THE CHEF’S TABLE: DONNA LENNARDOF IL BUCO

A Legacy of Intention, Integrity, and Inspired Hospitality

In a dynamic and ever-evolving restaurant world, Donna Lennard remains one of the culinary world’s rare steady forces. An artist at heart, filmmaker by training, and self-taught hospitality visionary, she is a woman whose career is defined by a profound soul, an unwavering passion for food, and a quiet, commanding power that nourishes both heart and palate.

Lennard is the founder and creative mind behind the beloved Il Buco family of restaurants and lifestyle brands. For over three decades, Donna Lennard has cultivated more than a culinary identity, building a philosophy, and a way of life rooted in intention, tradition, and deep human connection.

Raised with a profound appreciation for craftsmanship, authenticity, and the power of gathering, Donna arrived in New York with a deep love for Italian culture, art, and cuisine. In 1994, what began as a modest antiques shop on Bond Street soon evolved, almost organically, into a pioneering restaurant shaped by rustic Mediterranean cooking. With food not tied to any one region, but grounded in timeless hospitality and a commitment to real, whole ingredients made with intention and heart, long before “farm-to-table” became part of the culinary lexicon.

At the heart of Il Buco’s enduring spirit is Donna’s unwavering commitment to authenticity. “We always stay grounded in the ethos with which we began,” she says. “Sourcing the best ingredients and preparing them respectfully, with love. We work hard to keep the team collaborating around the values we hold dear—passion, authenticity, and community.”

That quiet clarity has allowed Il Buco to grow without losing its center. Today, the family of businesses includes Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria, Il Buco Vita, and several regional expansions that continue to carry forward the brand’s ethos of simple beauty, craft, and meaningful connection.

Yet amid the fast-evolving restaurant industry, Donna has never been one to chase the moment. Instead, she leads with curiosity and care. “We don’t chase trends,” she explains. “We stay grounded by listening, staying curious, and trusting that integrity and intention will always be relevant.”

At the core of that philosophy is an expansive view of family, one that now includes longtime team members, loyal guests, farmers, artisans, and partners on both sides of the Atlantic. “Our ‘family’ has simply grown larger over time,” Lennard reflects. “It includes our regulars, farmers, producers both locally and in Italy, and our team, some of whom have been with us for more than 25 years. As the business has expanded, we work to bring all voices into the creative process. The goal is always to create a warm, inviting environment where people can share meals, ideas, and feel connected to community and to the planet.”

Sustainability, both environmental and human, is also central to Lennard’s vision. It’s not just a slogan or marketing hook, but a real responsibility. “The restaurant industry is working hard to become a sustainable and there is still a long way to go,” she acknowledges. “Since food waste is one of the largest contributors to global warming, we can simply begin there... We start by sourcing responsibly and educating ourselves, our teams, and our guests about what we can do better. We honor those who’ve contributed to building better food systems, and we nurture our relationships to create a community dedicated to healing the planet.”

But perhaps what elevates Il Buco spaces most of all is the care for detail, the kind of invisible magic that turns a meal into a memory. “I truly believe there’s magic in the details,” Donna says. “The atmosphere, the table setting, the lighting, the ingredients, the people you surround yourself with, it all shapes the experience. Connections with others through food, creative conversation, and an open mind are the ingredients that feed us, connecting us to the world in ways that matter.”

And it’s true. To step inside an Il Buco space is to enter a timeless world, where beauty lives in imperfection and where every detail, from the food that nourishes the body and soul, to the furniture that tells a story, to the relationships that sustain us, comes together as a powerful meditation on intention and meaning.

In a fast-moving industry, Donna Lennard remains an undeniable force, reminding us that true power lies in staying rooted in purpose, craft, and connection, and of course, food. Il Buco has always been more than a restaurant. It is a way of life, and a very powerful celebration of how we gather, nourish, and live with intention.

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THE IL BUCO FAMILY OF BUSINESSES:

• Il Buco — 47 Bond Street, NYC The original that started it all — a rustic Mediterranean restaurant inspired by old-world cooking and communal gathering.

• Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria — 53 Great Jones Street, NYC A housemade celebration of artisanal food, with a market, bakery, and dining space rooted in craft and community.

• Il Buco Vita — Bond Street — 51 Bond Street, NYC A lifestyle shop showcasing handcrafted home goods, antiques, and curated pieces inspired by Donna’s travels and philosophy of intentional living.

• Il Buco Vita — Amagansett — 108 Main Street, Amagansett, NY A coastal expression of the Vita ethos, offering timeless Mediterranean design and artisan homewares in the heart of the Hamptons.

• Il Buco Vita Showroom & Warehouse — Kingston, NY A larger showroom and creative hub in the Hudson Valley, featuring bespoke furniture, ceramics, events, and special collections.

• Il Buco al Mare — 231 Main Street, Amagansett, NY A Hamptons restaurant inspired by the sea, blending Il Buco’s signature warmth with seasonal seafood and fresh coastal flavors.