A perfect Friday night at Baccello
I’ve been to Baccello in Christchurch for drinks quite a few times now, but I thought it was about time I tried their cicchetti (pronounced chi-ket-tee). These Venetian snacks or side dishes are served on wooden boards and are designed to be shared. So last sunny Friday evening I met a friend, we pulled up some stools at the bar and got stuck in.
We ordered a bottle of Baccello’s own white, The Pear Petal (Lange Arneis), which promised delicate floral and pear flavours with a lasting freshness. And it delivered. Very fresh, very drinkable and moreish and the greatest compliment has to be that my usually non-white-drinking companion absolutely loved it. It pairs perfectly with many of the cicchetti on the menu.
Next onto the cicchetti. We went for a medium board (£45) which consists of any four bruschetta (two pieces of each) and two hot plates. We chose:
Mackerel Bruschetta - smoked mackerel in a mayo dressing topped with pickles
Anchovies Bruschetta - cannelloni beans topped with white anchovies
Classic Bruschetta - Italian tomatoes with caramelised onion in a balsamic dressing
Parma ham Bruschetta - Parma ham with ricotta cheese and basil
Beef meatballs in a rich tomato sauce
Polenta chips with salt and parsley
The dishes were beautifully presented, and the portions generous. This is just how I like to eat - a taste of this and a taste of that, all washed down with some delightful wine. I would take this over a three-course-meal any day - and it works out way cheaper.
There was not a single dish we didn’t love. The meatballs were soft and succulent, the polenta chips were perfectly crisp and seasoned to perfection. I enjoyed all the bruschetta, but the one piled high with smoked mackerel really made my tastebuds sing!
We couldn’t go home without trying their own label red, all in the name of fair research of course. So a glass of The Plum Berry (Barbara D’Alba) - plum and blackberry notes with a soft finish - ended our evening perfectly.
I’ve been trying to think of how to describe our evening in a way that does it justice. The wine and food was excellent, yes, but it was more than that. There are certain places that have a kind of magic about them, and it’s not because of the gorgeous floor tiles or the dreamy lighting (though they were very much appreciated). It is because owners Lisa and Li have poured their heart and soul into the place, and you can really feel that.
Baccello, it’s a big ‘Si’ from me.
72 High Street, Christchurch BH23 1BN
