Treat yourself some Bacco
by Patty Canedo
for Entertainment

For the past seven years Bacco Ristorante Italiano has featured delicious Italian cuisine served by a warm, friendly staff. Roberto Bozzalino and Liliana Badamo, owners and chiefs of the restaurant, have been recognized for this not only in Orlando but throughout the country.

Bacco's serves savory Southern and Northern Italian dishes, which are made fresh in the restaurant every day.

It is for this reason that in 1996 and 1997, Florida Trend named Bacco's one of the top 200 restaurants in the country and Zagat Survey named it one of the top ten for '96, '97, '98 and '99.

Eclectic Gourmet Guide of Orlando '99 stated that the restaurant "distinguishes itself with authentic dishes expertly prepared."

But Bacco's has not only been recognized for its marvelous food, but for its delightful service as well.

In 1997, Entertainment awarded Bacco's the Member's Choice Award for "Friendliest Service".

In fact, the owners not only help prepare the food but they walk around the restaurant greeting and chatting with guests, as well as serving them.

Along with an attentive staff, Bacco's provides a casual, home like atmosphere. Liliana Badamo said that she used to entertain guests quite often.

Since the restaurant is like a second home to her, she has incorporated that ambience in Bacco's with beautiful Italian décor from her own home and antiques that she has brought over from Italy.

Every month the menu is changed to feature several dishes from the various Northern and Southern regions of Italy.

For this month, dishes varied from veal cutlets, filet mignon, pork tenderloins, duck legs, a medley of seafood prepared over linguine and various pasta entrées, as well as a Crepe appetizer and another type of appetizer.

The Crepe appetizer for the month was a fresh mushroom shallot served in the creamiest goat cheese sauce with zesty Italian herbs surrounded by a soft delicate dough.

But make sure that you don't fill up on the outstanding appetizers, you'll want to save room for the amazing entrees.

For the month of February the pasta entrees menu included a variety of different pasta dishes.

The Penne 4 Formaggi was made with fresh penne pasta and had a mozzarella, gorgonzola, fontina and Parmesan cheese sauce, which tasted even better than it sounds!

The Rigatoni alla Bolognese is a Northern Italian pasta entrée. This great dish contains delicate meats and pasta accented with a fabulous, ripe tomato sauce.

Another outstanding entrée is the Pollo 7 Colli. The tender, chicken breast is topped with proscuitto, roasted pepper, mozzarella cheese and topped off with a creamy brandy sauce.

As well as making outrageous dinners, Bacco's makes its own desserts from scratch.

However, one thing that does not change throughout the month is the Prix Fixe Menu. This menu lets you choose from a meal that includes soup or salad, a pasta entrée and dessert or another meal that includes antipasto, side of pasta, entrée and dessert.

So, you get a great meal at a great price.

Bacco Ristorante Italiano is a wonderful restaurant that serves amazing food.

If you are looking for a great date place, I strongly recommend Bacco's not only for its warm, romantic atmosphere and excellent, authentic Italian cuisine but for its friendly service.

Bacco's is open for dinner every night and is located on University Blvd. and Dean Rd., in the Publix Plaza.