Simple hearty Italian food in an informal environment is what makes Ciao a good choice for those who want something different from the usual Italian-style chain restaurants.

The Venue
With lots of competition on restaurant-crammed Old Christchurch Road, Ciao offers locals Italian food in a stylish and sleek venue. Black windowpanes, deep red and cream walls and a few modern mirrors and art pieces create a polished appearance.

A single candle on each table is a nice touch, adding some warmth to the place, and the dark tones within the restaurant create a sophisticated evening mood.

The People
During the working week, Ciao tends to be quiet, so it’s ideal for an intimate meal in a peaceful atmosphere. However, on Fridays and weekends the place can get packed with groups looking for a fun night out with some decent food.

Customers are youthful, with a mix of students, families and workers, creating a lively atmosphere without any stuffiness. Staff are friendly and attentive which is quite a feat when large groups descend on the place.

The Food
The menu has a good variety of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes with the addition of the usual favourites of pasta and pizza. The restaurant daily specials consist of mussels with a choice of six sauces that can be eaten as a starter for £6.50 or a main for £12.95, and also gnocchi which has a choice of two sauces for £8.35.

The starters offer plenty of hot and cold possibilities and come in at around £3 to £5. The aubergine bite is well presented with neat layers of aubergine tomato and mozzarella on ciabatta with pesto dressing. Unfortunately the main component of the dish, the aubergine, is quite tough and slightly too acidic so its natural flavour doesn’t come through. The sweet fresh tomato and creamy mozzarella are good though, and the freshness of the basil pesto adds a lovely peppery taste.

For mains, the spaghetti polpette for £8.55 is value for money as the portion is rather large. The spaghetti is cooked al dente and the soft meatballs have a delicious fine consistency making the texture delicate, but the flavour is still meaty. The tomato sauce is not too sweet and has a warm kick of green chillies which livens up the dish.

For dessert, the classic Italian tiramisu is a good bet, and the balance of creamy mascarpone, heady alcohol and bittersweet coffee is done well.

The Drink
The beers available are the Italian classic and increasingly popular Nastro Azzuro and the more commonly found Stella Artois, for £3.50 a bottle. The house wine is £14.20 a bottle while there are also a few reds and whites to suit the Italian flavours such as the Valpolicella for £15.95 that has a robust rich flavour.

The Last Word
A good Italian restaurant that has a changeable atmosphere, but offers a decent selection of food to keep most Bournemouth foodies happy.

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