Pastaio Cucina Rustica Italiana — Restaurant in Wintersville

The food was very good. The service not so much. We are a group of 8 friends that dine somewhere once a month. Having heard good things, we chose your restaurant tonight. Our table was next to a group showing each other videos on high volume. The accoustics in this room were terrible. We could barely talk to one another. We placed our wine and food orders. Bread was brought to our table. One friend ordered spaghetti and meatballs. The server asked if she wanted 2 meatballs. She did not. The server stated that an additional meatball was $2. My friend said one was plenty. She was charged for a meatball. And when she asked the server about it, she was told meatballs are $2. Ok fine, but when you say an additional meatball. it is implied that one is already included. We did not ask for bread, but 2 baskets were brought to our table. We assumed it was included, as it is in most restaurants. Before we even finished, the bread plates were whisked away. A "trainee" server came to apologize because the kitchen was backed up and it was taking awhile. We were fine with that. She asked if there was anything she could do for us since it was taking longer than usual. More to drink? More bread? We said, sure we will take some bread. The bread baskets, with bread still in them, were taken away and fresh ones brought to the table. When we were finished eating they packed our leftovers in boxes (which was nice), but once again the bread basket were removed still containing bread. Then our original server asked if our checks were separate, which they were. She asked who's check to put the bread on. Stunned, two of us said to put it on ours. When we received our checks we were charged for 4 baskets of bread. So we were charged for bread we didn't ask for and bread we were::offered because of our long wait time. We explained this to the trainee and she said she would check with someone. The original server came to collect our money, nothing more was said, and we walked out. Needless to say, none of us will be back. So 8 friends will be telling at least 8 more friends this story. To say we were disappointed would be an understatement. PS: I am always a generous tipper, usually more than 20%. ...

Walked right in. Seated immediately. First thing I noticed was the music playing entirely too loud and it was annoying. You would expect something authentic Italian, soft and romantic but every song was super fast, whacky and strange. Would be perfect for the "Benny Hill Show" but not a romantic Italian dinner restaurant. We asked for a wine list and our waitress stated that they did not serve alcohol. We were stuck with pop, water or iced tea.We ordered bruschetta for an appetizer. When it came to the table it was charred black and had a seriously bad burnt taste to it. We sent it back and the waitress brought us another. Again charred. I ate what I could of it but my wife couldn't get past the charred, burnt taste. It really wasn't very good despite that but at that price I'm not throwing it away. She ordered lasagna and I asked if they could somehow make me some chicken alfredo with penne noodles. They didn't offer chicken alfredo on the regular menu. She said she could ask the cook to make it. They brought our entrees. My chicken alfredo was ok but there was an overwhelming buttery taste to it. It looked like a child size portion too. My wife's lasagna had only one small noodle on top of cheese, ricotta and meat. There was very little sauce. No layering at all. It was like one noodle over cheese, meat and butter soup. The cheese and butter flavor was so overwhelming she couldn't eat it either. They didn't even offer a side salad with the meals. I guess there's a first time for everything huh ? Two stars because the waitress was a sweetheart. The food is not that great and the portions are incredibly small. The prices are pretty out there for what you get. Hell, our two sodas were $7. Come on really ??? We didn't care for the food of the previous establishment and this one is no real improvement. Won't be returning. That is...

Update May 2025 I called last minute at 4:45 to see if I could get a 530 reservation for mom and me on a Friday night. They were gracious as always. Mom couldn't go, and I arrived alone. It took a moment to be acknowledged, but after that, everything was amazing as usual. John, my server was wonderful and remembered me from last time. The bread is fantastic. I ordered the cheese tortellini with sage cream sauce, sweet Italian sausage, pancetta, and fresh peas. Delicious!The sauce was delightfully light.

The only downside was that the rooms were a bit loud even with the ceiling treatments.

I look forward to going back again soon. ❤️

Updated 22 June 24 Great again! Letizia was fabulous as always. I was by myself today and was treated with care and respect, which sometimes doesn't happen whilst dining alone. I felt almost like they took extra care of me because of it. 🌷 I got a salad of oranges with burrata. Delicious! And the special of crab ravioli with shrimp in vodka sauce with herbs. Great combo. The ravioli were packed with crab, not filler. Is was divine with the Nero d'Avola. The owner checked on the room, which is always meaningful. I can't believe this gem is in this tiny town. ❤️

Updated,: We took our friend for her birthday dinner. As usual everything was fantastic! Great service as always. The sea bass special was incredible. And the fried mixed seafood is out of this world. Perfect batter and incredibly tender calamari. I can't stop getting the mushroom ravioli with sage cream sauce. Can't wait to go back.

Mom and I shared a mixed fried seafood. Really good! I had the mushroom ravioli and mom had the spaghetti with meatballs. Both very tasty. Service was great! Had a brachetto to start and dolcetto d'Alba with the food. Delicious pairing with the ravioli. Crème brûlée was yummy too. Will definitely be...