Ciao! New Italian restaurant opens in Destin

Italian food lovers have a new restaurant where they can indulge themselves with homemade pasta and seafood dishes.

Ciao Italia Bistro, which is located at 985 Highway 98 E, opened its doors last week and will offers northern Italian homemade cuisine specialties.

“We make everything from scratch with high quality ingredients and we also purchase our seafood and produce locally,” said Michelle Ianni, the restaurant’s co-owner.

The Italian restaurant is open from 4 p.m. till close Monday through Saturday and will have happy hour specials from 4-8 p.m. at the bar. Ladies night will take place from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesdays with 2-for-1 drink specials.

“I wanted a location that was closer to Destin locals and tourist," said co-owner Guglielmo Ianni, who has been serving the Emerald Coast for the past 27 years. "…Guglielmo is back in Destin.”

The Ianni’s also own Tuscany Italian Bistro in Destin, Ciao Bella Pizza at the Silver Sands Premium Outlets and Bella Luna Italian Bistro in Navarre.

“The atmosphere for this new restaurant will be trattoria, which means simple and causal dining,” Guglielmo said.

Michelle said the restaurant is available for parties, wedding and any other special occasion.

“People coming off the beach and boats can come in and not worry about their attire. … It’s a nice, clean feel,” she said.

Sometime in September, the restaurant is planning to add a pizza oven where patrons can see their pizza being made.

“People will see the authentic feel of the restaurant and the Italian aromas will make people hungry and ready to sit down,” Michelle said.