Baci Bistro

Baci Bistro is my favorite place to eat on the island and the best tasting Italian restaurant I have ever been to. There service and food is nothing short of perfect and professional. I highly recommend checking out their menu. It’s all amazing. I had the leg of lamb over risotto rice with a slice of the best cheesecake I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Baci Bistro is the perfect example of what a Italian restaurant should taste like.
Highly recommended. Make reservation it gets really packed, the outdoor seating would be ideal if your on a date or want something more quiet. It does get really loud and cluttered inside.

Everything is phenomenal to eat at Baci’s. Excellent food with excellent presentation. Small restaurant, so reservations are recommended ahead of time. You can eat inside or outside. All of the servers are great. Be sure to ask for Jeff. He’s the best.

I don’t know what all the hype is about?! First off there was a fly in the olive oil and our waitress just kind of laughed when she removed it. Secondly, the gnocchi with salchicha tasted like it was pre-​frozen and rubbery, the gnocchi with truffles was good until my stomach started bubbling and felt like I was eating a bowl of buttery cream and mushy pillowed pasta. And lastly the veal tasted like pork and the waitress was sassy when we questioned it. It was chewy like a ham. This place is overpriced, $ 70 bill for faux Italian vibes and cuisine. Also badly decorated, DO NOT SIT INSIDE, kinda looks like a funeral parlor. The two stars are for the nice old man who happily sat us. Last thing– the waitress who spoke at a decibel level of a library, was unemotive and fake. People aren’t stupid, they can tell when you’re trying to up sell everything. If you want good Gnocchi, go to TOWN on Waialae. Sorry baci we are Never coming back !

Food is amazing! Went with a party of 14 and everyone was raving about how good their meals were. I would recommend making a reservation because it is not a large place.

the food is good but the service sucks. The waiter, besides being condescending was busy promoting some woman at the bar, not paying attention to his customers. I haven’t been back since, from being a once a week kind of place to not at all. Too bad the food is good, and the owner (Bill) is a great guy but he needs to better manage his staff. Our food cam slow and cold, our bill took forever! c’mon man, wake up!

Great restaurant! Just off of the main road. Not too busy but still well frequented. The waitress was extremely nice and helpful on menu suggestions. Portion size favors quality over quantity, but you won’t go home hungry. Dessert is well worth it.

The bf & I were forced into a late date night on a work night thanks to my forgetfulness when it comes to groupons. We are crazy busy this weekend so we decided to just go on Thursday since I’d only have to suffer through one day of work (I NEED what little sleep I already get).
I don’t even remember how much I bought the groupon for, but it was worth $ 50 & we had to make the reservation after 8pm, & the groupon wasn’t valid on Mondays & Fridays. This restaurant is located in Kailua & that’s a bit far for us. I made our reservation for 815pm. We arrived at 810, but didn’t get seated till about 825. I was worried that this was a sign as to how our night was going to go, but as soon as the hostess came to apologize, thank us for waiting, & to tell us our table was ready, it was the complete opposite! They were BUSY so I didn’t bitch about the late seating. The hostess was super sweet, the bread & water guy was very polite, & our server (I wish I remembered her name, but she was an older haole lady) was so funny & knowledgable about the wines (the Malbec was a very delicious, easy drinking red wine) & food.
Looking at the menu, the bf & I thought we knew what we wanted (the squid ink pasta, lobster ravioli, & the veal or chicken Marsala), but when our server told us the specials, we completely changed our minds! With help from our server, we decided on the roasted beet salad with goat cheese, TRUFFLE STUFFED GNOCCHI, & lamb shank with risotto Milanese (she told us we were just going to have to come back to try the other things which she said were really good as well). All 3 were absolutely amazing, especially the truffle gnocchi (if you love truffles &/​or gnocchi like I do, you MUST get this!) which was everything I hoped it would be (little, soft, pillowy bites of truffle heaven)! The salad was great too — the tanginess of the cheese, the acidity of the dressing & the bitterness of the greens pair so well with the sweetness of the beets.
The bf & I were pretty stuffed after all that food (their portions are very generous), but decided to check out a dessert menu anyway. I’ve heard good things on Unilocal about a few of the desserts, but wasn’t really feeling anything on the menu. We were about to tell our server that we were good on dessert when she told us she forgot to mention the dessert special & that it was pumpkin cheesecake with a caramel (… I forget already) & pecan sauce. I instantly changed my mind, & told her that is what I wanted :) I am so, so happy I decided to get dessert after all. The bf was too. He LOVES cheesecake & we both devoured it.
What an incredible, albeit late, date night this turned out to be. We cannot wait to go back to Baci bistro to try all the other things we wanted to try :)
P. S. Parking’s a cinch… There’s a giant metered lot right in back of the restaurant.
P. P. S. The only gripe I have is that they’re not too attentive on the water cups. You either have to ask, or stay thirsty.

Delicious food, outstanding service and great atmosphere!
The Lobster Raviolis are a must!

Had the ahi special definitely wonderful. The gnocchi was also great, melts in your mouth ;)

Came here with a groupon. We had reservations but had to wait a bit to be seated. We were seated at the food bar next to another couple. It wasn’t a bad location. We could see everything coming out of the kitchen. Had the truffle gnocchi. It was ok. I would not get it again. The gnocchi was kind of dry. It came in a butter sauce, which was not that satisfying. My s/​o got the veal saltimbocca. It was just ok. The spaghetti that came with was overcooked and the red sauce tasted store bought. We had the pumpkin spice cheesecake with pecan topping for dessert, which was delicious. Our server was good, but did not offer us bread (we had to ask), and did not offer us parmesian cheese, which was weird. I don’t think I would return.

My friend and I had a Groupon deal and had called a week in advance for dinner reservations on a Sunday at 9pm (deal is only good for after 8p). On that day of, we called to see if we could perhaps come in earlier (around 8p) since we both got off work early and were starving. The gentleman who picked up informed me that he does not see our reservation. I was shocked to say the least cause we were both looking forward to trying this place out. But he told us that he had availabilities for 7:15p outside seating or 7:30p inside seating. I was happy that he accommodated us and gladly took the 7:30p. He even accepted our groupon deal.
When we arrived, we were attended to and seated inside by a waitress, who didnt seem too friendly. She gave us an awkward look. Anyway, the atmosphere was nice and the service was excellent. They were attentive with bringing us more bread and refilling our water glasses. The servers were very enthusiastic, which made the dining experience enjoyable. The food came out quick and tasted wonderful. I had the seafood risotto and my friend had the veal. The seafood risotto had a burst of flavor and ample amount of seafood to sample (calamari, octopus, clams, mussel, shrimp).
At the end, we wanted a group photo and the manager himself helped us take it. I’ll definitely recommend trying this place if you haven’t already! :)

Awesome… will write more later.
Cozze all’Aglio e Pomodoro Mussels in spicy tomatoe sauce, garlic and peppers
Gnocchi con truffles with truffles
Saltimboca with Veal and Prociutto

After much anticipation and salivating over the online menu, beau and i finally made reservations to eat here. The photos that my fellow Unilocalers posted looked incredibly appetizing and the location and atmosphere seemed equally enticing.
For some, the dish that brought them to Baci was the lobster ravioli (too watery and only 5 pieces), or the opah special (often over-​cooked from what I’ve read) or the tiramisu (too thick on the cream and a little grainy)… What brought me there was the promise of housemade gnocchi… hopefully with truffle if they had it. They did have it ($ 24 ‘special’). Beau ordered the pappardelle del Campo. We ordered the carpaccio di manzo, bruschetta and tiramisu, as well.
I am not normally negative in my reviews, especially when I’ve wanted to try such a high-​rated business. But, you gotta do what you gotta do. The quality of every and any place is entirely subjective.
The gnocchi was dry and tasted nothing of potato (which is what gnocchi is: potato dumpling). Supposedly there were truffles ‘stuffed’ in it, but I only tasted an ‘essence’ of it. It was found wanting. The sauce was runny and the mushrooms they threw in there were almost crunchy– how they managed that I am not sure. Super bummed that I disliked it so.
Beau’s dish was more flavorful but they were just trying too hard with all of these ingredients… chicken, veal, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic and sundried tomatoes all on one plate… which, when you’re hungry, sounds amazing. It was salty and there were too many dominating flavors that could have complimented in the right quantity but instead was very overpowering.
The carpaccio was simple and i loved that they served it with formaggio shavings and fresh lemon.
The bruschetta was made with fresh garlic that was delightfully spicy but don’t expect to digest it for at least 24 hours. No baci after eating that one.
Were my review based exclusively on presentation and service, I would give it 5 stars. Unfortunately, it takes more than that for foodies like beau and me to be impressed. As beau is very forgiving and will try anything 3 times, I may be returning with him in the future. However, nothing that we ordered was delicious enough minus the Hess cabernet… Which was almost $ 10 per glass and $ 39 for a bottle… Times has it for about ½ the price.
Advice to Baci: use more potatoes in the gnocchi, serve fresh bread– not 4 sad slices of stale bread, compare your recipes to classic italian recipes and perhaps adopt the true italian tradition of ‘simple is better’ with the appropriate measurements of certain ingredients in a dish. Maybe allow a corkage fee. Include a digestive at the end of the meal on the house after the bill reaches $ 100 per couple… like a complimentary Limoncello shot or grappa. Just a thought.
Conclusion: too pricey for mediocre.

There really is no area to go and wait to be seated and there are two entrances. So what you have to do is go all the way inside to the middle of the restaurant to get seated.
They have tables in what seems like a large walkway and makes the people sitting in the middle of the restaurant to get bumped by servers and waiters walking through.
The food is displayed well and looks pretty and not bad. It has pretty traditional Italian cooking styles as the food is pretty salty (we got the lobster ravioli and the veal).
The windows makes you feel like you are in a converted greenhouse. One side of the restaurant it is floor to glass which curves inward as it gets close to the ceiling.
Overall this place is okay, but if you are going strictly for food, then I think that you get get better somewhere else.

Baci holds a special place in my heart as the restaurant my late Aunt would take me to. We opted to stay on the windward side for dinner and Baci’s still got the same great little romantic ambiance and charm it always has.
We started with a beet salad and of course, the good house bread. The beats were cooked just right with generous portions of feta cheese with a nice house vinaigrette. The specials all sounded really good so it was hard to decide on one. After a big day of lifting, I opted for the 14oz ribeye. I asked for it medium rare and it came back a bit more well than I would have preferred but it was still good. The brussel sprouts were excellent and it was pointed out to me that the popularity and resurgence of brussel sprouts would soon be followed up by the resurgence of beets. I think this sounds right… I’m not a commodities trader but if you are, beet futures is where it’s at… I’m calling it now.
She ordered the truffle gnocchi special which was excellent along with a good red wine. I opted for a Reisling which was nice and tasty though not the obvious pairing with the steak. We finished with a Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato which was awesome and an after dinner drink called «Beautiful» which was incredibly strong but as the name suggested quite beautiful

My Unilocal tip: 25% off Mondays — I mean, why not?! #itstheItalianinme
Since moving to the Windward side, my hubby and I have been pleased with the array of food choices out here. (Geez, Aimee, sounds like I’ve moved to the mid-​West or something.) …ANYWAY, Baci Bistro in Kailua is a gem for pretty nice Italian dining at an affordable price. And then, add in Monday’s 25% discount and you are really eating well for good prices!
Baci Bistro is a small restaurant that I feel is a bit cramped and parking is hit or miss around the area. Most of the time, you’ll do metered parking, so bring your quarters. I never know where the hostess check-​in area is so you kinda find yourself wandering until you find someone to seat you. I highly recommend making reservations so you don’t have to wait. (Even better, make it on the
site!)
The food isn’t blow-​your-​mind delish, but when I need a nice Italian fix, I can get that at Baci Bistro. I have not been disappointed and they give a lot of food, too. So apologies that I don’t have a specific dish to tell you to get. Just go with your instincts!
Here are my last tidbits: 1) make a res 2) look around for coupons or deals 3) Treat yourself to dessert and try the Gelato Affogato Italiano (vanilla gelato w/​espresso)! I mean, why not?!

Have you ever had gnocchi? I totally have. Because I am cultured and sophisticated.
However, before about a week ago I had NOT had gnocchi. Ever. Growing up my family ate curry and cow tongue and more curry. We did not eat gnocchi. And my husband? Well, let’s just say gnocchi doesn’t often make it to low income housing.
So when I was combing through Unilocal reviews for Baci Bistro and review after review spoke wonders of this «gnocchi» I was intrigued. No, I was obsessed.
I would exclaim to my husband, «Cassie B. says they’re like gorgeous pillows of goodness! I must have these pillows!»
After straining our backs picking up our dashing red Craigslist futon sofa from the back bedroom on a second floor accessed by two flights of wooden stairs in a beautiful Kailua home, we decided to reward ourselves with Italian Food. With Gnocchi.
I ordered the chicken piccata, the Gnocchi Salsacchia, and the marscapone cheesecake. Yes Unilocalers, I listens to y’alls.
Then we went home, took in our futon, put the kids to bed, and finally sat down to our Italian meal that had been sitting around for an hour and a half.
It was the BEST room temperature Italian food I have ever had.
The Gnocchi? Plump and perfect, each one like a little savory gift. I want to eat this every day. I want to pack them in my purse and while I’m waiting in some waiting room I want to take out a little Korean fruit fork and stab it into my purse and bring out a perfect little gnocchi ball and make everyone super jealous.
Yes.
The Chicken Piccata? Aside a pile of pasta sat two gigantic, white slabs of chicken dotted with capers that did not look delicious at all. It just looks pale. But oh how looks can deceive for it is the most succulent, most delectable pale slabs of chicken you will ever have. But too large for a purse.
As for the marscapone cheesecake, it is certainly scrumptious but a bit too rich for me. It is not, however, too rich for my husband who scarfed most of it down then kept saying «So are you going to eat that last bit? I saved it for you. Are you going to eat it? Are you totally done? How ’bout now? Can I eat it now?»
I’m not an Italian food expert by any means. And it might be the all of the twinkle lights that got me as I LOVE twinkle lights, but Baci Bistro was amazing. It was delectable. It is my new favorite place.
Note: I have visited again and it was just as wonderful.

I had a lovely evening at Baci Bistro, which my bf and I were introduced to for the first time by his Coldwell Banker partner and his wonderful wife. I think the best way to break it down would be in sections.
Atmosphere: walking into Baci Bistro, you can feel the romance in the air; there is a number of ‘red lipstick mark’ across the restaurant, which is because «Baci» means kiss in Italian. Since we decided to dine at 7:00pm, candles and dim light setting increased the romantic air.
Service: it was a busy Thursday night, which didn’t seem unusually in this restaurant. Our server greeted us nicely, gave us our menus and time to decide on what we’d like. She was very friendly, attentive, and knew all the menu items well. The only issue was the lack of water service. We had to ask on multiple occasions for water.
Food: the food was wonderful and one of the best Italian foods I’ve tried on the island. My bf had the lobster ravioli, which held the perfect combination of cream and lobster. I had the chicken Marsala and the sauce was amazing. It was light, yet flavorful, and matched the chicken so nicely. Mmm. Served with your choice of pasta, rice, or vegetables.

I love really great Italian food. Baci has been on my list of places to try for a long time. I finally found myself in the Kailua area one night, craving some pasta and remembered back was in the area.
As I was by myself and pretty hungry after a long day of work, I wanted to get take out. I easily found street parking, and walked in to look at the menu. It’s a little awkward, as there is outdoor seating and only a small walkway at the front of the restaurant where the waiters walk in and out to serve the customers sitting outside. I sat on one of the chairs in the small walkway looking over the menu. I ordered the pappardelle, my favorite kind of pasta not normally served in your run of the mill Italian restaurant. They also offer many other interesting and more unique/​authentic food options. However, everything is a little pricey, so be prepared to dish out the $$, especially if you dine in.
An older gentleman took my order, brought out my food and took care of my payment. I think he may have been the owner or something as he was very friendly and wasn’t dressed as the other waiters were. When I got home, I took the styrofoam box out of the bag and was impressed to find that the box had been wrapped in plastic wrap so the sauce wouldn’t leak out. I hate when I take boxes out of the plastic bags and they’re all wet or gooey with sauce that accidentally leaked out.
The pappardelle was delicious, the sauce was flavorful and complex and I can’t wait to go back to try other things on the menu!

The boyfriend and I were discussing a place to go in Kailua for a recent date night. We decided on Baci Bistro where we had had one of our first dates (dinner in town, walk on the beach). Excellent service. Intimate dining environment. Great food. Good presentation. Definite need for dinner reservations! Tonight’s dining experience was all about specials for us — we did not order off the menu this time.
The first time I had ever tried gnocchi was at Baci Bistro — truffle gnocchi. When my boyfriend had a taste of that gnocchi — he said it was the ultimate, no other would compare (he was right!). So of course I had to order the truffle gnocchi again when I heard it was a special that night!
At our recent date night — we shared the bi-​colored tomato with blue cheese (standard special), spinach ravioli (yummy tasty special), aforementioned truffle gnocchi (still special), and chocolate cheesecake (special wow!). We also ordered the butternut squash soup special — I did not partake since the boyfriend guessed real chicken broth (he prefers his version of butternut squash soup with not-​so-​chicken broth). What a dining night! Great place for date night! We also ran into a friend of his — there to celebrate a wedding anniversary!