I really like Italian food and we hadn't been to La Pastaria in quite some time so I decided to try it again. This was not my best decision. The meatball looked good but was tasteless. Sadly that was better than the manicotti which had a peculiar taste. The other members of my group rated the dinner as "less than mediocre". Service was friendly enough but very inattentive- we had to flag down someone to get water refilled. Possibly the worst dinner I've had out in a long time. read more

The best and biggest veal parmigiana I ever had. Great family dinner restaurant. Enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly service. Will definitely come back to try another delicious Italian dish. Bellisimo!!! read more

love love la pastaria. Great food also great for pick up when the family doesn't have time to cook.

Normally I have a better experience here as the waiter seemed preoccupied as well as didn't many of things we requested on the menu. I am still giving it four stars as I had some better experiences in the past as well the food is truly exquisite. I am really happy to go back an ensure it was a one time event as usually this place is spot on. read more

The appetizers are huge ! I had Melanzane or eggplant Parmesan and a Cesar Salad ,, stuffed and fabulous!-

Delicious foods with large portions (pasta available in a large / smaller size) where the small was sufficient. Cute place that was a smidge loud as it was packed. Our server was very friendly and made us feel like we were regulars instead of first-timers. read more

We have been customers at Pastaria since they opened the restaurant. The food was always good and consistent. When we moved out of the area, we continued to eat there and were always satisfied. What happened to this restaurant? It has gone from good to just plain awful! I always looked forward to the focaccia.. now they serve stale bread.. no more focaccia. The wait staff is laughable... they are kids with no experience or knowledge of the menu. We ordered two salads to start. Mine had water on the bottom of the plate and no cheese as was stated on the menu. We ordered the salmon special to split. We did not want the fish grilled, and said at least five times not to grill it. The waitress came back twice and asked if we wanted it grilled. I specifically requested to pan sear the salmon. Another young kid came to the table and asked us if we wanted it broiled. At that point. I got up and told the owner to please make sure the salmon was pan seared. What showed up At the table could have been used as a door stop! The fish was so overcooked and dry with no seasoning, butter or oil. At that point, we had enough of this unforgivable experience. I vowed to never return. When the check came, there was a three dollar charge for an extra plate. What a disgrace!!! How unprofessional and obnoxious can you get?!! Not only will we never return but everyone I know will never return. SHAME ON YOU LA PASTARIA.. you will be gone soon. read more

Still trying to figure out if the waiter was just socially awkward ..but the food was good I have been here a few times over the years. The chicken savoy was very tasty and everyone was pleased with the dinners and apps! read more

So disappointing tonight. We have been here many times and have great dinners here. Tonight I was not too hungry so my husband and I shared an appetizer and and I ordered an order of meatballs off fhe appetizer menu and a side order of pasta. My husband ordered his own dinner. When my order came I received a huge bowl of pasta and thought they made a mistake. No this was the only one I could get as a side the waiter told me. We've been served by this waiter many times. Well that side of pasta wound up costing $13 plus $10 for the meatballs. I could have had a dinner for that price. Not happy and will not be going back on principal. Things must not be going well if you're going to treat your customers this way. I did call the restaurant to complain and they stood by their menu. It was suggested that I order off the kids menu. That would have been a great idea if the waiter mentioned it. They do not seem upset to loose a customer for over 10 years. We have had some not so great meals there but we always went back because of loyalty. Not any more, read more

We visited La Pasteria this afternoon and were pleasantly surprised by the delicious luncheon dishes that we experienced. I had the chicken meatballs and a salad. Perfect. Other dishes ordered were eggplant parmesan, cavatelli pasta and of course their signature soup, pasta fagiolli. The sauce on all these dishes was so delicious that we had to ask for more bread in order to sop it all up. The service was exceptional and we definitely will make La Pasteria a regular stop for both lunch and dinner. A little gem in Summit. read more

One of my favorite Italian restaurants. Great food and atmosphere. Is usually crowded but worth the wait.

I have come back to this place from time to time over the past ten years, and tend generally to be underwhelmed. The last visit might be the last. I was picking up an order to take home and the hostess was so incredibly rude for no reason. Food just doesn't rate being mistreated. read more

This place has become one of my favorite restaurants. Although nothing ever seems to blow me away, everything I've had has been just downright excellent. In the last two weeks I've had the puttanesca pizza (my favorite of their pizzas) and the Sunday Gravy, which was just epic. I have yet to walk away from this place unhappy. read more

I've been to La Pastaria dozens of times over the years - it's not the most inventive or spectacular food, but it is very solid and delivers something for everyone. The foccacia is tasty when it's fresh (on a few occasions, a little stale, but I'll forgive that as I shouldn't be gorging on bread anyway). I love that you can order a half portion of pasta - it is more than enough for me, and even if I'm hungry a small salad and a half pasta is a great meal. I've tried a wide range of dishes on the menu, and the only things I have not enjoyed are the pizzas. Something about the crust - a little doughy for me - not my preferred style of pizza. I like the staff - I haven't experienced the rushed feeling of a previous reviewer. It is often full and is a lively setting - not a quiet date place, but a great place to go with friends and family. BYOB read more

We had dinner at this dime-a-dozen Italian restaurant tonight and not only was the food mediocre, the attitude and level of service was abysmal. We were seated fairly quickly--and realized that this would be the theme of the night. Get 'em in, get them to stick to the menu (more on this in a minute), get them out. We were given bread and oil before given plates and then when the plates came, the waiter came over and realized, ha!, no menus. So he rushed to get us menus. When he came back, within minutes to take our order, he informed me that NO, I could not substitute one kind of pasta for another. My meal came with penne, I wanted spaghetti--pretty simple right? Nope, not here. If I didn't want the penne but wasn't willing to pay for another full entree (~$20) I was shit out of luck. The meal was decent enough--though I have eaten much better chicken parmagiana in my life--but again the service was horrible. We were never asked if we wanted more bread, something more to drink (it's BYOB, so we're talking water/soda, etc) or would we be interested in dessert. It was only when I asked for a small serving of spaghetti (I was still sort of annoyed from earlier about the refusal for a substitution) and was told again that under no circumstances could I order a small side order of pasta. The kitchen didn't do these kinds of thing. I said I would be willing to pay a surcharge for it but was informed I would be charged another full meal! Upon hearing this I became infuriated and asked to speak to a manager. The manager did come over and informed me--and get this--that if they let their CUSTOMERS choose the kind of pasta they wanted with their meal, they would never sell different kinds of pastas. WHAT??? Apparently he's got some kind of abacus in the back keeping a tally of the different kinds of pastas they are selling! I've never heard of a such a thing. This episode has left me with a bad taste in my mouth, for sure. We will not be going back to La Pastaria, but what shocks me is the complete arrogance this restaurant showed in terms customer service Recession, what recession? La Pastaria can treat customers like crap--there's no other halfway decent southern italian in NJ, right? read more

We had a bridal shower on Jan. 12, 2013 for about 46 women. The accommodations for the shower were very well received. The food consisted of appetizers, salad, and pasta served family style. The chicken murphy and talapia oreganato were the entree choices. All the food was well made and very good. The service was very quick to please. Whatever was requested, was acted upon. The management also provided us with facilities to make mimosas so we didn't have to carry our own equipment. The food and service is always consistenty very good. JoAnne P. Springfield, NJ read more

Always great. Last visit was 12/24/15. We had 9 adults and 2 babies. Our servers name was Robert. His patience and efficient and professional, great attitude, would be reason enough to give this BYOB 5 stars. But the food was over the top. Absolutely delicious. It seems like it gets better each year. Very Impressed! read more

La Pastaria could be sooo much better with a bit of attention to 'basic restaurant etiquette'. Warm the bread, pay attention to the diners (do I really have to wave wildly about to get the waiter to re-fill the water?), make yourself visible and available. The food is good but could be fantastic; the only dishes I will get here are the pastas. Every time I order anything else, it's over cooked or too salty (a waiter responded to my 'too salty complaint' with 'it's a sauce it's supposed to be salty' and walked away). Please read the reviews and make La Pastaria great again. The poor service is really an insult and could easily be remedied. read more

Some of the most authentic Italian food you'll find on this side of the Atlantic. The caesar salad was crisp and light, and you could tell that the ingredients were fresh. The lasagna had a rich, creamy taste which brought back long forgotten memories from my younger years of my grandmother's cooking in the countryside of Italy. I ordered the chocolate cake for dessert which suffice to say was decadent. Meghan's service was top-notch, and she ensured that my wine glass was never empty. 10/10 would recommend, will definitely be back. read more

We live in Summit and my family has been enjoying great meals at La Pastaria for several years now. The quality of the dishes is excellent and very consistent and there is always something special that surprises us. If you have read and believe any of the 'questionable reviews' posted about La Pastaria, you simply haven't had the pleasure of this great eatery. BTW - The staff is very friendly and it is simply the best value for authentic Italian fare in the entire area. read more

2 of our 3 dishes were very very salty and not much other flavor. The salad was good. The spagetti vongole is horrible. Not small clams but big chewy clams and no flavor but salt. We would not return. read more

BYOB and great, Italian food- portions are BIG so recommend the smaller size. If you are there on a Sunday, must get the Sunday gravy!

Amazing service and delicious food. Their vinaigrette dressings were also amazing. Had the raspberry vinaigrette. Homemade Italian sausage and broccoli rabe like my nana would make. Highly recommend this restaurant read more

What a beautiful restaurant! Visiting Summit from Dallas and had a lovely dinner here! We loved the cozy, Italian-esque ambiance, with attentive and considerate service to match! The pizza was delicious. It came on this wooden board which really enhanced the experience. I also had the coconut truffle which was really the perfect end to a delicious meal! read more

The Chicken Arrabbiata with Cappellini was outstanding last night! The Mrs. enjoyed the huge portion of Chicken Parmigiana with Cappellini.

Now I know why we didn't need a reservation for a Saturday night , food was not worth the effort. It was actually the service that bothered me. Not once were our water glasses refilled, finally after my husband asked for a more water, his was the ONLY glass refilled. When our shared dessert came, it was practically thrown on the table with 4 spoons placed on the one dessert plate. I guess we were supposed to eat off the same plate. read more

They have been around a long time as the food is good and always easy. I had the tri color salad which was very tasty and then a small order of penne bolognese, also very good. Bring a bottle of wine and your done. Don't look for anything surprising and you can't go wrong. read more

Good food. Chicken parm was tasty, broccoli rabe and sausage was ok. Would come back.

We held a bridal shower for 35 on a Sunday afternoon when they were closed. The food was very good and the service was excellent. They were very accommodating in every way, and I would definitely recommend having an event here. read more

I have no idea how this place has so many positive reviews. My husband and I ordered Eggplant and a seafood pasta...YUCK. We sent back the pasta because it tasted so fishy and we were afraid the seafood was bad. The eggplant was a large portion, but almost flavorless. The pasta was just terrible. Any real italian knows you do not put sauce on top of dry pasta. You are supposed to mix it together. Don't waste your time. read more

I showed up in person at 5pm on a Tuesday evening to order take out. I heard the wait staff arguing and what seemed to be the management talking angrily and loudly in the dining room and instinctively felt that I should find another option for dinner. Hoping the food would prove better than the professionalism, I decided to try their food anyways because my family was starving. I ordered the steak entree with potatoes, Penne Bolognese and the pasta marinara. The woman who rang me up wasn't rude but certainly wasn't polite. The restaurant was clean and did have a nice atmosphere although there was a weird set up by the ordering counter of low seating facing outward, putting you with your back to the people and kitchen. It felt rude and awkward to face the wall. Most disappointing was the food. Portions were way too big-even though I ordered the smaller size. Plain boiled noodles with nothing on them and watery sauces that all tasted the same-straight out of a can. The steak was maybe just ok. We threw away what leftovers we had and do not plan to go back again. read more

I hadn't been here in several years but decided to give it another try for a small family dinner. The hostesses seemed to be a bit out of it when they sat us down, gave us our menus and bread. Our waitress did a good job but the rest of the staff didn't really seem to be that friendly or welcoming. It is also VERY loud inside because there are concrete floors and no sound buffer panels on the walls to absorb the sound. The management should seriously think about putting those on the walls. The menu is very big and has a lot of different options. The food is also very good!! HOWEVER I ordered a salad with salmon on top and the salmon was hardly cooked! I had it sent back so it was much better afterwards. La Pastaria also uses styrofoam take out containers which is so unfortunate and makes me really mad now a days, but I guess that's just a personal thing. Overall, I wouldn't have a problem returning to La Pastaria or ordering for take out. read more

What have you done? Pastaria was a great local Italian--a good mix of continental with red-sauce pasta--in a space that was a little too cozy and chaotic. But a few months ago they decided to redesign the place, add banquettes and schmaltzy murals that someone must've decided recalled the Tuscan landscape. Sure, the menu's still the same, but the genius who came up with the brainstorm to hang a flat-screen monitor in the middle of the dining room to broadcast the Food Network should be taken out back and tossed in the dumpster. Now. And yet the food is almost always good. The sauces are done old school and right, the pastas are cooked to an exact and precise consistency, and the meats come out moist and flavorful. Good stuff. Desserts are a waste of time, and the salad specials just try too hard (and let you down in the end). The service is usually good, and the hostess is pure Jersey theater, but Summit is filled with good Italian restaurants. This used to be among the best, but that ,d,d.dlbigass television in the middle of its dining room helps make Pastaria less attractive than the others. read more

I was just there last Sunday and I have to agree other reviews I've read about the staff it can improve. The food is ok, pasta is cheap and you get very very little, one eggplant per person come on now ????? Do yourself a favor & take your hard earned money and go elsewhere. Do not have a party there yu can get better else where. read more

Owner's grandson waited on us. Service was horrible. Completely unprofessional. Have had better and more attentive service at Denny's. Removed my appetizer plate while I was still eating my food. Place was dirty and loud. When asked how meal was it was phrased "How you guys doin". Won't be back read more

If I could give this place a zero, I would. I went here for a birthday party and was told at the front door that they had no such party. They were turning away invitees to the party. YOU SHOULD NOT PLAN PARTIES AT THIS PLACE. SERIOUSLY UNFRIENDLY AND UNCOOPERATIVE SERVICE!!!! read more

Food was fair but the waiter was poor. One should not have to wait one hour for an appetizer. Also what is the point in asking our drink order twice if no one actually brings it. When we spoke to the manager she was not interested read more

Horrendous service, decent food. If you're looking for "homemade family-style" Italian food, check it out. But beware, the service is horrible. The restaurant knows it has a reliable stream of business, especially the local soccer moms who "don't feel like cooking tonight." So the staff couldn't care less about the service. The place is a meat market where customers aren't greeted, waiters stand in front of your table (your cue to start talking), and to-go customers have their bags of food shoved in their faces. Gimme your 75 bucks already! read more

Cannot believe this place dropped hot pizza on my daughter - we had to go to the ER and she has a scar from a serious burn - and I wrote them a nice later just asking them to implement procedures to prevent such things - NO ANSWER. Who does that?? read more

I wish I could give it 3.5 stars. Stopped by here for lunch with a company 5 and made reservations ahead of time. After entering the restaurant we were seated quickly and had our beverage order taken along with warm bread being brought out. At the table, there was already small plates with an olive oil and herb mixture on it, I wish I could have poured the oil myself as then I would have known how long it was sitting out for on the plate. For the appetizer we ordered Fritti Calmari (fried calamari with marinara) and the Melanzano Di Forma (short stack of breaded eggplant, ricotta and asiago cheese in a marinara sauce). The bread that was served was crusty on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. The oil herb mixture was a great compliment to the bread. The calamari was crispy fried goodness on the outside and delicious calamari on the inside that was not over cooked or rubbery. The stacked eggplant was delicious and fresh with a nice amount of creamy ricotta in between each piece of eggplant. So now you're thinking, the appetizers were fantastic why in the heck is it only 3.5 stars, or rather 3 stars that is seen and my answer is that had this all that I had eaten it would have been a 4 star, but the main course and dessert brought it down. For the main course I ordered the Gemelli pizza (shrimp, sun dried tomato, basil, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese) and he Tiramisù for dessert. The pizza was disappointing. While the shrimp wasn't overcooked, the rest of the pizza was lacking. When I read the description of the pizza I imagined leaves of basil on the pizza, what I got was decorative flakes of basil sprinkled on next to the crust of the pizza that didn't contribute anything to the overall taste of the pizza. Either the sauce or the sun dried tomatoes on the pizza were too salty for my taste. The crust was just average in my book. Seeing Tiramisù at this Italian restaurant I was so excited to try it. The Tiramisù was presented terrifically in a wine glass with fresh whipped cream on top sprinkled with cocoa powder and powdered sugar. There was a thin layer of coffee soaked lady fingers on the bottom of the glass. The ratio of mascarpone to lady fingers was off as there was too much mascarpone cheese and the coffee flavor wasn't evident/present in the lady fingers. Had they given me food coloring soaked lady fingers I would not have been able to tell the difference between the two. Overall, great attentive staff, awesome appetizers, okay pizza, and not properly proportioned Tiramisù. The sandwiches that others in my group ordered were humongous and delicious from what I was told. If I come back I will try the sandwiches as they looked filling and yummy and are definitely large enough to to be split between two people. read more