An Old Favorite Turns New

has been a staple on the Boulevard for some time now. In fact, my mom has held so many celebrations there that Joe, Il Bacco's manager, knows her as the redhead whose birthday is in January.

However, last weekend was the first time my wife and I have been to the restaurant since its recent renovation.

The old place was dark and cozy. It always felt tightly packed. The new place is the complete opposite. There are two floors, with the first floor serving as the main dining room and the second for private parties. 

The first thing I noticed upon entering the main dining room is how open it is. The ceilings are much higher, making the dining area feel much more spacious. There is much more seating and you are not on top of your neighbor.

When you walk in, there's a bar on your left and a coat check on your right, immediately followed by the hosts. We had an early reservation so there was plenty of seating, though the place did fill up quickly as the night went on.

Our waiter brought us menus and began to tell us about the evenings specials —a professional server with an amazing delivery, like something out of a movie. It almost felt like a friend telling us about some food he was preparing for us. He got a few chuckles from us and left us to decide.

I ordered Pollo Scarpariello, a dish that includes chicken, onions, sausage and potato in balsamic vinegar. My wife tried a selection from that day's list of specials — saffron rice with a mix of seafood, like an Italian-style paella.

While waiting for our food, we noticed how personal the place is to a lot of people. It seemed like everyone knew someone working there, be it a waiter or one of the hosts. I also heard a few waiters asking, "Would you like the regular?" Clearly Il Bacco has its loyal clientele.

A staff member served me a plate stacked with chicken and potato. I was surprised to find that the chicken was on the bone, which made it a little difficult to eat with a knife and fork, so I found myself eating with my hands. I did enjoy the meal, but the balsamic vinegar became a little overwhelming by the end.

Unfortunately, my wife didn't like her dish. She said the rice and seafood were both bland and did nothing for her taste buds.

However, considering the ambience, the new place is a huge improvement from the old. I think the high ceilings and spacious dining area make a good combination for an enjoyable dining experience.

As for the food at the new Il Bacco, my advice is to find a dish you like and stick with it.