Baci Bistro

I lived in Northern Italy for years and am very picky... the food here is amazing, and the closest to Northern Italian Cuisine that I've found in the states. I'm from Kailua, but live in Portland now. Baci is a restaurant that I miss on a daily basis. Try Chef Reza's grilled shrimp with goat cheese/ mint & lime. Normally Italians wouldn't recommend cheese with seafood, but this is a must!\r \r Pros: Amazing food... more

We have eaten here many times and if you are in a hurry, whether it is lunch or dinner do not even attempt to eat here. I have never eaten inside the restaurant for the fact it looks like pack sardines stuffed into a tacky Italian grandma's rest home. Outside is okay; except for the large bird feces we had on the tablecloth conveniently covered by a plate.\r \r When we finally got our courses, I ordered the Ravioli of the Day, supposedly 4 cheese and Pollo Picatta. It arrived; needless to say it was once again cooler than lukewarm. The Pollo Picatta tasted like it had gotten a salt dip. The chicken itself was not dry but it was very salty. We mentioned it to the waitress and she was like okay do you want something else? We have been more than patient and understanding.\r \r When we tasted the ravioli we decided it was ricotta and Parmesan shoved into a pasta. Bland and the sauce was runny to say the least. After eating a good portion of that plate, there was a NASTY BLACK HAIR IN MY PLATE!! I felt my regurgitation reflex. I flagged the waitress down and she took the plate and disappeared. There was no I'll get the manager or anything. We sat there for about 5 minutes and then she came back and said that it would be taken off our bill. We then preceded to get our check and we were ready to leave. I told her that I wanted to speak to a manager and ended up going in and explaining the whole situation to the ""manager"". I am not sure if he was an owner or a manager, but he needs to go to school to learn proper customer relations. He was outwardly confrontational and preceded to raise his voice at me in the middle of his dining room about how they do not use salt. Well his comment alone should tell you how this food tastes. He stated to tell me that they do not even have it in the kitchen.\r \r I will never eat here again, not because of the cold or unsanitary food or the slow service, but because this restaurant shows a complete disregard lacks for service and appreciation. Pros: didn't get food severe poiso ning Cons: yelled at by the ""manager"" in the dining room, $36 for salty-cold chicken and the Hair-In-Ravioli Special more

I am new to the windward side of the island. I was concerned that I wasn't going to be able to find any new ""favorites."" I am so glad I stumbled upon this place for lunch! I had the ravioli of the day, it was beyond this world. It was a 3 cheeze ravioli so good I went back for lunch 3 days in a row so I could try the other variations. If your in kailua don't miss this place!! Pros: a charming restaurant with friendly sercive and an obvious passion for food Cons: none to speak of great value! more

I recently visited Baci Bistro while in Honolulu for a convention based on a review in a journal published for the event. It is a small restaurant in Kailua, about a 30-minute drive up and down the mountains from Waikiki. This restaurant had fantastic Italian food, including unique starters, entrees, and desserts. The marscapone cheesecake is to die for, and I'm not even a big cheesecake fan. We went back for a second visit on the night before leaving the island. I'd highly recommend it. It's a nice drive, and it was the best Italian we had out of three different places that were all positively reviewed in the journal. Pros: Terrific food, friendly staff, large portions Cons: Small venue more