Basi Italia — Restaurant in Columbus

Basi Italia is a cute and intimate Italian restaurant in German Village. They were very accommodative of our requests including adjusting seating to accommodate a larger party, having a table under the covered part of the patio, and serving the second bottle of wine 30 minutes after the first bottle.

Shortly after we arrived, our server Caitlyn mentioned two entree specials including the Frutti Di Mare Risotto and Lamb Chops.

For drinks, we shared a bottle of Castelvetrano Chianti. In addition to the Chianti, I enjoyed an Old Fashioned with a modification. The Old Fashioned consisted of Bulleit Rye (instead of Maker's Mark), Cherry Heering, and Grand Mariner shaken, served over crushed ice, and garnished with an orange wedge and a luxardo cherry.

Before placing our food order, we emphasized that several guests in our party have a severe peanut allergy. After placing our food order, Caitlyn brought us herbed and cheesy biscotti to savor before the meal.

Some of the party ordered appetizers including the Basi Caesar and Heirloom Roasted Beets Salad. The Heirloom Roasted Beets consisted of a nutty pesto topped with roasted beets, greens, and shredded cheese surrounded by a smoked EVOO and balsamic vinaigrette drizzle. I loved how the Basi Caesar Salad was deconstructed. It consisted of romaine lettuce, topped with shaved parmesan, breadsticks, tomatoes, chopped anchovies, and fresh herbs and lightly dressed in a Caesar dressing. It was also surrounded by a herb EVOO and balsamic vinaigrette drizzle.

For entrees, guests enjoyed the Rigatoni Salumeria, Baked Ricotta Gnocchi, Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, and Lamb Chops. The Lamb Chop consisted of three juicy lamb chops served over tzatziki, a bed of chive mashed potatoes, king oyster mushrooms, and sprouts, finished with a mint gremolata, and garnished with pomegranate seeds.

After finishing our entrees, Caitlyn told us about the desserts - Tiramisu, Cannoli, Basi Balls, and Pear Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream. Among the 7 of us, we shared Basi Balls and Pear Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream. The Basi Balls were chocolate truffles rolled in cocoa powder served with caramel drizzle, whipped cream, fresh berries, and chocolate covered espresso beans, and garnished with a Buckeye candy. The Pear Tart consisted of flaky pie crust with sliced pear topped with vanilla ice cream, served with caramel drizzle, whipped cream, fresh berries, and chocolate covered espresso beans, and garnished with a Buckeye candy.

It was a 5-star experience until the dessert came. Caitlyn forgot to re-mention our peanut allergy to the kitchen when we ordered dessert and all of our desserts were contaminated with peanuts. After biting into a Buckeye candy, one of our guests had to rush to the bathroom to rinse out his mouth. When we asked servers, we learned that the Buckeye candy consisted of chocolate and...

If you're looking for a fantastic Italian restaurant within walking distance, with great servers and excellent food, I highly recommend Basi Italia. Located nearby, Basi Italia is a hidden gem that offers a remarkable dining experience. Here's a review highlighting the restaurant's key features:

Basi Italia is a delightful Italian restaurant that surpasses expectations in every way. From the moment you enter, you're welcomed by friendly and attentive servers who go above and beyond to ensure your dining experience is exceptional. They are knowledgeable about the menu, offering insightful suggestions and making you feel well taken care of throughout your meal.

The ambiance at Basi Italia is intimate and charming, with a cozy and relaxed atmosphere that sets the stage for a memorable evening. The restaurant's rustic decor, soft lighting, and soothing background music create a warm and inviting environment.

Now, let's talk about the food. Basi Italia offers a menu that showcases the best of Italian cuisine with a modern twist. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted, using fresh ingredients and unique flavor combinations that will leave your taste buds wanting more. The pasta dishes are a highlight, with perfectly cooked noodles and delectable sauces that are bursting with flavor. The homemade gnocchi is particularly outstanding, offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

The menu at Basi Italia also includes a variety of appetizers, salads, and main courses that cater to different preferences. The quality and presentation of each dish are impeccable, demonstrating the chef's skill and passion for creating remarkable Italian cuisine.

In addition to the exceptional food, the service at Basi Italia is top-notch. The servers are attentive, providing timely and efficient service while ensuring that all your needs are met. They are also knowledgeable about dietary restrictions and can accommodate special requests, making the dining experience personalized and enjoyable.

Furthermore, the prices at Basi Italia are reasonable considering the high quality of the food and service. The portion sizes are generous, and the attention to detail in every aspect of the dining experience makes it worth every penny.

Overall, if you're looking for a superb Italian restaurant within walking distance, with great servers and outstanding food, Basi Italia is an excellent choice. You'll be treated to a wonderful evening of Italian flavors and warm hospitality in a charming and...

The bottom line: The best pandemic-forced conversion to take-out we've had.

Since the current pandemic began, we've been either cooking at home or eating take-out. We were excited to hear that Basi, one of our favorite places to eat, had re-opened for take-out / curbside pickup. We were not disappointed.

I have to say that of all the restaurants we've tried for take-out after the start of the pandemic, Basi provided the closest recreation of their dine-in experience from quality of food to portion size.

Appetizer: Pistachio Flatbread (with truffle honey, arugula, + ricotta)- The crust was perfect, just the right balance of crispiness and softness. The distribution and quantity of cheese and arugula was perfect. The truffle honey made this a perfect sweet and savory start to the meal.

Salads (+ an order of their Savory Cheese and Herb Biscotti):

Basi Caesar- I never considered anchovies to be remotely desirable on a salad or any other dish, until our waiter at Basi in pre-pandemic days recommended them. Now I'll never order this salad without them. This was a perfectly presented and delightfully tasting take on the Caesar salad.

Mediterranean salad- My girlfriend was very impressed with the fresh, colorful, and excellent tasting components of this salad. I only got one bite to confirm that it was indeed excellent. The dressing was delightfully indescribable.

Savory Cheese and Herb Biscotti: This is not your traditional crunchy biscotti that you may be accustomed to having with coffee. Basi's biscotti is a hearty addition to the meal which may be used to replace rolls or other bakery items in the early part of a meal.

The Entrees (we shared these):

Rigatoni Salumeria- Perfectly cooked sweet sausage in a tomato sauce. The sauce was memorable, unlike many tomato sauces at other restaurants that seem to have been purchased off of a shelf or their creation "phoned in".

Chicken Scalopine- Excellently tender chicken with a delicious basil pesto and tomato salsa fresca.

Desert: Tiramisu- served with a side of whipped cream and strawberries and topped with a rich chocolate. A perfect end to the meal.

Overall I can't say enough good things about this meal. Highly...