10/05/08

The best Italian food hands down!!!!!!!!

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

09/03/07

Going downhill

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

06/15/07

Good Italian doesn't make up for nightmarish wait and negligent service.

by babystrange

I went to Il Buco for the first time with my parents recently. We were seated promptly and placed our orders within a few minutes, so initially I would have ranked the service at average or above. After enjoying some of their seasoned bread and a glass of delicious Prosecco, I was eager to experience what else this simple, casual establishment had to offer cuisine-wise. My enthusiasm would dissipate with time. LOTS of time. Ninety minutes to be exact before our food arrived (apparently they were harvesting the semolina to make our pasta dishes?). Our server also neglected to apologize or even ask us if we wanted our drinks refreshed. Upon the eventual arrival of my food, I discovered they'd used the wrong kind of pasta in my pesto (The menu promised lasagnette, which is hard to find so I was excited. What did I get but run of the mill linguini.). The food was good enough I am open to going back but I'll obviously block out a whole evening.

02/23/07

Great food, great service

by num23bulls

It's been a long time (more than a year) since I've eaten here, but it still sticks out in my mind as one of the better restaurants I've ever been to. Good food, good wine selection. The decor could use a little boost, but hey, I'll take a place with better food and mediocre decor any day over one that looks nicer with worse food.

• Pros: food, service, value

12/01/06

A small haven of romance and good Italian food.

by Contributor

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.

11/08/06

Best Gnocchi Dish Ever!!!!

by Elischa

I went to this place with a friend of mine, and after the meal here.....I thought I was in love with him. I'm kidding...anyway..the food is so fresh, and authentic. The servers there are very well informed with the wine lists, and listened to what I was wanting, and came out with a perfect wine with our meal. The kicker though was the gnocchi with the truffle sauce....if you don't like truffles...then don't order this dish....but if you do, then " OH, my GOODNESS"...every bit was like biting into a piece of flavorful heaven. The pasta is obviously so fresh here, that I wanted to go back there, and kiss the chef....The service here is accomodating to everyone, and I always have a great experience here...can't wait to go back.

• Pros: Food, Ambience, and Service
• Cons: There isn't one in Brentwood

10/09/06

Great Italian Food

by t2much

I went there for lunch and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. I had insalata verde, pappardelle, and apple pie with a glass of wine. I varied a little bit from the menu and they had no problem accomodating my requests. The service was very good.

• Pros: Tasty Food, Good Wine List, and Friendly Staff
• Cons: Parking

08/22/06

Say Bye Bye to Il Buco

by birdgirl

Went on a Thursday night and service was terrible for a near empty restaurant. Of course, the two cute young things who came in after us were postively fawned over. Took forever to get menus, water, wine, bread, etc. I don't mind the prices, but the food was just not worth it. I tried risotto with meatballs, thinking they might be able to do something interesting with it. But no, it was just risotto with some meatballs and tomato sauce splashed over it. This combo just did not work. And the gnocchi was not great either. I didn't bother staying for dessert - I didn't want to wait!

06/20/06

Best Italian in LA

by lovefood17

I love this restaurant. It's a bit expensive but the food is delicious! The salads and pastas are really good. The food is so good that I never have room for dessert at the end. Definitely go check it out...you won't be disappointed!

04/23/06

B Rated

by vizinha

BUYERS BEWARE. Before you go: This place was B rated by Los Angeles County

Department of Health Services Restaurant Rating. That must mean something to you!! I certainly would not enjoy having my date taking me to a B rated place!

• Cons: B Rated