Bucco Restaurant Bloomfield — Restaurant in Bloomfield

Update: Returned on a Sunday for a solitary early dinner and the dinner menu didn’t disappoint. I had the soft polenta which was so delicious in the combination of flavors and textures then had the beet salad, which was a special for the day. It was also so delicious and again the way they combine flavors and textures is stunning to me. Then I had their fusilli pasta and a wonderful fish (sole) dish. It’s hard to describe how everything tasted so good. I took my time to savor all 4 dishes with the intention of having leftovers for two more meals. The co-owner was kind enough to converse with me in engaging topics, which I appreciated. Look forward to returning soon! *How did I miss this place when it opened 6 years ago? It’s located on a small street off Bloomfield with other small independent restaurants and across from a parking garage. However it’s the kind of place you may find in Montclair or NYC so I appreciate their investing in Bloomfield. In any case, I was so glad we found this place, as I was really wanting pasta. There are SO many places in this part of NJ that it’s hard to choose; however, Bucco won me over due to their lunch menu and the reasonable prices. What amazed me was the portion size, which can’t be much different than a dinner. So generous and more than enough to take home for dinner. I had the spaghetti with pomodoro sauce, which was beautifully fresh and light. My partner had the pasta vodka and the pasta was al dente with a lovely creamy sauce. Both of us added side order of meatballs and wow, so tasty. I guess one could say a meatball is a meatball, but these were quite flavorful and not dry at all. Before the main dishes we had fried calamari, which was lightly crispy without it being rubbery…not easy to do! I had the Caesar salad as well, and the homemade dressing had just enough weight without being overly creamy. Warm bread was offered as well as beverages. This is a BYOB, which we didn’t realize so we’ll make sure to do that next time. Along with our takeaway, we added tiramisu which we will enjoy later. Add to the beautiful meal was the fantastic service from beginning to end...

I recently visited this restaurant with a reservation at 8pm on a Thursday, only to find it almost empty, which was the first sign of an unusual dining experience. The restaurant's ambiance lacked warmth, and while they offered both a QR code and a physical menu, inconsistencies between them were the first major issue.

Upon ordering, I noticed a significant discrepancy between the prices listed on the QR code and the physical menu, with the latter being inexplicably higher. Having dined at Luiginos nearby, which I consider superior, I was surprised to find this establishment's pricing higher, especially for their chicken parmesan. Unfortunately, the quality did not match the price. The chicken parmesan was overly thick, excessively covered in sauce, and the accompanying spaghetti marinara reminded me of something you'd expect as a cheap side from a pizzeria.

The most troubling part of the evening came with the bill. Not only were the prices higher than those on the QR code menu, but when we pointed out this discrepancy, the response from the individual who appeared to be the owner was far from courteous. Her demeanor was dismissive as she assured us the mistake would be corrected, seemingly underestimating our ability to recognize and challenge the overcharge.

In conclusion, this was a disappointing dining experience characterized by poor food quality, questionable pricing practices, and unsatisfactory customer service. It's disheartening to see a restaurant not only fail to deliver on the culinary front but also handle customer concerns with such a lack of grace. I cannot see myself returning or recommending this...

Wanted to start the New Year with a new restaurant. Looked on google for a nice BYOB and found Bucco.

Bucco is a small quaint restaurant with about 15 tables in an up and coming area of Bloomfield. Restaurant was crowded which is a good sign. Nicely decorated.

We started with the Polenta special ( sausage, onions, raisins and hazelnuts). LDelicious mixture of flavors. Meatball appetizer was equally delicious. Tortellini soup was very good 😊

Grilled pork chop with onions, potatoes, and longshots with a balsamic demi-glaze. Cooked to perfection. Juicy and flavorful. Grilled veal chop with potatoes and onions was fantastic. Again cooked perfectly. When I chew on the bones.. you know it’s good.

Tiramisu was delicious .

Service was excellent. Prices were reasonable. The owners Frank & Jenn consistently checked on each table to make sure everything was perfect.

Live music from Jimmy Sabina completed the night.

Definitely a favorite ❤️

Update: 2/9/23 Another Fantastic dinner. Calamari, Burrata with grilled cantaloupe, meatballs and clams Oreganata. Crab encrusted sole, NY Strip steak, Pecan crusted Chicken and Orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage. Each one was fantastic!! Not a bite was left. Mike was our awesome...