Hole in the wall, full of good stuff.

Get ready, I'm making my first attempt at a restaurant review.

Buca di Beppo

Michelle and I have always enjoyed Italian, but Buca di Beppo is a different style.

Most Italian restaurants are elegant, showing off a beautiful Tuscan atmosphere. Not Buca. They pull you right into the most active and lively part of Italian culture. The walls are covered with black and white photos (flattering or not), Italian football scarves, wine bottles, and grape vines. There are replica statues of world renown and busts of famous Italian personalities. The restaurant is lively and fun.

OK, enough about the environment, on to the food! Again, Buca di Beppo leaves the norm behind. Correction, it leaves the normal restaurant behind, but brings you in as a member of the Italian family. All the servings are done "family style". In other words, they ain't cheep. Unfortunately each serving is designed for more like four people, and the cost is for more like four people.

While these servings are larger than either Michelle or I can handle, it still doesn't stop us from going there for a celebrity night out. The food is great! It's full of flavour and shows up fresh and piping hot.

So, in summary, great place for a party. If you're just in the mood for some tasty Italian food, well, it's still pretty darn good (but plan on having some leftovers).