So, some brief thoughts on the movie before diving into the cuisine. Just so everyone knows, I am a big James Bond fan - Sean Connery, Roger Moore, yes, even Timothy Dalton and George Lasenby, Pierce Brosnan - they are all great. Daniel Craig is a great Bond too - cool and calculated. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie (good escapism but don't go in there expecting something based in reality 'cause HE IS JAMES BOND. He WILL defy gravity. He WILL survive from seemingly inescapable situations. However, my only gripe on the flick was it needed a little more of what made past Bond movies successful - more gadgets, more women, and less brute force action.
Now, onto Cinnebar. First of all, did it really take someone this long to market a movie theater that serves GOOD food and alcholic drink while you watch the movie? I guess so, but I am sure glad that someone finally did. We ordered two glass of red and the veggie burger. Well, it took a reminder from us and 1 hour into the movie for them to finally bring the wine and a cold veggie burger with a side of cold fries. And then they had the gaul to charge us for it! The only good thing about the situation is that the manager was sypathetic to our plight and took care of the bill for us. Regardless, Cinnebar gets a failing grade in this VNOB's opinion.
So, since we were still hungry, we hoped across the way to one our favorites - Bacco. I know I have promised Bacco its own review as part of a more comprehensive assessment of Charleston's Italian landscape, but the opportunity is now beckoning.
Let me start by saying that Bacco is a damn fine restaurant and the owner, Mike Scognamiglio, is the best of people. He has poured his heart and soul, not to mention his experience as sous chef at Al Di La (another top-tier Charleston Italian restaurant) into Bacco - and it shows. I have visited Bacco numerous times since it opened over 18 months ago and, like a fine wine, it has aged well. One gripe I have with other Charleston-area Italian restaurants is that they get you on the wine - but not at Bacco. All the wines are very reasonable - and very good. Cheap tasty wine - three words destined to be together.
The food is tremendous. Mike uses fresh local ingredients where possible. His signature dish (in my opinion) is the eggplan parmigiana - which is pure, 100% yum. But the Risi Bisi (a creamy risoto with peas) is a really close second. But the swordrish is a really close second too. Ok, you get the picture. It's all good!
Oh, I think I have mentioned that a "tell" for restaurant quality is how good the bread is. Well, let me tell you that Bacco has this department taken care of. It is fresh, soft, ciabata like bread that comes with this amazingly fresh olive oil for dipping. Just make sure you don't gorge yourself on bread and oil... I have been known to make such mistakes and no doubt will again :)
A small note on the deserts. Try them. And while you are at it, have a cappuchino. They are really really good. The service is tremendous as well - always prompt and courteous.
Go to Bacco. Don't go because the VNOB said it is good, but go because your taste buds
