We started with one of Ciao Bella’s appetizer specials – seared scallops with blood oranges.
Both scallops and blood oranges are on my shortlist of favorite foods, and these were excellent. They came dressed with a tangy, fruity sauce that complimented both. I’m pretty sure this isn’t on the regular menu, but it should be.
Speaking of the regular menu, it’s pretty impressive. There are pizzas, pastas, Italian-inspired entrees and plenty of seafood. I couldn’t decide between the pasta and seafood, so I went with the lobster ravioli ($18).
The orange and white striped pasta was much spicier than I thought it would be. I think part of the spice came from the roasted red pepper cream sauce, but the pasta definitely had some flavor on its own.The raviolis were stuffed with chunks of lobster. It wasn’t some lobster mash, either – there were big, visble hunks of meat.
Atmospherically, Ciao Bella is cozy and intimate in a way that makes you forget that you’re in a strip mall. The lights are dim, and when I was there for week day dinner, there were plenty of couples on dates. It’s casual enough for a regular dinner but special enough for an important dinner.
The restaurant is a also larger than it seems from the outside. There’s plenty of seating in the dining room, bar and on the twinkle-lit patio.
Ciao Bella is open Monday – Thursday from 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. They’ve got a full bar and wine list, and they take cash and credit cards.
Go there:
Ciao Bella
565 Erin Dr
Memphis, Tennessee 38117
(901) 205-2500
