Wendyeats.com Reviews Carmela's Caffe

wendyeats.com
July 20, 2011
Carmela's Caffe

I’m always on the search for a delicious, freshly prepared, quick lunch spot. Now I can add Carmela’s Caffe to my list of go to places. Open for lunch Monday-Saturday 11am-2pm, Carmela’s Caffe serves pizzas, various hot and cold sandwiches, and salads all for under $10.  On this occasion I had one of the daily specials – tuna sandwich, seared tuna with fresh spinach, red onion, tomato, and mozzarella. 

Really what is there to say about this sandwich? Does the picture not tell it all?! Everything about this sandwich said FRESH! The tuna itself was excellent and combined with the veggies and cheese it was sublime. It came with just made potato chips which were delicious. You can sub pasta salad, and I think I will next time simply because I do like pasta salad and I haven’t found an amazing one yet. 

As if the sandwich and chips weren’t enough I was persuaded to try a few of the fresh baked cookies.  So for dessert (I’m so failing at my diet.) I had lemon white chocolate, chocolate chip, and royal with a carton of milk.*

Now you should know that I love lemon, and this cookie was incredible! I was instantly hit with the lemon smell and taste. I would have been more than satisfied with just a lemon cookie but the addition of the white chocolate chips really took this cookie over the top!  The chocolate chip cookie was exactly what a chocolate chip cookie should be – soft and chewy and chock-full of chocolate chips.  As for the royal cookie, it was a chocolate-y chunky amalgamation of chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, and shredded coconut.

Stop by Carmela’s for a quick lunch or just pop in for a sweet treat. Whatever you do, make sure to check it out. You won’t be disappointed!

*Carmela’s serves Horizon organic milk! I’m totally in love with this place!

Welcome Chef Jonathan Steenerson

We are pleased to welcome our new chef and former original chef Jonathan Steenerson to the Ciao Bella/Carmela's family. Jonathan has dedicated his life to introducing patrons to glorious new experiences through his signature dishes.

“I am excited about our opportunities of using local sources such as Project Green Fork, Gluton Free Socierty of Tennessee and the Memphis Restaurant Association as partners as well as incorporating the herbs that we grow at the restaurant into our menu to provide our guests with a meal reminiscent of grandma’s kitchen,” says Jonathan Steenerson. His passion for creative cooking and a “simple and fresh approach” has been cultivated over a robust tenure in the business of fine dining. At just 32, Jonathan can boast 18 solid years of culinary experience.

At the age of 14, and after much encouragement from family members, Jonathan began his professional career at Shelby Place Catering. From there, the reputation of the eateries and Jonathan’s role within them became increasingly more notable including stints at Ronnie Grisanti's, Folks Folly, and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and as the Chef de cuisine at Harrah’s Casino flagship restaurant ‘37. Jonathan continued his upward trajectory through the kitchen ranks at such prestigious local establishments as Erling Jenson's and Automatic Slims.

Prior to rejoining the Ciao Bella family, Jonathan expanded his professional reputation in his role as Culinary Partner/ Executive Chef at P.F. Chang’s in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he oversaw and actively motivated a staff of 200 in addition to spearheading the grand openings of 26 additional locations as one of only eight nationally certified chefs. Perhaps the most distinguished of these projects was the reopening and reestablishment of P.F. Chang’s New Orleans operation, post-Katrina.

Wendyeats.com Reviews Ciao Bella

Wendyeats.com
July 18, 2011
Ciao Bella Italian Grill

If you’re on the search for your next amazing meal, then Ciao Bella is where you need to go! Located on Erin Drive this casual Italian and Greek restaurant serves an array of traditional and innovative fare in an intimate yet inviting atmosphere.  Upon entering Ciao Bella I was instantly greeted by inviting aromas which coupled with the dim lighting and light chatter from other diners immediately made me feel welcomed. 

To start I had the Greek Village Salad, a colorful array of cucumbers, kalamata olives, red onions, diced tomatoes, and feta cheese tossed with oregano and oil and vinegar.  As you know I am a recent cucumber convert and I am so glad that I am because the cucumbers were absolutely necessary to overall taste. This salad was crisp, fresh, and flavorful.

Next I sampled the oysters and the Mussels Saganaki (this item I absolutely had to try!). The oysters had a slightly smoky flavor which I liked and I’m not even a big fan of oysters.  The mussels were perfectly prepared.  The broth got a kick from red peppers, and the feta made this great dish amazing.  I do love mussels, and I always crave a red sauce. So as you can imagine I absolutely loved this appetizer.  Even as I was enjoying the mussels I was already looking forward to my next dinner at Ciao Bella so I could have them again. Yes! That’s how delicious they were. Ciao Bella also serves mussels in the traditional white wine sauce as well as marinara.  I’m sure you can’t go wrong with those either.

For entrees I began with the fish of the day – trout with red pepper risotto – and spanakopita.  The trout was tender and lightly yet nicely seasoned.  The spanakopita was unbelievable! Neither the spinach nor the feta was overwhelming rather they were exactly balanced. I could definitely come back and just have the spanakopita and be satisfied.
I then tried the rigatoni with portabello mushrooms and pesto topped with slivered toasted almonds. This dish was a mix of tastes and textures, and I loved how they all complemented each other.  The slightly sweet undertones of the pesto balanced the earthiness of the portabellos.  The toasted almonds added a welcomed crispness to the dish.

To round out the entrees I had the crab and crawfish cakes, a hearty mix of crab meat and crawfish with only enough veggies to give flavor.    You have to appreciate when the item that arrives is exactly what the name implies.

Finally dessert - tiramisu and marscapone gelato.  I’ve never really liked tiramisu. I think it’s because of the texture. Who knows? But I do know Ciao Bella’s tiramisu is a wonderful mix of cocoa and coffee. As for the gelato, it was surprisingly subtle.  It was not too sweet or rich but rather satisfyingly sweet.  It was so light that I didn’t even feel guilty about indulging in it.

Ciao Bella has so many amazing dishes making it difficult to narrow down your choices. But rest assured that whatever you decide whether it’s one of the tasty items I tried or one of their pastas, pizzas, or other dishes it will be beyond delicious. Make plans to have dinner one night this week at Ciao Bella.

Greek Village Salad $7.5

Mussels Saganaki $12

Spanakopita $5

 

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Vote For Ciao Bella in Memphis Flyer Best of Memphis Readers' Poll

The Memphis Flyer has opened polls on its Memphis Reader's Poll 2011 Best of Memphis. Please click the link below and vote for Ciao Bella Best Italian Restaurant and Best Pizza. Also, please write-in Ciao Bella in other categories as Best Restaurant, Best Chef Jonathan Steenerson, Best Bar and Best Mediterranean. Thank you for your support!!

Memphisflyer.com

Memphis Most's 2010 Best Italian Restaurant: Ciao Bella Memphis

Thank you all for your support in voting Ciao Bella Italian Grill as 2010 Best Italian Restaurant in the Commercial Appeal's Memphis Most Poll. We have enjoyed serving you over the last year and would like to wish good luck to the nominees for the 2011 Poll.

Voting has closed, but visit the Commercial Appeal's Memphis Most site on August 21, 2011 to find out results.

Summer Happy Hour Specials Announced

Hello Memphis! We hope that you are enjoying your summer so far, we sure are! We have updated our bar happy hour for the season. The Ciao Bella bar is open for happy hour 4-7PM Sunday through Thursday with a 1/2 price menu on food and drinks and weekly specials. We hope to see you this and every week!!

Sunday: Bloody Marys $5 and Mimosas $5
Martini Monday: Flavored Martinis $6 and Well Martinis $5
Triple Tuesday: Choice of Italian Specialty Drink, Margaritas or Mojitos $6
Wine Down Wednesday: 1/2 price select bottles of wine
Thirsty Thursday: $2.50 pints

 

Image Copyright Paige Miller Photography*