La Buca

The need for comfort seems to be in the air these days. Fortunately, I got plenty of it at La Buca on Sunday. I've been staying with my grandmother the last little while so I strategically suggested La Buca since it's just a few minutes away. Hint: If you're looking for it, make sure to keep your eyes peeled or you'll miss this wee Italian gem.

The place is a true west side neighbourhood favourite. The night we were there, there was a surprise anniversary party, guests bumped into people they knew there, and there was a line-up of families waiting to take their coveted (reserved) seats. It gets kind of noisy in there, what with the packed, sardine-like quarters but it's welcomingly snug (my friends thought it was especially so when they had to walk through the kitchen to get to the washroom)!

I had the pappardelle noodles with beef short rib; others had the linguine vongole and the pumpkin ravioli with toasted hazelnuts and brown butter sauce. I had a taste of each and they were all lovely, especially the nutty, sweet, savoury, caramelly combo of the ravioli. 

Dessert was a sharing of strawberry panna cotta (the perfect degree of light sweetness) and tiramisu (simple and classic). Most of us could only fit in a couple of spoonfuls of each but we were well satisfied.