After consistently teasing locals and passerby’s alike throughout COVID, the long-awaited Cucina Buca has opened its doors at the corner of St. Clair and Yonge.
For more than 10 years, the Buca brand has been one the city’s go-to destinations for spectacular, delicious, and sophisticated nights out. Helmed by King Street Food Company who are responsible for some of the city’s most iconic restaurants like Jacobs & Co. and La Banane, it’s no surprise that Buca has been consistently rated one of Canada’s top restaurants by critics since its opening.
Cucina Buca isn’t like your traditional Buca. Cucina, or “Ku-Chee-Nah” means cooking, cuisine and kitchen. According to the brand, “Cucina Buca is a modern classic built on the perfect balance of old world and new.”
As you enter Cucina Buca, you’ll feel immediate warmth. Soft wood touches throughout the space make it feel unfussy and welcoming, yet still modern and sophisticated. The space was designed by Constantino Design Studio which also designed iconic restaurants like Osteria Giulia, Giulietta and Biscotteria Forno Cultura. Refined touches such as handmade flatware, spacious windows and towering fiddle-leaf fig trees further lend themselves to the elegant space. The restaurant also has two floors, with a show-stopping staircase up to the mezzanine if you’re a people watcher.
Reminiscent of a classic Italian Sunday dinner, the menu was designed for sharing. It’s inventive but built on classics and executed beautifully. Taking notes from other Buca locations, the menu is ever-changing using locally sourced ingredients.
Our table started with the Nodini (bread knots) and Salumi Affettati. Although described as bread knots, “Nodini” is not the typical garlic knots you find at The Olive Garden. Served warm, and topped with rosemary and garlic, the dish had a crispy shell that lends itself to soft dough hiding inside.
The showstopper of the meal was the “Mezze Maniche All’ Amatriciana” made with pecorino romano, guanciale, DOP tomato and loads of black pepper. It was rich, creamy, and crafted with fine quality. Other dishes that stood out for our table included the Focaccia Stracchino & Terre Di San Mauro Olive Oil and The Cannelloni. Don’t forget to finish off your meal with freshly brewed espresso to wash it all down.
Overall, Cucina Buca is a delicious addition to the Yonge and St Clair area. If you’re looking for classic Italian fare and high-quality service, stop by Cucina Buca.