Pasta|Bar Austin

PastaBar is a totally unique and amazing food experience. However, it’s not necessarily for pasta lovers. 5/11 courses had pasta. The food was exquisite and unique and interesting. But I was really expecting this to be a showcase of SAUCE. When they sat us with fresh sourdough from their 58 year old culture and told us to “save some for sauce” I really thought there was going to be sauce. Not that I’m a professional chef but I would have really enjoyed the simple basic sauces done beautifully. A bolognese, a parmigiana cream sauce, a fresh tomato something. I frickin love sauce and I would have paid $200 for the most traditional done right. Rather than a squishy gnocchi that looked and tasted like a chunk of avocado. I was really hoping that gnocchi would have been traditional. SushiBar was so amazing and traditionally Japanese and I was expecting the same authentic expression of Italy. I really wanted a creamy parm sauce. These chefs are clearly very talented and have a lot of creativity, but it missed the mark for me. If they changed their name this would be a totally acceptable high dining restaurant. I would not recommend it for pasta lovers.

A wonderful shared experience. It is pricey but the food and service lived up to my expectations. While called Pasta|Bar, not everything was pasta-based which I appreciate as not all Italian food is pasta. There were subtle influences from Austin/Tex/Mex, interesting touches. Everything had a story, from the food, the prep, to the pairing. Pay attention or don't but once you start eating you will have questions, tip - pay attention. All of the dishes were great with the crowd favorites being the mushroom, gnocchi, and cavatelli. The opening amuse bouche and sourdough+butter sends the signal -- buckle and enjoy the ride. The wine pairing was aligned nicely, well-balanced to the dishes with appropriate transitions while also adding to the story. As the menu is ever evolving, there are and will be stronger dishes. I enjoyed every dish but loved certain standouts. And this is why we will go back, find something new each time. We had some allergies/sensitivities in our group. These were accommodated nicely and seamlessly. Thank you. We were only able to get the 9:30pm seating. I would recommend the 7pm seating, nothing related to service or food but personal preference.

Favorite special place in Austin. Go in with an adventurous palate.

Amazing experience all around, each plate was delicious!

Absolutely LOVED the Pasta|Bar. The atmosphere and the friendly chefs. We loved that we got to meet other people we were sitting with and here to stories of the chefs. Food was amazing!! We left Full. The wine was great and paired perfect. The team makes the presentation special with different ways to serve or add tastes. Very Cool. The Staff shared cool, new things they want to try for the customers to keep this evolving and make the best experience! We have tried many tasting menus in Austin (WInk, Barley Swine, Emmer&Rye, Juniper, Lenior) and we thought this one was of the best! The whole flow is fun- from the beginning cocktail, to hanging out by the bar at the end. Very well done.

On a mission to find the best restaurant in Austin and also to eat superior pasta in my hometown, I decided to give Pasta|Bar Austin a try. Booking Process Pasta|Bar offers three seatings per evening in timed, two hour sessions: 5:00pm, 7:15pm and 9:30pm. Reservations are released on the first of the month at 12pm for the following month's availability. When I booked two weeks in advance, the only time slots available were at 5 and 9:30, and I selected the early time slot. You can make your Pasta|Bar reservations via Tock here. A $25 deposit to make the reservation will be charged for each patron, the amount of which is deducted from your final bill. Location/Parking Pasta|Bar Austin is located a few blocks east of I-35 on the busy East 6th Street. Metered street parking is available immediately in front and in the vicinity of the restaurant (if you are lucky to find it). The actual location of the restaurant is challenging to find. There is no signage for Pasta|Bar, only the number of the street address. In fact, their sign is empty. Obviously this is on purpose, although for what purpose I am not exactly clear. Atmosphere Guests are encouraged to arrive 15-20 minutes before their scheduled reservation time for an alcoholic or non-alcoholic free “tipple” in the sumptuous Pasta|Bar Austin lounge. At precisely 5pm, the six guests are escorted from the lounge into the dining area, a U-shaped counter table adjacent to the kitchen where five chefs and two waitstaff welcome you to your culinary adventure. The room is dark except for lights on the kitchen area so you can see your food being prepared, and the musical playlist leans heavily on Texas country stars such as Robert Earl Keen. Your seating is assigned in advance, and Pasta|Bar welcomes you with a trio of amuse bouche and a special message from the chefs at your selected spot. Head Chef Jeremy greeted us and informed the six diners that we would be enjoying eleven courses for a price of $195. Optional wine pairings are an additional $145 per person or $225 per person for the reserve pairing. The Food The eleven dishes over 120 minutes (the three seatings per evening are timed in two hour sessions, 5:00pm, 7:15pm and 9:30pm) averages to approx. ten minutes per dish; however, I never felt that the meal was rushed until the end of our allotted time, when we were asked nicely to vacate the dining area so that the next diners could enter. Pasta|Bar's seasonal menu changes every ten weeks or so, and the menu card provided informs you of the treats you are about to sample over the next two hours. Overall Impression Like the Greek legend Icarus who flew too close to the sun and failed, Pasta|Bar Austin aims high and ultimately misses its lofty target. In its favor, the menu is incredibly inventive and many of the dishes are truly spectacular. Furthermore, I am happy that Austin now offers intimate group dining experiences such as Pasta|Bar. However, the price for two people including tax and tip (without any alcohol) is over $500, which means that Pasta|Bar Austin needs to be held to the highest standards. Finding a hair in my food early on in the meal does not bode well, and the supper club vibe is not enough to save Pasta|Bar when you spend this kind of money on a meal. I think Pasta|Bar Austin needs more than its creative dishes, group dining concept and LA restaurant’s Michelin star to truly provide a transcendent dining experience that justifies its jaw-dropping price. That being said, if you are a foodie and have an important client to entertain or are looking for a special occasion restaurant while in Austin, Texas, Pasta|Bar Austin will certainly provide an unique, luxury experience that keeps you guessing. If you are interested on my reviews of actual Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo, check out my article here on the Social Musings by Austin website or Google "Social Musings."

We should have read the reviews before scheduling. I have no idea why this place is called "pasta" bar as I don't think we ever experienced any pasta during our evening. We had tried Sushi Bar and were very happy with that experience so it was time to try Pasta Bar. And our experience here was quite the opposite. They start you off with some drink that I could definitely have done without. For the price we paid for dinner, I would have preferred to pick my own drink to start with. We were brought into a small dining area, similar to Sushi Bar, and it's a nice intimate setting. There is someone who calls themselves a "sommelier" but I question that person's training. She seemed to just repeat something rehearsed and she was visibly annoyed when people weren't paying attention to her. Like Sushi Bar, we had multiple servings but little past (if any). I've been going to Italy since the 1980's and my daughter studied in Italy and I can make my own pasta. So, I'm pretty comfortable when saying there was no pasta here. I think serving different sauces with a combination of meats is great, but I feel it's a huge stretch to put "pasta" in the name of this restaurant. Furthermore, after reading many of the reviews, I think most people seem to be drawn in to this "Michelin Star" which applies to another location and not this one. Finally, the cost. I have had some expensive meals in my past, but this one tops the charts. Not only that, but they add the gratuity and I have NEVER heard of such a thing. Certainly when you have a large party, but we were only two people. So, if you are thinking about coming here... be prepared for a bill around $700!!!! And I'm sure it goes without saying there are countless Italian restaurants in Austin where you can get an amazing meal for about one-third this price. Honestly, if someone else were paying the tab, I would not come back here. Biggest waste of money for any meal I have ever had and if you are considering dining here... I would seriously reconsider.