Ciao Bello Restaurants — Restaurant in Cranford

I want to share my "not so great" experience at Ciao Bello in Cranford last night. We arrived at 6:00 & were told we would have a very long wait due to people with reservations for 7:00. First of all, that was not for another hour and one would think a restaurant would leave a FEW tables open for people who didn't have reservations. We were then told there was a two-person table but that it was sort of "crammed in". That was putting it mildly; there was literally a 1/2" between that table and the surrounding tables!! So when we looked at them like they were crazy they said they would move the table out for us, which they did... practically in the isle! We were hungry so we decided to make the best of it even though we felt like we were "on display". (Way too many tables in a restaurant that size). While we were waiting for our meal, other patrons arrived & instead of waiting in the designated area they were crammed into the restaurant practically on top of us, making us feel very uncomfortable. The Hostess should have politely told them to move to the waiting area, despite us mentioning it twice. Next, the meal. The bread, although soft on the inside had a crust that would break your teeth. Our meals, although very tasty were a little over cooked. We were told that because of our inconvenience they would give us a discount on our meals but when the check came we were told that our deserts were on them. We weren't going to have dessert and it was not what we were originally told but we figured we would take it. When we looked at our bill they had only given us ONE free dessert. We didn't say anything and got our desserts to go. When we got home, well let's just say, we were very surprised. We had gotten a piece of carrot cake which was literally a "sliver" of a piece, certainly not worth $8 & a piece of cheesecake which was a small square, as if they cut the front piece off and just gave us the back end. I was very surprised at the whole evening due to the fact that the two other times I had been there it was not like this. Sorry Ciao Bello but last night's experience only gives you...

So you guys close at 10 o'clock but turned away my girl and I for a 2 person reservation for 8:30 because you need to "clean". Prime example of why you shouldn't have teenagers working in what's otherwise shown as a nice restaurant.

The one star is simply because you serve food during the pandemic. I don't know how you expect to stay open during said pandemic when you turn away customers 2 hours before closing.

Unfortunate, a disgrace to the service industry.

Update

Revisited this place with my girlfriend after Benny reached out to me on Instagram. We returned during the busy mother's day weekend and while I didn't get the chance to see Benny due to how busy it was. We were served some incredible food with some nice service to match!

I've since updated my review to 4 stars as Benny sincerely apologized to me on behalf of his restaurant and staff. He's a guy who really cares about his business and puts that care into the quality of his food. While it is unfortunate that all of these places may have a bad apple here and there, I gotta give credit where it's due. Message me to come back and then bring me out some delicious food? You're obviously serious and deserve the second chance!

I went from someone who wouldn't bother wasting my time here ever again to someone who wouldn't mind coming back and that's how you take care of business.

Thank you Benny and to those in the Kitchen at Ciao Bello!

Oh and I ordered the Flounder Francese. When I tell you it's like butter, god bless that's all...

I NEVER write reviews but in this case I must! I wish I could give 0 stars!

Ordered take out- Food was cold (I live less than a mile from the restaurant) Received a call that the desserts I ordered online were unavailable. Order was already placed so I was forced to pick between dessert choices I didn't care for. I requested strawberries onside as it came with the initial dessert and was told over the phone I would have it with my order, I did not.

"Crab cakes" were 70% filling, french fries were soggy, mozzarella sticks soggy and grossly oily, chicken strips over cooked.

I called to have the issues corrected and was told they were "too busy" to deal with my order. Then to add insult to injury suggested that I pay for the items to be delivered that should've come complimentary that was already discussed (the initial dessert requested came with strawberries I asked to still have the strawberries with the substitute dessert and alfredo sauce in place of marinara for another order) Granted it's mother's day however, I'm still a paying customer like everyone else and was treated with rude, condescending, horrible customer service. As a former hospitality industry employee- this is simply unacceptable.

I've ordered from this restaurant once before and received burnt pizza and didn't complain as I'm relatively easygoing... I picked off the burnt areas and ate the pizza without complaints.

So disappointed. Will never order from them again!

There are better...