This post is dedicated to one of my all time favorite spots which also happens to be located in a Manhattan region that lost almost a week's worth of business due to Hurricane Sandy power outages, flooding and damages.
Its funny how sometimes the best places are the least hyped about and the newer, trendier places are all the talk but without the quality cred to legitimately back them up. On Thursday night we went to this pretty decent spot on the Upper East and got to talking about how Il Bucco is some of the best pasta in the city. Being that downtown restaurants need our support for their loss of business, I felt an overwhelming urge to write about Il Buco instead.
Its funny how sometimes the best places are the least hyped about and the newer, trendier places are all the talk but without the quality cred to legitimately back them up. On Thursday night we went to this pretty decent spot on the Upper East and got to talking about how Il Bucco is some of the best pasta in the city. Being that downtown restaurants need our support for their loss of business, I felt an overwhelming urge to write about Il Buco instead.
Don't confuse this Il Buco with it's newer sister restaurant Il Buco Alimentari that I've already reviewed.
This is the original restaurant and its fabulous.
Food
Oh. my. lord.
I am giving away one of my best spots.
The food impresses. And, anyone you bring here will never complain about it.
Food snobs, restaurant and food lovers alike will never have a bad thing to say about the food, the service or the ambiance. Ever.
It has never failed me in all my years of taking different groups of people, Manhattanites, French and LA cousins, English family friends, as well as recommending it to others.
The menu changes seasonally and the kale Caesar salad was not on the menu when I first ate at Il Buco, (it is now a must order). I believe they age their own cheese as well but don't quote me on this, I cant remember. Regardless, the ricotta is spongy and fluffy and the olives are a must order as well. I'd recommend doing the olive oil tasting as well. Its fun and you are given the opportunity to taste good quality olive oils and differentiate various olive oil flavors. All of the pastas are made fresh. The ravioli is not heavy or starchy but airy, thin and delicate. The gnocchi isn't heavy either but fresh and just the perfect portion size for a usually heavy entree.
I am giving away one of my best spots.
The food impresses. And, anyone you bring here will never complain about it.
Food snobs, restaurant and food lovers alike will never have a bad thing to say about the food, the service or the ambiance. Ever.
It has never failed me in all my years of taking different groups of people, Manhattanites, French and LA cousins, English family friends, as well as recommending it to others.
The menu changes seasonally and the kale Caesar salad was not on the menu when I first ate at Il Buco, (it is now a must order). I believe they age their own cheese as well but don't quote me on this, I cant remember. Regardless, the ricotta is spongy and fluffy and the olives are a must order as well. I'd recommend doing the olive oil tasting as well. Its fun and you are given the opportunity to taste good quality olive oils and differentiate various olive oil flavors. All of the pastas are made fresh. The ravioli is not heavy or starchy but airy, thin and delicate. The gnocchi isn't heavy either but fresh and just the perfect portion size for a usually heavy entree.
For dessert its all about the panna cotta with balsamic reduction. Yes, the combination may sound a bit odd, but its quite the immaculate combination. The 10 year balsamic reduction compliments the panna cotta so perfectly and the mix of the two flavors make for a surprisingly smooth palate cleanser at the end of a meal.
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| Kale Caesar Salad |
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| Panna Cotta with Balsamic Reduction |
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| Gnocchi all photos are courtesy of Yelp.com |
Il Buco may be an Italian restaurant but, you'll never leave feeling stuffed or heavy. On the contrary, you'll feel as if you have just finished a healthy, clean and satisfying meal. It is with this feeling that one knows they've eaten true Italian cooking.
Ambiance
Its quite rustic, has lots of relics and antiques hanging from the walls and ceilings. There is a full wine celler in the basement and, like Alimentari, the tables are communal but separated by enough space that the table sharing with another party goes unnoticed.
The crowd is a bit older, but quite eclectic. Il Buco is surrounded, literally within a one block radius, by all the trendy downtown spots (Peels, Gemma, Il Buco Alimentari, Acme, The Smile etc.) and yet, its the best of all of them. Without question.
Wait Time & Resos
You MUST have a reservation and it must be in advance or there is almost no shot you are being seated the night of.
Good For: Family, Friends, Parents, In-Laws, Family Visiting From Out of Town, Birthdays
If you have a group, a family, or anyone that you need to take out to dinner, I'd ALWAYS recommend Il Buco. The food is always reliable and there is never anything to complain about. Just MAKE SURE TO RESERVE.
Location
47 Bond St.
New york
(212) 533-1932
http://www.ilbuco.com
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