04/13/09

Freshest Italian in LA

by vanaaron

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!!!

03/05/09

Okay, Lovely Interior, Expensive

by indyjo

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

02/13/09

Romance, service with love, and great food

by jujudiva

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

11/21/08

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN LA

by lucky77777

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

09/20/08

Best Italian outside of Italy, or maybe inside too

by jdaro

Mamma is a grand master of pasta. Get the bolognese. By far the best I've ever had. I have never had a bad meal here. My wife and I have been eating here since it was four tables where the patio is now. Always great service and excellent suggestions. Can't make up your mind. Let the waiters choose for you. They will never steer you wrong. Oh and I almost forgot about the wine, great wine that's hard to find most places.

09/14/08

THE BEST PASTA ANYWHERE!

by MSTIVALI

Oh My God! I ate lunch last week at LaBuca, absolutely, by far the best pasta ever. I enjoyed the pesto pasta with a glass of Proseco, then topped off with tiramisu and expresso. I thought I was Italy for a second.

I also recommend the caprese salad. I took a friend for dinner a year ago and she is still talking about this salad. And of course Filipo is pleasant as always. Thank you for sharing your Momma with us.

• Pros: Pesto pasta
• Cons: Niente

09/13/08

Amazing Pastas, Great Service and Beautiful Wine Pairings

by winelovinlady

I recently had a lovely experience at Osteria La Buca. I went with my boyfriend for dinner and we shared the most fabulous meal! 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! We shared a few pasta dishes, their gnochhi and a burrata appetizer that was to die for! I would highly recommend this place! They also were great at suggesting wines to pair with the meal. For a romantic evening...Osteria is a perfect Italian spot;)!

• Pros: Pasta, Appetizer, Wine, Service, Atmosphere
• Cons: Nothing to Say!

09/11/08

fun atmosphere

by nlvisitor

great food, great service, cool place.

my friends and i were in from out of town and were treated like stars, unlike the snooty other 5 star l.a. restaurants we visited. had a great time- LOVED our food and will be back!!

• Pros: food is amazing!!!
• Cons: can't think of any

09/09/08

solid but very plain

by albertoy

not bad, pretty solid pasta but nothing to rave about. place is nice and cozy, maybe a little too dark....

• Pros: old school italian pasta
• Cons: maybe a little too bland.... maybe

09/08/08

Delicious food but expensive and... what's with the aggressive wine pushing?

by nginla

The food was delicious, except for the salad and dessert. Honestly in that department, I've had better at Maggiano's and I'm not even kidding. But the pastas are absolutely to die for, and the atmosphere was nice. So I would go back, minus the salad and dessert in favor of that wonderful pasta. The service was prompt, friendly... problem is, the waiter was pushing the wine and alcohol SO aggressively, you had to wonder. Is the food (quite expensive, small portions) not enough to keep that place open? We all know restaurants make a huge margin off the booze they sell, but to be THAT pushy about it... 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! That alone will make me think twice about going back. A little advice to Mama, let the food speak for itself and tell your waiters to ease up on the "pressure sales" tactics with the alcohol. For God's sake, it's LA; we all have to drive home! A little irresponsible... and greedy... and annoying.

• Pros: nice atmosphere, brilliant pastas
• Cons: other dishes average, very aggressive alcohol push