10/20/08

The best friendly Italian Restaurant in Center City Philadelphia.

by amarildo

The food is excellent and has an appropriate choice of wines to complement your food. The environment is warm and comfortable for a lunch or a dinner. I love the place for the accommodation it can give for parties as well.

I had my daughters? first birthday party and everything was excellent. The owner (who is also the cook) Mr. Giuseppe made that a special day for our family with his delicious food and his promptness for every single request. Everyone invited in our party liked the choice of food, wine and the place as well.

Well done Joe!

• Pros: Ambience, Food, Wine
• Cons: None

09/14/08

At least the wine was good.

by Babsel

From the moment you walk in it's clear that there would have to be something exceptional about the food because the ambiance leaves much to be desired. The first thing to notice is the rather impressive wine list hasn't been updated in 10 years and isn't well stocked. The dates online and in the menu are incorrect (though it would be unbelievable if they were still holding '96 vintage Cabs at these prices - On the plus side, they haven't raised prices in 10 years either, so even more recent vintages are offered at a surprising discount) That was the highlight of the evening. The staff are dressed in tuxedos and they make an effort to give the appearance of a fine dining establishment (the prices are equivalent to many of the top tier places in town) but before ordering we already knew it might be wise to go elsewhere, but no review we read discussed the quality of the food and we hoped it might be a pleasant surprise. Then the appetizers arrived, a warm mushroom salad so overpowered by balsamic vinegar it masked any mushroom in it & beef carpaccio which I know as thin, tender raw beef with a subtle vinaigrette, not the cured lunch meat drizzled with balsamic that we were served. Next the entrees, crab & shrimp crusted tilapia and sea scallops with swiss chard. The seafood was all over-cooked, and on the dried chewy side, we weren't even able to attempt finishing the tilapia as hungry as we were. And, not to my surprise, the swiss chard was unavailable and substituted with spinach. As they wheeled out the dessert cart we quickly asked for the check and after blowing $170 on diner food we ran down the street to Morimoto and rectified a terrible night out with incredible cocktails and desserts you wouldn't believe (that wasn't cheap either, but worth it! Save yourself from a restaurant that cares little for providing quality to a regular crowd supporting them who've never eaten at a descent place, though there are plenty within a quick walk of this place.

• Pros: Wine
• Cons: Ambience, food, price

02/16/08

Just moved to Philly burbs

by foodstain

My boyfriend and I just visited for our Valentine's dinner last week. It was small and quaint but made a BIG impression on us. There weren't many tables in the place, which pretty guaranteed good service. There were at least three gentlemen that served us throughout the night. You can tell that they truly want you to have the best experience possible. Now, about the food.... simply excellent. I ordered a Lamb dish, even though I've never eaten lamb, because the woman next to me recommended it as she was eating it! It was spectacular. The meat fell right off the bones and it was served over marinara with gnochi. Amazing! My boyfriend ordered a seafood spaghetti dish which he enjoyed thoroughly as well. Overall a great experience. Very close quarters in the restaurant, but they definitely make it work. Be sure to have reservations ahead of time. We made reservations and our table was waiting for us when we arrived. My boyfriend and I got an appetizer and 2 of the more expensive dishes they offer and our bill was still only $50! Great value!

• Pros: food
• Cons: small

11/19/07

Love this place!

by danielle601

I went after a friend kept raving about it and it turned out she was right. Great ambience, delicious food and very friendly staff. The portions are huge and very well priced. I felt like I was dining with friends. Also, Jason makes the best martinis in town! I didn't save room for dessert this time but my next visit, I will be sure to check out the dessert cart. Go to La Buca, you won't be dissapointed!

• Pros: Everything!

11/08/07

An Old Favorite

by mariasalonthalia

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!!

• Pros: Great food, Easy parking.

07/24/07

A relaxing Dinner,The way you want.

by brook3905

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.

• Pros: "Service is great"
• Cons: Damp,Dark

10/30/06

Incredible Italian food!

by mengucci

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.

• Pros: Romantic ambiance, service, and great dessert too!

Tuscany below ground in Philadelphia

by Contributor

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.

• Pros: great dessert

02/15/06

Tried and True~

by ellenkenny

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!

• Pros: Close to Theater!, Fresh Food/ Authentic, Romantic Ambiance

01/24/06

why do people still go here???

by philaphile

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.

• Pros: quiet
• Cons: bad decor, expensive, average food