Buca used to be one of our favorite restaurants, but the quality has gone downhill fast. After our visit this evening, we will not return.
Garlic bread was bland/favor-less. Not worth the price. Caesar salad was also bland, small and wilted. Totally not worth the $11. (It used to be my favorite thing at Buca, but clearly the dressing is not the same nor is the overall quality). The meatballs were "okay" but not the normal spectacular-ness. The quatro al forno/stuffed pasta combo plate was also okay, but nothing like it used to be. We also got some wine, a Buca Chianti, and it was also not worth the price tag. Overall the $100 price tag of this meal was a complete rip off. It was worth more like $40. We should have gone to Olive Garden -- at least you get what you pay for there.
Also the waitress didn't really seem to have any idea about the menu or current offers even though she had worked there for "years." She was nice, but not very attentive. And to top it off the guests at the table next to us proceeded to yell and use tons of profanity and it was clear the employees noticed but did nothing. I don't particularly enjoy going to any restaurant and having to listen to that - nor do I want my young daughter to listen to it. And I certainly don't want to pay that much for that kind of experience.
Buca has become one of those bad cookie cutter chain restaurants. They are overpriced and the food isn't that good. You are better off choosing a chain restaurant with average or bad food and paying at least half as much.