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- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
17 reviews for Ciao Bella Restaurant
All Reviews
Ciao Bella Restaurant
5/19/2010
Stopped in for their Mon/Tue pasta special. Did not know that the wine is on special too. Dinner for three with a bottle of wine was $50 with tax and tip (pre HST!) YAY.
The restaurant was buzzing and lively...the TV at the bar was not a real distraction. The service was prompt but slightly rushed.
I had the clams and linguine - which were very good though could have used a few more clams.
The penne with sausage and the calamari with linguine were both very good.
2 of the party of three had enough left overs to take home. All in all it was a good experience....will have to come back.
Ciao Bella Restaurant
8/18/2010
Meh.
Nothing to write home about. The food is average, not unlike anything id prepare @ home. I guess when I'm out I expect a little bit more finess in the cooking.
But then there was really nothing to complain about except that my pasta sauce was a bit on the salty side.
So a pretty easy 3stars from me.
Ciao Bella Restaurant
5/14/2010
6 photos
Why I ate at Ciao Bella two nights in a row:
First, I was attracted to their choices for the Dine Out menu for the $28 price range.
Second, I was pleased by the friendliness of the staff -- very Italian of them. It was the Canucks hockey game with Chicago, and when we were losing, our server was, "aiyai yai yai yai!!"
Third, live music just really add to the dining atmosphere. Just lively and fun!
Fourth, the most important part of this review: The food was really delicious!! Lobster bisque, lobster tail, lamb chops, grilled chicken with creamy mushroom sauce -- all well seasoned and tasty, and all with a generous side of pasta. Their tiramisu was creamy with the nice cake layers in between (cake was not soggy at all).
We were going to go back again for the third night in a row...but minding my waistline, I decided against it.
Ciao Bella Restaurant
8/16/2010
Having passed by Ciao Bella at least twice a week for the last four years, I had always passed this place by thinking it was touristy and cheesy. However, this past weekend I was craving pasta and I wanted homey Italian food and thought we'd give it a try.
Between the two of us, we split three appetizers - Insalata Contadino, Funghi Quattro Formaggi and Bruschetta. The Insalata Contadino had a great dressing on it and the Funghi Quattro Formaggi were amazing and had the perfect amount of cheese to mushrooms. The Bruschetta was also good and had some yummy bread. The table bread that was served at the same time was okay - a little dry, but the balsamic and olive oil on the table helped that.
Our pasta entrees were huge - we both ended up cutting them in half and saving one half for lunch the next day (it was a little over two cups of pasta, so a serving must be a little over 4 cups). My husband had the Pesto Linguini with Chicken and he loved it while I had the Arribbata Spaghetti with Italian sausage. The Arribbata was the perfect amount of spiciness for me and overall I loved the dish. My only complaint (but not really a complaint) was that the sausage was sliced - I assumed that it would be crumbled (I'm not a fan of sliced - it's a texture thing) - I should have asked.
We had the tiramisu for dessert and it was the weakest dish of the night. It was okay, but not really sweet enough for us (and I usually think things are too sweet). Service was attentive without being overbearing and the server dealt with an extremely rude customer behind us with grace and excellent customer service. We'll definitely be back!
Ciao Bella Restaurant
5/5/2010
This aint' no Il Giardino or Quatro. It's simple Italian dining. Ignore the tacky white statues and the mediocre-at-best pianist/crooner in the corner. And ignore the TV situated right above the crooner's head playing America's Funniest Videos.
We went there because Dine Out was sold out everywhere else. It was OK, and no, I won't be wasting postcards writing home about it. But I'd go back, when I wanted a big ol' plate of half-priced Tuesday pasta and was too lazy to make one at home (And that would define LAZY).
Ciao Bella Restaurant
4/20/2010
For the prices, this restaurant is just ok. I've eaten at it twice. Once because I thought it might be good and wanted to try it out, a second time because I was craving pasta one night during the olympics and to get delivery for a pizza or other restaurant was at least a 2 hours wait.
I had fettucini with clams and it was alright. It's definitlely no Quattro's restaurant (which has exceptional pasta) but it's much cheaper than Quattro's and also closer to my home.
My recommendation is that if you live in the Westend and really feel like some pasta and you're feeling too lazy to walk very far and don't want to break the bank, then Ciao Bella's is ok to eat at. Otherwise, choose somewhere else.
Leanne
Ciao Bella Restaurant
6/3/2010
1 photo
I've gotta say that we were sorely disappointed by the meals presented for their "lobster fest". My friend and I both indulged and found the servings less than acceptable. He chose pasta and I something else. Needless to say it's a good thing there was separately plated (? 4 meal plates on a small table top plus bread/glassware?) as it proved to be the most of the meal. The penne pasta was dry and dull, which pretty much sums the whole experience unfortunately. The waiters seemed to be everywhere but where anyone needed them which seemed odd as the place is so small. I'd be inclined to believe that the lobster wasn't as heavy as marketed and the meal? Would have been happier elsewhere eating anything else. :(
Ciao Bella Restaurant
11/22/2009
One of the first things people tend to realize about me is that I love Italian food. Pasta is my favorite thing on this planet, so any time I can eat it, I'm all about that.
I actually quite liked Ciao Bella. I ordered the "house special" pasta three course dinner. This included a salad, pasta all romano (penne with olives, sundried tomato, artichoke, fresh tomato), & dessert. The pasta came in a pretty gigantic portion - and I couldn't take it with me, as the hotel had no mini-fridge - but it was well worth it.
The place is also a piano bar, and because I was there on a Saturday night, there was definitely a guy playing away at the piano. He took requests and played a ton of well-known songs, which was fun. I think myself and my dining companion were the youngest people in the place by at least ten years, but I don't know if that's the way it usually is.
The server was very attentive as well, which is always appreciated.
Ciao Bella Restaurant
4/9/2010
We didn't have high expectations for this restaurant because it looks like it might be a tourist trap. But we were pleasantly surprised. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful, and we felt cared for all night. The stracciatella was good but not special, and a little too eggy. The funghi quattro fromagi was very tasty, though, and made a great appetizer with the red wine. I had the veal in a white wine sauce, which was tender and rich and very satisfying. The food is not spectacular but still good, and the atmosphere was warm and friendly. We would go back again.
Ciao Bella Restaurant
5/11/2010
The online Dine Out Vancouver menu for Ciao Bella looked fairly decent, so we made a reservation for the second to last night of the event. I had the Lobster Bisque for my appy, Lamb Chops for my entree, and the Tiramisu for my dessert. Fresh Bread is also free with the meal. The Lobster Bisque was decent, but I felt like I was eating pieces of chicken instead of lobster although some pieces were definitely lobster. I enjoyed the Lamb Chops the most out of the entire meal. They were moist, tender, and delicious! Although pasta or veggies came with the entree, it was assumed that pasta was my choice until I inquired. I'm glad I asked for the veggie option; I find pasta that comes with an entree is usually plain pasta doused with plain tomato sauce and that's exactly what it was here. The Tiramisu was a nice way to end the meal. Good, but nothing to write home about. The service, for the most part, was very good, but there's always one that hates their job and it shows! Overall I was happy with my meal, but there's one thing that I didn't like about Ciao Bella. Maybe it's just me, but I felt like there was a LOT of up-selling when it came to their wines. Sorry, but I just wouldn't buy a $60 bottle of wine from a restaurant like this one. I'd come back if I was in the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here!
Ciao Bella Restaurant
11/20/2009
Excellent food in hearty portions, lovely wine list, and absolutely charming service. Old-fashioned decor and a romantic atmosphere. If you want to go on Tuesday for their half-price pasta, get there by 6:30pm to avoid a lineup.
Ciao Bella Restaurant
1/21/2009
One of the worst restaurants in the city. The beef carpaccio wasn't thawed properly. The bread was a staler version of the ones found at the Olive Garden. They don't use fresh pasta. Rather, the hard kind most people buy to make pasta at home. The calamari sauce was a soupy mess.
The decor tacky, worse than what you'd find at Buca Di Beppo. The servers incompetent in that they know nothing about food. It reminded me of Italian food I recently had in Beijing. (I'm predicting 20 years before there's a good Italian restaurant in China). The owners clearly know nothing about Italian food, and food and good service in general.
Ciao Bella Restaurant
5/17/2009
The service was good, the food even better. I had the 4 course meal for $29.95 the 3 course is only $19.95.This is what I had, to start asparagus zuppa,then the tortellini Alfredo, next snapper with pasta and tomatoes sauce, followed by the Terra misue, I didn't mention the nice glass of white wine and Italian beer. I was so stuffed and it was all worth it. I would go again. They do have a live piano player,nice relaxing place to enjoy food ,conversation and your company!!!! Cheers!!!
Ciao Bella Restaurant
6/5/2009
Pretty good italian. Its all about the Tuesday half price pasta. I ordered the lasagna and it was fantastic. They really cram you in here though but who can blame them with the deal going on people were lined up outside. If it wasn't for the prices on tuesday when we ate I would have given it three stars.
Ciao Bella Restaurant
6/23/2009
This is a fantastic find. They certainly have great food but the service is just superb. We have tried several of their main dishes and they and all very good.. If you go you must try the Antipasto Misto for Two. We would go there just for that appetizer. The place is easy walking from the downtown hotels. Another great plus for this place is the live piano entertainment. Very nice man at those keys and he knows just hundreds of songs as well as being open for requests. If you are in Vancouver this is a great place to try.
Ciao Bella Restaurant
2/5/2010
I think if you're Italian and used to home cooking and and on top of that you've experienced NYC's Little Italy, then this restaurant is a hard sell because you can definitely taste a difference. (I have yet to find a REALLY good Italian restaurant in VANCOUVER, BC.) BUT, having said that, this restaurant isn't THAT bad AND for the 3 course meal at $19.95, you really should give it a try. For starters, the Zuppa di Spinaci broth was way too spicy. (I think there's too much pepper) I'll order the mixed greens next time. Next up, was much better. The Linguini Alla Toni. GOOD. I do think they could have used the regular-sized shrimp and calamari (especially being so close to the Pacific Ocean) instead of the microscopic versions that they did use. But it was enjoyable, both the pasta and the sauce. The 3rd course, the Tiramisu. VERY GOOD. ALL in ALL we had a very nice time. Our server Bela M was pleasant and very attentive. As it got more crowded, we lost him for awhile, but a young woman took over so we were NEVER abandoned. Heather was at the Piano with an assortment of current hits sprinkled into the 70's repertoire. (It was fun to hear some of the older tunes-Obviously New York, New York was a favorite) I think if you're looking for "high end" this is NOT your place. But if you're looking for a decent pasta dish with some music and pleasant people, you'll enjoy Ciao Bella.
Ciao Bella Restaurant
10/15/2008
Totally agree with "1st to Review" 's food commentary--good, but not great. The atmosphere is good, old-fashion, mom & pop Italian. There is a piano and singing mike (you probably have to enjoy on weekends). Our host/waiter thought he was right out of the movie"Godfather", and there was a signed "Godfather" movie poster on the wall to prove it. The portions were large, and everyone seemed to clear their plates. However, I would recommend this place on Tuesday nights: for it is on Tuesday nights that pasta plates are HALF-PRICE. WOOHOO!
