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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
Italian is not whatís in your blood but the spirit in your heart say the folks at Buca di Beppo, a new Italian restaurant located at 935 E. Fort Union in Midvale. And everyone has some Italian spirit, which explains why this national restaurant chain is so popular.
The inspiration for Buca came from the Southern Italian immigrants who came to America after World War II. Since a large part of their culture included a love of big family meals and a philosophy of living to eat, not eating to live, Italian dining evolved from many small kitchen and basement restaurants. Translated, Buca di Beppo means Joeís Basement, which was how chain got its start.
Buca returns to the heritage of the authentic style of immigrant Southern Italian cooking, focusing on family-size portions of rich pasta dishes and baked classics with meat balls the size of your head and seven pounds of chicken caccitore. They also offer a scrumptious desert menu but admit you probably wonít have room after finishing your entrÈeóthe menu even asserts, ëstretch pants are your friend.í
The restaurantís atmosphere is boisterous and charming with thousands of photographs covering the walls. Music from legendary singers Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra as well as other Italian crooners entertains patrons. And the waiters think nothing of chatting while taking your order.
The offerings of Buca are extensive. They cater parties, both on and off premises, sell cookbooks, gift certificates and offer takeout. Some of the tables and rooms have themes. The Popeís Table, for example, is large enough for 18 people and includes a bust of the pontiff approved by Rome. The largest room will hold a crowd of 120.
Owner Marc Clark believes that a couple of important factors differentiate Buca di Beppo from other Italian restaurants. Not only is the food authentic and flavorful but so is the atmosphere and the attitude of their employees. Bucaís mission truly is to make you feel like family, he told me.
Buca is a dinner only restaurant except for Friday, Saturday and Sunday when they open at noon. The Buca in Midvale is the first in Utah, but plans are in the works for another location in downtown Salt Lake and we certainly look forward to that.
For Zions Bank, this is Fred Ball. Iím speaking on business.
