Il Buco Alimentari

Food

Not the greatest vegetarian selection. There's only one fish option which comes as a whole fish that they then fillet, and two pasta options. The pastas are tasty but not unbelievable. The crispy artichoke app is fabulous and worth ordering two portions of, and they aren't cheap on each serving either. All the sides are good and overall the food is good. Nothing amazing and nothing to write home about. Honestly its a trendy, downtown spot with acceptably good food. Nothing more, nothing less.

Ambiance

Bright lighting people! If you're going on a first date and don't want anything too bright, skip it.

It's good for dinner with 4-6 others. Most of the tables are shared communal tables separated by a nice amount of space along with a vase of flowers. You really don't feel or see the group next too you and I find communal tables intimate, and inviting anyhow. You dont need to be decked out too come here, it has a nice homey vibe. But yes, its downtown and yes the people are young-ish or older and very bobo (bourgeois bohemian... I'll use this term a lot so get acquainted).

Good for: Double dates, dinner with friends, dinner with the fam, something trendy-ish.

Wait Time & Resos

You need a reservation and they do make you wait a solid 15-20 once you arrive on a busy night, as I did. You need to be in the hostess's face or its going to continuously be "another two minutes." Honestly, I find this common approach extremely annoying. Either seat me now or tell me its actually going to be 15 min. Luckily Alimentari also offers ice cream, a full bar, cured meats and cheeses in their "store front" so the wait doesn't feel too long.

 Il Buco Alimentari

53 Great Jones St. 

(212) 837-2622

http://www.ilbucovineria.com/