La Pizza & La Pasta — Restaurant in Upper Merion Township

. As it stands, I'd say this is more of a 3-star experience—but I'm giving 4 stars purely because this location is still so new. Any restaurant that's just opened needs at least 6 months to find its footing with staffing, flow, and general operations, and that’s totally fair. From the start, the experience began on a positive note. Our hostess was super kind and let us know it would be about a 20-minute wait, but we only waited around 15 before we were called. The only small hiccup here was the table setup—it wasn’t actually ready for two, as it was still pushed together with another table for four. We kind of stood there awkwardly while the guy who seated us slid it over maybe a foot. Again, not a big deal at all, but it was a little tight considering that table next to us was sat shortly after, and there was definitely room to space it out a bit better. Our server greeted us less than two minutes later, and let me preface this by saying he was genuinely friendly—your typical neighborhood casual server, which we actually appreciated. But it was also clear this restaurant might be a step up from what he’s used to. He seemed pretty in the weeds and even greeted our table before another one that was sat before us. I get why, though—his intro included a full walkthrough of basically every section of the menu, giving quick descriptions of almost every dish. While the intention was great, this was definitely eating up a lot of his time—especially since he wasn’t super knowledgeable about the food itself. It felt more like “this one’s good” or “this looks like that” rather than helping us really understand the dishes. I wouldn’t be surprised if management is encouraging this kind of walkthrough, especially with the Italian menu titles, but honestly, just picking two favorites and describing them in more detail (maybe with a wine pairing) would go way further and free him up to actually manage his tables better. There was a manager nearby who clearly had more experience and stepped in to take our drink and food orders, which helped a lot. Our server, though well-meaning, seemed hesitant to accept the help, saying “I got it” a few times when he clearly needed it. In a place like this, smooth teamwork matters—especially in front of guests. He lacked some of the polish you'd expect in upscale dining, but that’s nothing time and training can’t fix. Again, super pleasant guy—just not quite in his element yet. Now, the food and drink. That’s where this place really shines. I had a glass of Chianti and my guest had the Moscato. I expected a more commercial wine list (being in a mall didn’t help that impression), but the selections were authentic and high quality. The Chianti was exactly what I hoped for and the Moscato was more complex than a regular sweet moscato. We started with the focaccia—small portion, but incredibly soft and flavorful. The tomatoes and herbs on top made it worth it. For entrées, we had the cacio e pepe and the spaghetti with burrata. The staff gave a helpful heads-up about the pasta being al dente and timed everything well. Both dishes were solid. The spaghetti sauce tasted as authentic as you can get without Nona in the kitchen, and while the cacio e pepe was a bit runny at first, it came together nicely as it settled. Desserts were the tiramisu and panna cotta—both delicious. My only suggestion: serve the tiramisu in a shallow coupe bowl, since the mascarpone topping tends to run. They initially brought it out without the topping, then whisked it away and came back with the full presentation lol. All good though. Overall, the early growing pains are there, but totally expected for a new spot. The quality of the food and drink already makes it worth coming back—and we...

This place needs A LOT of work. The grocery store is nice and neat but the bar what a disaster. It is amazing how many red flags where raised. Cleanliness was non existent. As I walked looking for a spot there were some patrons and empty spots full of plates and glassware. When I did find a spot I was sitting next to trash. Do you not have a bar back? Who is the bar back? This bar has so many people going in and out I can't tell who is the bar back, bartender or server. Who am I supposed to talk to? Because clearly none of you were speaking to me the whole time.

That is your next red flag absolutely no greeting from any of the people behind that bar whoever you may be. Not a hello, not I'll be with you, not oh man I'm sorry for the mess let me get that for you, nothing. I waited quite a while trying to make eye contact with whoever to acknowledge the fact I am there so my 8 minute wait now felt like 20. When I did get someone to take my order I got an espresso martini which again took a while to make because I can only guess they were servers are shouting orders across the bar overwhelming the already in over his head "bartender"

$18 for Titos (cheap vodka), Luxardo Espresso (cheaper than kahlua. if you want to stick to the Italian theme try Borghetti), espresso and I assume simple syrup, was poorly shaken so when I got the drink 0 foam. How is it possible my espresso martini is black. What a waste of good quality espresso. Point I'm making is that I understand you need to make money but $18 for cheap ingredients poorly put together is not right. For a place of your "reputation" you could do WAY better.

Food wise another dissapointment. Menu is but difficult to maneuver. I feel like they just want to see us all pretend to speak Italian. I understand what you are going for it is just not for me. Everyone else go nuts and talk about the old country you never been to.

I am not going to pretend like I am an Italian food expert but my arancini was incredibly dry with random amount of peas in each one which was weird. I have a beef stew dish which was nice but very salty for me. But the saving grace and only reason I gave 2 stars was the dessert. Tiramisu is Devine. Although there was an awkward moment when the food runner had a tough time removing the covering around it. Change this place to a grocery and dessert bar and you would be WAY more successful than what you are now.

I know this place is new but for a restaurant of your reputation and money, this kind of opening should not have happened. I'll most likely come back after a few months to see where you at out of curiosity but I would not...

I would give the highly-anticipated La pizza La pasta 2.5 stars. I recognize that they just opened a week ago and will need to work on some kinks, but given the price point and the hype, it is just not living up to the expectation. Key points: Place is incredibly pretentious; they are trying to be “fancy” but just not providing the service, quality of food and vibe. Servers are kind of clueless. The place is also playing loud music, and with poor sound absorbing design. I have to repeat everything 3 times for the waitstaff since no one can hear anything. Food: we ordered the Arancino, a pizza and the beef stew dish. Overall food was just OK. Aracini was kind of dry, pizza dough was chewy, and while the beef stew was good it was overpriced. The food also came out at random order (entree came first , then aracini, finally pizza). A server also randomly plopped down a small appetizer of whipped cheese and crackers with no explanation (apparently it’s complementary). Price: ver expensive for what you get.

I have to say if you want good Italian food, go to North Italia (other side...