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: