Ciao Trattoria Italiana

Why there isn't a long line outside this little Italian Restaurant located in this small strip mall is beyond me. A friend suggested that we try Ciao Trattoria out and what a great experience. First, parking was great but that's because we arrived at 5:20 pm. If the place is busy it might be a challenge. Sat right away and greeted by Alessandro our native Italian server. First he is a long time friend of the owner and it shows though his enthusiasm for the restaurant and the food. He is, without a doubt a 5 ⭐ employee. Ordered drinks and the only very small negative was...no lemons 🍋. We got past that. I ordered the mushroom, sausage soup... strange combination yet delicious so 5 I ordered the Veal Piccata with Peni pasta... perfect with just the right amount of lemon 🍋 flavor. Bill ordered the Eggplant Parmesan and Loved it 5 ⭐. Sauce great and pasta just right. Bread and butter also hits the mark. Vodka drink was a nice size at $9.00. Desert was Cannoli's and Decaf Espresso while I had Tiramisu. We noticed a Drum setup...might have music but forgot to ask. We loved everything about this place and will be back.

1st let me say, I am embarrassed I do not remember the amazing guy's name that took phenomenal care of us, name. I do remember he was tall & a long time friend of Tonino DiBella and Walter Bianchi. Anyway HE was awesome! We were there today 11/6 at soonish till 2 - the food was fabulous, I had the chicken Picatta, sorry no pics I totally gobbled it up b4 thinking. My daughter got the Mediterranean pizza & my Dad the Rustica. Delish!! This place is a must go to!!!

Had a very early dinner and sat down immediately. Service was amazingly fast and friendly. I wanted to enjoy the wine list but was alone, definitely want to come back with friends to experience a more authentic experience. Sauce was made fresh as was the bread. I think a group of more than 4 would be best here. Excellent cannoli as well here.

The food was delicious, it was Romantic Dinner Sunday when we went which had a special for appetizer, 2 glasses of wine and two entrees. We werent in the mood for wine so we ordered an appetizer and two pastas. You also get bread and butter for the table. The live music from Clay Benjamin was amazing ! Will definitely be back while we are in town .

I eat lunch here quite often. Service is always quick and friendly. The food is always fresh and yummy. My favorite thing on the menu is their panini selection as they are big enough and loaded enough to always make two meals for me 😊Love their house salad and house dressing !

such an unexpected little place! just happened to google pasta and this place popped up. we placed a to-go order as we just wanted grab and go. we placed our order and told 20 mins, but we got there sooner. i was surprised when i walked in to see such a cute place that looked like it was new. there was a cute little case with some items for purchase at the hostess stand which was a nice touch. we ordered the chicken cacciatore and the ciao salad with chicken added. when we got back to our place i was extremely happy with my sight! 2 nice and juicy slightly breaded chicken breasts for my salad, extra dressing, a nice soft warm bread with a great salted butter and the chicken cacciatore. the cacciatore was so good! very flavorful and extremely filling. the salad was incredible alone and once i added the chicken it made it so filling i couldn’t finish it. the chicken was so good i could have just eaten it by itself!!! they made sure to provide all the items we needed (parm, napkins, cutlery, ect) and were quicker than the 20 mins promised (maybe just because we were there they gave an extra push?) they do have desserts; all italian based and sounded amazing themselves. there is a room that closes off that seems like it could host private parties. while waiting i overheard another ask for pizza by the slice, which it seems they do that if available. there is outdoor seating, but it just overlooks the parking lot which is fine in the cooler months, but i wouldn’t sit there during summer. i highly recommend this place and will definitely be going back for the pizza and cannoli. they as well have a full bar.

I was in Jacksonville FL today and as you all know if there is a good pizza to try I'll be there. I found this little gem while I was looking for some place to eat and OMG I was have to tell you I was impressed. When I walked in the owner Tony was right there and greeted me in. I had place the order to go but regretted it immediately. The inside of this place was beutiful. I could see bringing my significant other here for quiet candlelight dinner. Then I got my order and it was awesome looking. The pizza looked like a real NY style pizza and as you all know I am from NY so I do know pizza. The cheese was just calling my name and as always I can't resist the sirens song so I grab a bit right out of the center and thought I had gone to heaven. The cheese blend was so perfect and the sauce specular. Of course I burnt the inside of my mouth but that is a pizza lovers danger. I had got a pepperoni with 1/2 sausage and they were both delicious. The pepperoni was the little cup style and had just the right amount of oil. And the sausage was right behind it. I got my order to the hotel fast, could have been going a bit to fast but I wanted to dig in and it was worth getting a ticket, but I didnt. I finally got to the wings and they were a perfect Buffallo style wing. I mean they were big, perfectly cooked and the sauce was spot in. I am so sorry but I was so taken forgot to take pictures. But I promise I'll add photos next month when I am here because this is my goto for pizza in Jacksonville from now on. So if you in town stop in and say hi to Tony, its worth driving to. He is a fantastic spirit and true gentleman. I could see having a beer or two with him and just chatting. He seemed like a man of the world. I could go on all day but I won't. Hi Tony from your life long customer and friend Shawn.

My wife and I visited this newly opened Italian restaurant for lunch. I ordered the Cheesesteak and 6-piece wings. The sub was perfectly toasted and generously filled with meat. I asked for the wings to be crispy and they came out just right—nice and crispy with great-sized portions. My wife had the Chicken Piccata and we shared everything to sample them all. Everything was delicious and the service was fantastic. Highly recommended!

Stopped in for lunch Excellent food! The server was exceptional! Authentic decor Will be back!!

What a special find! I love Italian food and I was craving carbonara. The internets said this place had a good one so I moseyed on over. I was enthusiastically seated by Alessandro, who would be my waiter. He was great, super kind and attentive throughout, and it seems he really enjoys and takes pride in what he does. A true artist in the industry. I wouldn't be surprised if he was in the back cooking too lol. The restaurant is beautiful inside. Straddles the line of elegant but not intimidating; an inviting atmosphere. I wanted to try a couple of menu items and love having leftovers so I decided to order the carbonara to "start" and the chicken parmesan as my entree. Alessandro kindly warned me the carbonara was "very authentically Italian." I said sure, no problem, that's what I want! Apparently - it was not what I wanted LOL. I know carbonara usually has guanciale or pancetta, but it was overpowering for me here. There were more meat chunks than anything else, large, super fatty, and the entire dish was greasy. I kept the item because I was graciously told beforehand it might not be my speed, but wow, I guess I've never had authentic carbonara before??? I don't fault the restaurant for this, but I think it's worth a warning to others who may be like me. My chicken parmesan came out next, and it was phenomenal! Great portion size, great flavors, the chicken was so flavorful and tender, the sauce was vibrant. Everything was perfect. I ordered a tiramisu and an extra chicken parm to go. The tiramisu was also delicious later. All in all, this place was amazing across the board even despite my carbonara snafu. I can't wait to go back, try something new, and grab another chicken parmesan to go!

This will be a challenging review to write as last time I came here it was so good! Today, not so much. I did not get the name of our server, however, when we provided feedback regarding our meal, the tone truly changed. My aunt and uncle had the eggplant Parmesan, which they did not care for the red sauce very much. I had the gnocchi with Alfredo sauce however the Alfredo sauce was majorly overpowering because it was completely saturated. I was literally peeling off the Alfredo sauce on every piece because it was too overwhelming. I was disappointed in this visit because it was nowhere near the last visit and I think I'm gonna take a break before I potentially return. I will say that the prices, but the desserts were outrageously expensive more so for what you got.

This was so tasty! Met a few friends here for a mid week dinner, I didn't know what to expect, didn't even look up the menu beforehand...lol! Well what a lovely surprise, our server was excellent! So sweet and accommodating, was able to make some changes for us and just great service! Starting with their happy hour drinks, $6 spritz! Yes please! Then we all shared a brushetta, calzone, chick parm, and chicken Marsala....no complaints! Everything was good! Also got their pasta fagioli soup which was delicious! Just like Nonna makes! Can't wait to return!

Food is absolutely incredible. The red sauce is wonderful. They don't add sugar so it's naturally sweet. But not overly so. The chicken piccata is the best I've had anywhere. They have an unusual dish called chicken Dijon, which tastes a whole lot better than it sounds especially if you're not a mustard fan. It just has a slight taste of Dijon in it and it's got a really creamy delightful sauce. The gnocchi is delicious. Get it with onions if you like onions it makes it that much better. The pizza is also incredible. The two for one martinis on Tuesdays and Thursdays are the icing on the cake. By the way, the tiramisu is some of the best I've had anywhere in the country. Real Italian food by a real Italian chef. You really have to try this place. 4076 Belfort rd. Southside.

Food was exceptional, service was wonderful and an overall fantastic food experience! Truly a hidden gem and we will return! We had 6 in our group and every meal was perfect!

What a nice little unassuming place! We decided to check this place out for a Sunday night dinner and they happened to be doing a special. We opted to try the bruschetta, Dijon chicken and eggplant parmesan. All of the dishes we tried and the service overall was good for the price. I wouldn't say it was anything extraordinary, but I would definitely return to try more dishes to make a better judgement!

Ciao Trattoria Italiana is the perfect, intimate Italian restaurant. I stumbled upon it during a search for Italian food near me, it is five minutes from my neighborhood. It has become my destination for Italian food. The food is consistent, ample portions, moderately priced, always hot, made with fresh ingredients and IMO simply delicious. I favor lemon infused sauces so my favorite dish is the Chicken Piccata. My husband and I traveled to Italy a few years ago and loved that where we traveled the food was unpretentious, just simple but fresh and flavorful. In that regard, Ciao is authentic, the food reminds me so much of the food we ate in Italy. I hosted a retirement party in the private dining room at Ciao. I admit, I am a little high strung and the party planning was a little chaotic for me but Chef Tonino, Emily, our server and the entire staff made a home run. My guests raved about the food, the staff and the atmosphere of the private dining room. So if you are in search of exceptional food, atmosphere and service and/or perhaps a private dining space, I would strongly recommend Ciao Trattoria on Belfort.

Ordered take out from here recently and I was not let down. The portions are huge! I ordered a small customized stromboli and it was enough to feed at least 4 adults, we were in cheese heaven!! The meet tortellini was also so delicious and enough to feed 2 people. The limoncello cake was equally as good, not too sweet and light enough that we were able to finish it and not feel even more stuffed. Definitely recommend giving this shop a try. The inside of the restaurant isn't anything fancy but the flavor and the portions of the food is the real star anyway.

Had a wonderful dinner at Ciao Italiana! The food was delicious and the service was truly excellent--friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home. We ordered the Chicken Marsala, Eggplant Parmesan, and another chicken dish--all were full of flavor and came with fresh, crisp salads. Everything tasted homemade and comforting. One thing we really appreciated was how quiet and peaceful the restaurant was. Since my dad can't be in loud environments while he's recovering at Brooks Rehab, it made the evening so much more enjoyable for him and for us. We're in town for a few months while he's in rehab, and we'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend if you're in the area!

I've never been to its owner's other restaurants, but we stopped in to Ciao after seeing some positive posts about it online, and I definitely want to come back and try more. It was -- as to be expected -- very uncrowded when we visited at around 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon. We got greeted and seated quickly. Our server, whose name I unfortunately have forgotten, was lovely and attentive. She was great with suggestions and definitely wanted to make sure she answered any questions we had about the menu. Our server highly recommended the bruschetta, which I look forward to trying, but we skipped it this visit because my spouse isn't a fan of uncooked tomatoes. He ordered the spaghetti with meat sauce, while I -- a gnocchi lover -- went with the gnocchi alla romana. We were pleasantly surprised to find that our orders came with a salad, which was nice and fresh. The serving size is on the smaller side, which I don't mind at all when it's coming as a complement to a main dish, but I wanted to mention for folks used to big servings. I thought the house dressing was delicious. For the pasta dishes: first off, the servings are generous. Not "this is absurdly, ridiculously big for one human even with the most voracious appetite" big the way that some places get but "I could split this into two servings and be fine" big, which is what I prefer. (That being said...as you'll see, I cleaned my plate this visit!) My husband liked his spaghetti and gave it the detailed review of "it's good". Not a world changer maybe, but tasty. He took about half home. Now, let's talk about my dish. I will say that it's nothing like any gnocchi alla romana I've come across before; typically, I encounter that dish as a semolina-based gnocchi that's baked. This is the gnocchi that most people here think of as "standard" -- made with potatoes and cooked, I believe, in water. Now with that aside, this dish is absolutely delicious. The gnocchi are great; they are tender, not tough. What it's served in -- a mix of tomatoes, capers, mozzarella, and basil -- is absolute perfection. The first bite was so surprisingly delicious I think I said a curse word out loud. (OK, I know I did.) It's the perfect balance of flavors with the hearty gnocchi, fresh produce, and a slight tang from the capers. This is my favorite gnocchi dish I've had in the city and one of my favorites in general. I was full about halfway through my plate but kept going because I didn't want the flavor to stop. So yeah, absolute perfection. The bread that came with our pasta was good! I do wish the butter had been served in a dish and a little less cold rather than in the butter packets, but that's not a huge deal. I ended up getting dessert to-go; I went with the server's recommendation of a new cookie crumble banana cheesecake. When I ate it later, it was delicious! Flavorful but not super dense and heavy. Super subjective sidebar that I don't factor into this rating: I'm not personally a huge fan of the overall decor style -- and that'll obviously vary a lot from person to person! But it's definitely a lot of gray in the "modern farmhouse" inspiration. I wouldn't personally call this a "cozy" restaurant as a result. But again, people like different things! I just wouldn't go here if I really wanted the candlelit vibes some people associate with Italian restaurants in general and that I get in the mood for sometimes. And sound, at least when it's uncrowded, echos a bit here. Now, one final big positive: the price. For two soft drinks, two big servings of pasta with salads and bread, and one dessert, the total before tip was $55. I felt like we really, really got our money's worth. I saw several folks walking out with pizzas to go, so I look forward to giving one a try. But honestly, I feel like I'm going to need that gnocchi dish every time I'm nearby.

Was in the neighborhood and decided to stop in and try Ciao. Nicely decorated inside, nice bar. Was seated immediately and brought menus. I noticed they had all the ingredients to make spaghetti alla gricia and asked the server if it was possible to make. She went back to ask the chef and he said yes! Was so happy to have it again, as it's hard to find here. It wasn't very pretty so I'm not attaching a picture because I don't want that to sway anyone but it was tasty! We started with the goat cheese bruschette, which was divine. Salads were fresh and the house-made dressings were really good. My sister got the penne al'arrabbiata and that was super delicious as well. Service was attentive but not overbearing. We would definitely return.

I really wanted to like this place. I liked the ambience. I liked the server's niceness- and the full bar Martini was delicious - BUT I had to wait forever in a non busy restaurant for it. The server was too busy being nice to the 2 other tables to remember I had ordered an appetizer so our meal came first - and was barely warm. So we had to send all the meals back to be "reheated". The homemade salad dressing was not that "homemade tasting". And the spaghetti & meat sauce was pitiful. It tasted like they opened a jar of shelf sauce & crushed up a few meatballs to make it a meat sauce. My sauce was likewise not good. It tasted like spam that was fried and cut up into very very small pieces. Made me sad. Our appetizer of the bruchetta was very good WHEN it finally came out.

It was my last night on a business trip. Decided to try something different for dinner. From the outside, the restaurant didn't appear to be your average Italian restaurant. Once seated it was all about being wrapped in all of the love from Italy. Our Server, Julie, was THE BEST!!! Great service, prefect recommendations, and tons of laughs. The food was amazing and piping hot, just the way it should be. I love when I go to a restaurant and there are so many 'regulars' enjoying the restaurant as well.

We went for a quick lunch as the place is really close by. We had the cheese steak and the chicken Marsala. The severs were a little late for figure out whose table was who's but once they did all was good. She brought some bread and food came out quick. I had the Marsala it was legit flavorful lots of mushrooms and the pasta was cooked well. The cheese steak was huge and had lots of veg and meat. Very tasty and the sauce with it was good too. I will def go back and try dinner hope it continues to do well

We enjoyed our meal here. My favorite thing was actually the excellent bread and butter; I love to find good bread and butter in a restaurant. My next-favorite thing may have been the good house salad with house dressing (Caesar, I think). Both were included with our entree; I like free extras. My main, chicken Francese ($24), was pretty good too (and large! we took much of it home; it seemed even better the next day). The the New York cheesecake ($12) and white chocolate espresso Martini ($13) were pleasant. We also got a San Pellegrino blood orange soda ($6): nice, but my wife said she'd prefer her usual favorite, Sprite. The setting was pretty nice; I liked the little lamp on the table. Service could have been quicker, though it didn't bother us much since we were having fun. Our first experience in this restaurant was when we saw a sign saying pizza by the slice, so we decided to pop in and get a slice for takeout. I was expecting a prepared slice under a heat lamp like I used to get in New York City, but this was apparently made from scratch, so it took far too long to get! We didn't love the pizza either. This was a good meal and we'll probably be back. Some dishes that come recommended, for next time: scallops pancetta, gnocchi, and cookie crumble banana cheesecake.

I wonder how all the 5 star reviews. Everything about this place was average. Food was so so. Service was ok and live music was just ok. Dinner would have been more please without music. Seemed like most people in restaurant were friends as they all waved to band as they left. But let's talk average food as that's why I went. Nothing was terrible and nothing was terrific either. Would I go back. No! There are better Italian restaurants although not a lot in Jacksonville. Chicken scarpariello was nothing like I'd ever eaten. Usually pieces of chicken this was pieces of breast. Sauce average at best. Manicotti said homemade and I don't think pasta noodles were but might be. Sauce ok. Service was ok but when we only ordered dinner and no salad or drinks waitress didn't seem happy. So 5 stars? Where have people been eating if they think this was a 5 star restaurant!

Had a wonderful lunch here. The food was excellent. What was even better was my husband and daughter were able to eat safely with gluten free options. They took that very seriously. Would really recommend for someone looking for gluten free options. The service was excellent as well. Very small location but comfortable.

Arrived about 4 on a Friday. Got the last booth. Plenty of table seating. Was by myself. So many food options but I felt like pasta. Ordered penne with spicy sausage and a cup of pasta e fagioli. Came with a small salad with romaine, carrots, tomatoes and cheese. Chose a house creamy vinaigrette. Also served grilled and crusty slices of bread. Everything was delicious. The bread was just the best! Although not a large place, the atmosphere was comfortable and had a up-scale feel. Cloth napkins instead of paper. Service was stellar! They serve alcohol but I didn't check out that menu. Will certainly return to try the eggplant parm. This restaurant is at the end of a small center and parking was convenient.

In my previous review, I commented that I would update on our most recent visit to ciao Trattoria Italiana. We went this past Friday around 6pm and it was a completely different experience than our first visit on a Thursday night. They were busy, but still several open tables. We were seated as soon as we walked in. Our booth near the window seemed extra chilly. Our server seemed frantic and rushed. We placed our orders, my husband got the same dishes before, clams with red sauce over linguine. He liked it so much the first time! I chose the spaghetti carbonara for this visit. We ordered our salads with the house dressing on the side. It took some time to receive our salads, they came drenched in dressing and we never received any bread until we asked the staff person who had delivered our food to us. It took about 45 minutes from the time that we placed our order to the time that our main dishes were delivered. We were both hungry and looking forward to this! Both dishes came out hot, which was great! My husband's dish was nowhere near as good as the first night that he had it. The clams were quite sandy, and the sauce was more tomato than a good balance as it was the first time. The spaghetti carbonara was quite disappointing. I've ordered this dish multiple times at other restaurants. The Parmesan cheese had not mixed with the egg well enough to make it a creamy sauce. It was very chunky. In addition, the meal was very greasy. The guanciale was crispy as described but it was as though it had not been drained prior to adding the pasta. So much grease - I could not eat nor did I want to take the rest with me. My hubby and I wondered as to whether or not they were just too busy and the chefs were rushed. That's what it seemed like with both of our meals. Not the same care was taken as was our first visit. We will still return, but during the week when they're not so busy.

We we looking for a quiet spot last week since we had family in town. This is right around the corner from us and we were hesitant to try it because of the Comic Sans type lettering. It was almost hard to take it seriously. Honestly we were surprised at how good the food was. Didn't get the server's name, but she was the shorter brunette, she was great. Food was fast and delicious. Only suggestions: the comic sans really throws people off. Been talking to friends and neighbors and they're all hesitant to try it because of that. Also, the manager was up at the front counter scrolling through TikTok videos and hovering over tables. Thought it was weird when he could've been helping the staff out. We'd be back again

Finally I found the best pasta Amatriciana ever!!!! And it was here at Ciao Trattoria Italiana in Jacksonville, Fl! God bless this chef!!

We came here for a team building lunch with a group of about 15 people. Arrived shortly after 12:15 PM, but didn't receive our main courses until around 1:45pm. During that time, two other tables who arrived after us got their food before us. On top of the slow and disorganized service, a 23% gratuity was automatically added to the bill. Very disappointing experience, the kitchen and service staff clearly weren't prepared to handle a group of our size, and the service prioritization was frustrating.

Quality food freshly prepared! Been here many times. Service is excellent as well! Atmosphere is nice as well! They also have delicious specials

The food is very good the service was good. The ambiance is nice. They charge a take out fee for ordering a pizza?? What's up with that? They also charged my husband extra money for meat sauce which came on the spaghetti! So instead of his dish being $18 it was like $23. If they're going to charge extra they need to put it on the menu so people know! Of course there is a credit card fee as well. This restaurant is really convenient cause it's down the street from my house but there is another Italian restaurant the other way and they don't charge extra for anything! This is why I'm giving it three stars.

Quite literally the best Italian food in Jacksonville. I wish more people knew about this place! Upon walking in, you feel the cozy and welcoming atmosphere Ciao has to offer. The staff are very friendly, kind, and knowledgeable. They really try to connect with their customers, which adds to the inviting vibe. Chef/owner Tonino takes great pride in his cooking as practically everything is made from scratch. Almost everything is modifiable except for the lasagna. I like how you get a side house salad and fresh bread with butter to complement your entree. My ultimate favorite entree that I'll probably never shut up about is the scallop pancetta. It is a little pricey but 100% worth the money. It comes with 3-4 scallops that are about golf ball size, capers, pancetta, and topped off with arugula. My other favorite dishes are the chicken parm, eggplant parm, and linguini amalfi. For appetizers, I love the ciao meatball (it's huge!), calamari, and la caprese bruschetta. Their desserts are really good as well. My favorite is the almond tiramisu, this restaurant is the only one that carries it btw. They also make amazing pizza and wings too! I highly recommend this place! They have a private dining room too if you ever want to host a birthday or other special events. They also have outdoor seating which is perfect for those sunny days. Overall, 10/10 will definitely visit again!

I love the way they have decorated and brightened up the decor. I just stopped in for a takeout lunch of eggplant Parmesan sandwich. I was greeted warmly and then transferred to another person who may have been the manager. She was very nice and helpful. I really enjoyed the sandwich. It was delicious. It's so hard to find eggplant done correctly. The only thing I missed was a little bit of Italian spices. But that's OK. I would add my own next time. I'll be back.

Everything from the service to the food was excellent. Definitely our to go to Italian restaurant. 10 of 10

Visiting from out-of-state and came across this little gem. Husband had lasagna, I had Italian wedding soup and fettucini alfredo with shrimp. Everything was fresh and absolutely delicious. The wait staff were also wonderful.

First time visit as I was in Jax. Very good! Loved the eggplant parm, very few restaurants know how to make, this chef is spot on. Sauce is great, loved all of it! Must try almond tiramisu, tastes like amaretto instead of coffee!

Food is delicious and staff are wonderful. Very nice atmosphere. Seating is spacious with a small private room.

Very good pizza. The crust was slightly soggy but the taste was EXCELLENT! I didn't try other menu items but it's a lovely enticing menu. I'll definitely return to try more pizza & other menu offerings.

Great sauces on each entree. We all got different things and every item was unique and flavorful. Make sure you use the house dressing for the salad!The service was great and they had live music when we were there. New favorite Italian restaurant in Jax.

Everything I've tried is top notch. Not too expensive. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. Recommend the happy hour.

The food is absolutely incredible, I ordered the carbonara and, though it is delightful, I would suggest getting something with their wonderful red sauce. The dessert is fantastic, although it is store bought so I would recommend the Espresso. Service is great and the servers are fantastic.

Food, service, and ambiance were all excellent. They also have gluten free pasta for those who prefer or need it. We will definitely come back soon.

Great service and the pizza was amazing. Thin crust with all the toppings. They have only been open for 3 weeks. Beautiful restaurant and nice bar. Will be back next time I am in Jacksonville.

I visited this place a week ago. The setting is basic compared to menu prices. My server was polite but what really makes me rate this one star is the dirty looks and comments from the suppose owners. For one the woman who is supposedly the wife of the owner has her hair everywhere and is handling food. The chef who is also the owner I overheard saying comments about how his servers are retarded. Basically screaming at them. I expected atleast the food to be good but the pizza was undercooked with a sloppy presentation. Also took a long time to get my meal even though I was the only costumer. Won't be going back.

The food was really good but I was really underwhelmed by everything else..it seemed like I was at a diner or something.

On Monday. December 16, 2024 my wife and I had the pleasure to dine at Ciao Trattoria Italiana at 4076 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32216. A nice clean restaurant. Our server was Fernando and he was excellent. The star of this place is the chef. His name is Agostino. You can taste the passion in his dishes. Finally, we had a true Carbonara in Jacksonville! Made with Guanciale (salt-cured pig jowl), it is velvety and has a slightly sweet flavor. It cannot be confused with bacon or pancetta. This was not the typical white cream sauce with carrots, peas, bacon and "who knows what" that is common down here. We also ordered the Grouper Francese. It was the best Francese I ever had. Fresh, bright and tasty. A nice sized piece of fresh Grouper with delicious mushrooms and large artichoke hearts served over a bed of spinach. It came with a side of pasta which was cooked al dente (still firm when bitten). It was so tasty. My wife had a Ceasar salad and she said it was the best she ever had. Properly dressed with the chef's own dressing with large tasty anchovies. For dessert we shared a piece of Pistachio cake and it was great. Plenty of pistachio flavor and tasty cream in a light cake with a cherry on top. Ciao uses authentic ingredients and with Chef Agostino the results are fabulous dishes. We are looking forward to our next visit and trying different items on the menu.

Bravo! Absolutely delicious, authentic, plentiful, and everything Italian food should be! Owner's Tonino and SueLynn, Chef Agostino, and Server Jenny made my Birthday over the top special! Private room to dine in, full mood lighting, felt like a Princess! Dinner was incredible, I had the Scallops Pancetta which was heavenly, light, huge scallops and with the salt of the peas and pancetta balanced perfectly! Hubby had the traditional Spaghetti and Meatballs which were huge and juicy. All seasoning was spot on, the crusty bread just a perfect compliment! Dessert was the Cannoli (real sheep cheese) and an Almond Tiramisu. Yes Almond! Scratch made instant addiction. A beautiful new restaurant on the Southside by St Vincent's, they have been open a month and we have been there 3 times! The pizza is a must have! We have had the Margherita, sublime, and Sausage/Mushroom. You can really taste to fresh tomatoes, good Olive Oil. So authentic and a must try!

literally the worse pizza i've ever had. true it was a take out order from online ( which apparently their website doesn't allow foods from different categories to be ordered, thus made together). so the two pizzas ordered were beyond mushy n covered in oil. cesar salad was pink leaf n small in size. n wings were ok but for a review n supposedly 4.5 star rating. nope. garbage. total garbage

went to lunch with 2 companions. we were the only guests in the restaurant. 2 of our meals came out and the third took an additional 15 minutes. when it arrived it was not what was ordered. th server said that when his manager arrived from break the cost would removed. because of the wait my friend said she would eat it. when she bit in she encountered something hard. it was a 1 inch long metal screw!! showed it to the server and again was told the manager would be in from break soon. when she finally got there she was rude and confrontational. when she was shown the sauce covered screw her reply was "that's not one of ours". I said I didn't see metal screws on the menu. the insinuation was that we planted the screw? trying to resolve the issue my friend was told that if we didn't leave in 10 minutes she would call the police. on 3 senior citizens. As I left she told me to have the day I deserved. a metal screw could be a potentially life threatening situation and there was no apology. only anger. If you want to eat safely don't go!

First visit, comfortable neighborhood trattoria, welcoming and engaging staff, app calamari was lighted breaded, so fresh and big portion. My wife praised the eggplant parm, again fresh, perfectly prepared, my penne arribiata was al Dente, just enough heat. The owner Tonino introduced himself and made sure we were happy and pleased. Dennis, our waiter was very professional. Good food, good service and good wine selection. Thanks Tonino

Took out a Chicken Parmigiana sub and salad. I am originally from New York and know Italian food. Best I have found in Jacksonville hands down

I had been here before with really poor service, but that had improved when we returned last night. The service was cordial, quick and overall good. However, my problem this time was the restaurant practices. When we got our bill, we realized that we had been charged more than the prices on the menu. When we inquired the server checked, and said the reason was that there was an up charge for using a credit card, When we asked to see a menu we discovered that on the bottom of the menu in VERY SMALL PRINT they was a statement saying the menu prices were subject to change and that the prices listed were cash prices. Although I understand that technically they disclosed the practice, I find it highly unusual and not acceptable. If you need to charge a surcharge for a credit card fee, I think that it should be a separate line item before the tax line so that you don't have to choose to tip based on the inflated prices. I think that this practice alters my decision about returning to this establishment.

Ciao Trattoria Italiana is a lovely place to dine. When the chef learned that I will be traveling to Italy soon, he came over to say hello and share his love of Italy. He was very friendly and the dining experience did nit disappoint.