Address: | 3075 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303, USA |
Phone: | +1 303-447-9572 |
Site: | ilpastaioboulder.com |
Rating: | 4.4 |
Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–10PM Closed Closed |
T
T Koenke Diaz
Oh No, Blasphemously Sticky, Clumpy Pasta!!! Having recently moved to Boulder, I was looking for an Italian place in town to take my folks visiting from back East. Based on a large number of excellent reviews, we decided to give IL Pastaio a try. Like another reviewer, Im of Italian ethnicity (not 100% but darn close with Italian genes on both sides!). I really wanted to give this restaurant a great review but I really just cant. We went to eat at about 7 p.m. on a Wednesday evening and all the tables but one were full, so I thought that was a good sign that this would be a great meal. Additionally, staff asked us if wed called in ahead of time and reserved and when we indicated we hadnt, they were very accommodating and seated our party of 4 right away in the one and only table for four that was empty, so although the establishment is in a very small space and the atmosphere itself was very loud and a bit of a tight squeeze with everyone wedged into the space, so far so good. Waitstaff was excellent in all respects. The sizeable individual loaves of bread were also authentic and delicious -- a little shaker of herbs would have been a nice addition to add to the oil available on the table. What I assume was the owner was the real deal, and it was nice to hear lovely lilting Italian being spoken in the open kitchen area. However, things went downhilll as soon as our food came out. Although the lasagna was excellent and the ravioli filling of spinach and ricotta was also delicious, the pasta in the other 2 dishes was completely and hopelessly stuck together, a pretty big culinary no-no for Italian food . The fresh basil garnish was truly lovely, but the ravioli pasta was on the overly al denti, thickish side. The meatballs were decent but nothing that wowed any of us - definitely NOT like my mama makes! Pluses: Fast service, nice waitstaff, food served timely, a drawing for a free bottle of wine, good bread. Cons: Higher-end prices for sub-par food, i.e., sticky pasta, very cramped, very loud. Tall tables and chairs helped mitigate the cramped feel somewhat, but not quite enough. This is not a place for the claustrophobic or one looking for a relaxing, cozy, quiet setting, at least not during the time we went to dinner (maybe its quieter some other time of day). Im sorry to say it, but for the cost of the dinner, I need unsticky pasta and a more relaxing atmosphere, so I wont be returning to Il Pastiaio.
SA
Samantha Gonzalez
DISGUSTING customer service! As soon as my husband and I walk into the restaurant, we were asked by the tall bald waiter , "Do you have a reservation?" Not even a "Hi" or "Hello, how are you?" When we told him no, he rolled his eyes and took us to the back to sit next to the restrooms, even though there were spots open at the bar. This should have been our first clue to get the hell out of there. We wait for 30 min to have our order placed and when we told the waiter we would like to split a dinner plate, he sighed and gave us the ugliest looking face. We ordered an appetizer and chicken parm-all of which I would give , at best, 2/5. Let me put it this way...Id rather go to OLIVE GARDEN next time I want chicken parm. When we get our bill, we notice a surcharge for splitting our dinner plate. And did the waiter ever tell us this as we were ordering? NOPE. This place is horrible and we will NEVER come back. Please save your money and go to a place that can actually cook some decent Italian food and provide good customer service.
MA
Max Schosid
The owner was incredibly rude to my friend and me. You want a little lasagna and a little pasta? No, you cant have both, otherwise theyll charge you for two lunches. The owner recommended to us, "If youre too cheap to pay for two lunches, then go somewhere else," which we gladly obliged. I cant comment on the quality of the food, but based on the slop that he was throwing down on my plate, I can honestly say we made the right decision by walking out. Id never tried Il Pastaio, and now I know confidently Ill never go back, and Ill encourage all of my friends in Boulder to do the same. Guys, if and when you read this, remember that its 2015, and you really cant get away with being unreasonable and rude to your customers. I hope you figure it out someday, because your customer service is an absolute joke. I dont care how good you think your food is.
BI
Big O Tires Parker
This place was terrible. The lunch menu comes with two items. I wanted ravioli as the 2nd item. The owner said no, that I could only have broccoli or carrots. I offered to pay extra for what I wanted and he flat out said no again. Raviloi and carrots live on different planets in my world and are not substitutes for one another. Show some flexibility and some level of customer service. In what world does it make sense to say no, when you are in the business of selling the requested product and the customer is more than willing to pay for it. Is there a shortage of raviolis? Are raviolis becoming extinct? Rude. I dont care how good or bad the food is. The service isnt worth it. You can get better food and MUCH better service for a lot less than $11 a plate at most surrounding restaurants.
A
A Private User
Not the best restaurant if you are looking for the most romantic or classy seating arrangement. You sit in a high chair and a table with one of those generic red and white checkered tablecloths, and the soda machine is within an arms reach. ...But the food... Everything is fresh and home-made; the most delicious dishes Ive had in Colorado. I am often afraid to try something new, for fear that it wont be as good as the last dish I had. But every single thing on the menu is amazing. And the prices are reasonable, the service is wonderful. By the time you get all that, you dont even notice the fact that the place looks like a tiny fast food deli. Some of the most romantic evenings Ive had were here at Il Pastaio in fact. Thank you for existing Il Pastaio!!
LA
Lara Boudreaux
This is the best mom and pops restaurant in Boulder, by far. The couple who own and run it are super nice, actually European, and take real pride in their food and restaurant. I love all their sauces but for me the arabiatta is the best! Its spicy and has a robust tomato flavor. All the pasta is made in house and any noodle size is great. I also like their entrees, especially the pollo alla francase, which is a breaded chicken cutlet in a mild lemon broth. Also try thier anti pasta salad and great priced Italian wines!! A true boulder classic and a fav!
MO
Monica Cesario
Their lunch buffet is just okay (I disliked their options for side dishes, as well as their inflexibility on the issue: "May I have extra salad instead of GMO zucchini?" "No." They clearly havent learned their lesson from past reviews...), but I am in love with their dinner menu! Their lasagna and ravioli are incredible, and the desserts are memorable. I wouldnt normally order a house wine, but theirs are always good. Their pasta is one of the few cravings I still get after being paleo for so long.