We opened this restaurant in 1986 for Joe to showcase his culinary talents and to have a place for our customers to come to have a fine meal and always feel "at home." We carefully select our staff so that they become a part of our family and then in turn, you do too!
After spending much time in our restaurants, our son Joey decided that he, too, wanted to become a part of them. We feel so confident in his skills that we have now turned the management of Busalacchi's over to him.
Please enjoy your time with us, and if there is anything at all that we can do for you please do not hesitate to ask. We want you to have a memorable dining experience at Busalacchi's.
"Love this place. We come down from LA for special events. I normally have a party of 8 - 12 and we are always treated well. The food is great and the atmosphere is fancy... without the fancy price. We will return."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, special occasion
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"The tables were around 75% but it took 2 hours to get served the main course. Waiter told us 3 or 4 times that the food would be out in 7 minutes during this period. We were dining on a special occasion and the long wait definitely set a negative tone. We asked one server who the manager was and got a response - "I don't know". At the end of the meal the restaurant did wave 50% of the bill."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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"We wanted to stroll to a restaurant nearby and decided to try Busselacchi's. What a great surprise! Service was amazing, the sangrias yummy and the food delicious and great value for money! We ate so much but couldn't stop as everything was so good (appetizers were 1/2 price so we had 4 between the 2 of us!!) We will be back!!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"I really enjoyed the veal. Cooked to perfection. The ravioli were tender and delicious. We had a reservation but had the whole restaurant to ourselves."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We like this restaurant particularly when we have a theater event downtown. It's on the way; easy parking and the staff is very accommodating. Of course, the food is great, lot's of selections and prepared by those who know the art of Italian/Tuscan cooking and the price is reasonable. The sauces are wonderful and the selection of freshly made pastas is exceptional."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"As always, the food and service was excellent! Love this place and visit it frequently."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot, special occasion
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"My husband & I really enjoyed our dinner here, the only complaint I have is that they seated us off in a corner at a small table when there were other tables open that woud have been more comfortable & in a nicer part of the dining room. Other than that, our experience was great! Sarah"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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"Wow! Our table had 4 different entrees and it would be hard to pick a winner. My wife & I are in a rut, and for good reason. The Short Rib Lasagne is over the top! My Granchio with Dungeness Crab and the Soft Shell crab with the spicy serrano, brandy saffron sauce and homemade spaghetti makes it difficult to order anything else. Our friends had the homemade fettuccine with a special "pink sauce" ala Mario and the Rigatoni with spicy Italian Sausage...and just the right amount of heat for a little kick. I'm convinced, you can pick anything and you won't be disappointed. Hey Joey, what's one more restaurant? How about opening one in Escondido?? Service here is spectacular! - John & Beth"
Dined on 04/01/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Went on a Monday night & had excellent service from Mario. Started with the 3 appetizers for $27 since there were 4 of us & the portions were as expected from a pricey, up-scale restaurant, but with 3 apps to share, we had fun getting a taste & each were excellently prepared. We shared the Burrata, Bruschetta, and Crepes. Next, my wife & I shared the Beet Salad which was wonderful, but pricey. Finally, my brother & I had the Granchio & my wife & my brother's girlfriend had the pasta dish with cream sauce & pancetta. Both choices tasted great, but were on the heavy side...Especially with all of the butter, cream, and fatty goodness that you could taste. The appropriate dessert was given to my brother for free since it was his birthday."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2008
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"All the food we had was delicious. My wife had the chicken parmesan with a side of spaghetti (she said it was the best she ever had), and I had the short rib lasagna (the meat was hot and flavorful) and lobster bisque (nice chunks of lobster--a real plus). We also had the appetizer that had short rib meat on potato pancakes, which was mighty tasty. Out cocktails were not good though. I had a gin drink mixed with egg whites and citrus (which I thought would be light and refreshing), and it was very harsh and unpleasant. My wife's cosmo was similarly harsh--not exactly what we're expecting from $10-$11 cocktails. Our waiter was very nice and friendly."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2009
Special Features: romantic
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"Took a friend there for Valentine's day, kind of a last minute thing. The place is nice but the service was not very good. The server wasn't very interested in us, he preferred to talk to friends at the bar or the other table with two girls. We had to ask the bus boy for an extra set of silverware and for some pepper and parmesan for my pasta. The food was good but I felt the portions were on the small side, they skimped on the noodles which is like the cheapest part of the dish. But the flavors were good. The server did talk my friend in to the dessert which ended up being a disaster, cheap store bought stuff that was tough and almost inedible."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
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"Awesome and authentic Italian cuisine from the famed Busalacchi family - this one is unique and full of character. I can hardly believe the transformation of this old UPS outpost into a chic restaurant and very cool patio with fire pit. We have dined here numerous times, and it is always consistently delicious - beats my expectations every time. Fresh made pastas, beautiful meat and fish dishes, recipes from a Sicilian grandmother, and a very friendly staff make this a true favorite."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Food and service were good. The only Reason I am rating it at three stars is because of the loud obnoxious bartender. When I say loud I mean extremely loud. My wife and myself decided to go out for what we thought was going to be a quiet dinner. We ran into a bartender that felt the need to be the entertainment for the crowd of six gentlemen at the bar. He was very loud about telling them his life story and really cussing up a storm. He was very vulgar"
Dined on 02/17/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining
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"We thought this restaurant was very good. Nearly perfect food except for a few things. The bread basket had lovely rolls that needed a little more seasoning and it was paired with a tomato compote of sorts that was delicious, but the bread really needed a fat paired with it like butter or olive oil. The carpaccio wasn't anything special just meh and the Caesar salad was very good but didn't come with one of the best parts, croutons! But to the good stuff, the crab spaghetti was amazing and so was the chicken Parmesan and the spaghetti bolognese! Delicious and we would return to have those amazing fresh pasta's again!"
Dined on 02/10/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"This was our second dinner at Busalacchi's and it proved that our first experience wasn't a fluke. Exceptional service, excellent food, wonderful atmosphere."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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"Appetizers, service, food, wines & cocktails.....all INCREDIBLE! It was LOUD but it was Friday night and people were enjoying themselves. Luis, Robert, Mario and Joey....all fantastic! The short rib lasagna was to DIE for....as was the pasta with crab meat and a soft shell crab!"
Dined on 02/08/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Most reviews said, correctly, that the food is wonderful! It is!! The service is delightful with the staff focused on your pleasure. The wine list is nice, & the drink menu complete.
What sets Busalacchi's apart is the wonderful soft jazz & blues on the patio by 3 fabulous musicians! The music doesn't take over the space, but enhances the experience perfectly!
What a wonderful place to spend with someone you love!! If you haven't been Go! and if you have been GO BACK!!
And, surprise of surprises; they called to ask if there was any feedback we'd like to give them.....anything they could have done better. This is a company that really values it's customers; thus we value them and will spend our money there more often."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic
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"We went during restaurant week and the food and service seemed a bit rushed as compared to the Busalacchi's of the past. However the new restaurant design is great and we plan to give it a try during normal menu times"
Dined on 01/24/2013
2008
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"Wonderful birthday lunch. Delicious seafood pasta and salads with salmon added. We asked for the lights to be turned down a bit, along with the music, and were accommodated immediately by our server who took great care of us."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2006
Special Features: great for lunch
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"We hadn't been to Busalacchi's A Modo Mio since the restaurant moved from its long-time location just down Fifth Avenue. The restaurant is beautiful, and the outdoor patio with its open flame heating was warm, wonderful, and just plain fun. Our waiter, Mario, was/is a first-class professional; he took very good care of us. Most importantly, the food was vintage Busalacchi's--First Class--Excellent."
Dined on 01/21/2013
2012
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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