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| - Update: Dinner for 5 on 5/22/16.
I promised the regional manager I'd update my review if I ever came back. This is it.
Went back to use our dinner comp coupon, and had a less frustrating experience, but really not enough to change the 2 star rating. Actually I'd go for 2.5 stars, but it's not a YELP option.
Buca has half of the dining equation right - good food. But the service side of the scale is nearly empty.
We were please to see that the parking lot was not overflowing - - it would mean a short wait for a table.....
I remember feeling like an intruder. Like we weren't REALLY welcome. It wasn't like the hostess was growling at us - - - but she certainly wasn't friendly: no welcome, no smile, no "glad you came". Just a perfunctory exchange about the number in our party and our request for a high chair. It was a little weird - especially since every other service worker in America knows you're supposed to act like you're actually PLEASED that the customer has visited. Heck - the guy behind the counter at 7-11 makes you feel like a friend every time you walk in.
Our server was obviously new at the job. Or at least new enough at Buca that they haven't yet had time to either train her or fire her. She was friendly, but timid. So timid that no one could hear what she was saying. Her whisper continued even though she had been asked "excuse me?" and "what did you say?, and "I can't hear you" by almost everyone at the table.
It was pretty much smooth sailing from there. Drinks, appetizers, salad, and entrees were delivered timely. At our server's prompting, we ordered the antipasto salad and it was a great pick. Entrees were delicious and, unlike our previous experience, there was plenty of food.
It was finally time to leave, but Buca wouldn't hear of it. My credit card disappeared for an uncomfortably long time. We theorized that they didn't know how to process the comp coupon, and perhaps couldn't close the check.
At any rate, the whole shebang ran $185 (before applying the coupon, but including a tip) for 5 with no alcohol and 2 waters instead of soft drinks. At $37 a head, we'll probably venture elsewhere the next time we're looking to inconvenience a dining room staff.
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