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    Bucco

    4.5 (163 reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Open 2:00 pm - 8:00 PM

    Bucco Photos

    BUCCO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Bucco

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    Boring
    Ronald K.

    Who the heck decorated this dismal place? The HomeGoods clearance rack must now be empty. The staff is friendly, unfortunately the food is not impressive at all. With all the Italians in Bloomfield, this place should be better...there's a reason why it was empty and looks closed.

    Salad
    Michael M.

    Warm intimate small Italian restaurant. Good service. Disappointing with lasagna and salmon. Baked clams are 8 small ones. Not enough to share. BYOB

    Osso bucco pork
    Peter K.

    Dimly lit, cozy dining room serving good Italian cuisine. Had clams appetizer, meatballs appetizer, pork chop haddock special grandma s gravy and pork ossobucco. Very good, service was good. BYOB.

    Steph S.

    We came here as part of a food tour that was hosted by the Bloomfield center. They had the air conditioning going which felt amazing as it was so hot that day. Jennifer the owner could not have been more lovely and accommodating. It's a cute little spot in Bloomfield and the food was delicious. They have some good options to pick from and we got to try penne vodka and mozzarella and Carozza. We enjoyed everything we ate! Would definitely want to come back and try them out for a dinner!

    Pecan crusted chicken
    Donna V.

    Another Fantastic dinner. Calamari, Burrata with grilled cantaloupe, meatballs and clams Oreganata. Crab encrusted sole, NY Strip steak, Pecan crusted Chicken and Orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage. Each one was fantastic!! Not a bite was left. Mike was our awesome waiter!! Love this place!!

    a plate of pasta with shrimp
    Anna K.

    YUM! BYOB spot with a cozy atmosphere that makes elevated home cooked dishes. It was 5 of us and we just ordered a bunch of dishes for the table. Love being able to try so many different things. And every single one hit the spot. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.

    It's a BYOB

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Business owner information

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    Jennifer B.

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    Jennifer B.

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    Jennifer B.

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    1 year ago

    The pasta dishes are excellent and the staff are very friendly. The fried long stem artichokes were the best I've ever had!

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Excellent food. Never had a bad meal here. Pasta is fantastic. BYOB. The people here are very nice and it's a hidden gem. Recommended.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Jennifer B.

    Thank you for the great review! Look forward to serving you again!

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    4 years ago

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    Jennifer B.

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    Jennifer B.

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    2 years ago

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    Jennifer B.

    Thank you! We appreciate your business!

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Bucco

    When is the live music?

    Saturday nights

    Are you folks opened for take-out right now?

    Yes

    Good for groups like 10-15ppl?

    Not a problem at all

    Hours for dinner on Sunday?

    Normally 2pm - 8pm, however this Sunday we are closed for a private party

    Do they have lobster ravioli ? Looking for a delivery for Christmas eve. Do you have a catering menu. This can be awesome

    Regarding Christmas Eve, please call us 973-566-6100 with the specifics

    Is it BYOB?

    Yes it is a BYOB and we have a liquor store around the corner that delivers

    Can Bucco accommodate a small private party of around 30 people?

    I dont believe they have a private room, so you would most likely have to rent out the restaurant as it is a semi small location and i'm not sure if that's something they'd be willing to do?

    Is there lot parking or on street parking?

    Both, their is parking on the street plus a parking garage right across the street from the restaurant, also a municipal lot on the corner. Plenty of parking available.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Luigino's Parmigiana - Castellane with pork ragu.

    Luigino's Parmigiana

    4.6(269 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    We found Luigino's Parmigiano while looking for a local BYOB for an easy Saturday date night, and…read moreit turned out to be such a pleasant surprise. The restaurant was packed when we arrived, with both indoor and outdoor dining, but they were expecting us for our reservation and seated us right away. The front-of-house staff was warm, friendly and even remembered my husband from when he called to make the reservation. The food was the standout. I ordered the short rib, which arrived with quite the presentation, a huge bone topped with incredibly tender, shaved short rib and mixed vegetables. It was delicious and the portion was enormous. I shared some with my husband at dinner, took the rest home, and we still managed to turn the leftovers into an omelet a couple of days later! My husband ordered the double-thick pork chop and loved it. We also shared the fried shrimp and calamari appetizer, and both the marinara and aioli were excellent. One small area for improvement would be helping the younger waitstaff become a little more comfortable guiding guests through the menu. When we asked for recommendations and what dishes the restaurant was especially known for, it took a little prompting before we got to Parmigiano. Our server was perfectly nice. It just would have elevated the experience to have someone confidently say, "This is what we do exceptionally well, and here's what I recommend." Overall, though, we had exactly the kind of evening we needed. We brought a bottle of wine, relaxed, talked, enjoyed the atmosphere and genuinely felt like we had gotten away for a while. Our bill came in at the $100 range, and we left completely satisfied. Great food, generous portions, a welcoming atmosphere and excellent value. We'll absolutely return.

    Come hungry. Portion sizes are almost comical, especially the excellent chicken parm and eggplant…read moreParmigiana. Table for 6 mid week lunch. Decor offers a taste of Italy and adds to the charm. Started with a few apps and a chicken parm for the table to share. The Carciofi alla Giudia, the classic Jewish-Roman deep fried artichokes were beautifully presented. A good bit firmer than you'd find in Rome but were still well enjoyed and recommended. Tonno salad with fresh seared tuna was plentiful and packed with flavor. Speaking of flavor the porchetta sandwich was rich and delicious. Really this is closer to a bbq pork than authentic porchetta but still recommended. The star of the show is the chicken parm and eggplant parm. The eggplant was delicate, thinly sliced melt in your mouth. Luckily you get a huge plate. Chicken parm is also excellent and HUGE. While there is $10 plate fee if sharing a main they are fine if you order several items and share all. Very generous with their shaved Parmesan if requested. Prices on the higher side but not all that bad considering the quantity. This feels more like the type of place you come to with a large group than as a couple. Unless of course you are very hungry. Service is excellent.

    Photos
    Luigino's Parmigiana - Dining room

    Dining room

    Luigino's Parmigiana - Tonno salad

    Tonno salad

    Luigino's Parmigiana - Carciofi alla Giudia

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    Carciofi alla Giudia

    Boschetto

    Boschetto

    4.4(133 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Visited again - 04/18/2026 with wife and SIL. This was the…read morefirst time for my SIL who loved everything she had. (The Frito Misto, Polenta Limone and the Funghi (roasted mushrooms). We've been trying to get her to come here with us and she's glad she finally did. My wife and I shared the Arugula salad, the Frito Misto... but I went with my 'normal'... Amatriciana (bucatini, guanciale & chili). Love this dish. My wife opted for the Risotto Cioppino, which she also loved. As you can see and as I've said before, we love Boschetto... and it's a BYOB!

    A unique dining experience- you order and pay at the counter- and food is brought out to you. Very…read morefriendly staff. We ordered a couple of pasta dishes, salads, zucchini chips with a tangy lemony ricotta dip, and panzerotti for dessert (basically a zeppole stuffed with Nutella and Banana- a little too heavy- would just order gelato next time) The space is lovely- high ceilings, beautiful tiles. There is a parking area to the right of the restaurant (pay for parking- but free parking on Sundays). There is plenty of outdoor seating in the front patio. (Not tables on a sidewalk- but an actual patio- very pretty) Food is very fresh and delicious. The menu also offers pizza and gelato and will definitely try that next time... And I didn't realize it is a BYOB- so definitely remember to bring a bottle for my next visit. Buon Appetito!

    Photos
    Boschetto
    Boschetto - Polpette - Meatballs

    Polpette - Meatballs

    Boschetto - Chicken parm sandwich

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    Chicken parm sandwich

    Laboratorio Kitchen

    Laboratorio Kitchen

    4.3(515 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    As my original review indicates, we have eaten here multiple times, which we continue to do. We…read moretypically dine out at least once to twice a week and this is always one of the regular places we choose because the food and service are consistently above average to excellent. This review is from our meal on August 30, 2026. While the menu has been changed from time to time, it does not happen frequently. However, there are often a variety of special additions. One item on the menu we have ordered in every visit is the shrimp appetizer, which I mentioned in my original review. It used to be called shrimp arrabbiata. Now it's called garlic shrimp (according to the online menu, but believe it's baked garlic shrimp on the actual menu). By any name it's not to be missed. I believe it used to be 8 shrimps, which at some point was trimmed to 7 shrimps). The size are large to near jumbo, easily more than a single bite, easily U-25, but maybe not quite U-15 sized. The sauce is so good it's worth finishing with the consistently delicious warm rolls being used to soak up every last drop, or spooned out of the bowl like soup. It's spicy, but not overpowering. This is a must order for shrimp lovers. I usually order one of the many house-pastas. My wife is usually ordering one of the fresh fish offerings. The scallops are a hit too, as is the risotto, though I still nix the chorizo, which I'm typically then rewarded with extra crab. The service is very accommodating in every respect, willing to make every reasonable adjustment. Desserts are typically good, but also typical to all Italian eateries. They used to have a must-have mousse concoction that disappeared after a while. That was a mistake, as it was exceptional.

    Laboratorio Kitchen was a BYOB Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown Montclair. It was a…read morestunning space with sleek, modern furniture and walls adorned with vibrant, colorful artwork. The service was impeccable from the moment we arrived until the second that we left. From a food perspective, our meal initiated with a basket of some of the best rolls I had ever had. They were large, fluffy, and doughy with a hint of crispiness from a light toasting. We then shared the Veal and Beef Meatball, which was gigantic but still managed to have the ideal texture. It was also beautifully seasoned and served in what the chef called his "grandma's plum tomato sauce", which was divine! The sauce was thick and hearty, so when that was paired with pecorino cheese and basil oil, it really made for a fabulous dish. I even cut off a small piece to put inside my roll with a spoonful of sauce - chef's kiss! After that, we enjoyed some of the house-made pasta dishes, tasting each in a family-style format. The Squid Ink Bucatini was tossed with scallops, shrimp, and jumbo lump crab in a seafood tomato sauce. I did not love the briny finish to the sauce or that some of the scallops were chewy. The Tagliatelle with Duck Bolognese, tomatoes, and carrots was good, but I prefer my pomodoro sauce without the addition of a "light cream". Lastly, the special Spaghetti came with lobster, crab, and peas in vodka sauce. That one was definitely my favorite. While I do not love peas, the sauce was rich and flavorful. Across these last two dishes, I thought the pasta was a tad overcooked and could have been more al dente; the bucatini consistency was more inline with my preferences. Overall, I thought the food at Laboratorio Kitchen was above average, but that the service and atmosphere helped elevate the place. I would definitely consider going back to try some of their other dishes.

    Photos
    Laboratorio Kitchen
    Laboratorio Kitchen
    Laboratorio Kitchen

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    Brick + Dough

    Brick + Dough

    4.3(212 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Had dinner here a few weeks ago and WOW Montclair really is not giving up its title for best food…read morecity anytime soon. We're still slowly working our way through local spots, and Brick + Dough was highly recommended to us. We started with garlic knots, bread, and fries, and honestly... 10/10 across the board. Everything was SO good. The fries especially are still living rent free in my head. We then split three pizzas, all of which were seriously incredible. The perfect balance of cheese, sauce, and crust, just absolutely nailed. We ended the night with cookies and ice cream, and I can confidently say this place will be seeing me again very, very soon. It might even end up replacing our current go-to pizza spot...

    We came here for a dinner date with some friends and their dog. They were able to accommodate us…read moreoutside to be able to have the dog with us, which was very nice as we always look for outdoor spaces to be able to bring our furry friends. The service was nice, especially because even though we were the only table sitting outside, they were consistently coming out to make sure we were doing OK and had everything we needed. We ordered some garlic knots, which were good, it just seemed a little bit pricey to charge for the marinara sauce separately, which was not really outstanding nor something special, so I would recommend you skip it. We also ordered the chicken vodka Parm pie which was very good. The chicken was very crispy and the pizza was still delicious the next day when we had the leftovers. One of her friends is allergic to gluten, so it was very nice that they were able to accommodate for her. I do wanna point out that we have been to many places that offer gluten-free options and this is the first one I've been to that does charge you extra to make a gluten-free. In terms of price, it is very similar to the other places in Montclair but they do provide very good service and the ambience both outside and inside is very nice.

    Photos
    Brick + Dough - Let's go

    Let's go

    Brick + Dough
    Brick + Dough - Mikes

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    Mikes

    Sapori Ristorante - Pasta Mix

    Sapori Ristorante

    3.9(74 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    Went here for a birthday dinner and the ambiance was very nice and festive…read more For appetizers, we got the goat cheese with nuts and prosciutto, the burrata, and the calamari. The calamari was by far the best. It was crispy and thick and seasoned well and the sauces were delicious. There were some fried onions in it that were flavorful too. The goat cheese was okay, it felt like the flavors did not all go together. The burrata was very fresh and the starter bread is great too. For dinner we got the pork shank which I think was a special, the mushroom ravioli, the eggplant pasta with red sauce and the branzino special with veggies and a sauce. The mushroom ravioli tasted a little like mush to me and I was not a fan of the mushroom flavor. The eggplant pasta was delicious and it came with burrata that melted nicely into the pasta. The pork shank was tender and delicious. The branzino was the star for sure, it was flavorful and delicate and paired well with the sauce and the veggies. For dessert we got the pistachio tartufo and the tiramisu. I didn't think the tiramisu was very special but it wasn't bad. The tartufo was okay. It tasted like a pistachio chocolate ball inside of pistachio ice cream. It was also incredibly small for the price. Our waiter was fantastic!!! Great person who made our experience extremely special. I don't know if I would come back, maybe for the calamari and a drink. Some of the food is amazing and some is not that great.

    The atmosphere was very nice. There was a violinist playing during dinner which made the ambiance…read moreeven better. I didn't have time to pick up a bottle of wine but the restaurant had a local store that delivered directly to our table, which was super convenient! My friend and I ordered appetizers and a main course. The food was plated nicely but was really underwhelming. I ordered the tuna tartar. The tuna was fresh but lacked flavor. It really just needed some salt or something. I also had the 14oz steak which was pretty good because it had some salt on it however the steak came out precut and did not look like a $58 steak. My friend hated both of her dishes. She had the burrata and the lasagna. She said they both lacked flavor. We paid over $200 for our meal and I was actually disappointed that I paid so much money for such mediocre food. I gave 3 stars for the atmosphere and service. Our server Julian was very nice and attentive.

    Photos
    Sapori Ristorante
    Sapori Ristorante - Branzino all'Acqua Pazza

    Branzino all'Acqua Pazza

    Sapori Ristorante - Inside aesthetic

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    Inside aesthetic

    pastaRAMEN - Wagyu skirt steak

    pastaRAMEN

    4.0(549 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    First off I love this chef\owner's work. I've tried all his places here in NJ…read more that being said pastaRAMEN is very good, but now we're getting to a point where it's more about the VIBE than anything else. Don't get me wrong, the food we all tried here was good to excellent, but maybe we're headed into the direction of "the scene" rather than what we came there to do ( EAT!) and this is a BYOB so no cocktails or wine\beer program to talk about here. Great concept and a new FOODIE term out there " Wafu-Italian" which is a meld between Japanese & Italian ( heck, someone had to eventually invent it ) Street parking and a huge parking garage about 1 block away. There is no sign during the day at this restaurant; at night an overhead spotlight beams the name on the sidewalk; Considering the street # ( 13) is painted to blend in with the facade, we walked past the place 3 times before realizing this was it......Really? Is that supposed to make it seem like a "speakeasy \ in-the-know" kind of place. ( Hope not, it's pretentious if it was) Staff was great. Our waitress ( from Boston) was super helpful & friendly. Ambience is "city vibe". Splashes of paint here & there with plenty of black painted walls & Asian accents. (I personally am not a fan of bathrooms that are so blacked out anything could be in there with you..it's about maintaining a clean environment) THE FOOD---We tried many apps & entrees; Keep in mind the menu is altered frequently. I attached a pic of one from mid-August. Portions are fair\healthy. You'll be full, not stuffed. APPS...... -The Cucumber Salad is one of the freshest, best items on the menu. -The Porcini ( mushroom) rice-balls were ok; but not at 5 small ones for $40 -The clams on focaccia bread was very good. Need more focaccia for dunking! The sauce was killer! -The cacio & pepe Gyoza ( dumplings), just "meh". ENTREES... --the Miso Cod; is a dish I just love; very good example here --Hanger Steak Carbonara was good, nice mashed potatoes --Wagyu short rib also a "good" choice. ( yes, I mean JUST good) --the brothless Ramen Shrimp Scampi was the winner here. An excellent pasta dish full of flavor. Great choice. DESSERT... not here....plenty of coffee shops, etc in Montclair within walking distance. We were told no coffee ( only tea) and only 1 dessert ( a bao bun confection with Nutella & powdered sugar). How boring ! No coffee? Never heard of such a thing. and isn't EVERYONE doing a version of zeppoles in Nutella sauce these days. Really disappointed in this. Let's hope a few tweaks brings this new Felice outpost inline with some of the other restaurants he has.

    10/10, no notes!! I literally cannot wait to eat my…read moreleftovers today. We ordered quite a few items because we wanted the full experience after waiting so long to try this restaurant. WORTH ALLLL THE HYPE!! Speaking of hype, the vibes were good and the type of atmosphere that anyone would feel welcomed in. I saw dates going on and enjoying the tasting menu which is the perfect way to bond, groups of guy friends, families and then us, girls night out to catch up with my best friend. By the way- service was great, too. Friendly, fun & personable from everyone we encountered. Back to the food: *Calamari, super yum! *Caesar Salad, very yum!! Not your ordinary *Pescatarian Bestie ordered the Shrimp Scampi and enjoyed it! I ordered the Wagyu Short Rib Ramen and wowza, it's everything I hoped it would be and more. A generous portion of tented beef, I almost wish the ratio of ramen was higher though but seriously no complaints! I will be back, STAT!! Don't forget to bring your own vino cause it's BYOB

    Photos
    pastaRAMEN - Inside

    Inside

    pastaRAMEN - Delicious octopus skewers

    Delicious octopus skewers

    pastaRAMEN - Cacio e Pepe Gyoza

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    Cacio e Pepe Gyoza

    Matthew's Italian Restaurant - Zuppa di mussels

    Matthew's Italian Restaurant

    4.5(732 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$$

    In my adult years, I've developed a real affinity for classic, old school Italian restaurants,…read moreespecially the kind of places that have been around forever, have stories in the walls, and maybe, just maybe, had a little mob following back in the day. There's just something about them that you can't recreate. Yesterday, my buddies and I were supposed to hit The Belmont Tavern, but they were closed for the week. Rather than scrap the plan, we pivoted to Matthew's Italian Restaurant at the suggestion of one of the guys in the crew. What a great find. We were pleasantly surprised that an old school spot like this had somehow escaped us all these years. The atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for, the staff was awesome, and most importantly, the food delivered. We came out swinging with Clams Oreganata, Meatballs, Stuffed Mushrooms, Mozzarella Carrozza, and two different types of Ravioli. Needless to say, the table filled up pretty quickly. For dinner, most of the crew went with either the Veal Parm or Chicken Parm. A nice touch is that they'll do the parm with vodka sauce if you want to switch things up. I went with the steak special and had absolutely no regrets. Dessert was on point too, but I'll leave a little something to your imagination. Great food, great service, great old school atmosphere, and exactly the kind of Italian restaurant I'm always looking to discover. Matthew's is officially on our list now. We'll definitely be back soon.

    Try the chicken parm Try the espresso martinis…read moreTry the fried calamari Try the ceasar salad Try the berries and cream Try the dirty martinis Try the straccatella soup Try the stuffed artichoke Try the fresh pasta Try the seafood dishes Try the veal Try the Sunday Sauce!! Try everything!!!!

    Photos
    Matthew's Italian Restaurant - Seating area

    Seating area

    Matthew's Italian Restaurant - Sole Almondine - amazing !!

    Sole Almondine - amazing !!

    Matthew's Italian Restaurant - Cosmo

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    Cosmo

    Gioia Mia - Bucatini with mussels and chorizo

    Gioia Mia

    3.9(437 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$$

    A little late with this review. I hate when I have to post a negative review,I am noy interested in…read morehurting the workers or ownership. I believe they need to hear the truth so they can quickly fix things. I have been in the business so I understand how difficult it can be. The menu is absolutely terrible! There is maybe 5-6 Apps,Almost no salads,and maybe 7 entrees. I went on a Saturday night,the inside was very nice and clean. The best thing on this night was how comfortable I was at the table,we went with like 8 people.Most places in Montclair will squeeze you in on top of people. I thought the Meatball app was horrible,the mussels were ok I just don't like spicy . The Calamari was ok. Like I said they didn't have a choice of a small salad for dinner. Can I at least get a Cesar salad? My entree was the Eggplant,I give it a 2 out of 5 it was pesto infused with marinara,WHY? Also I could not even get a side of pasta with marinara with my dinner ,the only choice was Cavatelli.This is a Italian restaurant and no sides of pasta. Not that it was a issue but our entrees came out at least 30 mins after the apps. They were not even busy. I don't see this place lasting the summer the way they do business. All the great ratings are because of the last owner/chef. Like I said I don't mean to hurt the business,I am truly trying to help. Work needs to be done on the menu!The prices were high while the portions were small.

    We dined at Gioia Mia for their Valentine's Day pre-fixe dinner and overall had a lovely experience…read morewith a few highs and a couple misses. The evening started strong with bread that tasted house-made! I even took the leftover back! It was warm, crispy on the outside, soft inside, and perfectly buttery. Such a simple thing, but it set the tone beautifully. For my courses, I had the tuna tartare to start, followed by the spicy rigatoni. The rigatoni wasn't actually spicy, but the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. The real surprise of the night was the eggplant parmigiana. It genuinely did not feel like I was eating eggplant. That dish was so well done that my husband who normally avoids eggplant completely devoured my plate. It was such a great substitute for chicken parm and easily one of the highlights of the night. Dessert, unfortunately, is where things fell short. We tried the red velvet pound cake and the mint chip gelato entremet. The chocolate crunch layer on the gelato was extremely hard and honestly it felt like it had come straight from the freezer and hadn't had time to thaw. The mint gelato itself tasted very much like fresh herb mint, which wasn't quite what I was expecting. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. To me, it just leaned more herbal than classic mint chip. Also that pound cake was a bit dry and again hard like it was from the refrigerator. There was live music for Valentine's Day, which was a nice touch in theory, but it felt more like a performance than background ambiance (unless that's what they are trying to go for). The singer was belting songs (for example, Lady Gaga's Shallow - which for the record I love that song!) however when sang tonight we had to raise our voices to talk. Softer, more subtle background music would have made for a more intimate dinner experience. Still an overall good meal, I'd come back for the entrees.

    Photos
    Gioia Mia - Inside

    Inside

    Gioia Mia - Charred Octopus

    Charred Octopus

    Gioia Mia - Braised Duck & Taleggio Triangoli

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    Braised Duck & Taleggio Triangoli

    Bucco - italian - Updated September 2026

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