Pasta Moon

Half Moon Bay, CA
On Main St.
⁵⁄₁₀ — Pizza Mushroom and sausage with some type of other meat, I think prosciutto.
Although thin crust the crust was barley okay. Overall it was too salty because of the prosciutto and sausage combo.
Sauce wasn’t evident.
⁶⁄₁₀ — Lasagna Half order. Really liked the thin layers of pasta stacked onto each other. Pretty good dish.
⁵⁄₁₀ — Lemon parfait, looks better than it tastes and worthy of a pass.
6.5÷10 — Italian Red Glass. Was very nice but had no legs… Fine by me as I think it is a wine that can be sipped all day. $ 19.50 for the glass.
— Bread, EOO and BV as expected.
— Service started friendly and attentive, as service progressed the place became more busy and started to fall off.
— Service Feedback — I knew the glass of wine was going to be $$ as I relied on the recco ny the server. However, I wanted to see the wine list again to review nice map and wine regions of Italy, he never brought it back.
— Reservation for lunch a couple of weeks in advance.
— TIP PARKING: 12 Hour public parking available behind Building next PM.

My family and I keep coming back here for special dinners. Service is stellar, everything on the menu is prepared to perfection and wine list is extensive. Pasta and bread is made in house and the seasonal specials are worth trying! Every time we come here we have a fabulous time. Although there aren’t too many kids in the restaurant they do a great job at accommodating us.
You haven’t really lived until you try their lasagne. The butterscotch pudding is to die for! Those two items and a glass of wine really are all you need!

As anyone who’s read my reviews (or knows me) knows, I despise Italian food. It’s bad for you, it sucks, yada yada yada. BUT… when we first moved to HMB many many years ago, my wife dragged me into this place. And, frankly, it was old, moldy, and the menu was pretty limited… and it was ALL Italian. Needless to say, we didn’t go back.
Fast forward about sixteen or so years… our financial consultant held a dinner here for clients of a particular REIT… and once again, the wife dragged me here.
And things looked up the second we walked in. Bright décor (clearly a major remodeling job at some point in that time frame). Very chic look to the place. We went to where our group was gathering for appetizers… and while the pizza didn’t appeal to me, the calamari was perfect… AND they had a hefeweizen on draft! Yes, this was definitely a new spin on Pasta Moon!
We were seated, and with some concern, I looked at the menu. Yeah, lots and lots of pasta «stuff»…but what’s this? Roast chicken? Score another for the updates!
The wife had something pasta-​ish, and kept telling me it was awesome and that I should try a bite… that I’d like it (note that this hasn’t worked since she met me, so that was truly a wasted breath).
The chicken, however, was very awesome. It had a bunch of weird veggie stuff underneath it (some of which looked suspiciously like eggplant). I kept away from that, but definitely a good meal.
Not much of a sweets, person, but we tried the chocolate somethingorother — basically like a hollowed out brownie with hot chocolate in the middle and ice cream on top. It was also good (for a bite… about all I could handle).
So yeah, I was surprised and impressed — Pasta Moon has definitely improved from that visit long ago, and the menu was also a great step up.

This restaurant comes off as a very high class dining establishment however we were very disappointed in a few things. Although our server was very polite & professional the service was extremely lacking. I had to get up & serve pepper to my family every time we had a new course. The water boy literally stood next to the pepper grinder right next to our table and never offered us any. They delivered 5 plates of pasta to us & never offered Parmesan to anyone. When we asked for it (getting flustered at this point) we were told that the owner doesn’t allow them to offer cheese or pepper because «the food is cooked to perfection and does not need additional seasoning». But based on other things we saw the owner is a creep a** b & that’s why they aren’t allowed to offer anything extra.
Our waitress also offered soup or salad in a fashion which made it seem like it was included but every bowl of soup ended up costing us $ 10 each. We were given several forks with absurd amounts of dried food on them & my glass had not one but 2 different sets of someone’s lipstick on it. Neither our waitress nor her assistant/​water boy whatever he was, ever offered to refill a sisters water glass & it was her only beverage. It sat there empty for 20 minutes until I asked them to refill it. Then it happened again.
There were other issues including incorrect orders being delivered and some things ordered weren’t served but I’m pretty sure this review is long enough!
That being said, everyone thought the food was really good.
With love,
The Sisters

The ambiance was excellent. I enjoyed the pancetta. The lasagna could have use a little more sauce. All the wines they serve are from Italy. I wanted to try some local wine and seafood, but that wasn’t available. We still had a great dinner.

Decided to go for date night in Half Moon Bay. Feels like the perfect spot from the South Bay — a nice drive over the mountains and then a nice meal. And based on the reviews on Unilocal,this seemed like the perfect spot to go.
Unfortunately, Pasta Moon didn’t deliver.
It wasn’t so much that there was anything wrong. There wasn’t. It’s just that there wasn’t anything *right*.
The fritto misto was well fried, though the seafood wasn’t so great. The clam chowder wasn’t that creamy. The spaghetti vongole didn’t come together at all — it felt like a whole bunch of ingredients had been dropped together on a plate; pasta, shells, broth. And the pappardelle that everyone on here seems so excited about… it was ok. Certainly wasn’t great.
And it’s not like the serving sizes were so big that it, on some level, made up for it. Instead of going for dessert, we went for mussels simply because we were still kind of hungry.
I’m afraid that in so many senses, Pasta Moon epitomises three stars. Not terrible. Not great. It’s just… average.

This used to be my favorite restaurant and I loved chatting with the owners and helping out the «small guy». New Year’s Eve was the last time I will ever eat there. I wasn’t going to Unilocal this but after waiting a week for a response by the owners, I am just going to post it here. I would save my money and go somewhere where they will actually appreciate your patronage.
Hello,
I saved my entire bonus for working 60+ hours a week during November (working in retail and missing Christmas and Thanksgiving) so I could take my family to the New Year’s Eve dinner. When I made my reservations, I enjoyed a lovely chat with Kim and we chatted about my job (and I do hope that you enjoyed the gift I brought you). So I looked forward to tonight with great enthusiasm.
We ate and it was an OK experience. It wasn’t the experience that I am used to at Pasta Moon but I figured it was because of the rush and the set menu. There was a few problems: we had to ask for water and refills, we asked for bread (that never came), the tuna tasted off in the Crudo, the butter poached lobster was replace with much cheaper and smaller diver scallops, the chocolate hazelnut tart was missing it’s Anglais… just little nit picky things, but when you are asking for 500.00 at the end… it adds up. You asked for 90.00 for 4 courses. French laundry asks for 250.00 for 9 courses. The difference? Their gratuity is added because let’s face it 20 percent on 250 adds up quick.
I wanted to set that up for you because you were charging more per course than the French Laundry were I have eaten. The service is beyond reproach where as the service tonight was un energized and even lethargic. But Steve looked harried so I wasn’t going to bring this to your attention. Until I left the restaurant. And 5 minutes into my drive home I received a call meaning to shame me for not leaving a tip. But I left a 30.00 cash tip at the table which was way more than my service deserved. I ended the call in humiliation and disbelief that I had spent 500.00 and left a 30.00 cash tip and this was the thanks I get? My years of patronage and this is how I am repaid? I called back to let Steve know that someone called me and I was told that it had to have been Kim who called me. I am still a little blown away at how this is an acceptable business behavior, but maybe I was wrong in thinking I was a valued patron. Maybe my funds and hard earned money isn’t appreciated.
Since I have gotten home, instead of enjoying my New Year’s Evening, I have been going through all different feelings but in the end, I felt this was the fairest most mature one. I wanted you to know of my experience and I needed you to hear it far from bar fights or whatever else happens this evening. Know that I was humiliated and that leaving a low tip is not illegal, tipping is not mandatory. Also, if you feel it needs to be so, please take a page from Keller’s book and include it in the charge (although you may need to WAY retrain your staff). Or better yet, pay your staff a living wage so I don’t get unprofessional phone calls when taking my family out and trying to help your business out as well. Also, I think our patron/​business relationship has run it’s course. Don’t worry, it’s not you it’s me… I just want to be treated with respect when I spend my hard earned money. I hope you can turn things around for your business.
Regards,
Hanna

Nice pasta and fish entrée but the environment is a little snooty. It wasn’t too kid friendly but my child behaved well (they used glassware).

Went here for New Years Eve and it was disappointing. The menu sounded great but in actuality it was more about making small dishes that were easy to put together for the chef than about the food. The food was bland, we spent over $ 300 and we didn’t even bother to finish everything. On top of all that, because it was a set menu, the first thing our server said to us was «ready to order?» didn’t bother to see if we had any questions or wanted to order wine etc. Too expensive for such bland service and food.

Too bad my lasagne didn’t look like it does on their website. No char on the noodles, just over cooked pasta, and over cheesed all together. My wife’s pork chop was a bit better, but underdone in the middle. Nice atmosphere, but we’re done here.

Cocktails? Ok.
Farm-​to-​table veggies, seasonal menu, great bread.
Had some epic butternut squash mascarpone ravioli with brown buttah and seasonal salad about a year ago. Damnnnnn. It’s always packed because it’s good like that.
Great service.
Rico. Rico. Rico.

Pasta Moon is pretty big and has a few dining rooms. We came here for a weekday lunch and were very happy with the food.
The brussel sprout chips were a fun starter. Nine bucks will get you a small bowl.
The mushroom ragu was absolutely delicious– perfect for mushroom lovers like myself. I nearly licked my plate clean.
To wrap it up, the meyer lemon parfait might have been one of the best lemon desserts I’ve ever had.

Pasta Moon is redolent of a lady that oozes warmth and charm. It has a good vibe with an intimate and elegant setting. The façade looked a little run down and sketchy. On entering, we noticed there was several smaller dining rooms besides the main, with tables evenly spaced giving diners some elbow room and conversation privacy. All the dining rooms were tastefully decorated for the holidays. The grand piano looked classy although I would have appreciated it more if there were a pianist.
Sourdough and rosemary focaccia were promptly served with EVOO and balsamic vinaigrette. The breads were just ok as the focaccia for some reason was soggy.
I loved me some fresh Monterey Bay calamari especially if they came with tentacles. Fritto Misto ($ 13) was an immediate eye catcher. Plain and simple, it just meant deep fried food Italiano style. Besides calamari and rock shrimps, there were Castelvetrano olives, fennel and red onions thrown in for good measure. The calamaris were lightly salted, peppered and fried perfectly with little grease. I must say while they were delicious, they skimped on the calamari unlike the onions which were in abundance! However, the light green Sicilian castelvetrano olives were worthy of mention as they had a unique buttery flavor and sweet taste. The sides of marinara and lemon aioli dipping sauces were unfortunately quite forgettable. (³⁄₅)
The friendly manager came by and suggested mussels being one of Pasta Moon’s signature dishes. Being a huge mussels fan, he easily twisted my arm. Without hesitation, we ordered P.E.I. Mussels ($ 14), which were touted to be a big deal. These mussels were sweet and tender and Pasta Moon’s rendition was quite delectable. According to the menu, they were cooked in pinot grigio which I understood was a sweet, fruity white wine. The mussel juice was wonderful except I was baffled why one side of the plate was heavily peppered but none on the other! As for the meat, I was disappointed that the mussels were not any plumper. (⁴⁄₅)
Once in a while, I crave Lasagna ($ 12 for half order) and tonight was one such night. It wasn’t just any lasagna but the yummy, gooey, dripping cheesy kind. Bring on the ricotta and Parmesan! The toothsome tomato sauce was robust with a dash of chili flakes. The layers of lasagna noodles and house made Sicilian sausage were absolutely scrumptious and the whole piece was topped with mozzarella, the real stringy and stretchable kind. It was undoubtedly a Pasta Moon’s classic that had been a crowd pleaser for years. (⁵⁄₅)
I felt that dining Italian was incomplete without pasta. Somehow, I didn’t regard lasagna as pasta. Our final unanimous choice was Linguine Manila Clams ($ 23). That wasn’t cheap, no siree Bob! The portion however was quite substantial. The clams were fresh, briny and tasty enough to flavor the broth although the clams were so tiny. Wish they were plumper! It was a good idea to add pancetta giving the clams and the ‘clammy’ white wine broth a little bacon-​y flavor. Together with the chewy and bouncy linguine that was beyond al dente, the whole dish was raised to the next level. (⁴⁄₅)
Unfortunately that night, service was lackluster for a fine dining place like Pasta Moon. We came in at 5.30pm right when they open and by 6 pm, there were at least 40 diners seated. They were obviously understaffed with one busser and server running their butts off until the second server showed at 6pm. Maybe these diners were all unexpected walk-​ins like us on a weeknight!

Been here twice for lunch now. The restaurant is huge and has several different seating areas. Unfortunately, they’re are only two bathrooms and the wait can be pretty long.
For our most recent outing, we ordered a salad and lasagna to share. I also had a glass of the prosecco. The prosecco was served in a wine glass rather than a flute, Which seemed a bit strange but maybe that’s the Italian way?
The salad was good. A few pieces of greens and radishes.
The lasagna was perfect. The portion was huge but a great size to share for two. The restaurant is located in a cute area in the downtown area of HMB with plenty of other areas to explore.

Excellent quality of pasta as well as pizza. Large selection of wines. Service and quality of the desserts were sub optimal though

Several things stood out about this restaurant:
1. Knowledgeable, well trained wait staff
2. Quiet dining environment — they seemed to sequester families with kids in a separate area
3. Amazing food
Came here for a celebratory dinner while visiting family from out of town. The pappardelle and tagliatelle are absolutely to die for. Creamy flavorful sauce served with pasta that was cooked perfectly al dente. Other members of our party had the lasagna and salmon — both were very delicious as well. The lasagna definitely had a unique flavor profile, one that would be difficult to duplicate at home. We had no problems cleaning our plates. Cost was very reasonable… less than $ 300 for a party of 5 and ordering a bottle of wine to boot. Definitely one of my favorite choices for fine dining in HMB.

I’ve heard about HMB’s Pasta Moon for years and decided to try it with my boyfriend for my birthday. The restaurant has many dining areas, and I was able to make a reservation on Open Table an hour prior to arrival on a Saturday night.
We tried the pappardelle pancetta, tagliatelle bolognese, and minted pappardelle (spicy). I enjoyed the pappardelle pancetta the most which was also recommended by the server. The pasta is freshly made and not al dente. However, some of the pappardelle was actually stuck together. For dessert, the server recommended two items but I wanted to try the tiramisu which was ok. I should’ve gone with one of the two desserts that he recommended.
Our server wasn’t around that much, but the bus boy was great. He kept our water filled, brought us more bread, and even took a photo for us when the server asked us to wait but never returned to take it. Our server also didn’t tell us about the dinner specials until we asked when he told us about the dessert specials. They had a scallop special that we would’ve liked to try if we knew about it. Our server and his crew did sing happy birthday to me when they brought out the tiramisu with a candle.

Worth the hype. My friend suggested this restaurant as an excuse to get out of town and have a girl date. Excellent idea. The drive down 280 from SF was really spectacular. I almost forgot how upset I am about living in the bay area. We passed several reservoirs and both commented that we somehow felt like we were in a different place.
Downtown Half Moon Bay (if that’s what you call it) is super cute and quaint. We arrived at 7 PM ish so there wasn’t a ton open, but it was nice walking the two blocks down the main drag.
We had reservations so seating was easy. I had the parpardelle without the meat option and it was soo good. The noodles are made fresh and it was perfectly sauced in a cream tomato sauce and topped with pine nuts. I also had some salad as a starter and it was really fresh and delicious.
We finished with a rhubarb strawberry tart with a raspberry gelato. The gelato was soo good! It was a perfect meal and a perfect excursion out of SF. I’d definitely come back again despite the 45 minute drive.

How can I have NOT written a review for Pasta Moon??? MADNESS!!!
Anyways, I came here a couple of years ago during my birthday with my forgotten ex.
I loved the food so much, I came back last year for my birthday, and it was still the same great taste!
Well, this time I took my man friend and he was quite please with my recommendation.
Some highlights:
–The seating in the back facing the garden is pretty nice. Same in the main hall as well.
–Their cocktail selection is pretty decent. I always get the ginger bee?
–Their pasta dishes are amaze balls. House made pasta is always the best.
–The desserts are delish. Get the tiramisu.
–And lastly, the butternut squash ravioli! To die for! I’ve tried other butternut squash ravioli, and this one is truly the best I’ve had so far. Nom!
Service can be a bit off sometimes, but we’ve had pretty decent waiters that made our dining memorable.
Pasta Moon is definitely one of my favorite italian joints, and I don’t mind driving to the coast for this!

Stopped here during our Pumpkin Festival staycation & had yet another pumpkinny-​great experience
Sad to discover they no longer offered the Tempura Pumpkin — boo!!!
So instead, we had a super-​delish Buttercup Squash Soup — yes, ButterCUP not Butternut. Not really sure what made this varietal so different but it was light & creamy & had a lovely pumpkin flavor. Awesome!
Also shared the Kobucha Squash Salad & it had lots of roasted squash & candied pecans & you put candied pecans on anything & I’m going to be a fan!
Entrees included the Pumpkin Ravioli & it was the usual deliciousness — tender raviolis filled w/​pungent pumpkin that is just savory enough to be an entrée yet sweet enough to let the pumpkin stand out
Desserts were definitely in order as well & we chose THE most delish Pumpkin Tart & this was super-​dense, super-​creamy & super-​pumpkinny cake — served w/​homamade maple ice cream… wished we had ordered like 12 more of these!
We’ll definitely be seeing you when we’re next in HMB!