The breakfast I had this past Tuesday was the best I’ve had in a while. It was quite simply outstanding. What made it so gush-worthy? Lots… Keep reading…
One fine cup of coffee!
A couple of y’all have mentioned this place to us on Twitter and Facebook, and as it turns out, I already knew about this place, just not by it’s current name. Ciao Bella is the restaurant I’m talking about. Ciao Bella is brand new, located right next door to Piccadilly on the Frontage Road in Jackson, in very close proximity to Olga’s, where Elixir used to be. It is owned by Paige and Christo Burnham, a couple who know good food like it’s, well, their business! Christo and his two brothers used to have a swanky fine dining place in Ridgeland called Pavoni’s, which I visited several times. After a couple of family hardships, the brothers decided to shut down what I like to refer to as “The Pavoni.” (This place was unlike any place in Jackson. But you haven’t fully missed out. Keep reading…)
After about a year of travel and research, brother Christo and his wife Paige decided to get back into the business with Ciao Bella. (The reason I was not as familiar with the new name is because I still call this new place “The Pavoni,” out of habit.)
Ciao Bella is currently open for breakfast and lunch, and will soon be open for regular dinner service. Right now, dinner is by reservation only. The breakfast menu is a collection of authentic European fare, carefully put together after all that travel and research I was telling you about. It doesn’t hurt that Christo is part Italian and part Greek, so he has a very natural flair for fine food! (Say that five times fast!)
This Tiramisu Waffle was unreal! You should try it...
When I walked up to the door of Ciao Bella, I almost wasn’t sure they were open due to the blacked out windows, but I decided to give the door a tug anyway. It opened right up! The dark windows create quite a unique atmosphere on the inside. Straight ahead, I could see Paige sitting at the bar doing some paperwork. I walked up to her and she gave me such a hospitable welcome! She invited me to sit at the bar with her as she served me a cup of hot coffee. This joe was so smooth I drank it black; No additives needed! We chatted a little while as I looked over the impressive breakfast menu. They had everything from Croque Madame to Baklava Belgian Waffles to a big Sicilian Omelette. Beside each item is a flag signifying the European country that inspired the dish: France, Greece, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Belgium, and more. The Gourmet Waffle section of the menu most intrigued me. The Tiramisu Waffle and Baklava Waffle descriptions both grabbed me right off the bat! How ever will I choose between these two?
Being part of a small breakfast crowd worked in my favor. I got to talk out my decision-making woes with Christo and he offered a solution: do a half order of each type, which would land me with one of each of the waffles. Perfect! As Christo and Paige began making my order right there in front of me, I noticed all the small details they paid attention to as they made these waffles from scratch. It made me appreciate what I was about to consume all the more.
First up was the Tiramisu Waffle. This French-inspired Belgian waffle had the traditional Tiramisu ingredients whipped right into the batter. It was served with a fresh strawberry, whipped cream, and some toppings that were to die for: chocolate syrup and a special syrup that included some white chocolate, some cinnamon, and just some all around greatness. One thing I loved about the actual waffle was the density of it. “That’s a true Belgian waffle, right there,” Christo told me. It was heavier than the Americanized Belgian waffle you and I are familiar with, and it was not overwhelmingly sweet. I could only eat about half of this rich waffle, knowing I needed to save room for the Greek Inspired Baklava Waffle that was to come.
The Baklava Waffle... Wowzers!
The Baklava Waffle, also an authentic Belgian waffle, came topped with a sauce that I can hardly begin to describe. The smell of the sauce as Christo was making it was intoxicating. So glad I saved some room! This topping, which they call a “unique dessert baklava cream syrup” was rich and flavorful, containing walnuts, butter, and… I’m not exactly sure what else. If I had to guess I’d say there was some brown sugar and cinnamon in the mix. This, too, was one outstanding waffle. I look forward to going back and ordering an item that was not available on this particular visit: The Hungarian Waffle Sandiwch. This sandwich is made with two waffles, apple butter syrup as the “condiment,” and thick cuts of honey ham. The description alone makes me want to slap somebody! I’ve also heard rave reviews about their lunch menu.
As for dinner… Christo tells me they are going to continue with the “Pavoni’s” dinner style called degustation, which was music to my ears! Think dark room with dim lighting, everybody all dressed up, eight to 14 courses (no menu), outstanding service, exciting story telling, wine, and more fun than you can shake a stick at. If any of you got the pleasure of dining at “The Pavoni,” you know exactly what I’m talking about. For those of you who did not have that pleasure, it isn’t too late! Degustation is currently available by reservation only and will soon be available to everyone on certain nights of the week. Christo says of these special dinners, “Be prepared to stay a while!” Once we know more details about the open seating at dinner, we’ll share it with you!
Until you get the time and appetite to have dinner at Ciao Bella, be sure to check them out for breakfast or lunch then come back and tell us what you had!
Ciao Bella
LeFleur’s Gallery
4800 N I-55 Suite 6B/7A
Jackson, MS 39211
601-954-7309
www.ciaobellabypavonis.com
i was also a regular at pavoni, on several occasions i had conversations with the chef at pavoni (a beautiful lady named Kelly) in fact her beauty was missleading at to well she cooked. She told me of her menus and her ideas for future menus items. after visiting ciao bella i was dishearted to find that the personel at ciao beela were the same as the personel at pavoni, but the chef was not the alluring beatuiful Kelly but it was one of the wait staff at pavoni. at pavoni he introduced himself as Christopher. What a supprise to see the waiter from the best fine dinning resurant in Jackson now introucing himself as the proprietor of ciao bella as Christo. also the menu at ciao bella is the same as pavoni. that is a great plus for this resturant as chef Kelly had a great sence of taste and a great mind for combinations of foods. as for ciao bella, best of luck great food and service, as for chef Kelly if you know where she is cooking i would love to know.
i was also a regular at pavoni, on several occasions i had conversations with the chef at pavoni (a beautiful lady named Kelly) in fact her beauty was missleading at to well she cooked. She told me of her menus and her ideas for future menus items. after visiting ciao bella i was dishearted to find that the personel at ciao beela were the same as the personel at pavoni, but the chef was not the alluring beatuiful Kelly but it was one of the wait staff at pavoni. at pavoni he introduced himself as Christopher. What a supprise to see the waiter from the best fine dinning resurant in Jackson now introucing himself as the proprietor of ciao bella as Christo. also the menu at ciao bella is the same as pavoni. that is a great plus for this resturant as chef Kelly had a great sence of taste and a great mind for combinations of foods. as for ciao bella, best of luck great food and service, as for chef Kelly if you know where she is cooking i would love to know.