We had a family meal catered at Cafe Baci and the staff was really wonderful. The only problem we had was using the elevator which worked and then stopped working. The food was very tasty with plenty of garlic, hurrah! They provided a nice menu with a choice of four entrees that all had too much food plus a group plate of pasta. Dessert was a yummy tiramisu. Bathrooms were fresh. Drinks were constantly refilled. The staff was very helpful and friendly.
(4)
Liz J.
Had the early bird special. Flounder. It was very very salty and could not finish. The salad was the smallest I've even been served, yet it was delicious. $15 for appetizer, dinner and desert. Price can't be best. And nice decor. Not really any vegetarian options beside eggplant parm. (I don't eat since its fried but my flounder seemed fried anyway. Wine $10 a bottle. I think it's a good value for dollar. Tiramisu was excellent.
(3)
Joy S.
The last time I went to this restaurant I was a child so I was going based on the reviews. I now understand why there are so many mixed reviews. It seems their cooking quality is inconsistent.There was 8 of us and we were celebrating my husbands Birthday. When we first arrived we were set up at a table that was better for 6 or maybe 7 but 8 was pushing it. So we spoke with the hostess and she immediately moved us which was really nice. So, Cafe Baci starts you off with THE WORST bread sticks in the world but follows up with some nice focaccia bread for the table, served with herbed oil for dipping. Three of us started with Cesar salads, they were super small and not enough dressing and had rock like croutons. So here is what we all ordered, I had the Frutti Di Mare in a red sauce. It was pretty good but I was not expecting chunks of fish in it (I don't care for cooked fish) but the shellfish was plentiful. My 98 yr old Grandmother had the app sized mussels in a white sauce with a side of penne, she ate it all!! My mom and brother had the Grouper francese which was a special, they liked it but I didn't think the portion size was worth the $25. My SIL had the mushroom ravioli in the pink sauce and that was really good. Hubby had the lasagna, NOT SO GOOD- the in very inside was quite cold and the outer area was warmish- the noodles were really gummy and there was not enough sauce so it was dry. My dad had the eggplant parm, NOT SO GOOD either, the dish was really dry due to not enough sauce, what little sauce there was had good flavor but the eggplant itself had no flavor at all and his dish was also not hot. Our server Jessica, who was wonderful, took my husbands dish off the check. She brought my husband a piece of tiramisu with Happy Birthday written on the plate and that was really good! I don't know if we will be back. There are so many other Italian places in Sarasota and Bradenton that are just as good if not better and was less expensive! PS the ladies bathroom was horrible-shame on you Cafe Baci
(2)
Sara B.
Great food & service. Had a great table. Very busy night but waitress did great. Has greatly improved.
(5)
Ron B.
Stopped in for dinner on a recommendation from a friend and could not have had a more pleasant experience. The food was delicious and the service impeccable. Also my girlfriend forgot her sunglasses and they were kind enough to call us and let us know to come pick them up. We will be back!
(5)
Michael M.
We were a party of 4. The food was really quite good. It should be at $24.00 per entree. Overall the evening went OK. We ordered out meals at 7:00. We finished at 9:00. Long wait. The wait left us with empty beer glasses for 20 min. . Even longer before the entrees arrived. About 45 min from the time we ordered. The waitress was friendly enough, just not in too much of a hurry. I can understand a slow kitchen, but to wait more than 20 min with a dry glass. That's on the server! There are too many great restaurants to spend really over 2 hours in a $$ eatery. Cafe Baci is fine if you have plenty of time. I was afraid i was beginning to grow roots to the chair.
(3)
Sharon S.
My husband and I decided to try a different Italian restaurant and we choose Cafe Baci. We were seated promptly and anticipated a fine dining experience. We saw two parties of six seated and waited on after we had been waiting for 15 minutes with only water. Needless to say, we walked out and will never return. Primos, we will be back!
(1)
Meg C.
This is a totally fun place with awesome food! The hostess was kind and patient. We ate on the second floor so we needed to use the elevator and the staff was really chill about it. Our server was Corey and he was awesomely friendly! He made me a hot chocolate. The banter was hilarious and I enjoyed the conversation between the busboy and Corey. It felt like we were regulars! I had gnocchi and it was delicious. I totally recommend it! And to top it off when my mother left her phone Corey ran down the stairs to give it back to us. A true gentleman.
(4)
Amanda C.
we had a good meal good meal. it was moms b day. she liked the mussels. I had salad which was good . I liked the bread sticks. I liked my meal I had ravs in sauce that place when left was busy. I not syure why getting mixed reviews.
(4)
Henry H.
Excellent service. High quality Italian dishes with a lot of variety. Moderate prices on early bird specials. Consistent quality.
(4)
Nicki D.
Despite the food being very good I cannot give this restaurant a good review. Our waitress spilled almost an entire glass of red and down my side and back. The splash also got onto my purse and chair. The waitress apologized profusely and brought me club soda and a towel to try and get the stains out. After trying to remove the stains in their restroom unsuccessfully I returned to the table to order dinner despite such an unsavory beginning. The rest of dinner proceeded without incident and the food was good. In light of what happened I expected at least my glass of wine to have been comped. Nothing was comped or even offered. I was given a business card and told to send them the dry cleaning bill if the stain didn't come out. This was extremely poor customer service. I realize accidents happen. At least try to make better amends for it.
(1)
Sara S.
They have my favorite lasagna in Sarasota. It's extra thick with layers and layers of deliciousness. The bechamel sauce is what adds the extra awesome layer. My favorite item on their menu, however, is the truffle ravioli appetizer. It's rich, creamy, perfect pockets of tastiness. Meatballs were great. Everyone loves their gnocchi, but I wasn't blown away. Eggplant entree was a hit. The restaurant is located on 41 by Trader Joe's. You can't miss the sign. The restaurant itself is a little dated, but it adds to the authentic Italian experience. The diners are mostly retirees, but that's not uncommon in Sarasota. Service is great. Everyone is extremely personable and helpful. Definitely one of the better restaurants in Sarasota.
(4)
John L.
Authentic Italian Cuisine Great food, Excellent service, The lasagna was out of this world just like you get in Italy.
(5)
Abbie D.
I should have taken the advice of others who reviewed this place. Although it's pretty on the inside, the food could have been better. I tried the lasagna which someone had already reviewed as dry and lukewarm or cold on the inside. True to these words, this was exactly how it arrived on my plate. I even asked for extra sauce and they gave me about 2 or 3 tablespoons of meat sauce. Not nearly enough for this lasagna. The lasagna had a bechamel sauce and a meat sauce. The bechamel sauce had congeaIed and the meat sauce was paltry. I ate half and asked for it to be wrapped but threw it out at home.Don't think it can be salvaged. .My partner had the veal parmigiana. He said it was OK but the spaghetti that came with it was inedible. Not sure if it was the sauce or what. The tiramisu dessert was terrific. So, come here for dessert.
This was certainly an interesting dining experience. I had eaten lunch here years ago and remembered that I enjoyed the meal so I suggested this place when I was on a day trip to Sarasota. The place was packed for dinner but we didn't have to wait long at all to get seated. The first thing I noticed immediately when I walked into the dining room was that every single diner was at least 25 years older than me. The other thing that I noticed was that I was quite underdressed compared to the rest of the patrons. Oh well, hi everyone! I ordered the chicken parmesan and it was really delicious. The portion size was absolutely enormous. Two people could have easily shared that amount of food and left with full bellies. I have to say that I was surprised that I didn't get a salad with my dinner. If I'm paying 20 bucks for an entree you can at least throw some salad in a bowl for me! While I enjoyed my meal I think I will stick to having lunches here. It's cheaper and the atmosphere is much less formal.
(4)
Ina F.
Perfect! Best Italian meal in Sarasota! Our server Naomi was professional and knowledgeable and very nice. We can't wait to go back.
(5)
Mike S.
A family favorite over the years. Have dined there repeatedly and happily, enjoying an excellent variety of pasta dishes, veal, poultry, seafood, salads, sides and fine desserts. Their sauces, red and white, are authentic and well done. Service is attentive and very professional. And I really appreciate their tiramisu....almost like an after-dinner drink. They also do a fine job catering and providing private receptions/dinners upstairs for weddings, reunions, funerals and similar events. Several choices of fine entrees with table service undiminished despite volume.
(4)
Mary S.
We really enjoyed our dinner. The food was delicious. What made our experience even better was our waitress. She was extremely pleasant, beginning with a warm welcome to making selection suggestions including a lesser expensive wine that really "Opened up" after a few minutes. we will definitely be back!
(4)
David K.
This place knows what it does best and sticks to it. Our food was delicious. The chicken parm was huge, lightly breaded, well sauced and very good.The macadamia encrusted sea bass was delicious and well presented. Theresa, our server was masterful at giving great service without hovering. She was very pleasant and is an asset. It was a crowded Saturday night but it never got too loud. My first time here and I'll be back.
(5)
Jeanne J.
We were looking for Italian food having enjoyed a nice glass of Brunello at Sarasota Wine Club on Main Street. They have a great selection of wines and we had a wonderful conversation with the owner . We got to talking about Italy and that's why we got hungry for pasta. Off we went. On a friends re commendation we headed to Cafe Baci. Great service, quick to be seated and offered water and the wine list. We were surprised when a lovely little plate of antipasto appeared compliments of the house. Along with homemade focaccia and breadsticks. Our server wAs very knowledgeable about the menu and explained some of the preparations for us. We ordered the chefs choice which included a perfectly prepared lobster tail, seabass and salmon with fresh green beans and potatoes for my husband and I ordered the Fruti de Mare which was full of seafood and perfectly prepared pasta. The presentation was original . We enjoyed a bottle of the house wine which we really enjoyed, very light and complimentary to our entrees. Pleasant ambiance and friendly staff made our night complete. Also...black napkins ! Five stars for that.
(5)
Nathan U.
This place rocks! World class dining experience! Great family dining venue. Better than any Italian food I have had back home (San Francisco ). We had the Pan seared Red Snapper, Chicken Parmesan, Linguine Fruitti Del Mare. The service was attentive, very friendly and knowledgable and not over bearing. Our waitress was Suzanne and she was an excellent guide on our culinary journey that was 'Cafe Baci'. Almost forgot the wine! The owner Roberto, hand picks the wines. We had a delicious Pinot noir, 'Argyle'. Also of note was the calamari and spaghetti puttanesca and tarimasu. Anyways, this place was great for me and my family. Highly recommended for amazingly authentic italian food in a zesty family setting. Can't wait to come back here next time I visit family here.
(5)
Nikki K.
I dont understand why this place has so many good reviews. It must be that foodies know to not even attempt this place. Its been in Sarasota forever - yay for longevity - but the compliments stop there. This is definitely a place catering to the senior crowd. The ambiance is atmospheric but creepy to me. Like someone made a television set of a 'fancy' restaurant ... in the 80s. Our server was nice but awkward, at one point we were looking for her in order to obtain a spoon and we found her staring out the window at the rain. At many points during our visit it was clear that her suggestions were motivated by hoping to increase the bill total. Then at the end we realized we needed to split checks, she walked away in a huff and shaking her head as she headed to the register. Doesnt she realize she makes more tip when all the checks are split up? The food took a LONG time to arrive, and as I suspected, the quality did not match the price. I had a veal dish that wasnt bad, but wasnt great and not worth its $23. A glass of red win was $9. My dining companions ordered Osso Buco - it tasted no different than a pot roast. Save your money, and go eat at one of the many original restaurants in downtown SRQ.
(2)
mary R.
This visit was our first time at Cafe Baci. We reviewed them on YELP and were not disappointed. The two issues any restaurant have are Service and Food. Our server, Teressa was at the top of her game. She possessed all the qualification for a professional wait person. Knowledge of the menu, attententiveness, humor, knowledge of the wine selection and superior friendliness. She handled us like we were the only ones in the resturant. The food exceeded our expectation, both in taste, serving size and cost. Just totally amazing. The four of us all had different menu items for our main courses. Additionally we had several starters. All were we'll beyond our expectations. The interior was as authentic as if we were in Italy. We have been to Italy over 10 times and this total experience rates with the best food and service we received there.
(5)
RaChel F.
After living in Sarasota all our lives we decided to try this place...for the first time. We ended up kicking ourselves for waiting so long. The food was excellent, the service was even better. Marc was a server and he gave us great recommendations and was very on top of everything. The owner was also present making his rounds and assisting the staff when needed. We had the mussels, caesar salad, mushroom ravioli, lasagne, and cannolis as well as a bottle of wine. The bread they provide is also fabulous. Overall excellent experience, will absolutely be back.
We went there last night and it was just ok. The service was excellent. Our waiter, Richard and his son, Brandon, made what could have been an average night into a warm and memorable night. Richard had our drink order taken and bread on the table in minutes. Good start. Also, our appetizers were out rather quickly. The Fritto Misto, calamari/zucchini/mozzarella (3) were light and very good. Salads were also very good as was the pasta Fagioli. Entrees were average. 2 in our party had Chicken Parmigiano which was good but no pasta with it which was disappointing...and just a dollop of sauce. Its served w/ green beans and 2 small wedges of potato. Flounder Francese was also good but not great....I've had much better. One got the special of Veal 3 ways 2 pieces were embarrassingly teeny. He said he'd not get it Again. Another had the Grouper Francese which he said was ok but not memorable. Desserts of a couple of Raspberry Tartufo were enjoyed. All in all the evening was enjoyable but we're not rushing back. And when we do we'll request Riichard, for certain! BTW.....no place to wait....NO bar area...just people wedged together in the entry and the hostess was quite confused. Contessa
(3)
Julie B.
Based on Opentable.com reviews we decided to give this place a chance and I'm glad we did. The service was friendly and attentive without being over bearing. The owner helped my husband pick a fantastic bottle of wine and was consistently seen through the evening helping out his wait staff (leading by example!). My husband, wanting something simple, stated that to the waitress who offered non-menu items for him to chose from, and his basic spaghetti and meatballs stole the show, although my shrimp scampi was delishish as well. A fine evening indeed with full bellies and happy hearts. I hope you will dine here!
(5)
Robin C.
My family and I have been coming to Cafe Baci for many years. THe food is supberb and the kitchen is always willing to make my Dad and Uncle their favorite which is not on the menu, Veal Francese. We went a couple of weeks ago to celebrate my Dads 78th birthday, and our server Lorraine was great. We come down every February from CT and Cafe Baci, is always a must on the to do list!
(5)
Megan R.
This place didn't live up to my expectations. I ordered the lasagna, I mean how do you go wrong with that dish at an Italian restaurant? Well to start their meat "sauce" isn't sauce at all. It was just all ground hamburger with very little to no favoring. This dish was more like a mashed up hamburger with lasagna noodles instead of a bun. I have never sent a dish back because I didn't like it, but this place set a new low for me. If I had wanted a hamburger I would have gone to a hamburger joint. Maybe its just me but when I go out for Italian I expect it to be messy, cheesy & covered in tomato sauce... I didn't get any of this at this place. I've had better lasagna from the fast food Italian restaurant called Fazoli's! I won't be going back. My thought is that if they managed to mess up a classic then I don't even want to know what the rest of the menu is like. Only up side was that the staff was friendly!
(1)
David S.
Baci's is one of those restaurants that after you've been, you will always remember as an eatery you will want to return to when you want to be treated like your special. The dishes are superbly prepared and presented, the service is professional beyond any of our experiences in Sarasota. Our server (Robin) is a mature, soft spoken, non-pretentious lady who made us feel warmly welcome and unrushed for our special occasion dinner out. The hostess (whose name i missed - super lady) made it a real team effort. We had the sea bass and shrimp scampi main dishes which were easily 5 star cuisine. We were made to feel like royalty as we finished our exquisite Pinot Grigio so slowly as to allow dinner to settle long enough to risk one of the deserts. We shared the tiramisu and left totally satiated. The bread and breadsticks before the meal were a distant memory, but one that will not be forgotten. Yes they were that good. I won't say this is Sarasota's best kept secret, but seriously, if you want class service, GREAT eats, and warm ambiance, this is the place. But don't tell anyone. We' ll have to reserve weeks in advance.
(5)
Gail L.
My first visit was on Mothers day, so I chalked up the over cooked chicken to it being a holiday. Rest of my table of 6 seemed to enjoy their food. We where back recently so I tried the veal Parmesan. Once again dry and way overcooked. Same group of people who seemed ok with their food, saying it was ok but not great. I give up and won't be back. Too bad because the staff is nice and the service was very good.
Been coming to Sarasota for five years and finally tried Cafe Baci. This restaurant is extremely committed to the consumer experience. From the Owner to the waiter to the bus staff it is 100% devoted to your attention. The food was spectacular. The service the best I have seen in Sarasota. It took me an Entertainment coupon to get there, it certainly won't to get back.
(4)
Suzie S.
I had absolutely the worst experience here. 12 people. We arrived at 5:30 and left at 10. Everything went wrong. Restaurant hell. The service was horrendous- the food was slow (almost two hours before for the main course). They dropped our salads. The manager didnt even try to help the overworked waiter. We couldn't get water refilled. Coffee came without saucers (and no refills). The table was not properly set. They offered nothing- not even biscotti to make up for the horrendous treatment. Then the bills were mixed up. I don't know what happened to this restaurant. It used to have good service. We'll never go back again.
(1)
Serafin S.
Great italian food, awesome service. My wife and I were happy to find a genuine italian restaurant in a town packed with so many "chain" restaurants and fast food places. Our waitress, a veteran of 7 years at Baci was knowledgeable and cordial. The owner was very attentive and always made an effort to help with the service. A must go to restaurant if you are near Sarasota.
(4)
John G.
We had chicken franchise for lunch. It was excellent. Definitely be back.
(4)
Carey Y.
From the street, Cafe Baci looks like it's from 1960. The sign as well as the outside of the restaurant is dated and falling apart, and does nothing at all to represent the excellence that happens inside. We were welcomed very warmly by the hostess and quickly led to our table. We saw right away that the clientele of this establishment is pretty much the over 65 crowd, and we felt slightly out of place and underdressed. The hostess assured us that people come in wearing just-off-the-beach clothes sometimes and that we were totally fine. Our waiter came over with menus and ice water and went over the specials, all of which sounded great. Shortly later, he brought over a basket of foccacia, delicious garlicy/parmesan breadsticks and some herbed olive oil. You see from my picture that we had all dived into those before I remembered to take a photo, and the basket is already partially empty. This restaurant came very highly recommended by my friend and duo partner Mike (please visit mikesolomusic.com and careyyaruss.com com for more info ) and one of the things he mentioned to me was how accommodating they are to their patron's requests. Knowing that, I asked if it would be possibly to add some grilled shrimp to the cappellini primavera, to which the waiter happily agreed. When my entree came out, I was very excited for my first taste. It was loaded with huge, gorgeous, grilled shrimp, tons of fresh vegetables and homemade cappellini with a creamy, tomato sauce. It was seriously delicious, rich and indulgent. I was totally happy with it, even though I was expecting a nice, light pasta dinner and it was definitely on the heavy side. The portion was extremely generous and I happily shared it with Gabriel and my mom and step-father, who all agree that it was super tasty. For dessert, we decided to order one tiramisu for everyone to share. When it arrived with an old looking strawberry on top, we assumed it must have been made much earlier and was just sitting in the fridge waiting for someone to order it. It was covered in a 2 inch thick layer of whipped cream on top and the espresso soaked cake was kind of overwhelmed by that. The flavor was good and if there had been less whipped cream I think we all would have really enjoyed it, but as it were, I pretty much was the only one who ended up eating it. Overall, I was very impressed with Cafe Baci and would definitely go back. I would love to see some younger people in there, but unless they update the outside and make it look a big livelier and hipper, I doubt anyone under 40 will be going in anytime soon. With nearly full tables, it seems like their business isn't suffering because of that, and maybe that's really the crowd that they are aiming to attract. With it's rustic, Italian interior, it has a classic feel that's sure to please an older (and wealthier) clientele. The food is really top quality and I'd certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a hearty meal. Enjoy!
(4)
Alyssa D.
Food was a solid four. I had the fetuccini Alfredo with chicken and dad had Groupe Francese. The cream sauce in the pasta was creamy and flavorful, but the chicken seemed out of place-- it was grilled and smoky and would have been better on a sandwich. Dad enjoyed his grouper Francese. Our server was friendly, but we only saw her once-- when we ordered. After we ordered, we waited a solid hour for our food. This lost this restaurant a star. Good food, but I'm not sure I'll be back. This place is definitely popular with the 65+ crowd, and I understand why -- good, slow food. If you're enjoying wine with friends while waiting an hour on your dinner, the wait is no big deal; if you're young and hungry, however, this may not be the place for you.
(3)
James S.
Everything we ordered was delicious , the complimentary focaccia bread with the olive oil was the best. I ordered the mussels as the appetizer and they were out of this world. My main dish was the shrimp fra diavolo it was also fantastic any they didn't skimp on the large fresh shrimp. Service was outstanding . Thank you Roberto.
(5)
Suzi O.
I have lived in Sarasota all my life and never went to Cafe Baci until now. What was I waiting for?! Every part of the meal was delicious. MY husband and I tried small salads which were excellent. My husband's had marinated pears in it and he said it was the best salad he ever had. I had one of their specials which was a pasta carbonara. It was tasty and not too heavy as many cream sauces can be. My husband had the lasagna which was heavy on the meat but very good. He would have liked more sauce on it. Cafe Baci was an excellent meal and I would recommend for a date night. If you are watching your budget it can get pricey as salads and wine are priced high.
(4)
Claire T.
I went to Cafe Baci with my parents and grandmother on a Sunday night and found it to be a nice place once you get inside. The outside sort of looks like an old motel, complete with sign with removable block letters. It is also home to a Rotary club meeting which I'm not sure if that is an endorsement or what, but I'm just putting it out there. I premise all this by saying that the presentation was very fancy (ooo square plates, stacked food!). The chopped salad was pretty great even though I'm not overly fond of olives, and the vinaigrette was fairly robust and tangy. The arugula and pear salad got high marks as did the soup du jour (9 bean). The mushroom ravioli was awesome, and the grilled salmon with spinach risotto was phenomenal. My dad got some sort of seafood linguine that was buttery and delicious ( I ate a lot of the vegetables) and the chicken parmigiana looked pretty typical. I'm not a big wine drinker but we all enjoyed the chilled house pinot grigio (fruity, not very dry). And we all enjoyed a very light sponge cake with pears for dessert. Overall it was a very nice meal, and three of us took food home to eat for lunch the next day, it was a bit pricey ($14 and up for entrees) but there is an option to get a salad, pick from a list of entrees and get some ice cream or sorbet for $18.99. I liked it, but get someone else to pay for it!
(4)
Danielle F.
In general, I was not overly impressed with the food in the Sarasota area, where I was recently vacationing, but Cafe Baci stood out. It is good, traditional, but light Italian-- very fresh and tasty, in a comfortable, sophisticated atmostphere that is in start contrast to the pink and green neon on the outside. Their wine list is impressive as well.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Sheri Fresonke H.
We had a family meal catered at Cafe Baci and the staff was really wonderful. The only problem we had was using the elevator which worked and then stopped working. The food was very tasty with plenty of garlic, hurrah! They provided a nice menu with a choice of four entrees that all had too much food plus a group plate of pasta. Dessert was a yummy tiramisu. Bathrooms were fresh. Drinks were constantly refilled. The staff was very helpful and friendly.
(4)Liz J.
Had the early bird special. Flounder. It was very very salty and could not finish. The salad was the smallest I've even been served, yet it was delicious. $15 for appetizer, dinner and desert. Price can't be best. And nice decor. Not really any vegetarian options beside eggplant parm. (I don't eat since its fried but my flounder seemed fried anyway. Wine $10 a bottle. I think it's a good value for dollar. Tiramisu was excellent.
(3)Joy S.
The last time I went to this restaurant I was a child so I was going based on the reviews. I now understand why there are so many mixed reviews. It seems their cooking quality is inconsistent.There was 8 of us and we were celebrating my husbands Birthday. When we first arrived we were set up at a table that was better for 6 or maybe 7 but 8 was pushing it. So we spoke with the hostess and she immediately moved us which was really nice. So, Cafe Baci starts you off with THE WORST bread sticks in the world but follows up with some nice focaccia bread for the table, served with herbed oil for dipping. Three of us started with Cesar salads, they were super small and not enough dressing and had rock like croutons. So here is what we all ordered, I had the Frutti Di Mare in a red sauce. It was pretty good but I was not expecting chunks of fish in it (I don't care for cooked fish) but the shellfish was plentiful. My 98 yr old Grandmother had the app sized mussels in a white sauce with a side of penne, she ate it all!! My mom and brother had the Grouper francese which was a special, they liked it but I didn't think the portion size was worth the $25. My SIL had the mushroom ravioli in the pink sauce and that was really good. Hubby had the lasagna, NOT SO GOOD- the in very inside was quite cold and the outer area was warmish- the noodles were really gummy and there was not enough sauce so it was dry. My dad had the eggplant parm, NOT SO GOOD either, the dish was really dry due to not enough sauce, what little sauce there was had good flavor but the eggplant itself had no flavor at all and his dish was also not hot. Our server Jessica, who was wonderful, took my husbands dish off the check. She brought my husband a piece of tiramisu with Happy Birthday written on the plate and that was really good! I don't know if we will be back. There are so many other Italian places in Sarasota and Bradenton that are just as good if not better and was less expensive! PS the ladies bathroom was horrible-shame on you Cafe Baci
(2)Sara B.
Great food & service. Had a great table. Very busy night but waitress did great. Has greatly improved.
(5)Ron B.
Stopped in for dinner on a recommendation from a friend and could not have had a more pleasant experience. The food was delicious and the service impeccable. Also my girlfriend forgot her sunglasses and they were kind enough to call us and let us know to come pick them up. We will be back!
(5)Michael M.
We were a party of 4. The food was really quite good. It should be at $24.00 per entree. Overall the evening went OK. We ordered out meals at 7:00. We finished at 9:00. Long wait. The wait left us with empty beer glasses for 20 min. . Even longer before the entrees arrived. About 45 min from the time we ordered. The waitress was friendly enough, just not in too much of a hurry. I can understand a slow kitchen, but to wait more than 20 min with a dry glass. That's on the server! There are too many great restaurants to spend really over 2 hours in a $$ eatery. Cafe Baci is fine if you have plenty of time. I was afraid i was beginning to grow roots to the chair.
(3)Sharon S.
My husband and I decided to try a different Italian restaurant and we choose Cafe Baci. We were seated promptly and anticipated a fine dining experience. We saw two parties of six seated and waited on after we had been waiting for 15 minutes with only water. Needless to say, we walked out and will never return. Primos, we will be back!
(1)Meg C.
This is a totally fun place with awesome food! The hostess was kind and patient. We ate on the second floor so we needed to use the elevator and the staff was really chill about it. Our server was Corey and he was awesomely friendly! He made me a hot chocolate. The banter was hilarious and I enjoyed the conversation between the busboy and Corey. It felt like we were regulars! I had gnocchi and it was delicious. I totally recommend it! And to top it off when my mother left her phone Corey ran down the stairs to give it back to us. A true gentleman.
(4)Amanda C.
we had a good meal good meal. it was moms b day. she liked the mussels. I had salad which was good . I liked the bread sticks. I liked my meal I had ravs in sauce that place when left was busy. I not syure why getting mixed reviews.
(4)Henry H.
Excellent service. High quality Italian dishes with a lot of variety. Moderate prices on early bird specials. Consistent quality.
(4)Nicki D.
Despite the food being very good I cannot give this restaurant a good review. Our waitress spilled almost an entire glass of red and down my side and back. The splash also got onto my purse and chair. The waitress apologized profusely and brought me club soda and a towel to try and get the stains out. After trying to remove the stains in their restroom unsuccessfully I returned to the table to order dinner despite such an unsavory beginning. The rest of dinner proceeded without incident and the food was good. In light of what happened I expected at least my glass of wine to have been comped. Nothing was comped or even offered. I was given a business card and told to send them the dry cleaning bill if the stain didn't come out. This was extremely poor customer service. I realize accidents happen. At least try to make better amends for it.
(1)Sara S.
They have my favorite lasagna in Sarasota. It's extra thick with layers and layers of deliciousness. The bechamel sauce is what adds the extra awesome layer. My favorite item on their menu, however, is the truffle ravioli appetizer. It's rich, creamy, perfect pockets of tastiness. Meatballs were great. Everyone loves their gnocchi, but I wasn't blown away. Eggplant entree was a hit. The restaurant is located on 41 by Trader Joe's. You can't miss the sign. The restaurant itself is a little dated, but it adds to the authentic Italian experience. The diners are mostly retirees, but that's not uncommon in Sarasota. Service is great. Everyone is extremely personable and helpful. Definitely one of the better restaurants in Sarasota.
(4)John L.
Authentic Italian Cuisine Great food, Excellent service, The lasagna was out of this world just like you get in Italy.
(5)Abbie D.
I should have taken the advice of others who reviewed this place. Although it's pretty on the inside, the food could have been better. I tried the lasagna which someone had already reviewed as dry and lukewarm or cold on the inside. True to these words, this was exactly how it arrived on my plate. I even asked for extra sauce and they gave me about 2 or 3 tablespoons of meat sauce. Not nearly enough for this lasagna. The lasagna had a bechamel sauce and a meat sauce. The bechamel sauce had congeaIed and the meat sauce was paltry. I ate half and asked for it to be wrapped but threw it out at home.Don't think it can be salvaged. .My partner had the veal parmigiana. He said it was OK but the spaghetti that came with it was inedible. Not sure if it was the sauce or what. The tiramisu dessert was terrific. So, come here for dessert.
(2)Dott F.
We planned dinner at Dolce Italia last night but it was closed on Mondays so we headed over to Cafe Baci. I have to say that it was better than Dolce Italia. We were seated promptly and had a very pleasant and efficient waiter. We had delicious pasta fagioli and minestrone soup. Tasted as good as my homemade. Bruschetta was good too. I had a side of gnocchi and a side of sautéed spinach because I wasn't too hungry but each side a large portion. My Aunt had Alfredo with shrimp it looked like the sauce was a little thin but she enjoyed it. My husband had the Sea Bass and it was very good. Desserts were very good too. Give it a try.
(4)Chris W.
This was certainly an interesting dining experience. I had eaten lunch here years ago and remembered that I enjoyed the meal so I suggested this place when I was on a day trip to Sarasota. The place was packed for dinner but we didn't have to wait long at all to get seated. The first thing I noticed immediately when I walked into the dining room was that every single diner was at least 25 years older than me. The other thing that I noticed was that I was quite underdressed compared to the rest of the patrons. Oh well, hi everyone! I ordered the chicken parmesan and it was really delicious. The portion size was absolutely enormous. Two people could have easily shared that amount of food and left with full bellies. I have to say that I was surprised that I didn't get a salad with my dinner. If I'm paying 20 bucks for an entree you can at least throw some salad in a bowl for me! While I enjoyed my meal I think I will stick to having lunches here. It's cheaper and the atmosphere is much less formal.
(4)Ina F.
Perfect! Best Italian meal in Sarasota! Our server Naomi was professional and knowledgeable and very nice. We can't wait to go back.
(5)Mike S.
A family favorite over the years. Have dined there repeatedly and happily, enjoying an excellent variety of pasta dishes, veal, poultry, seafood, salads, sides and fine desserts. Their sauces, red and white, are authentic and well done. Service is attentive and very professional. And I really appreciate their tiramisu....almost like an after-dinner drink. They also do a fine job catering and providing private receptions/dinners upstairs for weddings, reunions, funerals and similar events. Several choices of fine entrees with table service undiminished despite volume.
(4)Mary S.
We really enjoyed our dinner. The food was delicious. What made our experience even better was our waitress. She was extremely pleasant, beginning with a warm welcome to making selection suggestions including a lesser expensive wine that really "Opened up" after a few minutes. we will definitely be back!
(4)David K.
This place knows what it does best and sticks to it. Our food was delicious. The chicken parm was huge, lightly breaded, well sauced and very good.The macadamia encrusted sea bass was delicious and well presented. Theresa, our server was masterful at giving great service without hovering. She was very pleasant and is an asset. It was a crowded Saturday night but it never got too loud. My first time here and I'll be back.
(5)Jeanne J.
We were looking for Italian food having enjoyed a nice glass of Brunello at Sarasota Wine Club on Main Street. They have a great selection of wines and we had a wonderful conversation with the owner . We got to talking about Italy and that's why we got hungry for pasta. Off we went. On a friends re commendation we headed to Cafe Baci. Great service, quick to be seated and offered water and the wine list. We were surprised when a lovely little plate of antipasto appeared compliments of the house. Along with homemade focaccia and breadsticks. Our server wAs very knowledgeable about the menu and explained some of the preparations for us. We ordered the chefs choice which included a perfectly prepared lobster tail, seabass and salmon with fresh green beans and potatoes for my husband and I ordered the Fruti de Mare which was full of seafood and perfectly prepared pasta. The presentation was original . We enjoyed a bottle of the house wine which we really enjoyed, very light and complimentary to our entrees. Pleasant ambiance and friendly staff made our night complete. Also...black napkins ! Five stars for that.
(5)Nathan U.
This place rocks! World class dining experience! Great family dining venue. Better than any Italian food I have had back home (San Francisco ). We had the Pan seared Red Snapper, Chicken Parmesan, Linguine Fruitti Del Mare. The service was attentive, very friendly and knowledgable and not over bearing. Our waitress was Suzanne and she was an excellent guide on our culinary journey that was 'Cafe Baci'. Almost forgot the wine! The owner Roberto, hand picks the wines. We had a delicious Pinot noir, 'Argyle'. Also of note was the calamari and spaghetti puttanesca and tarimasu. Anyways, this place was great for me and my family. Highly recommended for amazingly authentic italian food in a zesty family setting. Can't wait to come back here next time I visit family here.
(5)Nikki K.
I dont understand why this place has so many good reviews. It must be that foodies know to not even attempt this place. Its been in Sarasota forever - yay for longevity - but the compliments stop there. This is definitely a place catering to the senior crowd. The ambiance is atmospheric but creepy to me. Like someone made a television set of a 'fancy' restaurant ... in the 80s. Our server was nice but awkward, at one point we were looking for her in order to obtain a spoon and we found her staring out the window at the rain. At many points during our visit it was clear that her suggestions were motivated by hoping to increase the bill total. Then at the end we realized we needed to split checks, she walked away in a huff and shaking her head as she headed to the register. Doesnt she realize she makes more tip when all the checks are split up? The food took a LONG time to arrive, and as I suspected, the quality did not match the price. I had a veal dish that wasnt bad, but wasnt great and not worth its $23. A glass of red win was $9. My dining companions ordered Osso Buco - it tasted no different than a pot roast. Save your money, and go eat at one of the many original restaurants in downtown SRQ.
(2)mary R.
This visit was our first time at Cafe Baci. We reviewed them on YELP and were not disappointed. The two issues any restaurant have are Service and Food. Our server, Teressa was at the top of her game. She possessed all the qualification for a professional wait person. Knowledge of the menu, attententiveness, humor, knowledge of the wine selection and superior friendliness. She handled us like we were the only ones in the resturant. The food exceeded our expectation, both in taste, serving size and cost. Just totally amazing. The four of us all had different menu items for our main courses. Additionally we had several starters. All were we'll beyond our expectations. The interior was as authentic as if we were in Italy. We have been to Italy over 10 times and this total experience rates with the best food and service we received there.
(5)RaChel F.
After living in Sarasota all our lives we decided to try this place...for the first time. We ended up kicking ourselves for waiting so long. The food was excellent, the service was even better. Marc was a server and he gave us great recommendations and was very on top of everything. The owner was also present making his rounds and assisting the staff when needed. We had the mussels, caesar salad, mushroom ravioli, lasagne, and cannolis as well as a bottle of wine. The bread they provide is also fabulous. Overall excellent experience, will absolutely be back.
(5)Deb K.
This is one of our favorite restaurants in Sarasota. The food is always fabulous, the atmosphere is warm, and the owners and staff are welcoming. We always have a great evening at Café Baci. My favorite entrée is the seafood with linguine. My husband LOVES the eggplant parmesan. The Harvest Salad is a great starter for any entrée. The restaurant has just the right ambiance, with quiet music in the background, so it's pleasant, but you can easily chat with your friends. We go back again and again for wonderful meals at Café Baci.
(5)Jordan M.
Gnocchi, gnocchi, gnocchi. It's a must, even as a side.
(5)Randy K.
We've passed Café Baci numerous times when on Tamiami Trail in south Sarasota. It was highly recommended by friends visiting the area from up north. Our meals ranged from excellent to just OK. The homemade bread was really good, with a nice dipping sauce. The Vitella Di Abundanza was a terrific tasting dish of 3 veal dishes (marsala, piccata and sarda). Each was different from the other, but all were very well prepared and delicious. The marsala sauce was especially good. The portion was quite large (glad I hadn't ordered an appetizer) and definitely worth the $24 price tag. It came with asparagus and pasta, with homemade marinara sauce. My wife had Shrimp Scampi over pasta. The sauce was excellent, but too much was on the dish, making the scampi rather soupy. One of the shrimp tasted "iodized," but its replacement was fine (as were the other shrimp). The homemade marinara sauce was excellent, but both of our pastas were overcooked, more like soup noodles than al dente pasta. Our server, Robin, was pleasant enough but not very attentive. We had to ask for water and soft drink refills, and the delicious bread was not replenished. Another waiter in the room, seemed to be much more with it. Café Baci is worth a return trip, as the menu looks both extensive and interesting.
(4)Contessa A.
We went there last night and it was just ok. The service was excellent. Our waiter, Richard and his son, Brandon, made what could have been an average night into a warm and memorable night. Richard had our drink order taken and bread on the table in minutes. Good start. Also, our appetizers were out rather quickly. The Fritto Misto, calamari/zucchini/mozzarella (3) were light and very good. Salads were also very good as was the pasta Fagioli. Entrees were average. 2 in our party had Chicken Parmigiano which was good but no pasta with it which was disappointing...and just a dollop of sauce. Its served w/ green beans and 2 small wedges of potato. Flounder Francese was also good but not great....I've had much better. One got the special of Veal 3 ways 2 pieces were embarrassingly teeny. He said he'd not get it Again. Another had the Grouper Francese which he said was ok but not memorable. Desserts of a couple of Raspberry Tartufo were enjoyed. All in all the evening was enjoyable but we're not rushing back. And when we do we'll request Riichard, for certain! BTW.....no place to wait....NO bar area...just people wedged together in the entry and the hostess was quite confused. Contessa
(3)Julie B.
Based on Opentable.com reviews we decided to give this place a chance and I'm glad we did. The service was friendly and attentive without being over bearing. The owner helped my husband pick a fantastic bottle of wine and was consistently seen through the evening helping out his wait staff (leading by example!). My husband, wanting something simple, stated that to the waitress who offered non-menu items for him to chose from, and his basic spaghetti and meatballs stole the show, although my shrimp scampi was delishish as well. A fine evening indeed with full bellies and happy hearts. I hope you will dine here!
(5)Robin C.
My family and I have been coming to Cafe Baci for many years. THe food is supberb and the kitchen is always willing to make my Dad and Uncle their favorite which is not on the menu, Veal Francese. We went a couple of weeks ago to celebrate my Dads 78th birthday, and our server Lorraine was great. We come down every February from CT and Cafe Baci, is always a must on the to do list!
(5)Megan R.
This place didn't live up to my expectations. I ordered the lasagna, I mean how do you go wrong with that dish at an Italian restaurant? Well to start their meat "sauce" isn't sauce at all. It was just all ground hamburger with very little to no favoring. This dish was more like a mashed up hamburger with lasagna noodles instead of a bun. I have never sent a dish back because I didn't like it, but this place set a new low for me. If I had wanted a hamburger I would have gone to a hamburger joint. Maybe its just me but when I go out for Italian I expect it to be messy, cheesy & covered in tomato sauce... I didn't get any of this at this place. I've had better lasagna from the fast food Italian restaurant called Fazoli's! I won't be going back. My thought is that if they managed to mess up a classic then I don't even want to know what the rest of the menu is like. Only up side was that the staff was friendly!
(1)David S.
Baci's is one of those restaurants that after you've been, you will always remember as an eatery you will want to return to when you want to be treated like your special. The dishes are superbly prepared and presented, the service is professional beyond any of our experiences in Sarasota. Our server (Robin) is a mature, soft spoken, non-pretentious lady who made us feel warmly welcome and unrushed for our special occasion dinner out. The hostess (whose name i missed - super lady) made it a real team effort. We had the sea bass and shrimp scampi main dishes which were easily 5 star cuisine. We were made to feel like royalty as we finished our exquisite Pinot Grigio so slowly as to allow dinner to settle long enough to risk one of the deserts. We shared the tiramisu and left totally satiated. The bread and breadsticks before the meal were a distant memory, but one that will not be forgotten. Yes they were that good. I won't say this is Sarasota's best kept secret, but seriously, if you want class service, GREAT eats, and warm ambiance, this is the place. But don't tell anyone. We' ll have to reserve weeks in advance.
(5)Gail L.
My first visit was on Mothers day, so I chalked up the over cooked chicken to it being a holiday. Rest of my table of 6 seemed to enjoy their food. We where back recently so I tried the veal Parmesan. Once again dry and way overcooked. Same group of people who seemed ok with their food, saying it was ok but not great. I give up and won't be back. Too bad because the staff is nice and the service was very good.
(2)Len J.
There is nothing about the appearance of this place that gives any indication of the food quality. It does not inspire confidence...until you take your first bite. Virtually everything that our party of four ordered was delicious - the antipasto plate, the salads, the mushroom soup, all fresh and flavorful. Our entrees included Veal Fiorentina, a wonderful breaded cutlet in a succulent white sauce, Grouper francaise with shrimp, the swordfish special and a frutte de mare, all of which were excellent. Dessert, which was completely unnecessary, was a very good creme brûlée accompanied by sambuca and coffee. Our check, which included a bottle of wine, came to $155.00. Service was attentive, friendly and unobtrusive.
(4)Greg R.
Been coming to Sarasota for five years and finally tried Cafe Baci. This restaurant is extremely committed to the consumer experience. From the Owner to the waiter to the bus staff it is 100% devoted to your attention. The food was spectacular. The service the best I have seen in Sarasota. It took me an Entertainment coupon to get there, it certainly won't to get back.
(4)Suzie S.
I had absolutely the worst experience here. 12 people. We arrived at 5:30 and left at 10. Everything went wrong. Restaurant hell. The service was horrendous- the food was slow (almost two hours before for the main course). They dropped our salads. The manager didnt even try to help the overworked waiter. We couldn't get water refilled. Coffee came without saucers (and no refills). The table was not properly set. They offered nothing- not even biscotti to make up for the horrendous treatment. Then the bills were mixed up. I don't know what happened to this restaurant. It used to have good service. We'll never go back again.
(1)Serafin S.
Great italian food, awesome service. My wife and I were happy to find a genuine italian restaurant in a town packed with so many "chain" restaurants and fast food places. Our waitress, a veteran of 7 years at Baci was knowledgeable and cordial. The owner was very attentive and always made an effort to help with the service. A must go to restaurant if you are near Sarasota.
(4)John G.
We had chicken franchise for lunch. It was excellent. Definitely be back.
(4)Carey Y.
From the street, Cafe Baci looks like it's from 1960. The sign as well as the outside of the restaurant is dated and falling apart, and does nothing at all to represent the excellence that happens inside. We were welcomed very warmly by the hostess and quickly led to our table. We saw right away that the clientele of this establishment is pretty much the over 65 crowd, and we felt slightly out of place and underdressed. The hostess assured us that people come in wearing just-off-the-beach clothes sometimes and that we were totally fine. Our waiter came over with menus and ice water and went over the specials, all of which sounded great. Shortly later, he brought over a basket of foccacia, delicious garlicy/parmesan breadsticks and some herbed olive oil. You see from my picture that we had all dived into those before I remembered to take a photo, and the basket is already partially empty. This restaurant came very highly recommended by my friend and duo partner Mike (please visit mikesolomusic.com and careyyaruss.com com for more info ) and one of the things he mentioned to me was how accommodating they are to their patron's requests. Knowing that, I asked if it would be possibly to add some grilled shrimp to the cappellini primavera, to which the waiter happily agreed. When my entree came out, I was very excited for my first taste. It was loaded with huge, gorgeous, grilled shrimp, tons of fresh vegetables and homemade cappellini with a creamy, tomato sauce. It was seriously delicious, rich and indulgent. I was totally happy with it, even though I was expecting a nice, light pasta dinner and it was definitely on the heavy side. The portion was extremely generous and I happily shared it with Gabriel and my mom and step-father, who all agree that it was super tasty. For dessert, we decided to order one tiramisu for everyone to share. When it arrived with an old looking strawberry on top, we assumed it must have been made much earlier and was just sitting in the fridge waiting for someone to order it. It was covered in a 2 inch thick layer of whipped cream on top and the espresso soaked cake was kind of overwhelmed by that. The flavor was good and if there had been less whipped cream I think we all would have really enjoyed it, but as it were, I pretty much was the only one who ended up eating it. Overall, I was very impressed with Cafe Baci and would definitely go back. I would love to see some younger people in there, but unless they update the outside and make it look a big livelier and hipper, I doubt anyone under 40 will be going in anytime soon. With nearly full tables, it seems like their business isn't suffering because of that, and maybe that's really the crowd that they are aiming to attract. With it's rustic, Italian interior, it has a classic feel that's sure to please an older (and wealthier) clientele. The food is really top quality and I'd certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a hearty meal. Enjoy!
(4)Alyssa D.
Food was a solid four. I had the fetuccini Alfredo with chicken and dad had Groupe Francese. The cream sauce in the pasta was creamy and flavorful, but the chicken seemed out of place-- it was grilled and smoky and would have been better on a sandwich. Dad enjoyed his grouper Francese. Our server was friendly, but we only saw her once-- when we ordered. After we ordered, we waited a solid hour for our food. This lost this restaurant a star. Good food, but I'm not sure I'll be back. This place is definitely popular with the 65+ crowd, and I understand why -- good, slow food. If you're enjoying wine with friends while waiting an hour on your dinner, the wait is no big deal; if you're young and hungry, however, this may not be the place for you.
(3)James S.
Everything we ordered was delicious , the complimentary focaccia bread with the olive oil was the best. I ordered the mussels as the appetizer and they were out of this world. My main dish was the shrimp fra diavolo it was also fantastic any they didn't skimp on the large fresh shrimp. Service was outstanding . Thank you Roberto.
(5)Suzi O.
I have lived in Sarasota all my life and never went to Cafe Baci until now. What was I waiting for?! Every part of the meal was delicious. MY husband and I tried small salads which were excellent. My husband's had marinated pears in it and he said it was the best salad he ever had. I had one of their specials which was a pasta carbonara. It was tasty and not too heavy as many cream sauces can be. My husband had the lasagna which was heavy on the meat but very good. He would have liked more sauce on it. Cafe Baci was an excellent meal and I would recommend for a date night. If you are watching your budget it can get pricey as salads and wine are priced high.
(4)Claire T.
I went to Cafe Baci with my parents and grandmother on a Sunday night and found it to be a nice place once you get inside. The outside sort of looks like an old motel, complete with sign with removable block letters. It is also home to a Rotary club meeting which I'm not sure if that is an endorsement or what, but I'm just putting it out there. I premise all this by saying that the presentation was very fancy (ooo square plates, stacked food!). The chopped salad was pretty great even though I'm not overly fond of olives, and the vinaigrette was fairly robust and tangy. The arugula and pear salad got high marks as did the soup du jour (9 bean). The mushroom ravioli was awesome, and the grilled salmon with spinach risotto was phenomenal. My dad got some sort of seafood linguine that was buttery and delicious ( I ate a lot of the vegetables) and the chicken parmigiana looked pretty typical. I'm not a big wine drinker but we all enjoyed the chilled house pinot grigio (fruity, not very dry). And we all enjoyed a very light sponge cake with pears for dessert. Overall it was a very nice meal, and three of us took food home to eat for lunch the next day, it was a bit pricey ($14 and up for entrees) but there is an option to get a salad, pick from a list of entrees and get some ice cream or sorbet for $18.99. I liked it, but get someone else to pay for it!
(4)Danielle F.
In general, I was not overly impressed with the food in the Sarasota area, where I was recently vacationing, but Cafe Baci stood out. It is good, traditional, but light Italian-- very fresh and tasty, in a comfortable, sophisticated atmostphere that is in start contrast to the pink and green neon on the outside. Their wine list is impressive as well.
(4)