Basi Italia

06/25/2008 Posted by UBU44ALWAYS

Be aware that Basi Italian restaurant is capable of giving you the best and worst expirience in one dining event. Basi provides up to snuff italian cucina meals, fresh spices and unusual cooking procedures, but provides the Worst World Class Customer Care in the Universe. I cannot remember the last time I have expirienced such appalling, vile service. The wating staff, Dave and others response to customers request for drinks and bread appear to be a burden. The customer response rate and service adherence level is nil. Reservations were made in advance and we still had to wait by the bar, unattended, for 45 minutes to be seated. The food was exquiste, the service abominable washing away the good tasting food. We will settle for figlios, were the serivce makes it a real dining expirience. pro's: food Con's Service

Pros: Food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cons: World Wide Worst Customer Care

03/26/2008 Posted by search4food

If you like glorified spaghetti (ground lamb with red sauce and pasta) or steak that tastes like liver, and paying high prices, then this place is for you! There were 4 in our party, and only one person liked what they chose. He let me try the duck, and I wasn't wishing I had ordered it after I tasted it--and I love duck. My friend ordered the “steak.” She couldn't give it away, nor could she eat it. It was rare and she asked for medium. It had a very strong flavor of liver. The place is compact, so half of the restaurant gets seated by the door, and got reminded of the 20 degree weather each time the door was opened. There was no place to put my feet, except for the round table foot. Unfortunately, it was also the same and only place for my husband to put his feet. He could not move back because he was right up to the occupied chair behind him. The table rocked back and forth too. Absolutely NOT worth the money. We will not be visiting Basi-Italia again, nor would we recommend it.

Pros: lightened our wallets considerably

Cons: overpriced, overrated

01/04/2008 Posted by docproc

For starters, I should tell you that we live in Cincinnati, not Columbus--so a visit to Basi Italia involves a two-hour drive and sometimes an overnight stay. We have made that investment several times because Basi is THAT GOOD. Yes, it's small--but that's what makes it charming and unique. Owners John and Trish have created a memorable locale and dining experience. I can honestly say that we've never had a dish we didn't love--you simply can't go wrong here. The mustard-crusted trout, the boneless half chicken, the braised pork cheeks (don't let the name throw you), the to-die-for chocolate cake...the list goes on and on. We have always had excellent and helpful service and have never felt rushed. Simply put, this is our favorite restaurant.

Pros: Everything. This is our favorite restaurant.

Cons: Not a one.

07/17/2007 Posted by maryeloisemo

I live a block away from Basi, but have only been there once because I wasn't very impressed. As a local, my big problem with this restaurant is the parking. The signs around Basi all state "please respect our neighbors, use the valet" however the valet service parks on the streets surrounding the restaurant. I advise anyone visiting to use the Giant Eagle parking lot. It is one block away and (despite what the signs would have you think) they do not tow. I know this because I once had to park in the Giant Eagle parking lot overnight because when I came home at 7:00 PM on a Friday the Basi valets had taken all the spots on my block -- you could watch them running back and forth to the cars! Definitely don't pay $4 plus tip for this service. As for the food... the ingredients were high quality, but the taste just wasn't that great, and the seafood dish I ordered was overcooked. This may have been a fluke, however, since many friends have had great meals there.

Pros: good ingredients, interesting dishes

Cons: don't use the valet!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

04/17/2007 Posted by leo78

This place is amazing! Their outdoor patio is the kind of place that requires an ostentatious gesture--a proposal of marriage, at the very least. The food is guaranteed to be phenomenal--I know, I go there at least once a month. Believe the raves. This place rocks.

Pros: You will never forget this place.

Cons: Other people might find out about it.

11/29/2006 Posted by michael_h_lewis

Simply put I have not had a bad meal here yet and I have eaten here a dozen times this year. The food is amazing and the menu changes periodically. Definitely try the eggplant and make sure you have reservations far enough in advance (a week should be reasonable). The restaurant is a renovated pizza shop so a little more cozy than some may be used to experiencing and also slightly off the beaten path but well worth it for the amazing food.

Pros: Food

Cons: Difficult to get weekend reservations

08/19/2006 Posted by ramsey2

Do not bother reading this if you go to a restaurant to see or be seen. And don't bother reading on if you think the sum of Italian cuisine can be found in pasta. This place is for Serious Foodies, and once your waiter/waitress recognizes you belong to that group, you will be treated with discernment and genuine affection. Where to start? The wine list is intriguing and helpfully defines the various choices--comparing wine notes to chocolate, CIGAR, etc. . . . words like "chewy" and "velvety" are used! As for the food, it's divine--my clams came out steaming, in a luscious bath of pancetta-laced sherry. I also had the mustard crusted golden trout that was cooked to perfection, crispy, light but rich . . . I had to swat my husband's fork away from my plate more than once. He had the lamb--it was a mouthful of England. (Of course, I mean that in a good way.) We finished with tiramisu, which was as good as tiramisu can be, and that's saying a lot. So in my experience, the food and the waitstaff were superb. The stakes were high--it was our tenth anniversary, though I didn't mention that to anyone. High expectations which were met; what more could you ask for? Now--don't tell your friends. I want to be able to get reservations next week.

Pros: The heavenly food.

Cons: Not seeing any yet, baby.

07/13/2006 Posted by auntmooshka

First and foremost, the food was outstanding. It was creative and superb tasting. The chef does amazing things and for that reason we will return. HOWEVER, we had reservations for 7:30pm (made 2 weeks in advance) and we seated at 8:15. Despite the fact that there was less than half capacity in the entire restaurant, the waitstaff was terribly slow and borderline annoyed with having to work there. Wow. I'm really torn about returning knowing that how poor the service is even though the food is stunningly wonderful.

Pros: THE FOOD, FOOD, FOOD

Cons: the service and wait time even with advance reservations

05/04/2006 Posted by 679washington

Great neighborhood location, wonderful patio. Decent, homemade, fresh, creative meals & nice wine selection. My only complaint was the waiter, terribly rude. Had to ask for more beverages, he never once came to ask how our food was etc. Seemed annoyed when I ordered coffee and did not thank us for coming. The Hostess was extremly friendly, so all employees do not have attitudes.

Pros: locally owned, fresh. homemade food, great wine selectio

Cons: rude service

02/07/2006 Posted by msendel57

I heard a lot about Basi before we went. We had reservations for 8; however, we didn't get seated until 8:45. I was a little peeved about that. Lukily the food made up for my initial disappointment. The small dining room is burting atmosphere. The food was above average. I will return for a second visit.

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: Lack of parking, Slow service