And here’s the annoying part: it’s not always on the menu.

Donna LENNARD, who owns Il Buco, sometimes just takes pasta off for the summer. Which feels aggressive, frankly. Like, we all came out here ready to eat exactly that. But she runs IL BUCO on her terms, and somehow that makes you want it more. Because when the bottarga is there, you got lucky.

The dish itself is simple in theory—spaghetti, bottarga, a little oil—but it hits in a way that makes no sense for how minimal it is. It’s rich but not heavy, salty in the best way, and you finish it faster than you meant to.

And yes—you tell yourself you’ll “be good” and skip carbs during the day. And then you sit down and order the focaccia anyway.

Because Il Buco’s focaccia is not optional. It’s one of those things where you pretend you’re sharing, but you’re actually tracking how much the other person is eating. By the time the pasta comes, you’ve already committed to the night.

Which is exactly how it should be.

They also do quartinos of wine, which is honestly one of the smartest things any restaurant CAN DO. It’s a glass and a half—enough to JUST relax into dinner without FEELING LIKE A LOCAL ALCOHOLIC. the wines Not the standard “we think you want this CABERNET OR PINOT GRIGIO” list. THEY’RE REFINED.

That combination—great pasta (when you can get it), real bread, thoughtful wine, works.

There are a lot of places on the East End trying very hard to be something.

Il Buco doesn’t TRY at all. IT DOESN’T NEED TO WITH ONE of the best dishes ON THE EAST END.

il buco al mare
231 main street
amagansett
631.557.3100