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Obituaries

Bites Nearby: Eatery Blends Good Wine with Friendly Atmosphere

Patch sits down at Ciao 2! An Italian Café for authentic Italian fare.

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Ciao 2! An Italian Café is more than an eatery with Italian dishes on the menu -- it's an entire Italian experience.

The warm and personable staff is well-versed about the menu and wine list. The atmosphere is relaxed -- black-and-white photographs of Italy adorn the walls alongside pictures of the  owners' friends and family. If you ask, any server will be able to tell you the stories behind those photos, not to mention the 20-plus years that the restaurant has been open in the Pittsburgh area.

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The food may take a while to reach your table, but with only a single chef at the helm of the kitchen, the meal is worth the wait. The house dressing and tomato basil sauce are must-tries.

Appetizers cost $9-$12 and include veal-stuffed banana peppers, zucchini fritters and fried mozzarella. Pasta entrees are $16-$18 and include lasagna al’ forno, rigatoni abruzzese and the tortellini rustica. The restaurant also offers salads, pizza, Panini ripieni (stuffed sandwiches, for lunch only) and chicken, veal, beef and seafood entrees.

Find out what's happening in Sewickleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Happy hour is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, when drafts are $3, wine $4 and featured appetizers $5. The restaurant also offers weekly specials such as Tuscan Tuesdays and Women and Wine Wednesdays, when all ladies receive half-price glasses of wine from 7 p.m. until close. Fridays include a "seafood extravaganza," and brunch is served Italian style on Saturdays and Sundays.

Located at 289 Settlers Ridge Drive in Robinson, the restaurant's intimate setting means seating is limited; reservations are suggested.

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