Caffe Baci

Went with a friend on a Friday night to Art in Focus, Baci's monthly event showcasing local artists. We sat outside first, where we ordered our drinks. They had a problem with the fountain drinks, and when my friend ordered a Sprite, all she got was unflavored carbonated water, but when we brought up the problem with the server, she was nice about it, and she brought a new drink out. As for me, I kept ordering different beers, but the server had to keep coming back to let me know that they were sold out. After my fourth failed attempt at ordering a beer, the bar manager came out and politely waited for me to pick a beer that they had in-stock. Minus a few points for the drink snafus, then plus a few points back for the excellent service.

When it got a little chillier, we moved inside. Baci's interior is both chic and cozy. The puffy booths are clean, classy, and roomy. The only thing that takes you outside the stylish atmosphere is the weird arcade game (there's a random deer shooting game? I find it difficult to believe that anyone actually plays it).

They close their regular menu and start serving bar food at 4pm, but on Fridays, they're open as late as 1am, depending on how busy it is. I've had lunch at other Baci locations, and while I do love their Portofino mushroom sandwich and their walnut apple salad (insert Homer Simpson drool gargle here), the bar makes this Baci the place to go.

I just had THE BEST vegetarian sandwich (and I am mostly a meat lover) so I was greatly surprised at how blown away I was on this sandwich.  Our firm recently had lunch catered from Cafe Baci and as usual, I headed for the Roast Beef (which I never did get to try).  Their Box Lunches list the ingredients on the box and the word "tapenade" caught my attention, a delicious spread I discovered in Spain.  I gave it a try and was hooked.  Now, can someone please tell me where I can find the "nutrition" listing on this?  Something this good MUST be loaded with calories!

OVERPRICED FAST FOOD!!!
Had I written this review this summer, it would have been more like 4 stars, however today I came back hugely disappointed. I ordered my usual sald trio (Baci is famous for the salad bar) just to get billed $9.20 for some lettuce, tomatoes, and cous cous. Looking back at my receipt the cost of this "CON-TRAP"tion is $8.29.  Seriously guys? Salad at Gibson's costs that much and Baci is HARDLY comparable to Gibson's.  Needless to say, after 12 years of weekly visits to Baci I will not longer be dining there until their price better matches the quality and serving sizes of their food.  Switching to Corner Bakery, Roti and McKelly's (all within a 3 block radius).