The Santa Clara

Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: Scene

Media Credit: SHAWN HANNA Hostess Sasha Mezynski prepares for the dinner crowd at the kitch decorated Buca de Beppo's in the Pruneyard in Campbell.

Whether your parents are coming to town, you are going on a date or you and your friends are tired of Roma in Benson, Buca di Beppo and Maggiano's Little Italy are two spots to keep in mind.

They are both good contestants for family style, medium price and good quality food. One thing to note about the both is that they are well-known, so they do get crowded. Make sure to choose your time wisely or make a reservation.

Buca di Beppo has a family-owned meets chain restaurant feel -- but don't think that is a bad thing. In fact, the chain aspect just ensures the quality and the service.

I have eaten there on many occasions, and almost every time I have visited, they have been crowded. However, they are consistently prompt with the food.

There will be an initial wait for the table, but once seated, the waiters and waitresses are always friendly. There is a large staff due to the size of the restaurant, capable of handling large parties.

However, the last time I ate there, the waitress was not told that we were seated, so it took a little longer than usual.

The place setting at each seat is a giant menu, containing a wide variety of Italian foods: vegetarian or packed with meat, it is entirely up to you.

As a matter of fact, there are so many options that every time I eat there, I find myself having a difficult time making choices. After given bread and water, you are given the chance to order, and the food arrives shortly thereafter.

I ordered the ravioli and the rigatoni with chicken and red sauce.

The quality was pretty good with the rigatoni, but the ravioli was a little sub-par. The sauce was tasty, but the cheese inside was a little on the bland side. Some sort of greenery -- like spinach -- would have added to the overall flavor.

The meal was good and the service was decent. I will return in the future because I know that they have had better days.

So, expecting too much is bad, but when going with a large group it is hard to get the best. That is where Buca di Beppo does their job: satisfying those in large parties.

Maggiano's is similar in their ability to serve a large group of people. The mood is a bit more on the romantic side, and many couples go for a bite to eat for anniversaries or dinner with the family. The service is always notable and the atmosphere pleasant.

This restaurant is sizeable enough; it can handle large parties, but it does not make a scene out of it.

Though the low light and the mobster air give the place a feeling of intimacy, it still has the engine in the kitchen to feed the bus.

Let me warn you now, Maggiano's is not a good place to walk in and get a table on a Friday or Saturday night.

It is one of the most popular restaurants when it comes to the classy, modern crowd. You will find that it is often booked with a two hour table wait.

If you make a reservation, it allows for a much smoother entry. There is a bar section in the entryway that is very popular. The bar is capable of serving dinner, but it is not as romantic, peaceful or quiet as the main dining room.

The menu is full of options but not overdone. It allows for variety but it is not overwhelming, making it possible for you to find something that you would like.

The quality of the food is better than that of Buca di Beppo on a more consistent level, seeming fresher and less processed. The total bills are about the same, easily coming to about $20 per person, climbing higher if you add dessert and coffee.

These two places are both enjoyable "Americanized" Italian food restaurants, and for the price, you get a good filling. The service is pretty consistent, but when it comes down to it, Maggiano's takes the extra step in making the ambiance, food quality and service that much better.

Maggiano's location in Santana Row also helps, but if you are ever by The PruneYard, I wouldn't think twice about sending you to Buca di Beppo's.

One last thing: Either place you go, take special note of the chocolate cakes, you can't go wrong.

Contact Parker McNulty at pmcnulty@scu.edu.

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