Barbuzzo occupies a small, close-quartered dining room on 13th Street in Washington Square West, part of a group of Philadelphia restaurants from Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney that also includes Bud & Marilyn's, Little Nonna's, Verde, Marcie Blaine, Darling Jack's Tavern, and He Said, She Said. The Mediterranean menu runs through wood-fired pizzas, gnocchi, octopus, and salads, with brussels sprouts and olives rounding out the table.
The kitchen and pastry program have drawn repeated attention from the James Beard Foundation, with semifinalist nods for Best New Restaurant in 2011, Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2011, and Best Chef in 2012 and 2013. The salted caramel budino has become the dish most closely tied to that reputation, mentioned by regulars as often as anything savory on the menu.
Seating is limited and the room runs close together, which shapes the experience as much as the food does — guests often end up at the bar rather than a table.
The kitchen and pastry program have drawn repeated attention from the James Beard Foundation, with semifinalist nods for Best New Restaurant in 2011, Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2011, and Best Chef in 2012 and 2013. The salted caramel budino has become the dish most closely tied to that reputation, mentioned by regulars as often as anything savory on the menu.
Seating is limited and the room runs close together, which shapes the experience as much as the food does — guests often end up at the bar rather than a table.