House of Pasta NYC — Restaurant in New York

I’d like to bring to your attention some concerns regarding both service and food consistency during my recent visit with my husband on Saturday evening. We had high hopes for a wonderful night out, as we’ve enjoyed House of Pasta in the past, but unfortunately our experience left us extremely disappointed.

From the start, the gentleman who greeted and seated us was impolite and dismissive. While we were fortunate to be seated without a reservation, his attitude set a poor tone for the evening. Our table was then neglected for nearly 40 minutes, with no offer of a wine list or refreshment beyond the initial water. When I inquired about non-alcoholic options, the same staff member repeatedly questioned my request, then reluctantly listed a few choices. In today’s dining culture, this is concerning, as guests may abstain for health, religious, or personal reasons—and should never feel dismissed for doing so.

Once our appetizers arrived, we asked for a refresh of bread and were again made to feel as though this was an inconvenience. I would like to note, however, that the other waitstaff—particularly the support waitstaff working that evening—were kind, professional, and helpful.

The larger issue was with the food. Our entrées were not consistent with previous visits. My steak arrived unexpectedly drenched in an unlisted sauce, which made it inedible. In prior visits, this dish was served without sauce, and I’ve observed other diners’ steaks presented that way as well. If this is a new preparation, it should at least be indicated on the menu or communicated to the guest. The gnocchi, meanwhile, was overly salty, mushy, and swimming in oil. These dishes were a far departure from the quality and presentation we had come to expect.

While the server did ask if I wanted my untouched steak boxed, the overall handling of the situation left me feeling dismissed rather than cared for. Ultimately, we left dissatisfied and disappointed—feeling that both the food and the service fell far below the standard we’ve previously experienced at House of Pasta.

As loyal guests who have enjoyed your restaurant before, this was a discouraging experience. Sadly, after this visit, we will not be returning, nor can we recommend House of Pasta to others in our neighborhood. I hope you’ll take this feedback seriously, as consistency, guest care, and attentiveness are critical to maintaining trust...

One of the best dining experiences I've had in a long while. A very simple, pleasant, and cozy atmosphere with attentive service and great food.

White-painted walls and comfortably-sized tables not on top of each other allow you to feel relaxed and welcomed. A noise level low enough to have a conversation without shouting or straining to hear and background music which is just that is such a rarity these days that even if the food were disappointing (which it definitely is NOT), I'd be happy to return.

The waitstaff - we had Jasmine - was friendly but not obtrusive and she seemed to genuinely enjoy being there. She had enthusiasm for the menu without being pushy. One of our party had been there a number of weeks ago and she remembered what he'd ordered. She gently cautioned that my entree selection was on the light side, but it was just right for me, as it turned out.

And then the food. For appetizers, we shared the arugula-fennel salad (dressed and prepared perfectly so as not to be as bitter as elsewhere) and the whipped ricotta trio (bruschetta with different toppings) was light, yet satisfying. The focaccia with olive oil provided for the table was among the best I've had. My entree was the obviously home-made pulled pork tortellini in a very flavorful brothy sauce and was a delight. These were not the heavy little tortellini one usually encounters but delicate pasta packets, not unlike ravioli, with just the right proportion of filling-to-pasta. My overall assessment of the savory food is thoughtful, skillful preparation with a perfect degree of seasoning. For dessert we shared the tiramisu, which did not disappoint. Light but rich and not too sweet, it struck the right note to end the evening.

The prices were good and they offer a nice discount for paying in cash. I truly look forward to...

AVOID THIS PLACE. Do more research and you'll be grateful for your efforts. I felt compelled to share this experience to help others make an informed decision because the current reviews for this restaurant didn't match my experience.

Despite a polished website and glowing 5-star reviews, our dinner fell far short of expectations. The service became worse as the night continued as our server was dismissive, rarely checked in, and gave vague answers to simple questions. The response of the night was "It's on the way."

Water wasn’t refilled, orders were taken and then forgotten, dinner dishes were delivered at separate times. As we waited for some of the orders that were forgetten, we requested bread, but apparently they ran out of bread. One friend even had grated cheese dropped directly onto their head. To make up for the delays, we were given ice cream but half our group is lactose intolerant. It felt more like damage control than hospitality.

What raised further red flags were the suspiciously over-polished reviews and marketing language online, which read more like AI-generated copy than real guest feedback. None of it reflected our actual experience.

Dining out should feel welcoming, thoughtful, and smooth. This felt the opposite. After revisiting a different Italian restaurant recently, with far better service and attention to detail, I’m confident this wasn’t just an off night. At best, this is a...