Zio Cecio — Restaurant in Dallas

——- Critics Review ——— GO! GO! GO! Yes, it’s that good! I’m going back tomorrow night for another dish - and I have never ever done that!!!

NOTE: If you are unfamiliar with fine dining cuisine - this is not for you. Go to Olive Garden. I’ve read the negative reviews. Pointless & petty.

Ok, I knew it was very popular and a local secret (HP, I’m plugged in), but I had no idea what I was getting into.

So it’s after work and all I know is it’s good Italian food and I have a gift card to spend. Valet parking, cool - but I’m exhausted, so it’s going to be To-Go for me. I sit at the bar, look at the menu and I’m not seeing any of the traditional Italian meals. No spaghetti meatballs, chicken parmesan, etc…

But as I read on, I’m seeing incredible dishes I’ve never seen on an Italian menu! WHAT IS THIS PLACE?!? So cool!

Then I see the lamb chops and 16oz ribeye. Ok, I’m staying! Forget To-Go!!!

Here was my meal:

CALAMARI FRITTI: Chickpea flour dusted domestic calamari lightly fried in vegetable oil.

Nice for what it was, but I’ve had better. The calamari was nice size but borderline overcooked. Not rubber yet, but past the delicate state. Coating was ok, not much seasoning and really had minimal crunch - no crispness. Marinara sauce was spot on and a good paring. Score: Calamari: 7 out of 10 Marinara Sauce: 8.5 out of 10

SCOTTADITA DEL LIMBARA: Tenderized lamb chops with thyme crust and red Cannonau wine reduction.

Ok… as I took my first bite, I had an uncontrollable outburst saying “WOW!” out loud. That has never happened to me - ever! I ate every bite and used my knife to get more of the crazy delicious reduction on each bite. Yes, licking the plate crossed my mind! Yes it’s that good - hands down the best lamb chops I’ve ever had.

You get 3 chops, single cut, 2-1/2 inch wide medallions, 1/2 inch thick. Perfectly cooked med-rare and delicious beyond belief. (It would have been nice if they were double cut, but I’m not sure if the protein to sauce ratio would be thrown off. I’m undecided - but I’ll be back for more!!) Score: Chops: 10 out of 10 Cook: 10 out of 10 Reduction: 12 out of 10 (seriously that unique and crazy delicious!)

Wine: I tried 3 and choose the Boudreaux - which is right bank and what I prefer. Perfect. Score: 9.5 out of 10

Service: 10 out of 10 (blue chip!)

Atmosphere: Charming and layed out so you feel more European relaxed than American “tables touching crowded”. Score: 10 out of 10

My Dad always said the best restaurants ever are ones where the owner is there every night running the shop and VIPing guests. Francesco was all over the place with guests and staff making sure everyone had an ultimate experience. It was my first time there. I’m in jeans and work shirt with company logo - but remember I was planning on To-Go!! (I’ll never wear jeans there again. Too nice of a place!)

Overall Score: 10 out of 10 Although I’m very picky, I will happily become a frequent customer and bring everyone I know. It’s that good, that fun, and overall - great!

Hope to see you there too!!!

And Tomorrow…. COSTATA AL MATTONE: 16oz aged rib eye steak marinated and roasted in a...

Herd a lot about this place. Had to try it. Very disappointed. The service was Terrible. Born and raised in CT in a traditional Italian family both my grand parent are off the boat. I know good Italian food. This was not. Got there at 8:15 this past saturday night and the place was half full. We were very friendly and patient took them 15 minutes to seat me and my date. There was no one else waiting to be seated the whole time we waited. The host was to busy joking around with other staff to seat us. When we did get sat our server took 10 minutes to greet us and another 8 to return with water. Then another 10 before he came back and to take our orders. I timed all of this with my phone btw. We got the mussels for an app took 13 minutes was watery and bland all you could taste was the herb they used in it. I have had better mussels at bone fish grill. Our dinner took 20 minutes after we recited our app. My date got the seafood ravioli which was OK. I got the carbonara which was watery and bland as well it should be thick and creamy. The whole time the table next to us must have been a friend of the owner seeing how he got sat well after us and served 4 courses before we got our entree. All the wait staff visted his table including our waiter laughing and joking with him but only saying a few words here and there to us. Not acknowledging the long wait for our food and drink or anything at all. He was short with use and rude. I wanted to leave so many times but did not want to embraes my date. We got there at 815 didn't get out till 10 and we left with out dessert. 70$ for 2 hours wasted two entrees an app and a glass of wine. Definitely got cheated. Thank god I didn't bring my...

Worst experience ever. Arrived at 755 for an 8pm reservation, two men were working the host stand and were quite rude at check in. In a rude tone one man pointed at the bar and said wait over there, which we were happy to do as this is typically the norm as tables are prepped. After approx. 30 mins of waiting, we approached one of the men and asked for an update and very rudely told with his hands in the air- "WHAT- WE CANT CONTROL HOW BUSY WE ARE"- dumfounded we made our way back to the bar all trying to figure out if that really had just happened. Meanwhile there were still 3 tables open in the restaurant. After another 15 mins of waiting, we decide to close our bar ticket and I approached the second man who I had not had interaction with to explain we would be leaving and the reasons: - 1- his counter part was extremely abrasive and rude, 2- we were now 45 mins. after our reservation time with no real explanation or apology.... come to find out the abrasive jerk was the OWNER. Not sure how a business owner like this expects his business to survive. I've since learned his last restaurant downtown closed and this is his new attempt------ explains why the last restaurant...