“The people here in Naples are so friendly and supportive of the type of restaurant I always dreamed of owning and operating.”

Since opening Ristorante Ciao in April 1987, Gianfranco has received many awards including: Gulfshore Life Magazine’s “Best Italian Restaurant” for 1990, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001; AAA Three Diamond Award 1990-2000; Frommers “America on Wheels” Best of Florida; a 3 ½ star rating from the Naples Daily News; Naples Illustrated Magazine’s “Best Italian Restaurant” for 2004; and Gulfshore Life Magazine’s “Naples Top 10 Appetizers” in 2006.

Ristorante Ciao has hosted successful wine dinners for Banfi, Bertani, Ceretto, Joseph Drouhin, Viader, Badia Coltibuono, Gargiulo, Fontodi and Antinori Wineries. Other wonderful dinners have been hosted for the Chainne des Rotisseries, Gruppo Ristoranti Italiani, The Italian Cultural Society, The Immokalee Foundation, Alitalia, and The Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Yet, his personal favorite is the intimate dinner parties for eight to sixteen people in the private dining rooms. Gianfranco and the party host/hostess plan the evening, starting with the reception, appetizer, entrée and ultimately the dessert. He then pairs each course with aperitifs, wines and ports to complement the menu selections. “It gives me great pleasure to assist my customers with the planning and execution of a wonderful dinner for family, friends or clients so that any event becomes a memorable occasion.”

When asked what Gianfranco’s future plans are for Ristorante Ciao he replied, “I have truly enjoyed the past 19 years in Naples, and expect to be here for another 19 years at least! I really love cooking for, and getting to know my customers, and hope they will become my very good friends.