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Community Corner

Bites Nearby: Buca di Beppo

Keyword: Sharing. Take lots of people, eat lots of food.

When you go to Buca di Beppo, don’t expect subtle.

Do expect totally Italian cuisine, pounds and pounds of food in family-style portions, and near-sensory overload from the nostalgic décor that covers practically every square inch of the place. The rough translation of the restaurant's name is "Joe's Basement." And there you are. Don't miss the Pope room.

Immerse yourself in a sea of red banquettes, a potpourri of early and mid-20th century family photos, and the din of groups having fun and munching their way through multiple shared dishes.

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The family-style portions (and that applies to everything: antipasti, salads, pizza, pasta, entrees and sides) are offered in Buca Small (which feeds up to three) and Buca Large (which feeds up to six).

All the usual favorites are on the menu: spaghetti, fettuccine alfredo, ravioli, lasagna, stuffed shells, cheese manicotti, baked rigatoni… Meat-based entrees include veal saltimbocca, oven-roasted salmon and prosciutto stuffed chicken. Most of the Buca Small pastas and entrees are priced around $12.95-$21.95, and the Buca Large are around $18.95-$32.95. Sides are a la carte and include garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, broccoli, sausage, meatballs.

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One of the more decadent offerings for starters is the seafood trio platter of shrimp scampi, mussels marinara and fried calamari. Wine, beer and cocktails are available.

Not surprisingly, the dolci (desserts) are also unabashedly substantial in size. If your party orders one at the end of a meal, be prepared to attack it with plenty of forks and fortitude.

714 Grape St., Whitehall, PA 18052. 610 264-3389.

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