The long love affair with Italian food has led to a proliferation of Italian eateries ranging from mom & pop neighborhood spaghetti & pizza joints to upscale chain restaurants. But nowhere will you find a happier combination of hearty food and festive atmosphere than at Buca di Beppo.
Generous portions, full-bodied red wines, and lots of good fun are all bywords at Buca, where they blend easily with the pleasant sound of animated conversations reminiscent of a gathering of family and friends. The décor is comfortably informal, with red- and-white checkered tablecloths decorating a mixture of tables and cozy booths. The walls are filled with evocative and humorous images of Italian-American life, from Gina Lollobrigita, Frank Sinatra and Sophia Loren to charming street waifs, many of them with a mildly risqué touch.
Buca’s kitchen is both a hub of activity and a focal point; so much so that you virtually walk through it as you enter the restaurant. Greeted by the aromas of garlic, oregano, and fresh, homemade dough, your appetite is immediately honed to a sharp edge.
Buca’s menu springs straight from the heart of fresh Italian cooking with family dishes passed down from generation to generation. Specialties include spaghetti and meatballs, chicken saltimbocca, linguini with seafood, fettuccine Alfredo and manicotti, along with a menu of nightly specials. Side dishes such as the garlic-infused escarole make it so easy to do what mama always told you: eat your veggies! The food here bursts with robust flavors, and with portions that would challenge anyone’s appetite, you’ll have no worries over who gets the last bite.
Despite its popularity with groups, Buca also rolls out the red carpet for couples and singles by offering most dishes in three different sizes: Buca Large (for 4 or more), Buca Small (for 2-3) or simply Buca Mio, a portion for one.
Whether your Buca experience comes as a large gathering, a dinner for two or simply a party of one, you’ll enjoy the same combination of hearty Italian food and conviviality—lots of it! —
DL
Hours:
Open for lunch and dinner daily
Locations:
Campbell: Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 S. Bascom Ave.; 408/377-7722
Also: Palo Alto: 643 Emerson St.; 650/329-0665
Also: San Jose: Oakridge Mall, 925 Blossom Hill Rd.; 408/226-1444
Parties:
Buca accommodates groups of up to 20 in a variety of fun settings.
Catering:
New catering services are now offered to local off-site parties and business events.
More Info:
866/EAT-BUCA
www.bucadibeppo.com
