Ciao Bella Pizza (San Francisco)

The capresa pizza with cherry instead of sliced tomatoes was excellent. The sauce is the key and requesting that the basil be applied after the pizza come out of the oven.

It's been a long time since I've been to Ciao Bella, and I almost regret not going more often. It's that good. It's not inexpensive that I must say but it is the top non panamanian pizza here. It is more Napolian pizza. The pizza, as expected, was very good. The cheese stuffed tortellini was also very good, but was stood out for me on this visit was the dessert. I can now say, here in Panamá, "leave the gun, bring the cannolis"! Ciao Bella has cannolis! Crisp tasty shell. Sweet creamy ricotta stuffed inside the shell. I haven't had one here since I moved here from New York. You know you are getting good food when the owner is always there to greet you. That makes a huge difference. Grazie mille Alfonso! Ci vediamo dopo...

Ciao Bella has become fancy! They now have a hostess that greets you and shows you to the table, new placemats, envelopes for the cutlery and new hard binder type menus. The ensalada de tres quesos is still excellent and a must order appetizer to be shared The vegetable pizza is great as usual, but the cheese tortellini lacked its usual rich flavor. In fact it was quite bland. I hope that it was only a one time fluke and not the norm from a new pasta purveyor.

Ciao Bella still serves one of the best pizzas in Panama. But, now they not only serve up great pizzas, but they are doing artisanal cheeses, breads, pastas and salads. Today I ordered the Caprese Pizza. It was practically perfect. I tweaked the pizza little, requesting halved cherry tomatoes instead of the tomatoes slices and whole fresh basil leaves instead of the pesto sauce. Both requests were complied without any hesitation. Then a Ensalada de Tres Quesos came to my table; Fresh burrata, buffula mozzarella, and ricotta, on a bed of arugula and other baby lettuces. This was accompanied with some fresh triangles of puffy bread. Fantastic. I have never been disappointed with the service or the food at Ciao Bella, and I doubt anybody will ever be.

Fantastic pizza! Not what is customary here in Panama. The crust was crispy; the sauce was extremely flavorful; the cheese was delicious. I could have eaten more if I did not mind looking like a glutton..... The service is excellent and very attentive. Ciao Bella raises the bar on the other Pizzerias in Panama.