When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore! Yes my friends, there was amore and lots of it when I finally had the chance to try one of the most delicious Italian restaurants in the Central Florida area—and extremely filling at that! Recently, my tastebuds had the absolute pleasure of exploring the depths of Buca di Beppo, which stands for Joe’s Basement. Buca di Beppo, located in Maitland Florida and various other locations across the country, provides its guest with a rather special experience. From the minute you walk in, you are immediately engulfed by an array of hundreds of unique pictures and photographs hung throughout the entire restaurant. I was in complete awe as my eyes gazed across wall-by-wall analyzing every photograph I could latch my sights on. Every photo—from what I could see—was different than its counterparts; some photographs consisted of celebrities, famous Italian musicians and chefs, and even some of the Pope. As I entered the remainder of the restaurant, I was greeted by the restaurant’s lovely staff. What’s more important than good food at a restaurant is good service, and Buca di Beppo has definitely managed to nail down the service piece. Waiters were at our beck-and-call with drinks, marguerites and delicious Italian wines for us to try. Me, having a knack for white wine, tried their Simi – Sauvignon Blanc, which quickly quenched my thirst. Soon after a few drinks and mingling with other influencers and Buca staff members, we were then seated.

Starters were brought out by multiple waiters and waitresses, and I feasted my eyes on what looked like a rice ball. It was absolutely mouth watering! Along with a plate of delicious rice balls was a pleasantly mixed Apple Gorgonzola salad, which obtained the perfect balance of walnuts and apples. Once we happily indulged in our appetizers, it was time for the main course—pasta! One thing I can count on Italian food to do is to fill my stomach to the very brim, and that’s exactly what Buca di Beppo’s main entrees did. The waiters began to bring out many of Buca’s famous pasta dishes, and I just couldn’t help but try every one. From their Spicy Chicken Rigatoni, Stuffed Shells pasta, Baked Rigatoni to their Shrimp Fra Diavolo, everything was to die for. I could taste Italy in every bite.

What I also found rather fascinating about Buca is the atmosphere and ambiance of the restaurant as well. I felt comfortable and almost at-home, which in all actually is what theme of the restaurant really reinforces. Once we devoured our main dishes it was time for dessert. One could compare Buca di Beppo’s dessert menu to that of a Willy Wonka movie. Multi-layered chocolate cake, handmade cannollis with chocolate drizzle around them, lemon cake and even an oversized margarita glass filled with dice-shaped brownies, sprinkles and whip cream. I mean, what else could a kid—or even an adult—ask for! I was extremely shocked that an Italian restaurant could’ve manage to formulate a dessert menu that could almost out-beat most dessert restaurants.

Buca di Beppo, the authentic, family-style Italian restaurant serving freshly prepared Italian cuisine to food lovers across the US, is also pleased to unveil its special menu for October in honor of World Pasta Month. To celebrate, Buca di Beppo’s culinary team created classic Italian dishes with perfect wine pairings based on inspiration from their summer trip around Italy.

To further celebrate World Pasta Month, Buca di Beppo is hosting a sweepstakes in partnership with Barilla® pasta, to send one very lucky winner and a guest on a 6-day, 5-night culinary trip to Northern Italy. This sweepstakes is open to all US citizens 21 years of age or older and entering is simple, starting on October 1 and continuing thru October 31, 2018, just go to www.bucapastamonth.coM to fill out an entry form.

Buca di Beppo was one of my most filling food tastings to-date, and I can honestly say that with a full stomach. So stop by Buca di Beppo, and make sure to come with an empty stomach as well. – David’s Manor, David Plowden.

Check out Buca di Beppo’s full Lunch & Dinner menu here!