Ciao Bella

Critic´s Review

• Food: 3.5 / 5
• Service: 3 / 5
• Decor: 3 / 5

-By Odette Mascarenhas

An Italian experience

What do Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida have in common? They both grace the walls of a special place with a host of Italian actors enjoying a good meal. 'Ciao Bella' that is the place and can be described as stark (the black and white co-ordination of pictures, table cloths, flooring), warm and mellow (the lighting, orange napkins and menu cards says it all), trendy (cafe style table tops in one corner), and quirky too (some lampshades in net with a make believe lobster perched on top). But all in all owners Simona and Mario have created a 'designer' effect to stimulate the senses.

Decor 3

Walk into the red tiled restaurant, and you will see Mario moving around wishing all his guests, pouring the complimentary after dinner homemade 'digestive' as he chats with you about the meal. The tables are simply clad with black or grey tablecloths but the warmth engulfs you the moment you step in.

Food 3.5

Simona is in the kitchen and the menu is a designers dream too. With a mere mention of a few 'old' favorites (bolognaise, pesto), she has delved into the intricacies of regional favorites of the traditional Italian Mama. Rome (Mario's home place), Florence (where Simona grew up) and even Sicilian preparations find their very own niche.

Start with the 'Omaggio'(compliments of the house), mini bruschetta as you 'choose' from the menu. From Mario's hometown Fritti alla romona (rice tomato balls stuffed with melted cheese, two cheese potato balls and fried vegetables). Those crispy golden brown preparations look and taste great. If you feel adventurous, try the Sardine marinate. Simply prepared by soaking the fish for 24 hours in vinaigrette...'grette cooking'. No pun intended.

But the couple have greater 'designs' on your taste buds. Bitter chocolate ravioli with gorgonzola cheese tossed in vanilla butter sauce. The ravioli melts, the cheese oozes and the butter sauce...maska all the way. Simona has a few 'day specials' up her sleeve. Trofie ai frutti di mare...traditional pasta without eggs, each pasta strip lovingly and painstakingly rolled by hand- takes a little getting used to with its unusual taste but the seafood sauce with cherry tomato and small shrimps...Yummm. But the piece de resistance which will thrill our local taste buds is the Frittura di pesce. Served on a wooden platter, the batter fried calamari and prawns with the crispy juliennes of vegetables tossed with rosemary and sage when crunched together you will give a sagely 'Salute' (pronouncd Sal-you-tae).

Plus and Minus

The designer meals are a 'gourmet's delight. But the traditionalists who yearn for 'pizzas and pastas' need to alter their perceptions of Italian food. But Simona has promised that Pizzas will be featuring.

shortly on the menu. The little 'personal' touches are good. Service is 'professional' and leisurely. Sounds like a contradiction but the 'homely' and 'family' concept lingers here. The Bar menu has all the beverages that satisfy the palate of an Italiano...so Scotch drinkers get ready to select a glass of wine or Campari. Remember the restaurant is 'designed' to focus on its concept. The panna cotta is great, the best we have had so far, spoon out the chocolate or the mango lemon sauce. The Cannoli alla Siciliana - Simonas innovation of fried pasta encasing a creamy ricotta with chocolate chips, the fried pasta casing does not enthrall. Wafer thin would be preferable.

But as one leaves remember to say Ciao Bella (goodbye beautiful one) - but you are sure to go back for more.