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Ginger_nh · 03-01-2012, 08:12 AM

I live in Belmont and had read of the new Pasta Patio restaurant opened by a very young couple with little restaurant experience. Haven't gotten around to trying it until yesterday. I checked the forum here before going, as I often do (I've been lurking but never posting for 4-5 years or so!) The reviews were so negative I almost called my friend to suggest another restaurant. However, we went as planned and were very happy with both our lunch and the overall restaurant experience.

We arrived at about 11:45am. Two cars in the parking lot and 2 couples seated inside.

Our young waiter was on the first day of his job--he did an excellent job-said he was interested in all aspects of the hospitality industry, has studied hospitality at NHTI, and previously worked as a manager in some part of Gunstock's ski operations. He was discreetly shadowed by a waitress who appeared to be the dining room manager also.

We orered the soup-salad-pasta special; there are several choices for each of the items so you can mix and match as you like. Salad was not overdressed as previously written here; also, no surprises as we were told that it was dressed with a light dressing before we even ordered, also a complaint on this forum that this was not made clear before ordering. Our salad came in a generous family style bowl with enough Romaine, pepperocini, olives, tomatoes, and croutons for 4 (we were 2). Our 2 soup choices were excellent, but could have been hotter. Pasta was al dente, sauce excellent, meatballs tasty, not too spicy-just right, served steaming hot.

While we were there, a friend arrived who was former Laconia restauranteur; she was with a party of 6 and was celebrating the purchase of a home at auction just minutes earlier. They chose Pasta Patio as the place to celebrate with a luncheon. Also, by the time we left at around 1:30pm the place was nearly full.

Restaurant was extremely clean; a waitress was using an old-fashioned mechanical carpet sweeper (no motor sound to disturb patrons) to clean up every crumb on the rug as part of table area cleanup after patrons leave. Decor is pleasant, airy, and Italianate in a subdued fashion. Cutlery is heavy and attractive, the china is of the large, white Mediterranean style used in nicer Italian restaurants.

All in all, a pleasant experience--we will return. Glad to see that sometimes
places change and grow as they move along the learning curve.

03-01-2012, 08:12 AM	#14
Ginger_nh Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Positive dining experience I live in Belmont and had read of the new Pasta Patio restaurant opened by a very young couple with little restaurant experience. Haven't gotten around to trying it until yesterday. I checked the forum here before going, as I often do (I've been lurking but never posting for 4-5 years or so!) The reviews were so negative I almost called my friend to suggest another restaurant. However, we went as planned and were very happy with both our lunch and the overall restaurant experience. We arrived at about 11:45am. Two cars in the parking lot and 2 couples seated inside. Our young waiter was on the first day of his job--he did an excellent job-said he was interested in all aspects of the hospitality industry, has studied hospitality at NHTI, and previously worked as a manager in some part of Gunstock's ski operations. He was discreetly shadowed by a waitress who appeared to be the dining room manager also. We orered the soup-salad-pasta special; there are several choices for each of the items so you can mix and match as you like. Salad was not overdressed as previously written here; also, no surprises as we were told that it was dressed with a light dressing before we even ordered, also a complaint on this forum that this was not made clear before ordering. Our salad came in a generous family style bowl with enough Romaine, pepperocini, olives, tomatoes, and croutons for 4 (we were 2). Our 2 soup choices were excellent, but could have been hotter. Pasta was al dente, sauce excellent, meatballs tasty, not too spicy-just right, served steaming hot. While we were there, a friend arrived who was former Laconia restauranteur; she was with a party of 6 and was celebrating the purchase of a home at auction just minutes earlier. They chose Pasta Patio as the place to celebrate with a luncheon. Also, by the time we left at around 1:30pm the place was nearly full. Restaurant was extremely clean; a waitress was using an old-fashioned mechanical carpet sweeper (no motor sound to disturb patrons) to clean up every crumb on the rug as part of table area cleanup after patrons leave. Decor is pleasant, airy, and Italianate in a subdued fashion. Cutlery is heavy and attractive, the china is of the large, white Mediterranean style used in nicer Italian restaurants. All in all, a pleasant experience--we will return. Glad to see that sometimes places change and grow as they move along the learning curve.

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