Cibo Matto Caffe — Restaurant in Mansfield

We went for the first time this past weekend with high hopes. We liked the atmosphere although we were packed in pretty tight by the bar and it was loud. The server was very attentive and friendly however our food took SO long to come out and we think she may have forgotten to put our order in. A couple sat at the bar about a half hour after us and their food came before ours. Another couple sat at the high top next to us about 45 minutes after we sat down and their food was on the table within 2 minutes of ours. After the meal a hostess came to our table to apologize for how long it took for the food to come out. I dont think that she would have even known this unless the waitress had spoken to her about forgetting to put our order in possibly... The bread and oil was delicious but cannot believe that they charge for bread, never herd of this before. They have a quite extensive wine list which was great however we ordered a $68 bottle of wine and they brought out a $48 bottle by the same winery. I checked the vintage and it was the wrong bottle. The server checked on the more expensive vintage but they were out of it so we agreed to keep the bottle. I regret not checking the bill to see if they charged us for the more expensive wine but that was my fault. The meals that we got had a good portion size but the sauce was very bland, the chicken was tough and the pasta tasted like a store brand out of a box. It was a very underwhelming and disappointing meal for the expensive prices. Overall we really wanted to love this place but we left...

Cibo Matto Caffe is a casual Italian eatery in Mansfield, MA, with medium-sized facilities that can accommodate family gatherings and they have easy, free parking.

The raw oysters were sourced from Duxbury, MA (60-90 minutes outside of Boston) and were a refreshing and light start for the meal.

The appetizer with six medium-sized scallops were seared with a nice brown crust and crispy prosciutto bits that deepened the flavor. The scallops were served on a smear of sweet potato puree.

The herbed half chicken was rich and moist with gravy, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. We requested fresh sliced jalapeños, which added a great heat and freshness to the dish.

The shrimp flatbread was topped with juicy shrimp, chopped Roma tomatoes, mozzarella, garlic, and basil. The crust was slightly dry around the edges and the flavor profile varied a decent amount between bites.

The pistachio cake was a mix of lady fingers and a light pistachio cream peppered with maraschino cherries. The cherries provided a burst of tartness and moisture that added variety to the bites.

The Cannolis had a firm shell and a creamy filling. A touch more flavor complexity would elevate them.

When seated outside during the evening, there were many heaters to keep the party warm in the cozy, enclosed patio. It was a bit warm for me, so I would sit inside for subsequent dinner visits.

Special thanks to our server, Nikki, who shared her recommendations and insights on the food and drink menus. Appreciate her...

A Feast Worthy of the Gods, No Toga Required!

Oh, Cibo Matto! Where do I start? Stepping into this place is like teleporting straight to a bustling street in Rome—minus the pigeons and street artists trying to sketch your portrait. First off, the ambiance is "Italiano autentico." You half expect a Nonna to pop out from the kitchen, wooden spoon in hand, scolding the chefs for not adding enough love to the sauce.

Let's talk about the food. The pasta! I swear the tagliatelle must have been kneaded by cherubs—so light and heavenly. And the sauce? It's like they wrangled every tomato in Italy, gave them a pep talk, and turned them into the MVPs of the dish. The pizzas are a crisp, bubbly delight—a culinary high-five to your taste buds.

The staff? Imagine your best friend, who just happens to know everything about Italian cuisine and insists you must try the house wine. Spoiler alert: the wine is fantastic. I half expected the waiter to join us for dinner, he was that engaging.

We even got a surprise serenade from what I can only assume was the entire kitchen staff, belting out "Volare" as if the next stop was the Italian version of 'The Voice.' It was either that or the wine was really kicking in.

In conclusion, if you haven't been to Cibo Matto, are you even living? This place doesn't just serve food; they dish out an experience wrapped in a bow of hilarity, hospitality, and a touch of Italian opera. Five stars? How about five hearty laughs and a promise to return. Bravo, Cibo...