Bari Italian - Cedar Rapids

Bari Italian delivers on all counts. The decor is contemporary, pleasant, and warm. Our server was very friendly, efficient, and highly knowledgeable. Most importantly, the food was exquisite. My wife was served what she regarded as the best chicken parm she's ever had. The cutlet was perfectly prepared and served on a bed of incredible handmade pasta. I had a jumbo shrimp and scallops served on parmesan risotto. It was amazing. The scallops were tender and flavorful. The shrimp was nicely seasoned with cracked black pepper, which I thought was a nice touch. The risotto was filled with flavor with perfect texture. Bari Italian is highly recommended!

Alright, let's unpack this dining experience. The salmon we ordered was undeniably top-tier, a real culinary delight. However, things took a turn when we requested a vegetable substitution for the rice pilaf. To our surprise, not only did they bring out the asparagus we asked for but also an unexpected side of carrots. Initially, this seemed like an impressive over-delivery. But confusion set in with the bill. There was an unexpected $20 charge. Instead of a simple veggie swap, we found ourselves billed separately for both the asparagus and carrots. No prior notice, no explanation. And to add to the frustration, the cost of the rice pilaf, which we didn't receive, wasn't deducted. Addressing this issue, the response was perplexing, making our request seem unusual. It's basic customer service to communicate additional charges or changes. Especially when you're shelling out $200 for a meal, transparency and clarity in billing are paramount. The exceptional cuisine was overshadowed by the service inconsistencies. I still left a 20% tip, excluding the unexpected charges, but this experience left room for improvement. Future visits should ideally match the food quality with the service.

Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Seafood

Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Calamari, Surf and Turf, Ravioli

I wish I could give this place six stars! Best food I’ve had in a long time! Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5