La Pastaria

Poor excuse for Italian, this place has seen it’s day. I went there for a baby shower recently and the family style hot appetizer platters weren’t even enough to feed the entire table. We had to keep asking for more bread! The Tilapia Marechiara looked like a frozen filet from Costco, with 1 Clam and 1 Mussel on the side! Never again…

Never again. La Pastaria wasn’t my choice for our family’s holiday dinner, so at least that isn’t weighing on my conscience. Unfortunately, this didn’t make the experience any less painful.
As several other reviews have mentioned, the reservation process at this restaurant is a nightmare. We had booked and confirmed our 7:00 slot, and since La Pastaria specifically told us to arrive promptly at that time, we got there at 6:45 to respect their wishes. What ensued was over an hour of waiting (we were seated around 8:15), and a significant amount of frustration among both my family and the restaurant staff.
When we initially arrived, we checked in with the hostess and waited fifteen minutes after our reservation time before requesting an update from her. She informed us that it would be another fifteen minutes, which was fine, but this notice came with a side of unnecessary attitude. We shrugged it off and chalked it up to stress, as the restaurant was very busy during dinner.
Another half an hour passed without any interaction with the employees, so we requested another update from the hostess; at that point, it had been forty-​five minutes past the hour. Her response was even ruder, and she reprimanded us for what she perceived as impatience and unreasonable expectations. We were extremely close to leaving, but some of the family really wanted to eat here, so we stuck around and continued to wait.
We weren’t the only party displeased with the situation — a gentleman who had also been left hanging by the La Pastaria staff stormed out of the place, exclaiming, «This is ridiculous! I’m never coming back here again!» I wish I could have followed him out.
As I stated earlier, we were finally seated at 8:15 (for a 7:00 reservation), and there weren’t any apologies or extra efforts to provide us with great service. In fact, after ordering appetizers, it took another hour for us to receive them! The food wasn’t even enough to make up for the terrible customer service; it was average at best, and definitely not worth the money, nor the aggravation that accompanied the meal.
I would not recommend La Pastaria to anyone, as there wasn’t a single redeeming aspect about the restaurant. My advice? Stay far, far away.

Had a dinner the night (12÷30÷15) before my son’s wedding (12÷31÷15) and everything was amazing! They accommodated special dietary requests without any issues and there was plenty of food for all! Frank and Kevin were awesome and can’t wait to go back again! Even though the restaurant had another private party and every table was filled, our service was great and nobody left hungry!

Came here for dinner with another couple. This is a cozy place with a dark ambience. I loved that they had no issues with totally modifying the pasta dish I ordered. I added shitake mushrooms and changed the type of pasta. It was delicious. They were very accommodating. Would definitely come back.

I’ve been coming here for years and usually, I get some sort of pasta dish and I’m very satisfied. The décor is cozy and waiters are friendly. This review is for the NY strip steak that I so adventurously ordered. Bland. Might have been frozen and thawed just for me. It came covered in veggies and looked like someone was trying to cover up the embarrassment… long story short, if you head there, stick with the pasta dishes and stay away from the steak. sorry!

Let me just say this was probably one of the worst lunches I’ve had.
Me and a friend decided to go here for lunch instead of our usual favorite, Front Street Trattoria. I highly recommend Front Street for some food with flavor. Anyway we were promptly seated and told that the credit card system was down. Not an issue as we had cash. My cousin and I got served bread to start. The bread was decent, but the oil was not olive but CANOLA OIL. Really?! Absolutely gross. Then we waited a bit too long for lunch hour to get our food in a restaurant with no people in it. Not to mention we had to deal with the loud phone sound of someone on hold. Also, we had an employee decorating for Christmas directly behind us BANGING AWAY WITH A HAMMER. Didn’t know it was a construction zone. Anyway we finally got out food and I knew right away that it wasn’t a good situation. My cousin got the meatball sandwich which seemed ok except they strangely put the cheese on the bottom. They served her pasta salad on the side, which was downright repulsive. Imagine overcooked pasta soaking up vinegar until mushy. If I wanted baby food I would have ate it from the jar! I chose the pesto pasta, which was the most flavorless monstrosity I had the displeasure of swallowing. I couldn’t get past the 3 inch oil slick that they called pesto. Should have gave me some of that olive oil for the bread! Ridiculous. To top it off, the service was lackluster and the salt and pepper shakers were greasy. Do yourself a favor and stay far away.

The service was mediocre, food was good but the ambience is like a pizzeria. disappointed…have been going there for 17 years and very disappointed in the experience! What happened??? Jeopardy on the «tV» and rick music playing. not a «nice» Italian restaurant as it used to be… probably won’t go back any time soon!

Not what it used to be…
The waiter was very nice and helpful — I believe his name was Richard.
We ordered some appetizers — the Melanzano was good as usual, the Polenta Parm was bland and the polenta seemed old, we also got the Panella salad which was not good and contained all tomato no cucumber one dice of mozz and way too much vinegar.
My friend and I decided to share a pizza — which was a mistake. Very much a mistake. We ordered a Natalia pie which was undercooked and cold (because we didn’t rush through our appetizers) we both didn’t care for it so decided to try something more simple — a Margarita pie well done. The waiter didn’t ask how we felt about the pizza we passed over so we just wrapped it to go. The marg pie was supposed to have fresh mozz but didn’t — it was better than the first pie but what a mistake ordering pizza.
We most likely will not return as there is better Italian food in Red Bank these days.

This was one of the worst attempted dining experiences I have had in recent memory. I say attempted because nearly two hours after our appointed reservation we were still standing in the cramped vestibule. Our party of four had a 7:30 pm reservation and arrived about fifteen minutes early to check in. The hostess seemed very overwhelmed and there were irritated people waiting around the hostess station who felt that they had been passed over for tables. We watched as an obnoxious couple who claimed to have a reservation that could not be found on the list was seated at a table that could have accommodated four people ahead of us and another party of four that had also been waiting over an hour. That should have been our cue to make an alternative plan for our meal. Had we been told that we would be waiting almost an hour and a half beyond our reservation time we would have left.
I have been wanting to try this restaurant as it had been recommended by another attorney who has an office upstairs. As other reviewers have commented, however, this restaurant cannot effectively manage their tables and will favor known patrons ahead of others waiting (as well as patrons who obnoxiously lurk over the hostess stand).
During our two hour wait, two parties came in claiming to know someone and boasting how they would get a table despite the obvious wait. They were, in fact, seated ahead of us. We ultimately left and walked to another restaurant. The Pastaria obviously does not want «new» business. There are too many other good restaurants in Red Bank for us to ever take a chance at making a reservation at this restaurant again.

Same experience as Neil K. Waiting over an hour reservations at 7 still not seated at 8:30. People being seated ahead of us and others around us are in the same boat. Totally unacceptable. I can’t tell you about the food as I think we are going to end up leaving and going somewhere else. No food is worth this. I won’t be returning. Absolutely horrible.
Follow up. Left and went to Gaetano’s. Seated immediately. One block over from La Pastaria

We had a lovely dinner, thanks mainly to a very friendly and efficient staff, comfortable and pleasant ambiance, and a no rush attitude. The food was good. Not great, but pretty decent. Essentially, the food gets a 3 star rating, but the waitress brought my rating up a notch. Also, we were 3 couples who needed some extra social time, and the staff did not rush us in any way.

We love this place! The owners are such nice people. The staff is friendly & knowledgeable. The menu is extensive. And that have nightly specials. We have been there a bunch of times & the food is consistently good. And they even have parking — a rarity in Red Bank!

Went here years ago. Couldn’t remember why I hadn’t been back. After last night, I remember. The food had little to no taste. The Sunday gravy meat was completely bland. The special I had wasn’t cooked properly (over cooked dumplings equals mush). The services wasn’t great. Had to ask for bread twice and when it did finally come out, it tasted as if it was frozen and thawed out. Would never return or recommend.

Being a diner at this Red Bank restaurant for 20 years, we will not be returning. There are so many other options, where you are appreciated. On a Saturday night, for my birthday, we chose Pastaria because they have a cute garden and we wanted to be outdoors. We were three and no reservations for less than six. We were told 30 minutes for an outside table. I know this is a guess because you never know how long someone will sit at a table. We were able to see the progress of those at the tables in the garden. Couples leaving, a party of 5 switching tables and then leaving. An hour goes by and we are told 10 more minutes. We watch the rearranging of tables figuring on is ours. Wait! There is a party of 14 waiting for tables. Okay there is still one more table. Not to be. The table is given to them as well. Ninety minutes of patient waiting, I ask what happened to my table. Did you not know you had a reservation for the entire garden? Instead of being apologetic, I was literally yelled at by the host. «I get paid $ 75 a night and don’t have to listen to your s – t.» I asked for the manager who told me they were busy. Isn’t that what you want? You have been running this place for years, do you not know how to deal with a busy Saturday.
As I said, many other options of restaurants willing to take my money. Owners of other restaurants where I am a valued patron and am welcomed, not berated.

One of my favorites in Red Bank for years. Friday’s live entertainment is my favorite. Open on Mondays which is rare for area. Outside seating in the summer is also a must. BYO is also an advantage. Food is very, very good. Staff and management always, consistently good. You get that family feeling– owner sits at front table, crooner singing Sinatra, big bowl of pasta and your favorite wine!

The food is good. Not memorable good but good nonetheless. One thing that has been bugging me about this place. They give you bread with dipping oil and one would assume it is EVO. Not only is it not EVO it’s not even olive oil. It is cooking oil. Perhaps canola, corn oil. I mean really. Prices aren’t cheap so get with the program and put out some first rate olive oil. Contrary to popular belief, we can all taste the difference.
Food is definitely passable since I’ve eaten there 5 or 6 time in the past 2 years. Just can’t get past the olive oil thing.

Though okay, I’ve never been impressed by anything about this restaurant and I remember on one of my first visits years ago paying something like $ 8 for Caprese (Just mozz and tomato – not a salad.) and getting only a single (sliced…) ping pong ball sized piece of mozzarella. Obscene.
I’ve only gone back at the request of a friend. I’m Italian; she’s not. Just sayin’.
But my biggest issue… Please explain why the owners charge extra for whole wheat pasta. Aside from being the healthier option which they might choose to encourage, pasta’s in the freakin’ name!

The Chicken Milanese is phenomenal.. And the garden in the summer is so beautiful and peaceful. Definitely worth the experience!

Decent food. Poor, poor service. Our waiter was awful and borderline rude. He almost never checked in at our table, and we had to wait nearly 30 minutes to get his attention to bring the check. We were tempted to walk out.
There are only a few actual servers, and then a bunch of «helpers». The servers don’t really do much. It’s too bad the service is so bad because the food is decent. Hopefully this place gets its act together.

This was the single worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant. Ever.
We came in and waited for an 1 ½ for the salad we ordered. Then when we asked where our entrees are they said it’s a full house so they are backed up. But on a Saturday, isn’t that the goal?
Then the waitress tried to defend the fact that we only had been waiting an hour, as if that was a justification.
We ended up leaving before our dinner arrived. Ridiculous.