Osteria La Buca

(323) 462-1900

5210 1/2 Melrose Ave (Wilton Place)
Los Angeles, CA 90038 34.0834 -118.3139

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Neighborhoods: Greater Wilshire / Hancock Park, Central LA

OSTERIALABUCA.COM

Hours:

Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm

Sat 5:30pm-11pm

Sun 5pm-10pm

Last updated 10.14.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, B.Y.O.B., Food Delivery, Hidden Find

Cuisine:

Pizza, Italian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Osteria La Buca

Featured Review

Nicolas Rabinovitch

Contributor

The Scene – Since the expansion in late 2007, the former La Buca, meaning den or hole, restaurant now offers a trendier osteria atmosphere. The simple yet elegant loft feel created by designer Kristopher Keith still retains the cozy setting of the original by adding accoutrements like the wine bottle chandeliers. Neighborhood couples can still enjoy a romantic Italian setting while Melrose shoppers enjoy the more upscale vibe. The new space also boasts an upstairs lodge perfect for a 20-person private event or birthday. – – The Food – Mamma raises the bar for homestyle…

Editor's Tips

What To Drink:
The once BYOB space now boasts an extensive and professionally designed wine list as well as specialty drinks like ginger beer created by mixoligist Vincenzo Marianella.
Save Time:
Avoid the often long wait for table by ordering your meal for pickup or free delivery ($25 minimum).
Parking:
Nearby spaces are scarce during the day, but street parking is free on the north side of Melrose after 6pm, and on the south side after 7pm. Most streets in the surrounding neighborhood require a residential permit. Valet is avaiailable from 6pm until close.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “For a romantic evening.”
  2. “The atmosphere is amazing.”
  3. “We won't return to La Buca - menu is limited, location is not convenient unless you are a true local and can walk there.”
  4. “place is nice and cozy, maybe a little too dark.”
  5. “The warm ambience and service make you feel right at home.”
  6. “But the pastas are absolutely to die for, and the atmosphere was nice.”
  7. “It's tiny bistro atmosphere is perfect for a date or getting together with friends, and the Italian staff is extremely friendly and extremely Italian.”
  8. “understand they've remolded and made the place flashier and more modern, but it maintains a warm atmosphere and uber-friendly and helpful staff: all Italian, all smiles.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “The food was delicious, except for the salad and dessert.”
  2. “Large, light, fluffy pouffs of gnocci melt in your mouth along with the delicious pink vodka tomato cream sauce highlighted with shrimp.”
  3. “So I would go back, minus the salad and dessert in favor of that wonderful pasta.”
drinks
75.0% positive
  1. “must admit that my gnocchi bolognese was delicious and I like the free corkage and bring your own wine policy, but I can't recommend this as a friendly establishment.”
  2. “and then to literally make you feel bad for opting for ONE $40 bottle instead of giving in to the incessant $90 wine push was completely ridiculous!”
  3. “Impressive wine list too.”
  4. “Oh and I almost forgot about the wine, great wine that's hard to find most places.”
food quality
95.53999900817871% positive
  1. “have never had a bad meal here.”
  2. “In fact we are going to order pizza take-out tonight, so don't forget to consider that as an option too.”
  3. “This homey little restaurant has the best pasta I've ever eaten outside of Italy, and it's better than most places IN Italy.”
  4. “The tomatoes are so fresh, it's just the right level of spicy and it's the only arrabiata I've liked since I traveled to Italy a few years ago.”
  5. “it's just damned good, and the no corkage fee policy is great - perhaps you should bring your own glasses though, as they offer only the most basic authentic 'chianti glasses' (aka small tumblers).”
  6. “It started 3 minutes after being seated, when I was recommended to order the $27 steak and the $16 appetizer, mind you, before my friends had even arrived.”
  7. “Large, light, fluffy pouffs of gnocci melt in your mouth along with the delicious pink vodka tomato cream sauce highlighted with shrimp.”
  8. “also recommend the caprese salad.”
  9. “can't recall the last time I had well prepared pasta with the right amount of amazing sauce.”
  10. “This place has very very good food with a New York small restuarant feel.”
  11. “Romance, service with love, and great food”
  12. “To start, we tried a calamari dish and a margharita pizza that was amazing.”
  13. “Nothing horrible, but it just wasn't good pizza.”
  14. “The food was great and they have a wide selection to choose from.”
  15. “Wonderful food, zero attitude!”
  16. “We received our food (which for the most part was delicious) and had been eating for less than 7 minutes while my friend was in the middle of telling a very interesting story.”
  17. “The ravioli with butter and sage sauce is perfection.”
  18. “Amazing pasta, taglietelli my fave, with the fume sauce.”
  19. “From the fresh salads to the amazing pizza and pasta, I love this place.”
  20. “Perfect thin pizzas, freshly made pastas, among the best we've ever had, anywhere, all made by the owner's Italian mom.”
  21. “An intimate place for great food (they make their own pasta) and conversations with friends or loved ones.”
  22. “Their fresh pasta and real home sytle pizza is nothing short of being in the old country.”
  23. “enjoyed the pesto pasta with a glass of Proseco, then topped off with tiramisu and expresso.”
  24. “What was once an awesome, charming, delicious and authentic Italian restaurant has seemingly gone corporate.”
  25. “The food is just too delicious for some of the negative reviewers to not give it a second chance.”
  26. “ate lunch last week at LaBuca, absolutely, by far the best pasta ever.”
  27. “The pasta is perfection in both taste and al dente!”
  28. “had a great time- LOVED our food and will be back!”
  29. “La Buka is the place to go if you like great old-world Italian food.”
  30. “The bread is warm and served with a flavorful, a bit spicy, marinara sauce.”
  31. “The food is delicious and because they know me I am treated very nicely.”
  32. “went with my boyfriend for dinner and we shared the most fabulous meal!”
  33. “was prepared to have a delicious meal with my boyfriend and a good friend.”
  34. “The food was delicious, except for the salad and dessert.”
  35. “My wife and I usually start with a salad of fresh burrata cheese over baby arugala, served with sweet ripe cherry tomatoes and Italian sausage and prosciutto, followed one of the daily specials-- anything from prime steak with gorganzola to expertly grill”
  36. “The pizza was delicious - I prefer a little crispier crust, but the quality of ingredients and preparation were obvious.”
  37. “The service is warm and friendly, and they take a huge amount of pride in their food.”
  38. “One could easily pay three times the price at Valentinos, but the meal would not be any better, as La Buca is as good as it gets.”
  39. “Amazing deals for such delicious homemade pasta.”
  40. “Thin, light crust - in short - an incredible pizza.”
  41. “I've been meaning to post this review for months and after another amazing meal I came home and made myself write this.”
  42. “eat spaghetti with ketchup because I don't really like sauce.”
  43. “Everything is homemade, everything is fresh and flavorful, just as you would hope for.”
  44. “flavour. Super tasty with a leading note of fennel.”
  45. “unbelievably delicious everything (especially the sausage/mushroom pizza and gnocchi with pink sauce).”
  46. “Menu features simple but PERFECT, mouth-watering pizzas, seafood raviolis with subtle but complex flavor combinations and daily specials.”
  47. “think with that kind of price range - $50 per person, I think La Buca could afford to give us more time to enjoy our meal and not treat us as if we were in a fast food chain or a diner- By the way, the hand-made Pesto Pasta was not even that great.”
  48. “Our Italian waiter greeted us with charm and a friendly tone and even brought us into a room to show us the fresh homemade pasta before they cook it so we could pick out what kind we wanted!”
  49. “So I would go back, minus the salad and dessert in favor of that wonderful pasta.”
  50. “must admit that my gnocchi bolognese was delicious and I like the free corkage and bring your own wine policy, but I can't recommend this as a friendly establishment.”
  51. “BUT, the food was outstanding.”
  52. “Great authentic Italian food!”
  53. “That doesn't mean the food is not amazing.”
  54. “In addition to amazing food, La Buca's staff is very authentic Italian which matches the extreme authenticity of the food (we brought our friend who is from Italy here last month - this is the ONLY Italian restaurant she has liked in the US.”
  55. “great food, great service, cool place.”
  56. “Amazing food.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “We won't return to La Buca - menu is limited, location is not convenient unless you are a true local and can walk there.”
  2. “The food was great and they have a wide selection to choose from.”
  3. “Online menu was impressive, and more than I wanted, really.”
  4. “As for the results of our first sojourn into their menu, the Calamari was better than average, the Napoli Pizza was very good but could use a bit more salt in the dough (even with the anchovies), the Trenette al Pesto was IT and totally made the experienc”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Our favorite new restaurant of the year, hands down.”
  2. “La Buca is by far the best Italian restaurant in the city - what are you waiting for?”
  3. “Our favorite restaurant--highly recommended!”
  4. “great food, great service, cool place.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “BUT the biggest,grossest, worst thing about this place and what will make us NEVER return was when we turned to look on the wall next to us and theres a big r@ach crawling around on the wall.”
  2. “had a great time- LOVED our food and will be back!”
  3. “We won't return to La Buca - menu is limited, location is not convenient unless you are a true local and can walk there.”
  4. “So I would go back, minus the salad and dessert in favor of that wonderful pasta.”
  5. “We received excellent service and can't wait to go back.”
  6. “really enjoyed this place and will defintiely be back.”
service
89.80999946594238% positive
  1. “must admit that my gnocchi bolognese was delicious and I like the free corkage and bring your own wine policy, but I can't recommend this as a friendly establishment.”
  2. “Always great service and excellent suggestions.”
  3. “Our Italian waiter greeted us with charm and a friendly tone and even brought us into a room to show us the fresh homemade pasta before they cook it so we could pick out what kind we wanted!”
  4. “We received excellent service and can't wait to go back.”
  5. “Drool over the beautiful hostess as she attempts to translate the ingredient "wurstel" (in their Tagliatelle Viennese) by touching her own flawless cheeks.”
  6. “In addition to amazing food, La Buca's staff is very authentic Italian which matches the extreme authenticity of the food (we brought our friend who is from Italy here last month - this is the ONLY Italian restaurant she has liked in the US.”
  7. “Romance, service with love, and great food”
  8. “It took a little while to be seated even though we did have a reservation, and I wouldn't say the service was the best.”
  9. “wish I could say that this charming little Osteria would become my new favorite LA Find, but I have to say that I was completely tuned off by the pushy wait staff (or at least one in particular.)”
  10. “Good news people - they are expanding into the space next door, so perhaps that will help with the 90 minute "time limit" on seating.”
  11. “The warm ambience and service make you feel right at home.”
  12. “great food, great service, cool place.”
  13. “understand they've remolded and made the place flashier and more modern, but it maintains a warm atmosphere and uber-friendly and helpful staff: all Italian, all smiles.”
  14. “The service is warm and friendly, and they take a huge amount of pride in their food.”
  15. “It's tiny bistro atmosphere is perfect for a date or getting together with friends, and the Italian staff is extremely friendly and extremely Italian.”
  16. “The staff was very attentive and charming, making sure our waters were filled and our stomachs happy.”
  17. “Out server was very friendly and helpful.”
  18. “My waiter was nice, but pushy.”
value
81.25% positive
  1. “Amazing deals for such delicious homemade pasta.”
  2. “We all know restaurants make a huge margin off the booze they sell, but to be THAT pushy about it.”
  3. “The service is warm and friendly, and they take a huge amount of pride in their food.”
  4. “think with that kind of price range - $50 per person, I think La Buca could afford to give us more time to enjoy our meal and not treat us as if we were in a fast food chain or a diner- By the way, the hand-made Pesto Pasta was not even that great.”
  5. “Seems like they TRIPLED their prices just for such a special occasion.”
  6. “was looking to go cheap, but being that La Buca got a 9.8, I figured I'd spend the extra money and get some good delivery.”
  7. “One could easily pay three times the price at Valentinos, but the meal would not be any better, as La Buca is as good as it gets.”
  8. “Coming from a looooonngg background in the restaurant industry, I can 100% money-back-guarantee that every single restaurant known to man has had unhappy customers from time to time.”
wait time
75.0% positive
  1. “We received our food (which for the most part was delicious) and had been eating for less than 7 minutes while my friend was in the middle of telling a very interesting story.”
  2. “Good news people - they are expanding into the space next door, so perhaps that will help with the 90 minute "time limit" on seating.”
  3. “It started 3 minutes after being seated, when I was recommended to order the $27 steak and the $16 appetizer, mind you, before my friends had even arrived.”
  4. “went there last night for the first time after seeing that is is packed nearly every night of the week even while restaurants around the country are reporting slow downs in business.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/31/12

nice

by Bill Sigsworth at Citysearch

Honestly, I hate corporate Italian Food but this time I honestly loved it. It pains me to say it too. I really do love there lasagna!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/13/09

Freshest Italian in LA

by vanaaron at Citysearch

The freshest pasta I've tasted in LA. The bruschetta is great and tiramisu is phenomenal. I was less impressed with the pizza, but I'll have to try out another pie to really give it a fair chance... still by far one of the best Italian places in town.

Try to get a spot up top near the fireplace if you can

  • Pros: the food!!!
3 Star Rating: Average

03/05/09

Okay, Lovely Interior, Expensive

by indyjo at Citysearch

I went to Osteria La Buca because it was relatively close to my work and it had five (5) stars on this site. The restaurant is right by the studios in a slightly sketchy area. The inside, however, is lovely and it definitely seems like an industry hangout. My waiter was nice, but pushy. I consented to a meal that I didn't pick and ended up ordering a dessert I did not want. I had one of the pasta specials which wasn't anything special... It wasn't really good at all. It was about on par with spaghetti and Ragu. Plus, my companions and I were left hungry due to the small portions. The Diet Coke mix was off as well. The tiramisu, however, was actually pretty good. The bill for three (3) pasta dishes, two (2) desserts, and three (3) soft drinks came to eighty dollars ($80) before adding in a tip. Although the prices aren't exorbitant, they are way too much for the quality and amount of food you receive.

  • Pros: Beautiful Interior
  • Cons: Expensive, Mediocre Food
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/13/09

Romance, service with love, and great food

by jujudiva at Citysearch

This is my new neighborhood joint. Well, when I have someone over with money willing to treat me, that is. I went there last night for the first time after seeing that is is packed nearly every night of the week even while restaurants around the country are reporting slow downs in business. There is a great energy inside. If you don't know Italian wines - which I don't really - just ask for a reccomedation. Or ask to try a sample. They will gladly oblige. Have a drink at the intimate bar and then have your dinner there too. Or move upstairs to the cozy fireside room. The ravioli with butter and sage sauce is perfection. The pizza was delicious - I prefer a little crispier crust, but the quality of ingredients and preparation were obvious.

This is the place to take your friends with money who don't know this pocket of LA and then they will think you know secrets about the city that they don't.

Last night, dinner for two with salads and two drinks per person came to $143 including tip.

  • Pros: Romantic setting, Excellent food, Great Vibe
  • Cons: Expensive
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/21/08

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN LA

by lucky77777 at Citysearch

I'm a former restaurant owner and I'm a pretty damn good cook. I found La Buca a few years ago and I have watched it grow into a beautiful restaurant. Comments to other reviewers. It's not a pizza take out joint. The pizza is served as a first course.Secondly, if a waiter rushes you, ask to speak to the manager. The waiters interested in turning your table over.Don't put up with it because the owner won't. The food is delicious and because they know me I am treated very nicely. The main pleasure beside the food is that they recognize you and greet you warmly, something that many restaurants in LA lack. It's not an Olive Garden, so relax and let them take you back to Italy. Lokk at the Chandelier and enjoy the ride.

  • Pros: Pasta"s & Pizza the best in the city
  • Cons: none

The Details on Osteria La Buca

Place Categories:

  • great oldworld italian food
  • best pesto pasta
  • fantastic little italian place
  • best italian restaurant
  • great service
  • very attentive italian staff
  • nice tiny bistro atmosphere
  • amazing margharita pizza
  • delicious everything
  • impressive online menu
  • favorite charming little osteria
  • impressive wine
  • nice waiter
  • helpful server
  • delicious vodka tomato cream sauce
  • tiramisu bruschetta
  • fresh salads
  • best chef
  • good news people
  • great hidden gems
  • favorite new restaurant
  • clean plate
  • perfection ravioli
  • never bad meal
  • unique experience
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