Osteria La Buca is a trendy Italian food place between West Hollywood and Downtown LA. It’s got a casual, industrial-feel, but don’t let that fool you! Osteria La Buca is a very popular location and it’s a good idea to get a reservation ahead of time. I went for lunch on a weekday right when it opened, and they could only seat me at the bar.
I ordered the Short Rib Ravioli, Crispy Brussels sprouts, and the Pappardelle Bolognese. All of this was way more than enough food for one person, but I wanted to try a couple different things on the menu, and I’m a fan of pasta for leftovers.
It’s hard for me to order anything other than a Bolognese when I see it on a menu because I studied abroad in Bologna, Italy during college, the birthplace of the bolognese sauce. I learned a lot in my semester in Italy, but probably most importantly, I learned that a Bolognese sauce is supposed to be orange. And Osteria La Buca’s bolognese sauce is a nice orange color! The pappardelle noodles were big and fat and cooked just to al dente. Overall, a very good bolognese dish!
I’ve always been a fan of a ravioli, and the Short Rib Ravioli is a favorite on the Osteria La Buca menu. It was very good! The pasta was, again, cooked perfectly, and the short rib was very flavorful and almost a little sweet. Everything worked really well together.
Another Osteria La Buca classic is the Crispy Brussels Sprouts. They are cooked with pecorino cheese and a poached egg and they are charred, giving them an almost burnt smokiness. I definitely understand why this dish is a favorite!
Osteria La Buca also has a pretty impressive bar. Unfortunately, I went in the middle of the day, so it felt a little early to start drinking, but I’m looking forward to trying a cocktail next time I go!
Parking is a little difficult at Osteria La Buca. I ended up finding street parking nearby, which is probably your best bet (there is both paid and unpaid in the nearby neighborhood). There is also valet parking as an option for dinner. Overall, the staff was very friendly and efficient, the food was wonderful, the ambiance was cool, and I can’t wait until my next visit!
5210 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038
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