Thread: Italian food

Also, anyone know of a better choice of entree?

Oh yeah, and I'm predominately going out with vegetarians....maybe that explains their choice.

there are websites that list nutrition info for many chain restaurants. i checked a few and found that Buca de Beppo is a chain that doesn't give the information. here is what the responded:
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Buca di Beppo®
(Nutrition Information is not available)


We have attempted to collect nutrition information for this restaurant and received the following reply: "Hello, Thank you for taking the time to e-mail us regarding the nutritional breakdown of items on the Buca di Beppo menu. At this time we do not provide a nutritional summary or dietary points analysis for any of our menu items. Unlike single serving entrees found in many restaurants, our family-style items are not suited for providing individual portion information. It's difficult for us to determine the actual serving size of a dish our guests choose to eat, which can make this kind of nutritional information misleading. However, Buca di Beppo is a healthful meal choice for anyone, including diners with special dietary considerations. At Buca di Beppo we take great pride in our delicious food, flavored by the Southern Italian culture and history. We use the highest quality ingredients. For us there is no substitute for fresh, natural ingredients, from our daily prepared half-pound meatballs to our proprietary smashed tomatoes that help create the home-cooked goodness of every item on our menu. Because we're open for dinner only, we are able to spend the day preparing, by hand, the food we will serve our guests that evening. In addition to the extra care we take in the kitchen, the ingredients we use are perfect for a heath-conscious diner. Three key ingredients for Buca di Beppo dishes are also recent health headline-grabbers:

Garlic is a proven artery protector, blood thinner, cancer blocker and infection fighter, that is beneficial to the cardiovascular system and reduces cholesterol and blood pressure. Garlic also has been shown to kill viruses responsible for colds and the flu. And finally, research has indicated that with exercise and a good diet, garlic may also help reduce body fat (one of the greatest enemies to good health).
Olive oil, a staple in Southern Italian cuisine, may help to reduce the danger of heart disease when used instead of animal fat. High olive oil intake in the diet provides a constant supply of antioxidants. Diets high in mono-unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, have a reduced chance of heart disease. The mono-unsaturated properties of olive oil also lend themselves to lowering the bad cholesterol in the body. High cholesterol is linked to strokes, hardening of the arteries, and heart attacks. Olive oil has also been linked to lowering blood pressure and reducing the effects of rheumatoid arthritis.
Tomatoes are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and potassium. One four-ounce tomato supplies about one-third of the recommended daily requirement for vitamin C. Tomatoes are packed with Lycopene, a potent antioxidant that has been shown to prevent cancer and heart disease. Tomatoes are good for the eyes and they are cholesterol free. As you make your dinner selections, your server (or Paisano or kitchen manager) can guide you through our menu and provide detailed information regarding the specific ingredients in each dish and lead you toward a health conscious selection. Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding our menu. We look forward to having you dine with us soon. Ciao!!!!" --The Buca di Beppo Famiglia
COMPANY:
Buca di Beppo
BUCA, Inc.
1300 Nicollet Mall
Suite 5003
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: (612)288-2382
Fax: (612)827-6446
Websites:
http://www.bucadibeppo.com
http://www.bucainc.com

Buca di Beppo is part of the BUCA, Inc. famiglia of restaurants.

Thanks for the try Nike. I found some info on www.calorieking.com for The Old Spaghetti Factory, which is also family style Italian...pretty scary stuff.... Maybe I should get two side dishes? I dunno. I wish we were eating somewhere else. Blah.