Ciao Bella Ristorante

Italian restaurant · Modesto

Ciao Bella Ristorante

Italian restaurant · Modesto

1

2401 E Orangeburg Ave #320, Modesto, CA 95355

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Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null
Ciao Bella Ristorante by null

Highlights

Seafood dishes, classic pastas, beer and wine, excellent service  

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2401 E Orangeburg Ave #320, Modesto, CA 95355 Get directions

ciaobellaristo.com

$30–50 · Menu

Information

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2401 E Orangeburg Ave #320, Modesto, CA 95355 Get directions

+1 209 521 2426
ciaobellaristo.com
ciaobellaristo

$30–50 · Menu

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reservations

Last updated

Oct 24, 2025

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Dinner‑only, independently owned Italian in Century Center, noted for seafood pastas and distinctive stuffed calamari. Profiled by 209 Magazine and praised by locals; reservations are smart on weekends.

https://www.209magazine.com/departments/flavors/ciao-bella-ristorante/
Italian Restaurants in Modesto (2025)
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David Reynoso

Google
I would be back. Had a great experience. Food was food. The waitress kept checking up on us.

mp espinoza

Google
Ciao Bella Italiana is a gem of a restaurant nestled in [location], offering an exquisite dining experience. From the moment we stepped in, the staff made us feel truly welcome and attended to. The ambiance is simply beautiful, perfect for a relaxed dinner or a celebratory evening. Now, onto the food - outstanding doesn't quite capture it! If you're a seafood lover, this is your haven. The freshness of their seafood is unmatched, with daily specials that showcase their commitment to quality and flavor. We were fortunate to be hosted by the owner, whose hospitality added a personal touch to our visit. The menu is diverse, catering to all tastes with a range of options beyond seafood. Whether you're craving traditional Italian dishes or something unique, Ciao Bella Italiana delivers. This was our first visit, and we're already planning our next. If you appreciate impeccable service, delectable cuisine, and a warm atmosphere, look no further than Ciao Bella Italiana. Highly recommended!

Lemmie Klein

Google
Very nice night celebrating our friends birthday at Ciao Bella. There were 9 of us together enjoying the food and each other's company. I had the coconut halibut. It was a nice sized portion of halibut and covered in toasted coconut. The sauce that came with it was so good on the halibut. Everyone enjoyed their meal and the excellent service provided by Pam.

Richard Selby

Google
The service was great! The food was subpar and falsely advertised as “Fresh”! The Atmosphere was nice and clean. The Lobster Ravioli was advertised as Fresh. I was not fresh and was definitely frozen, the Ravioli contents were a pasty imitation Lobster with bits of red in it. The server removed the charge for the Ravioli. My Shrimp Pomodoro was a Soup instead of a sauce. See the picture of what I was served and the other that shows a true Pomodoro sauce. Our server offered to pay for our dessert first and we bypassed her gracious offer. She ended up removing the charge for the Lobster Ravioloi. Both meals were completely flat and not seasoned correctly. The charges for both meals should have been removed or they should have offered another meal for a new visit and a make up for the horrible meals they served. I will never go back based on 2 things, mis-advertisement and the fact they charged me for meals that were absolutely horrible. To say I’m disappointed with the quality of the food would be an understatement. My recommendation is pass on the food. I will say the Bar seemed to be very popular. Please see the photos of my meal which they say is Pomodoro sauce and a correctly prepared Pomodoro sauce.

Walter Anaya (HomesByWalterA)

Google
This place was absolutely amazing from the moment I walked in service was a 10 of 10. The atmosphere is amazing. Food was a 100 out of 10. I would 100% recommend this place whether is for lunch or dinner. Let them know that Walter sent you because this place is amazing. Should definitely be on your list of places to eat, the Ribeye w/Prawns was out of this world 😍

Sunila Prasad

Google
Took my son for his birthday. Enjoyed our time together! He got a Jerusalem chicken. I got sea bass. Both our dinners were delicious. Drinks were yummy aa well.

Toriaaa Barreto

Google
Food was okay, Good service, but it was SLOW service. We wanted to cut a cake that we brought ourselves, and they wanted to charge us for using their plates. They also wanted to charge us PER PLATE. We had already spent hundreds of dollars there ($400), so this was definitely RIDICULOUS. First & last time there.

Shy

Google
Food is pretty good, large portions. Took awhile for the table to get their drinks, other than that would definitely recommend!
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Christine N.

Yelp
Ok I have to write a review bc yesterday was my second time back and the food does not disappoint. It's a cute little restaurant with a bar area and smaller dining area. The ambience is nice, whole restaurant is clean, and parking is ample. The hostesses are always friendly and welcoming. But Anna, our server, ok this girl has the memory of a magician bc she remembered us from A YEAR AGO, including where we sat and what we ordered! What a sweet gem of a person! She's a great server with a fun personality and good customer service! Let's talk about the food. DE-LI-CIOUS! Both times I've been here, food is spectacular. Meaty lasagna that I ate for two days. So hearty and flavorful! Spaghetti and meatballs were yummy. My bf got lobster ravioli and chicken Alfredo. That Alfredo was THEE BEST! We had the chocolate lava cake for dessert both times. It's decadent and moist and heavenly. I can't wait to come back! :)
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Ray N.

Yelp
Came here on a Friday night with reservations at 5 pm for a retirement party of 10. We were seated to the far right on a long table. For it just opening at 5 pm, the bar was filled with patrons already. Hard to describe what everyone ate and ordered so I'll just focus on what I ordered and tried. So for appetizers- I ordered 2 calamari for the group. It was served with a bed of lettuce on the bottom with the calamari to appear more in the bowl. Came with a dipping sauce that was orange in color so I'm assuming it was sriracha and mayo. It was pretty good. Not too salty and had a crunch to it. I'd give it 5 stars though since it was definitely being gobbled by all. So my wife had the chicken fettuccini. I asked her how she liked it, her complaint was about the chicken. Something about it being a bit hard. She's not one to complain but she did notice something off with it. I won't rate that since I didn't try it but just sharing her comment to me. As for myself, I had the Ribeye - medium that came with vegetables and mash potatoes. Price $50. The steak was a thick cut with butter on top. I thought the steak was cooked to perfection, great flavor and the sides were seasoned good. 5 stars If there was one complaint I would have being a part of 10 was the serving of the food took a good 5 minutes for everyone to get their dish. Our waitress was the only one bringing the food so she would serve 2 dishes to my group. Then go to the kitchen to get others. There was a good wait time in between so to me, not all dishes were done simultaneously. Just from an etiquette standpoint, everyone waited til all our dishes were served to my guests before we started eating. There wasn't an extra server who helped our main waitress to bring everyone's dishes all at once. And for that, I give 4 out of 5 stars. Overall, if you have a large party like we did, I would recommend Ciao Bella since the interior was nice and had good lighting for photos. Would return with my wife whenever craving for that ribeye!
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Chandni G.

Yelp
I have posted about this place before. Ciao Bella's chef Ciao is the reason why this place is so good. I have been going for over 9 years now. Quality of the food has been on par every visit for me. His servers for the years are so good, this guy knows how to hire wonderful servers. Anita our server is the best of the best... kudos to her. You should call in to make reservations, and always try a special, I love his sea-bass fish (seasonal), Halibut, risotto, calamari Steak, mashed potatoes with any dish are so buttery and smooth. I don't eat steak, but I know from my friends who ate it, it was pretty good. I steal his mashed potatoes from my husband's plate too. Desserts are so good too. Ambiance is wonderful as well. Their recent bar edition has made it top notch.

Mike C.

Yelp
If you've never had the pleasure of dining at Ciao Bella restaurant, you should certainly get on board. The food is the best in all of Modesto and it's a beautiful restaurant. Try the chicken salad with Gorgonzola and walnuts or the seafood combination with linguine delicious. The servers are very cute and very attentive. We love this place.

Virginia R.

Yelp
We had a party yesterday and ordered a couple trays of lasagna and chicken Alfredo. It was delicious!!!! Had many compliments on the food. I want to thank the owner Ciao for providing us with such great service and taking care of us.
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An K.

Yelp
I was a little wary to check this place out because of the under 4 star rating, but my fiancé convinced me to try it out anyways. Went last night and I LOVED the food! The calamari was so tender. The flavor and quality of all the food we had was exceptional, especially for this area. Really glad I gave this place a shot. Our server was really nice and extremely attentive as well. Prices are a little high but worth it in my opinion for the quality. Yes, the place is pretty dim but it didn't bother us, personally. Would definitely come again for special occasions.
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Alyssa S.

Yelp
It was our first time here. This food was great! We ordered the bruschetta as an appetizer (5/5), meat lasagna (5/5) and spaghetti with homemade meatballs and meat sauce (4/5). The service was good. Our server was very kind and gave us her opinion on what menu items were top picks. We were not disappointed. The ambiance was nice. It's low lit, modern and clean. There is also a bar area and additional seating outside for outdoor dining. Overall, great food.
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Sabrina S.

Yelp
My husband and I were out running errands and decided to try this place. We weren't sure if there was a dress code; it's pretty much shorts and T-shirt attire. He ordered the ribeye steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The steak had no flavor, was tough, and had lots of fat. The mashed potatoes were delicious. The vegetables were delicious and cooked perfectly. The calamari was delicious with a nice light batter; the clams and mussels were so delicious, but my husband didn't care for the marinara sauce. Their warm bread is delicious, and they have a five-dollar drink special - a mango jalapeño iced margarita - which was delicious. Also, the service was great, the atmosphere was great, and the restaurant was very clean. We will definitely be back to try more dishes!
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Cigano M.

Yelp
Here's my review for this restaurant please pay attention to what they charge for credit card transactions . I had a review here before and for whatever reason it was removed I think yelp has to respect our reviews and not remove them..
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Anthony M.

Yelp
So, my wife and I were mulling over some place to eat yesterday (Saturday) and I found this place on Yelp. We decided to give it a try for the first time. I called them up and "Dolly" answered the phone. I inquired about dess attire, if shorts and T-shirt were acceptable and if reservations were required. Dolly said, "the dress was casual, shorts and a T were acceptable.' Although reservations were not required, they were advised." So, I made a reservation. Upon arrival we were greeted promptly. The hostess seated us on what we learned later was the booth (bar) side. A wall at bar back seperated two sides of the restaraunt. The other side being the "table side". No sooner than we sat down, some obnoxiously loud baffoon strolls in and on his way to sit at the bar, begins shouting in greeting to another patron at the end of the bar. I thought, oh brother is it going to be one of those kind of nights? I got up, approached the hostess and asked if there were any seats open on the table side and we were seated immedietly on the table side. If being subjected to potentially loud atmosophere doesn't bother you then sit on booth (bar) side. If you want a more quiet and relaxing dining experience, sit on the table side. Now to my review. All in all the ambiance was very nice. It was a bit dark, but still nice. Our wait person named Prescious, was extremely helpful with our questions about menu items and was very attentive without hovering. Dolly, with whom I spoke to on the phone and not our wait person, was also a pure delight, and extremely attentive. My wife commented that she was "absolutely beautiful." On to our meal. We ordered the Fried Calamari as an appetizer to start and I must say it was cooked to PERFECTION! The seasoning was perfect with just a hint of heat (a toddler could eat it). The crunch was no less perfect and the bite melted in my mouth. We ate half of it before I remembered to snap a pic. This dish was 5/5. My wife ordered the Stuffed Calamari which are calamari steaks stuffed with crab, shrimp and mozzarella cheese and topped with a Rosetta sauce. Her dish also came with mash potatoes and veggies. Now, this isn't the type of dish my wife would normally order, but she wanted to try it. Nope, she didn't like it. Not because of the flavor, it was loaded with flavor, but because it was a bit to heavy for her. This would be more my type of dish to order. I tried it and it WAS THE BOMB! Give that 5/5 Finally, I ordered a House Special which is not on the menu, it should be, but it isn't. Blackened Halibut with Jumbo Prawns. It came with mashed potatoes and veggies like my wife's dish did. The mash and veggies could be a meal all in their own. Nothing but pure deliciousness. The jumbo prawns were butterflied, nearly lobster tail sized and came with a delicious butter sauce for dipping. The blackened Halibut melted in my mouth and was FULL of flavor. I give this dish a 6/5. All-in-all this restaraunt has Bay Area quality, freshness and taste. There is a Chef behind the scene that has mastered food consistency, not only in the quality and freshness, but also in the preparation. EVERYTHING was prepared and cooked to perfection. No inconsistencies like undercooked/overcooked to be found. The US and California in particular, is a melting pot of ethnicity. If you have mastered culinary skills in a particular food type, genre or culture, it doesn't matter your ethnic or, national background. We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Pam. What a delight she was. Pam, you are doing it right. In closing all I can say is...WHOOOAAAAHHH NELLY THAT FOOD WAS THE BOMB DIGGITY BOMB! BACK IT UP AND BOMB AGAIN!

Alan ..

Yelp
The food has always been great and owner treats all his customers like family. The food is high quality and presentation is top notch. I highly recommend it!
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Kenna S.

Yelp
We were surprised to learn the chef refuses to cook filet mignon past medium--even when requested. Saying "we don't cook it medium well" is already a bit rigid for a non-steakhouse, but following that with "we won't make an exception because we're busy" is a red flag. It comes off as dismissive, and honestly, it's a poor excuse. If they're charging $55 for a filet, they should be able to accommodate a basic request--especially for something as personal (and standard) as steak doneness. We won't be back.
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Nathan B.

Yelp
My wife and I have been coming here for many years for special occasions. This is hands-down the best restaurant in Modesto, especially if you love seafood. The service is always top shelf. And their recent remodel has this place looking like it belongs in the Bay Area.
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Nora M.

Yelp
When you are a regular, the owner goes above and beyond for you! Sometimes he offers free appetizers for you to try out to see if it's something he wants to offer! Tonight....we had an amazing Tomahawk Steak! It was the best steak I have ever had!!!!

Thomas F.

Yelp
If I could give you 6+ stars I would. The service was welcoming, friendly, and very attentive. I didn't see my favorite menu item so she asked the chef and he made it for me, seafood linguini, the broth complemented the seafood beautifully; pieces of salmon, huge scallops, large prawns, mussels and clams, a meal fit for a king. My wife ordered the special and oh my was it ever, two jumbo prawns that tasted and looked like junior lobster tails. The halibut they were paired with was perfectly prepared. For our 48th anniversary, we couldn't have selected a better venue. Thank you both wait staff and chefs.
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Mike V.

Yelp
Upscale Italian in the Orangeburg shopping center, at Oakdale and Orangeburg. Always new specials, and amazing regular menu items. This location expanded recently and added a full bar. I highly recommend to make reservations, especially on holidays! I have enjoyed everything I have had here, the staff are very attentive and I always have a wonderful meal. The prices are high, but the portions are large.
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Nasser S.

Yelp
This is a classy setting nice ambiance inside place to eat. I am always on the hunt for the best of the best. I judge an Italian restaurant first and foremost on the bread you get with your meal. The bread was ok, not blow me away. Also the bread portions was skimpy, I understand you can ask for more and maybe they don't want to waste. The service was top notch, very friendly and accommodating. We didn't have reservations but they made room for us. I got the lobster ravioli to compare with my favorite lobster ravioli at another restaurant Bella Italia, to see which one was better. Bella Italia won that round with better taste and more portions. I felt that it was too expensive for the amount I got, that's just my opinion. Listen this is a nice restaurant and most people would have nothing but good things to say. I'm just more picky then most people haha. Also the tails were left on the shrimp that came with the lobster ravioli, I personally don't like that. I don't want to have to get messy to eat my shrimp in my pasta. That's just me, Mr. Picky haha
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Scott N.

Yelp
Buffetman Sez: This place was an amazing find for Italian food! Prices are reasonable and you get great value and taste. The stuffed calamari is my fave, but I tried the blackened halibut with butterflied jumbo prawns special and it blew me away! I couldn't stop ... it was so freakin' good. Will be back!
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Suzzette K.

Yelp
Came into have a nice Thursday night dinner with a friend for his birthday at 6:30. Someone said they would be right with us and we waited for about 10 minutes and nobody did anything. Then a girl came up and said they weren't taking anymore walk ins. Maybe short staffed, but put a sign on the door or tell us that when we come in. I like the food but can't help but think this experience will last in my head... my poor friend on his birthday too. Oh well for them, there's lots of other great Italian in Modesto! I'd you're in the mood for ciao bella though maybe call ahead if you're going to go and see if they are taking customers during their normal business hours to be safe ....

Ruby G.

Yelp
Apparently, if you're a regular you get preferential treatment. We were made to wait 20 minutes, even though we had reservations. A couple came in after us and was seated in the dining room, while we were finally seated in the bar next to a family with kids. We were celebrating an anniversary and we just felt slighted. I don't think we'll return.
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Mara K.

Yelp
First time eating at this restaurant last night for a couples dinner with some dear friends. Great vibes. Such a classy place. I'd recommend for a date night to celebrate special occasions since it's a bit pricey. The food however was amazing. The portions are huge! The quality of our food is excellent. My hubby doesn't care too much for seafood but he got the Halibut & Scallops and ate it all up. He said it was cooked to perfection. He gave it a 8/10! I had the salmon plate and it was cooked perfectly. My friends got the stuffed crab/shrimp scallops and those were delicious too. Our server was fun & accommodating! We had such a great time... I will definitely be returning!

Ben N.

Yelp
The service was amazing. The staff was so inviting and attentive. They kept checking in with all guest to make sure everything was going well. Anna and Pam were amazing. We got the crab cakes (8/10), lobster ravioli (9/10), and clam and mussels (8/10). Crab cakes were nicely sized and flavorful. I cant stress enough I was happy not to be biting into any shells. Lobster ravioli sauce was great. The shrimps were perfectly cooked. I only wished they put a few more ravioli pieces inside. (There was 4 or 5). The class and mussels were really nice and sauce was great. Looking at it is a bit overwhelming at first but great portions. If you like spicy then I recommend asking for peppers.
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Jason G.

Yelp
I have been to this restaurant several times. The food is absolutely phenomenal here. during the week he'll throw certain bar specials up that you can get a little variety. I have met the owner. Very nice guy. Great person to talk to. He is also the chef. highly recommend this restaurant if you want really good quality food in Modesto. Great place to hang out with friends. Have drinks while you wait for your food. The staff is knowledgeable and pleasant to talk to. They treat people like you're their only customer which is hard to find.

Kathy P.

Yelp
Absolutely the best chicken fettuccine I've ever had. It was so creamy. The tiramisu was fantastic too.
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Charles V.

Yelp
What an incredible place. I had the stuffed calamari with the Frank family wine, cab of course. . It was just delicious. Oh my gosh, to even express how exhilarating it is to eat at a restaurant with such a great chef and great wine! Vanessa, the bartender made a cucumber refresher that was off the hook. Felecia has five thumbs up and she's only got two. What is up with that!!! Anyway, I love this place!

Ron R.

Yelp
Never ever, ever again. Not just one experience, keep trying but no more. Food is ok. Way too obviously clicky. Not comfortable and special treatment for regulars and not others. Never ever, ever opens on time. Can't even accept Apple Pay like all others, have to walk out and get my card? Seriously? Verona's my choice. I should have gone there. You're not that special but obviously you have a good following which makes me uncomfortable. Such a disappointment. Chow I'm sorry. Congrats on you success but I can't come back.
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Stacy Dieu N.

Yelp
I've recently moved to Modesto from the Bay Area. Restaurant options are a little more limited. Found Ciao Bella cause it's close to home. So glad that I did. This place is awesome. Friendly staff, great ambience, and the food is amazing. Their everyday menu is good in itself but the bar specials menu is really great too. The owner do try to change it up and no matter what the dish is. It's really good cause he puts his own take into it. Definitely recommend this place for a nice date night or just dinner with friends.
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Aster H.

Yelp
Went there tonight it was delicious! Anita was my server and she is great! The lobster ravioli are delicious and my friend had the chicken piccata and both plates were wiped clean! Definitely a must try! Anita always gives the best service, super attentive, and always has a smile. I will definitely be back soon.
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Bill R.

Yelp
Service and food are good. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly as well as accommodating. Price is reasonable for this day and age!

Aaron L.

Yelp
Unfortunately the windows inside have terrible glare and made it hard to see anything. I ended up getting a bad headache and ruined the experience. The ambiance would be a lot better if they could fix the windows. The f was delicious and service excellent. The sea bass and scallops were a great recommendation by staff. They had amazing drinks as well.

Janet B.

Yelp
This place is the best!! Food is awesome, haven't tried a dish we don't like. Aylin is a great waitress! Never had a bad time here. Excellent all the way around!

Cynthy M.

Yelp
My food is good. So good, I don't mind going there three times now in two weeks. I had halibut first 2 visits then apple salad and steak dinners
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Cara B.

Yelp
Was quoted a 20-25 minute wait and sat outside for an hour, when we finally walked back inside to ask we were quoted an additional 20-25 minutes. Did not stay to get seated. I understand it gets busy but you can't blame the wait on reservations actually showing up for their table. That should be factored in.
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Rose C.

Yelp
food was amazing and the service was amazing, ambience it's perfect, but our friends did not like the seat they said the seats weren't comfy.
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Taylor J.

Yelp
Everyone working here is always so FRIENDLY. Our server, Elijah, was so great about recommending certain specials. He warned us the clam chowder sells out and when we tried to order some later in the meal he RAN to the kitchen to ensure we got some. He really went above and beyond for us and we left there thinking "did we just become best friends?" They don't have high chairs, so they gave us a booth to accommodate our infant in a car seat which was perfect for us. The food was great as well!

Richard L.

Yelp
Filet was amazing, service was great. Atmosphere was very friendly, my mom loved the stuffed salmon,l will be back for sure
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Kristy S.

Yelp
Amazing food and our server Anita was so attentive and accommodating! The vibe and ambiance was good for a nice Friday night out in patio and we enjoyed our meal and service . A hidden gem in Modesto- highly recommend!!

Linda W.

Yelp
I wish I could rate them for more stars !! Tonight I had the stuff salmon special it was amazing this was the best bbq I have had !! I would give them 7 stars Thankyou
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Danielle G.

Yelp
I ordered the salmon salad which was absolutely amazing plus our appetizer was the fried asparagus sooooo good!! Vanessa was our bartender tonight who is always so friendly and makes the best drinks! Highly recommend this restaurant
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Sergio M.

Yelp
Great little spot the ambiance is really relaxing. And pleasing to look at. At first our service was very spotty. We did have to wait awhile to get our drinks ordered and appetizers ordered but after that we serve quickly. The food tasted pretty great I highly recommend the pasta. Tasted fantastic, the calamari could have tasted better but it was still good. I will be returning very soon
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Robert L.

Yelp
Went here on a Saturday with my parents. I read many of the other reviews and agree that service is slow (even some of the regular guests would joke about the slowness of the kitchen). We ordered the fried calamari for the appetizer. It was fried perfectly--neither under or overcooked. Breading wasn't as crisp as other places but really liked the lightly fried/sweated minced garlic and the dipping aioli it came with. For entrees, my mom had the stuff calamari which again was cooked perfectly and was delicious. Her only thing she wanted differently was more of the plating sauce for the acidity for the cheesiness. Her roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes were well done. My dad had the mussel/clam seafood linguine which he also enjoyed. Stated the seafood was fresh. I had the shrimp pomodoro with capellini which was light and easy to eat. The shrimp were giant in the dish and not overcooked. For dessert we had coconut gelato and key lime pie. The key lime pie was as expected. I'm not a key lime pie expert so can't really say if it was amazing or just average. The coconut gelato was rich but not too heavy with some shredded coconut in it. It is a little on the sweet side. I recommend squeezing the lime slice into the ice cream to elevate the dessert. They do charge a surcharge for any credit or debit card used. Bring cash if you want to avoid this fee. Overall, I would come again... provided I remember to get cash from the ATM.
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Lynn R.

Yelp
Definitely the best Italian food here in Modesto so far. Loved everything that I tried. I had their salmon and pasta. The appetizer and the dessert was delicious. The place is nice and clean. The service is a little slower than I expected. I think it was our servers fault he seems disarray. But I would still come back here to try the other dishes.
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Neli S.

Yelp
If I could give half a star I would. This was my first and last time coming here. We had reservations at 730, arrived and there is a sign outside to wait to be seated. No one approached us and the servers who were coming in and out just looked at us, didn't say "we'll be right with you" NOTHING. Finally after waiting for nearly 10 minutes we went inside and let them know we had been waiting. We were told we were going to be seated shortly... another 5 minutes go by and they had forgotten about us. This should have been our red flag to leave. We finally get seated and no menus, no water and in a corner where the light wasn't even on. Finally at around 820 we get some kind of water, bread and they take our drink order. The drinks took maybe 15 minutes to get. After drinks are served we ordered. At this point it's 8:40... we didn't not receive our meals until 9:40. 2/4 had no flavor, the chef forgot to our salt or whatever to the dish. We paid over $300 for bad service, over priced tasteless food. We paid our bill and tipped our server. We would have been better off going to El Maguey for 1/3 of that price we paid

edward p.

Yelp
Very nice ambiance. Staff is well trained and chef is good. Try it the lasagna is my favorite there.

Karen B.

Yelp
Don't let the shopping center location deter you. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. Once inside we truly enjoyed the decor and the service was top notch. We started with salads; we were unimpressed. Also had the clam chowder which unfortunately was the most peppery I've ever tasted. If my husband hadn't traded his Cesar salad with me I would have sent back. Entrees included Lobster Ravioli (sauce was delicious but didn't find much lobster), Lasagna (delicious, meaty and generous portion), Stuffed Calamari (would order again but it was very cheesy), and one of the many specials Coconut Crusted Halibut (delicious and cooked well). Enjoyed our time and room allowed easy conversation. Not a huge location; recommend reservations. Would return to try other entrees.
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Cheyanne M.

Yelp
My wife made a reservation for us ONE MONTH in advance for Valentines day @8:30pm, we even got there early, only to not get seated until 9:45pm, we ordered our food, she got lobster ravioli, it only came with 4 pieces of ravioli & the lobster had no flavor. I ordered a steak & asked for it medium well, the waitress said "the chef doesn't cook anything past medium & he isn't making any changes tonight but I will ask", I told her to double check because I wouldn't eat it if it was pink/bloody, once I received my plate after 30 mins waiting & cut down my steak, it was completely pink inside, I asked to get it cooked more, 15 mins later brought my steak, my food was cold, the steak was still pink, she took it back again, only to bring it back completely burnt & dry, no flavor what so ever. At this point is past 10:30pm, we are just hungry & upset, she offered a free dessert but we just wanted to leave, they didn't offer to discount or replace our meals, we paid over $100 for a horrible experience.

Dezaree S.

Yelp
I'm allergic to potatoes and simply asked for my chicken piccata to be over pasta instead. The server was super sweet but the chef couldn't be bothered with my substitution. I then asked for a side of pasta and piccata sauce but was also told no because the chef is obviously on a power trip. To top it all off cocktails took a good 15 minutes to get to the table so buyer be warned. Again great service, egotistical chef.
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Yvette P.

Yelp
Food and atmosphere was wonderful. Service was great for a group of 10. Filet mignon was delicious.
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Bryan K.

Yelp
Ciao Bella is an excellent Italian restaurant in the Modesto area. Their service was exceptional and everyone had such a great personality. We ordered a variety of food and everything was absolutely fantastic. There was literally nothing that I do not recommend. They were also great at recommending wine pairings. The restaurant is nice and clean. Tables are spread apart so everyone has plenty of room.