A New Chapter on Hope Street: Inside Providence’s New Italian Restaurant, Ciao Ciao

There's a new Italian restaurant on Providence's Hope Street, and if you happen to walk by at the right time, you might catch executive chef Carmello making fresh pasta in the front window.

That's a pretty good introduction to Ciao Ciao.

The restaurant, which opened in the former KG Kitchen Bar space at 771 Hope Street, is the latest venture from Adam Stabile, a familiar name in Rhode Island hospitality with more than three decades of restaurant experience.

We first visited for a press preview before the restaurant opened and returned a week or two later for lunch. I'm glad we made that second visit. It gave us a chance to experience the restaurant in a different setting, try more of the menu, and discover a burger that I haven't stopped thinking about.

A Neighborhood Kind of Place

Ciao Ciao has a sophisticated look without feeling formal. The dining room is stylish and comfortable, and the bar feels like somewhere you could easily spend an evening with friends.

That seems to be exactly what Adam had in mind.

Inspired in part by his travels in Italy and the tradition of aperitivo, he wanted to create a place where people could gather for a cocktail, share a few dishes, enjoy dinner, or simply linger over a glass of wine.

And Hope Street seems like a good home for that idea.

It's one of those Providence neighborhoods where you can browse a few shops, meet someone for a drink, and decide to stay for dinner. Ciao Ciao fits nicely into that rhythm.

During the press preview, Adam was circulating through the restaurant, talking with guests and making everyone feel welcome. After three decades in hospitality, including time at Providence Oyster Bar and the Spring House Hotel on Block Island, he seems quite comfortable in that role.

Let's Talk About the Food

Naturally, we were eager to try the fresh pasta.

The housemade pasta with pesto was one of our favorites. There was plenty of olive oil and garlic flavor, and the pasta itself was exactly what we were hoping for from a restaurant making it fresh.

One of the nice touches at Ciao Ciao is that you can actually watch executive chef Carmello at work. The pasta-making station sits in the front window overlooking Hope Street, giving diners and passersby a glimpse of the process.

I love that. It makes the fresh pasta more than just a description on the menu.

We also enjoyed a meatball paired with crisp fried polenta, a combination of familiar Italian flavors with a little something different. At the press tasting, it was served as a sampling portion, so don't take the tasting photograph as an indication of the regular serving size.

And the burrata, with crispy fried prosciutto, asparagus, and peas, was another enjoyable combination.

And Then There's the Burger

Here's something I didn't expect to be saying after visiting a new Italian restaurant known for fresh pasta:

I may have had my favorite burger ever.

When we returned for lunch, we tried a rotating burger featuring Calabrian chili honey, smoked provolone, ’nduja, and charred onion.

That combination might sound like a lot, but it worked. The sweetness, heat, smoky cheese, and richness of the ’nduja came together in a burger that was genuinely memorable.

I know. We came to an Italian restaurant and I'm raving about the burger.

But there you have it.

Because the lunch burger rotates, the particular version we enjoyed may not always be on the menu.

Don't Overlook the Cocktails

The bar deserves some attention, too.

At the preview, we tried the Cold Brew, a cocktail made with Tanqueray gin, cold brew-infused Campari, and sweet vermouth.

It's an interesting combination, with bitterness from the Campari, the depth of coffee, and a surprisingly smooth finish.

If you enjoy a Negroni or other bitter Italian cocktails, this is one worth considering.

And save a little room for dessert.

The Crema di Cioccolato Italiano brought together dark chocolate custard, espresso, and vanilla, finished with soft cream and shaved chocolate.

Rich, chocolatey, and a very good way to finish a meal.

A Welcome Addition to Hope Street

Providence certainly isn't lacking in Italian restaurants, and Ciao Ciao isn't trying to be just another one.

What I like is the combination of fresh pasta, an interesting cocktail program, a comfortable dining room, and the kind of hospitality that makes a restaurant feel like part of its neighborhood.

We first visited to see what Adam and his team were creating. We returned because we wanted to experience more of it.

Between the pasta, the cocktails, and that burger, there are plenty of reasons to visit again.

And that's probably one of the nicest things you can say about a neighborhood restaurant.

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Ciao Ciao PVD
771 Hope Street
Providence, RI 02906

Hours
Tuesday–Thursday: 3 p.m.–midnight
Friday–Saturday: 11:30 a.m.–midnight
Sunday: Noon–8 p.m.

Hours are subject to change. Check with the restaurant before visiting.