by Eden Colonna – Vero Vine Intern / Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts Student
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More and more locals are finding their way to downtown Vero Beach due to the abundance of new, up and coming neighborhood eateries. One such eatery is Baci Trattoria. Specializing in authentic Italian cuisine, they serve a large variety of tasteful breakfast and lunch options in generous portions.
Upon my arrival at Baci, proprietor Karen Fulchini kindly greeted us outside and accompanied us to our table. I instantly felt a warm welcome, and I could smell the aromas of the delicious foods waiting for us inside! They offer both beautifully decorated indoor and outdoor seating. In the summer, when it is almost too hot to eat outside, fans are located all around the outdoor patio for your added comfort.
Now let’s jump in and see what we had to eat!
Joan Rivers Omelette – ($10.95) – There is definitely a back story of how this omelet got it’s name, so make sure you ask Karen about it next time you are there. The omelette was fluffy and cooked to perfection. Being a fan of the traditional lox, the smoked salmon, green onions and cream cheese had a lovely flavor and texture combo. Salmon can sometimes have an overpowering fishy taste, yet this salmon did not. Crispy home fries were served along side.
Primavera Benedict – ($12.95) – This dish was one of my favorites! The aroma coming from this dish as it was set down on the table was wonderful! It consists of two poached eggs served on top of thick parmigiano polenta wedges, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers and fresh spinach. The yolk from the poached egg made the entire dish very rich. The polenta was flavorful and had a satisfying texture with each bite.
Cornetta Nutella di Firenza – ($8.95) – By the sweet smells coming from this pastry dish, you know that you are in for a treat! The outer layer was crispy, while the inside was soft and sweet. The pastry was filled with strawberries, bananas, and the most delicious sweet cream filling. This one is a must order the next time you go to Baci!
If you ever find yourself in Florence, Italy, pastry chefs make these treats late at night and if you find the right back alleys and the correct doors, you can get these heavenly pastries fresh at these secret bakeries.
Eggplant Vesuvius – ($11.99) – When this dish was brought to our table, it was so tall they had to use a bbq skewer to keep it from falling over! The dish is made of eggplant rounds that have been breaded and fried. They are then stacked with fresh mozzarella and chopped basil, and topped with a light tomato wine reduction. The dish was still steaming when they brought it to the table, so we had to let it cool down a bit before tasing. The eggplant was perfectly fried with a slight crunch to it, the tomato wine reduction was still slightly chunky, and had good flavor. A very well put together dish.
NJ Diner Tuna Club – ($10.95) – The triple layered, tuna sandwich is definitely enough for a couple to split. It has a perfect amount of tuna and the flavors and textures from the egg and the tomato made sure that each bite was equally satisfying. The thick-cut steak fries were seasoned with seasoned salt and paired well with the sandwich.
Frutte Di Mare – ($14.95) – This gorgeous dish is served to you in a pot with a lid, so it is a fun surprise once it is placed on the table. I have to say, this is impeccable! The pasta, shrimp, mussels and oysters all soak up the tasty, white garlic sauce, which compliments the entire dish. The seafood was perfectly cooked and was seasoned nicely.
In Conclusion:
I loved dining at Baci Trattoria. Their staff is incredible, they make you feel as if you are apart of the family. Most of the menu items have a backstory as to how they got their name, so be sure to ask your servers about it. Baci is open from 7:00 am to 3:00pm for breakfast and lunch but if you’re hosting a get together, they offer afterhour private events for a small fee. If you’re looking for outstanding food, value, and service, this is definitely the place to go!
About Eden Colonna: Eden is a Sophomore at Florida Atlantic University studying Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts. She desires to pursue a career in the food and beverage industry. Eden’s energetic love for culinary arts has introduced her to Thomas Miller, food blogger and restaurant critic. Eden resides in Vero Beach during the summer and is currently interning for Mr. Miller, writing and reviewing restaurants for verovine.com
Hours: Open everyday from 7:00am til 3:00pm
1918 14th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960