Pelino's Pasta, nestled in a part of town where parking is akin to a treasure hunt, beckons diners with the promise of an extraordinary culinary adventure. Unfortunately, my visit left me with a mix of emotions, and the hope of being amazed turned into a sense of disappointment. The moment I walked in, the lighting hit me like a wave, a stark contrast to what one would expect in a fine dining establishment, felt more like a cafeteria. A subtle dimming of the lights could have worked wonders in setting the right ambiance. The noise level in the restaurant was deafening, making it nearly impossible to hold a conversation with my companions sitting just inches away. Seating arrangements were equally underwhelming. The disparity in chair heights between banquettes and chairs created an uncomfortable discrepancy. I couldn't help but wonder why such basic issues, like equalizing the seating, remained unaddressed in a restaurant of this caliber. It's the little things that matter, after all, even in an upscale setting. I shouldn’t be sitting 6 inches lower than those on the other side of the table. Now, let's delve into the culinary journey. It began on a promising note with the $5 focaccia bread, a delightful start. However, the Latte Miele e Zucca, though decent, failed to overshadow the simple focaccia. The Zuppa di fagioli was served disappointingly cold, with a grainy texture, leaving much to be desired. The Torelloni di zucca was a letdown; a mere two pieces of pasta left us longing for more. The flavors were there, but the portion size felt inadequate, to put it mildly. The Pecora in Tre Modi provided a glimmer of hope. The lamb was well-seasoned and delicious, but it fell short on temperature, and a few more gnocchi would have elevated the dish to greatness. The Cacio e pepe, prepared tableside in a substantial cheese wheel, had all the potential to be the star of the show. However, it fell short with its lukewarm temperature and a disappointing lack of creaminess. The cheese wasn't melted sufficiently, leaving room for improvement. Amid these highs and lows, the Spaghetti Sulla Piazza stood out. The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the harmonious blend of EVOO di Sicilia and Romano cheese made it the culinary highlight of the evening. As we concluded the meal with the Tiramisu, it was evident that dessert was the saving grace in an otherwise underwhelming dining experience. The service was a mix of excellence and neglect. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, personable, and everything one would expect from fine dining. However, their attentiveness was lacking. The constant struggle to secure water refills, despite multiple requests, was frustrating. The simple solution would be to leave more than one carafe on the table, especially when catering to a party of six. In the end, my hopes of being wowed were left unfulfilled. Pelino's Pasta fell short of expectations, particularly considering its high price point. While there were flashes of culinary brilliance, the overall experience felt like a missed opportunity. If you can overlook these shortcomings, you might uncover hidden gems in the menu, but it might also leave you wanting more - not just in terms of flavors, but also in the finer details, like the extremely small wine pours and the low-quality restroom paper towels and soap dispensers you have to battle with to get any soap out. Our final tab, covering a four-course meal complemented with wine for two, surpassed the $300 mark, including gratuity. Given the plethora of dining options available in the area and the fierce competition in the market, regrettably, it seems unlikely that we'll find ourselves returning to this establishment. Pelino's Pasta, while promising, ultimately fell short of our expectations.