Native-born Coeur d’Alene resident Roberta Larsen surrounds herself with a large and eclectic circle of friends and fellow community volunteers so it’s no surprise that her choice of restaurants she describes as “high decibel with conversation, pottery clanging and a general bustle of activity.”

Ciao Mambo is one of the area’s newest restaurants but has gained an enthusiastic fan base in six months. Located at the entrance to the new Hayden City Center in the Hayden Creek Plaza, the plaza’s waterfalls welcome diners. With vaulted ceilings and segmented seating areas, the ambiance is like Sunday dinner with a large Italian family. In fact, Roberta and her husband, David enjoy taking friends and family for a night out.

“This Continental Divide version of all food Italian requires almost weekly visits to savor everything from appetizers to zzzzzpizza!” declared Roberta. “The bar seating facing the kitchens whets our appetite and love of pizza. We can watch incredible pizza tossing and react with oohs and aahhs. It’s a grand show!”

The Larsens agree on their favorite appetizer, Calamari Fritti, battered and fried squid with spicy garlic marinara sauce. On a recent visit they ordered pasta to share, Gamberi Fra Diavolo, with grilled shrimp in a spicy roasted garlic marinara served with al dente spaghetti which they rated with “bellissimo!” and praise for their “delightfully lively” server, Nicki. “The presentation was beautiful,” said Roberta. The menu is ala carte so if you’re ordering an appetizer, salad and nibbling on the delicious bread, Roberta suggests sharing the entree`.

According to the Larsens, the wine list is extensive and affordable, the Italian pinot grigio a favorite. The bar has a full array of spirits and wonderfully inventive cocktails. Roberta sums up the ambiance with this observation, “Sitting in the bar area at 5 p.m., when Ciao Mambo opens, is an especially lovely way to end the work day. The west facing windows take full advantage of our glorious, gorgeous sunsets.”