Bucci

I went for a birthday party and what a night...good food good service and fantastic buzzing atmosphere. Very busy but our table was booked so did not wait long to be seated. Would recomend it to everyone...(penne Bucci...)
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James Spearman
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, June 16, 2008

Have been to Bucci several times as I live just opposite, but I'll never go back. The food is OK but nothing special. They once gave me the run-around for wanting to pay with a card on a take-away order. I told myself I'd never go back after that, but I did a few weeks ago, and I was still unimpressed with the mediocre food and service. Double Espresso is MUCH better - food, staff, everything.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Friday, May 23, 2008

Myself and my partner went to Bucci's mid week. We wanted to go as it always looks so busy when i drive past andwe wanted to see why. I was delighted with the decor and ambience, it is cosy and friendly and feels very italian. The staff were warm, friendly and eager to help. The restaurant soon filled up so i would recommend an earlier visit if you haven't pre booked. As the tables are quite crammed, its difficult to recreate an intimate atmosphere if you are a couple but if you don't mind being squeezed up to people and like things to be buzzing around you then this is the place to be. The pizzas are inventive with toppings that you wouldn't normally see and are huge which is fab.

I loved it, in fact, I'm taking 'the girls' there next week
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, September 24, 2007

I ate here twice in a week. The first time the food was pretty good but i think £6 quid for a saucer of minestrone is a bit steep as my friend discovered to his disappointment. I started with the goats cheese and grilled vegetables which was tepid and served on a bizarre crispy pancake type thing that i could have done without. As a main course i went for the veal alla norma which was delightful althogh the accompanying potatoes and green veg (These had to be ordered separately for an extra few quid which I think is a foul game for a restaurant to play) were pretty average. For dessert i can highly recommend the tiramisu. I went back there a week later because i'd heard the pizzas were good. I opted for the pizza Bucci which was covered with parma ham and rocket. Unfortunately the pizza was extremely doughy as it hadn't been cooked for long enough and my two companions had the same problem with theirs. It was also too thick and I wish i'd just gone to pizza express round the corner. This was followed up by a orange stuffed with ice cream that tasted like it had been in the freezer since 1946. Overall a pretty disappointing meal and I'm not quite sure where this place has got it's great reputation from.
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Chris Forte - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, August 23, 2007

I'm really not sure why this place is so popular. I first moved to Balham 15 years ago and could understand the reason then, when there was no other choice. It's a decent place for a basic pizza and the staff are good fun, but there are much better places to eat in Balham. The pizzas are much better in Double Espresso a few doors down for example.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Went with my friend for a birthday party....good all rounder.......if in balham and want italian this is it!!!
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jonh friess
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, June 30, 2007

This is agreat place, good food, the taglatelli a saloma is devine. Waiters are friendly and great for a birthday celebration
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Pete
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, June 25, 2007

I really want to like this restaurant but after 3 or 4 visits I'm just not convinced. We arrived on a Friday night on time for our 8.30 booking and were shown to the 'bar' at the back of the restaurant where three other couples were waiting for their table. The restaurant staff were courteous but clearly stretched and trying to fit in as many people as possible but it just felt like we were on a conveyor belt. After 15 minutes of being pushed and pulled around in the tiny area at the back our table was ready but the service continued to be slow to the point of major irritation. How many times should you have to ask for your drinks order? The food itself was of good quality but took an age to get us. In the end we asked for our bill when our main courses arrived at the table and that turned out to be the quickest thing they could get to us. Frankly we just couldn't wait to get out. I'd like to be able to write a more possitive review but with service this bad I just can't. OK its a local restaurant not a michelin starred place but diners do deserve to be treated with a little more respect. Unfortuntely last night was the final straw for us.
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Sarah
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Saturday, March 24, 2007

was invited for my b'day to this local italian in south london. After being given the name and address I did my usual of seeing where I was being taken....after reading the reviews I was still undecided between the good reviews and the unknown bad ones.

On arrival good buzz, good service but no restaurants I've been to celebrate birthdays like this one, Lights out followed by half the restaurant singing happy b'day with a cake, very special considering no one knew me.
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Paul Stevens
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 05, 2007

Is it just me, or does it strike anyone else as odd that the two bad reviews of Bucci are (a) anonymous and (b) both use the same slightly odd English?

I have eaten at Bucci several times. It isn't going to win Michelin stars, but it is a cosy, local Italian with reliably good food and welcoming staff. It's a great choice for a low key meal out.
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Jon, Balham - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, December 22, 2006