Scolapasta Bistro and Pasta Shop. — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

Service: Raul you're amazing! We sat at the bar on a Wed night... It was busy but not packed. Our initial bartender was either a little busy or maybe ending his shift, but Raul took over and delivered 5star service to us and even people at tables and made it look easy. I'm guessing he is either a manager or owner bc you could tell he reigned the turf and knew just about anything you'd ask him. Thank you, Raul, (and for that extra little treat you surprised us with at the end as well.)

Food: WOW. Ok well, first let me backtrack and be completely honest... We were first served complimentary bread with olive oil. The sliced bread dipped in oil was perfect (and yes, it is EVOO). But there was also some deep-fried mini garlic rolls and we weren't a fan of those. I mean, the texture was amazing, but it's fried in the kind of oils you find in street food, so it packed a heavy flavor of that. As a kid, I used to find that aroma and flavor enticing, but now I've associated it with feeling like a giant grease ball eating any of it. With that said, if the fried-street-food flavor isn't something that turns you off, then you will love these. And I'll even give it credit that this is probably something you'd easily find in the centrals of Italy, so I'd guess it caters to the nostalgia of Italians as much as someone from Philly would appreciate a street-cart cheesesteak. But personally for me and my partner, that was the moment we questioned if this restaurant was going to be a good pick. Fast forward to our orders: we ordered the burrata & the meatballs for appetizers. I don't eat pork so I was ecstatic to learn that the meatballs were actually 100% beef and boy were they delicious! Authentic and totally worth it, and don't forget to clear the sauce and ricotta with the crostini it's served with... Yummm. The burrata was perfect too, and I wondered if it, too, was home-made bc it had the cutest little knot on top that I've not seen in store-bought burrata or at any restaurant. What a treat! And it came with prosciutto (which the hubby got to have all for himself) and balsamic-drizzled arugula which made a refreshing balance to the meatball and really opened up the appetite for our entrees. We ordered the penne and the rigatoni and you could absolutely tell it was fresh pasta. Both dishes were red-sauce based yet tasted very different from each other and complimented the rest of their ingredients perfectly. I absolutely loved the fresh parsley topping my rigatoni, which is something I do at home and miss when I order pasta at most places. (Tip: True to its authenticity, the pasta is appropriately cooked Al Dente, so if you're like me that has been spoiled by softer pasta, don't forget to ask for it more well done. My husband likes his firm so the al Dente was perfect for him.) As far as portions go... Hallelujah! we finally found a nice authentic little Italian place that isn't trying to be so fancy as to serve a small little portion of food just because it looks good in the culinary world. I wouldn't say the plates were excessively giant, but we both have big appetites and yet were more than satisfied half-way through our entrees. Mind you, we've been known to order two entrees EACH on top of appetizers and still want more, but we did not have that issue at Scolapasta and even took the rest of our plates to go. (Pro tip: the pastas make amazing leftovers, and if you like softer pasta, reheat your leftover in a closed pan with a little splash of water and it'll have you going Mama Mia!...) Confession: I just ate mine for breakfast because I woke up excited remembering there was more delicious pasta to eat!.

Atmosphere: one of those little mom and pop places that are old school and cozy without trying to be overly serious, although they do exhibit class. It's like visiting Nona... Dress respectably bc she deserves it but don't skip it just because you aren't wearing your Sunday suit... You will be welcomed regardless. Ps yes,...

Wow and even the owner is beyond rude, great response. We met with the maître d’ (who was a very nice gentleman I may add) outside in front on the sidewalk and he walked us inside and we asked if we could sit at the bar and there were no seats available so he just kindly asked if we would like a table and we said outside if it was available. He sat us at a nice table on the street. Your waitress is the problem. The way she treated us was very poor. You should not be allowed to ridicule your customers before you know the truth. My remarks were the absolute truth. Shame on you for not trying to resolve the matter, instead you escalate it. Very unprofessional of you. I also did not realize that at 9:30 p.m.when there were 75 percent of the tables available and 2 people seating at the bar where it left only single seats that you needed a reservation. Wow where do I begin. Waitress was absolutely awful tried to make jokes to her and be friendly with her and she was not having it. They only serve “Italian” beers 3 total beers on their whole menu one of which was “Bud Light” lmao did not know that was Italian. Never offered or refilled water, did not receive any silverware had to ask for it. Never received any napkins or cloth napkin my wife had to go pick up 2 cloth napkins from another table. Bread was served with a teaspoon of oil and garlic. Waitress told us she would bring over plates for the bread which never happened. Food was served no offer of parmesan on our pasta. Meatball had no flavor whatsoever overpriced and total trash sorry not sure what all the high positive reviews were about but the waitress sure ruined our evening. Always over tip 30 percent minimum typically 40 percent with outstanding service always. That was the lowest tip I have given in over 30 years. Every restaurant we have been to in Fort Lauderdale on our vacation has been amazing with excellent service that unfortunately...

I am truly disappointed at the service that my partner and I were given on VALENTINES DAY at this restaurant. We decided to go out on a whim, and try this place for the first time. The food was exceptional, but that was it. Once we arrived at the restaurant, we were not greeted politely, and had to wait 10 minutes to receive menus and water, and it took about 30 minutes for our waiter just to get back to us to ask if we wanted appetizers. We asked for bread 3x and did not receive it after mentioning it to a few waiters waking by, and when he finally came back he said there was no more bread, but then we see a waiter give 2 tables a full basket of bread even though our waiter said they ran out… ridiculous. At that point we just ordered the penne à la vodka and the chicken franchise which were exceptional, but what is good food without great service? We had asked for multiple things during our dinner and we’re never given them even though there were three people walking around the restaurant doing absolutely nothing and walking by us without asking if we needed anything. We were there for over an hour and only ordered two main dishes that came out in about 10 minutes and we were never visited again, not even to check in or to refill our water. I am bummed that this experience was so mediocre given that the restaurant has great reviews, and if it weren’t for the food, I would not be returning because the service was...