Thank you for such an amazing night. Everything from reserving the table and planning the menu (we had a small party of 11 and I spoke with Anthony who helped me with choosing the family style menu). The service was impeccable (special thank you to Tina), the ambiance was beautiful and the food was delicious and plentiful. The owner Mike actually came to our table and serenaded us with his guitar and song. It was magical! read more

We have not been here for quite some time, and when friends decided collectively to have a get-together, we were so glad we came here. The food was impeccable, and I must say, they truly do their meats extremely well. Here are some of the things we ordered. Please bear in mind that we had it family style, and the portions are humongous. - Antipasto - They truly had a sublime selection of Italian-style cured meats, which included Prosciutto di Parma, Soppressata, Mortadella, fresh Mozzarella Pearls, Red Onions, salad underneath, and balsamic glaze drizzled over the top, providing a sweet-tart contrast. It was a very nice high-end charcuterie platter. 5/5 Stars. - Fried Calamari - They lightly floured and fried it. Personally, I preferred it to be fried a bit more. 4/5 Stars. - Eggplant Rollatini - stuffed with ricotta, topped with marinara, and melted mozzarella. The eggplant was sliced thinly and was generously stuffed. 4/5 Stars. - Penne Vodka - They were in a light tomato pancetta cream sauce. I personally preferred a little spicier. 4/5 Stars. - Orrechiette pasta served with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and sausage, broccoli rabe, and basil in garlic & oil. They overcooked the sausage, but regardless, it truly was exceptional. 5/5 Stars - Shrimp scampi - It was overcooked. 3.5/5 Stars. - Boneless Roasted Chicken Cacciatore - the chicken was so tender and juicy. 5/5 Stars. - Pork Loin Giambotta - They grilled it to perfection, and it was still juicy. This dish was accompanied by mushrooms, onions, and peppers. 5/5 Stars. - Mashed red potatoes - Creamy and smooth. 5/5 Stars. The service was impeccable. They constantly came over to see if there was anything we needed. Plenty of wine and beer flowing, exchanging of dirty dishes for clean dishes, and ensuring we have everything we need. read more

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The photo does not do it justice! We got two of the 5lb lobsters for $80 each. They were MASSIVE! Was perfect for four people, we got pasta (they had gluten free pasta) with broccolini. Was super delicious & filling! Waitress was great, they didn't have gf bread, & very beautiful interior. read more

Buona Sera - 5lb lobster - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

Went for the first time two weeks ago. Food was very good, waiter was excellent, was told to take our time and enjoy our night at the restaurant. Valet parking was clutch but the $16 for it was a tad steep. Will be back read more

I was expecting a lot more from this place, heard about this restaurant and was always on my list to try. Not impressed. Linguini w/ white clam came out a bit cold and bland. The steak also was on the cold side. If you serve steak at this price range, make sure it's kept hot. Service was great! It was a weeknight so it wasn't really packed. read more

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We've been there many times. The service for NYE was excellent. We were seated right away with our reservation. We both had a drink to celebrate and started off with our appetizers. We had a wedge salad and lobster bisque soup. The portions were HUGE. I took home 1/2 of my soup I had the eggplant parmigiana with penne. I asked it to be served heat hot but it was more on the cool side. The eggplant had too much breading on it so it took away from the taste of parmigiana. My husband had penne with sausage and broccoli rabe. His dish was hot and he ordered a 1/2 portion but was overflowing. Both portions were very large and we took it all home. The decor was tastefully done for the holiday theme. Sorry to say I wasn't crazy about my dinner. But in another year, may go back read more

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Service is good ! Food is better price is expected for fine dining . Authentic menu for an Italian restaurant . I can't say enough about this place . Mangia read more

Buona Sera - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

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Hubby and I were on 11/6/25. stopped in for dinner since it is walking distance from the Count Basie to our car, and I have been wanting to eat here for ages and i was very hungry. We were last ones in for dinner since the kitchen was closing- but we quickly ordered our food so the kitchen could head home. Bresaola w/fresh Burrata drizzled with Pesto- absolutely delicious I highly recommend this, it was perfect as a starter and my husband and I loved it. For my main, Calamari Marinara sautéed in the marinara, I had a choice of it served over hot or sweet linguine, I chose hot. Absolutely fantastic the calamari was tender and not over done, perfect bites with the macaroni, it was huge! and I had plenty for lunch the next day. Hubby ordered the Lobster Ravioli and it was served with shrimp & scallop in a tomato blush sauce. Ravioli was large, delicate and stuffed full, and it was quite a large serving as well, in fact he had enough for lunch the next day, and was very happy about that. Honestly, for such late service and with the kitchen closing, they did not rush the food service, they didn't skimp or push out sub par meals, everything was as if we were a 7p dinner service, but at 10p. I really want to come here on a night that we are not, ourselves rushed for work at 5a the next day, but honestly, if this is any indication and reflection of the staff and service they regularly have during traditional meal service, then to me.. they shined brightly as could be. I commented to my husband I would love to come back for our 27th Anniversary (coming up) and he smiled and said, maybe sooner.. and he rarely says that about any restaurant and we have been together over 35, so that says a lot. With Wine and dinner, it was a little over $100.+ he never lets me see the bill but I think it was definitely a reasonable dinner for two. Yes I took photos and yes I am posting them. I forgot our servers name, but she is a gem and I would love to have her again, she was fun, welcoming and didn't make us feel rushed or that we were bothering them in the way for coming in so late-- and that is very hard to find staff that are as welcoming as the staff here is. So I am sorry I forgot your name, but thank you for making our evening out so enjoyable. read more

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Great for dates, for celebrating great occasions feel like you're home! We just ate at the bar last night, great espresso martinis! Bartenders are fun and engaging, and really know how to make their drinks! Ended up having a few appetizers.l like that that you can get half portions on the clams with linguine. Huge portions, great food. Was nice to find a tartufo for dessert. read more

It was my first time, its very striking exterior caught my attention, the interior is very classic and rustic, the open kitchen concept caught my attention a lot, the waiter Antonio was fine, the service was constant. I don't have any bad comments about the service. Speaking of the food I was very surprised the truth both main dishes were spectacular with the appetiser I only have one complaint I have tried better Bruschetta that was terrible the tomato was not pomodoro. Desert was good read more

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We enjoy the food very crowed on weekends but still delisioso!! Chicken Milanese done to perfection. The only thing I didn't like was the rosé sangria was very sweet. read more

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Superb Italian, great service, and generous portions. The octopus appetizer was cooked to perfection, but the highlight was the gnocchi bolognese -- big chunks of meat (not some soupy paste) and hearty red sauce with gnocchi that were borderline fluffy (don't know if you can call good gnocchi fluffy, but they didn't sit heavy at all). Great meal with friends and an excellent start to 2026. I was able to finish about half of the portion -- and enjoyed the rest over the weekend read more

Buona Sera - Gnocchi bolognese - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

We used to come to this restaurant often and loved it. This time is a total disappointment! The hostess is not professional to the least. No greetings, rushed us upstairs, not sure why( the downstairs is empty). Upstairs is also empty. But she managed to seat us at the edge of the stairs. We asked to change to a more comfortable table, and out of the whole empty floor, she seated us against the cashier desk, and my husband can barely sit down properly. Enough is enough. We ended up leaving the restaurant without eating. Sad to see a good restaurant going downhill like this read more

Brittany is a wonderful server. Attentive and friendly. Great recommendations. I love my flounder and my bff loved her rigatoni bolognese. Canolli to share. They give HUGE PORTIONS ! The food is delicious and fresh. I love it . The ambience is sweet. I love the old Sinatra music. Cute decor. I love it! read more

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We had an outstanding celebration at this res!!The atmosphere was inviting! The crater salad and chicken parm were fantastic. Chocolate lava cake and lemon sorbet were so good! Service staff were excellent!! We will define back!!Great job ... read more

Buona Sera - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

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The ambiance is old school, Italian, dark lighting, good music (live music during dinner - maybe even get up and sing along!). The menu is extensive and they make each plate to order, so those that have allergies can communicate that when ordering and the kitchen will take care of you. I enjoyed a cosmo and gluten free penne vodka with grilled chicken and it was amazing. A huge portion! The server was extremely nice, fun, and professional. read more

Buona Sera - Dining room, live piano - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

We had the most amazing Christmas dinner with our daughter in for the holidays! Ivy was the most amazing server! Her recommendations made our dinner even better! Thank you ! Merry Christmas! read more

Buona Sera - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

We went yesterday before we were seeing a show at the theater and the food was incredible from start to finish.I didn't feel rushed.Service was great and the food was excellent read more

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Friends holiday get together this past Saturday evening. The restaurant is decorated beautifully for the holidays. Buona Sera is certainly unique in that they have a Cigar Bar on the top floor with a bar. Cigars and cocktails for sale. Excellent selection of Bourbon and Whiskey. Service in the lounge is outstanding. The restaurant itself is tremendous with several dining areas. Later in the evening they have a DJ and part of the restaurant turns into a club. The food is executed very well for the most part. Appetizers were excellent, Clams oreganata were delicious as was the stuffed artichoke and crab cocktail. The Caesar salad was traditional and outstanding. The veal parmigiana on the bone was great, tender seasoned veal topped with a nice marinara and mozzarella. The chicken scarpiello was a mixed bag, the dish was a tremendous portion but was missing some flavor. It could have used lemon, cherry peppers etc. The prime porterhouse for 2 was disappointing in two aspects, the temperature was uneven at best, asked for medium and several pieces were well done. The quality of the meat was ok, I'm not 100 percent sold on the prime piece. I will say that I was impressed as we were asked about the meal and I let them know about the temperature etc....the waiter and manager asked if we wanted it replaced. We declined as we had eaten most of it. The staff brought out a large dessert platter on the house which was a classy touch. The desserts were very good, tiramisu, key lime pie, mousse cake. The restaurant has a vast wine selection, certainly something for everyone. I will likely return. read more

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The ambiance is fantastic. My waiter Anthony told us to close the menus, let him know what we were in the mood for, and entirely delivered. There were 6 of us in total. We started off with fried calamari, clams casino, eggplant rollantini, and asparagus wrapped in prosciutto. After we had an order of stuffed rigatoni which was served to us individually by our server. For the entree we shared a porterhouse for 2, bronzino, lobster mac & cheese, and cacio e pepe roasted potatoes that are absolutely to die for!! The kitchen staff truly prepared it all to perfection at the guidance of Anthony's suggestions to us. This was our first time here and easily has become a place that we will begin to frequent regularly. Thank you Buona Sera for being one of the last in a dying breed of true original restaurants. read more

Service absent... wine glasses absent...food quality great, quantity not so much. Deeply disappointed!!! read more

reservations is a must! Food is always great and service as well. Since they added on, there is plenty of tables but always busy because it's right next-door to Count Basie Theatre upon entering it looks like a very small place decorated like an old Italian restaurant, with a open kitchen. Manager is always there to make sure things are in very smoothly. They do have a bar. read more

Had dinner at Buenos Aires on Saturday before the show at the cow base had a resignation this was the biggest disappointment of the was subpar. I had Marcelo. It was bland. The prices in this place are high. My wife mentioned to the waiter he forgot our drinks. He told my wife he forgot to take his Ritalin today as far as being one of the best Italian restaurants in Monmouth County. This is far from it. The ambience is but the food stinks stay away from this restaurant. There are many other places in Redbank to eat. read more

Been here for many occasions. Food is always on point and the atmosphere is beautiful. However, after this last visit I happened to go over the receipt and noticed all the entrees were bumped up in price compared to the menus we received. One entree had shrimp added but it was almost $17 for that , and a total of $24 to add a shot of Buca to two $4 espressos. The other entrees were a few dollars more each with no add ons . Don't know if maybe we all had outdated menus but at this point it is what it is. Still Nice place to visit, we will just have to be more conscious of what we're ordering and billing. read more

Just visiting but attended a function in their private dining area. Food and service were 10/10. If I lived nearby, this would be here often. Who does not love hood Italian food? Since we were served, we did not get a chance to look at the menu, but the food we had was fabulous. More than that, the service was over the top good, friendly and efficient. Salad - unbelievably good. Pasta course - no idea what exactly the sauce was, but it was delicious. Chicken Cacciatore - best entree by far, yummy. NY Strip - excellent preparation Salmon - this one fell short for me, just not well seasoned. Excellent reason to go back to NJ. read more

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Ohhhhh!!! When I tell you, this was the best Italian food I've ever had in my life......I MEAN IT! This NC woman was in awe of the NJ accents, the dress of "mob-like" men and dainty women dressed to the T..and here I am in not looking the part! I digress! Our waiter had a stone cold face at first. He did not like the sarcasm from another person at our table. It was pretty hilarious to me (waiter's demeanor)! By the end of the night, our waiter was smiling and offering suggestions for a night cap and evening desserts. I ate soooo much seafood! The oysters were briny just how I love them. All of the clam dishes were phenomenal! That was just appetizers! I drank the local beer and was feeling nice and toasty when I left. There was so much food left from my pasta dish, that I had enough for breakfast and dinner the next day. I asked for a to-go box and our waiter said, "You didn't have to ask for that. I was going to personally box up your leftovers for you." And he did! I felt like a Queen! I will most definitely visit again when in NJ! Thank you for showing me what authentic Italian food is supposed to taste like. Carrabba's and Olive Garden can never be compared! Oh, and the LIVE lobsters to choose from! They easily weighed 5-10lbs alone. An expensive night, but well worth it! Work hard, play harder... read more

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I have been to Buona Sera a handful of times. The food is good. The thing I love best about it is the ambiance. What a cool place. I have sat in 4 different rooms on each visit. I liked everywhere I have sat. I had the crabmeat appetizer & grilled salmon for dinner. I had 2 aperol spritzes. The crabmeat was ok. I was not crazy for the cocktail sauce or the crab. The salmon was good, but a little salty. Everybody I was with liked their meals. I just think it was an off night for me. I had a slight cold so that could have had an effect on my tastebuds. I did have the pistachio gelato and that was delicious. I would definitely go back. The staff & service are excellent! It's a cool place. I would definitely recommend trying it if in the area. read more

First time dining here. It's a massive restaurant. They take very large groups of dining and special occasions. It is very dim that you need light for the menu. It's also VERY loud inside and can be hard to hold a conversation. I was a bit disappointed in the soups. They are meat based when normally, other Italian spots, are not. They also messed up on an app and added meat when it should not have been. Their food portions are large. We ate about half and packed up the rest. A photographer comes around for pictures. They bring them back framed and sell them for $20 a pop. read more

Fantastic, old-school Italian restaurant. Food is excellent, portions are HUGE, service is attentive, friendly & professional.

We enjoyed our meal. The service was quick and attentive, and the food was good. We were given bread and butter on the table as we picked out our drinks. We enjoyed a bottle of wine, salads, pizza, chicken parmesan, gnocchi Bolognese, and chicken Milanese. All were good and enjoyable. The place was bustling for a Saturday In September -off-season, but it was pretty noisy at our table to be able to hear each other. They had a photographer go around if we wanted a picture. The place was charming, with a bar downstairs and another floor upstairs that was open to the downstairs. (I'm guessing why it was so loud) We enjoyed the food, and the service was good but quite noisy. If you have any issues walking or stairs, I recommend requesting a table downstairs when you make a reservation. Enjoy! read more

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This was my first time ever dinning with this business and from what the word around town was, they did not disappoint. The inside of the restaurant gives off a classic, yet elegant Italian feel accompanied by the soothing tunes of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. The staff was all very hospitable and highly interactive with their guests which speaks not only in the positive view employee but the management as a collective. However, the highlight of my evening would have to be from the cuisine itself. Single handedly Buona Sera is the home of the best bread I've tasted to current date, a sweet and savory crunch with a hint of garlic's pungent and savory kick. The food all came out in a swift manner and never with any issues in terms of platter arrangement. I ordered the Swordfish Puttanesca and was delighted by the thin and firm flavors that the dish presented. The portion sizes are absolutely massive! This isn't necessarily a bad thing however, as you are most certainly receiving the best 'bang for your buck' when making menu purchases. The wine selection is also vast presenting many options for those who enjoy a glass with their meal. My only recommendations I would make to the business is revisit the lighting and perhaps a volume change for the live music. The lightning inside had this odd imbalance in which one section would be dim lit and another blinding from an overhead light source. Additionally, the volume of the band was definitely too loud for the calm and quiet ambiance that Buona Sera is going for. Overall, I loved this restaurant! definitely one of the fine dining titans not just in Red Bank but throughout Monmouth County as a whole. I can't wait to return for another late dinner! read more

Buona Sera in Red Bank has been one of my go-to Italian restaurants for years, and honestly, it never really disappoints. It's one of those places you can count on for a good meal, a nice night out, and that classic, cozy Italian restaurant vibe. I've been here for everything from date nights to family dinners and even a couple of celebrations, and it's always a solid experience. First off, the place itself is really nice. It's big, with multiple dining rooms and a beautiful, slightly upscale feel without being too fancy. You don't have to dress up, but it still feels like you're going somewhere a little special. The service is usually very good--friendly, professional, and pretty quick, even when the place is packed (which it often is, especially on weekends). Now onto the food, which is what keeps me coming back. The menu is huge--tons of pasta options, seafood, veal, steaks, appetizers, salads, and a big wine list. They really cover all the Italian-American favorites, and then some. I've tried a bunch of different dishes over the years, and most of them have been excellent. The pasta is always cooked just right, and the sauces have that rich, homemade taste that you want from a place like this. One of my personal favorites is the veal saltimbocca--it's tender, flavorful, and the portion is generous. I've also had their lobster ravioli, chicken parm, and seafood specials, and everything has been on point. The bread and olive oil they bring out at the beginning are a nice touch too--simple but fresh and tasty. And don't skip dessert. Their tiramisu and cannoli are both really good, especially with a cappuccino. If I had to nitpick (which I guess I should since it's a 4-star review), I'd say the prices are definitely on the higher side, and sometimes the food can be just slightly inconsistent. Not bad by any means, but a dish that wowed you one time might be just "pretty good" the next. Also, it gets really busy on weekends, so definitely make a reservation ahead of time, or you could be waiting a while. But honestly, those are minor things. Overall, Buona Sera is one of my favorite Italian restaurants around, and I always look forward to going back. Whether you're craving a big bowl of pasta or planning a nice night out with family or friends, it's a great spot. The atmosphere is warm, the food hits the mark, and it just has that classic feel that's hard to beat. Definitely a must-try if you're in Red Bank or nearby. It's the kind of place that sticks with you--and for good reason. read more

I was reluctant to try Buona Sera because some of the reviews made it seem hit or miss... but, because we wanted to be as close to the Count Basie Theater as possible and didn't have a lot of time, we made this our choice. And I'm glad that we did! We were greatly so warmly by all staff... and the cutest and friendliest older gentlemen (maybe owner?) seated us. This place just gives off old school vibes, in the best way. Tara was our server and she was very attentive and friendly. For the sake of time, we only ordered two appetizers: fried calamari and a cauliflower crust marinara pizza... they were both really tasty! The calamari portion was HUGE! So much so that we left a lot behind... it is definitely enough for about 4 people. Two martinis--my pear martini was a little more sour and less sweet than I'd like, but they make one of the best dirty martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives that I've ever had. Extremely cold, just how it should be. Definitely looking forward to returning earlier for a full dinner experience the next time we visit the area. read more

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The service was good but the atmosphere was noisy, music that was intermittent. The table itself was not located in a good spot wobbled throughout dinner we tried to put napkins under the table for stability. The dinner was 2+ rigatoni undercooked with watery sauce . It was nice they tried to recover by providing desert for one . But overall it did not equal a good dining experience, we went back because we had great experience in the past unfortunately this was not the case tonight. read more

Very classic, ornate Jersey Italian ambiance. Was seated and served immediately on a crowded Saturday night before a show. Waitress was very pleasant and accommodating. Unfortunately, the food was sub-par. And the prices a bit steep, although I appreciated the half size portion available for pastas. Italian 75 cocktail was like a spritzed lemonade; I very much enjoyed and it was not very sweet (pro). Wine selection vast. Bread basket contained lackluster, cold bruschetta-sized slices and a spreadable herbed butter (which was good). Fried calamari app was large and crisped perfectly, but there was a very foul and tar-like flavor to it which I cannot explain. It had to be returned. Opted for mediocre Caesar salad instead. The pastas were average. Enough flavor, but both the bolognese and vodka sauces were on the watery side and could have used more density. Abundant with flavorful meat, however. Half size portion more than enough for one person. Dessert options were tough to pick between. Went with NY cheesecake--nice creaminess and sweetness to it. Presentation was wonderful and the rainbow cookie garnish was top tier. Cappuccino was good and espresso martini on the sweet side (very vanilla forward but not creamy). Not blown away by anything here, but if nowhere else has seating in town, I would still consider returning. read more

Buona Sera - Pasta Bolognese / Vodka Penne with chicken (both decent, half size portion very large) - Italian Near Me - Red Bank, New Jersey

We've lived in Monmouth for 37 years and have come here only about 5 times because we are 35 minutes away. That said, they have never disappointed. Tonight, I wanted to take the time to give them their due; not that they need it. We came in without a reservation at 5:00 on a Saturday and they were able to seat us. When I didn't like the table, they gave us a beautiful table upstairs. From the owners to everyone on the team; the service and smiles are outstanding and attentive. I extremely enjoyed the excellently grilled chicken over plentiful grilled vegetables. It's also nice that salt and pepper is on the table like the good old days. I highly recommend this restaurant with its fine ambience, outstanding service and great food. read more

Came to Buona Sera on an early Saturday at 5pm as a party of 3. I have to start with the service and staff. They were absolutely amazing! Friendly, welcoming, extremely knowledgeable of the menu and food overall and interacted with us appropriately. Made us feel like we were at an Italian dinner table at home on a Sunday. We ordered Veal Chop, calamari, angel hair with shrimp, lobster ravioli, meat/cheese board, and a stuffed meatball. All was very good! Rob was just one of our amazing servers. Thank you Rob and everyone else for a great evening. read more

Went yesterday with my Mom before a show at the count Bessie theater. Service was exceptional and the menu had a great variety of options. Portions are big so we each had a soup and we shared one of the fish specials, stuffed flounder with mixed veggies and garlic mashed potatoes. It was very tasty and when split it was good size portion for the two of us. For dessert we had the Italian cheesecake which is one of my favorites. The restaurant has a nice vibe. Love the decor and the best part it's around the corner from the theater. Will definitely be back to try something new. read more

Going to Count Basse theater? We arrived 15 minutes early for our @ 6 pm. Our server Rinaldo greeted us with a smile, Menu's & Wine list. This waiter was perfect, quick & effective, so we made our Show... This place fills up quickly anticipating Show Time, Make a Reservation! Their Food ~ we shared an order Clam's, they were clean & delicious. I had Pork Shoulder ~ Perfectly done with the Juicy meat falling off the bone! My wife had the Stuffed Flounder, also done perfectly. We shared the desert, chocolate Cake incredible. This Beautiful place is a well established Italian Food meca when you go to "Count Bassey Theater" you eat here and listen to "Frank Sinatra" at least til the Piano Player arrives. Their well decorated Bar & Dining area creates a pleasant ambiance, this place has a presence ! The Piano soloist arrived around 6:30, his music selection was right on, playing popular Music as we ate. A Really fine musician I also want to thank Nick the manager, his friendly smile and interest in our Dining experience was genuine. It's obvious that Buona Sera owners are not resting on their laurels. They actively manage their Quality control. Nick, is a seasoned Restraintore, hired to manager this Gold Mine. read more

Stopped by for some wholesome Italian food. The place was amazing although we sat outdoor. Shrimp/scallops spaghetti and rib-eye was cooked to perfection. Our server, Chris, was a doll. Extremely attentive. Highly recommend. read more