FOODIE

That’s Amore At Commack’s Ciao Baby
By Luann Dallojacono/ foodie@longislandernews.com

Frank Sinatra did it his way, and Ciao Baby in Commack does it your way.

Located on Jericho Turnpike in Commack, Ciao Baby takes patrons back to a time when dinner came with live entertainment and lounges and big bands ruled the day. Frank, Dean, Sammy and other Rat Pack characters’ faces smile down at you from every corner from photos, portraits and stills adorning the colorful walls of vibrant blue. As we sat in our half-moon booth watching “Robin and the Seven Hoods” and listening to a Rat Pack classic soundtrack, we half expected the legends to waltz away from the stylish bar at the front of the restaurant and join us.

The festive ambiance isn’t the only thing Ciao Baby has going for it. They say they will make you anything you want, as long as they have the ingredients, and one never leaves hungry. Any head of an Italian household will hang their head if there aren’t leftovers after a gathering (because if the food is all gone that means you didn’t make enough), and Ciao Baby knows this. Portions are enormous – generous doesn’t even begin to describe the amount of food you get.

“It’s the meal that keeps on giving,” said our waitress Amanda Ferranti.

Bread comes, not with butter, but a little plate of olive oil, eggplant and roasted red peppers to entice the palate. Then we moved on to a few of Ciao Baby’s more popular appetizers.

The standout was the Calamari Arrabiata ($14.95/$18.95), semolina-crusted fried calamari tossed with fresh garlic and hot Italian cherry peppers. Now, calamari is a staple in Italian restaurants, but what makes Ciao Baby’s different is that the sauce doesn’t come on the side. Instead, the calamari is tossed in the spicy Arrabiata plum sauce, which has the slightest kick that distinguishes it from a typical marinara.

The homemade Sicilian Rice Ball ($14.95) is gargantuan – a risotto rice ball filled with ground meat, peas and plum tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and fresh ricotta cheese. Eggplant Rollatini ($8.95) is made of egg-battered, thin-sliced eggplant with ricotta and fresh herb filling, topped with plum tomato.

Entrees are rich and satisfying. A break from the ricotta and tomato-based dishes, Chicken Scarpariello ($23.95/$34.95) is a hit. A pleasant mix of piquant flavors, the dish comes with pan-seared chunks of tender chicken with hot and sweet peppers, sliced sausage, potato wedges and mushrooms in a savory white wine herb sauce.

Chilean Sea Bass ($30.95) is thick but flaky, topped with a unique Oreganata crusting of roasted pignoli nuts with aged balsamic reduction over a julienne of grilled vegetables.

Gemelli Con Salsiccia ($23.95/$33.95) is a popular dish, on the heavier side as far as pasta dishes go, but oh, so worth it. Gemelli macaroni is a refreshing change from typical penne and rigatoni, and comes in a luscious sun dried tomato cream sauce with crumbled sweet Italian sausage, mushrooms and steamed broccoli rabe with a dollop of creamy, fresh ricotta.

A major draw of Ciao Baby is that some of these dishes and more are offered on an affordable prix-fixe lunch menu. Served Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., $12.08 gets you a salad or appetizer, entree and dessert. Entrees even include choices from “The Wrap Pack.” On a previous visit we opted for the Pollo Verde Wrap, with grilled chicken, basil pesto, melted mozzarella and roasted peppers with mixed baby greens.

The restaurant also offers a family style dinner package at $24.95 per person. The portions are bigger, and the options are vast.

Keeping with the pace of the rest of the meal, desserts are generous in size – even the coffee cup is huge. We were in awe of the Ciao Baby Volcano ($18.95) – 14 scoops of chocolate and vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookie crumbles, chocolate sauce, walnuts and berries, in a milk chocolate shell made on the premises. And we couldn’t help but smile at the childhood memories brought back by the Ice Box Cake ($8.95), with its alternating layers of homemade chocolate pudding and graham crackers. It was the first time we’ve seen it on a restaurant menu and not in our own refrigerator.

We’ll be back to enjoy the bar menu and happy hour specials, as well as on Wednesdays and Fridays to enjoy the DJ. On Sunday night there is even a live singer from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Until then, ciao!

Ciao Baby
204 E. Jericho Turnpike
Mayfair Shopping Center
Commack
631-543-1400
Other locations in Carle Place and Massapequa Park
www.ciaobabyrestaurant.com

Atmosphere: Restaurant/lounge throwback to the 50s, 60s

Cuisine: Italian

Price Range: Moderate

Hours: Mon to Thurs
11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.;
Fri 11:30 a.m. – midnight;
Sun 3 – 10 p.m.

Main Menu