Ciao! Osteria & Lounge

We heard about Ciao through some friends who had a Christmas gathering at the restaurant. My husband and I took some college friends there for dinner. We were seated promptly, and service was exceptional to say the least. The lounge upstairs was practically full, so we sat downstairs. The owner actually waited on us! Now that is something I admire in an owner. Alex was very accommodating and offered the perfect Italian wine for our entrees. I ordered the grouper romano & it was awesome! Did anyone see the January issue of Cary Magazine? The grouper is a featured dish and deserves to be! I recommend Ciao highly! Pros: Exceptional Service, Warm atmosphere, food is amazing more

We've been to Ciao on a number of occasions and ordered the same entrees every time. Each time, the meals were the same, cooked to perfection. Russ, our waiter was very pleasant and prompt. Our last visit was on New Year's Eve~ there was a special menu prepared for the night, $55/per person, 4 course dinner and a glass of champagne. Everything was absolutely perfect! Thanks for having such great cuisine and a fine, cozy atmosphere! Pros: Great food, atmosphere, wine, personable staff more

Unbelievable is the only word I can think of to accurately describe our experience at Ciao Osteria. Unfortunately, I do not mean that in a good way. I decided to take my parents out for dinner before strolling through Historic Downtown Apex. We were promptly seated in the nearly empty restaurant. When we ordered our drinks, I also went ahead and ordered a pasta kids meal for my son. We enjoyed our appetizers and then our evening went terribly wrong. My mother received her entree and our server presented me with a kid?s meal filet, which I insisted I did not order. Our server, Russell, then proceeded to take out his notepad and insist I ordered a kids filet for my entree because ?he wrote it down?. I reminded him that I ordered the twin filets with the shrimp scampi. To my amazement, this argument went on for quite a while. I pointed out that I had ordered a kid?s pasta meal as soon as we sat down ? that my son was still patiently waiting for, but that I had ordered from the ?adult? menu for myself. Still, the kids filet sat in front of me as if I had no choice but to accept this as my entree. (Now looking back I should have accepted the $8 kids? meal in place of the $24 twin filets that were seared and served raw instead of the medium rare temperature that I requested). I did not have any fight left in me to return this entree. Pros: Prompt seating Cons: Poor service, more

BRILLIANT comes to mind when I think of Ciao Osteria. We highly recommend this cozy restaurant in the historic part of Apex. The risotto is the best I've ever had! The staff are friendly and the food is mouth watering. Have a limoncello after dinner drink~ places a cap on the evening! Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere, Decor, Location, Bar more

Ciao Osteria is one of the best restaurants I've visited in the Triangle. I am originially from Boston and am thankful to have a neighborhood restaurant that serves authentic Italian and Mediterranean food! My wife had rigatoni woozi and I ate the veal scallopine, followed by some of the best creme brulee I've ever had. Hats off to the Chef and entire Ciao staff. We'll be back soon. Pros: Authentic, fresh food, friendly staff, quick service, wine list, historic location & building Cons: People don't know about this brilliant restaurant more

Everyone needs to visit Ciao! Osteria. I do alot of traveling all over the world, and honestly speaking, the food at Ciao is some of the best I have ever tasted. The entire restaurant is cozy and charming. They even have gourmet meals for kids. The wine is exceptional and servers will help you choose the best wine for the meal you order! Pros: Excellent Cuisine more

All I can say is WOW! The food was absolutely amazing and the atmosphere is soothing and very romantic. Service was also fantastic. Had the Mista salad and Grouper Romano~ both delicious! It's the most trendy, elegant, urban style restaurant in Apex! Can't wait to go back. I highly recommend this restaurant to those in Apex and the surrounding area. Pros: Fabulous food, great service, romantic atmosphere, cozy bar upstairs more