I have eaten at Pasta Luna countless times in the past 10 years with coworkers, on date nights, for special occasions, etc... I recommended it to others many times as one of my top choices. The lasagna is great and other favorites are the Penne Pasta Luna (goodness...mmm), Rigatoni Al Forno, and Rigatoni Ala Vodka.
Pasta Luna also used to have a great portion/price ratio. It was served exclusively family style...they'd bring out huge, eye-popping frying pans full of pasta...all for a reasonable price. We'd pass around the dishes until our guts were busting and we'd usually have something to take home.
But times have changed since the opening of their southside location and a menu change. The prices are too high (think NYC high) and they've done away with the standard, family-style servings. One waiter at the southside location literally told us they weren't making enough money off of customers serving the family-style portions. My thought was that it had worked for years and I can't help but think that I'm paying the higher price to help expand the business.
Anyway, I can't stomach paying $16 for a single serving of pasta (no salad, no side)--not often anyway. I find myself longing for Pasta Luna's "old days."
Some anecdotes to close with: I remember taking a good friend there years ago for the first time. We had wanted to eat outside but the patio was closed that day. The owner told us we could go elsewhere but we'd miss out. We stayed and my friend went on to say that the lasagna was better than her mom's...a high praise (it is yummy). The owner literally kissed my friend on her cheek after receiving the compliment. Another time, the owner got ticked when his staff made me wait for a table for quite awhile when I was very pregnant. He told me to come get him next time and to never let that happen again. All that to say that there may be valid complaints about his style, but he has his glory moments.
Pros: Tasty Dishes
Cons: Cost Too High for Pasta
more