with black-and-white photos of Italian street scenes, and another wall is almost all mirrors, which makes the room seem a bit more spacious than it is. Fourteen tables seat 36 diners. Three tables are stationed at a window seating area that includes a comfort touch of more than 20 colorful pillows.

Twelve more dining spots are available at the handsome bar covered in red leather.
Black tablecloths are partially covered with a strip of brown butcher paper, and chairs are 1950s-type molded fiberglass.

Small, red pendant lights hang over the tables. Other lighting includes white round globes on chrome fans and a large, silver Sputnik-style fixture, but overall the room stays fairly dim.

To reach the bathrooms, one goes through a doorway covered with strings of heavy silver beads. And, my oh my, the bathrooms. We were celebrating my mom's birthday, and we wondered what took dear ol' Dad so long to return from the men's room.

We learned why. The walls of the men's room are covered with a montage of pictures -- many from chic magazine ads -- of scantily clad females that fall just short of an R rating. I can't speak for the women's room, but I am told the picture of the man in a boat is worth a look for you gals. Ciao, which opened June 26, does not take reservations, so you might want to go early or late to avoid a wait. CIAO 3308 S. Peoria Ave. 293-9333 Food: Steaks/Italian Price: entrees, $10 (fettuccini Alfredo) to $22 (tenderloin medallions and lobster ravioli) Smoking policy: No smoking Credit cards: All major Hours: 5:30-10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday-Saturday

Food * * * * Atmosphere * * *1/2 Service * * * *

(Ratings reflect the quality of the food, setting and service. One is fair, two good, three very good and four excellent.)

Restaurant Reviews of Ciao

Average Rating based on 1 vote

Lovely experience

written by anonymous

9 out of 10 stars

Last visited this restaurant on December 15, 2005We didn't find one thing wrong. The food was superb in a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. Service was just right; not too much; not too little. Will definitely go back even though price is a little on high side with wine etc.Looking forward to trying other options on the menu.

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Average Rating

4.5 out of 5.0

15 votes (13- 5.0 votes .......except for Steve & Judy-!#@!......who did not dine in the restaurant!!!)

Average Rating 4.5 out of 5.0 15 votes (13- 5.0 votes .......except for Steve & Judy-!#@!......who did not dine in the restaurant!!!)

Great as ever- 01 Oct '08                                       Reviewed by: Carolyn                                                            My Husband & I hadn't been to Ciao for a while. We went for my birthday last week & had a wonderful time. After a great dinner the server brought some tiramasu with a candle-compliments of the house-for my birthday. YUM! I had forgot how much we loved Ciao the first few times we went. We will make it a more frequent dining choice from now on!



23 Aug '08                                                                    Reviewed by: Jared

My wife & I visited Ciao for the first time three weeks ago. We had heard of the jazz club and went early to check out the restaurant. I took the servers recommendation & tried the callamari to start and the steak with blue cheese sauce. Both were great. My wife had one of the pasta dishes and loved hers too. We shared the tirmasu. WOW. The server made sure we had a table in the club since it opened before we had finished dinner. We had a great time, although it was a little warm with so many people packed in the room. We plan visit again soon.

Wonderful experience! - 02 Jul '08 Reviewed by: Nancy

Our group of 13 thought we were expected at 7:00 on a Thursday night,but evidently wires had been crossed. After being a bit startled whenwe all showed up, the staff could not have been more accommodating. They quickly pulled tables around, seated us -- and got down to the business of serving us a fantastic dinner! Our waiter was polite andefficient, and the food was excellent. (Let me recommend the Lemon Chicken!) "Separate tickets, please," was met with perfect calm. I've eaten at Ciao on many previous occasions, and will definitely do so again.

Don't forget about great Jazz Nights - 29 May '08 Reviewed by: Joanne

Very fine food, owners are had successful restaurant in K.C. Mo. The menu is varied and tasteful. Any wait is worth waiting for but usually not long and I suggest reservations. After dinner, in an adjoining room is there is their Jazz Club featuring top Jazz musicians in Tulsa. They have light appetizers served there,also. Check with them for night and music venue. We go once a week. Try the Calamari. Wow!

We love Ciao - 13 May '08 Reviewed by: David Goldman

My wife & I have been going to Ciao for the last couple of years. welike to sit outside when the weather is good. My favorite is the blue tortellini pasta. My wife loves the lemon garlic chicken. We dine here both for regular "date nights" and special occassions. The red bar is pretty cool too.

I'm insulted by Steve & Judy! - 13 May '08 Reviewed by: Paul

First of all Ciao is great! If you weren't such "I am the most important SOB in the room" you might have enjoyed onr of the best italian restaurants in Tulsa. Secondly I am of FRENCH decent! Your insinuation that the French are rude by default is insulting to me personally. If you never visit Ciao again it will just make easier for the rest of us to MAKE A RESERVATION. Love the food, love Hope,love the live music, period.

amateur diners....sigh... -02 May '08 Reviewed by: Jasper

Steve & Judy don't get it. You show up at 6pm & the hostess mentions she has a table that has a reservation at 7pm. Her question,obviously, is to determined whether an hour is sufficient time for you to dine comfortably! She wasn't rude, she was trying to be accomodating. Your knee-jerk response says alot about you. You cant see when somebody is being helpful? Ciao is great...food, live jazz,great service. Make a reservation like the rest of us and go back and enjoy a great evening. If you don't it's your own fault..like the last time.

Steve and Judy? BOTH WRONG - 05 Apr '08 Reviewed by: Jonny

This is the single best place I've ever visited in Tulsa. Now, I'll be the first to say that I didn't try the food, but the atmosphere was incredible. In regards to the posts by Steve (AND) Judy, I think that they are being too critical and the apparent center of the universe. They've obviously never owned a restaurant. 6:00 PM onSaturday and there's a party coming at 7? Yeah. They want to have the place looking perfect. I mean, pardon them for caring about the obviously more numerous patrons. Besides, why the hell would you go to Brookside at 6 PM on a Saturday? Everyone knows if you want to go"early," you go at 9 PM. 6? Go to Captain D's. But seriously, the place is fantastic. I was treated very well, and was attended to perfectly (ordered beverages). She was friendly, and I had the perfect evening. I think that you'd have to be very, VERY self-centered and rude to NOT be able to enjoy this place. Steve and Judy, go suck an egg.

Wonderful - 04 Feb '08 Reviewed by: Kathie

We love this place. The bleu tortollini is my favorite and their spinach is awesome. We're going tonight!!

Awesome - 30 Jan '08 Reviewed by: Rowan

We try to drop in or make reservations at least once a week for the great atmosphere, wonderful staff and terrific food. The garlic-lemon chicken is amazing!

WONDERFUL - 22 Jan '08 Reviewed by: Jennifer

My husband and I have eaten here a handful of times and some how we've gotten the same server each time. He's wonderful! The food is magnificent and the service and atmosphere is incredible. We've never been treated as anything less than royalty.

We were treated worst that rude! -13 Jan'08 Reviewed by: Judy

We dropped in Saturday evening around 6p for a nice dinner. There werequite a few tables available. The lady looked at us and said how longdo you think you'll take? I was rather shocked so was my partner, andI said well we just want to have dinner, however long that will take,we don't plan on drinking. We didn't expect a question like that. Howcan you answer that kind of a question? When you don't know how longit takes for them to serve you? She looked at us and treated us likewe were beggers off the street, it was obvious we were in her way andshe didn't want to serve us, besides why should we feel pressure andbe rushed. This was more than rude. We were treated veryinappropriately and will never go back....

Treated as rude as we were in France!!!! - 13 Jan '08 Reviewed by: Steve

Place was virtually empty at 6:00 Sat night. We ask for a table fo rtwo, and host acts irratted and says "well how long are YOU going to take?" Says something about a party of 7 coming at 7pm and act like we are putting them out..We walk out and will never go back!

Stunning - 29 Mar '07 Reviewed by: katrina

We dropped in early on a Saturday evening and the only seats available were at the bar. We were very pleasantly surprised by the quality and presentation of the food as well as the drinks. The bruschetta is a must-try. Atmosphere was VERY friendly and laid back. Our server(bartender) was gracious and attentive despite the volume of customers. Make reservations for weekend evenings!!!

WOW!! - 08 Nov '06 Reviewed by: carey

All I can say is wow! Great atmosphere, fantastic food...what else could you possibly want?!

Reviews

Read what local publications & diners have to say about their experiences at Ciao!