Mark Laska was tired of the winter doldrums and he looked to his rustic Italian restaurant for the cure.
The owner of one of Central Whidbey’s newest restaurants is hosting a month-long celebration.
It’s Carnevale time at Ciao and the restaurant, which opened last May, is providing specialty dishes and live music to mark the celebration.
Laska said he wanted a celebration to lift people’s spirits during one of the slowest and dreariest times of the year. It provides a warm break from the cloudy days, frequent rain, wind and occasional snow.
“This town was kind of in the doldrums,” Lasko said. “I built this place to be a focal point.”
He said a month-long celebration will help break up the winter blues.
Carnevale kicked off in January and wraps up Feb. 21, which is Fat Tuesday.
Ciao is offering food specials, each honoring a different region of Italy. The specials range from fettucini alfredo and lasagna to seafood scampi and steak florentine. Live music is offered three nights a week. Thursdays will feature Eddie McGehee, Fridays will feature Trio Nouveau and Saturday’s music is Straight Ahead Duo, with dancing from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Ciao is located on North Main Street in the former home of the County Deli. The building underwent a renovation in the months leading up to the restaurant’s opening.
Business has been strong for Laska since opening Ciao. He describes the food he prepares as rustic Italian.
Ciao features pizza nepoletana, which follows criteria set by Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture, Laska said.
Each pizza has to contain Italian flour, San Marzano tomatoes, Italian olive oil and fresh mozzarella cheese, which Ciao chefs make everyday. Its pizza is also made by hand.
Laska is quick to point out the connection Ciao has with local farmers. He said 70 percent of the ingredients come from Whidbey Island sources while the remaining comes from the finest sources in Italy.
Laska, who has been living in Coupeville for seven years with his wife and two children, is also proud to say that he has employed up to 20 people in the summer and they’re all locals from the Central Whidbey area.
Ciao is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It is located at 701 N. Main St. in Coupeville. Call 678-0800 for more information.