la buca

Introducing this cozy, comfy, yet incredibly delectable restaurant - our new "go-to". On one of my favorite streets in Portland - NE 28th Ave. - also home of Crema coffee house, Screen Door and Ken's Artisan Pizza.

For the longest time I have been reading rave reviews about La Buca...if only I had tried it sooner! Jeff scouted it out for lunch a couple of weeks ago, then the two of us had dinner there on Saturday night. The atmosphere is somewhat dimly lit, romantic, and modern. We found the bar area to be a bit cozier - just a few tables and an intimate room in the back. Everything on the menu looked superb, and my Italian-lovin' self was in sky-high heaven. What to choose?!!?! I settled on a vodka tomato-cream penne with Italian sausage ($8). Jeff ordered chicken marsala ($11). Mine came in a simple bowl and was nothing fancy, but tasted wonderful. Jeff's was very large - his chicken was piled on top of freshly whipped mashed potatoes, a light marsala sauce, and perfectly wilted spinach as a topper. I am fairly confident that everything on that moderately-sized menu is just as wonderful as what we both ordered.

Impressive to me is that the owners of La Buca serve such quality food and keep their prices so low. This is the best date spot - for $40, two people can have a salad, wine, bread, and an entree. I saw a couple kids in there, yet it still felt grown-up and romantic (no offense to those of you with kiddos, but my favorite spots aren't usually where all the kids eat :). The seafood special of the night was a fillet of fresh king salmon with prawns, all served over pasta....for $12.50!!!!

One of my favorites has always been Piazza Italia - because of its simple, affordable, and authentic Italian food. La Buca was some good competition - and although I will be back FOR SURE, Piazza Italia still has my heart (partly because of Allessandro, the little old man who kisses me on the cheek each time I am there, serenades our table, and never fails to drag women out of their seats to dance with him.

Try either one on your next date night! :)