Ristorante La Buca

711 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phone: 215-928-0556

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The fish cart makes its rounds so that customers at this venerable white-tablecloth basement hideaway near Washington Square can judge for themselves whether the Chilean sea bass, the Dover sole or the langoustine looks most alluring. Chef-owner Giuseppe Giuliani is a minimalist with seafood—only lemon and olive oil on the whole fish, perhaps adding a bonus of lump crabmeat to a pan-crisped fillet. Tortellini in chicken broth, concave orecchiette (“little ears”) with broccoli rabe and sautéed mushrooms, and Italian rum cake are as no-nonsense as the waiters, who are outfitted in black tie.