Buca di Beppo Opens First NYC Location

Meatballs "as big as your head" are coming to Times Square as Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant opens its first New York City location today at 4 p.m. ET.

The new restaurant, located at Broadway and 45(th) Street in the heart of Times Square, will open in conjunction its sister-restaurant Planet Hollywood, and together the new multi-level restaurant complex has created more 400 local jobs and will feature seating for up to 250 guests. The new location marks the continued rapid growth of Buca di Beppo, as the restaurant has opened more than a dozen new locations across the country in the past eight months bringing the leading casual-dining Italian restaurant group to more than one hundred locations in the United States, Mexico and Europe.

The Times Square location will stay true to the Buca di Beppo experience, with its signature quirky decor, complete with irreverent photographs, strings of multi-colored decorative lights, gingham tablecloths and over-the-top service. Known for its oversized family style portions, Buca di Beppo is the perfect place to celebrate any occasion. The Buca Mission is to provide every guest with an over the top celebratory experience by delivering vibrant Italian food in an eclectic vintage setting.

"The Buca di Beppo dining experience is truly unique and always stays true to the core elements of high quality meals and great value in a fun atmosphere for family dining," said Robert Earl, CEO and Chairman of Planet Hollywood International, the parent company of Buca di Beppo. "With its extraordinary tourist traffic volume and the diverse demographics of New York City, we feel that Times Square is a perfect strategic fit for the on-going growth of the Buca di Beppo brand."

The Buca di Beppo Times Square menu will include generous portions of quality house-made cuisine including such favorites as freshly baked Lasagna, Spaghetti with Meatballs "as big as your head," Spicy Chicken Rigatoni or Veal Saltimbocca. A comfortable bar with signature cocktails and extensive wine list will also be featured at the NYC Times Square location.

About Buca di Beppo
Owned by Planet Hollywood International, Inc., with locations from Albany to Honolulu, and Mexico City to London, Buca di Beppo restaurants embody the Italian traditions of food, friendship and hospitality. Dishes enjoyed for generations in villages throughout Italy inspire the menu, which features both Northern and Southern Italian favorites. While the food has pleased millions of palates from coast-to-coast, Buca di Beppo is equally famous for its quirky decor and upbeat atmosphere. Most Buca di Beppo locations are open daily for lunch and dinner. Delivery is also available at many locations nationwide. Visit http://www.bucadibeppo.com for locations, hours of operation, menus, reservations or to place an online order for Buca To Go. Or Follow Buca di Beppo on Facebook or Twitter: bucadibeppo.