The restaurant Gourmet magazine calls "one of the best and most exciting in America" started life in 1994 when independent filmmaker Donna Lennard and her Italian partner, Alberto Avalle, opened an off-the-beaten path antique store on cobblestoned Bond Street. A modern day trading post of crafts and culture, il Buco attracted an eclectic clientele of locals, lured in by the warmth and magic of the space, the worn patinas of the primitive antiques and Americana, and eventually the aromas of the kitchen, as the couple transformed the rustic antique store into a charming restaurant attracting an incredible roster of chefs over the years and bringing the restaurant international acclaim.

The menu is a mix of Italy & Spain with touches of the greater Mediterranean basin, its ingredients drawn from local farmers as well as Italian delicacies shipped overseas from likeminded friends and artisans. The wine list spans the globe while maintaining a focus on small boutique producers whose bottles adorn the intimate underground wine cellar, an under-the-radar gathering spot for designers, actors, writers, and food lovers sharing ideas while breaking bread.