Il Buco
Beverly Hills, CA 90211-2103
Phone: (310) 657-1345
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Wilshire Boulevard
- Hours:
- Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm, Dinner: Daily 5pm-9pm
Editorial Review for Il Buco – by Anel Irving
The Scene
This intimate little trattoria charms with touches of Italian country--wood beam ceilings, black-and-white photos, and wooden racks draped with colorful strands of home-made pasta. Votive candles and soundtrack of Zucchero, Pavarotti and Bocelli add to the coziness. The limited menu is sophisticated and wrapped in leather, which is not unlike many of the clientele.
The Food
The dishes are fresh, delectable, and lavished with detail. The Tegamino (baked eggplant with ricotta, tomato and basil) melts in the mouth like savory cotton candy. A specialty salad of bittersweet radicchio, gorgonzola and glazed walnuts deserves a more permanent spot on the menu. Sweet pumpkin-filled ravioli in a light sage sauce is a fluffy delicacy; but orechiette pasata shells are dry despite a robust tomato sauce with sausage and wild broccoli. For dessert, the Pastiera Napoletana resembles a moist pound cake with a barley crust and orange-rind-perfumed ricotta. A treat of cinnamon-infused ice cream complements a milky coconut sorbet.
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User Reviews for Il Buco
10/05/2008 Posted by nickyoung
I've even had the luxury of living in Rome, Italy when I was growing up and going to the best restaurants with my folks..and this place is the best Italian food i've ever had. The owner is always extremely personable and gracious. I love taking my girlfriend here for a romantic evening. Try the Lasagna Della Nona or their pumpkin Ravioli...Pizza is incredible too!!!!
Pros: incredible food and intimate atmosphere
Cons: wish i could eat there every night
09/03/2007 Posted by leonalip
At one time, I used to enjoy going to this place, but I won't be going back again. It's an Italian restaurant but nobody who works there is Italian. I get a sense the staff lack proper training, like maybe the owner is too busy with his other restaurants. Too many times I've gone here and sent food back. The time before last I ordered chicken and was served a charred, overcooked piece of meat. Last night I ordered a salad with a calamari steak and the calamari tasted like it had been cooked on a dirty grill. It tasted like old charred grease. Someone came around and asked how my meal was. I told them the calamari wasn't right. He said, "Okay, I'll go check with the cook," but that was the last I saw of him. My waiter was friendly but unpolished. When it was time for desert, he just came over and tossed desert menus at us and walked away, never asking if we wanted desert or not -- we didn't. Anyhow, I can't go back there again and pay good money for terrible food and lousy service. This restaurant is going downhill. The owner has several successful restaurants in Beverly Hills, and it's clear he is just standing back and collecting a check on this one.
Pros: Convenient location, friendly staff
Cons: Subpar food
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