Review: CIBO Fusion Restaurant & Lounge in Marion, Iowa

CIBO Fusion Restaurant & Lounge made its home in Marion, Iowa, in March 2007. It is locally owned by Tony Kassouf and his mother, Lidia Kassouf , who is also the restaurant's sous chef.

CIBO (pronounced Chee-bo and translates to "food" in Italian) Fusion is known for their great blend of atmosphere and food.

Recently my family and I had a late lunch at CIBO Fusion Restaurant & Lounge. With drinks and an appetizer of Spring Rolls our total bill was $39.90.

My son had the Loaded Potato Soup for $2.00 and thought it was the best soup he had ever laid his taste buds on. (That's high praise, as he is an avid soup eater.) While at CIBO Fusion, you cannot leave without trying one of the many soups made with fresh ingredients by co-owner and sous chef, Lidia Kassouf. Lidia's soups will soon be available for sale in frozen portions. My son also had the CIBO Melt for $8.00. The CIBO melt is a big sandwich stuffed with smoked turkey, prosciutto, capicola ham and applewood smoked bacon. It is topped with alfredo sauce, oregano, and mozzarella cheese.

My husband had the Grilled Portabello Sandwich for $7.00. The sandwich is made with a portobello mushroom, layered with spinach, onion, tomato and gorganzola. It is topped with pesto and mayo and served between two slices of rye bread.

I had my favorite - the Eggplant Parmesan Panini for $8.00. Eggplant with marinara, topped with mozzarella and spinach in between two slices of grilled focaccia bread makes this sandwich one of the tastiest for lunch time.

Every Monday through Friday from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm you can take advantage of the Early Bird Special. There are a number of gourmet pizzas for $8.99, a great selection of unlimited Pasta Bowls for $9.99, and a Grilled Pork Loin or Rosemary Chicken dinner for $9.99.

Happy Hour is Monday - Friday, 3:00pm - 6:00 pm as well.

If you need any catering done, CIBO Fusion Restaurant & Lounge has an event coordinator who can happily assist. Options and prices are available on www.cibofusion.com

CIBO Fusion Restaurant & Lounge is located at 685 Marion Boulevard, Marion, Iowa. Restaurant hours are: Monday - Saturday, 11 am - 10 pm and Sunday, 9 am - 9 pm.

Brunch is also served on Sundays from 9 am - 2 pm. Reservations are recommended.

Beginning April 23, CIBO Fusion opened up the Ultra Lounge. The Ultra Lounge is open Thursday - Saturday nights from 10 pm - 2 am. Dress code is enforced.

For more information, please call (319) 447-1414.

Tony Kassouf also owns another successful restaurant, The American Skillet on Johnson Avenue in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.