Readers' Choice: Baci is Healdsburg's Best Italian Restaurant

Earlier this week, we kicked off a new series, , where we asked you, our readers, to name the very best stuff in Healdsburg.

We started off with a veritable "Sophie's Choice" of questions: Which one of Healdsburg's three amazing Italian restaurants is the best place for your primi, pasta and dolci.

You answered in droves, naming as Healdsburg's best spot for an authentic taste of Italy. tasteful cuisine and friendly atmosphere.

"We are more or less the hangout for locals," said Lisbeth Holmefjord, who co-owns Baci with husband and chef Shari Sarabi. "We're not snooty and I'm always out front and my husband is in the kitchen -- I try to get him to stay there, but he always comes out too."

The couple "know most of our people by name, and we know what they like," she said.

Holmefjord said she was "glad to win the competition," but she said Baci and the second-place winner, were not so much competitors as friendly colleagues.

"We have different menus and we serve a different clientele -- they send us a lot of customers, and we send a lot to them," she said. "There's enough business for everyone."

Baci, which means "kiss" in Italian, last year had a "Today" show, who were shooting a segment on then-13-year-old Colby Groom of Healdsburg. Colby, a heart disease survivor, is the inspiration for Colby Red wine, developed by his parents Daryl and Lisa Groom, owners of Groom Australian Wines.

Colby Red is one of many local wines served at Baci.

"We support the small local wineries and they support us," Holmefjord said.

Second place also received many rave comments and votes. came in third.

Congratulations to all! We can't wait for our next pasta.