26 Postcards
Osteria La Buca is a bright, laid-back Italian gem in Hollywood, known for its standout in-house pastas and inviting vibe perfect for every occasion.
"Osteria La Buca has been around for nearly 20 years, so it can be easy to overlook. But it remains a neighborhood favorite for a reason. This Hancock Park Italian spot (with another location in Sherman Oaks) serves excellent pasta dishes, and almost all of them can be made GF. Ask your server for more GF options, too, because dishes like fried octopus with scallion-yogurt sauce, or melon and prosciutto salad often run as specials." - jean trinh 1, garrett snyder
"Having a birthday meal in a storage room surrounded by pasta machines might sound strange, but at Osteria La Buca, it’s the seasoned move. The second-floor private dining space has a bird’s-eye view of the lower level, an aux cable for music, and a BYO wine policy, all of which make the experience feel like a fun loft dinner. For food, you get to build a custom, family-style meal from La Buca’s menu beforehand (stick to classics like roasted brussel sprouts, pork meatballs, and bucatini), which means fewer decisions to make once your party arrives. " - brant cox
"You’ve probably been to this casual Italian restaurant in Hollywood for a few birthdays and maybe some early-in-the-game dates, but Osteria La Buca might actually be best at lunch. The Melrose and Wiltern location is super central, and the menu is full of pizza (the guanciale is a must), pasta, and not-sad salads. Oh, and the most expensive item is $19." - jess basser sanders, brant cox, sylvio martins, garrett snyder
"It’s not every day you’re going to eat bucatini carbonara before 1pm, but when you want that for yourself, make sure you have it at Osteria La Buca. This bright Italian restaurant across the street from Paramount pulls in a corporate lunch crowd, but you’ll never feel out of place here in jeans and a T-shirt. Drop by for a solo lunch at the bar or roll in with a bunch of coworkers on a Friday." - brant cox, arden shore
"The idea of having a full dinner inside a private room where the restaurant stores its pasta-making equipment might seem a bit odd, but as soon as the music gets playing (there’s an iPhone hook-up) and the wine starts flowing (it’s $25 per person for unlimited house wine and beer), all awkwardness quickly vanishes at Osteria La Buca. The casual Italian restaurant in Hollywood has tremendous food (the bucatini carbonara is legendary) and a consistently festive atmosphere that will make every person in your group feel like they’re part of the party." - brant cox
