Cuisine type: Italian, mostly pasta dishes
Atmosphere: casual, order at the counter with table service
Meal: dinner
Overall score: 7.67
When I first laid my eyes on this place, I assumed it was a store that sold homemade pasta for cooking at home. Turns out that wasn't the case, they actually have a small, but not tiny dining area with pasta-themed decor (paintings) and simple wooden tables and benches. There is table service, but ordering is at the counter, which makes it feel casual but not quite fast food.
I ordered what seems to call to me every time on an Italian menu - veal medallions (scallopini) with mushroom Marsala sauce (the combination of cream and mushrooms must be it, though veal is a plus too).
But first things first. They brought us a basket of bread sticks without having ordered them. I have to admit I was surprised, since I didn't expect the free bread and dip treatment from a place where you order at the counter. The bread was nice, a focaccia style loaf broken up in thick strips, served with a tangy, slightly spicy cheese sauce. The sauce was a little too thick to count as a dip, and it felt strange to treat cheddar as butter; aside from that, it tasted a little too much like something that came out of the box than the homemade treat it was meant to be, I suspect due to the quality of the cheese.
Along with my entree I ordered a clam chowder. That's a treat I've come to enjoy greatly since moving to the bay area, so I was looking forward to it. The soup was a little disappointing, too many chunks of celery and too little of clams, not quite creamy enough but not exactly light either. I'll probably save ordering the chowder for places that are closer to the ocean or focus on seafood a little more in their menu.
Last but not least, came my entree. The plate was quite large, and it was separated in three distinct sections, which looked more homey than professional. On one end I had the steamed vegetables, which were quite plain but well done (not overcooked) and reasonably well seasoned. On the other end of the plate I had some pasta, which was delicious and perfect al dente, though not dressed with anything and just a little too wet. In the middle was the most prized component - the actual scallopini. the veal was tender and cooked just right, the sauce was creamy and mushroomy, and the mushrooms were well integrated, though nothing out of the ordinary (plain sliced button mushrooms).
I was happy to see that they not only offered carryout service of their full menu, but they sold individual components for the home cook - fresh pasta, various sauces, and Italian seasoning mixes (parmesan with herbs etc). The prices were reasonable and the service was great, and while I am not sure I would come back to eat in their dining room - I am looking forward to picking up some fresh pasta and a possibly even some sauce and pairing it with veggies (and maybe meat) of my choice at home and tweak it to my taste.
I ordered what seems to call to me every time on an Italian menu - veal medallions (scallopini) with mushroom Marsala sauce (the combination of cream and mushrooms must be it, though veal is a plus too).
But first things first. They brought us a basket of bread sticks without having ordered them. I have to admit I was surprised, since I didn't expect the free bread and dip treatment from a place where you order at the counter. The bread was nice, a focaccia style loaf broken up in thick strips, served with a tangy, slightly spicy cheese sauce. The sauce was a little too thick to count as a dip, and it felt strange to treat cheddar as butter; aside from that, it tasted a little too much like something that came out of the box than the homemade treat it was meant to be, I suspect due to the quality of the cheese.
Along with my entree I ordered a clam chowder. That's a treat I've come to enjoy greatly since moving to the bay area, so I was looking forward to it. The soup was a little disappointing, too many chunks of celery and too little of clams, not quite creamy enough but not exactly light either. I'll probably save ordering the chowder for places that are closer to the ocean or focus on seafood a little more in their menu.
Last but not least, came my entree. The plate was quite large, and it was separated in three distinct sections, which looked more homey than professional. On one end I had the steamed vegetables, which were quite plain but well done (not overcooked) and reasonably well seasoned. On the other end of the plate I had some pasta, which was delicious and perfect al dente, though not dressed with anything and just a little too wet. In the middle was the most prized component - the actual scallopini. the veal was tender and cooked just right, the sauce was creamy and mushroomy, and the mushrooms were well integrated, though nothing out of the ordinary (plain sliced button mushrooms).
I was happy to see that they not only offered carryout service of their full menu, but they sold individual components for the home cook - fresh pasta, various sauces, and Italian seasoning mixes (parmesan with herbs etc). The prices were reasonable and the service was great, and while I am not sure I would come back to eat in their dining room - I am looking forward to picking up some fresh pasta and a possibly even some sauce and pairing it with veggies (and maybe meat) of my choice at home and tweak it to my taste.
| Food | 7 |
| Drinks | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 7 |
| Service | 8 |
| Value | 8 |
Ben
I had a great first impression of the Pasta Market, and the food lived up to expectation. It is a place where one orders at the counter, but with plentiful seating. They offer raw noodles, pastas to go, and a variety classic italian entrees. The prices are a little high for what looks like a to-go market, but the food generally lived up it. The minestrone I had was decent, but the pasta bolognese (with a rich tomato sauce and sausage) was fantastic. As was the fresh bread on the table served with the meal served with a chili cream cheese. They offered a variety of wines, and we got a small half carafe of some table (red) wine that was a great complement for the food (and pretty cheap at ~$6).
I would say all of us really enjoyed the food. It has the quality (and price) of a decent italian restaurant, but the feel of a small market despite the large amount of seating. Without the “wow”- or romantic - factor of a more formal italian restaurant, they have a strong design and execution of classic italian dishes.
I would say all of us really enjoyed the food. It has the quality (and price) of a decent italian restaurant, but the feel of a small market despite the large amount of seating. Without the “wow”- or romantic - factor of a more formal italian restaurant, they have a strong design and execution of classic italian dishes.
| Food | 9 |
| Drinks | 8 |
| Atmosphere | 7 |
| Service | 8 |
| Value | 7 |
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