Bar of the Week: BUCA DI BEPPO in the Heart of Times Square

Lunch hour, happy hour, or any hour, visit the bar at Buca di Beppo for small plates and delightful drinks. And with the excitement of the Tony Awards this weekend, this bar just steps away from the Broadway theatres. Yet another reason to name it our "Bar of the Week."

Buca di Beppo is a distinctive Italian restaurant with checkered tablecloths, friendly service and generous portions of your favorite dishes. The bar at the Times Square location shares the same vibrant, welcoming atmosphere.

And now that summer is here, they are putting inventive spins on cocktails that are designed to be totally refreshing. Save the Negronis and Manhattans for the cooler months. The current menu will introduce you to memorable Margaritas and smooth lemonades infused with Italian liquors. The addition of Limoncello and Amaretto doesn't overpower your cocktails, but gives them a much-appreciated nuance. They also have a great selection of beer and Italian wines.

Buca di Beppo offers a small plate menu, served only at the bar, that promises to please their guests. Their substantial mozzarella bites put the mozzarella sticks served elsewhere to shame. The personal pizza uses the best touches like chunky tomato sauce and full-round, thick-sliced pepperoni. Bar bites are well presented, including the house calamari with subtly spicy marinara sauce. This is only place where you can get sliders with meatballs as good as grandma's.

Don't miss their Happy Hour. It is offered from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm every day of the week with food and drink specials from $3.00 to $6.00. It's an ideal stop for your group before the theater.

Buca di Beppo is located at 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. Enter on 45th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue. Call them at (212) 764-6527 or visit their web site at

http://www.bucadibeppo.com/restaurants/ny/times-square/.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Buca di Beppo