Albano's Pasta Shop — Restaurant in Valparaiso

Father’s Day Dinner at Albano’s – Worth the Hype?

I first noticed Albano’s at the Chesterton Market Day one Saturday morning while out with the family. The chef was cooking up some of the best-looking tortellini I’d ever seen - fresh, steaming, and packed with flavor even from a distance. Ever since then, my mouth’s been watering just thinking about it, and I kept telling my wife, “We’ve got to go there one of these days.”

Well, she surprised me for Father’s Day weekend and we finally made it happen.

First Impressions: The place was hard to find with no visible signage out front, which was kind of annoying. When we walked in, my first thought was, “Whoa, it’s dark in here.” Not in a romantic way, more like, walking into a nightclub without the music or strobe lights. This made reading the menu tough to read; my wife had to pull out her phone flashlight to read hers.

The restaurant itself is pretty small, maybe 10 to 12 tables total, which is fine. But that ties into my biggest complaint: the service was really bad. We sat for about five minutes before anyone offered us drinks. Nobody checked in consistently, and while the servers weren’t rude, they definitely weren’t warm, welcoming or taking care of us regularly. My family and I felt like we were inconveniencing them just by being there, which for the size of the place should not have been an issue. Not exactly the Father’s Day vibe I was hoping for and the tip I left reflected my disappointment.

The Food: The portions? Massive. My son ordered the Short Rib Tortellini, and no exaggeration, it was phenomenal. I had a bite and almost regretted not getting it myself. Super rich, super flavorful. He couldn’t even finish it because they served so much, and that kid can eat.

I ordered the basic cheese tortellini, which was just okay. My wife had the chicken and liked it, and my daughter got the Hanger Steak, which was… fine. Nothing mind-blowing, but solid.

The menu is very limited, mostly pasta, with one steak, one fish option, and one dessert. Not a knock, just something to keep in mind especially if you’re dining with someone who isn’t a pasta lover. I note this so you tame your expectations, it’s a pasta joint (duh) that specializes in tortellini, so don’t expect a variety of other options.

Bottom Line: It wasn’t a terrible experience, but for what I paid, the service and overall vibe just didn’t measure up. I left thinking that if I ever get a craving for that Short Rib Tortellini, I’ll just wait for Chesterton Market Day, where I can see the menu, skip the awkward vibe, and don’t...

A Taste of Italy in Valparaiso, Fantastic , a Tastebud Delight, Amélie loves the food!

A Culinary Gem in Valpo: Albanos Pasta Shop - A Tastebud Delight! From the moment you step into Albanos Pasta Shop, you're enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and the tantalizing aroma of truly delicious food. Our recent visit, courtesy of Tastebud Tours, was nothing short of exceptional, leaving our tastebuds singing and our hearts full. The star of the show, undoubtedly, is their pasta. Each dish is crafted with evident care and a commitment to flavor. The sauces are rich and complex, clinging beautifully to perfectly cooked pasta – a testament to Nick and his Team's one-of-a-kind culinary expertise. Every bite was a genuine delight, a symphony of textures and tastes that left us wanting more. But Albanos is more than just incredible pasta. Their salads are fresh, vibrant, and offer a wonderful counterpoint to the richness of the main courses. The ingredients are clearly high-quality, and the dressings are the perfect complement. And then there are the homemade cheesecakes. Oh my! We were fortunate enough to sample both the lavender and the banana varieties, and both were simply divine. The lavender cheesecake was a unique and delicate floral dream, while the banana cheesecake was creamy, comforting, and bursting with natural sweetness. These are not your average desserts; they are handcrafted masterpieces that provide the perfect sweet ending to a memorable meal. Beyond the incredible food, the portions at Albanos are remarkably generous. We were thrilled to have enough left over to take home for a delicious lunch the next day – a continued reminder of the wonderful experience. Finally, a special mention must go to our waitress, Savanna. Her service was truly exceptional. She was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, making excellent recommendations and ensuring our dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. Savanna's genuine enthusiasm and warm demeanor truly enhanced our visit. Nick and his Team have created something truly special at Albanos Pasta Shop. Their passion for quality ingredients and masterful cooking shines through in every dish. It's clear that they are dedicated to providing a genuine tastebud delight for their patrons. Lynn and family, from Tastebud Tours, wholeheartedly recommend Albanos Pasta Shop. If you're in Valparaiso and craving authentic, delicious Italian cuisine with generous portions and exceptional service, look no further. This is a culinary gem you absolutely must experience! Thank you, Albanos, for a truly...

Visited this location for my birthday celebration and throughly enjoyed every detail. Each review I’d seen online was glowing with praise - and this place ABSOLUTELY deserves that sort of reputation! Our waitress already had the table set up when we arrived and did a fantastic job making sure we didn’t have any questions/our drinks were always filled- she was so sweet and even offered a birthday treat when the meal was over. Though they didn’t have an option that I was interested at the time, she went ahead and offered some sort of coupon and a discount on my meal as an apology- making totally sure I was happy with my visit despite missing out, which was such a caring personal touch. Each member of my party absolutely loved their meals, the portions were giant and I could definitely tell my chicken tortellini was fresh. I adore the open face kitchen, being able to watch the chef put together meals as they came out felt special and really added atmosphere to the place! The decor and color choices elevated the experience seamlessly, the lighting was a warm inviting shade- basically I felt like this place was just overflowing with passion and such a memorable + charming experience.

Downtown Valpo is a whole mess with parking, but that’s not the shop owner’s fault at all and I would still absolutely recommend this spot to anyone. It felt so refreshing and comfortable in the restaurant; I’m left impressed, content, and absolutely planning a future visit! Honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had in any restaurant, I really hope to see this place grow! You guys are doing...