If you have a desire to visit Italy but don't have the time to take a vacation, take a trip to ‘Bacco' for a true Italian eating experience.

Having just returned from Italy I was getting a little homesick for some authentic Italian meals, but my visit to Bacco in North Wales, PA transported me back to Naples.

Bacco is a Neapolitan family trattoria specializing in homemade Italian dishes and wines. And, as their promotional literature says "everyone does treat you like family" (true to the Italian style of eating). From the manager Andrea who took me on a lovely tour of the restaurant to the waitresses and waiters, it was the closest I've come to eating ‘Italian style' (from the food to the service to the atmosphere) that I've experienced in the area. The atmosphere is done in a true Italian family style with large wooden tables and authentic looking frescoes decorating the walls.

Chef Pasquale Palino is also part of the ambiance. His lively vivacious personality combined with his passion for food comes through in the masterpieces he creates. My guest and I began our feast with Antipasto Bacco, which was in the true Neapolitan style, made up of fresh greens, flavorful fresh chunks of provolone and true Italian salami, fresh tomatoes and dressed with a touch of an excellent extra virgin olive oil.

The bread served along with the olive oil for dipping was fresh, yet crusty---a true Italian bread. After my conversation with Pasquale about Bacco and Naples, he took away our menus and told us "he wanted to create something for us" in true Italian style.

And create he did. We just about finished our antipasto when Pasquale arrived at our table with two simmering plates of fresh pasta with a tomato ‘sugo' topped with basil. He insisted, as is customary in Italian homes, that we didn't delay in eating the pasta. Pasta is really at its best texture, flavor wise when just cooked and topped with its sauce. If it sits too long it will no longer remain al dente.

The pasta was fresh and cooked to perfection. With sauce (oh that sauce!) from fresh tomatoes, wonderful quality olive oil, fresh basil and parmigiano-reggiano cheese---it was truly an indescribable experience. The portion size of the pasta covered a full plate and we savored our dishes to the last morsel.

This second course was fresh Chilean sea bass with fresh grilled asparagus and cherry tomatoes. The sea bass was flaky, moist and flavorful. The grilled vegetables were flavored lightly with a dash of olive oil. The philosophy of a true Italian cook is to use the best and freshest ingredients and this dish truly was a reflection of that.

Just like all good things, this meal was unfortunately coming to an end. We just couldn't get in another bite of food, but at Pasquale's insistence we ended our experience with a cup of authentic Neapolitan espresso and homemade almond biscotti.

Bacco is located at 587 DeKalb Pike in North Wales, PA. For more information, call (215) 699-3361 or visit www.baccobacco.com.