Wow. Where to start. The service was nearly non existent, and the kids they have running the front of house seem completely bewildered. But I could easily forgive that if the food wasn’t, without exaggeration, the worst attempt at Italian food I’ve ever encountered.
The Caesar was drenched in bland dressing and the croutons were stale. It was supposed to come with “an anchovy” but that was also missing.
The vodka poached salmon pasta was horrible. The salmon was overcooked and dry, and I can only describe the sauce as… warm milk. Literally I think it was just milk. And the pasta was overcooked too. Seriously inedible.
And my beer was flat. I told them and they brought me another flat beer and disappeared for another 15 mins.
Save your money.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
K Lon
My granddaughter took me there. Just opened for the night. Service warm and friendly. Food we ordered pasta Alfredo and the vegetarian Wonderful Bread with oil and vinegar Dessert Tiramisu Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wynona Henderson
I went here with my grandma right at 5pm, so we were the first people there. Our server was very gentle and such a kind women. The food was amazing. We got the alfredo and the vegetariana (I think that is what it is called) and shared it family style. My grandma is a cook and she said that the vegetables were cooked excellent in the pasta. The broccoli almost felt buttery it was heaven. We also got the tiramisu, and it was the best tiramisu I have ever had. We left here feeling happy and fulfilled. I definitely recommend it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonas Beehner
Generous portions of great pasta
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
R. D.
Super cute place, the food is yummy and the vibe is great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jared Lohnes
I went back and forth about if I wanted to write this review as I don't like to slam local businesses and I've been to La Buca many times and have had a fantastic experience; but my last experience was just a total miss across the board and I feel like I should say something. Last week my partner and I decided to go after our other dinner plans fell through. As I said, I've been many times in the past with my family and have always had a great experience. This visit, the service wasn't great but I can look past that generally if the food is good. We had a cocktail each, a bruschetta and two pasta dishes; pancetta & funghi and a pasta special that had salmon, shrimp and artichokes that on paper sounded delicious. The cocktails were mixed poorly, the tomatoes on the bruschetta were ice cold which was pretty unappealing. The pancetta + mushroom pasta was gloopy and the pasta overdone (I've had it before and it's been fantastic) and then neither myself or my partner could eat the special. The dish smelled like it had gone off and most of the pasta had clumped together. It ended up souring both of our stomachs and we left paying a $99 tab frazzled and still very hungry. Giving this place two stars as I've had fantastic experiences in the past but I'm really not sure what happened between then and now. It seems something has changed recently based off of others reviews. I'd love to give this place another shot down the road and update my review as it saddens me to have this kind of experience at a place I have enjoyed in the past.
Tia Sherry
We recently gathered 15 of our friends for dinner at La Buca and it was a wonderful experience! The owners worked with us closely to dial in the evening. The staff were outstanding in both pacing the many delicious courses throughout the night while providing excellent service. Everyone had a great time, and the food, drinks and ambiance were spot on. We can't wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Hainline
I am appalled to see any 5 star reviews for this restaurant as it was sub-par in all ways. My plate had elements that were both overcooked and undercooked. The portions were way smaller than any I've seen at any italian restaurant. The prices were higher than what the dish was worth by a longshot. The table service were nearly completely absent and required reminders for water refills. The bathrooms were covered in graffiti. Do not go to this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Macey Vaughan
I ordered the Alfredo for 20$, added chicken for 8$. My boyfriend ordered the Chicken Marsala (27$). They were definitely not 30$ dishes. The Alfredo sauce and pasta tasted fine, but the chicken was dry, pale, and a tiny portion. The plate itself was small too. I was expecting to take leftovers home, but I finished my small portion instead. My boyfriend could taste the wine in his marsala, which was bitter and should've been cooked out. His chicken was thin and tiny as well, couldn't have been more than 3 or 4oz. The music was loud, the staff needed reminders to refill our waters. We were disappointed and will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Heidi J
I am still baffled by what we experienced tonight. Caesar salad was absolutely drenched in a flavorless dressing and, even after we asked if the large salad would have two or one anchovies (server told us he didn’t know, we asked if we could have two, even if it meant paying a little more), the salad was delivered to us with no anchovies. Our salmon pasta was swimming in a sauce that lacked any flavor. I could not eat the salmon. After we very gently and kindly told our server, he said he would talk to the owner. A few minutes later he came back and said “sorry, the owner says he doesn’t care.” 😑 seriously?? We waited a bit as we decided what to do. We asked again if there was any way we could speak to the owner, since he was apparently there in the back. The server said “I can’t talk to him again. He doesn’t care.” Either the owner of this place actually doesn’t care about the future of his business, or his employees are too terrified to actually talk to him. Either way, please, please visit any of the other restaurants on the block. This place does not deserve your money.
Wow. Have you ever been served by three gen Z’ers? Things you can count on: no utensils, no water refill, no offer to get another glass of wine, no dessert menu. I had to go up to the register and ask for each of the above. Do you offer table service? I had guessed so. Wrong. When I ordered a glass of wine with my pasta, they said sorry. “We don’t have clean wine glasses.” If I wanted to be ignored like this, I’ll teach at a middle school. So disappointed. Stop racing around to clean the tables when there’s no one waiting for them, and wait on the people in your restaurant. La Buca? More like Figli di puttana.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Templeton Elliott
My favorite Italian restaurant in Portland. The Caesar is stunning, and the bruschetta is bangin’! I get the polenta with pork and it’s so so good. The pomodoro is so fresh and delicious. Add prawns to take it up a notch. The polenta is my favorite. The slow roasted pork is so tender and juicy while the caramelized onions balance it perfectly. The portion is quite large so I always have it for lunch the next day. The staff is friendly and attentive. Pro tip: you can park in the Whole Foods parking lot.
Sean
Really expensive, even for the recession. I came here with my mom who could be happy with anything and she agrees that it was not good. I had an ok beer that was not cold enough. there was a weird smell too. server was nice.
Bryan Paul
Price, quality, and quantity could be adjusted.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Connie Newman
Wanted a special dinner out with my family and i was very disappointed in La buca. The salmone was very fishy and tough and it wad almost ten dollars to add a handful of broccoli. Times are tough but patrons cant afford that for wven good food. Sorry
Wow. Where to start. The service was nearly non existent, and the kids they have running the front of house seem completely bewildered. But I could easily forgive that if the food wasn’t, without exaggeration, the worst attempt at Italian food I’ve ever encountered.
The Caesar was drenched in bland dressing and the croutons were stale. It was supposed to come with “an anchovy” but that was also missing.
The vodka poached salmon pasta was horrible. The salmon was overcooked and dry, and I can only describe the sauce as… warm milk. Literally I think it was just milk. And the pasta was overcooked too. Seriously inedible.
And my beer was flat. I told them and they brought me another flat beer and disappeared for another 15 mins.
Save your money.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
My granddaughter took me there.
Just opened for the night.
Service warm and friendly.
Food we ordered pasta
Alfredo and the vegetarian
Wonderful
Bread with oil and vinegar
Dessert Tiramisu
Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went here with my grandma right at 5pm, so we were the first people there. Our server was very gentle and such a kind women. The food was amazing. We got the alfredo and the vegetariana (I think that is what it is called) and shared it family style. My grandma is a cook and she said that the vegetables were cooked excellent in the pasta. The broccoli almost felt buttery it was heaven. We also got the tiramisu, and it was the best tiramisu I have ever had. We left here feeling happy and fulfilled. I definitely recommend it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Generous portions of great pasta
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super cute place, the food is yummy and the vibe is great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went back and forth about if I wanted to write this review as I don't like to slam local businesses and I've been to La Buca many times and have had a fantastic experience; but my last experience was just a total miss across the board and I feel like I should say something. Last week my partner and I decided to go after our other dinner plans fell through. As I said, I've been many times in the past with my family and have always had a great experience. This visit, the service wasn't great but I can look past that generally if the food is good. We had a cocktail each, a bruschetta and two pasta dishes; pancetta & funghi and a pasta special that had salmon, shrimp and artichokes that on paper sounded delicious. The cocktails were mixed poorly, the tomatoes on the bruschetta were ice cold which was pretty unappealing. The pancetta + mushroom pasta was gloopy and the pasta overdone (I've had it before and it's been fantastic) and then neither myself or my partner could eat the special. The dish smelled like it had gone off and most of the pasta had clumped together. It ended up souring both of our stomachs and we left paying a $99 tab frazzled and still very hungry. Giving this place two stars as I've had fantastic experiences in the past but I'm really not sure what happened between then and now. It seems something has changed recently based off of others reviews. I'd love to give this place another shot down the road and update my review as it saddens me to have this kind of experience at a place I have enjoyed in the past.
We recently gathered 15 of our friends for dinner at La Buca and it was a wonderful experience! The owners worked with us closely to dial in the evening. The staff were outstanding in both pacing the many delicious courses throughout the night while providing excellent service. Everyone had a great time, and the food, drinks and ambiance were spot on. We can't wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am appalled to see any 5 star reviews for this restaurant as it was sub-par in all ways. My plate had elements that were both overcooked and undercooked. The portions were way smaller than any I've seen at any italian restaurant. The prices were higher than what the dish was worth by a longshot. The table service were nearly completely absent and required reminders for water refills. The bathrooms were covered in graffiti. Do not go to this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I ordered the Alfredo for 20$, added chicken for 8$. My boyfriend ordered the Chicken Marsala (27$). They were definitely not 30$ dishes. The Alfredo sauce and pasta tasted fine, but the chicken was dry, pale, and a tiny portion. The plate itself was small too. I was expecting to take leftovers home, but I finished my small portion instead. My boyfriend could taste the wine in his marsala, which was bitter and should've been cooked out. His chicken was thin and tiny as well, couldn't have been more than 3 or 4oz. The music was loud, the staff needed reminders to refill our waters. We were disappointed and will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I am still baffled by what we experienced tonight. Caesar salad was absolutely drenched in a flavorless dressing and, even after we asked if the large salad would have two or one anchovies (server told us he didn’t know, we asked if we could have two, even if it meant paying a little more), the salad was delivered to us with no anchovies. Our salmon pasta was swimming in a sauce that lacked any flavor. I could not eat the salmon. After we very gently and kindly told our server, he said he would talk to the owner. A few minutes later he came back and said “sorry, the owner says he doesn’t care.” 😑 seriously?? We waited a bit as we decided what to do. We asked again if there was any way we could speak to the owner, since he was apparently there in the back. The server said “I can’t talk to him again. He doesn’t care.” Either the owner of this place actually doesn’t care about the future of his business, or his employees are too terrified to actually talk to him. Either way, please, please visit any of the other restaurants on the block. This place does not deserve your money.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Wow. Have you ever been served by three gen Z’ers? Things you can count on: no utensils, no water refill, no offer to get another glass of wine, no dessert menu. I had to go up to the register and ask for each of the above. Do you offer table service? I had guessed so. Wrong. When I ordered a glass of wine with my pasta, they said sorry. “We don’t have clean wine glasses.” If I wanted to be ignored like this, I’ll teach at a middle school. So disappointed. Stop racing around to clean the tables when there’s no one waiting for them, and wait on the people in your restaurant. La Buca? More like Figli di puttana.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
My favorite Italian restaurant in Portland. The Caesar is stunning, and the bruschetta is bangin’! I get the polenta with pork and it’s so so good. The pomodoro is so fresh and delicious. Add prawns to take it up a notch. The polenta is my favorite. The slow roasted pork is so tender and juicy while the caramelized onions balance it perfectly. The portion is quite large so I always have it for lunch the next day. The staff is friendly and attentive. Pro tip: you can park in the Whole Foods parking lot.
Really expensive, even for the recession. I came here with my mom who could be happy with anything and she agrees that it was not good. I had an ok beer that was not cold enough. there was a weird smell too. server was nice.
Price, quality, and quantity could be adjusted.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Wanted a special dinner out with my family and i was very disappointed in La buca. The salmone was very fishy and tough and it wad almost ten dollars to add a handful of broccoli. Times are tough but patrons cant afford that for wven good food. Sorry
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
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