Ciao – Thomaston

I always appreciate good Italian food.  Probably comes from having been brought up in a largely Italian neighborhood and all the Italian mothers and grandmothers who wanted to fatten up the scrawny kid down the block.  Wish now, when I step on the scale, they hadn’t been so successful.  Really can’t blame them for my overweight body and I did get to appreciate good, wholesome, authentic Italian Cuisine.  And it brings me back to the old neighborhood when I stumble across this style of cooking when I’m dinning out.

Such is the case with Ciao in Thomaston.  We were there a week ago to celebrate Happy’s birthday belatedly. Made a reservation with Open Table.  Got a call as we were heading out the door that informed us that the only seating for out seven o’clock time slot was outside on their patio.  Gave us some pause but we dressed for the chill and went.

When we arrived at the restaurant, the outside patio was full, but the patrons appeared cold and fidgety as we walked by from the parking lot.   There were only a couple of tables occupied inside, and we were exhorted by the young man who seated up to, “Take any table you like”. We chose a both out of the weather, inside and were glad we did.  It was not long before folks were opting to abandon the tables outside for the relative warmth inside. What was an empty space became a packed establishment.  Tables had been spaced in deference to CoVid, indeed a center row of seating had been entirely removed. Good as far as it went. 

The booths lining the walls were not well spaced.  Although highbacked, the seats in adjoining booths were less that two feet apart. A cough or sneeze would have easily cross-contaminated both dining zones. A Plexiglas partition would solve the problem easily.   Like-wise a low partition separated the dining area from the bar.  Not a problem when we arrived as there was one lone patron at the bar. That was not to last, however.  As we proceeded through the meal, more and more folks packed the bar.  By the time dessert came, the bar was standing room only with people shoulder to shoulder, not all with masks. Ciao seems to be a favored watering hole in Thomaston.  We donned our masks as soon as we finished eating and settled our tab like a couple of bank robbers.

Enough with the grousing and on to the food.  I usually like to order certain dishes when I am evaluating Italian cuisine in new locations.  Manicotti or Raviolis are two revealing dishes, but my perennial favorite if it is on the menu is Putanesca. It is a rustic, spicy dish that can be delicious if done right.  The entrée has its history, but I will leave to you, the reader, to check it out on Wikipedia.

The chef at Ciao must have a grandmother native to Italy. This is one of the best Putanescas I have ever encountered. The sauce was tangy, I think as a result of artichoke hearts and with just enough spice to gain your attention but not kill your tastebuds. A perfect blend of flavors.  As an interesting twist, the pasta was small shells, the size and shape of tiny scallop shells, a very complimentary shape that provided just the right amount of pasta to sauce with each forkful.

Happy ordered chick parmesan.  I had leftovers the next day.  Tender chicken and a lot of it, smothered in cheese and sauce.  As with the Putanesca, the sauce was outstanding, but different. Had to be somebody’s grandmother’s recipe.

Ciao is a keeper, although I think it will keep until the pandemic is over.  I do not recommend it at this time. (See below)

FOOD  =  9

Old world authentic Italian.  Takes me back to the old neighborhood of my youth.

SERVICE  =  6

Spotty service from the young man who waited on us.  We agreed, he seemed to be new to the job.  Got us situated and a drink order delivered, but then inquired if we knew what we wanted before even presenting us with menus.  I ordered a montepulciano and it was like I was speaking . . .  Italian?  Waiter ignorance, not a lack of a staple wine.  They delivered a fine glass to the table, tastey enough that I ordered a second half way through the meal. Had to remind the waiter when it didn’t arrive before we were almost finished with the meal. So much for sipping and enjoying.

Ambiance  =  7

I could see that prepandemic this place would be a cozy and intimate Italian café. CoVid has knocked them for a loop.  They took a row of smaller tables from the center of the floor space and replaced them with a line of banquet tables sans chairs.  An effective barrier between the lines of booths on the walls, and I suppose gets them to the required fifty percent seating requirement, but does nothing for the atmosphere. And also those tables  provide the waitstaff with a convenient common parking area for plates coming out of the kitchen.  Not a good practice with a virus on the loose.

CoVid Response  =  3

Beyond seating capacity limits and outdoor facilities, the ownership does not seem to embrace the seriousness of the times.  I’ve captured the problems throughout this piece and will not belabor them further, but I do believe that Ciao should rethink their approach to the pandemic. To allow you bar to fill to the level of a potential super spreader event, is not responsible or fair to dining room patrons. Barflies were literally spilling around the partition and standing in the dining room drinks in hand and mask, if they had them, at half-mast.   

Ciao is a great place for authentic Italian, but I wouldn’t recommend it before the pandemic ends. We won’t be going back anytime soon.

A CoVid Compendium

I normally would not review a restaurant a second time, unless, on revisit, there was a significant change.  Taking into account the times we are living in, I will post rereviews based on the handling of the CoVid situation. I feel it is important for you folks to be able to assess the risks of venturing out and if Grumpy can supply information in this regard, a service has been rendered.

We returned to Metro Bis a couple of weeks ago with a friend.  I’ve reviewed the restaurant and suffices to say that the quality, preparation and presentation of the food, remains at the highest level.  I commented on how well this establishment handled CoVid safety concerns and that had not changed. We felt safe enough on the fist visit to return a second time and will return again.  

CoVid Saftey  =  9

By contrast we were in need of a quick lunch a few weeks ago and were undecided as to where to go.  As I traveled up Main Street in Winsted, the wooden hot dog outside the Winsted Diner caught my eye.  Always wanted to try the place if nothing more that the nostalgia of eating in an old-style diner again.  We pulled up to the curb and I went in to check it out of more accurately learn what we had to do to get waited on in their out-door patio.  There was one patron and the counterman, neither masked. I was greeted with the question, “Inside or Out”?

Should have left right then, but I figured outside was safe enough and we had masks on.  Thank goodness for masks that hid my uncontrolled sneer. I opted for the outside. Happy and I agreed that was the best option before I went in.  She was smart and proceeded directly to the seating area. Figured we’d be safe enough in the fresh air. Also figured that the counterman would appear to take our order masked as per the new mandates for restaurant opening. Not so. In due course, our host appeared at our table to take our order, barefaced.  We kept our masks on until time to eat.

I ordered a chili dog.  Not really in line with the fine dining usually reported here, but hey, with a five-foot statue of a wiener at the front door and a half dozen options for the tube steak listed, this had to be the specialty of the house. I must say that the chili dog ranked up there with some of the best I have had.  The chili was bean loaded and had a zip to satisfy most pallets.

A word about ambiance of the place. The diner itself is the old style “railroad car” establishment, tong and narrow.  Counter seating only, inside.  The kind of place you go for a cup of “Joe”, some chit-chat on the local news, and I supposed a hot dog. A step back in time.

The patio is another story.  Shaped like a wedge of pie with the crust side to the street, bordered by the catty-cornered diner and the brick side-wall of the next building, the area is a sound funnel for noise off the street. It was our great misfortune that an accident occurred right up the street and we were serenaded by sirens from police, fire and ambulance vehicles streaming up and down Main Street. I contemplated the need for a couple of aspirins for dessert.

If you have a hankering for a good hot dog or are looking for the ‘40’s diner experience the Winsted Diner is the place.  But I’d wait until the pandemic is no longer a factor.

Winsted Diner

Ambiance  =  6

The throw-back of the vintage diner is a plus, but the noise level on the patio is jolting.

Food Quality  =  8

This is diner food, but it is good and tasty.

Service  =  7

It is a one-man operation.  We were well taken care of, but there was only one other customer present.  I suspect things could get dicey if a crowd descended.

Value  =  8

Good food at reasonable pricing.

CoVid Response  =  3

Absolutely no concern for the safety of the public being served.

Looking for real good barbeque?  Zack and Lou’s is the place.  We have been here a couple of times and I have reviewed them previously.  Won’t bother you with details, but suffices to say that meat and its preparation is a skill on display here. 

I was curious how this establishment was handling the CoVid situation.  We pass by this place frequently on our way to and from Torrington. There was always a line out front, something I had never witnessed before the pandemic. Turns out no one is allowed inside. You quay up at the front of the shop, six poot spacing mandated, and order through a window they have installed. (that explains the lines I was witnessing) Your order is assembled and you have a choice of outdoor seating at one of the well-spaced picnic tables at the back of the restaurant or taking you meal home. A solid solution to the problems of the times.

CoVid Response  =  10

I am not sure how much not having indoor seating has cut into business if any, but it is nice to see a business that takes the safety of its patrons seriously.