Cibo Ristorante — Restaurant in Columbia City

I ate dinner at CIBO for the first time after hearing so many good things about this new Italian restaurant in town. I was not disappointed! When I first parked in front of the restaurant, I thought it was closed because it looked dark inside. I wasn’t sure they were actually open until I opened the door. Perhaps an “OPEN” sign on the door would eliminate that confusion for customers. Although it is small with only 11 tables and counter seating, it is very cozy and welcoming. The restaurant is spotless and if you choose to sit at the counter, you can actually watch your meal being cooked! The menu is quite extensive, and I was anxious to try many of the tempting dishes. A basket of warm, sliced bread with a dish of a peppery spiced olive oil is brought to the table after ordering. I started with the fried calamari, which was served with a delicious marinara dipping sauce. The calamari was lightly breaded and very tender. Then I ordered the casa side salad with the homemade casa dressing. I do wish it had been a chopped salad with romaine lettuce for easier eating and not having to cut the lettuce and red onion slices. For my entree, I got the Linguine Frutti De Mare. It had 3 jumbo tender shrimp, 5 black mussels and 5 medium neck clams with the linguine in a very flavorful sauce. I was too full to try any dessert. When I came into the restaurant, they were cutting a large pan of fresh lasagna. It looked so delicious that I ordered a serving to go for tomorrow. Now I wish that I would have also ordered a dessert to go. Next time I will try the mussels and one of the Marsala dishes. However, I wish angel hair pasta was an option instead of the vegetables with it to mix with the sauce. Maybe it is an option to ask for. The service was excellent too. A couple of suggestions I would have for even better ambience would be to use real napkins for dinner meals and add some kind of candle to the tables at dinner time. A Chianti bottle in a wicker base with a large candle with dripped wax down the side would be nice. A carryout and catering menu for family or party size menu would also be a welcome addition to Columbia City. Lastly, dressing up the exterior of the restaurant storefront would certainly increase the curb appeal of the restaurant. I will definitely be back very soon. Next time I’ll bring my husband. P.S. I just ate my carryout lasagna. It was second to none with lots of meat...

I've been twice now, and will be returning a third time shortly.

First time was dinner on their first Saturday night, so a pressure test to be sure. Service was friendly if slow, but there was no communication when they were out of Red sauce for our Red sauce dishes. They also did not give us the pasta side we had ordered and it was cold to boot. So why did I go back? Well the cold pastas was delicious and the chicken parm that barely had any sauce on it was cooked perfectly and was fantastic.

My second time I tried the chicken parm again this time as a sub. I asked if they had marinara and they did - I'm glad I took the chance. The chicken was terrific. The bread should have been toasted but it was still wonderful. I also had an order of Fettucine A La Vodka. An interesting choice of pasta but it worked. I had to add some parmesan and crushed red pepper to liven the dish up a bit and once I did it was probably the best in the Fort Wayne area. The chicken was easily the best in the region. Oh, and the Shrimp Scampi appetizer was one of the best I'd ever had. Sure, it too could have used a little heat - maybe some calabrian peppers or something but despite that it was amazing, I had to ask for more bread to sop up the sauce - a little SCARPETTA (IYKYK).

The atmosphere was ok - I understand it's a small location though and look forward to it improving as it gets...

Five Stars! Pure Magic in Columbia City!

Okay, I had to write this. Cibo Ristorante is a gem. Seriously. You walk in, and it's cozy – think intimate, not cramped. Wes D. has turned that little spot (yes, the old Nook!) into something truly special. The food? Forget about it. Authentic Italian that rivals anything I've had. I’ve even followed Wes to Naples, Florida, where he was the chef at a restaurant, just to experience his incredible cuisine. And let me tell you, I've had the privilege of having him cook meals in a private setting for my family – an unforgettable experience! And that bread? House-made, with the perfect herb oil... chef's kiss. But it's more than just the food. Wes himself makes the rounds, chatting with everyone. The staff? Feels like you've known them forever. Even sitting at the bar for lunch, you're guaranteed great conversation and a fantastic view of Van Buren. It's like a community hub, not just a restaurant. I've followed Wes to a few places, and he's always a culinary wizard. Now, he's finally got his own spot, and it's a must-try. Honestly, someone in Chicago needs to write a feature on this place for the Chicago Tribune. People from Indy, Chicago, everywhere – you're missing out if you don't experience Cibo Ristorante. Wes D. should have his own show, he’s that good. Trust me, make the trip! #ciboitaliano #AuthenticItalian...