Eat Like a Rabbit

This has got to be one of our favorite restaurants in Orlando. The format is "family-style." Dishes are served from the middle of the table. It's a good thing we visit with other vegetarians. The restaurant is very good about special-request orders, including vegan and gluten-free.

The eggplant is superb with crispy edges and fresh tomatoes and mozzarella on top. The Macaroni Rosa is generally served with chicken, but we ask them to leave it out. The sauce is a fabulous pink mixture of a tomato sauce and white sauce. Take a closer look at the photo. The thick tubular spiraled noodles are served with peas, tomatoes, broccoli and mushrooms. Yes, those are large (and not hollow) mushrooms on that plate. This is another favorite dish. Other excelent dishes include a mixed green salad with very good olives, a thick-bread bruschetta, a thick garlic bread, escarole and garlic mashed potatoes. I will say the last three items are covered in butter and are a bit less healthy even if tasty.

Surprisingly, this restaurant is a chain. Chain restaurants are rarely consistently good and without change in menus. That is another reason to appreciate Buca. Also, many restaurants are suffering in such a bad economy. Therefore, this restaurant does a great job of trying to makes sure your experience is good to maintain business. They've got mine.