For the last stop on the Legendary Eateries Bucket List tour, Heather Baker and KARK’s Hunter Hoagland made a visit to Ciao Baci in Hillcrest.

 

 

“This is one of the first restaurants I ever went to when I [moved here to] Little Rock,” Hoagland says. “And it can’t be beat — it truly is a legend.”

 

The pair start things off with appetizers and cocktails — two things that are always a hit at Ciao Baci. Hoagland falls in love with the Tomato Basil Bruschetta, and Baker can’t get enough of the Cheese & Charcuterie Plate.

 

 

“One of my favorite things I love about Ciao Baci is it’s so unique,” Baker says. “They have an amazing patio in here. And this is great for a girls night, or a family, or date night. But you can actually just come in here and get apps, and have great drinks and sit at the bar — or, you’re about to experience what their dinner is all about.”

 

 

For the entree round, Baker tries out the Chicken Caesar Salad, which she describes as “amazing.” And, as usual, Hoagland is all over the Chargrilled Sirloin Steak, served with a house Worcestershire and atop a bed of fries. “You can’t beat that,” he says.

 

 

Up next is the Slow Cooked Duck and Dumplings plate, which features shredded duck, sweet potato gnocchi, peas, Wye Mountain mushrooms, Pernod herb butter, arugula and pecorino.

 

And for those with special diets, the duo also checked out the No Carb-onara, a vegan and gluten-free platter with shaved vegetable ribbons, coconut cauliflower puree, crispy mushrooms, peas, black pepper and truffle oil.

 

 

 

Last is never least when it comes to the Bucket List, because Baker and Hoagland always save room for dessert. Baker has one word for the Nutella Bread Pudding: delicious. And Hoagland wraps his meal up with the Chocolate Creme Brulee, one of his favorites.

 

That’s a wrap for the Legendary Eateries Bucket List. Tune in next week to see what “new” surprises are in store on a “new” bucket list tour. (Hint: it may have something to do with “new” faces.)

 

For your chance to win a Chef’s Dinner for Two to Ciao Baci, click here.