Eating out should be fun and enjoyable, not intimidating and stressful, right? Whenever I have plans to go to a new-to-me gluten-free restaurant, I always get nervous. One would think that after 7+ years on the gluten-free diet that I would be an old pro by now. No matter how much experience I have eating gluten-free, there are variables I can’t control when eating out. A restaurant that has a gluten-free menu and a staff well-trained on that menu makes all the difference in the world.
Sunday night we went to Buca di Beppo to celebrate some belated family birthdays. I just love the ambiance of this restaurant! The red and white checkered tablecloths, family-like photos on the wall and a lively atmosphere all make for a unique experience. I was immediately impressed by the number of options on the gluten-free menu. Plenty of options to choose from – something for everyone. Traditionally Buca di Beppo serves their dishes “family style”, encouraging family and friends to share. More about Buca:
Buca di Beppo® is a collection of neighborhood restaurants with a lively atmosphere and authentic Italian menu for all to enjoy. In the spirit of Italian culture, our dishes are meant to be shared and served family-style, perfect for passing around the table.
We encourage our guests to dine with family and friends while enjoying the Italian traditions of food, friendship and hospitality. The first Buca di Beppo opened its doors in 1993 in the basement of a Minneapolis apartment building. We’ve since grown to over 86 locations nationwide.
Since Jon and I were the only ones eating gluten-free, I was concerned that we would have a lot of leftover food. The staff was more than accommodating and willing to make a smaller version for us. The Ceasar Salad is not on the gluten-free menu, but after checking with the chef, the only gluten is in the croutons. We ordered a large salad to share with the table, croutons on the side. We also ordered a smaller Mozzarella Caprese to share – it was just perfect!
Jon and I ordered the Chicken Limone (lemon butter sauce and capers) and Rosemary Potatoes to share for our main course. All entrees have a note to ask that the dish not be dusted with flour.
We thoroughly enjoyed our meal – the chicken was tender and flavorful and the the potatoes were cooked perfectly! Kudos to the staff for taking such good care of our needs!
Buca di Beppo has locations across the US and also offers banquet and catering options, though I did not ask about the ability to do them gluten-free.
Have you dined at Buca di Beppo? How was your experience?
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