Ciao Baci — Restaurant in Little Rock

Ciao Baci is a cute, quaint, chic restaurant in the heart of Hillcrest. I've been here before; however, it was with another individual, so the service the previous time wasn't bad. However, this time it was HORRIBLE!

I was seated promptly by the hostess at a table in the corner, which was what I preferred. I was promptly bought water, as well as an alcoholic beverage. My first course was the Jalapeno Tots, which were wonderful and came highly recommended.

I noticed that there was a lag between servers at my table; I never really knew WHO my ACTUAL SERVER was. Different people bought out different parts of my order. At this point, they were playing MUSICAL SERVERS at my table. What's crazy is that there were 2 other tables next to me with 2 PEOPLE EACH at those tables...They NEVER had a lag in service. To add insult to injury, one server was training the new one...You'd think that she would've shown him how to be an EXCEPTIONAL SERVER instead of just a GOOD SERVER...Again, NOPE...They walked ALL AROUND, UP AND DOWN, IN AND OUT, AND ON THE SIDE OF MY TABLE...There wasn't any acknowledgment in sight...

I finally got someone to stop, and that's when I ordered the Cucumber Dip, which was TO DIE FOR! I was sure that someone would come and check to see if I wanted another drink, if I needed to order anything additional...NOPE! So I sat and sipped...Sat and sipped...Sat and sipped...Now I'm at the point where frustration is beginning to settle in on my face, and I guess it could be seen/felt. So finally a server stopped and asked me if I was ready for the check...THE CHECK...Not if I wanted to order anything else...THE CHECK...Ok...Let me get the check before I get VERY AGGRAVATED! I requested some additional veggies and grilled pitas to go with my dip, because at this point, they were just about gone due to me having to sit and wait so long.

I requested a to go container and cup for my dip, which he bought EXPEDITIOUSLY! It seemed like that was THE FASTEST THING that happened all night! However, it didn't end there...

This was the part that really took me out...

I asked for a receipt showing I paid CASH for my expense reports. He said "OK" and came back rather quickly with the receipt...

I didn't notice until I got home that he wrote CASH on the receipt.

I can't make this up. The receipt is attached.

I'm going to give them ONE MORE TRY. I get it-everyone has OFF days. However, every bad review about this place is SERVICE RELATED. There is definitely room for improvement around there with regards to service. I shouldn't have to dine with AN ENTOURAGE in order to receive great service. I've been known to tip $100 on a $40 check when the service is EXCEPTIONAL AND EXCEEDS MY EXPECTATIONS. I don't know? Maybe they felt that since it was just me, the tip wouldn't have been worth it...However, that's what happens when you JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER...Hopefully they get their act together the next time I come in because had it not been for the food, this whole experience...

In a few words: a hidden gem for those wanting a glimpse of a European aperitif experience. Premise: I’ve been living in Rome for the past 6 years and I’ve become accustomed to the European lifestyle, and more specifically the Italian lifestyle, the so called “dolce vita”. One of the staples of Italian pastime is the aperitivo - the couple of hours between getting off work and before having dinner (somewhere between 6:00 - 8:30 PM). Aperitivo is usually a cocktail or glass of wine with small foods, usually a “tagliere” or what some call a charcuterie board. Aperitivo is a available every day of the week :)

Review: That being said, I was home for the holidays and a friend invited me for a drink. She chose Ciao Baci. It did not disappoint. While I believed only metropolitan cities like New York could host a taste of authentic European experience, Ciao Baci made me feel like I was over the pond once more. At first glance, from the outside (at night) you may not even notice it as much more than another house on the block. Its cozy and comfortable atmosphere literally feels like home. Inside and out. There are couches around a fireplace, tables for two or groups, and a wrap-around patio on the outside also with tables. The mood is laid back, bustling with conversation, laughter, warmth, and relaxation; but not the chaos of a restaurant. The have an extensive menu of wines to choose from. Admittedly, I only tried one - the Cabernet Sauvignon Ultraviolet - but I did have three glasses :) I can’t speak for the food offered since we didn’t partake, but I was happy to see the charcuterie board and other such foods as part of the appetizers. All in all, it was a great time and a true hidden gem in the city.

Conclusion: the best thing about aperitivo/aperitifs are not the wine or tagliere/charcuterie boards. The real value of this pre-dinner ritual is that it brings people together, closer, and present. People engage with each other, and not distracted by their technology. You dine on the moment as much as indulge in the food. The ambience alone is worth the visit. Ciao Baci offers this to Little Rock. Wine was not meant to be drunk alone. It is best when it is shared. If you want to drink well, eat well, and share a moment with some close, bring them to Ciao Baci.

P.s. the only reason I don’t give 5 stars is because we didn’t sample the cuisine and I can’t rate something I...

My husband took me there for the 1st time since it wasnt ANDRES anymore, bless his soul, for a late night dinner (I didnt get ready til 10) and we havent had such a nice time anywhere else in a long time. The food was good, the waitresses were nice and knowledgeable ab the menu and food, and they were cool as well. The setting was cozy and had a chill but fancy vibe but all people could feel comfortable here. My favorite part was the awesome 90s rap they played not bumping but you know normal for a restaurant but it was just so unexpected being a nice restaurant that they had cool music music I wish I could hear more but doesn't pkay anywhere. I dont know if it was just the volume and the beautiful heights setting outside and inside but I've never heard snoop dog and method man to name just a couple sound so classy like why wouldbt you have them playing at a hip but rich type of place? There were all kinds of people too like diffeent types which was cool. There was us who are in our late 30s caucasians, there were younger college boys drinking wine together talking about this girl who could really hold a conversation, there was one loud guy who knew everybody, a pretty mixed couple in their late 30s, an attractive early 20s young African American girl who sat alone on the couch but like she meant to she was just chillin on the way home and stopped to have a drink or something or she was friends w the waitresses... there were a group of gay guys who were so interesting to even drop on, then came in a middle aged white couple who just left a halloween party they were the oldest in their 60s probably but everyone was fun and classy and even interacted w each other. We just had the best time there. I loved it so much. Outside on the porch was fun. The art work they have for sale was interesting and the history of the place was intruguing.... it used to be owned by a man named Andre who unfortunately was gunned down and murdered there ab 20 years ago well in 1994 at 8pmwhich is crazy bc patrons were there when it happened. So it's got a ghostly air to it if you tap into things like that and pay it attention. The neighborhood is gorgeous. I'm looking to plan and throw my husbands 40th birthday party there soon. Definately would reccomend this place to anybody that can afford $10 drinks and who can behave. ...