Ristorante Ciao Returns to Dearborn

On Monday, a restaurant with a familiar name to many Dearbornites is opening anew on Michigan Avenue–. 

Only 90 yards from its former location, Ciao will begin to serve its classic favorites once again with a few new twists; most notably, lower prices. 

Ciao Ristorante owner Hassan Aoun was a partner and executive chef in the original Ciao. Aoun was trained at the Culinary Institute of Arts in San Francisco and has many years of experience in the kitchen as well as in restaurant operations. 

In the past two years, since the original Ciao burned in a fire in April of 2009, Aoun spent a year at RJ’s American Grille in Farmington Hills and, most recently, opened the new i-Burger Lounge in Dearborn's West Village Commons. 

But Ciao was always on his mind. His heart was set on opening the restaurant again.

“Ciao is like my family," Aoun said. "I was there for 14 years from the time it opened as a sous-chef, then as executive chef and finally part owner. This is what I’ve always wanted.”

Now only days away from opening, Aoun is putting the finishing touches on the décor and hiring approximately 25 staff members to prepare for welcoming the first customers on Monday. 

He intends to wait a few weeks and then host a grand opening celebration.   

Ciao will feature many of the same menu items, but Aoun promises that there are improvements to old favorites as well as a few new additions. 

He also is presenting the same high-quality cuisine at a lower price. His philosophy is that Ciao was only a special-occasion dining experience before and he believes that lowering the prices will help customers return more frequently.

Citing a premium item from the menu as an example of lowered prices, Aoun explained that previously the flame-broiled filet mignon was $39 and was served a la carte. On the new dinner menu, the same filet mignon is now only $27 and comes as an entrée with soup or salad.  

In addition to this popular dish, customers will see the return of many other favorites–including char-grilled salmon with fire roasted pepper sauce and linguine di pollo e pesto, to name a few.  

Regular items on the luncheon menu include the stone oven baked pizzas and sandwiches from $8-13, hearty entrée salads and naturally, their house-made pastas from $11-13 and other offerings.

This upscale bistro is decorated with a Tuscany look with attention to detail in the textured flooring, mural artwork, pictures and elegant touches. Cozy booths present a warm feeling for diners in the main area with a separate private room that seats up to 40 people comfortably for meetings or banquets.

Aoun re-created the cave-like Grappa Lounge inside the restaurant with gargoyles protecting the entryways and a suit of armor standing sentry near a small wine cellar where customers can have their own private wine lockers. 

The new location is more than two times larger than the former Ciao. It seats 190 guests and has expansive outdoor patio seating for 150 more guests available. 

Aoun said he would honor gift cards to the former Ciao.

Opening this Monday, Ciao is located at 22023 Michigan Ave. and can be reached by phone at 313-277- 2426.