My friends and I had dinner at Bacaro last night to celebrate a birthday. I was a little hesitant because I have lots of dietary restrictions (any kind of seafood, gluten-free). I shouldn't have been concerned--lots of really delicious choices! The prime rib was perfection and the polenta was just like my grandmother used to make (maybe better!). My friends raved about the mussels and shrimp with polenta. For dessert they brought out a tiramisu with a candle in it for my friend's birthday and some panna cotta (gluten-free!). Great food, great service, great time! read more

I love lower east side despite I have lived in this neighborhood for years, New businesses and restaurants are growing, it has changed. I also like to explore on my free time, my conclusion is everything surprise me. You would never notice this place until you walk in because from outside, it just a regular bar but it gets busy during the night. This place opens for dinner, the main dining room is in the basement which is the magic begin. I take a special friend here, we both think it's worth to give a shot. As I said the upstair is a bar, and the dining room is downstairs in the basement. I like their decorations and the ambience is intimate. It's good for a couple but also for someone is special too. When we arrived there aren't many people down there, its really comfortable. The waitress recommend some daily specials. We got half bottle of white wine just right amount for us to share. I notice that razor calms is of one popular appetizers, so we had razor clams for appetizer, my friend said it is very fresh. Also we order Gamberetti con polenta (sauteed garlic shrimp over polenta) and Spaghetti Nero (pasta with cuttlefish ink) we came prepared so we know what is good. If you read the reviews and seen the photos. Food was delicious and the bus boy was really nice keep checking us. There are other dishes I would like to try when I come back next time. I think I will come back sometimes. read more

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I got the squid ink pasta and steak. The pasta only had one piece of seafood in it so it felt a bit plain but the steak was great! read more

Bacaro - Squid ink pasta- a bit plain but not bad! - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

I want to give this place a 2 and half star - the place is cute. Rustic looking - 17 people managed to sit in the largest table possible here and it was a very tight squeeze. We came here to celebrate F's big 3-0 and this place was suggested by V to W for us to all come here. I have to say I was not impressed at all. The service was good and people were all nice and friendly. I just wasn't into the food at all, except for one dish and that was it. I am not sure if it was me, but N kept saying how in love with the decor and the dishes. How this was going to be the new go-to spot, but then again, N also thinks New York has good Vietnamese food. So..... We had the following items: Salume E Formaggi -I understand a charcuterie plate, but I didn't understand that ONE PIECE of cube meat with the toothpick. Just ONE PIECE along with the rest of the multiple of prosciutto, salami and cheese. It was VERY lonely. I don't get it....I really don't and I ate it just to end his suffering. Salad - No flavour except full strength bitterness. Not sure if it was the Insalata Di Stagione? Ate a bite and scooted the sucker out to the side. Gamberetti Con Polenta - This was the ONLY dish that I did enjoy, but even this dish was a bit too much, since it was overloaded with butter. If they lighten up on the butter, this dish would be ideal to have here. Gnocchi Con Funghi - Gnocchi, not as light and fluffy - their version was dense and a bit gummy. I didn't feel like I was eating a pillow here. Filetto Di Sogliola - sauteed filet of sole was like mushy, no flaky texture. It almost tasted like overcooked fish that drowned in butter. The butter didn't save this dish. Tagliata Di Manzo - poor quality of steak. It was dry and had fatty parts left intact. Dessert: Rice Pudding - Definitely didn't taste like Rice to Riches, the rice was a bit hard and not as smooth. Tiramisu - they were a bit shiesty with the liquid, the lady fingers weren't as moist. Panna Cotta - They failed here too. Overcooked, so cutting into this dish was not a smooth operation. W said that I don't mind spending a lot of money on food, and that is true, but I don't spend my money on horrible food. But this was F's birthday and I paid for that, not dropping 70 dollars without alcohol. This meal was not worth $70 bucks. This will not be my new go-to spot - sorry. read more

+++ - They have a private room downstairs good fore reseys six and above ++ - The person who chose the gambretti (sauteed shrimp) was the winner of the evening + - They recommend the spaghetti nero for first timers, I thought it was cool read more

I thought Bacaro was great! Delicious food (would recommend the gnocchi) great wine and very fairly priced compared to other spots in the area. read more

damn, I really wanted to like this place - but the food was just not that great. ALL our dishes were just way too saaalty gnocchi with ramps and mushrooms - too chewy, I like my gnocchi to melt in my mouth, this took a good 6 chews per ball spaghetti with clams - soupy broth and very salty sauteed shrimp with spaghetti (you can ask to swap polenta with pasta) - this was also boring and salty the appetizers were much better than the entrees - we ordered both specials of the day - fried frog legs, fried squash blossoms stuffed with creamy white cheese both were very delicious. razor clams had a nice bite with crispy breadcrumbs on top. the crab salad polenta cake was overly mixed with mayo, tasted like a ball of mayo over watercress the ambiance is probably what folks come here for. this place is great for groups but if you're a small group, you must be ok sharing communal tables, which can get loud and rowdy. the chandeliers are beautiful as is the underground rustic ambiance. just too bad the food didn't pair up with the setting. read more

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A beautiful temperate night with the family, sitting outside for an early dinner was splendid. Very few diners, no spacing anxiety, and only issue was the cigar smoker several tables south of us. This was our 2nd meal here, first was a Wedding rehearsal dinner downstairs, and while this experience was totally different the food was excellent. Plates ( paper for safety) with small, but affordable, portions- gnocchi con fungi and another pomodoro were great example of delicious potato pasta, and a garlic shrimp over polenta quite good. The seating outside was just ok, but all else was worth the effort to seek this place out. Looking forward to another visit..... read more

The best of the best! Look no further for a superb meal in a superb setting. They have both upstairs and downstairs seating (the latter is super spacious.) I always get the Fungi Gnocchi. The wine list is also excellent. One of my favorite date night/birthday celebration spots in the city! read more

Came here for a company dinner. We ordered all the appetizers (including the frog legs special of the day) and shared them; I'd say the frog legs would probably be my favorite one. I then ordered the tagliata di manzo al amarone (steak), which was seared nicely, well-marbled, and packed with flavor. We ordered four different wines, of which my favorite was the Vajra barbera d'alba, rich and earthy. Service was attentive throughout. read more

I came here the other night for a work dinner and enjoyed the extremely pleasant experience. The restaurant had been described to me prior as mostly having downstairs/basement style seating with communal tables. To me, this sounded like it would be cramped - but it was far larger than I presumed than it would be. You really felt like you were transported into some sort of time and place warp at Bacaro. The grotto-like ambiance was amplified by the dimly lit chandeliers and the brick/stone design of the floors and walls (If I were an interior designer I would be MUCH better at describing this). The food was a delight as well. We ordered a ton of appetizers - my favorite was the special for the night, the artichoke. The spice meatballs were yum - but maybe a little dry. And ohh the crab salad. It was on some sort of polenta toast - do not miss that one! My sole was light and a perfect balance from our appetizers. My colleague ordered the pork chop and I think I had 6 bites of it - was that impolite? Probably not since he was offering. And what meal would be complete without desert? My companion teased about the panna cotta being described as "heated cream" - but boy, was it worth it??! We ordered that and the tiramisu (obviously) and I dare say this was one of the thickest tiramisu's I have ever had in my entire life. The cream was so dense - what a treat! All in all, even though this place may be better for dates, it worked just as well for a work dinner! read more

Bacaro - Check out this desert spread: Panna Cotta, Tiramisu, and Biscotti! - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Went here for dinner before a night cruise on a Saturday night. I am so happy we did. We didn't have a reservation but were able to get seated right away. The place is very romantic and the location is not what you would expext. The service was ok. My drink was good and strong. The food was delicious and filling. Good sized portions. We ordered a couple of dishes, since I wanted to try many things. The fried seafood, the gnocchi, the steak, and the polenta were our favorites dishes. Would definitely come back. read more

Food was really great! I recommend the eggplant marinara and the gnocchi. Restaurant is beautiful and the service was good. BUT! Be prepared to eat on a paper plate. And you might want to bring your own cutlery, because they give you plastic knives and forks (al la airplane service). The restaurant is very much giving you a beautiful, candle lit and romantic dinner. BUT! The ambiance was wack (unless you want to listen to Men At Work?). These are minor faults, but during these shitty times, dining out is a luxury and this spot really missed the mark for us. read more

Had a wonderful evening at this beautiful Venetian restaurant. I haven't heard of it before I stumbled upon very good reviews at Chowhound. Held some email correspondence with Beatrice, who couldn't be more kind or helpful. She assured us they could make accommodations for vegan diners so we made reservations beforehand. Great service continued with our lovely server for the night, Paulo, who was very knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. They have a remarkable selection of wine by the glass, which we really appreciated. Had a lovely fresh seasonal vegetable salad and a quinoa based pasta with a slow roasted pomodoro sauce, cooked to perfection. Husband and I enjoyed every bite of our meal. What a great find. read more

I wanted to write a review of this place because my last two reviews have been negative - namely, I don't like paying top dollar for crap ingredients and uninspired food. THAT IS NOT THIS PLACE. The food is DELICIOUS. I ate at the bar. I was tired, I was stressed read more

At first when you look into the restaurant, you see a small space with a bar area and you wonder where the rest of the restaurant is. They bring you downstairs and you go "OMG, this is down here?!" I can only describe the downstairs like an old wine cellar with brick exposure everywhere and rustic decor. Beautiful and romantic ambiance. We were a bigger group (9 people) and had one of the semi-private rooms on the side. A great setting for like a birthday dinner with a couple of close friends. Not baby friendly though as it was hard getting our stroller down the stairs and situated in one of those semi-private rooms. Food was decent but not stellar. I ordered the pasta with cuttlefish ink and cuttlefish and felt like it was only pasta with cuttlefish ink). Would go back just for the ambiance but can't say much about the food. read more

We have been going to Bacaro for four years, and in that time, the entrees have hardly changed at all. While the food is good, once you have gone a few times, isn't good enough to eat repeatedly. The wait staff is very nice and professional most of the time. I don't understand why the place gets two $$ on some reservation sites, because with one entree and two drinks each plus tip and tax, you are looking at around $150 for two people. On top of that, Bacaro has started adding a 3% surcharge for using credit cards, although that is not mentioned on the Bacaro web page, on the RESY site, or on Yelp. To rub salt into the wound, when my wife questioned the surchage, the manager said "I am sorry you are getting so emotional about it." Eeesh, so much for neo-feminism. With so many Italian restaurants within a 5-10 minute walk from there, I'll be skipping Bacaro in the future. read more

I was taken here for my birthday celebration ,by my cousins. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was because of the mediocre service. We had a little private room , that was just perfect. The food was delicious. We actually ordered a little bit of everything and did sharing. If in a group that would be the best thing to do, as you taste just about all or at least half of the menu. In addition ,the portions are small. The drinks were good. The desserts were absolutely yummy. Definitely I restaurant I would recommend and re-visit read more

Great vibe and ambiance. Was seated downstairs which was really nice, private and intimate despite having the space for some small to medium-sized groups..food was amazing and cocktails were on point. Fritto misto was a great starter to share. Portion sizes were appropriate and very satisfying. Would definitely visit again. Great spot to grab a bite or drinks. Didn't feel as though we were in the basement. read more

Love bacaro. Staff was very attentive. Food was outstanding. We ordered everything and nothing was disappointing. The meatballs were bursting with flavor and juicy. Rib eye steak was fucking INSANE. The pasta Nero was absolutely delicious. The tiramisu & panna cotta was divine. read more

I went with a group for a friend's birthday. The food and wine was wonderful, but I was most impressed by the warm service. The server was so accommodating and made us feel at home. read more

Friendly, pretty delicious, price efficient (but each dish's proportion is quiet small so you should consider it to be more of tapas style), great atmosphere! read more

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For a night I felt like a princess with her prince in a secret underground Italian Castle... THAT is how Bacaro gets down baby! ;o) - Perfect for a romantic date, birthday dinner or a group of friends celebrating a special occasion. - A nicely hidden location off a quiet road in the downtown china town area - You will feel as if your in a castle in the middle of New York City (downstairs seating is a must) - Perfected Italian Tapas & an amazing wine selection. My dining experience at Bacaro is a night to be remembered. I took my "special someone" here on his Birthday and he was beyond surprised and impressed. NOTE TO THE GUYS: You really want to look like you know your shit and impress/romance a lady.. this place is a SCORE! I arrived early to speak to the hostess about getting a nice table for two downstairs and having them set up a specially made birthday cake I had brought for him. She was EXTREMELY helpful. Note: They will charge you $3 per person if you bring your own birthday treat but I just ordered an Italian Ice Cream on their menu to go along with the cake. Tips: GET THERE EARLY! WEEKDAYS ARE BETTER! I arrived only an hour after they opened (they do NOT take Reservations btw). I was able to pick my choice of tables.. but only 30-45 minutes after we seated the place was PACKED! I will be sure to be back and most likely bring my parents. A bit on the pricey side but not crazy. I would suggest this place for special occasions. ;o) read more

Went to Bacaro on a busy Friday night. Food was good, service was good. It was expensive.

Great place -- almost a hidden gem in Chinatown that sells delicious Italian food. Squid ink pasta? Oh gawd, so creamy and good. One minor complaint: the chocolate cake is too dry. Still good though. read more

Bacaro - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

Where has Bacaro been hiding? Perhaps it's the unmarked entrance on a side street in the darkened fringe between Chinatown and the Lower East Side. Or maybe it's the candlelit street level that flickers alive with a low key hostess and murmuring date crowd grazing over their Pinot Neros. But no, the real beauty and the real portal to another land lies down the dim stairwell, around the corner and through a maze of exposed brick cave cellars hosting hordes of hip and well-heeled groups seated on raw wooden benches. For a romantic date or a group dinner, this is a sure thing. They offer a prix fixe family-style meal for $48 a head, serving up dish after delicious dish to be shared among friends while you gab and gossip over Rossinis (prosecco and strawberry puree) in the soft candlelight. The mushroom gnocchi was notably delicious, as was the juicy pork shank on a bed of polenta. The tiny spicy lamb meatballs are also a sure winner, though their fried and sauce-less preparation was unusual. To top it off, the tiramisu is reliably decadent and boozy. I'm so glad to have found this off-the-beaten-track gem and can't wait to come again. Though buyer beware, be sure to have a smart phone handy so you can find your way there. read more

The only reason this wasn't five stars for me is because the tables were not optimal for tall people. Anyone over 5'5 will not be able to fit their knees crossed under the table and anyone who is 5'8 or taller will battle the table each time they try to move. We started with an appetizer of zucchini florets stuffed with ricotta. I had the lamb ragu with regular spaghetti (usually comes with whole wheat) and it was absolutely delicious the drinks were stiff and refreshing. I think it would be a cute date spot too but it was perfect for our GNO read more

Bacaro - Lamb ragu spaghetti - Italian Near Me - New York, New York

The secret is out! Hiding amidst the shadows of the Lower East Side-meets-Chinatown is Bacaro, an intriguing Italian wine bar and osteria. Despite its hard to find location, Bacaro is hardly off-the-beaten-path. I found it packed with couples on the Friday night before Valentine's Day. And with its reasonable menu, impressive wine list, candle-lit exposed brick setting and delicious Northern Italian fare, there's no wonder that this place is gaining popularity. The menu is regional, and that is a big defining factor. Starters of fried risotto balls, crostini three ways (mushroom, bacalao, and olive), and seasonal salad (greens, pear and nuts) carried more a hearty, rustic feel than coastal Mediterranean flavors. And it's nice to see an Italian menu that isn't full of only small plates and paninis on one hand, and/or various takes on the tomato and garlic combination on the other hand. Gnocchi with mushrooms and brown butter was served with a hearty portion of the namesake funghi. They struck a nice contrast with the al dente potato purses, all topped with subtly sweet and nutty browned butter sauce. My favorite dish might have been the most unglarmourous: slowcooked beef layered on top of fresh airy polenta. If I had an Italian grandmother, I would probably deem this as my comfort food of choice. Succulent and flavorful cuts of meat, offset by sweet tones of the corn polenta. The sauce was no more than the drippings of the meat -- a reduced broth one could say. Whatever it was, it was damn good. Prices are a bit spendy (~$50 per person) for a place that pays tribute to an Italian workingman's pub, but the beautiful space and curious location make it worth a go. read more

HIGHLY recommended by MR, we came here with all our choices for the night. Excited and ready to eat, we had to wait 45 minutes for our table downstairs. So hanging out at the bar, and enjoying the wine list offered, and chatted up with bartender Nicole who too came from Southern California, SD. With that in common, we chat up a storm and weather seem to be a big topic. Hhaha The place looks like a wine cellar when I got downstairs. Dark and pretty intimate surrounding, I anticipated for a lovely evening. With not much service from our waiter, we ordered sardine, frog legs, fried riceball, gnocchi mushroom and rabbit lasagna along with a bottle of red blend. NO, no and NO! I don't like my food. Ewrrrr!!! I wanted an Italian experience of eating slow and great service but it was totally opposite. Food came out within no time and our server was never around to serve. They have to be kidding? We were like just another number rush through their night to so to open up space for new clientele. Yuck! It was aweful. I felt ripe off here. Sat next to a couple on a date, and we got into a conversation and everyone all felt the same way of lack of service and since he is from Italy, he was distressed to bring his date here, hoping she can experience a great Italian hospitality, so he was so wrong. This place does not live up to the hype and hire waiter was from another planet. Ouch, we got burn! read more

BEST PORK SHANK IN NYC! I wouldn't believe it if you told me that there's an Italian restaurant on Division Street. I'd even put money on it..but then I'd lose. This place came highly recommended so I obliged. I would give in 3 stars but the Pork Shank and bread/olive oil put it over the top for me. The bread still has flour on it, perfectly crusty and fresh, you get 6 rolls (each sliced down the middle for pullability) in a basket, the Italian olive oil used here was GREAT! Note: They use Fratelli Turri Garda Orientale DOP EVOO here link: http://www.turri.com/eng/gardadop.php -STINCO DI MAIALE ($18) [Pork Shank over plenta] - AMAZING!, comfort food at its best, the skin was super fatty and gelatinous..yum!, the meat fell right off the bone, DELICIOUS! -TAGLIATA DI MARZO AL AMARONE ($18) [marinated sliced steak over bed of greens] - i tasted pig oil in this, tasty, but i've had bigger and better, arugula salad was good though -INSALATA POLPI ($9) [octopus and potato salad] - octopus was very tender and fresh, saw a lot of tentacle, still pales in comparison to Gramercy Tavern but that's a whole different league -POLPETTE ($9) [spicy fried meatballs] - VERY GOOD!, i really enjoyed this, as it had just the right amount of kick, the meatballs were only about 1/2" in diameter but flavorful, you get about 10 of them. Decor: lots of dark chocolate wood, reminds me of Enoteca on Rivington Service: the bartender upstairs was very knowledgeable, he refilled our water promptly Total came out to $35/pp after everything pics: http://www.meetup.com/teamfoodie/photos/416025 read more

Loosely based on a blue colar pub (Bacaro in Italian), this two floor super-quaint restaurant and bar flaunts wood beams, candles, exposed brick, and a romantic catacomb (who knew catacombs could be romantic? Then again, who would expect to find a restaurant like this in Chinatown?). The wine list was Italian (not surprisingly) with a very large selection by the glass. The food consisted of smaller plates which were very good. My only complaint is that the downstairs area is so quaint, it's not necessary comfortable - so chose your table wisely. read more

We were suppose to go to Pleasant for dinner but I didn't to change my plan so I can try this place because of a fellow yelper told me about it and don't worry I am not blaming u if I had a bad experience :) We got there around 6 ish and they were pack so we decided to wait at the bar(45min wait) to get a table downstaire. We meet the bartender Nicole and she was friendly and we got 2 drinks that cost $20 and I thought that was alittle pricey. Finally we sat downstaire and the place itself was gorgerous. It remind me of a very rustic decor and if anyone ever get a chance then there a bar downstaire that u can get a few drinks and relax. Our waiter came up to us and asked us what would you like without explaining anytime or telling us the special. I asked him that I hear you have a special because of over hear it upstaire waiting. Anyway he say oh yeah there is a special. We order Fried RiceBall-decent and crispy and there cheese in the middle Sardine-alright but alittle sweet for my taste Frog legs-alittle bland for me Gnocchi mushroom-taste like it from a packages and shape like it too rabbit lasagna-i like it but my friend didn't our server didn't mention to us that the menu on the right hand side is more tapas plate and the right hand side is more entree. That would make a hugh difference We sat by a couple on a date and they had a aweful service too and we both had the same guy and we started to talk about how the food wasn't living up to the hype and the waiter didn't seem like he knew anything and he never around when you need something. I didn't even get salt and one of the busboy had to bring it Italian food to me mean eating for hr's and enjoy what you have on your plate and how natural and fresh it is. From the start, our meals was rush and the waiter just want and make it feel like we should rush so the next people can have their turns. What is the point of eating here if anyone feel this way?? You can barely talk and you can hear everyone else conversation. The only good thing about this place is how it look downstaire. I tip the waiter $5 and wrote on it and say you suck at serving. Anyway I work in this field and you they do not serve the people correctly then I shouldn't even tip them at all. I wish i wrote down ZERO instead. I am not coming back here ever again. update-finish the leftover and the food taste better today after it sit overnite, i am giving the food 3-ok and the service a 1 and that is how i got the 2 just a fyi read more

Who knew that in Chinatown you would find such a charming, beautiful and seductive Italian wine bar and osteria? From the New Yorker (November 5, 2007), "In Venice, a bacaro is a workingman's pub where snacks called cichetti are served in small plates, and wine is served in a commensurately small glass ("ombra" in the local dialect)." The upper level is rustic with glass chandeliers, exposed brick and wooden rafters. We came here around 9PM, and was able to score a table by the beautiful large windows, but sadly, there wasn't much scenery. We were facing a scaffold. LOL. The wait for the much raved downstair seating area (ie catacomb) would be for another hour. UGH. Let me just say that they make some serious cocktails. I had a Negroni and a Spritz, and both were excellent and affordable ($10 each). We were a party of 3 and decided on 5 plates: Carciofi - it was one big stuffed artichoke, excellent Mixed Greens - asparagus, radish and some other veggies, nice to have a clean and crisp dish to cleanse the palate Spaghetti Nero - spaghetti with cuttlefish ink, delicious and flavourful, but will leave your lips stained. Gnocchi - what can I say? Wonderful Sarde - the fillets were tender and flavourful For dessert, panna cotta, rich and creamy ;-) BTW...this place used to be a former aquarium. Wow is all I can say! read more

**UPDATE** I've been here countless times and overlooked the "Spaghetti Nero w/ cuttlefish." How have I never ordered this divine dish!? Haha. Bartender warned me the noodles and sauce were black in color, and to be careful of my white shirt. However, this dish is actually becoming a customer favorite. Whatever, food over fashion. One Spaghetti Nero, please! SoOo good. If you're the type to gravitate towards seafood pasta dishes like myself at an italian restaurant, you wont be disappointed. Mmm.. its only 8am and I'm craving. :) P.S - downstairs for more privacy and romance, upstairs for a more bubbling, yet tasteful atmosphere read more

I went with a group of Italians to this underground gem near Chinatown! Totally a normal small bar and small tables when you enter.. Had spritz and headed downstairs to our table - the restaurant is basically in the basement, it's a dungeon feeling but with an Italian flare which means it's still really nice since everything Italian is nice! Our table for 6 was in a small private quarter with super antique decor, looking into the wine cellar.... Like amazing! The service was 5/5 and the food was honestly 4/5 (I've been to Venice many times and I was with a Venetian so i wouldn't it is 100% authentic) but overall the ambiance and my dining experience was really nice that I am leaving 5 stars. Definitely try the Venetian delicacy - mixed plate of tempura vegetables, zucchini flower tempura and also skate tempura were all great. The arancini was average... The pasta portions were on the smaller end but the spaghetti alle vongole was solid. Just go for the experience! read more

Dining downstairs is a must. It's like eating in a wine cellar or an S/M dungeon but without the chains and Crisco. Candlesticks and candle holders, NOT lame-o votives, dot the heavy wooden tables. Its ambiance makes it a great date spot. Its cavernous sections makes it a great group meal spot too. Its brick wall bathrooms makes it a great place to get some horny ackshun, in case you've done enough wining, dining and ready for the 69ing before the check comes. The food is straight up DELISH. I had a squid ink risotto which was salty and yummy. At this point, I was disappointed in the European-sized portions because I could eaten a trough full of that risotto. Likewise with the Pasta e Fagioli soup I started with--VERY flavorful with strong infusion of saffron in the broth. As I am writing this, I now wish I could have a big ass dish of seafood paella! But back to Italian food... My only gripe (and thus only 4 stars) was that the wine I tried was not good at all. First I tried a white wine that was described as similar to a Reisling. WRONG! It was neither sweet nor dry, but rather tasted SALTY! I asked the bartender to taste it to see if it was just me. He tried the bottle in his own glass and said, "Oh no, that's the way it tastes." So he encouraged me to have something else, at which he took my glass of wine and poured it out. So I picked the Pinot Bianco, which also wasn't that great. And at the night, he charged me for both glasses!!! $15 per glass! RUBBISH! But despite the libations debacle, Bacaro was a delight, particularly in light of its odd location on the border of Chinatown and the Lower East Side. Between here and Les Enfants Terribles, that's where you'll find all the white people in the area. read more

Bacaro is a gem, and I wish I lived closer to this neighborhood because of places like this. While the portions are dainty and hardly the hearty Italian size that one would expect, Bacaro delivers a wonderful dining experience with its intimate basement space and romantic ambiance. The service is attentive and warm, and mood music is a tricky execution that they seem to do just fine. The creamy polenta that they integrate into many dishes is quite tasteful, and you can get a great bottle of red for an even greater value. The first item on the dessert menu is the tira misu, so I tried that and thought it was only okay. I'd love to come back here any time given that they have a nice happy hour menu, and the dinner experience is comfortable and cozy. read more

I love when I find places that I can truly categorize as a "hidden gem." Bacaro is more like a "hidden diamond," as one of my fellow eaters commented on our way out of the restaurant. i took one star off for location, being on division street in chinatown, but in fact the sketchiness of the surrounding area almost makes it more alluring. this place is like walking into an old, rustic italian wine cellar - complete with chandeliers over the tables, candlesticks burning, and big wooden doors on the wall that assumingly lead nowhere. love the effect. this place looks small upon entering, but it's actually 2 floors, and the downstairs is definitely the primo place to sit. I felt like i was in one of those movies where people are hiding downstairs in an old house, to get away from attacking mutants. except there were no mutants involved, only delicious italian food and a very impressive wine list. oh, and of course, copius amounts of bread and olive oil. the pasta e fasioli - amazing. gnocchi - delish. espresso - did the trick. i'd love to reserve one of the back private rooms for a dinner party at some point (let's get that scheduled, guys). each of the private rooms room has a table that sits about 10, with a chandelier. (you gotta get a chandelier! like this one! or that one! my only SNL reference, that nobody ever gets...waaaa). anyway, it would be the perfect place for an intimate gathering of close friends. i don't like getting dressed up, but for some reason this place makes me want to wear something lacy. hahaha. read more

Had dinner here with friends this past weekend- so delicious! We were able to make reservations 2 weeks prior (which is a feat in this city haha) and were seated right away. We all had a different cocktail from their menu and they were all perfect! Food was amazing - my fiancé LOVED the smoked mozzarella lasagna, and I had the gnocchi which was very good as well. fried rice balls are vegetarian and also delicious. we shared appetizers, and all had two drinks and still price was very reasonable. definitely recommend! read more

Bacaro is special. Very romantic, downtown vibes, great spaghetti nero to be enjoyed with a nice bottle of wine. I prefer the downstairs part. It feels like a dungeon - so cool. Clientele: fashion/media types, hipsters in groups, and a few people on dates. read more