Celebration Includes Classic Menu, $10 million in Prizes, And Chance to Win a Trip for Four to Italy

MINNEAPOLIS, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Buca di Beppo is marking its 15th anniversary with a bella festa for every guest. From July 14 to August 10, guests celebrating their 'amore' for Buca di Beppo at any of the 89 restaurants nationwide will enjoy a special anniversary menu and will receive a party favor as unique as Buca itself.

'Buca di Beppo has always been the place to cut loose and celebrate. And after 15 years of hosting the best birthday parties, graduations, anniversaries, rehearsal dinners and other special events, it's time to throw a party for Buca,' said John Bettin, Chief Executive Officer, Buca, Inc. 'Of course, we're giving away the presents: a commemorative, specially priced menu, and valuable prizes for every guest. It's our way of saying 'thank you' for all of the good times we've had -- and the good times we'll share over the next 15 years.'

Buca di Beppo's anniversary menu features 15 of its most popular original dishes, all offered at classic pricing that recalls better days when gas was just $1.16 a gallon and movie tickets were a mere $4.25. The classic menu was created in honor of the millions of guests whose fanatical devotion has brought the restaurant tremendous success over the past 15 years. Guests and critics alike hail Buca di Beppo's fresh Italian specialties; the restaurant has earned more than 100 'Best of Citysearch' awards and dozens of nods in national and local magazines and daily and weekly newspapers, including 'Best Italian Food,' 'Special Occasion,' 'Best Pizza,' 'Group Dining,' and numerous others.

As part of the anniversary celebration, every Buca di Beppo guest will also receive a party favor -- and not of the plastic kazoo variety, either. The restaurant is giving away more than 1 million prizes with a value of $10 million; prizes include dinners for 15 at the Pope's Table, parties at the highly-coveted Kitchen Table and complimentary menu items. At the end of the anniversary celebration, one guest will be selected to receive the ultimate prize: a trip for four to Italy. Official rules, including details on how to participate without purchase, are available at http://www.bucadibeppo.com.

For a celebration large or small, Buca di Beppo's menu of Italian specialties includes single-serving portions, called Buca Mio, and family style dishes for small and large groups: Buca Small portions serve two-to-three people, and Buca Large dishes are perfect for groups of four to six. The 15th anniversary menu includes classic pricing on Buca di Beppo's family style portions. Guests will enjoy an average savings of 15 percent on the anniversary menu:

Appetizers

-- Fried Calamari: Tender pieces of calamari coated in zesty breading, fried golden brown and served with our spicy marinara sauce

Buca Small: $8.49

Buca Large: $12.99

-- Garlic Bread: Our Italian country bread brushed with garlic olive oil, and then baked with oregano, Romano cheese and lots of fresh garlic

          Buca Small: $6.49
          Buca Large: $7.99

Insalate

-- Caesar Salad: Fresh, crisp, romaine lettuce tossed with Buca's Caesar salad dressing and croutons, topped with Romano cheese

          Buca Small: $8.49
          Buca Large: $14.49

Pasta

-- Spaghetti Marinara: Imported Italian spaghetti with our homemade marinara sauce fresh off the stove

Buca Small: $8.49

Buca Large: $13.99

-- Linguine Frutti di Mare: Shrimp, baby clams, mussels and calamari, tossed with our spicy red clam sauce and imported Italian linguine

Buca Small: $16.99

Buca Large: $25.49

-- Ravioli Pomodoro: Ricotta and goat cheese-filled ravioli served with our homemade marinara sauce

          Buca Small: $11.99
          Buca Large: $20.49

Entrees

-- Chicken with Lemon: Chicken breasts sauteed to a golden brown and topped with our lemon butter sauce and capers

Buca Small: $14.49

Buca Large: $22.99

-- Chicken Marsala: Sauteed chicken breasts and fresh mushrooms in a sweet Marsala wine reduction.

Buca Small: $15.49

Buca Large: $25.49

-- Eggplant Parmigiana: Slices of breaded eggplant baked with marinara sauce, fresh bruschetta mix and provolone.

          Buca Small: $13.49
          Buca Large: $19.49

Pizza

-- Margherita Pizza: Slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, our homemade pizza sauce and fresh basil

Buca Small: $9.99

Buca Large: $15.49

-- Pepperoni Pizza: Large slices of pepperoni and pepperoncini peppers give this the ultimate flavor

          Buca Small: $11.99
          Buca Large: $16.99

Side Dishes

-- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Our famous mashed potatoes are made with skin-on red potatoes and dare we mention ... garlic

Buca Small: $4.99

Buca Large: $9.49

    --  Green Beans: Our crisp green beans are sauteed in olive oil and fresh
lemon juice
          Buca Small: $4.99
          Buca Large: $8.49

Dolce (one size)

-- Tiramisu: Our powerfully flavored Tiramisu features homemade ladyfingers soaked in dark rum and espresso, layered with zabaglione and sweetened mascarpone cheese, topped with cocoa and crumbled hazelnut biscotti.

$8.49

-- Homemade Cheesecake: Homemade rich, creamy cheesecake drizzled with a sweet raspberry sauce and sprinkled with hazelnuts

$7.49

About Buca di Beppo

With 89 locations from Albany to Honolulu, 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 Northern and Southern Italian favorites like Chicken Marsala, Fettuccine Alfredo and Veal Parmigiana.

While the food has pleased millions of palates coast-to-coast, Buca di Beppo is equally famous for its quirky decor and upbeat atmosphere. More than 2,000 photos adorn every square inch of every wall. Classic Italian statues, reproduced in neon pink, blue and tie-dye, flank the entryway. The candlelit shrine to Frank Sinatra inspires reverence and contemplation. The 'Pope's Table' features a hand-crafted bust of Pope Benedict XVI, centered on the table's lazy Susan to keep watch over every guest.

Most Buca di Beppo locations are open for lunch and dinner daily. Visit http://www.bucadibeppo.com for locations, hours of operation, menus, reservations, or to place an order for Buca To Go.

BUCA, Inc. (Nasdaq: BUCA), a public company headquartered in Minneapolis, owns and operates 89 highly acclaimed authentic Italian restaurants under the name Buca di Beppo in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Visit http://www.bucadibeppo.com for reservations, locations, or to place an order for Buca To Go.

SOURCE Buca di Beppo