Rigatoni — Restaurant in Haarlem

It's a shame that in a place called Rigatoni, pasta is actually the restaurant's Achilles' heel.

The positives: They bring a concept that has virtually no competitors in Haarlem; Drinks are good - wines, cocktails and Italian aperitifs; Starters are also good and some of them cannot be found anywhere else in town (like the Squacquerone cheese); The place is very nice although a bit noisy; The most important point, in my view, is that it helps dynamize a neighbourhood in Haarlem that has a lot of potential.

What needs to improve: the pasta. Firstly, unfortunately the pasta is often overcooked. It can be due to the (low) quality of the pasta itself or more simply for not respecting the cooking time. Either way, it's bad. Secondly, they fall into the trap of throwing in a plate of pasta way too many ingredients and consequently, savours get lost. Lastly, the ingredients are not always optimal for the type of pasta. Example number 1: Serving ravioli with peas as a topping is not ideal. Peas keep falling from the fork and rolling around. If instead peas were used for the filling or as a sauce it would be a much nicer experience (same for the asparagus which was sliced way too thin). Example number 2: one of the dishes is served with breadcrumbs. Now breadcrumbs, or pangrattato, help in certain cases to give some texture. In the dish I received however, the pasta was covered in dry bread chunks, rather than crumbs, which definitely made the experience less enjoyable.

A few suggestions: Get the cooking time right. Reduce the number of ingredients and make recipes more coherent. I think you should add in the menu also a couple of the classics (carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe, etc): in Haarlem there are not many restaurants that can do them well. Shuffle things up from time to time, have a weekly special for...

Rigatoni is a contemporary pasta bar located in Haarlem, offering a modern twist on traditional Italian cuisine. The restaurant boasts a cozy and neat atmosphere, complete with a pleasant terrace, making it an ideal spot for both casual drinks and dining with friends. 

The menu features generous portions of pasta, with dishes like seafood spaghetti accompanied by spicy sausage and truffle pasta receiving high praise from patrons. Creative starters complement the main courses, and the drink selection is noteworthy, offering a variety of wines and cocktails. The interiors are modern, warm, and inviting, featuring an open kitchen and bar dining option. The staff is frequently commended for their friendliness and attentiveness, contributing to an overall excellent dining experience. 

However, some guests have noted areas for improvement. There have been occasional reports of overcooked pasta and dishes with an overabundance of ingredients, leading to a loss of distinct flavors. Additionally, certain ingredient combinations have been described as less than optimal, affecting the overall dining experience. 

In summary, Rigatoni offers a vibrant and modern setting for pasta enthusiasts in Haarlem. While the restaurant has received acclaim for its ambiance, generous portions, and innovative dishes, consistency in pasta preparation and ingredient harmony are areas that could benefit from further...

Fresh and handmade Pasta and a nice menu that serves something for everyone from Spaghetti with Nduya and Mossels to Rigatoni with Porchetto, peas and Salsiccia. Good Selection of Vines and cock‘n‘mocktails. Nice Service people that take time for everyone even if the place is busy. We‘ll definetly recommend this place to everyone that likes proper italian Pasta and even though it‘s not in the epicenter of Haarlem, it‘s definetly worth to have a short walk if you‘ve parked somewhere in the center. You‘ll need the walk afterwards anyway cause the portions are good and the desserts are also quite nice. We recommend this spot and will definetly come back as soon...