Good news for Buca fans: the outpost in Yorkville has opened its doors yet again.
Following the $30 million debacle that saw big changes and Rob Gentile heading to Los Angeles, the Italian eatery is back. Both the King Street and Yorkville locations opened with the easing of the new restrictions, announcing via Instagram that they would take reservations beginning February 1.
Now open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5pm to 10pm, the Yorkville version is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Throughout the restriction-related closures, the restaurant offered Buca at Home, a program that offered an a la carte takeout and delivery menu from the King West location and a prix fixe menu for two from the Yorkville outpost.
Now that in-person dining is available again, though, the seasonally-changing menu is back, populated by Buca’s take on traditional Italian fare, including a new linguine alle cozze (linguine with mussels) dish, pizza, seasonal oysters, salumi di mare (a selection of cured ocean meats) and, of course, meat and seafood entrées.
As a result of the $30 million slip up, the original Buca iteration permanently closed its doors in the fall of 2021. So, for version two, there was a high staff turnover and, obviously, a new chef at the helm. It’s now fully owned by King Street Food Company, and chef de cuisine Justin Friedlich has taken over the Yorkville kitchen. Chef Jorge Fernando Fiestas is the executive chef of both Buca locations. Both were promoted from their previous roles as sous chef and chef de cuisine, respectively, after some pandemic-related delays and obstacles.
Buca’s front entrance is located at 53 Scollard Street, but Buca is also accessible through the Four Seasons Courtyard on Yorkville Avenue.