My spouse and I dined at Barbuzzo Mediterranean Kitchen and
Bar on a Saturday afternoon in late June 2017. The restaurant is open for lunch Mondays through
Saturdays (no lunch on Sundays) and dinner daily. You can reserve a table
online using the Open Table reservation system. Barbuzzo’s owners
operate other ventures in the city, including restaurants Bud and Marilyn’s, Lolita, Little
Nonna's, and Jamonera, as well as Grocery (prepared foods), Verde and Open
House (home/gift stores), and Marcie Blaine (chocolatier).
Barbuzzo (“buzzo” means “belly” in Italian) opened in 2010 in the Midtown
Village neighborhood. We stayed nearby at the Holiday Inn Express Midtown,
which was less than a 5-minute walk from the restaurant. (Now having dined
there, we would willingly travel from anywhere in the city to eat there again!)
Even though there are many restaurant options in the same area, every table at
Barbuzzo was filled when we dined. We were happy to see the number of families
with well-behaved young children eating lunch there – surely the custom pizzas
are a big draw, although Barbuzzo is not a pizzeria. The restaurant has received
James Beard nominations and been mentioned in Philadelphia Magazine, the New
York Times, and Frommer’s.
The restaurant interior is long, narrow, and dimly lit. Half
of the lengthy space is occupied by two different bars: a drinks bar, and a
marble-topped counter where you can dine and observe the chefs work. A
wood-burning pizza oven sets in the rear corner of the service side of the
restaurant. (We requested to dine at the chef’s counter, and it was interesting
and entertaining to watch the synchronicity of the staff.) If you prefer more
traditional seating, you can dine at regular tables arranged in a variety of
shapes and sizes, some that use old wooden pews for seats. Al fresco sidewalk
dining is also offered. Decor features reclaimed wood, an eye-catching
light-blue barn door, and chandeliers made from
parts of wine barrels.
Barbuzzo features a Mediterranean menu that includes a
variety of pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and entrees. Sandwiches are available only
at lunchtime, substituted by composed plates at dinnertime. Perhaps the most unique
starter is only available at lunchtime: a selection of the chef’s daily
antipasti. Because we were seated at the counter adjacent to the display, it
was impossible to resist this treat. We probably would not have ordered it had
we sat at a table where we did not have had a preview, yet it was a memorable
part of our meal. Your server prepares a plate for you that contains up to
eight different salads and starters. (That day, our plate contained salads
including Moroccan carrots, couscous and peas, white beans, buffalo mozzarella,
asparagus and feta, corn and radicchio, served with pesto, olives, and grilled
bread). It was so delicious that we wished we had each order a plate instead of
sharing! The cheese and charcuterie boards also looked great! As our main
courses, we ordered two pasta dishes: tufoli (with pork ragu and greens), and
campanelle neri (black pasta with crab and broccoli rabe). For dessert, we felt
compelled to sample the salted caramel budino that we had previously read
about, although the poached port fig bread pudding was tempting! Barbuzzo
offers a full liquor license, with beer, wine, and cocktails. (We tried a tasty
drink called the Sanguinello that contained vodka, Chambord, and blood orange
puree.)
We loved our lunch at Barbuzzo – great service, delicious food,
and rustic yet chic atmosphere!
