Food: ☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆
Cost: $$$
Must try: Handmade pasta dishes
Basta Pasta is Toshi Suzuki’s Japanese influenced Italian restaurant in Chelsea. Widely popular with a large Asian clientele, at this Japanese style trattoria reservations are always a good idea!
The décor at Basta Pasta is a bit on the peculiar side – it is Italian trattoria muddled with random Zen elements not particularly artfully put together. The most distracting yet fascinating element is the open kitchen which is plopped right in the middle of the space.
The food however is another story! The menu offers beautifully presented Italian dishes with subtle, delicate Japanese twists. Some creations work beautifully whilst others are unremarkable.
I think the appetizers are stunning. Do try the Crespelle Con Funghi E Ricotta and any handmade pasta dish. The Spaghetti with Uni is a house favorite though I must mention that the two people who ate it at our table got violently ill right after.
I didn’t care much for the house Bolognese which tasted grainy and lacked interest. The pasta made in the Cheese Cartwheel is a crowd pleaser – it’s gimmicky but wildly popular. Desserts are not their strong point though they did have a very good flan.
All in all Basta Pasta works! Suzuki’s innovative and simple approach to classic Italian fare keeps customers coming back for more and more.
Here is some of what we ate:
Mascarpone and Gorgonzola Toast
Fresh Fish Carpaccio of the Day
Tuna and Scallop Tartare
Tortino Di Granchio
Gnocchi Di Zucca
Spaghetti Con Prosciutto E Parmigiano
Linguine Alle Pescatore
Crespelle Con Funghi E Ricotta
Linguine with Prosciutto
Fettuccine Alla Bolognese
Zuppa Pesce
Tiramisu
Vulcano
Flan
I’m surprised that your general tone for this restaurant is positive when you have so many unfortunate things to say about it. I quite agree with your criticism and find little to like about this place. If you go early when it’s uncrowded, the space has a worn-out look. The upfront open kitchen is ugly and inconvenient. The portions are outrageously small given the prices and the food mediocre, in my opinion. I used to go here regularly when it first opened years ago, and it was quite nice. I wouldn’t say that now. I also had a very bad experience with a staff person rudely embarrassing my party for, I guess, overstaying our welcome — despite the fact that we ran up a sizable check that was well worth their time (nearly $500 for 4 people). I will never go back. Rudeness to good customers is intolerable.
Hi Joe,
Im sorry you had such a bad experience. You are right there is no excuse for rude service. Nothing upsets me more.
I actually had quite a good experience overall and enjoyed our time there – thus the positive tone. I really liked their appetizers but its really not a place I would go back to. It was good for a one time experience.
Thanks for writing and sharing. Always good for readers to get more opinions!
Malini