Il Buco Vita in Los Angeles: Culver City's New Store at the Platform LA
If you’ve had the good fortune to have a meal at one of Il Buco‘s restaurants... Photography by Alex Melgosa, courtesy of Il Buco Vita. ...you likely left feeling the warm afterglow of a good meal and good conversation. The shop is a place for the three friends to share their handmade finds, much of it from the Old World. Unlike their small shops in NYC’s East Village and Amangansett, NY, their LA location is large and airy, with an industrial vibe: “Previously it was a Japanese-inspired fish restaurant opened by a group from Australia,” says Donna. “The vibe is very relaxed and friendly during the day, but at night becomes more energized as local restaurants [including Roberta’s, another NYC transplant] fill their tables,” says Donna. Exclusive to the LA location are the antique quilts from Donna’s personal collection. “The architecture is rectilinear yet warm, and the store facades range from cast concrete to polished stone,” says Donna. “It’s a bit too soon to see truly distinct differences in our East and West Coast shoppers... ...but early signs point to our colored Pienza glassware [displayed on the wall shelves] being very popular on the West Coast, especially in the warmer, sunset tones of rosato and amber,” shares Donna. The store also carries “a selection of antique... ...Italian ceramic urns, pitchers, and jugs from the collection of co-founder Antonello Radi, along with a wide range of his paintings of traditional Umbrian scenes and charming still-lifes.” A table charmingly set with handmade dinnerware. “The outdoor space is meant for customers and passersby alike. We currently serve our signature coffee and are hosting private dining events at the store after hours. Our private event clients in particular love having the use of the outdoor areas. We’re working on our beer and wine license and hope to have a more expansive offering in the not too distant future.”