I recently made up my mind to try more local restaurants and trattorie to feature them on the blog. Last expedition was to the Bacaro Padovano, a restaurant near the main piazze of Padua. Just past piazza Duomo, take via Barbarigo. A few steps and the restaurant is on the left. This is not only a restaurant but also a “bacaro”, place where you can go to have a wine glass and taste some “cicheti”, local finger foods. I tried it for lunch.
Low lights, a lot of warm wood, a majority of tables for two and a rear lighter room similar to a terrace. The staff was friendly and easygoing.
I was a bit disappointed when I found out that both the dishes I had previously saw in the online menu (and I was looking forward to try them) were still there, but with significant variations. I ordered them anyway. Do not get me wrong. It’s not that I didn’t like them. I liked them both. But they were less tasty than I expected. Probably I had my mind set on the version I read online. Pity. For the record they were the bigoli with hen and the guinea fowl (which was very tender).
I know I’m a bit of a fussy, but, dealing with a blog and its social channels every day, I appreciate when I see that those kind of things are up to date.
However my husband Matteo had tagliatelle with radicchio and shrimps and then octopus with potatoes. His courses were both very tasty. The octopus in particular was unbelievably tender. An authentic pleasure to the palate. I obviously coulnd’t help but raid his plate more than once. 😉
Since we both had two courses, we skipped the dessert and only had a caffè. We paid 60€, which is average price for what we had in my city.
In conclusion, I can suggest it for an informal lunch or dinner, if you’re in the area, especially if you like traditional, homely cuisine. I recommend the octopus, hoping that it will still be on the menu when you go. I ignore if there’s an “octopus season”. 😀
Bacaro Padovano
via S. Gregorio Barbarigo, 3 – Padova
