Recommends

mariasalonthalia

Joined 6 years ago

An Old Favorite. I have been a long time customer of Ristorante La Buca and the food has always been consistantly great. I sometime's eat here once a week and I am never disappointed. This is a great place to dine alone or entertain guests.No, the menu hasn't changed much but if there is somehting that you would like to request it will be accomodated. I think the prices are very resonable for the size portions that you get and do save room for desert. With all these new, over priced, trendy restaurants trying to make a go of it, La Buca shouldn't be forgotten in your dining out experiences. Bon Appetit!!

Recommends

brook3905

Joined 6 years ago

A relaxing Dinner,The way you want.. I just love this place,"And the menu has changed",But nothing else has, staff is great,Prices are reasonable,great for a first date,and depending on the night you usally you don't need a resv.The list is very informational If your a semi newby like myself.

Recommends

mengucci

Joined 7 years ago

Incredible Italian food!. First there's the fresh seafood of the evening cart that is brought around. Then there's the tuxedoed waiters, great service and then, last but not least, the outstanding food. I had a piece of Ahi tuna that was seared to perfection and the best piece of tuna I have ever had. It wasn't overly seasoned and done just right. The desserts are something to leave room for as well! A great restaurant for a special occasion.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Tuscany below ground in Philadelphia. The Scene
Chef/proprietor Giuseppi Giulini hails from the beautiful Italian province of Tuscany, where any restaurant called "buca" (which means cave in Italian) is underground. This La Buca, like its Tuscan cousins, is true to form. Though it's down a long flight of steps, the space doesn't feel like a basement. Walls in the main dining room are startlingly frescoed with scenes of ancient Italy, looking every bit like the work of an ancient Florentine master painter.

The Food
The food, too, is true to Giulini's Tuscan origins. Waiters in tuxes stand at attention and present patrons with a cart displaying raw seafood selections. (The house specialty is the catch of the day, grilled.) Also try the crespelle, light pasta crepes with spinach and cheese, topped with an equally light tomato sauce. Be prepared, however, for a hefty check, depending on the choice. No matter what else is on the menu, save room for ethereal rum cake and superb espresso.

Recommends

ellenkenny

Joined 7 years ago

Tried and True~. Ristorante La Buca is not about the Restaurant Revolution that is going on in Philadelphia~ So what does it have~ it has amazing Italian food served the way it should be~ fresh! The daily specials on the fish cart are changed DAILY~ how much change does a diner want? If you are the type of diner that needs to be seen and craves the flash of the moment~ go elsewhere. If you are the type of diner that is looking for a vast wine list~ served with the freshest fish and authentic Italian dishes by an impeccable staff~ topped off with a dessert cart that is often hard to choose one~ If you appreciate quality and authenticity~ La Buca is for you! Any restaurant that can fill their tables with an older clientele that is willing to part with their money must be worth the trip!

Doesn't Recommend

philaphile

Joined 7 years ago

why do people still go here???. OK, I'm sick of people writing that this place is great. So much so that I signed up just to review it. It may have been fresh 10-20 years ago, before the restaurant revolution in Philadelphia. The food is OK, but not for the price. The decor is awful. You do feel like you're in a cave, with wall 'art' on par with Olive Garden. It's dank and musty, with waiters dressed like morticians.

If you want to fill your belly, there are much cheaper Italian places. If you feel more comfortable dining with old people, go for it. But it is not 'old fashioned' in a good way. If you want an experience that combines great food, ambiance and service, there are hundreds of better places.

BTW, I DO dine there a lot, but only because my employer holds dinners there (it's close). Otherwise I would never go back.

Recommends

armenpand

Joined 8 years ago

One of the Best. I love this restaurant and have for years. yes, the menu is the same - but it's very good and I don't eat here more than once every couple of months so - who cares!

The reviewer who said the NY's eve was a disaster was right - they overbooked and hired some waiters who normally don't work there. Lesson - don't go on NY's Eve. The other 364 days are just great.

Seafood, warm salad, claims and seafood appitizer - just stick to the seafood. I've seen people eat the chicken and the veal and praise it too. graet wine list. And the waitstaff is one of the best in town.

Doesn't Recommend

pickerbw

Joined 8 years ago

Horrible service. This was the worst restaurant experience of my entire life. I arrived at 8:15 for a 9:00 reservation on New Year's Eve but weren't seated until 9:30 because Maitre d' was too concerned seating walk-ins with no reservations. We were seated at a horrible table with no candles. The Maitre d' corrected me when I chose which seat to sit in. The menus were placed on the table instead of being handed to us. When the waiter arrived, my date was rudely cut short as she said she didn't know what she wanted to drink. Instead of having time to ask what the waiter recommended, the waiter quickly turned to a table next to us while saying, "It's ok, we have some specials." We were so incredibly upset with the service that we got up and left. We will never go back to La Buca.

Recommends

helcha8

Joined 11 years ago

Authentic Italian. La Buca is a place where "regulars" dine. But newcomers are welcome as well. The food & service are outstanding. Their wine list (AND prices) are phenomal. We are defintely going back often!

Recommends

guinevere26

Joined 11 years ago

Good Classic, but needs a new menu. La Buca is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, but the menu needs a revamp. It hasn't been changed in over 12+ years. The people make this place. Very good wine list as well. Fabulous fresh fish cart - my recommendation is the lagonstine - excellent! Stay away from the steak and just stick to pasta or seafood here.