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This is a gorgeous little spot, but unfortunately the food didn't hold up. The complimentary bread was not good - I actually mistakenly assumed it was gluten free because it was so bad. Entrees were weirdly soupy. Service was slow and scattered, seemed like there was only one waiter on a Friday night. Overall not much reason to visit unless you're looking for a gluten free friendly spot
Really enjoyed my time here! The second I walked in I noticed how quiet and peaceful the environment was. The dim light feel also adds to the authentic Italian feel. Everything was beautifully decorated and the tables were not overwhelmingly close together which I appreciated. My service pup was welcomed kindly which I also appreciated. Our waitress was patient, helpful and very caring. We wanted a cheese platter with other things that weren't included and the staff made it work for us. I also tried the pasta based on the recommendation of the waitress and I did NOT REGRET it at all. Great taste. Everything was perfect and I really had a great night here. We were the last ones to leave and didn't get rushed out. This place has AMAZING costumer service. I will be back.
Stopped in to Pastai before heading to work an event for Tribeca Film Fest yesterday, and we were excited for the dinner, but then let down afterwards. The restaurant is intimate, only a handful of tables, relaxing decor, low volume crowd so you can hear your guests you dine with, great bartender making drinks so big thumbs up there, and a menu of food items that seem to be the best thing ever. However, things were not impressive when we got our food taste wise. The fried olives were my favorite of everything though, best app to get, it doesn't come with sauce but I recommend asking for some kind of dipping sauce because this dish deserves it. The potato croquettes were underwhelming and bland, nothing special here, just tasted like raw potato with some meat in the middle. The servers are friendly, and efficient, as well as the other staff on site. The pastas were both very ordinary and bland. Also my gf's was salty and she didn't care for it. Mine was the Cauliflower one and it was tasteless and lacking. Nothing special and just, fill your stomach kind of food. Manhattan dinner, Manhattan prices, Inflation we get it. 2 drinks 2 apps 2 mains. $140 including tip out the door. Bottom line, not worth it, I'd look elsewhere for a special evening. Regular dinner on the fly though, sure why not.
The garganelli con burrata past was okay. Could have used more a flavor. The cherry tomatoes were fresh as can be. More tomatoes would have helped bring more to the plate. The create your own Pastai was made with bucatini with tomato sauce and a meatballs. The tomato sauce was very good , you can tell they use fresh tomatoes for it. The meatball tasted delicious! The service was good there was one person sitting at the bar and one table outside so it's somewhere a reservation might not be necessary for lunch .
Chelsea gem, a little under the radar. Southern Italian, homemade pastas but everything shines here. Late night bite. Ate: Lasagna with broccoli rabe Salmon with garlic spinach Total $63 before tip The lasagna is incredible!!! Hands down one of the best if not the best I've ever eaten! Fresh pasta, fresh flavored ricotta and perfect tomato sauce! The cheese on top slightly crisped. Perfection. Salmon while pricey was also perfect snd came with a delicious caper sauce. Rediscovered and it feels so good. So sorry I did not get a good pic of the lasagna, next time.
Walked in for dinner during restaurant week. We decided a la carte vs restaurant week didn't make a big difference, so we ended up ordering a la carte. The food was great although I did need to add salt/spice per my own preferences. Service was great and the restaurant was cute! I would come back.
Came here for dinner on a weekday. Was lucky to put in a reservation because the indoor seating was packed most likely due to the nice weather. The main dining area is actually not that big, but it's not a little bit of a rustic charm to it. Not sure how to describe it, but it's unique for sure. It looks like there is a proper dining room in the back though. Plenty of options to choose from the main menu, though it's worth noting the daily specials are plenty too. We got the bruschetta with cheese to start. I got the penne alla norma, which was fine. Just wish the eggplant was cooked a bit longer, but nothing major. Portion size was plenty too. It's perfect for people who want a cozy environment for a date night. I think the service and ambience was pretty nice. Would definitely recommend to others.
dropped in to pastai for a quick lunch. we were greeted by the most lovely man (they opened the doors 30 minutes early for us) and he was so helpful in helping us decide on what to get. basically every pasta but the ravioli and lasagna could be made gluten free and this pasta did NOT disappoint. the decor was ADORABLE and felt like a home away from home.
Met one of my old college buddies here. It a place I've been wanting to try. Started with some antipasto. Fried artichokes an eggplant dish and Brussel sprouts. All where good. Had two espresso martinis. Also very good. Main dish was pasta carbonara. A dish that I make myself and I think mine is the best. This version was pretty darn good. My buddy has the halibut. Looked good. Service was prompt. Prices are pretty normal. Place is nice. I would go back
We made reservations and showed up on time, but the host was too busy to acknowledge us for over 5 minutes, which felt a bit weird. We ordered a bottle of wine, which was nice but marked up 3x retail price. I liked that these guys do gluten free options! That goes a long way for me, but unfortunately not a lot else was great. We ordered the Brussels sprouts with prosciutto, which we never received. We also ordered the pasta with burrata, tomato and broccoli raab pesto. The pasta was cooked well and the pesto had a nice bitterness to it, but lacked salt and acid which would have brightened it up a lot. We also ordered the Filet Mignon, medium rare. The filet mignon was absolutely not a filet mignon, but rather a sirloin, which is a VERY different cut of meat and not what we wanted for 45 dollars. Worse, it was cooked EXTREMELY well. After cutting the first bite and realizing it was so dry it was hard to swallow, I cut into the middle she saw the whole thing was light brown and dry inside. Not medium-rare. My husband waved the host (who also appeared to be the only server) over and showed him the steak. He was very accommodating and took the steak back but we didn't see it's replacement for 40 minutes, and when it came out it was very rare- even cool in the middle. My husband likes rare steak so we decided to just ask for our check. I asked them to remove the Brussels sprouts, which we had never gotten and he explained that they did go out, just to the wrong table. In the 2 hours we were there our server didn't check in with us once, but the busser kept our water glasses full, which we appreciated. Overall we were there for 2 hours and it was the worst 150 dollar dinner I think I've ever had. Seems like this place could make a few simple adjustments and do a lot better.
1 year ago
An elegant spot with an intimate setting, Pastai provides a warm and welcoming service. The restaurant specializes in traditional Southern Italian cuisine, with their signature handcrafted pasta dishes. Try the Reginette al ragu. This dish features a rich, slow-cooked short rib ragu paired with long, wavy pasta. It is a comforting and hearty meal. The bruschetta is also quite great. The grilled bread is topped with housemade ricotta cheese, crunchy pistachios, and drizzled with spicy honey. This appetizer is deliciously savory and sweet. Despite all the wonderful things about this spot, the prices are somewhat steep for what you receive. Portion sizes are modest and not enough to be satisfying. read more
1 year ago
Came here on the recommendation from a friend. They have a good drink happy hour. There is ample seating at the bar. The service was very good but the food unfortunately not so much. They serve bread before the meal which is always welcome. We ordered the octopus and eggplant to split both were fine. The octopus was tender but lacked flavor. The eggplant was baked well but was bland. We ordered a pistachio shrimp dish. The pasta (which is made in house) and sauce was very good. The shrimp unfortunately were boiled and slightly raw. Unfortunately not a restaurant I see myself returning to. read more
Expectations were high for this cozy Chelsea spot offering up Southern Italian cuisine. Unfortunately, the fare didn't match the allure. We went in for the Restaurant Week prix-frixe menu ($60): one appetizer, one entree, one dessert. Service was attentive, but the meal was uneven throughout. After a small plate of fresh, soft bread + oil, we split: bruschetta (toasted bread + fresh ricotta + pistachio + hot honey) and fried artichokes in a mustard aioli. The bruschetta was excellent, with the creamy ricotta playing off the toasted pistachio and slightly spicy sweetness of the honey. The artichokes weren't anything special: mostly leaves with an underwhelming sauce, though the few hearts were tender and bright. For entrees: Gnocchi Alla Norma (gnocchi + eggplant + ricotta salata) and ravioli filled with ricotta in a mushroom and marinara sauce. Pastai does fresh pasta very well, though the sauces on both dishes lacked depth. The desserts fared much better: both the sfinci (ricotta doughnut balls filled with orange vanilla creme, topped with bitter chocolate sauce and candied orange peel) and cannoli (fried pastry shells with sweet ricotta cream, chocolate, and candied orange peel) hit all the right notes. read more
5 months ago
8 months ago
This is a gorgeous little spot, but unfortunately the food didn't hold up. The complimentary bread was not good - I actually mistakenly assumed it was gluten free because it was so bad. Entrees were weirdly soupy. Service was slow and scattered, seemed like there was only one waiter on a Friday night. Overall not much reason to visit unless you're looking for a gluten free friendly spot read more
3 years ago
Really enjoyed my time here! The second I walked in I noticed how quiet and peaceful the environment was. The dim light feel also adds to the authentic Italian feel. Everything was beautifully decorated and the tables were not overwhelmingly close together which I appreciated. My service pup was welcomed kindly which I also appreciated. Our waitress was patient, helpful and very caring. We wanted a cheese platter with other things that weren't included and the staff made it work for us. I also tried the pasta based on the recommendation of the waitress and I did NOT REGRET it at all. Great taste. Everything was perfect and I really had a great night here. We were the last ones to leave and didn't get rushed out. This place has AMAZING costumer service. I will be back. read more
1 year ago
Stopped in to Pastai before heading to work an event for Tribeca Film Fest yesterday, and we were excited for the dinner, but then let down afterwards. The restaurant is intimate, only a handful of tables, relaxing decor, low volume crowd so you can hear your guests you dine with, great bartender making drinks so big thumbs up there, and a menu of food items that seem to be the best thing ever. However, things were not impressive when we got our food taste wise. The fried olives were my favorite of everything though, best app to get, it doesn't come with sauce but I recommend asking for some kind of dipping sauce because this dish deserves it. The potato croquettes were underwhelming and bland, nothing special here, just tasted like raw potato with some meat in the middle. The servers are friendly, and efficient, as well as the other staff on site. The pastas were both very ordinary and bland. Also my gf's was salty and she didn't care for it. Mine was the Cauliflower one and it was tasteless and lacking. Nothing special and just, fill your stomach kind of food. Manhattan dinner, Manhattan prices, Inflation we get it. 2 drinks 2 apps 2 mains. $140 including tip out the door. Bottom line, not worth it, I'd look elsewhere for a special evening. Regular dinner on the fly though, sure why not. read more
4 years ago
The garganelli con burrata past was okay. Could have used more a flavor. The cherry tomatoes were fresh as can be. More tomatoes would have helped bring more to the plate. The create your own Pastai was made with bucatini with tomato sauce and a meatballs. The tomato sauce was very good , you can tell they use fresh tomatoes for it. The meatball tasted delicious! The service was good there was one person sitting at the bar and one table outside so it's somewhere a reservation might not be necessary for lunch . read more
Chelsea gem, a little under the radar. Southern Italian, homemade pastas but everything shines here. Late night bite. Ate: Lasagna with broccoli rabe Salmon with garlic spinach Total $63 before tip The lasagna is incredible!!! Hands down one of the best if not the best I've ever eaten! Fresh pasta, fresh flavored ricotta and perfect tomato sauce! The cheese on top slightly crisped. Perfection. Salmon while pricey was also perfect snd came with a delicious caper sauce. Rediscovered and it feels so good. So sorry I did not get a good pic of the lasagna, next time. read more
Walked in for dinner during restaurant week. We decided a la carte vs restaurant week didn't make a big difference, so we ended up ordering a la carte. The food was great although I did need to add salt/spice per my own preferences. Service was great and the restaurant was cute! I would come back. read more
Came here for dinner on a weekday. Was lucky to put in a reservation because the indoor seating was packed most likely due to the nice weather. The main dining area is actually not that big, but it's not a little bit of a rustic charm to it. Not sure how to describe it, but it's unique for sure. It looks like there is a proper dining room in the back though. Plenty of options to choose from the main menu, though it's worth noting the daily specials are plenty too. We got the bruschetta with cheese to start. I got the penne alla norma, which was fine. Just wish the eggplant was cooked a bit longer, but nothing major. Portion size was plenty too. It's perfect for people who want a cozy environment for a date night. I think the service and ambience was pretty nice. Would definitely recommend to others. read more
dropped in to pastai for a quick lunch. we were greeted by the most lovely man (they opened the doors 30 minutes early for us) and he was so helpful in helping us decide on what to get. basically every pasta but the ravioli and lasagna could be made gluten free and this pasta did NOT disappoint. the decor was ADORABLE and felt like a home away from home. read more
1 year ago
Met one of my old college buddies here. It a place I've been wanting to try. Started with some antipasto. Fried artichokes an eggplant dish and Brussel sprouts. All where good. Had two espresso martinis. Also very good. Main dish was pasta carbonara. A dish that I make myself and I think mine is the best. This version was pretty darn good. My buddy has the halibut. Looked good. Service was prompt. Prices are pretty normal. Place is nice. I would go back read more
We made reservations and showed up on time, but the host was too busy to acknowledge us for over 5 minutes, which felt a bit weird. We ordered a bottle of wine, which was nice but marked up 3x retail price. I liked that these guys do gluten free options! That goes a long way for me, but unfortunately not a lot else was great. We ordered the Brussels sprouts with prosciutto, which we never received. We also ordered the pasta with burrata, tomato and broccoli raab pesto. The pasta was cooked well and the pesto had a nice bitterness to it, but lacked salt and acid which would have brightened it up a lot. We also ordered the Filet Mignon, medium rare. The filet mignon was absolutely not a filet mignon, but rather a sirloin, which is a VERY different cut of meat and not what we wanted for 45 dollars. Worse, it was cooked EXTREMELY well. After cutting the first bite and realizing it was so dry it was hard to swallow, I cut into the middle she saw the whole thing was light brown and dry inside. Not medium-rare. My husband waved the host (who also appeared to be the only server) over and showed him the steak. He was very accommodating and took the steak back but we didn't see it's replacement for 40 minutes, and when it came out it was very rare- even cool in the middle. My husband likes rare steak so we decided to just ask for our check. I asked them to remove the Brussels sprouts, which we had never gotten and he explained that they did go out, just to the wrong table. In the 2 hours we were there our server didn't check in with us once, but the busser kept our water glasses full, which we appreciated. Overall we were there for 2 hours and it was the worst 150 dollar dinner I think I've ever had. Seems like this place could make a few simple adjustments and do a lot better. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Pastai was a pleasant surprise. Their pasta and cheese board impressed us in a city with no shortage of excellent Italian options. Their dishes were clearly prepared and plated with great precision and care. Their service was slow but their outdoor dining experience was one of the best we have encountered during the pandemic. If you are looking for quality Italian, at a moderate price point, and surprisingly filling portions, Pastai on 9th Avenue is a great option! Fermaggio (Cheese Board) (5/5): Their fermaggio was delicious. Each cheese was fresh and flavorful and the platter comes with a great variety of options. It is a customizable dish so be sure to talk to your waiter so that you can curate an appetizer to your liking. Our favorites were the burrata and mozzarella. Adding honey to any of the hard cheeses is a great option! Lasagna al Forno (5/5): Their lasagna was both filling and delicious. It came with a delicious bechamel sauce that really brought flavor to the dish. Their vegetables were clearly fresh and I could really taste the ground beef, Italian sausage, and ricotta cheese in the lasagna. It was earthy and strong but with subtle hints of sweetness brought on by the tomato paste. It was everything I could have asked for! Gluten-free Spaghetti al Ragu (5/5): This is the best gluten free pasta I have had in New York. It is not dry, chewy, or flavorless like most gluten-free pasta. Also, Pastai offers their gluten free diners spaghetti while most restaurants only offer a penne option! If you are gluten free or someone in your party is, Pastai is a great option. They will not be forced to sit out while others enjoy delicious pasta. Their ragu comes with plenty of sauce and everything has a great flavor. Both pasta dishes were exceptional. For a change, I could not distinguish between the gluten free and the regular pasta. It is usually obvious. Pastai clearly takes great pride in the quality and presentation of their food. I don't understand many of the mediocre reviews associated with this restaurant. It was a treat and I hope to be back soon! read more
3 years ago
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4 years ago
I was waiting for my friend to get out of work around this location and once I saw how pretty the restaurant looked I decided to go in and I love it. Great friendly staff I mostly had drinks and an appetizer but the bartenders are very friendly and really nice. read more
5 years ago
2 years ago
7 years ago
Great atmosphere, great food and great experience to have my birthday dinner. I would recommend this place. Say what you want about the place but even late at night the servers are attentive and check in periodically on guests which I think is a good thing. I had pasta with swordfish and really delicious. I like the lemon zest in it and the other flavors that made it very enjoyable read more
5 years ago
Such a neighbourhood gem! Highly recommend for an intimate date night. The service (our server Oscar was lovely), the food (highly recommend the antipasto pick 3 and any pasta) and the ambience were all amazing. Can't wait to come back :) read more
7 years ago
I reviewed this place before, but I keep coming again to try new dishes! I was there after work, stopped by for a light dinner and a drink. I got shrimps salad with pine nuts! It was reallllllu good. I said this before and I'll say it again, the secret of this place is fresh ingredients. Period! You know what you're eating and you get what you paid for. Also loved the vibes in Christmas, very cozy and warm. read more
Bottom line: upscale and intimate feel, great for date night, prices NY average, professional service, open late, overall great experience! Gluten line: very accommodating, including GF bread, pastas, etc. No issues after! Long line: so after leaving a concert nearby, we realized that finding a good GF meal after about 9 PM on a weekday is a bit tough. Luckily we had saved this place from a previous list I found and I'm thankful we did. The vibe is very private, intimate, with dim lighting, and only one other big table in the place when we arrived. The server was fantastic and answered all our usual bombardment of gluten related questions. The dishes were fresh and well made, and we both agreed we should return for a non-impromptu date. Would recommend even for non-celiacs and we will be returning! read more
8 years ago
Cute little spot in Chelsea! the food is very very good and they have some very particular pasta plates that not any italian restaurant will have. I also think their brunch menu is very appetizing and I love how some of the omelettes were italianized by adding mozzarella di bufala. The staff was also very nice and never pushy. Would definitely return!! read more
5 years ago
Lobster pasta tasted alright but a bit over cooked and dry. My friend ordered lasagna which was terrific read more
8 years ago
Boyfriend really loved the squid ink pasta. He wants you to try it for sure!! Well decorated and quaint in a way that's hard to find in NY. More veg options would be magical tho, would definitely return if that part of the menu expanded. read more
5 years ago
Lovely little spot with a great wine selection and delicious bites. Stumbled upon this venue after a massage and looking for a moderately live venue to have a glass of red wine. This spot was perfect you can't escape your regular Friday night couples but they allowed bar seating and the vibe was not overwhelming coupley or large dinner party exclusive. As I said I came for the wine which were authentic Italian reasonably priced for a decent pour. The piece de resistance is the bruschetta with fresh ricotta a hint of spice and pistachios. I see flames going from the open fire kitchen and if everything is as fresh as this ricotta including the seafood then I can't wait to come back! read more
5 years ago
Food was delicious, salad had an amazing dressing. 10/10 would highly recommend. I ordered to prosciutto panini which had a ton of flavor. read more
7 years ago
Okay, so to start, I want to preface my review and say that the rest of my family enjoyed their meals so perhaps it was just my dish. I'd also like to say that the server was really nice. Now, all that said, I ordered their brunch steak with fried eggs and it may have been one of the most unfortunate $19 I've ever spent in the city. It came out over burnt although I specified (more than twice) that I'd like it medium rare. Perhaps my expectations were too high due to its cozy and neat decor? I told him that I'd like it redone and he sent it back to the kitchen. They brought it back medium rare but it wasn't well seasoned, didn't retain its heat and some parts still felt hard and crispy. The eggs were fine but I don't pay $19 for fine. I can do amazing if a friend pays me $5. Oh, I almost forgot. I paid $5.00 for an americano that tasted more like a bitter drip coffee. Call me picky, but that's $5 I could've taken to Stumptown. read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
Stopped by for a quick lunch bite around 12:30 on a Saturday. We were the only people in there for the first 30+ minutes of our dining, but started filling up. I did the build your own pasta and would gladly pay $18 for another bowl. Lots of options and quick service. read more
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186 9th Ave
New York, NY 10011
Chelsea
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(646) 688-3463
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http://www.pastainyc.com/
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