D’ Cerboni’s Ciao House opens in Apple Valley: Dining Around

When acclaimed Apple Valley restaurant Di Napoli’s Firehouse closed recently, many patrons found themselves in a predicament.

Where could they find the same wonderful food, service and atmosphere?

Gailen Waggoner, a regular reader of this column, and his wife Sharon were Di Napoli’s regulars. When they learned that a new family-owned Italian restaurant, D’ Cerboni’s Ciao House, was opening in the same location on April 24, they made plans to dine there.

They were happy with their experience, and Gailen called to give Dining Around the scoop.

In the beginning

David Cerboni’s earliest recollection of the restaurant business was being tall enough to sit on the counters in his mother’s restaurant in Crestline and help chefs peel shrimp.

The family’s involvement in the industry actually started with his great grandmother who opened The Mexico Café, in 1951.

David decided the food and hospitality industry would be a great career. He worked in many types of restaurants ─ everything from fast food to fine dining ─ and gained experience he knew would be invaluable when he became a restaurant owner.

He met his future wife Lily when he began working at a fish taco restaurant in the Inland Empire. She was a server and had worked in a variety of restaurants throughout her life, as well.

David also worked outside the restaurant business for a venture capital group that financed startups and small businesses in the hotel, nightclub and restaurant industry.

He also was a full-time consultant for the Caspian Mediterranean Kitchen in Orange County, leaving that position last March just after signing the lease to for D’ Cerboni’s Ciao House.

The importance of ambience

Ambience is defined as “the atmosphere and character of a restaurant” ─ qualities that make diners feel welcome when they come through the door.

With their restaurant and hospitality background, the Cerbonis knew about ambience. They also knew the importance of good service.

Reasonable prices were also important, and they were confident they could put everything together to create a special fine dining establishment.

Success starts with the food

The menu was David’s department, and he made his family recipes his own by making each dish healthy without sacrificing taste or those who appreciate traditional Italian food.

Everything at D’ Cerboni’s Ciao House is cooked to order from the freshest ingredients and using only extra virgin olive oil, even in the deep fryer.

David’s experience as head chef grew when he became a home chef. He and Lily have seven children and several grandchildren, so he learned menu planning and cooking big meals every day.

All about the food

D’ Cerboni’s Ciao House serves traditional, authentic and delicious Italian food like pizza, pasta, steaks, seafood, parmigiana and more.

The names of many of the dishes are almost as fun to say as they are to eat. We suggest you spend time with the online menu. It is very user friendly.

Particular customer favorites are chicken parmesan and wild mushroom ravioli.

Their brick oven pizzas are medium for $15, large for $21 and include the My Way, with a choice of up to three toppings ─ extra toppings for $3 each. If you prefer a pizza with a little heat, try the Bocca D’ Fuego with mozzarella, pepperoni, black olives and jalapeno.

Soups, salads, sandwiches, and specialties like shrimp scampi and New York steak round out the menu.

D’ Cerboni’s Ciao House offers beverages from imported Sicilian soda to fountain sodas, freshly brewed iced tea, espresso, hot tea and coffee. From the full bar, diners can order mocktails and cocktails as well as bottled domestic and imported beer, wines including “Ciao House” selections or sparkling varieties.

Desserts include spumoni cake, cannoli, New York cheesecake and ice cream sundaes ─ even more reason to return often.

Saving the best for last

David is already planning additions to make D’ Cerboni’s Ciao House even more desirable as “the place to go.” He wants to expand the existing menu, offer breakfast and introduce a “specialty” board that will offer Mexican cuisine.

Check their website for updates.

When you go

What: D’Cerboni’s Ciao House, 17856 Highway 18, Apple Valley.

When: Open Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Information: Full bar. Senior, uniformed first responders discounts. Takeout. Dine in. Private parties. Catering, drop and go or full service. Website: dcerbonisciaohouse.com. Facebook, TikTok and Instagram: @dcerbonis. Menu on Yelp! and zmenu.com. Online ordering. 760-242-5802.

If you would like your restaurant profiled in Dining Around, text/call 760-953-8682 or email kaynhuey@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: D’ Cerboni’s Ciao House opens in Apple Valley: Dining Around