- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Buca di Beppo
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
1030 Auahi StHonolulu, HI 96814
Neighborhood: Kaka'ako
(808) 591-0800
Announcement
Holy Cannoli, You Graduated! Celebrate at Buca! http://www.bucadibeppo...
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
271 reviews for Buca di Beppo
Review Highlights
-
"One of my favorite family-style restaurants." In 43 reviews -
"And then try the apple gorgonzola salad." In 8 reviews -
"The portions are huge and very flavorful." In 17 reviews
Loading...
271 reviews in English
-
Review from Laura S.
Waipahu, HI
5/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is the first time that I had ever been here and the first thing they did was give us a tour of the kitchen...talk about confidence..if a place is not afraid to show you the kitchen, then the food must be okay to eat. :)
I loved the atmosphere here. It had a very homey feel to it. If you like quiet romantic Italian, then this is not the place for you, it is most definitely family oriented.
The place looked pretty clean for the most part and the staff seemed to be pretty upbeat. Now, let's get to the food, this is no ordinary serving size. Their small could easily feed 3 people, no problem. We ordered a small penne de vodka and a penne alfredo with chicken for 5 people and we couldn't even begin to finish all of it. We were really stuffed but we didn't want to leave without trying their signature dessert..a colosal brownie sundae and man was it huge. It consisted of 12 brownie pieces and 6 huge scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream smothered in whip cream and chocolate syrup (definitely diabetes in the making kind of dessert). The dessert was amazing though and me and the other 4 people were able to eat the entire sundae. One reason why I give them only 4 stars instead of 5 is the pasta sauce lacked a little in richness that you look for in Italian food. It was a little bland. Overall, it was a great meal and only cost 50.00 for all of us. Not bad at all.
I will definitely be coming back. It was a very fun experience, and a great way to end a visit into town for either the local person or a tourist. Definitely recommend! -
Review from George G.
Honolulu, HI
5/12/2012
Had BdB when I lived in Jersey, didn't like it...it helped me find Carrabbas (that's a whole different story/review). So, I decided to give it a try here, but same ole stuff.
The decor is just overboard, cluttered, old and dusty. When they were escorting us to the table, they ask if we wanted a tour of the kitchen...I was thinking is this a restaurant or a show? I told them no, but they did any way (STRIKE ONE)
I think they want you to focus on the size/quantity of food, instead of the quality. The food wasn't up to par and the service was not good it all. Had to ask for refills twice(STRIKE TWO)
Also, from my table/seat I had a clear line of sight to the ice/soda machine, I saw one of the waiters have a glass of ice and put his hand in it to pick a piece of ice and eat it, then he put water in the glass and serve it to a patron...WTH!!! (STRIKE THREE)
So, you take the risk of getting sick or your expectations unfulfilled when going there. -
Review from Linda K.
5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
You know when you see a restaurant from the outside and you think to yourself "that looks kind of small", but then you never really think more about it.
That's been me for the last couple of years, yes .. you read it .. years!. I have passed Buca di Beppo plenty of times to think and wonder where all those people went that was walking through the door, but never thought about it enough to actually explore it myself.
I have been to buca before, but I've only sat on the little "patio" outside. So I was accustomed to their food and knew that it was good.
So two weeks ago we were trying to decide on where to eat lunch, with many options that didn't really sound right, I threw Buca out there and score! It got approved.
We went for their lunch hours so the place was pretty much empty. And when the hostess showed us to our table I was surprised over how big the place actually is. Wow, I think I even asked for a map so that I would find myself out, which she gladly said that the had!? Wouldn't surprise me at all.
Now, mind you .. I don't always order for myself. I mean, I decide what I want but my man being such a gentleman believes that he has to order for me. So I tend to forget what it was that I ordered right away. But, it was a spicy chicken dish that I had and it was SO GOOD. I absolutely loved it - and I'm not even a fan of spicy food! I don't remember what my fiance had but it was something that was baked in the oven. Equally as tasteful.
For drinks we ordered the Italian sodas, really good. And dessert ... some cake thing that was huge. yeah, see my memory isn't the best.
Overall experience: Great place to go. I hear they serve family size place but I've only been for lunch so they always have the personal plates at that time. If you get distracted easily then yeah, you'll have fun here because there are SO many things to look at ... everywhere!! Even in the ladies bathroom .. my .. I want to go in there just to look at all the posters, paintings, and what not.
The service was also great. Happened to be a old HPU student and neighbor in my old apartment building who was our waiter.
I will definitely come back to Buca, maybe for dinner next time. -
Review from Happy K.
Honolulu, HI
5/19/2012
They make their OWN TOMATO SAUCE FRESH TOMATOES EVERY DAY!!! Best tomato sauce in town. Great place, thank you!
-
Review from Pie C.
Buca di Beppo! We ate dinner here last night to celebrated my friend's graduation and another friend's birthday. I am really amazed by the service and orgazation of the crew. Our reservation was in shrort notice yet they still got us a spot for 12 people to dine. I really regret not getting the name of our server for I would surley praise her in this review, she did such an amazing job in keeping us entertained and Fed Asap. She started by giving us a tour of the kitchen then to some of the rooms that has amazingly interesting decour,very italian. She then gave us our seats asked us what's the special occasion, took out orders, got our food after 2 min and we ordered a load of food maybe 5 dishes. After eating they didnt let us leave without their BUCA song for our birthday celebrant and grad girl.
It was fun eating at BUCA DI BEPPO i totally recommend this to all ages
price:$$-$$$
ambicance: super artistic, very tourisy
dress code: casual is fine
service: AWESOME!!!! -
Review from Jared D.
Honolulu, HI
5/15/2012
I don't like Italian food but I would definitely enjoy going back here. Only, it is quite expensive here.
-
Review from Deborah S.
Honolulu, HI
5/3/2012
It's our favorite meeting place since parking is plentiful and you don't have to mess with the traffic at Waikiki....
Went here recently with a party of 15 people. None of our orders were misplaced, we were all able to eat together. Price was very reasonable. -
Review from A B.
Kahuku, HI
5/13/2012
Took my kids there and it was fantastic. It was our first time there so we did not have any reservations but the wait was only a few minutes. They gave us a tour of the whole restaurant. The portions were well worth the price. Will definitely go back.
-
Review from Beth I.
Updated - 5/8/2012 8 Check-ins Here
My girlfriend and I have Lambrusco here all the time. The bartenders know us and know we want a whole bottle. It's hard to find in restaurants and they always have it here! Foods good too.
Listed in: Lunch time grinds with the…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/16/2010
We eat here often for work (5 of us) and usually order 3 small portions and we are stuffed.
We get… Read more »
-
-
Review from Sophie M.
Honolulu, HI
Updated - 5/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went back with a smaller group of friends and I have to admit we were extremely disappointed. We went earlier than last time, towards the end of the afternoon before the crowds began to agglomerate. We ordered a few of the same things as we did last time, and they were just not as good as we remembered them to be. We all left feeling rather disappointed, and we found it hard to get our server's attention.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/2/2011
It was my first time here and we celebrated a friend's birthday. It reminded me of my warm Italian… Read more »
-
-
Review from Arlette D.
Honolulu, HI
5/4/2012 3 Check-ins Here
-1 for Pepsi :) love the food.. so glad they have individual portions also.. we go for lunch and they are pretty fast ....
-
Review from Sonia S.
3/2/2012
Bellissimo!
Buca has been our go to spot on a monthly basis...sometimes even several times a month, especially if we're on our way to watch a movie.
Service is fantastic! Decor is awesome! We always sit at the bar and are always able to get a table, even on a super busy night.
Robbie and Davin always keep our glasses filled with Peroni and New Castle. Just wished they had a larger dark beer selection on draft. Dear Uncle Buca, please bring some new dark beers in for us. Many thanks!
Portions are perfect for giants, sumo wrestlers, large appetites. If you're a light eater, go with a larger group, if not you'll be eating leftovers for days.
Our loves::
*Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken ~ the small portion comes with 3 breaded stuffed chicken breasts with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese laying in a yummy layer of pesto cream sauce, topped off with marinara. The combination of pesto and marinara is fan-effen-tastic! Love it!
*Antipasto Salad ~ tons of goodies in this salad. Salami, cheese, pepperocini peppers, red onions, pepperoni, tomatoes...If you don't like onions, this salad isn't for you.
*Meat-a-balls ~ delish! Almost as big as your head...just kidding...just as big as a baseball. One meatball and some garlic bread is enough for a meal.
*Chianti Braised Short Ribs ~ the meat is so tender, you almost don't need teeth for this one. Tomato based sauce with meat that'll almost melt in your mouth.
*Penne San Remo ~ penne pasta, artichoke hearts, chicken, sundried tomatoes, peas. It normally comes with a white wine cream sauce. I eat it with the spicy rosa sauce...delizioso! -
Review from Karen D.
A group dinner at Buca di Beppo is not my idea of a romantic Valentine's Day. But I was here for a cause. My friend decided to get married on short notice, and because she wanted to do the deed on Valentine's Day, our options for the reception location were VERY limited. Hence, our adventure at Buca di Beppo!
My memories of Buca were ones of mediocre food, ticky-tacky decor, and so-so service, so my expectations were very low. However, I was pleasantly surprised that they made a real effort to help the happy couple enjoy their special evening at their fine establishment. I was in charge of "decorations" (as if the place needed more of that), so I went arrived ahead of the rest of our party to set up. From start to finish, everyone went all out to assist me with everything I needed. Five stars for service!
The food was also better than I expected. While it was by no means gourmet dining, it was respectable, and portions are large. Food appearance and flavor three stars. The "ambiance" is quite kitschy; two stars. Overall value for price three stars.
Buca is a good place to come if you have a group who isn't too picky about their food, likes to let their hair down, and has plenty of time to enjoy the festivities. The Buca staff truly work with you to help you plan and enjoy your special occasion, so they get a solid four stars in my book for that.
Buca is located in Ward Entertainment Center (below the movie theatre), on Auahi at Kamake'e. Hours are Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 10 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm. Free on-site parking located across from the restaurant on Auahi Street and in the parking garage located on Kamake'e (garage entrance by Nordstrom Rack).
Yelp 365 Challenge #151Listed in: Yelp 365 Challenge
-
Review from Seda-Vae F.
Waianae, HI
3/7/2012
We went there because it was our time to treat my brother and his wife to lunch. So we decided to go to Buca Di Beppo in Kakaako. First of all, I was happy there's "Free Parking," Secondly, the hostess was sweet and took us on a tour of the kitchen because it was our first time there. Third, the food was delish and the portion was good enough to feed the six of us, Fourth, Our server Milo was the "BEST." He was awesome.
If you want to see my review, please go to: http://breakingbread44...
Thank You! -
Review from Soosun W.
Honolulu, HI
3/27/2012
First heard of this place through friends. One of them recommended it for dinner for a couple of friends whose birthdays had passed. After eating here, I became a fan of italian food. So my first experience here was that of being stuffed to death. We ordered a bit too much food. Six of us silly girls thought we could finish a lasagna AND a supremo pizza? No, we thought wrong. Even after we all split the food, we had leftovers.
The food was really good. I WANTED to take my portion of the lasagna home and finish it as soon as I got hungry... which I didn't think I would be till like a week after. My advice is to know how much food to order and if you guys are able to finish it. Cause their portions are huge. It's great for dinner and a big group of people.
Like the tour they give in the beginning, showing you around. But after a while, and because I come back here often... it gets old. I still laugh though, at my friend who got lost going to the restroom. She couldn't find her way back to the table LOL. Good times. Maybe she should take the tour again ;D haha just kidding. I hope she doesn't read this. -
Review from Charisse L.
Honolulu, HI
4/28/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Making our reservation on yelp made it extremely simple to walk right in immediately when we arrived. We enjoyed our dinner and our waiter was very attentive. It's a fun environment and with the $10 off coupon, it's extremely affordable.
-
Review from Val L.
12/24/2011
A family style restaurant that gives a lot of food for a family. Went with a group, so didn't really price out everything, but as for the food:
Ceasar Salad - 4 stars - your usual ceasar salad. My son loved it, and ate this dish the most, especially with the croutons.
Fettucine Alfredo - 3 stars - very creamy, like any restaurant, in a really huge plate.
4 cheese pizza - 3 stars - cheese pizza on a thin crust. Was pretty good, and the kids like it. I like my crusts a little thick, so I'm a little biased.
Fettucine Supremo - 4 stars - much more ingredients than the fettucini. Was very flavorful and a lot. Best to order just the fettucini or this dish since they both have creamy sauce, and it was a little overload of cream with both.
Chicken parmigiana - 5 stars - I really liked this dish a lot, more because it had thick pieces of chicken with a nice wine flavored tomato sauce.
Service - 5 stars - our waters were filled, and it has a party atmosphere which is great for kids. When we first arrived, they also gave us a tour of their kitchen before we sat on our table.Listed in: Kid Friendly places
-
Review from Angelo A.
3/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good food, serving size is enormous. Good for families, very loud. Best to get there early, and reservations are a good idea. Service is great, people are friendly. I have NEVER left hungry.
-
Review from Heidi K.
12/8/2011
Massive amounts of portions for anything you order, delicious food, delicious apps, entrees, wines, desserts. Everything. I will definitely be back!
Our waitress was very nice, the hostess was very pleasant, and nobody acted like they hated us... which happens in a lot of restaurants that don't care about customer service.
We ordered bruschetta for an appetizer and it was delicious! My husband is a huge meat eater and normally doesn't like much on the vegetation end of things but really liked it too! I ordered lambrusco and it was an amazing wine. I also ordered a martini, but wish I had stuck with just wine. For an entree we ordered the spicy chicken one with pasta, I can't remember what type of pasta it was. For dessert we got the Pumpkin Cheesecake... Yum!
This is family style and so it's not like you're paying $15/person, it's meant to be shared.
It is on the more expensive side, with all said and done, tip included, we spent up towards 80 dollars for the 2 of us, but we also ordered alcohol and 3 courses. This place is great, and I look forward to going back!
*I just had to say here, in response to the person giving 2 stars and complaining that the waiter said, "Saving room for dessert?" HELLOOOO, do you ever go out to eat?!?!?!?!?! I've rarely had a waiter NOT ask if we want dessert, I'm sure you'd be complaining if they DIDN'T offer you dessert! Get a grip!* -
Review from Betty S.
Kaneohe, HI
3/9/2012
Went there for lunch today with my boyfriend. We had the calamari as a starter and we really liked it. The marinara for dipping had great flavor and a nice little kick to it! I had the lunch size Fettuccine Alfredo which was very reasonably priced at $6.95, however, I didn't taste great. I was expecting a plate of creamy pasta and instead I got nearly dry noodles. My boyfriend ordered pizza and that was really good... I love the thin crust!
-
Review from Vince B.
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Took one look at Buca di Beppo... Contrived name, quaint fake Italian photos on the wall, probably a giant mainland chain operation, over done interior decoration and the waiters probably had to sing in Italian. Been there and done that. No way I'm going there voluntarily. A tour through the kitchen?? No way. You are not going to catch ME in there.
Well, when I'm wrong, at least I'll admit it. Buca di Beppo is pretty good and it is clearly a crowd pleaser. No I don't feel like I'm in a sidewalk Ristorante in Roma nor a neighborhood Italian restaurant in NYC.
Everyone that I know is happy when they walk in. Professional hosts, servers, good family style food and lots of it.
The Food: Our recent dinner for three. Chicken Carbonara plus Margherita Pizza. The pizza was a strong 4.5. Thin crispy crust and near perfect toppings with nice basil flavor and the fresh cheese. This one was finished by the group. Chicken Carbonara was near perfect and not too oily. Appeared to be freshly cooked and not just scooped into the bowl from a giant batch. We ate our fill but took a big box home. It is even better the nest day! Another 4.5.
The Experience: No waiting on this week night. Mostly birthdays or other celebrations going on around us. We felt sort of out of place that night. The couple next to us was having champagne for a special night of some sort. I would have enjoyed a nice glass of Chianti with the meal but we had other plans after dinner. Had fried Calamari appetizer while we were waiting. Tender, flavorful and not too oily. A very nice 4.5. We decided to skip dessert as we were going to walk over to Menchies FroYo after. Not to slight their desserts at all. We just felt like yogurt.
Service: Experienced and helpful waiter. Available but out of the way so we could concentrate on eating.
Being wrong helps keep my ego in check. It makes me a better person. I'm glad I was wrong in this case. -
Review from Fred M.
I gotta say my first time here was pretty good!
- Parking wasn't too bad, had to do a couple circles in the garage before I found a good parking spot and not the spot I found earlier where it was between two SUVs sandwiching my itty bitty Mitsubishi Lancer.
- Wait time was sort. After checking in we requested a booth and they told us it was not a guarantee. 5 minutes later we got a seat and a booth I'm guessing for 8-10 people, there was only three of us me, my friend and her toddler.
- The food size here was humongous, a small portion is enough to feed at least 2-3 people. We ordered a small Cheesy Bread Florentin, kids Fettuccine Alfredo, small Fettuccine Supremo, Mediterranean Orange and Limoncello. The Fettuccine Supremo, http://www.yelp.com/us... (looks bigger than the picture), was jaw dropping when we saw the size of this, we didn't put a dent into it after eating our Cheesy Bread Florentin, http://www.yelp.com/bi..., and their free breads.
- There is one regret I have about not ordering but will order the first thing next time I come here and its their Colossal Brownie Sundae. The picture makes it look like its in a martini glass but in actuality its in a glass 10x bigger than the martini glass.
Yelp 365 Challenge - #071/365 -
Review from Troy L.
Honolulu, HI
3/21/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Simply the best family style Italian Restaraunt in all of Hawaii.
-
Review from Patti L.
Honolulu, HI
3/24/2012
The food here is very good but on some days the service isn't too great. Like when my daughter and I dined there for lunch on Wednesday. Our server didn't seem too interested in us being there and it wasn't very busy. The meal it self was good as always. The hostess who sat us was very nice. But when we ordered only 2 things and didn't want dessert it was like he just wanted to get us out. When our server brought the check he just kinda plopped it on the table and said thank you and kept walking.
-
Review from Jennie Lynn C.
Waipahu, HI
1/19/2012
Great food, Great service!
Server's name: AUDREY! -
Review from Ed L.
12/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Can't beat Buca di Beppo for good eats and italian fare that can't be unmatched. Buca is known for large portions, so its good to be there on an empty stomach. I've been here just 2 times. Once a year before the Honolulu Marathon, I would partake in the serious carb loading affair. What my group of 57 people had was a hearty 5 course meal that cost $35. It included salad, 3 entrees, and dessert. I guess that was good value for the money. Alcohol was not inclusive, so we just paid that one separately.
The service was good, but sometimes, slow, as they do attend to other patrons in the restaurant. I must say that the dessert that they served was pretty good: a chocolate type of pie that was to die for. Moist and chewy, which is what I like. Better than a dry chocolate cake. Ugh. Anyway, this place is good for what you like in Italian restaurant. The decor is god, although the lighting can be dim at times. I had a god time. Parking is plentiful, in the theater parking in the Ward area parking and in the covered Ward theater parking garage.
Definitely will be back, but probably for next year's marathon. -
Review from Tiffany Y.
Honolulu, HI
10/5/2011
Yelp 365 Challenge #66/365
Family-style restaurant that gives you the sense that you'll be hearing the theme music of "The Godfather" when you walk through to get seated and that you'll meet Don Corleone, who will make you an offer you cannot refuse ;)
The food is typical American-Italian dishes. My faves:
Appetizer: Bruschetta (Toasted Italian loaf garlic-infused olive oil, diced tomatoes, basil and Parmesan cheese)
Salad: Caesar Salad
Pasta:
Penne Basilica (Chicken breast, broccoli, light pesto cream sauce and Italian penne pasta)
Chicken Limone (Chicken breasts topped with lemon butter sauce and capers)
Dessert: Double Dark Chocolate Cake (Dark chocolate cake with layers of chocolate frosting and chocolate Sambuca sauce)
The service is upbeat and quick
The pictures are hilarious, which will have you sharing with your family or friends "look...this reminds me of you!"
Location of the restaurant is pretty good regardless if there is D & B's right above it and Big City Diner with other eats right across it because the restaurant is always busy.
All I know is that I am still inspired to plan a birthday party in the "Pope" room and make Pope hats as the birthday hats for the guests.Listed in: Yelp 365 Challenge
-
Review from Kimi L.
Honolulu, HI
12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
The parking is ample here, which I love. Hate going somewhere and having to search and search for parking.
Their food portions are huge. The small can feed several people. The caesar salad is yummy and so is their cheesy bread. It's not the best Italian food I've had, but for the price and portions, I'm a fan.
Plus, they serve alcohol and the service was good. -
Review from Mike O.
9/25/2011
Going to Ward to watch a 745p movie, we decided to go a little early to eat before. We decided on Bucca as we arrive at 615p. It was packed, we put our name down and the hostess advised us that it would be 20-30 min wait.
At 645p we were sat. We prepared ourselves by looking over the menu while we waited for our table so we could ordered right away. When the waitress came to our table to get our drink order, we kindly asked to order because we wanted to catch a 745p movie. She said no problem and took our order. She confidently said we'll get you out of here real quick. I wasnt so confident seeing all these customer in the restaurant.
But I was wrong! She brought our drinks in a few minutes and a few minutes after that our caesar salad came. Literally 5 minutes after that our Penne Arrabiata was served. About 10 min later our pepperoni pizza arrived. We ordered these items in the past and it is consistently good food. We were done eating by 7:15p and had time for dessert. Unfortunately the cannoli s werent that good, but that didnt ruin our experience here.
Yes, its loud. Yes, its crowded. Yes, you may hear that unique birthday song sung 3-4x during your meal. But it is amazing that amongst the all this chaos in the restaurant, they have a system that works very well. Everyone seems to be very well trained and this restaurant is very well managed. When being first walked into the restaurant you literally run into all the server with bringing or taking the food away. They always stop for you and let you pass and alway acknowledge you with a welcome and a smile. When departing you are thanked by at least a few employees along the way out (I'm talking servers/bussers that werent serving you, plus the host or hostess at the door). Kudos to the employee here. Im in the service industry and would love to learn their company mission, philosophy and training program.
BTW we watched "Warrior" tonight. It sucked really bad. Should have watched the real Warriors at Aloha stadium kick some azz tonight. Sorry its 2am and trying to combine a few reviews into bucca. Sorry Bucca! -
Review from Gabriel T.
Aiea, HI
2/14/2012
This place is always awesome for groups and going out for dinner with friends and stuff. They have Italian and American style food served family style. To me the vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant is very festive. They have a bar and stuff almost right next to and near the entrance of the restaurant almost outside and the waiting area. The staff and customer service is great. Everyone is very friendly. My favorite dish is the eggplant Parmesan. They have other awesome dishes like pizzas and pastas. They also got some good appetizers too. The prices are decent for what you get. Buccas can fill you up pretty good after a good meal. Talking about the staff and customer service, there was this one time when my crew and I were playing our favorite board game, "Apples to Apples." Our waitress immediately spotted us and says she loves the game. She started playing along with us as she was taking our order and serving us. That's whatsup. I thought that was one of the coolest waiter/waitress experiences that I ever had. For big parties, it is highly hecka recommended you make a reservation. If you go there expecting to walk in and get seated for a short period of time, ain't gonna happen, especially if you go at a busy time like the weekend. I think this is one of the most overrated places to eat in the island but it deserves to be overrated. It's conveniently located at the Ward Theater center area right underneath Dave n Busters and the movie theater right next to the Bose store.
Yelp 365 Challenge #198/365 -
Review from Kalani C.
Updated - 10/2/2011 17 Check-ins Here
4.5 stars.
Love the bar scene here. The bartenders are always great and take care of you (mahalo Davin & Robbie!) There's always something going on. For instance, I was here during a supposed Barber Shop Quartet Convention at the Convention Center. Not knowing this I pull up to the bar and soon after four older woman belly up and start placing drink orders. The bartender asks why they are all dressed alike and they tell him they are part of the Barber Shop Quartet Convention and they just placed third. The bartender coaxes them to show off their stuff. Without a hesitation, someone in their group pitches a note and they all follow with this huge wave of a cappella brilliance that took everyone within earshot aback. Bar Service: 5 stars!
Another visit, I was at the bar (imagine that) and three ladies were celebrating one's birthday. I guess she happened to be a cat lover, because the multitude of small token gifts they were giving her were all cat or animal related. Cat pendant, cat cards, cat slippers, cat glasses, you get the picture. I didn't realize cougars liked cats. But I guess a cougar is like a type of cat. Anyhow this pride of cougars, ended up buying my buddy and I a couple rounds (NSA). Rowr! Thank you very much, don't mind if I do.
I've always enjoyed their food. Primarily their Lasagna, Eggplant Parmesan and Chopped Antipasto Salad: 3.5 stars each. Huge portions, so come hungry. All this with the decent house Chianti and you're set! The new menu offers some interesting pasta dishes, like the Veal Saltimbocca (3.5 stars) . However my favorites are the massive Double Dark Chocolate Cake and Cheesecake with hazelnuts, OMG 5 stars each!
Anyhow, always something going on at the bar. A unpretentious option that usually comes with some form of entertainment on either side. Sit back and enjoy the show. Qui alla vita!
Tally:
Bar Service: 5 stars!
Food: 3.5 stars
Dolci/Dessert: 5 stars!
Bar happenings: Priceless.
5+3.5+5= 13.5/3= 4.5 stars
#Yelp 063/365Listed in: Hawai'i 4-star, Yelp 365
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
2/22/2010
Often here during opera season. Sat at the bar and had their minestrone soup of the day which was… Read more »
-
-
Review from Eric Robert T.
Hilo, HI
10/6/2011 2 photos
Super fun place to be seen and have decent pasta or pizza for a affordable price! Love the "Pope's room", but expect to reserve it with a party of at least 8. Cool themed areas. One area is literally in the kitchen, but expect noise there! Very Italiano in here... I was born Roman Catholic, so it was like home to me;) Wait help are more like actors w/ corny jokes, but heck they try hard and seem to always be in good spirits.
Been here at least 10 times... inside... outside... pope's room... at the bar.. and always had a good time. -
Review from Tina H.
9/10/2011
I have a new found respect for a) People who make their RSVPs on time, b) People who keep their RSVPs and c) Restaurants who keep their cool and don't go ape shit in dealing with that sort of madness.
Last week, I came up with a brilliant idea: Invite a bunch of strangers from http://reddit.com/r/ha... to eat Italian food in homage to our favorite Italian plumber, Mario, and all of his Nintendo friends. I called the event "The Super Italian Mario Party".
Originally, I was expecting 7 redditors to show up -- Maybe 10 if I was really lucky. So, I posted a thread inviting everyone and waited. Soon enough, I received my first RSVP. Then a second person RSVP'd after that. Then another. And another. And another. Hitting the 20 mark is when I began to question whether or not Buca's would appreciate a herd of Nintendo nerds arriving like hungry cattle, so I placed a phone call.
When I told them the potential number of party goers, I was immediately put through to the sales crew. For the next couple of days, I touched base with wonder-woman, Kalei, who was so totally pro about this situation.
For a group this size, we were offered the banquet menu rather than the regular one. They have several you could choose from and tweak to your liking. I chose the Firenze, a menu that's worth $21 per person (not including tax and tip). In this menu, you get two salads, fetuccini alfredo, spaghetti, chicken parmigiana, and a dessert of your choosing (I picked chocolate cake).
So, the big night rolls around and sure enough there are a few flakers; Eight of them to be exact. I was told that if people didn't show up, to tell the front desk so that we didn't get charged for the full 25 seats that I reserved. When I did this, I got no snobby stink eye nor any trouble from the awesome girl who worked with me. They took care of the situation better than Joe Pesci with a dead gangster at his feet.
Throughout the evening we not only received fantastic food (particularly the chicken parmigiana that tastes like melted love in your mouth) but also fantastic, fun service. The servers made us feel comfortable and we could actually joke and carry a conversation with them. I loved that.
It seemed like everyone around us was treated to a birthday song that night and as it turned out, one of the guys in our group had a birthday the day prior to the party. I approached the waiters about doing something special for him and they were genuinely enthusiastic about doing it. So right around dessert time, they came around with candle sticks, lit them up, and had the whole restaurant clap as they sang a song for him. He got a special birthday moment and I got to feel like fucking Oprah that night.
This place is awesome for just about anyone -- whether if you're in a group or you're kicking it solo. The food goes off without a hitch and the people there bust ass to make sure you get a night you'll always remember. Choosing Buca's was part of the reason why this party was such a success.Listed in: Awesome Service
-
Review from Yuko K.
Pearl City, HI
12/17/2011
Went to Buca's for lunch today. Made reservation ahead of time which the gentleman on the phone was very pleasant. We got seated right away when we got there. We got our bread when right away as we decided what to order.
We all ordered from the lunch menu. Supreme pizza, seafood pasta, salmon and baked pasta. Everyone was very satisfied with the food! To top it off, we even ordered the huge sundae which was delicious!
All in all everything was great. If our server was much more personable, it would've been perfect! -
Review from Florence K.
Honolulu, HI
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Buca di Beppo is always my to go place when we need to make reservations for a huge group. First of all, they can definitely accommodate huge parties, but not only that, their food is served in huge portions, meant for family-style eating. In that way, everyone can try many different things during one dinner, rather than just an entree.
The food here is always filling.Their pasta is always something I order. Their pizza is delicious as well, and basically everything. A must get is the Chicken Marsala. It's definitely the best Marsala I've tried in Hawaii. Another one of my favorites is the Chicken Carbonara. I love the bacon and peas mixed in with all that cheesy buttery goodness. I've tried so many things here over the years...and I've enjoyed the food here. I love the smell of the tomato sauce every time I pass by here. However, I did not enjoy the sangria here. It could be because I've tried so many elsewhere, that this one just did not compare to any of them. But you don't need to come here for the drinks.
The ambiance here is so cultural. I love the paintings and sculptures they have here. Real Italian. I really like some of the pictures of the naked people, that makes it seem like you're eating in a real Italian restaurant.
Service here always seems to be a hit or miss. But whatever, the food here makes up for it. -
Review from Kate R.
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
As most anyone who's read my reviews here knows, I'm all about local restaurants and typically anti-chains -- but Buca's one of my exceptions to this rule. Here's why:
-Awesome decorations. Who wouldn't want to sit at the Pope's table? And I LOVE that crazy pictures are literally covering the walls from floor to ceiling. It makes for great dinner conversation and adds to the overall entertainment value.
-Nice portions! They say 'family style' and boy, they mean it! I don't think I've ever gone to Buca's without taking at least one box of leftovers home with me. And I can eat!
-Good selection of food without having an absurdly overwhelming menu. You know what I'm talking about. There's something for everyone here, from a simple side-o-meatballs to pizza and Chicken ala whatever -- even the pickiest eaters will be satisfied.
-Fabulous service. I've consistently found the staff at this location at least to be friendly, outgoing, and aiming to please.
-Clean kitchen. Um, this is HUGE for me. If you have hundreds of diners walking through your kitchen each day, you're definitely motivated to keep it clean -- and it keeps the kitchen staff from even being tempted to do anything, ah, sketchy, to food. Don't act surprised. You know it happens in some places. I'm glad it doesn't here.
-Decent prices. Buca's pretty affordable, and often has coupons floating around the internet that are easily printable - $10 off here, $20 off there -- it adds up.
Finally, I had my wedding rehearsal dinner here -- and I was SUPER stoked at the awesome customer service that I received, the flexibility, and the affordability of their options. I would definitely host an event here again based on that one experience.
Overall -- two big Italian thumbs up!
Yelp 365 Challenge (perhaps I should call it the "52" challenge for 52 weeks?) #30/365 - the meaty one -
Review from Cy C.
I came here for a birthday party. I always wanted to come here but noticed that they are always busy. So its a good thing we were invited to a party. Just my luck! :) I would recommend you make reservations.
We walked to the host, and he greeted us. We told them we were with the party, and another guy showed us the way. I didn't realize that this place is huge. It looks small from the outside. But as he directed us to the room there were different rooms, and I guess with different themes and names? It was like a maze! When I would go to the bathroom I'd get lost when returning to the room.
The walls are covered with all kinds of pictures. Animals, buildings, naked people, statues and just scenery. It was very interesting. The decor in the bathroom was nice too. it was really vintage.
One of our waiters gave us a kitchen tour. I believe they give it to anyone who asks. The kitchen was very neat and everyone in there said hi, and they were so friendly! Unreal! I've worked in restaurants and this kitchen was really clean! there was even a booth where people were eating on in there! I asked why they gave these tours and he said that they believer everyone that walks in here is considered family, so they welcome us in their home.
Down to the food- not sure what we had but whatever it was it was very good! very big portions, and very tasty!
the waiters were very good with us. always informing us when the next dish is coming, and always there refilling our drinks. -
Review from Chad Y.
8/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yelp 365 Challenge #02/365
Is Buca di Beppo the most authentic restaurant to have Italian food? Probably not. However you will get copious amounts of food at reasonable prices in what can best be described as a quirky atmosphere. It is fun and different, while dishing out decent food at reasonable prices.
Located right at the Ward Entertainment Center, its location offers a plethora of options if you are planning a night on the town. Granted, parking can be a pain, but whoever said parking would be easy at ward? The restaurant is reminiscent of a small cafe with eclectic knick nacks and photos abounding. Its red checkered table cloths and non-conforming seating its ruckus and just adds to the fun ambiance of the joint.
The food may not be the most authentic, but it is certainly decent. Definitely go in a group since the portions are large and are meant to be shared. By group I definitely mean 4 or more people and the larger the group, the more variety you'll end up. Definitely check out some of the specials as they can certainly be some of the highlights. The pastas are pastas, you can't really screw that up and it fails to truly wow. While the meats are good, I'd certainly stay away from things that are braised or slow cooked, as you might end up walking away disappointed.
Service is decent but nothing wowing. The staff definitely come by to assist you with your meals in a good orchestration, however they certainly are not attentive to an incredibly high level. I know my water glass has gone empty on many occasions while dining there.
Certainly nothing to sneer at, but nothing that truly makes me go wow. Definitely good for groups, but certainly not something that I'd go to for a romantic date or a casual affair.Listed in: Large Party? Places good for…, Yelp 365 Day Challenge
-
Review from Michiko H.
Honolulu, HI
1/28/2012
Great for when you have a big party and can split the bill.There portions are huge (family style) so expect to be full and satisfied. Although the few times I've been here alone or with a friend hasn't been the best experience when it comes to service. In the end I have to say their pasta's are good and the pizza's are my favorite. Kudo's for the creative decor and style!
-
Review from Mai T.
7/30/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Buca is the usual spot for my husband and i while we are waiting for our movie to start. The portions of the food is so big that it is difficult to order especially if you already have your heart set on popcorn and hot dog, as we usually do,
If you do order something and cant finish it.. they will actually hold your left over for you so you can get it after the movie finishes. So the next time you get something to order and want to take it home but have to go and watch the show.. just ask them to hold it for you!!!
