Cafe Cibo — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

I've been going to Cafe Cibo for 25 years and have always enjoyed it until a few months ago when the manager (forget her name) who's been there for 14 years was totally disrespectful to me in her attitude and treatment. She's the one who never smiles and acts like she hates being there. After that last treatment, I refused to have her wait on me.

Tonight after a long day from back breaking hurricane cleanup work, my neighbor asked if he could take me out to thank me for help I've given him as we both have worked for a week cleaning out our flooded homes. I suggested Cafe Cibo because I've always loved the food and other waiters like Fernando have more than made up for the manager's sour attitude.

That manager ended up being our waitress and my friend was so offended by her treatment that when it came time to leaving a tip he, always a 25% tipper, left only 10%. She never once looked us in the eye and acted like it was a chore waiting on us. He noticed it himself and was very put off.

On the way out the manager stopped me to let me know in front of my friend and also other patrons that I was not welcome back to the restaurant because the last time I was there I only left the waiter Fernando a $0.90 tip. I was incredulous as I'm a consistent 20%+ tipper. So I flagged Fernando down to ask him if that was true and he said "yes". I felt incredibly bad and gave him $20.00 right away. Whatever I had on my mind the last time I was there that I could make a mistake like that, I've no idea. I always round up my tips to 20%+ whatever evens the total bottom line to a $.00 number. For 25 years I've been doing that. I've never been accused of treating a waiter poorly or of not tipping enough. I was completely shocked by the manager's behavior. After 25 years, does anyone actually think I would leave a $.90 tip? Seriously? And why didn't the manager bring that up BEFORE subjecting my completely innocent neighbor to totally disrespectful behavior because of her beef with me?

To Fernando, I can only imagine that I added the last two digits of the column without putting in the 20% and for that I am so sorry and hope my tip tonight upon realizing that made up for my mistake.

The manager said I am no longer welcome. No need. I'm so disgusted by this treatment I have no interest in returning. Apparently, according to her, the owner Frank who I also know and have the utmost respect for gave her the A-okay to ban me for what was a completely innocent one-time mistake.

Shame on Frank and this pathetic manager who has proven to me once again the customer means nothing to her.

The food at Cafe Cibo is wonderful. All other service providers are fantastic. But beware the sour waitress/manager who rarely smiles and has a real chip on her shoulder. Ugh...better places to go with happier servers that appreciate your hard earned money for a relaxing night out.

Very...

This was our first time ordering from Cafe Cibo and we were excited about the selection on the menu. Due to work constraints we had to order to go, so there was no opportunity for the restaurant to plate in style. We are judging from just the quality and quantity of the food.

Although we didn't dine in and experience the service, the "to go" service left much to be desired. We were greeted with the "joke" that they kitchen had "messed up" the order. Having never eaten there, we didn't realize this was in jest and stared confused as the waitress laughed. The "to go" boxes weren't marked, they didn't bother to review the order with us or show us the contents. We work minutes away, so the food was hot when opened.

We ordered an appetizer, Cozze con Rosso o Bianco, mussels sautéed in white wine, garlic & olive oil. We received a dozen over cooked, rubbery mussels with scant sauce and no bread which were simply inedible and ended up in the trash along with the $10.95 they cost.

On to the entrees...

The Chicken Marsala, sautéed in a marsala wine sauce and fresh mushrooms. The flaccid soggy meat sat in a thin (and clear!?!) Marsala sauce which tasted and looked completely irregular, unlike Marsala wine at all. This was served with pasta and marinara which totally clashed with the entree. Also ended up uneaten and in the trash, with the $10.95 it cost.

The baked Chicken and Spinach Cannelloni, pasta tubes filled w/ chicken, spinach, ricotta and mozzarella cheese, proved edible, if very bland. The tiny portion floated in a dull white sauce, you couldn't taste the chicken or the spinach over the cheese, and came with no sides. It was consumed, but not worth the $13.95.

We also ordered a small order of Cibo's Primavera, broccoli, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes in a goat cheese cream sauce and tossed w/ penne pasta. This proved to be a decent size serving and very tasty. It was a pleasant reprieve from what was proving to be a disastrous meal, $11.95.

We might go back for the primavera again, but otherwise, we suggest you avoid this moderate to expensive...

I have eaten at Cafe Cibo twice recently, for my first and second time. The first time there l found it on a recommendation for someone wanting a good meat sauce. I went looking for the same and the friendly server recommended the crab stuffed salmon where l love salmon. I was set to go full out Italian but the temptation changed my mind. When l got it l was very happy l did. Crab stuffing which was mostly big chunks of crab was piled on top of the moist salmon. It was very tasty and more filling than you would think. It also had a sautéed spinach with it which was flavored nicely. They make their own bread and dipping sauce with it also. I had their Italian soup which was very good also. The second time l went there again l was thinking straight on Italian, but they had a special which the same nice server pointed out again which was seafood risotto. It was risotto with a thicker not watery cheese sauce mixed with shrimp, scallops and mushrooms. I don't like Alfredo sauces but this was different and had a great flavor to it. It enjoyed it tremendously and was happy l went two for two in my choices. Cafe Cibo is somewhat hidden away off 4th Street North on the way to Tampa. It is well attended whether inside the restaurant or through take out. It reminds me of a place that locals know about and frequent. It is very casual and comfortable. The staff is friendly and they work together to keep the operation fluid. I even saw who l found out was the owner walking around and asked me how my meal was. Typically for me that is the sign of a good restaurant because they take accountability and are with the people to find out how the dining is directly. I will keep going back and maybe sometime l will have an Italian dish at this ltalian...