Il Buco
(212) 533-1932
47 Bond St
New York,
NY
10012
40.7262
-73.9934
Neighborhoods: NoHo, Downtown
What People Are Saying About Il Buco
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
When this antique store opened in 1994, its hidden kitchen quickly became an in-the-know favorite. Artisanal Italian ingredients, stellar wines and serious service steadily raised its rank among foodies, while romantics flocked to dine in the 200-year-old candlelit cantina. The livelier rooms upstairs, festooned with funky kitchen bric-a-brac chandeliers and farmhouse furniture, are packed until midnight.
The Food
A good place to start on the Mediterranean menu is with the intense slivers of house-cured lonza (pork loin) or wood-grilled sardines, sweet with pickled radishes. Inventive risottos, like summery scallop-fennel-red pepper plumped with carnaroli rice, are among the city's best. Pastas, from rich black truffle-flecked short rib ravioli to tagliatelle in sprightly pea-shell ragu, are pricey but well worth it. Main dishes change nightly: Hope for sage-rubbed porchetta with garlicky black kale.
User Reviews
sakumawiki
July 04, 2009
I've been to Il Buco about a dozen times and it manages to impress and surprise me in a new way each time. My last visit was no exception. Though it was a busy Friday night, the staff was uber-pleasant and welcoming, unhurried and eager to make sure we were happy with our table and then well attended to throughout our meal. Unlike so many other lookalike Italian restaurants that serve taste-alike food, this restaurant seems to find a way to introduce something new every day. With market-fresh produce and the dishes that are inspired by them, you always feel like you're eating the best of each ingredient at its peak of flavor. Not sure what to order? No problem, the wait staff is helpful and knowledgeable. The noise level is unfortunately pretty high, especially in the area near the entrance and bar (thought the bar crowd itself is pretty tame). If you want a quite(r) table, there are two two-tops that are set aside or you can always ask for the far ends of one of the several huge communal tables. You really have to request the two-tops or quite tables in advance or you'll be put in the middle of other diners already shouting to be heard. There is also a round table for four or more next to the bar that is pretty ideal if you want to see the street. The back-most room is very dark and can be warm in the summer because of it's proximity to the open kitchen. For the same reason, it's a perfect place to be seated in the fall or winter. Highly recommended.
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foodie3462
January 06, 2009
I have been coming here for years. The menu is authentic, house-made, charming. The service is amazing and always spot-on. I have never been disappointed; a great spot for a romantic evening.
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henrybcn
November 29, 2008
I think this place is good, but not for the price and size of dishes. It seems like a good place to bring someone from out of town if they have an expense account, but not for me these days. The food was mediocre, the service was good, I left feeling full yet not satisfied.
read full reviewThe Details on Il Buco
Know Before You Go:
Reservations, especially for weekend, should be made at least a week in advance. Walk-ins are welcome at the bar, and should have no problem scoring a seat late-night (a great time for chef-spotting).
Where to Sit:
If you're on a date, request a table in the candlelit, subterranean wine cellar for less buzz and more romance.
What to Drink:
Though the award-winning wine list is stocked with Italian bottles (particularly Umbrian--try the rustic red Montefalco at $45), there are great values from Spain and France.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Late Night Dining, Romantic Dining, Online Reservations, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List
