I had to stay close to home for various reasons this weekend. I had to get out and decided to try something close to home. Unfortunatly I made the mistake of going to La Buca. I should have crawled into bed and fought the urge to go out. This was the worst, the absolutley rock bottom meal I have had in Seattle. As usual (for any Seattle restaurant) the bread was bad - soft crust, obviously kept around for awhile. I asked if half order of pastas were available. They were so I ordered the grilled eggplant, half order of gnocchi and the veal/shrimp marsala. Unlike any Seattle restaurant, the beer was bad (only Moretti). The eggplant came swimming in tomato sauce, layered with cheese. It was cold. The sauce was good, even cold. I didnt think this was a harbinger of the future. After waiting a long time (I deluded myself into thinking the food was being prepared) the gnocchi and veal/shrimp came on the same plate. every thing was cold. There were no mushrooms with the two small pieces of veal. My next mistake was to complain. As the dish went back to be cooked, I realized that with the competence displayed so far they would warm the gnocchi tossed with fresh mozzarela along with the veal/shrimp. They did, replacing any semblance of sauce with water. The waitress comiserated, I asked for the manager who never came. So for $38 I had an expensive lesson. I swear never to order anything in Pioneer Square that does not come in a pint glass. Dennis
Seattle, WA