"As anyone who’s ever eaten a mortadella sandwich on the steps of a 2,000-year-old building in Italy knows, bakeries are an essential part of the Italian restaurant landscape. And Baker & Barista makes the best Italian baked goods in town, as well as delicious coffee drinks like cappuccino and shakerato. Come early for breakfast and you may find maritozzi in the display case. But our favorite time to be here is closer to noon, when the schiacciata sandwiches, savory focaccia, and thick slices of pizza emerge from the ovens. We've yet to meet a baked product here that didn't make us want to kiss the Colosseum." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino