Il Pastaio — Restaurant in Beverly Hills

Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, II Pastaio restaurant offers an exceptional dining experience that combines traditional Italian flavors, a vibrant atmosphere, and a touch of star-studded glamour. During my recent visit, I had the pleasure of exploring their menu and discovering a culinary journey that surpassed all expectations.

To start, the Calamari Fritti at II Pastaio is a true standout. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, each bite is a delightful explosion of flavor. The perfectly seasoned calamari, paired with a zesty dipping sauce, creates a harmonious balance that will have you reaching for more. It's an ideal choice for an appetizer, setting the stage for the remarkable dishes that follow.

One of the signature pasta dishes at II Pastaio is the Paccheri Alla Justin Bieber, named after the famous singer himself. This pasta creation is a culinary masterpiece, combining perfectly cooked paccheri pasta with a rich tomato sauce, aromatic basil, and succulent pieces of fresh mozzarella. The flavors blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of tastes that pay homage to Italian cuisine with a touch of celebrity flair.

For those seeking a refreshing and classic option, the Cesar salad at II Pastaio is a must-try. Crisp romaine lettuce, shaved Parmesan cheese, and flavorful croutons are dressed in a tangy and creamy Cesar dressing that elevates the salad to new heights. It's a delightful combination of textures and flavors that serves as a perfect accompaniment to any main course.

To complement the meal, I highly recommend indulging in a bottle of sparkling water from Ferrarelle. This Italian mineral water adds a touch of elegance to your dining experience, with its effervescence and crisp taste. It pairs wonderfully with the vibrant flavors of the dishes and helps cleanse the palate, leaving you refreshed and ready for the next delightful bite.

Beyond the exquisite cuisine, the ambiance at II Pastaio adds to the overall enchantment. The restaurant exudes an inviting and sophisticated charm, with its stylish decor and a bustling atmosphere that reflects the energy of Beverly Hills. The attentive and friendly staff ensure that your dining experience is flawless, providing exceptional service that adds to the enjoyment of your meal.

In conclusion, II Pastaio in Beverly Hills is a culinary gem that transports you to the heart of Italy while indulging in the glamour of Los Angeles. From the delectable Calamari Fritti and the celebrity-inspired Paccheri Alla Justin Bieber to the refreshing Cesar salad and the addition of Ferrarelle sparkling water, each dish at II Pastaio is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to authenticity and exceptional flavors. Combined with the inviting ambiance and impeccable service, II Pastaio promises a memorable dining experience that will leave you craving more. Don't miss the opportunity to embark on this culinary journey in the heart of...

Il Pastio is now our favorite Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills, outside of Bella Italia. All the courses were authentically prepared by truly professional chefs and presented with perfection. The service was second to none with friendly and highly attentive servers looking after one with pleasure. We went for a late afternoon Saturday lunch yesterday. My daughter was driving over to join us from SoCal and was caught in traffic but the restaurant was kind enough to have us seated even without the full party present. My daughter arrived almost 45 min late but we felt we were not pressured to order main course at all. They brought us our drinks, bread and appetizer while we waited.

They do have a paltry bread and oil charge but the bread came out piping hot, crunchy and delicious. We had crispy and crunch Calamari to start off with. It was just right and without it being too oily, and was served with delicious home made marina sauce. My wife tried their fresh home made mezzaluna (half moons) with crab and seafood served in a delicious tomato sauce. The ravioli was delicious and they added a zing of chilli peppers to kick it up a notch. I had ordered their Risotto Nero with Arborio rice cooked with calamari, prawns in a black squid ink sauce which is a rare Italian delicacy in US. It was perfection and divine. The dish is completely black and while it may look a tad unappetizing the taste transported me to Milan where I first tried it. My son played it safe and had the spaghetti con pomodoro e basil. He loved it too. My daughter had the rigatoni pasta with melanzane and tomato sauce that she liked too.

They boast an extensive menu of genuine Italian dessert specialities. We went with their Tiramisu (pick me up!) and Pudino di pane (bread pudding). Tiramisu was moist, airy, and delicious with the perfect amount of sweetness just like it should be. It instantly transported me to Ravenna, Italy. The pudding was rich, and filled with raisins, fruits etc. Best Italian food!

We will be sure to visit again with our friends. You will not be disappointed. Ciao e...

We’ve been here a bunch of times, and it’s changed quite a bit..not for the good. They either take on too much for waiters to handle or they’re really under staffed.

We ordered:

CALAMARI FRITTI $22.75 Fried Calamari with Spicy Tomato Sauce Verdict: 3/10 ARANCINI $17.50 Breaded Rice Cones, Filled with Mozzarella Cheese, Peas and Pomodoro Sauce Verdict: 7/10 CARCIOFI $22.95 Baby Artichokes Tossed with Oil and Lemon, Arugola and Shaved Parmesan Cheese Verdict: 8/10 PACCHERI ALLA JUSTIN BIEBER $25.75 Artisan Wide Rigatoni Pasta with Pink Sauce Verdict: 10/10 Handmade Garganelli with black truffle $55 + $28 in cheese wheel This dish literally had a handful of pasta (we split the pasta into two plates same as before). I remembered when we ordered the cheese wheel pasta before, there was a lot they’ve really cut back on their portions. Verdict: 8/10 the pasta was good but I just didn’t think it was worth that price for the amount of pasta we got. BUCATINI CON POLPETTE DELLA NONNA $25.95 Bucatini Pasta with Meat Balls in Light Spicy Tomato Sauce Verdict: 0/10 The pasta was over cooked, it was weirdly gummy and soft. The whole dish was extremely SALTY. It didn’t look appetizing and tasted even worst than it looked.

The waiter didn’t come by once to ask how the food was, the food was dropped off and that’s it. We kept looking for the waiter, but didn’t see him the whole time to send the bucatini plate back.

When the bus person came to clear the dishes, we asked for the waiter, there must’ve been a language barrier as he asked us if we wanted the dessert menu, we said can you please tell our waiter we want to speak to him. The bus person then asked if we wanted to pack the bucatini to go? My partner was livid by his point and asked the bus person to throw the dish in the garbage. And within 2 minutes , a cheque was dropped off at our table. And this is when my partner gave it to the waiter telling him how disgusting the pasta was and how could he bring us the bill when the food wasn’t even eaten and how no one came by to even see how...