Napoli pizzas, artisanal tapas from Venice and lashings of fine wine - get your fix of a true Italian feast at Bacaro in Berawa
Before we dive into a drool-inducing run-through of the traditional Neapolitan pizzas and Venetian tapas at Bacaro, you should know that this buzzing Italian restaurant in Berawa is inspired by one of our all-time favourite dining traditions, Bacari (hence the name). Bacari is the after-work ritual in Venice where friends gather to feast on small Italian bites and plenty of wine, and Bacaro has managed to replicate this convivial and oh-so leisurely vibe – right in the heart of the Berawa ‘hood.
Best enjoyed with friends over a few drinks (AKA multiple bottles of both local and Italian grapes) Bacaro’s menu is all about celebrating authentic Italian favourites from two delicious regions – pizzas from Naples and tapas from Venice – made fresh, done right and designed to swap, share and sample in great company…
The pizzas here are exactly what you’d find in the backstreets of Naples, prepped and cooked in the true Napoli way. We’re not just talking thin or thick crusts here either, nor are we simply ticking off Italian-approved ingredients. Instead, Bacaro recreates the time-honoured ways in which both the dough and the ingredients are prepared, before baking them in traditional domed ovens at more than 400 degrees for just a few minutes.
For example, the pizza dough has to rise for exactly 24 hours before letting it rest for the ideal texture and taste, and as for the toppings? Only the very best will do – picked daily in close collaboration with Bali’s artisanal farmers, while Italian-only ingredients are imported if they can’t be produced locally – think Prosciutto Crudo Serrano, gorgonzola cheese, and of course, those bottles of Talamonti Moda’ Montepulciano….
The must-trys
They say that the best way to judge a pizza place is by tasting their Margherita, and well, let us tell you that Bacaro has got this Napoli classic down pat. Topped with just enough tomato sauce, puddles of fresh mozzarella, a scatter of basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil – this Margherita is the real deal. And if the classics are your thing, you’ll also what to try the special Margherita di Bufala (pictured above with buffalo milk mozzarella), the Quattro Formaggi (because there’s no such thing as too much cheese) and our fave, the Quattro Stagioni with mozzarella, mushrooms, artichokes, olives, prosciutto cotto and that all-important olive oil…
Other Napoli icons include the best-selling Campana with Prosciutto Crudo Serrano and homemade stracciatella cheese, or go for something a little out of the ordinary, like the gourmet Pizza Calabrese made of nduja (AKA spicy sausage), gorgonzola and fresh mozzarella – it’s a killer combo that comes from Southern Italy… Delizioso!
And, if you can tear yourself away from the pizza slices for a moment, you’ll also want to try Bacaro’s famous Venetian-inspired tapas, namely the Hummus Duo made with basil and cherry tomatoes (served with their incredible homemade focaccia bread, FYI) as well as the Polpette al Sugo – Wagyu meatballs slow-cooked in an Italian tomato sauce. Of course, there’s also an entire selection of awesome salads on the menu too, plus plenty of Italiano desserts to round off the perfect trip to Italy. Best enjoyed with friends and fine wine, naturally…
Bacaro, Jl Pantai Berawa, Canggu, p. +62 821 4591 6827, e. [email protected]. Open daily 9am – 11pm.