LIL BACI

 LIL' BACI

LOCATIONS:
892 Queen St E
(416) 465- 4888

2013 Yonge St
(647) 748- 6300

www.lilbaci.com

RATINGS:
Ambiance: 3 / 4
Service: 3 / 4
Food: 2. 75 / 4
Price: $$

If you are looking for tasty, honest, low-key Italian food  then this little Leslieville gem is the place for you.  Lil' Baci  has a rustic, cool, hipster vibe with a spacious interior that you would not expect from the outside.  They  have an amazing back patio that is open in the summer but it fills up very quickly.  The menu is quite simple, providing typical Italian appetizers, salads, four to five pastas and about 10 pizzas.  Everything I have tried so far I have been pleased with.  It's the kind of  casual place that you go to during the week when you don't want to cook or break your budget.

One thing that really bothers me at most restaurants is flagging your waiter down for some water.  Lil' Baci avoids this issue by providing every table with their own water jug.  This gives them bonus points! 

They have a small but thorough wine list but the highlights are their selection of local microbrew beers. 

Their CHARCUTERIE is one of my favourites in the city for they provide you with a selection of cured meats, cheese, olives, fresh hot veggies and warm house-made bread.

The pastas are simple- they don't try to be overly fancy.  The SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS tastes like a dish your grandmother would make. They use just the right amount of sauce, fresh basil and parmesan cheese. The meatballs are made homemade, soft and full of flavour; if you like meatballs you will love these.  The portions are not large enough for left overs, but you wont go home hungry.

The PORK BELLY RAGU is by far my favourite dish.  The rigatoni is always perfectly cooked and  they use just the right amount of garlic, basil, parmigiano and fresh ripened tomatoes for the sauce.  The large grilled pieces of pork belly really kick the pasta sauce up a notch with its rich flavours. The only thing I don't like about this bowl of pasta is the size - I always want more for lunch the next day.

Would we go back? Yes

STANDOUT DISH OF THE NIGHT:
Pork Belly Ragu