Buca di Beppo

Reviews 3

MI

Mike McD

I prearranged the banquet with sales manager and dining room staff more than a week ahead. Banquet held on 12/28/15 with 23 guests. Included a 2 hour bar package. The service was so abysmal that I wonder if they even remembered they had a party scheduled. Its almost as if we surprised them by walking in off the street with 23 hungry people. HIGHLIGHTS - Incorrect seating arrangement - Servers not dedicated to party - Extremely slow course service - Even slower drink service - Undersized entree portion - Limited ("we ran out") draught beer Our table and drink service was so poor that multiple guests noticed and commented about it throughout the evening. Service was likely slow because although I had previously discussed and agreed to 2-3 dedicated servers for our party, they were actually attending other (non-party) patrons. DETAILS: The seating arrangement and room selection were not as agreed to. We had previously discussed and selected the Cardinal room. We also discussed and decided that seating would be at tables to avoid having guests “trapped” in booths. Upon arrival we were directed to the Wine room, where seating was arranged with two tables at the end of two booths. The manager on duty was apologetic, but implied that our preference for room and seating was not communicated with her. The undesirable booth seating required at least 3 guests to move every time someone in a booth had to get up (it was a 2 hour affair). 8-9 of our guests were seated in booths. Service was slow and inattentive. Initial drink orders were slow to be taken and even slower being served One of our guests did not have a place setting when food was served. The same guest did not have a drink order taken until I brought it to a server’s attention. Since servers were rarely in the room with us, I left my place at least 6 times to stop one of them in the aisle to request a place setting and numerous drink requests. The pace of the dinner was exceptionally slow: everyone was literally sitting around “waiting” between salads and pasta, and again between entrée and dessert. Drink service was particularly disappointing. The two servers who were assigned to our party were obviously busy with many other dining room guests. As a result, it was extremely difficult to get their attention to make timely drink requests When drink orders were eventually made, it took an exceptionally long time for the orders to be served. Our guests noticed this slow service and often commented on it throughout the evening. It was this slow service that eventually prompted me to track down the on duty manager and ask for more timely service - - but I think the situation was beyond control because service only improved for a brief spurt. Entrée portions were meager and undersized. I was dumbfounded when Chicken Parmagiana was presented as half-breast portions! I am not joking: each boneless breast was literally cut in half - - 24 halves I believe. These were portions from the kid’s menu! It was cheap, tacky, and runs a close second to drink service insofar as disappointment. [NOTE - I followed up with the sales manager about the Chicken Parmagiana portion size, and they responded saying this was a "standard portion" for a banquet (although the menu description for this item describes it as a large chicken breast)]. Bar package included 5 draught beers (previously discussed with sales manager) - - one of which was "unavailable" during our party because they had run out (Blue Moon). Since table and bar service was so slow, I regret having ordering the 2 hour bar package. I explicitly discussed and underscored the service level expected with the sales manager multiple times prior to our event. To say that service "did not meet my expectations" (or my guests) is a gross understatement. I would neither choose Buca as a venue for another party or recommend it for a banquet to others. PS - The food was great. Except of course for that entree portion.

A

A Private User

Absolutely the worst dining experience Ive ever had. Upon our arrival we entered the very crowded foyer where a man, peered over the crowd, to ask our name and number of party members. I told him and he ,without writing it down, informed us of the wait("10 to 15 minutes"). So we waited outside; patiently watching as other parties were called in and seated until soon we were 2 of only 3 people on the patio. After 35 minutes of waiting, as i was contemplating going inside to see what was up, a very confused looking girl came outside and asked us if we were waiting to be seated. Of coarse I told her yes and the name of our party... she went inside to figure it out. A moment later she returned, apologized for the wait, walked us through the kitchen (something i may have enjoyed if i wasnt so irritated), and finally sat us. The waitress brought us our drinks with no straws and walked away without asking if we were ready to order (which we were because we had over half an hour looking at the menu outside) When she came back we ordered the garlic mashed potatoes and a side of green beans to go with a chicken dish which was apparently unmemorable; i just remember it being small and mostly bell peppers. First she brought us the potatoes and green beans and i requested a glass of water. The potatoes were terrible! aside from the garlic cloves being Burnt (not toasted.Burnt) there was something just not right about them. I couldnt put my finger on it. Also, the green beans were over salted. We didnt see her again until she brought us the entree and no water about 30 minutes later. I reminded her of my water and she quickly walked away. We then realized she had forgotten our dinner plates so we just used the appetizer plates that already had the non-delectable potatoes and green beans on them. When she finally arrived with my water she noticed the plates we were using and said "Oh! You guys dont have to use those little plates!" and asked if we still would like the full size ones. If thats not ridiculous i dont know what is. I will never step foot in a buca di beppo again.

A

A Private User

ugh, would never go again. I went for a birthday party, there were like 12 of us. I dont like the fact that they "walk" you through the kitchen, nor would i want to SIT in the kitchen. The layout and look of the restaurant was horrible, it made me feel claustrophobic, and i NEVER feel that way. Gordan Ramsey would have a heart attack if he went in that place from the decorations alone. The service was awful, our waitress never paid attention, not personality, very cold, never smiled. I work at a restaurant, and even if i hated my customers, i still joke with them, and i still give them great customer service. She didnt understand how we were ordering, i had to tell her 5 times. We wanted to get two large entrees, the chicken Marsala, and the fettuccine, with a salad, and garlic bread. It took her forever to understand. The fettuccine was not good, it was bland, and did taste like a mass production entree. The chicken Marsala....where was the chicken?? At least the salad and garlic bread were good. Some girls at our table also ordered the tierra misu, and the waiter warned them it was pretty strong....she did not warn enough. They should have carded us for that thing, all i could taste was the rum, it was awful. The noise...terribly loud...not just cause of our large table, it was just LOUD, we had to raise our voices because it was so loud. Now, 8 of us split the two entrees and salad, so we all ended up paying about 15 bucks each, so price wise, for a large group, it was ideal. But i would never go there with just my husband. Not even 4 people. I am not into large groups (more than 6) But like i said, for large families, big groups of friends and what not, its great....if you dont care much about taste and are on a budget. The only reason why i had fun was because i was with friends, anyway, i wont be going back, anytime soon at least, i would go again on some one else terms, but it would not be my first choice.