Would Not Eat Again

[sakon76]

Living in SoCal, there is a preponderance of good south-of-the-border cuisine, ranging from more (or less) accurate Mexican restaurants, to Argentinian barbeque places. What is somewhat harder to find is good European food. Our local British pub, owned by an ex-pat, is sadly in the habit of trying to poison Wonderful Husband, as they cook with peanut oil. And I remain on a quest for good Italian food. For our Leap Date, we went to Buca di Beppo.

It failed. It failed so hard.

Horrible parking; okay, that may just be the particular location. Garish decor; okay, that's just their thing. Dining room layout designed not to minimize but rather maximize noise? Not cool. Seating a party of two on a date right next to a large, loud birthday party? Also not cool. Food taking more than a half hour from ordering to arrival? Losing serious points, guys. Food itself? Mediocre.

Would not eat again.

The quest for a viable alternate to Olive Garden continues.

Comments

[jezeroth.livejournal.com]

No No No No.

So not surprised. Buca Di Beppo was bought by Planet Hollywood about three years ago. Since then - smaller portions, cuts in staff, quality gone waaaaaay down. Do not recommend ever. Eight years ago? Yes. Now? NO.

[therhoda.livejournal.com]

do you guys have a Carrabba's near you? I love that place

[ghilledhu.livejournal.com]

Shoot. I could give you lots of good recommendations for New York, but don't have any suggestions for CA.

(But hey, if you're ever in Hartford, Franklin Grinders makes a truly awesome giant chicken parmesan. Just ignore the fact that they're in one of the skuzziest parts of town!)

[flybystardancer.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I got nothin'. And I haven't found decent Italian up in the Bay Area either. Then again, my family does a lot of chains, though we never like Olive Garden. But high on our list of places we go include Denny's and Red Robin. Heh. And a local mexican chain, which is as local as we get.