At Basta Pasta, a Japanese run, Japanese influenced Italian restaurant, the food and the hospitality is full of Japanese touches that rival those of authentic Italian eateries. Prices are about average, but the bill always adds up because the appetizers and desserts are too tempting and tasty to order only an entree.
The wine list is long and entree choices are diverse. Choose from spaghetti noodles pulled from a parmesan cheese bowl (melted in the center) or dripping in black squid ink. My favorite, though, is the salmon tomato cream sauce.
Reservations are a good idea for popular evenings, when you can also expect to wait patiently for your food. But the small dining room (by New York standards) and attentive staff makes the dining experience intimate on any night.
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