A brand new Italian concept, called Ciao Trattoria Italiana, is getting ready to open its doors for the first time in South Jacksonville, located at 4076 Belfort Road.
This will be Tonino Di Bella’s third restaurant, following the Gusto restaurants in Jacksonville Beach and St. Augustine. The local restaurateur is now getting ready to open a family-style eatery, replacing Leci’s Italian Cafe with a full bar and private room. Ciao Trattoria Italiana is expected to open in June or July, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. Customers can expect a variety of delicious homemade Italian classics in a welcoming environment.
Chef Tonino Di Bella, who grew up in Rome, is no stranger to serving incredible Italian cuisine in Northeast Florida. The chef has served Jacksonville for over 30 years with his Italian creations. Most recently, he has spent his time as the co-owner of Gusto: Taste of Rome, which opened in Jacksonville Beach at 1266 Beach Boulevard in 2015. It was followed by another location in St. Augustine at 4255 US-1. In 2016, Chef Tonino Di Bella’s pizza was voted Best Pizza in Jacksonville by the Times Union’s readers. Di Bella’s longtime girlfriend/ business partner will serve as Ciao Trattoria Italiana’s general manager.
The new restaurant will move into an area surrounded by medical business practices, with Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside Hospital sitting across the street. The new Italian restaurant will be the newest eatery in an area with a handful of other food and drink options, including Tea Poke Spot, Casa Maria Tequila Bar & Grill, Broadway Beli & Grill, and Cosmo Liquors. On top of getting a ton of foot traffic from the nearby businesses and medical practice offices, Ciao Trattoria Italiana will surely become the new go-to Italian spot for families in the nearby residential area.
