Basta Pasta — Restaurant in Cambridge

TL;DR- The owner takes tips from staff and refuses to change this unethical business practice.

Perhaps Google is not the correct forum for this, but I'm writing an informational "review" so as to let those who patronize or are thinking about patronizing this restaurant the correct way to tip. The owner has set up a system where he personally takes any and all tips that are give on a credit or debit card (ie a majority of the tips). This is illegal and, in my opinion, unethical (tips cannot go to either managers or owners) and I'm sure that customers are not intending their tips to go to him but to either the service or kitchen staff to thank them for their work. Otherwise, aren't they just paying more for their food?

I approached him about this issue tonight, standing up for myself and fellow employees, and was summarily shot down. It is with a heavy heart that I write this, as Basta Pasta is great and all of the employees are exceptional, but I'm hoping anyone giving a tip will know to -only- leave cash if they would like to thank the staff, rather than the owner (who is often not even there) or to reconsider giving their business to someone who operates in such a deceitful way. I also hope that future staff will receive the fruits of their labor and that the owner will realize how unethical it is to skim their very meager earnings. Anyone who has ever worked in hospitality knows that the dollar or two that someone may generously tip for takeout adds up and makes all the difference with regards to your quality of life. Why anyone would feel obliged and happy to take this is beyond me- something sinister is going on beneath the often gregarious show that the owner puts on for customers. To make matters worse, it is clear that it is not out of necessity as the owner is often boasting about his 55" 3-D tvs and luxury trips abroad to St. Barts and the like; this is fine, someone running a successful business should certainly enjoy their profits, but at the same time- why treat your employees, who are simply trying to make ends meet, so callously?

I know that tips can be a contentious and often confusing issue, but one thing is generally clear- if you are tipping for service, that tip should (as you intend) go to the staff, whether you decide to do so through cash or credit. When someone in a position of power decides arbitrarily that he deserves those tips and can horde them since usually those in his employ are too scared or poor to say anything, it is everyone else that suffers: the staff, who are not making a living wage, and the customer, who is paying 20% or so more for his dish for no discernible reason. I'm lucky in that I have other employment opportunities, but whoever replaces me may not be so fortunate.

If you want to live in a community that does not exploit those lowest on the totem pole, please reconsider giving your business to and supporting these sorts of practices. I know the food can be delicious, but is...

BEWARE:

I ordered a sandwich from Basta Pasta today through a lunch program called forkable. It was the "imported prosciutto panini." The ingredients listed on the sandwich were prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato and basil. When I got the sandwich, after eating part of it I realized there was a brown item on it that could have been caramelized onion or figs. I have a severe fig allergy, so I called the restaurant to ask what was on the sandwich. The man who picked up told me he didn't put anything else on the sandwich, which was obviously not true, but also told me that I should call after 5pm. He then proceeded to tell me that he was busy, had other orders and "he already told me to look at the menu." There was clearly something on the sandwich that was not listed on the menu. To make things simpler, I asked if any of the menu items in the restaurant use figs or fig spread. The employee refused to answer that simple question, again told me to call after 5pm and said "I already told you to read the menu" and then hung up on me.

This is beyond unacceptable. If this establishment does not understand the importance of food allergies and refuses to answer simple customer questions when it puts items not included on the menu into its food, it should not be in business. This violates food safety standards and presents a massive health risk to the entire...

Bought from Basta Pasta, first ill say the pizza is okay, Average. Some ppl saying this is like the North End are out of their minds. Got a Meatball "Panini" it was just a very Soggy sub roll, not even pressed and falling apart. the meatballs were lacking and flavor was off, not good. Was supposed to be a baguette yet was cheap bread. found multiple hard pieces on my first bite, thought i was going to break a tooth. The sub roll they used, they also used on an order i got garlic bread on one time about a year ago. which was just as bad.

Their pasta is also average, lacking in flavor. This is a very fake & cutting corners cheap Italian restaurant and brings shame to the name. They charged 17 bucks for a Meatball panini and I got slop and hard material in the meatballs. Wont be coming back. The pictures on their site are not what you get. Dont buy from here your family...