June 30, 2004

The restaurant in the South Bay that currently has the biggest buzz is Buona Sera, the Italian newcomer located on a quiet side street in Riviera Village. I have heard from several readers who called it the best Italian restaurant in a wide radius, which is no small boast given the competition. Having visited the restaurant, I can confirm that the cooking and creativity are top-notch, and while not everything is perfect, it is well worth a visit.

The sign in the window says “Live Music,” though nobody remembers when they last had any. The tables are topped with beach towels instead of tablecloths. Some items have been on the “Daily Specials” menu for years, and others are available even though they don’t appear on any menu at all. Opening and closing hours are posted, but to quote a recent hit movie, “they’re not really rules, more like guidelines.”