This was my second visit to Pasta Ramen. Overall, it's such a unique dining experience. If you love both Italian and Japanese cuisine, it's a must visit. Definitely recommend making a reservation, especially on a weekend. The restaurant is consistently busy. The service is excellent. I appreciate that the wait staff visited often to refill our drinks. They were also very knowledgeable about all menu options. This is a BYOB establishment. We also requested a different seat before beginning our meal, and the host arranged this for us without hesitation. This was very much appreciated. My favorite dish ordered was the short rib ramen special. I asked my sister for multiple bites! I ordered the Cacio e Pepe ramen, which was delicious. I wish the serving sizes were larger because I could've totally had more. Thanks for the service and meal. read more

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We finally tried pasta ramen after hearing about it for so long and we were really worried it was going to be all hype and I can honestly say after trying that it lived up to the reputation. Don't get me wrong it's not cheap by any means but I think they did something really cool and unique in combining Japanese and Italian elements into every single dish and the atmosphere is awesome so you are paying for the overall experience not just the food. If that's not your thing that's fine too! I would also recommend reading reviews to see what you should order before you go! For example we heard the bao buns weren't that great so we didn't order them we ordered things we thought we'd like and we did! So on to the food. Calamari: super tender and crispy with an awesome sauce, would definitely recommend. Spicy Tuna Crispy rice: It wasn't bad by any means but one of the dishes I wouldn't need to have again because it was just 4 little bites and the cream sauce kind of muted the tuna so not that flavorful. Wagyu Short Rib Ramen: Absolutely awesome dish packed with flavor and tons of meat! would definitely recommend. Gnocchi (not pictured): If you like Gnocchi which we do it was a nice bright dish with a bunch of citrus. Fried Bao Buns with powdered sugar and chocolate sauce, If you like Zeppoli then you'll love these and should definitely finish the meal with them! Overall I think this place is worth trying at least once and if they get new menu Items i'd definitely go back and do another meal! read more

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This was a very modern spot that blended Italian cuisine with Japanese fare. It was very loud upon entering with the music over the speakers. We were also fortunate to sit next to the open kitchen to see the operation being run. The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating, but at times, we did feel rushed. For appetizers, we ordered the crispy rice and Calabrian spicy tuna ($26) and chicken katsu ($17) bao. The tuna had piccata sauce poured over top. This was okay. There were four to an order. I thought there was just too much of the piccata sauce, which took away from the other flavors. The rice was also somewhat stale, I thought. I really was looking forward to this dish, but it disappointed because of the overflowing piccata sauce. The chicken katsu bao came with teriyaki basil pesto, lemon, parmigiano, and a basil nitsume. This was great. There were two large ones with plenty of filling. The flavors really meshed together nicely. The pesto with the crispy chicken was very appetizing. The hint of fresh lemon put it over the top. For an entrée, I had the black cod ($42). It came with an Italian miso, lemon, and furikake. There was also a side dish of edamame, scallions, and fennel. This was nicely done. The cod was cooked perfectly with a melt-in-the-mouth texture. The Italian miso was interesting. There was a flavor that really stood out, but I could not tell what it was exactly. The side dish was very refreshing, as it was light with tons of fresh lemon once again. It was a unique dish that I was happy I ordered. I also tried the gnocchi, which contained ginger teriyaki duck ragu with a yuzu apricot marmalade and a karaage crumble. This was another outstanding dish and use of ingredients. The duck paired nicely with the sweetness of the apricot. Will I go back? Probably. read more

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The art of exclusivity brought my friends and I to Pasta Ramen. We had to figure out if it was really worth all the hype. You need to make a reservation pretty far in advance, but the reservation system also won't allow you to make it TOO far out. It also seems virtually impossible to get the exact day and time you want, so you have to be flexible. There is also a hefty cancellation fee if you don't cancel within 24 hours. The aforementioned frustrated me but also fueled my desire to come here even more. After a few months of trying to get our little dinner club to pick a day that worked for both ours AND Pasta Ramen's erratic schedules, we finally secured our coveted reservation. This place was jammed pack on a Tuesday night at 8pm. You'd think it would be tiny based on how difficult it is to eat here, but it's actually pretty average sized. We loved the trendy, upbeat vibe. And they even had cool bathrooms (I mean they'd better, right?). The tofu fritti bao was out of this world, outrageously good. I experienced flavor combinations I didn't know existed. It was creamy, saucy, and garlicky. The rest was good, but not quite as memorable. The sea bass is a very popular dish, but I can't recommend it because the lemon-y furikake on top was so coarse that it was not enjoyable to eat. The fish itself was cooked well and the flavors were tasty. I'll definitely be back try more dishes! read more

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This restaurant I had heard some great things and had high expectations, but was sadly disappointed. The food here is definitely pricey and the portions are small, that kind of fancy vibe. On top of that, the food is just ok. Thankfully, we got seated at a table not connected to all the other tables. The seating is so tight, everyone looked quite uncomfortable since tables looked like they were only a foot apart so barely any space to have your own space/conversation. I went with my husband with a last minute reservation and ordered the calamari, shrimp scampi, and tonkotsu porchetta ramen. I was most excited for the ramen, since it's in their name but I think the ramen was the worst dish for us for the night. The meat in it was good and tender, but the flavors were minimal in the broth and tasted pretty bland. The noodles in the ramen were so chewy and not my favorite. I would definitely not get this again. The calamari was a hit. Very crispy, and nice flavors with the miso creme. This was the best dish of the night. The shrimp scampi was good, but small portions but nice flavor, nothing too different or anything. Pretty standard. Overall, the ramen was the biggest disappointment. The ambience and staff were friendly and attentive. Appetizer came out within like 3 minutes and entrees came out a few minutes after we finished the appetizer, but with how pricey this place is and the seating area and the quality of the food, this place will be a pass for me. read more

pastaRAMEN - Shrimp Scampi - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

Vibe was giving!! Good music good ambiance. (Def more Date night- girls night) Service was great (our server Marta caught the vibe) gave recommendations that didn't disappoint! We ordered a few apps and entrees to share and taste a few things as it was our first time. I'd def go back. Found out when we there it's BYOB-there's a liquor store down the block so that worked out easily for bottle of wine. Only cons -we preferred the tuna without the sauce -shrimp in the scampi could be bigger (they were smaller then I'd imagine for a shrimp dish read more

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still 5 stars for me. while the menu changed, it is still so delicious. the tofu grotto and chicken parmesan baos are unmatched. the cucumber salad is the best i have ever had. the fried garlic on top is such a great crunch and added flavor. this was my first time having chicken parmesan ramen and their crispy rice. the chicken ramen - WOW!!!! i have never had a broth like this one. it was creamy and savory and complimented the perfectly fried chicken katsu inside. the crispy rice was great but nothing out of this world. had to finish the meal with the fried bao of course. such a great restaurant to take people to. high-quality food, great music and atmosphere. you won't be disappointed read more

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Overall good experience! Very elegant, edgy, artsy decor. Perfect for photo shoots. Smaller than I expected. But very cool ambience. Great service. Food came out so fast , considering it was very busy on a Wednesday evening on the coldest winter day. Interesting dishes. Great presentation. No desert options. read more

pastaRAMEN - Tofu and chicken Bao buns - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Visited with a friend and we were blown away. The service staff were welcoming and professional. We were seated upon arrival. The restaurant has a very romantic dimly lit vibe which is great for a date night. We ordered appetizers and several different entrees and shared them all. We loved everything. The sauce that came with the clams was superb. We loved it so much we dipped the bread in it. We would bottle it up if we could! I wish there wasn't a time limit on your reservation which is my only complaint, but I do understand reservations are on demand so it makes the process fair for all. I am already planning to return soon! I hope we can count on consistency. read more

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This was my second time dining at Pasta Ramen, and once again, everything was to die for. We went with the off-menu omakase selection, and every course was a masterpiece -- bold, creative, and packed with flavor. The fusion of Italian and Japanese cuisine is executed flawlessly. Service was exceptional, and the ambiance strikes the perfect balance between modern and inviting. Truly a memorable experience from start to finish. Can't wait to go back again! read more

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One word review: Interesting. Interesting because this fusion restaurant combines Italian and Japanese flavors into unique one-of-a-kind dishes. We started with the chicken katsu bao bun, it was crispy and juicy with a nice sweet sauce on top. Then we got three mains, duck gnocchi, shrimp scampi ramen, and the cheese ramen special. I'm not a gnocchi fan, but the duck gnocchi was actually quite good. The shrimp scampi was a super interesting flavor, definitely tasty, just not flavors that you expect when eating a semi-dry ramen. The cheese ramen special was almost like Mac n cheese ramen style, my lady loves cheese, so she loved this dish. Atmosphere would have gotten 5 stars from me, however during our visit the fire alarm went off not once, but twice. We don't even know what dish would have set it off, it's not like they're smoking any of the food. Also FYI it's BYOB 4 stars due to the taste/cost value read more

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Ramen perfectly al dente. Soup was a bit too dense and salty but maybe was our batch since we went late. Vibey interior but music a bit loud. Would go back for the tamen Overall they cooked everything perfectly. I am not a huge fan of asian fusion but the recipes were creative and this is a must try for those who enjoy fusion. read more

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Pasta Ramen in Montclair is a must! I went with my girlfriend and a friend and everything hit. The staff were great about my dairy allergy and my friend's nut allergy, which made the whole experience easy. I had the wagyu skirt steak and takoyaki both incredible. The wagyu melted in my mouth and the takoyaki was plate licking good. My girlfriend's Tonkotsu porchetta and my friend's chicken katsu were also delicious, and the chicken katsu bao disappeared in seconds. Chill vibe, attentive service, BYOB, and easy parking with street spots and a garage nearby. We got lucky walking in, but I'd recommend making a reservation since the place fills up quick. Unique Italian Japanese fusion that totally works 10/10 highly recommend. read more

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Definitely worth the trip! This place exceeded all expectations. The food was delicious and service very attentive! Definitely tight seating but I wouldn't say it was too loud like many of the reviews said! I highly recommend all three bao buns especially the tofu which I usually would never get! Loved the porchetta ramen and the shrimp scampi! Can't wait to come back again! read more

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Ok yes this place is pricey. If that's something that bothers you, you will likely feel that portions for some dishes are small for the cost. You'd have a fair argument. But wow this place is still 5 stars. Fantastic service. Chic, fun, sexy ambiance--great for a party or a date. BYOB (I recommend grabbing a bottle from Amanti Vino around the corner). Food was outstanding delicious and a perfect execution of Japanese and Italian cuisine, including technique, ingredients, presentation and flavors, read more

Overhyped. Unique concept. Trendy atmosphere. Great service. I had a chance to visit this place and I do not know why there is a long wait for this restaurant. The food concept is great, where you can find not your average ramen but it is not a wow factor from my point of you; flavors are unique but overpower each other. I hope you find this review helpful. read more

pastaRAMEN - Interior - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

Definitely mixed feelings, but as someone who fell upon these reservations I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Some of the dishes were definitely better than others. The server was really helpful and was giving recommendations, and wasn't trying to oversell you, which I appreciate. The dishes you have to try is the carbonara, the bao (pork, only has two), the calamari, AND the gnocchi special that was with duck. Oh, my, gawd. The gnocchi was the STAR. So keep in mind it was a special, but worth the price for sure. The calamari is honestly something that I could have eaten all day. It had so many good flavors and definitely had that Japanese twist. The carbonara was thick and creamy, and very filling. The thing to pass was the Goyza, they were okay. I would definitely try the clams though, that is something I want to go back for. read more

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Incredible food, great service. We ordered the two apps and presentation was beautiful. You can probably skip the cacio e pepe gyoza (wasn't too peppery at all, and the gyoza were perfectly plump) but definitely order the chicken katsu bao buns, which overwhelm your tastebuds with layers of basil and teriyaki flavor with each and every crunchy katsu bite. The star of our meal was the chicken katsu ramen bowl and shrimp scampi ramen. How Chef Robbie Felice layers these flavors so you can taste each ingredient individually but also, blended together, is incredible. The ramen in both dishes is cooked perfectly al dente. If I could have ordered pints of the scampi sauce and ramen broth, I would have. I imagine each dish would be even more welcoming in the cold of winter. While we heard two desserts offered to the table next to us, they seemingly ran out of one (s'mores bao buns, toasted tableside) and so we opted for the bao bun zeppoles, which had a delicious chocolate sauce but tasted a little greasy. Delicious, but passable. Worth noting: this is NOT a great first-date spot, in the sense that you can't hear each other without screaming over the music. But, this place is swanky and sexy and dimly lit, so perfect for a flirty 5th date or long-standing relationship where conversation is not as crucial. Also - parking is a beast. Note if there are shows at Wellmont Theater on the same night and be prepared to circle the block for 15 minutes or so for street parking, OR, to pay $30 for 'event' parking at the deck. read more

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Try it for the sake of Montclair culture, but don't expect it to live up to the hype. The fusion misses execution. Not ramen enough to satisfy that craving and not pasta enough to satisfy the indulgence. Service is phenomenal and the ambiance is cool, could be updated from its trendy post-Covid tik tok house vibe, but the music is giving! read more

pastaRAMEN - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

I also ordered the Waygu Short Rib that was as hit. The food was good just don't forget to bring your Wine read more

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Decided to celebrate our Anniversary here and we thoroughly enjoyed the food! Even service was great and we loved the fun ambiance. For food, we started off with octopus takoyaki which was absolutely delicious! love the sauce as well as the texture and we wish we couldve eaten more lol The Ebi bao was also good but i think it could do with a bit more sauce. For our entree we decided to share the NY strip steak. It was beautifully prepared! The Nori crema definitely gave that Japanese-inspired flavor and was something new. The matcha lemonata drink was also refreshing and for dessert we got their zeppoles with hazelnut dip. It was quite sweet but we still enjoyed it anyway. We missed the entrance the first time since there was no sign lol but i actually liked that fun and "secretive" feel to it. Even the restroom was cool and funky! we had a great time for sure. read more

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I love the concept of this restaurant - Japanese and Italian fusion. As soon as I heard of it, I knew I had to try it out. We came here around September last year. You have to book reservations a month in advance or there's no availability. The food did not disappoint - it was amazing. We ordered uni, truffle pasta, black cod, bao bun, and some drinks. The uni dish was the most amazing of them all. My husband still raves about it to this day! They also gave us a complimentary calamari dish. We don't eat calamari normally so we brought it home and everyone who tried it LOVED it. And the presentation of the food - wow. I eat with my eyes so I loved it. Taste buds were happy too. Ambiance had a club-like vive, but with sit down tables. The music was loud so it was hard to hear eachother talk... we were probably yelling by the end of the night. However, it was a fun experience. Service was great! Everyone was friendly and helpful with the menu. We also had the chefs come check in on us to see if we liked the food. We also got complimentary dish :) Overall, 5/5. read more

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This trendy hotspot in Montclair claims it will leave you speechless and it did just that! Their italian inspired ramen dishes are amazing, my favorite being the Mochi Ramen Carbonara Tsukemen. Every bite is so flavorful and fresh - I highly recommend! It is difficult to get a reservation since it can only be done through their website, however I was able to secure one by checking the page often for availability. The overall atmosphere is dark, moody, and trendy - making it a great pot for a date night or an outing with your friends! read more

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We came here on a Saturday night and we're seated right away after making reservations over a month in advance. The atmosphere was packed with decor and very loud with abstract paintings on the wall. The service was amazing , the entire staff was very tentative and help while ordering on the unique menu. They pushed the omakase option as it being our first time they but we went rogue and ordered off the main menu, which I am happy we did. Last but not least the food was incredible. The Asian fusion menu has so many amazing flavors. We started with multiple types of cacio y Pepe gyozas, bao buns , pasta dishes, and a killer NY strip steak. There was nothing negative about the food. Nobody had a bad bite of food. Will definitely be returning back! read more

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Do not order the Spicy Rigatoni the worst dish I have ever gotten at a restaurant will not be back..

Don't get me wrong, the food was good, just nothing I'd write home about. They sent a paragraph confirmation text reminding me that they don't welcome kids (I wasn't bringing any), that they'd give up my table if I was late, that I could only stay 1:30 hours and that they would charge me if I didn't show up. A bit much for the hype. read more

Getting resy here is recommended and they drop two week opening two times a month. So best shot is to try to get resy when it open up. Of course I wanted to try this spot due to the hype of the fusion of Italian and Japanese food. The ambiance here is great and definitely decorated well. We ordered the cacio de Pepe gyoza which are popular and we shockingly enjoyed. Wish there was a little dipping sauce with it but it was still good alone. We ordered the chicken bao buns which was flavorful overall. For the main course got the chicken katsu ramen and the tonkotsu porchetta ramen. We both enjoyed our respective ramen and perk to the ramen is how they serve the hot broth on top separately. They also pack the ramen well if you have left overs and want to take it to go. Lastly for dessert we got the strawberry mochi and shockingly the strawberry jam was a great burst of flavor. I would def recommend giving this a try. It is byob so you can bring beverage of choice. The waitress was really helpful with recommendations and ordering. Overall give this place a 3.5. read more

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I was so excited to finally try pasta ramen after hearing all the hype for the past year. it's a unique japanese italian fusion menu that i havent really seen anywhere else. i can see how the inside can get crowded but luckily my friends and i were seated at one of the larger tables near the front window. i wouldnt recommend coming with a group larger than 4 and definitely not baby friendly so leave the kids at home. hands down the best thing were the clams and foccaia. i could bathe in the sauce! imagine a classic white wine clam sauce but a little creamier with hints of miso. its an obsession and the foccaia underneath stays crisp and soaks up all the amazing sauce. the bao buns were a must miss unfortunately. we tried porchetta and the chicken one; both had too many flavors going on. i did love the mocktails, super bright and refreshing. both pastas we tried were delicious and it was fun to try a blend of flavors i had not experienced before, especially in such familiar italian dishes. it's a great date night spot or place to have a fun dinner with friends! read more

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The new menu is out of this world- delicious! We were there last night and I just woke up thinking about the wagyu skirt steak. Service - read more

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Where do I begin? I'm a huge Pasta Ramen fan! I was lucky enough to snag a reservation to the grand opening in January last year and have been dining here regularly since. The food is amazing. I have never tried something new and not enjoyed it. The chef is always coming up with these new specials that might sound odd like tuna on pizza but trust me you'll love it! The tofu Bao buns are SO good, and I am not a tofu person. My favorites though not from this dinner are the Tonkotsu Porchetta ramen and the cacio y pepe gyoza. It's so flavorful. Love that it is BYOB and the vibe. read more

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We went to pasta ramen for a Sunday date night. It was such a unique experience! Who would've thought the two cuisines could work so well together? We got the vegetarian bao bun... and oh my goodness, what a highlight. The lemonade was also SO good! For my entree, I got the carbonara pasta, my boyfriend got ketchup spaghetti. They were interesting and unique tasting (honestly, I liked my boyfriend's dish better!). The Zeppoli were also a favorite. The vibe inside was gorgeous and cozy. Our waitress was also nice and friendly and explained the menu in detail. read more

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Finally got a reservation to check out PastaRamen! My husband and I enjoyed a date night there on a Friday night. There is no sign outside making it very difficult to find. Thankfully others had mentioned it in reviews so we were able to find it. Inside the ambiance was nice and decor was fun. We both enjoyed the fried calamari for our appetizer, which was perfectly cooked with delicious sauce and the charred lemon added a nice touch. My husband tried the cold basil pesto noodles with chicken katsu and hot broth on the side, which he thought was just okay. I had the shrimp scampi which was tasty but so rich and heavy for me that it became overwhelming after the first few bites so it might be best split with someone. Sebastian was our server who was awesome and the food came out quickly. If there were more options for dessert we would have stayed for dessert but they only offered one option. read more

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Worth the trip, every dish has its own complex flavors thanks to their dedicated team and of course Robbie at the helm. Everything down to the plating is so well balanced and makes whatever you order special. The pastas are insane, texture is perfect, really giving you that slightly chewy bite - perfectly done and satisfying. The interior is very chic and cool, perfect for impressing a date or catching up with close friends for a night out. Can't wait to return. read more

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My wife and I had an outstanding experience yesterday from a place that held high expectations from us! Food: we started off with two AMAZING appetizers in chashu porchetta bao and calamari fritti. The bao was light and fluffy, pork belly tender, and the mixed greens were an amazing touch. The calamari might have been the lightest calamari I have had. For dinner, my wife had the chicken katsu ramen which was perfectly blended and accentuated by the broth. I had the mochi ramen carbonara tsukemen, which was a great choice, albeit I am not a BIG Parmesan fan and this has more parm than then eyes can see haha. Aesthetic: two paper sakura trees separate either side of the beautiful seating arrangements. It is a tight fit, but you're not paying attention to it because the ambience is fantastic. I love the wall art that lines the upper third of the wall. Service: one of our highlights was our server Naomi, who had her first full day without training. I was impressed how much personality she showed and she was on top of anything and everything we needed. The assistant staff was amazing as well, a very well oiled machine. I think the biggest highlight of this place is the reasonable price. They found that perfect blend of chic feel and good price, meaning I will definitely be back here again. read more

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Fun date spot, has a modern trendy vibe that draws a fun mix of a crowd. Service is good, although be warned that it is difficult to get a reservation here, they charge $50 if you don't cancel within 24 hours, and your resy is limited to 90 minutes, it is also BYOB. The food is okay. Crispy tuna: 5/5. Delicious. Fresh, good texture, flavors come together well. Octopus: 2/5. Heavy on the BBQ sauce. Had quite a bit of toppings that I felt didn't necessarily complement the octopus flavor. Tenomi ramen: 4/5. Zesty lemon flavor, fresh and fun, bread crumbs add a nice kick. Chicken katsu ramen: 2/5. Italian herbs didn't really go with the Asian spices in my opinion. Was interesting but not very appetizing. read more

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Amazing meal. Food is so sumptuous. Everything melts in one's mouth. Service was great. Our waitress answered all questions and gave suggestions. The decor of the restaurant is very cool. like art work from a Magna novel. The restaurant is BYOB. We ordered the calamari fritti and octopus for an appetizer. What delicate tastes! Then we had the NY strip and the shrimp scampi. Both were divine and flavorful. 90 minute limit to the reservation but that was perfect timing. Don't miss it! read more

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Great food. Unique menu. Fun ambiance. Took my mom for her birthday and she loved the soup options. read more

DO NOT FALL FOR THE HYPE! My mom has been dying to try pastaRAMEN, and getting a reservation felt like winning the lottery. I booked it a month in advance, walked in excited, and left wondering how this place still has a waitlist. The spicy rigatoni pomodoro was the biggest disappointment. The center was barely warm, but the rest of the dish was ice cold, and the sauce was caked onto the pasta as if it had been sitting out for a while. Nothing about it tasted fresh or thoughtfully prepared. The meatballs? Think Chef Boyardee, but somehow saltier. Truly nothing special, and absolutely not worth the price tag. Speaking of price, $25 for a scoop of cold macaroni and two sodium-packed meatballs is outrageous. Don't get me wrong, I'm a foodie and when the food is good I will gladly drop tons of money. However, $115 later, we ended up having to get pizza. Between the hype, the wait, and the execution, this was one of the most underwhelming meals I've had in a long time. Never again. The two stars I gave is for the service. Great service, not their fault the food is terrible. read more

If I could have every meal for the rest of my life at pasta ramen, I would. The food is not just delicious but a whole experience. Staff is so nice. The space is small and loud, so not really an intimate date night type spot, but overall great if you're looking for really amazing food. read more

pastaRAMEN - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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