Went to Pasquale's last week for a friend's birthday. Here is what I hope to be a useful, detailed review...
Parking around the corner from the restaurant was free (save a tip, of course, after dinner). This was a plus, considering the area.
Upon being seated, table bread was provided and constantly replenished, but was mediocre. Nothing special about it at all and not warm - I've has much better elsewhere. Butter for the bread was provided on the side, but in small, rectangular individually wrapped portions, much like you would get at a diner. The butter was frozen, which I hate anywhere I go as it is hard (if not impossible) to spread and just breaks the bread apart, which I feel is not well thought out and without care - especially for a place like this.
Shortly after, we were given a complimentary plate of bruschetta - four small, bite-sized portions with four good-sized pieces of aged parmesan cheese. This was tasty.
Appetizer:
We order the Clams Oreganta. Pretty tasty, but each one was very small - nothing special.
Entrees: (not family-style like other restaurants in the area)
Friend's order:
On the menu - Vitello Valdostana - veal w/ prosciutto and mushrooms in a brown sauce w/ a side of pasta (spaghetti w/ marinara sauce). Not a large portion - two relatively small, thin cutlets. Upon delivery I immediately thought it was somewhat small. I took a bite and the veal was tasty and very tender and the sauce (brown) was good. Pasta/marinara sauce came in a small bowl on the side - was told by friend the spaghetti and sauce was nothing special and pretty standard. This appeared diner-style and was viewed this as disappointing, factoring in the local shops in the area that provide fresh pasta.
Friend's order:
On the menu - Chicken and sausage w/ a side of pasta (spaghetti w/ marinara sauce) This didn't look like any Italian dish I have ever seen. Fairly large portion. The chicken chunks were fairly large and each were about two-bite portions. The sausage was small in comparison (to the chicken chunks). I tasted the chicken and it was okay - not too flavorful or special. Friend agreed. When asked, he said he would not order this again if he were to go back. Pasta/marinara sauce came in a small bowl on the side - was told by friend the spaghetti and sauce was nothing special and pretty standard. This appeared diner-style and was viewed this as disappointing, factoring in the local shops in the area that provide fresh pasta. This seemed diner-style.
Friend's order:
On the menu - Linguini w/ white clam sauce, Decent portion, was told it was good, but not great. Not much else to say here.
My order:
On the "specials" board - Veal Osso Bucco w/ roasted potatoes. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! Very large portion (and dwarfed the other meals at my table). Large veal shank, lots of meat that was very tender and flavorful. Lots of gravy/sauce it was cooked in (a deep reddish/brown sauce). Roasted potatoes included (roasted) onions and garlic, along with green peas- all in a butter sauce. This accompaniment was (also) very rich, flavorful and delicious. Waiter provided a small, lobster-style fork to forage the large bone for the bone marrow). Meal was $36, but well worth it. Would definitely order this again.
Overall, I would probably want to try one of the other restaurants in the area. read more