Buono Osteria - Gibsons

Came for a friend 's birthday and brought their 3 year old for a 5:15pm table. The kitchen would not split the pasta into 2 bowls for the 3 year old and mom to eat. 'Kitchen rules, we don 't split food '. What bull. I kind of understand not catering to everyone 's small requests, but do not understand not putting 2 meatballs in 2 separate bowls so a small child won 't go nuts. I hope the next one does and ruins everyone 's evening. Food was average, service was disappointing. When we complained, the kitchen staff watched over us and were really intimidating. Safe to say, I will not be returning.

My first visit with a party of 3 and we all agreed Buono Osteria set a standard most restaurants need to strive for. Upon entering, you notice the wood burning oven and open kitchen on the right with the rugged and handsome chef at work. He smiles, says welcome. We arrived 10min early for our reso and were seated promptly. Greeting was warm and cheerful, a common quality for all our service this evening. The staff check in occasionally without hovering or neglecting. Engaging without forced interaction. The view from the dining room... wooooooow. Most restaurants in North America would charge double just for this view. Here it 's part of the character. Islands, mountains, marina, boats, foot traffic, sunset. The room itself is well lit with sunlight, huge windows and wooden beams. Subtle, tasteful decoration all around. Is this love that I 'm feeling ? Music was perfect in both selection and volume, an aspect most restaurants spoil horrifically. A medley of 50s/60/70s Motown hits. As the restaurant manager in my group mentioned it 's the spot on relaxation to match the room and view, the volume manages to muffle other tables chatter and preserve casual conversation at the table. Suspect Chef is trying to seduce us. Food... for a simple, ONE sheet menu. Not three pages and four paragraphs per plate. The selection is straight forward, offers a creative twist on classic dishes and focused on quality over quantity. Decided I 'm into open relationships if they 're open to me. Every plate that showed still bested expectations. Simple, well executed. Delicious without over complication. Garlic toast ? Crusty outside, hot and soft middle, not drowned in butter just well balanced. Smoked olives ? Good luck recreating this balance of flavors at home. Mains? I had the squid ink crab ravioli with scallops, peas and asparagus in lobster bisque. Fork me al dente this had no right to taste this sublime. Subtle lemon zing after each silky crab bite in the ravioli. Scallops cooked gently down to the split second with a light brown crust Bisque balanced the greens with savory flavor. I walked in a peasant now I 'm eating like a . Thankfully music drowned out the curse words under my breath as I ignored my table mates and talked dirty to my plate. Is Chef a renaissance hypnotist ? Wish I had three stomachs so I could eat two plates and order the tuna crudo to go. LOOK AT THE PHOTO this was my dinner ! I am no one and yet now one with the universe. I ate a masterpiece the Mona Lisa would stare at from every angle. THIS FOOD TASTES EVEN BETTER THAN IT LOOKS! Someone at my table had the Pera pizza with prosciutto. She wept like a new born taking her first breath with fresh lungs. The resto manager with us had Cacio e Pepe, (spag with pecorino, cracked pepper and black truffle). He called his parents mid meal and told them he loved them, then hung up and shaved his head. We are all students of life. Though I 'm not a dessert person I caved to the chocolate torte as dark chocolate is my snob expertise. Perfectly smooth cocoa balanced with mild sweetness and rich pecans. I 'm out of superlatives. Do yourself a favor and reso or you 'll regret it. Kudos to Buono Osteria for execution, service, approach, location, food and overall experience. Under promise, over deliver. Authentic and phenomenal value. Truly a privilege to visit and be spoiled elegantly. Till we eat again... 6

Truly authentic Italian food. The grilled calamari was delicious as well as their Caesar salad with their exceptionally tasty garlic croutons and the Clam spaghetti was the best we ever had and you were so generous with your clams. Your creme brûlée was the best ever. Your service was so friendly we're always greeted so warmly by you and you could not ask for a better view of Gibson's harbour while sipping a delicious glass of wine. It was a most pleasant evening spent in Gibson's B.C. Thank you once again! Lois Alan Pickard Sechelt, B.C.

I would have to say my Buono Osteria is my favourite restaurant in Gibsons Landing, aside from the wait. We came on a Friday night and had to come back at a later time as they were too full. If you can, I would recommend making reservations ahead of time. However, once you have a table, the food is absolutely delicious with a large selection of drinks. It was quite busy on the Friday night we were there and I certainly can understand why. In particular I was a big fan of the pizza we had! Would always recommend if in Gibsons.

In town on a Sunday in January. Really wanted to try the Carbonara. But the place was closed, dark as night. No sign, nothing on their phone message. Just closed on a night when their posted hours said they should be open