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| - Ah, Buca. Where do I even begin....
Before I start, Chef Rob Gentile is great at what he does. Don't get me wrong. His creations and his taste had me thinking that he exceeds all expectations when it comes to his food. And he did.... However...
If you're looking for your typical traditional, comforting Italian food, this is not the place to be. I was first made aware of Buca about a year ago, after hearing about the restaurant through a friend. I figured, I might as well give it a shot.
The atmosphere:
The atmosphere was very inviting... Very rustic looking. The restaurant is somewhat hard to find, but we made it after several attempts. The restaurant itself was very busy for a Thursday night, and our waiter was very pleasant. I would have to say the waiter was probably the best part of our experience at Buca to say the least. He was inviting, personable, and attentive. I came to Buca as a party of 4.
The food:
Like I stated before, you're not going to dine at Buca on hefty portions of gnocchi, spaghetti, or hearty pizza. The food is different... Even reading the menu is different in itself- You won't find sheep brains anywhere else, I can probably guarantee that. I opted for their Gnocco Fritto (squid ink dumplings)... Not my taste at all, I realized after the fact, but I forced myself to eat it. My tongue stayed black for 2 days after the fact. My party started out with the Branzino, a whole fish cured at my table, soaked in olive oil and lemon juice. It was barely enough for the 4 of us as a starter. My partner tried the Ravioli Doppi, which is their lobster-stuffed ravioli, as a main. The ravioli itself was very tasty, but the portion was so tiny... I mean, a plate of ravioli for $39, and there were probably a total of 4 pieces in the dish. Very disappointing for the price we paid. We also tried the Burrata pizza, which was probably my favourite dish. Still, not enough to share with the 4 of us.
The price:
I should have done my homework before making my reservations at Buca. The prices are astronomical, in my opinion. I dined with 4 guests (myself included), and it cost us well over $400. Regardless of the alcohol we consumed, the food was extremely pricey, and we left without feeling completely full.
I would probably return to Buca for drinks, at the very most.
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