Provienctown has a rich history. Many of the old established haunts have wonderful colorful stories that go alone with the walls of the building. Of all these wonderful stories and legends, my favorite is Ciro & Sal's.In 1951 Proviencetown was an artist colony. Artists from all over the globe flocked to the Cape to study painting and hang with fellow artists. However it was void of the Bohemian type cafes and late night hang-outs that artists requrie. Two local artists Ciriaco Cozza and Salvatore Del Deo opened a late night coffee shop. They opened it with only $200.00. Friends donated silverware, glassware and other odds-n-ends. It was said all the artists of that time could be found here, eating and drinking until late into the night.
Today Ciro & Sal's still has a Bohemian charm. It's still in the basement of a house off Commercial Street. It's only open for dinner. The restaurant does not have a parking lot and this area of town does not have a lot of parking. If you are staying in P'Town the best way to get here is to walk. Look for the sign on Commercial Street and head around the back of the building to enter. The door is unmarked and the little patio out back seems overgrown. This is the charm of Ciro & Sal's. Inside it's dark, and the ceiling is low--empty Chianti bottles dangle above your head.
The place has a charm and a feeling of "fun". Like many places on the Cape, it's a mix of locals, tourists, gays, families, and fishermen. Folks drive in from all over the cape, to eat here. Everyone just blends together here for good food and a good time.
The menu is Italian and has all the favorite pasta dishes and Italian meat dishes that you would expect to find. However this is Cape Cod and the fish is fresh and local. I had a wonderful halibut that came with a generous side of pasta. It was prepared perfect and needless to say it was fresh. They offer a kid's menu and the kids gave thumbs up to their pasta dishes. The wait staff is International and does a good job at taking care of you and keeping the atomosere lively.
Fifty-five years is a long time for a restaurant in P'town to keep going. However when you offer good food, good service and a bit of local charm I can see why Ciro & Sal's is a favorite choice of many, and you will need reservations to join the crowds who flock here.