BASTA Pasteria — Restaurant in Murray

💥💥 REVISED REVIEW💥💥 we ate here today using our gift card that we were given after our previous experience! As my husband said “tonight’s experience was night and day in comparison” when compared to our last visit! Ordering was very easy as there was no language barrier unlike last time. The girl was very helpful with ordering and was able to answer our questions so we were able to get the food we wanted. The food was much better pizzas were not burned and pastas were enjoyed by all. Definitely better all around this time! We ate here last night as a recommendation of our son who had eaten here about six months ago, and said the food was great. However, he informed us after we arrived that apparently it looked like the menu had changed, (pictures posted by others also show a different menu) and they had added more items which would typically appear to be a good thing, however, you could clearly tell that they could not handle the amount of food that was being ordered or coming out of the kitchen. The main problem we had was the lack of all the employees in the ENTIRE restaurants ability to speak English. The gentleman who was taking our order could barely understand what we were asking him. And his English was so bad we couldn’t understand him either! We were trying to ask if they had some sort of a pasta with a Alfredo sauce. He did not understand us so then we proceeded by saying a white sauce which he did not understand. My son had to look up how to say Alfredo sauce on Google translate so we could show it to him. When we would ask more details as to what was in a dish because we have a few allergies to foods he would ask other employees in the kitchen, what was in a dish they would reply back in Spanish, which did not help us at all. We basically just ended up, ordering the most generic things we could think of because we could not get an explanation of anything else on the menu and didn't want to risk We understand it an Italian restaurant but with so many items that are unfamiliar to I would say most people it would be nice if the person taking the order could at least give an explanation as to what was inside each dish. We had 9 adults in our group and no one really knew what they were ordering! It also said that we were supposed to get free focaccia bread and we had nine people at our table, when we asked about the free focaccia bread, they brought us out a little plate with about five pieces on it so not everyone at the table even got a little teeny piece of the bread honestly it was ice cold anyway so we were ok not having enough because it didn’t taste good but considering the fact that we had just spent $75. You would think everyone of the table would at least get a little teeny piece of bread. Our food took forever to come out about 40 minutes and came out and bits and pieces not all together so half of us were eating and half of us were not. The food was ice cold probably because we saw it sitting on the counter for a really long time before it came out and they kept walking around the restaurant asking everyone whose food it was. We had someone come by probably four different times asking us if someone else’s food was ours. They literally had no idea what was going on the glasses that they brought us for water were Dirty, you could fill and see dried food on the outside of The glasses. We walked up to the counter and had to ask five different people for straws. because no one knew what we were talking about and then when they brought them out, we informed the girl that our glasses were dirty and asked if we could have four more glasses that were clean. The language barrier is so severe that she literally brought us out four more straws and no glasses we just ended up sharing cups . The pizzas were good size however, we had two margarita pizzas that were both completely burned black on the bottom And we would’ve complained, but no one spoke English so that wouldn’t have done us any good. Our son ordered a pasta with a white sauce and it was awful bc it had so much pepper it was...

We were excited to try BASTA, as it was advertised as a purveyor of authentic pasta ("Best Pasta in Utah", per their website) at reasonable prices. When we arrived, it looked like an Italian Chipotle, with the addition of a live DJ spinning some nice jams. Casual but cool, as advertised.

We joined the line and observed that the staff was both busy and meticulous in crafting each dish, including adding shaved Parmesan. The mounds of fresh pasta in the prep area, behind glass, looked good and implied authenticity. We ordered the Paparadelle Ragu and the Rigatoni Vodka, a Caesar salad, and a glass each of Sangiovese and Pino Grigio. We were given a number and told our food would be delivered to our table. The bill totaled $91 with a 20% tip, $27 of which was for the wine.

Since all tables were full, we walked over to a 6-person bar area facing a wall. On our way, I noticed two boxes of Franzia wine, a red blend and a white. The $27 we paid for two Utah pours would have bought several boxes of the wine that apparently was passed off as varietal.

When a table opened, we swooped in, as other diners were fairly aggressive at grabbing seats before ordering. At the same time, a server appeared with our food. He had no place to put the plates until another server cleaned the tabled with a string Lysol spray disinfectant, leaving an over whelming bathroom cleaner-type of smell, and by the time we were finally seated, the pasta was starting to cool.

Although the salad was crispy and the dressing fresh and robust, the pasta did not live up to "the Mona Lisa of pasta", as proclaimed by the server's t-shirts. The pasta was not house-made, and was well past al dente. And the sauces were lacking in any identifiable flavor, apart from the shredded short rib meat in my dish. We both believe that BASTA oversells itself as having great pasta, compared to many restaurants in Utah, let alone Italy. The misrepresented "Sangiovese" and "Pinot Grigio" was just shameful.

We won't be back. We could have added one star for the DJ, but there were too many negatives to give more than two stars, which is especially sad for a $91...

Basta Pasteria is an absolute gem in the world of Italian cuisine, and it's a true testament to the culinary expertise of the team behind Sicilia Mia and Antica Sicilia. Led by the esteemed Chef of the Year, Giuseppe Mirenda, this restaurant effortlessly fuses the sophistication of fine dining with the warmth of a casual dining environment, resulting in an unparalleled gastronomic experience.

From the moment you step through the doors, you are enveloped in an ambiance that is both inviting and elegant. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the restaurant, from the stylish decor to the impeccable service. The moment you take your seat, you know you're in for something extraordinary.

But let's talk about the star of the show - the food. The house-made pasta at Basta Pasteria is nothing short of a revelation. Each dish is a testament to the artistry and skill of the chefs, and every bite is an explosion of flavor. Whether it's the classic simplicity of a perfectly executed spaghetti aglio e olio or the indulgent richness of a truffle-infused ravioli, every pasta dish is a work of culinary genius.

And let's not forget about the pizza! Fresh out of the pizza oven, each pie is a celebration of the finest ingredients and traditional techniques. The crispy, chewy crust is the perfect canvas for a symphony of flavors, and every bite is a journey to the heart of Italy.

To complement the exquisite cuisine, Basta Pasteria offers an impressive selection of champagne, adding a touch of effervescence to an already stellar dining experience.

In conclusion, Basta Pasteria is a triumph. It's a place where passion, tradition, and innovation come together to create something truly remarkable. Whether you're a connoisseur of Italian cuisine or simply someone who appreciates good food, Basta Pasteria is an absolute must-visit. This restaurant has set a new standard for Italian dining, and I can't wait to return for another unforgettable meal. Bravo, Chef Mirenda and the entire team at...