Pastini — Restaurant in Portland

This was the first time in about 4 years since we've been to Pastini & our first time at this location. All our other times (either at Cedar Hills Crossing or Bridgport Village) were absolutely fantastic. This location was a bit of a let down and I don't say this lightly. Our appetizer, the shrimp scampi was the bomb! Layers of great flavor with soft bread to soak up the garlic sherry sauce. The small caesar salad was abundant and delicious and I took half of it home. My husband ordered chicken alfredo but the kitchen only made plain alfredo which was disappointing because my husband always likes protein in his meals but he forgo getting a chicken breast "on the side" because in our opinion the pasta would have been too cooled off by then. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs were good but the sauce was bland and if you look at the pictures I attached it was all watery at the bottom of the bowl. At the beginning we ordered coke, I also asked for water with lemon and a straw. We had to ask for the straw again, still took awhile, never got our water. Had a heck of time trying to get 'anyones' attention so they could have our waiter come over to see that my husband's dish didn't have chicken so we didn't get charged. I was going to get a tiramisu to go, but our waiter just brought the ticket over. I just thought forget it! He never once came over to check on us. It was full when we came in, but it was on about 2/3 full when we left. I will never go to this...

5PM 11/10/2023 Great food and the waitress was very friendly and nice. However, the hostess was... Rude. Ignored my partner and I for five minutes, then when another couple came in (well after us), she sat them immediately at a booth. Then, she continued to ignore us for at least a couple more minutes and helped someone with a take-out order. Finally, she coldly said "for two" and sat us at the smallest table in the worst location in the restaurant (she was very friendly to other patrons). Even though there was a much better half-booth left.

Truly baffled why she was so rude to us (though I was the only non white person at the restaurant, so that was the only thing my partner and I could think of), but at least the waitress was very kind and the food was great. Still, based on this experience, perhaps you should steer clear if you aren't white?

Edit: I don't understand the purpose of the response from the owner. I provided every possible detail in my review. There is nothing to be gained by asking me to contact you privately. Either you resolve the issue and inform me with your response or you don't and I never visit again. Anything else is a hollow attempt at saving face as far as I am concerned. I'd like to keep the conversation public, so if you believe I am misunderstanding something, please modify your...

I've been going to Pastini at this specific location for years but lately, I feel like the customer service has declined so much I need to find a new pasta place. Today I visited for a go to order so I could have chicken alfredo for lunch, and instead of the ciabatta bread it comes with I ordered a side of garlic bread. When I got there my order wasn't ready so I sat in the lounge. My server wasn't exactly polite but she wasn't exactly rude, so I ignored it. I waited about five minutes (over the time that was quoted to me), and then she asked if I needed plasticware and I responded with "please" as it was a to go order, but I understand they must be required to ask. She folded my bag and shoved it at me.. I looked inside and noticed the garlic bread I paid for wasn't in the bag. I notified her, and she walked back to the kitchen without so much as an apology, after another 4 minutes or so she came back and didn't apologize for the wait, or for their error. I let her know it would have been upsetting to me if I had gotten back to my office and found the garlic bread I paid for wasn't included with my lunch order, and she looked at me rolled her eyes and stated that the cook gave her the ticket, and she assumed everything was there. Needless to say, I'm disappointed, and will spend my money elsewhere...