This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Grosse Pointe, actually in the state of Michigan. The head chef, Bucci, always says hi to my family when he is there. The food is always perfect. We come here for a lot of family celebrations (my brother's communion party), birthdays, and family dinners. My favorite things to order are: veal Marsala (I ask for the dark sauce), fettuccini Alfredo, artichoke appetizer, and the calamari!!! The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful and the music is always wonderful. I like some of the staff. My favorite is Sajar (spelling?) because he always says hi, hugs me, and remembers what I like to order.
(5)
Marlena P.
This place is amazing! I came here with my bf for my birthday and they were so great to us. The chef served us a variety of amazing small plates and we got to watch him cook each one. I have been to so many great restaurants from LA to Detroit and this is my favorite place. That seriously says a lot. The food here is the absolute best!
(5)
Robert W.
I have been going here since it was Maxine's 12+ years ago and Bucci was the chef then before taking over. Never had a bad experience. Reservations suggested, because, well it's busy! Love the counter to watch the cooking (as a wanna be amateur chef), but it's more cozy/romantic at the tables. I am a fan of slower dining and find the pace wonderful; but I could see where people who like to go quickly could have an issue - but hey, you can't please everyone can you? (try taking a more interesting companion). Food is exquisite, but as noted by others, you might not get a doggie bag. Wine list is more than extensive. I really don't ever see the interesting choices and vintages available; but the house wines/by the glass are quite nice as well.
This was not our first time at Bucci and our visit was on a Thursday, January 30, 2014. We were greeted quickly and pleasantly by a young girl. All of our food was good, absolutely no complaints there. Service and drinks were terrible. I had a margarita, the waitress said she made it...terrible. My husband had a bombay saphire martini, and it taste like gin flavored water. A martini is the easiest drink in the world to make. The waitress brought our teenager his salad late. After all the adults got their meals, she said she would make his now. What! It was a middle aged woman and when she was not rude she was condescending. She does not have a service personality. Seems like they need to reevaluuate their wait staff. Service CAN ruin a business.
(2)
James K.
Pretty darn good Italian food for Grosse Pointe! Pastas are always good and prices are reasonable for the quality. Cioppino is also great! All entrees come with a soup or salad. I compare it to Cafe Nini in the (GP) Village but a little better. Sitting at the chef's counter is a treat! My wife and I always try to go here when we're back in Grosse Pointe visiting our family. This is much better than other pricey Italian places on Mack -- I won't say which but it rhymes with FAR MY CAR-DO(or)'s! :-) I would give it 5 stars for the food, but the wait to get someone to greet you is some times very long (and they aren't usually apologetic).
(4)
Anthony B.
This place has changed and not for the better. First we were standing at the hostess station all the while basically being ignored, on a Wednesday night mind you. When we were finally seated we waited 10 minutes before receiving a menu. The waitstaff is not that friendly and very slow. They no longer serve a full bread basket and an olive tray like they once did. You get one small piece of bread and you are never asked if you want more. The linguine with clam sauce which was once my favorite now lacks flavor and seems to only contain olive oil and clams. The portion sizes are very small for the high price. The salad was good. The artichoke Tosca was fair, would have been better had they not used marinated artichoke hearts from a jar. Two pasta dinners and an appetizer cost $52.00. You would be better off eating at Pepperoni Grill or Luciano's.
(2)
Deb S.
Don't even think of going to this restaurant with a child. Rather than just telling you honestly that they do not want children, they give you the lame excuse of not having tables despite several tables obviously being available. I don't have a problem with a restaurant that is not kid friendly. What is annoying is when they won't fess up to it.
(1)
Melissa G.
One of my husbands and my favorite places to go on a date. A lovely atmosphere, great food, wonderful service. Don't go if you are in a rush as it can be slow. Everything is made from scratch. Best Italian food in the area.
(5)
Lo J.
Went for dinner tonight. Food was just absolutely terrible! Service was even worse. Nothing but excuses from the staff for bad food. They need some help in there. You won't see me back there.
(1)
Soph. M.
Went there on a saturday night with a 9 o'clock reservation. This may have something to do with our experience. We were greeted and seated promptly to our table. Unfortunately that was the only "promptness" of the night. Once seated we were not waited on until 9:25. Even at that point, we were not given menu's or a wine list...? We weren't sure if there was a method behind this, so we asked. The waitress said that usually there is a method but that it was a "busy night" so things had to be adjusted....? what? Okay so its busy, does that mean you ignore your new paying customers? Moving on to the time we finally placed our order, we were told that there were no more specials and they were out. Ok so we ordered something else. I had the veal parmesan and my husband ordered a salmon dish. Our food was okay, not great. I really wanted to like this place, and I had been looking forward to trying it. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to like. The waitress was inattentive, cold and forgetful. I had ordered a tea along with my dessert, she brought the hot water, and by the time she brought the tea the water was cold. Unacceptable, we will not be going back.
(2)
Bob R.
Had grilled Mediterranean Sea bass tonight. Flaky white and moist. It was delicious! Service and the wine was also excellent. Close to the best restaurant in Grosse Pointe.
(5)
Marybeth R.
I forget how wonderful this place is. Great service. This is truly a hidden gem. Great wine list. Excellent specials. Very accommodating. Going back soon.
(5)
James F.
Been here a handful of times. Food is generally decent, service is nothing to write home about. Last night, I spent dinner here. Reservation was at 5:30 and didn't leave until 8:30. Not that the entire time was waiting for the service, but a decent amount of it was. Appetizers were very tasty and good. However the portions were pretty small for the price. The minestrone soup was good, but a little peppery, although I didn't mind it. Dinner was the veal parm. The veal was cooked perfect and the portion was great. I'm just not crazy about the tomato sauce here. It's missing something, almost tastes a little bland to me. Also, the spaghetti was a tad overcooked. Also, a downturn in the night was when some local school kids came in to start singing Christmas carols. Now I'm all for supporting the local children, but at an upscale restaurant, I do not want to be bothered by fundraising. In fact, I don't even know which school they were from or why they were raising money because they never said. Still a decent place to go. Will be back. This just isn't a regular place on my list.
(3)
Edison N.
A must see at least once in your life..food is excellent! Price is not bad definitely worth it because service was great and price well deserved.portions a little small only negative...maybe its just what I ordered will definitely try again soon.
(4)
Dean C.
Gotta love this place! The experience has always been notable... Although it may sound strange you have to sit at the bar; well counter is a better description. This place serves great food but how the deep counter surrounds the kitchen makes for a very cool experience as well. Prepare to be entertained while eating some of Southeast Michigan's best Italian food. If you have to wait or have to come back another night to sit at the counter.... do it, it's worth it.
(4)
Keiths M.
The food is really good, the atmosphere is intimate and interesting with the ktichen in the middle of the bar type seating area (although we usually sit at a table), the waitstaff are always friendly, the wine selection is quite extensive. I recommend the pasta entrees and the creme brulee. Classy, although nice shirt and jeans is okay.
(4)
Sally B.
My husband picked Bucci for his recent birthday dinner. We thought it was pretty good... cozy atmosphere, pretty good food (although the arugula salad was really terrific!), they have a lovely wine selection and the waitstaff was really good. There are a lot of really good Italian eateries around... this is among them, but not particularly a stand-out.
(3)
Maureen D.
Although I've had a few past rough moments waiting for a table with similar stories to those told below, I still think the food is great. Tonight my sister and I arrived with no reservation. Luckily we had our choice of either a table or the counter. We chose the esteemed counter, of course. Our waitress was dour in the beginning but the general atmosphere overall seemed to soften pretty quickly. The meal was great and was delivered in good order and timing. I'm giving them another chance but I am on the fence in reference to attitude...
(4)
Deepak A.
Food that's cooked with attention to details & a team that clearly loves working here as it serves without pretentiousness. It is a busy place and reservations are advised but the staff was gracious enough to let us dine even when we landed 15 minutes prior to closing time. The portions are designed to feed you and let you savor the food while not stuffing your mouth. I'd recommend sitting at the bar- the team enjoys the work it does and you can see why the food tastes genuine. The staff doesn't rush you through your meal and pays attention while not being pushy. We've been to Bucci's four times and have never been unhappy with the food, wine or service.
(5)
robert f.
I have been to Bucci several times and based on the negative reviews, they seem to center around having to wait for a table. I, too have had to wait when I went on a busy night and did not have reservations to Bucci; unfortunately, this happens at popular restaurants. Let me give another example: I recall a visit to Roast one night and they informed my group that they are booked for the evening and the bar was full--no, how could they!?! We instead walked around the Westin and came back 10 minutes later to find a large opening at the bar and we drank and ate. I did not whine and complaining to the yelp world that "roast turned me down for a table" and "don't bother making a reservation". Additionally, looking around Roast, we saw many open tables that were never filled---how dare they!?? NOT-this is common with restaurants based on how many servers are working. The reviews for Bucci here sound like sour grapes to people who did not plan accordingly. This often happens in big cities with some of the better restaurants. Anyway, going back to Bucci, I am always satisfied with the quality of food and the exceptional value that is offered. On a recent visit, they had sea urchin and arugula salad that was very different and boldly good. I enjoy hearing their specials and the eggplant parma is always a hit. I am never disappointed with the food and the service aims to be the best. I have seen it before when Bucci is not happy with the level of service or the quality of food coming out of his open kitchen, he steps in and refuses to serve a dish. Often, they have been busy and service can get preoccupied. However, the quality of food, value and the level of attention provided by Bucci's staff is one of the best in the metro Detroit area. All this qualifies this restaurant for a 5 star review!
Have eaten here countless times since they opened and it only gets better. Beautiful product, beautifully prepared and served immaculately. The last time we were in, we had a table of ten. All of our entrees were served simultaneously by a phalanx of waiters, and it was all hot. This is old fashioned haute European service and at very reasonable prices. The open kitchen is a treat.
(5)
Amy H.
We have eaten here before, thought the food was good, nothing to scream from the mountain tops about. This past Friday, we decided to stop in there for dinner. We walk in and stand in line behind another couple who get seated right away. There is no one waiting in the lobby and we saw some open seats at the open kitchen area. We were told we could not be seated because we didn't have a reservation. We were not even allowed to wait for a table. I find it hard to believe that a restaurant that has been around for a few years with middle of the road Italian food cannot accomodate walk in guests on a Friday night. They have lost our business completely. Don't fool yourselves Bucci, you are not that elite to not allow people with reservations to eat at your restaurant.
(1)
John S.
My wife and I love eating good Italian food and this is as good as it gets. Salvatore the chief is grew up in Italy and cooks in the true Italian style. We love sitting at the bar watcing our food being prepared in a very clean kitchen. Yes it is true that you need to make a reservation however I always prefer to eat at a busy restaurant that requires reservations, there is a reason after all that they are busy and that reason is the food is excellant!
(5)
jm k.
Don't bother making a reservation for this "ristorante" because they cater to their fur-coat wearing, pretentious friends first and you will end up waiting at least an extra hour anyway. By the time we were seated, one of the main entrees was no longer available. They tried to appease with a complimentary round or drinks, crumbled blue cheese for our salads, and some taste-less dessert, all of which we could've done without. We also had to listen to our waitress repeatedly stress how much "free" stuff we received. I'll never go back.
(2)
Steve W.
I love Bucci. Great food, great service. I note some complaints by other reviewers, but I have never had a bad meal or bad experience.
(4)
Kate F.
The restaurant is like someone's home. Some of the food preparation is done in a large kitchen-like area surrounded by a granite countertop, which doubles as a bar. This is the first thing you see when you enter. There are two intimate dining rooms, and seating is very limited, so I would definitely make a reservation before stopping in. We had reservations for a group of eleven at 6:30 on a Thursday. The restaurant set aside their smaller dining room for us, and it was set and ready when we arrived. The service was excellent - salads and entrees were served by five or six waitstaff so we all received our food at the same time. The arugula salad was wonderful. Light, garlicky vinaigrette was the perfect accompaniment to the bitter greens. The olive oil for dipping was delicious - sweet and fruity - unlike any I've ever had. I ordered the Penne Fresca and sampled the eggplant parmesan. Both were delicious and relatively light for Italian pasta dishes. For the table, we ordered two servings of tiramisu, two servings of a frozen hazelnut dessert and one serving of a frozen coffee dessert. My favorite was the coffee one, but they were all rich and delicious, and there was more than enough for all of us.
(4)
Jane M.
The best Italian restaurant on the east side. You have to wait for a table because the food is so good-DAH!!! Go early on Friday or Saturday. I also enjoy the delicious house wines that are not overpriced. Sit at the bar & watch them make the best veal plates.
(5)
Paula G.
I am from Berkeley, CA so I am spoiled when it comes to food, but I have to say this place was good. The wine was excellent, the food was tasty and the service was good. Made me miss the Bay Area a bit less.
(4)
Ribec F.
I thought the food was good for the area, prices were high but worth it, I had scallops which were cooked perfectly, service was also great!
(4)
Mark H.
Average at best...The Food quality is decent however, the dishes do not justify the pricing. There are too many other places that offer so much more at similar pricing points- with superior levels of service and selection. 3 Stars.
(3)
Meg K.
Despite the poor service we had a lovely dinner. Our food was fresh, flavorful, well seasoned, with an artistic presentation. We had a corner table and enjoyed one another's company, finding a little humor in our server's obvious dismissal of us in preference of other diners. Once she asked me a question with her back to me. The brussel sprout/cabbage salad was light, crunchy and had a good zip. My favorite part of the meal was the cream of eggplant and cauliflower soup - robust flavor achieved. I had the seafood trio special and the hubs had the meat trio - each item was prepared perfectly. Of note, the tuna "tare tare" was seared, it was tasty, but it's not tare tare, which is raw. Would I go back? Maybe.
(3)
Richard R.
Bucci Ristorante ... . I rarely give a perfect review of any restaurant. However Bucci Ristorante is that one exception. I have eaten here many times. Each time is perfect and flawless. From the Staff, the Food , the Service. I have never been to a restaurant anywhere where the staff and the owner are so personal. The food is truly perfect. I enjoy sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen. It adds a special importance to the evening. Also the restaurants understanding of Wine is outstanding. I thank the owner Bucci for his commitment to perfection year after year when so many restaurants live on the past while this restaurant lives in the present... I travel all over the world and I am thankful for what is near by. Perfection. Richard C. Rollins
(5)
Christopher M.
I ordered the veal marsala, which was cooked well and was good, but not excellent. My girlfriend ordered a dish which contained artichoke, which is usually not a problem, but the artichoke in her dish smelled quite bad and affected the other food on her plate. When told of the issue, our server didn't do much about the issue. Granted more than 50% of my gf's meal had been eaten, but it was a sign of a cheap restaurant not to comp her meal. It's the least they could have done. With restaurants like Roma Cafe and Villa within 15 minutes of this place, I can't imagine why we would come back. Average Italian food, below average service. Two stars may be generous. Do yourself a favor and drive the extra 15 minutes to Roma Cafe. You'll thank me later.
(2)
Cam C.
Well after my eighth visit to Bucci I figured a review was far overdue. The atmosphere is incredible, sitting at the bar watching the chefs prepare dish after dish is such a unique experience - and worth the price alone... Then there is the food. Each dish is plated with precision. Chefs do a great job of allowing the entrees to speak for themselves. The Quail is always succulent, moist and tender. Hands down my favorite dish of all time. PRO TIP: Sit at the bar and ask the chefs questions about dishes!
(5)
Christina S.
I love sitting at the counter and watching the chefs cook!!! So much fun! I spend every birthday and special occasion here!
(5)
Maria A.
Great service, amazing food. Calamari was delish. Linguine con vongole was incredible. Nice wine selection... can't say enough about this place.
(5)
David P.
Excellent authentic Italian restaurant. The spinach salad and veal Marsala were outstanding.
(5)
Bill A.
Decent food, but poor service. We've ordered carry out many times with the same result. Our order is ready on time only to stand there , watching it cool while the owner takes care of all sit down customers first. Finally he'll package your order. I finally mentioned something to the greeter/manager, when the owner runs over and asks what's the problem in a confrontational tone. You know what? Forget it. And I haven't been back. Maybe a dine-in experience is better, but judging from other reviews, I doubt it.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Gina I.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Grosse Pointe, actually in the state of Michigan. The head chef, Bucci, always says hi to my family when he is there. The food is always perfect. We come here for a lot of family celebrations (my brother's communion party), birthdays, and family dinners. My favorite things to order are: veal Marsala (I ask for the dark sauce), fettuccini Alfredo, artichoke appetizer, and the calamari!!! The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful and the music is always wonderful. I like some of the staff. My favorite is Sajar (spelling?) because he always says hi, hugs me, and remembers what I like to order.
(5)Marlena P.
This place is amazing! I came here with my bf for my birthday and they were so great to us. The chef served us a variety of amazing small plates and we got to watch him cook each one. I have been to so many great restaurants from LA to Detroit and this is my favorite place. That seriously says a lot. The food here is the absolute best!
(5)Robert W.
I have been going here since it was Maxine's 12+ years ago and Bucci was the chef then before taking over. Never had a bad experience. Reservations suggested, because, well it's busy! Love the counter to watch the cooking (as a wanna be amateur chef), but it's more cozy/romantic at the tables. I am a fan of slower dining and find the pace wonderful; but I could see where people who like to go quickly could have an issue - but hey, you can't please everyone can you? (try taking a more interesting companion). Food is exquisite, but as noted by others, you might not get a doggie bag. Wine list is more than extensive. I really don't ever see the interesting choices and vintages available; but the house wines/by the glass are quite nice as well.
(5)Randi C.
I have to say the food was terrific, the service however is another story...we were out searching for a nice place to host a private dinner party...after a few stops and it started snowing pretty bad, we decided this place would be our last and we would stay and have dinner. We were pleasantly surprised when we walked in to the family/open environment of the kitchen, it seemed like everyone was having a great time. Our waitress clearly knew her job, but it seemed as if we were being schooled on how to be a customer. We let her know it was our first time there, thinking she may want us to feel comfortable so that we would come back-right?! Not the case. We clearly were a bother to her as we noticed she was quite polite to other tables. She moved my fiancées glass more than once & SLAMMED it down in front of him the last time so she could set down a plate! We were not trying to sabotage her service lol! This is only 1 example of her rude behavior...We thought maybe something happened/bad mood, until we noticed her overly kind demeanor to the adjacent table...she offered bread over & over to other tables, but when came to us she stated," do you want more bread" ...last time I checked our money spends the same as everyone else's...we will not return and it's disappointing because the food was pretty damn good!
(1)Cindy M.
This was not our first time at Bucci and our visit was on a Thursday, January 30, 2014. We were greeted quickly and pleasantly by a young girl. All of our food was good, absolutely no complaints there. Service and drinks were terrible. I had a margarita, the waitress said she made it...terrible. My husband had a bombay saphire martini, and it taste like gin flavored water. A martini is the easiest drink in the world to make. The waitress brought our teenager his salad late. After all the adults got their meals, she said she would make his now. What! It was a middle aged woman and when she was not rude she was condescending. She does not have a service personality. Seems like they need to reevaluuate their wait staff. Service CAN ruin a business.
(2)James K.
Pretty darn good Italian food for Grosse Pointe! Pastas are always good and prices are reasonable for the quality. Cioppino is also great! All entrees come with a soup or salad. I compare it to Cafe Nini in the (GP) Village but a little better. Sitting at the chef's counter is a treat! My wife and I always try to go here when we're back in Grosse Pointe visiting our family. This is much better than other pricey Italian places on Mack -- I won't say which but it rhymes with FAR MY CAR-DO(or)'s! :-) I would give it 5 stars for the food, but the wait to get someone to greet you is some times very long (and they aren't usually apologetic).
(4)Anthony B.
This place has changed and not for the better. First we were standing at the hostess station all the while basically being ignored, on a Wednesday night mind you. When we were finally seated we waited 10 minutes before receiving a menu. The waitstaff is not that friendly and very slow. They no longer serve a full bread basket and an olive tray like they once did. You get one small piece of bread and you are never asked if you want more. The linguine with clam sauce which was once my favorite now lacks flavor and seems to only contain olive oil and clams. The portion sizes are very small for the high price. The salad was good. The artichoke Tosca was fair, would have been better had they not used marinated artichoke hearts from a jar. Two pasta dinners and an appetizer cost $52.00. You would be better off eating at Pepperoni Grill or Luciano's.
(2)Deb S.
Don't even think of going to this restaurant with a child. Rather than just telling you honestly that they do not want children, they give you the lame excuse of not having tables despite several tables obviously being available. I don't have a problem with a restaurant that is not kid friendly. What is annoying is when they won't fess up to it.
(1)Melissa G.
One of my husbands and my favorite places to go on a date. A lovely atmosphere, great food, wonderful service. Don't go if you are in a rush as it can be slow. Everything is made from scratch. Best Italian food in the area.
(5)Lo J.
Went for dinner tonight. Food was just absolutely terrible! Service was even worse. Nothing but excuses from the staff for bad food. They need some help in there. You won't see me back there.
(1)Soph. M.
Went there on a saturday night with a 9 o'clock reservation. This may have something to do with our experience. We were greeted and seated promptly to our table. Unfortunately that was the only "promptness" of the night. Once seated we were not waited on until 9:25. Even at that point, we were not given menu's or a wine list...? We weren't sure if there was a method behind this, so we asked. The waitress said that usually there is a method but that it was a "busy night" so things had to be adjusted....? what? Okay so its busy, does that mean you ignore your new paying customers? Moving on to the time we finally placed our order, we were told that there were no more specials and they were out. Ok so we ordered something else. I had the veal parmesan and my husband ordered a salmon dish. Our food was okay, not great. I really wanted to like this place, and I had been looking forward to trying it. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to like. The waitress was inattentive, cold and forgetful. I had ordered a tea along with my dessert, she brought the hot water, and by the time she brought the tea the water was cold. Unacceptable, we will not be going back.
(2)Bob R.
Had grilled Mediterranean Sea bass tonight. Flaky white and moist. It was delicious! Service and the wine was also excellent. Close to the best restaurant in Grosse Pointe.
(5)Marybeth R.
I forget how wonderful this place is. Great service. This is truly a hidden gem. Great wine list. Excellent specials. Very accommodating. Going back soon.
(5)James F.
Been here a handful of times. Food is generally decent, service is nothing to write home about. Last night, I spent dinner here. Reservation was at 5:30 and didn't leave until 8:30. Not that the entire time was waiting for the service, but a decent amount of it was. Appetizers were very tasty and good. However the portions were pretty small for the price. The minestrone soup was good, but a little peppery, although I didn't mind it. Dinner was the veal parm. The veal was cooked perfect and the portion was great. I'm just not crazy about the tomato sauce here. It's missing something, almost tastes a little bland to me. Also, the spaghetti was a tad overcooked. Also, a downturn in the night was when some local school kids came in to start singing Christmas carols. Now I'm all for supporting the local children, but at an upscale restaurant, I do not want to be bothered by fundraising. In fact, I don't even know which school they were from or why they were raising money because they never said. Still a decent place to go. Will be back. This just isn't a regular place on my list.
(3)Edison N.
A must see at least once in your life..food is excellent! Price is not bad definitely worth it because service was great and price well deserved.portions a little small only negative...maybe its just what I ordered will definitely try again soon.
(4)Dean C.
Gotta love this place! The experience has always been notable... Although it may sound strange you have to sit at the bar; well counter is a better description. This place serves great food but how the deep counter surrounds the kitchen makes for a very cool experience as well. Prepare to be entertained while eating some of Southeast Michigan's best Italian food. If you have to wait or have to come back another night to sit at the counter.... do it, it's worth it.
(4)Keiths M.
The food is really good, the atmosphere is intimate and interesting with the ktichen in the middle of the bar type seating area (although we usually sit at a table), the waitstaff are always friendly, the wine selection is quite extensive. I recommend the pasta entrees and the creme brulee. Classy, although nice shirt and jeans is okay.
(4)Sally B.
My husband picked Bucci for his recent birthday dinner. We thought it was pretty good... cozy atmosphere, pretty good food (although the arugula salad was really terrific!), they have a lovely wine selection and the waitstaff was really good. There are a lot of really good Italian eateries around... this is among them, but not particularly a stand-out.
(3)Maureen D.
Although I've had a few past rough moments waiting for a table with similar stories to those told below, I still think the food is great. Tonight my sister and I arrived with no reservation. Luckily we had our choice of either a table or the counter. We chose the esteemed counter, of course. Our waitress was dour in the beginning but the general atmosphere overall seemed to soften pretty quickly. The meal was great and was delivered in good order and timing. I'm giving them another chance but I am on the fence in reference to attitude...
(4)Deepak A.
Food that's cooked with attention to details & a team that clearly loves working here as it serves without pretentiousness. It is a busy place and reservations are advised but the staff was gracious enough to let us dine even when we landed 15 minutes prior to closing time. The portions are designed to feed you and let you savor the food while not stuffing your mouth. I'd recommend sitting at the bar- the team enjoys the work it does and you can see why the food tastes genuine. The staff doesn't rush you through your meal and pays attention while not being pushy. We've been to Bucci's four times and have never been unhappy with the food, wine or service.
(5)robert f.
I have been to Bucci several times and based on the negative reviews, they seem to center around having to wait for a table. I, too have had to wait when I went on a busy night and did not have reservations to Bucci; unfortunately, this happens at popular restaurants. Let me give another example: I recall a visit to Roast one night and they informed my group that they are booked for the evening and the bar was full--no, how could they!?! We instead walked around the Westin and came back 10 minutes later to find a large opening at the bar and we drank and ate. I did not whine and complaining to the yelp world that "roast turned me down for a table" and "don't bother making a reservation". Additionally, looking around Roast, we saw many open tables that were never filled---how dare they!?? NOT-this is common with restaurants based on how many servers are working. The reviews for Bucci here sound like sour grapes to people who did not plan accordingly. This often happens in big cities with some of the better restaurants. Anyway, going back to Bucci, I am always satisfied with the quality of food and the exceptional value that is offered. On a recent visit, they had sea urchin and arugula salad that was very different and boldly good. I enjoy hearing their specials and the eggplant parma is always a hit. I am never disappointed with the food and the service aims to be the best. I have seen it before when Bucci is not happy with the level of service or the quality of food coming out of his open kitchen, he steps in and refuses to serve a dish. Often, they have been busy and service can get preoccupied. However, the quality of food, value and the level of attention provided by Bucci's staff is one of the best in the metro Detroit area. All this qualifies this restaurant for a 5 star review!
(5)Ashley Z.
My fiancé and I went here for the first time tonight. We made a reservation to sit at the counter and had an amazing experience. Our food was excellent... The service was spectacular. We enjoyed the ambiance and feel of the restaurant. We will definitely be back!
(5)Msf I.
Have eaten here countless times since they opened and it only gets better. Beautiful product, beautifully prepared and served immaculately. The last time we were in, we had a table of ten. All of our entrees were served simultaneously by a phalanx of waiters, and it was all hot. This is old fashioned haute European service and at very reasonable prices. The open kitchen is a treat.
(5)Amy H.
We have eaten here before, thought the food was good, nothing to scream from the mountain tops about. This past Friday, we decided to stop in there for dinner. We walk in and stand in line behind another couple who get seated right away. There is no one waiting in the lobby and we saw some open seats at the open kitchen area. We were told we could not be seated because we didn't have a reservation. We were not even allowed to wait for a table. I find it hard to believe that a restaurant that has been around for a few years with middle of the road Italian food cannot accomodate walk in guests on a Friday night. They have lost our business completely. Don't fool yourselves Bucci, you are not that elite to not allow people with reservations to eat at your restaurant.
(1)John S.
My wife and I love eating good Italian food and this is as good as it gets. Salvatore the chief is grew up in Italy and cooks in the true Italian style. We love sitting at the bar watcing our food being prepared in a very clean kitchen. Yes it is true that you need to make a reservation however I always prefer to eat at a busy restaurant that requires reservations, there is a reason after all that they are busy and that reason is the food is excellant!
(5)jm k.
Don't bother making a reservation for this "ristorante" because they cater to their fur-coat wearing, pretentious friends first and you will end up waiting at least an extra hour anyway. By the time we were seated, one of the main entrees was no longer available. They tried to appease with a complimentary round or drinks, crumbled blue cheese for our salads, and some taste-less dessert, all of which we could've done without. We also had to listen to our waitress repeatedly stress how much "free" stuff we received. I'll never go back.
(2)Steve W.
I love Bucci. Great food, great service. I note some complaints by other reviewers, but I have never had a bad meal or bad experience.
(4)Kate F.
The restaurant is like someone's home. Some of the food preparation is done in a large kitchen-like area surrounded by a granite countertop, which doubles as a bar. This is the first thing you see when you enter. There are two intimate dining rooms, and seating is very limited, so I would definitely make a reservation before stopping in. We had reservations for a group of eleven at 6:30 on a Thursday. The restaurant set aside their smaller dining room for us, and it was set and ready when we arrived. The service was excellent - salads and entrees were served by five or six waitstaff so we all received our food at the same time. The arugula salad was wonderful. Light, garlicky vinaigrette was the perfect accompaniment to the bitter greens. The olive oil for dipping was delicious - sweet and fruity - unlike any I've ever had. I ordered the Penne Fresca and sampled the eggplant parmesan. Both were delicious and relatively light for Italian pasta dishes. For the table, we ordered two servings of tiramisu, two servings of a frozen hazelnut dessert and one serving of a frozen coffee dessert. My favorite was the coffee one, but they were all rich and delicious, and there was more than enough for all of us.
(4)Jane M.
The best Italian restaurant on the east side. You have to wait for a table because the food is so good-DAH!!! Go early on Friday or Saturday. I also enjoy the delicious house wines that are not overpriced. Sit at the bar & watch them make the best veal plates.
(5)Paula G.
I am from Berkeley, CA so I am spoiled when it comes to food, but I have to say this place was good. The wine was excellent, the food was tasty and the service was good. Made me miss the Bay Area a bit less.
(4)Ribec F.
I thought the food was good for the area, prices were high but worth it, I had scallops which were cooked perfectly, service was also great!
(4)Mark H.
Average at best...The Food quality is decent however, the dishes do not justify the pricing. There are too many other places that offer so much more at similar pricing points- with superior levels of service and selection. 3 Stars.
(3)Meg K.
Despite the poor service we had a lovely dinner. Our food was fresh, flavorful, well seasoned, with an artistic presentation. We had a corner table and enjoyed one another's company, finding a little humor in our server's obvious dismissal of us in preference of other diners. Once she asked me a question with her back to me. The brussel sprout/cabbage salad was light, crunchy and had a good zip. My favorite part of the meal was the cream of eggplant and cauliflower soup - robust flavor achieved. I had the seafood trio special and the hubs had the meat trio - each item was prepared perfectly. Of note, the tuna "tare tare" was seared, it was tasty, but it's not tare tare, which is raw. Would I go back? Maybe.
(3)Richard R.
Bucci Ristorante ... . I rarely give a perfect review of any restaurant. However Bucci Ristorante is that one exception. I have eaten here many times. Each time is perfect and flawless. From the Staff, the Food , the Service. I have never been to a restaurant anywhere where the staff and the owner are so personal. The food is truly perfect. I enjoy sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen. It adds a special importance to the evening. Also the restaurants understanding of Wine is outstanding. I thank the owner Bucci for his commitment to perfection year after year when so many restaurants live on the past while this restaurant lives in the present... I travel all over the world and I am thankful for what is near by. Perfection. Richard C. Rollins
(5)Christopher M.
I ordered the veal marsala, which was cooked well and was good, but not excellent. My girlfriend ordered a dish which contained artichoke, which is usually not a problem, but the artichoke in her dish smelled quite bad and affected the other food on her plate. When told of the issue, our server didn't do much about the issue. Granted more than 50% of my gf's meal had been eaten, but it was a sign of a cheap restaurant not to comp her meal. It's the least they could have done. With restaurants like Roma Cafe and Villa within 15 minutes of this place, I can't imagine why we would come back. Average Italian food, below average service. Two stars may be generous. Do yourself a favor and drive the extra 15 minutes to Roma Cafe. You'll thank me later.
(2)Cam C.
Well after my eighth visit to Bucci I figured a review was far overdue. The atmosphere is incredible, sitting at the bar watching the chefs prepare dish after dish is such a unique experience - and worth the price alone... Then there is the food. Each dish is plated with precision. Chefs do a great job of allowing the entrees to speak for themselves. The Quail is always succulent, moist and tender. Hands down my favorite dish of all time. PRO TIP: Sit at the bar and ask the chefs questions about dishes!
(5)Christina S.
I love sitting at the counter and watching the chefs cook!!! So much fun! I spend every birthday and special occasion here!
(5)Maria A.
Great service, amazing food. Calamari was delish. Linguine con vongole was incredible. Nice wine selection... can't say enough about this place.
(5)David P.
Excellent authentic Italian restaurant. The spinach salad and veal Marsala were outstanding.
(5)Bill A.
Decent food, but poor service. We've ordered carry out many times with the same result. Our order is ready on time only to stand there , watching it cool while the owner takes care of all sit down customers first. Finally he'll package your order. I finally mentioned something to the greeter/manager, when the owner runs over and asks what's the problem in a confrontational tone. You know what? Forget it. And I haven't been back. Maybe a dine-in experience is better, but judging from other reviews, I doubt it.
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