Food&Drink Writer Maile Agai gives a detailed review of the homey Ciaro Pasta and Wine Bar
As the first semester came to an end and winter break was fast approaching, my friends and I were confronted with the reality of not seeing each other for the forthcoming weeks. So, we decided to go to a nice restaurant and have one last dinner together. Although a bittersweet event, Ciaro, a canalside Italian restaurant, served as the perfect setting for our last group meal before leaving for winter break.
Ciaro is situated by the canal just off of Broad Street, making it a 20-minute walk from the Vale and a 30-minute bus or train ride from Selly Oak. My friends and I ate at Ciaro’s Pasta and Wine Bar, but there is also a deli attached to the restaurant. Although we didn’t see it, the interior of the deli looks as charming as the Pasta and Wine Bar and boasts a menu of focaccia sandwiches and sweets.
The Pasta and Wine Bar itself was beautifully curated. In the entrance and the sitting room, white brick walls were bathed in a comforting yellow glow. These walls were heavily, but tastefully, decorated with quotes in Italian, decorative plates, and murals. Our tables were also painted with images of cherubs and served as a lovely stage for our meal. It seemed as though every aspect of the restaurants’ interior design was carefully thought out, from the 1920s-style prints, to the ceramic plates hung around the room. These walls were heavily, but tastefully, decorated with quotes in Italian, decorative plates, and murals.
We ordered three dishes: the crostini con gorgonzola, lasagna, and vegan nduja pasta. As a starter, the crostini was just enough to share amongst 4 people. Crisp focaccia was drizzled with honey and covered with a heavy portion of gorgonzola, altogether forming a sharp and strong appetiser. The gorgonzola was perfectly melted over the bread and balanced well with the sweet honey. If you’re a blue cheese fan, I would definitely try this dish.
The lasagna was quite simple: layers of soft pasta interlaced with beef and bechamel sauce were topped with a roasted layer of cheese and a sprinkling of parmesan. I found the beef mince to be a bit on the dry side, but the flavour of the lasagna was satisfyingly savoury. Lastly, we had the vegan nduja linguine. The linguine itself had an amazing al dente bite to it, and the dish as a whole packed a mouthwatering kick. The tangy cherry tomato sauce was spicy, herby, and definitely a crowd favourite amongst my friends. The linguine itself had an amazing al dente bite to it…
Service in Ciaro was efficient and attentive; after ordering, we waited just 15 minutes to get all of our dishes. Sharing two main dishes and one starter worked well for us, but if we had each gotten our own main, the bill would’ve been quite high and not feasible for our student budget. For the quality of ingredients used in our food and the perfectly crafted design of the space, however, I do think the price is reasonable.
While at Ciaro, we recounted our favourite memories from the first semester, considered how we’d changed and grown, and discussed second semester goals. Our conversation was bolstered by the tasty pasta we ate and the ambience around us. One wall reads “In Italy, eating with those we love is a sacred art,” in Italian. My friends and I definitely felt that sentiment during our meal.
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