After a surprise babysitter offer on Valentine's Day, I thought of a place I had vowed to return to after our last stellar experience... But knowing they would likely be full up, I called Basta with little hope. On the other end of the phone was their GM Peter who made every effort he could to get us seated. He had one slot open at 6pm and I thankfully accepted while simultaneously boasting to the wife "oh sure honey, we are gonna go to Basta" We were greeted at the rear entrance (which is located just inside of the beautiful outdoor patio that, since our last visit, has been enclosed and heated). We were sat, given beautiful, customized for valentines day, menus and greeted by our waiter, Vinny. I was really hoping their pizza would be on the menu as an appetizer, but no such luck. Their gorgeous pizza over was, however, cranking out fresh bread which was delicious. The limited menu (I was also craving their meatball appetizer but no luck) was based around aphrodisiacs... Oysters, figs, strawberries. Etc. We opted to split an eggplant dish and a Caesar salad for starters. Both were fantastic. Not the biggest portions in the world but very tasty and very fresh. For dinner, the lady went with a half lobster and I dug into a filet mignon. The glaze on the filet was fantastic and it was cooked perfectly. The lobster was prepared with a spicy fradiavlo sauce and was pre-cracked. Again- they weren't jumbo portions but everything was impeccable. We opted out of dessert (nothing caught our eye and we didn't want to hold up the table as the waiting area filled up) and left happy. Our server was great, visited the table several times to check on everything, the bussers were prompt and attentive. So many people out having a great time and smiles were a plenty at the surrounding tables. Another job well done, Basta. We will return again soon!
(5)
Gina S.
I went two weeks ago with friends and it was delicious! Loved it so much My boyfriend and I decided to celebrate our first anniversary there last night and I think it was even better (which I did not think was possible!) First of all, we walked in and ended up seeing so many people we knew dining there also (great minds think alike). The service was great, our waiter Vinny was very attentive and friendly. The first time I went the owner told me "You can't go wrong if you start with a pizza and finish with the cheesecake and order anything else in between." Both times I took his advice and was not disappointed! We started off with a margarita pizza which was perfection and a shrimp wrapped in prosciutto appetizer that was to die for! For our entree we shared the Veal chop stuffed with prosciutto and cheese then topped with shrimp and a lobster sauce,,, honestly I think it was the BEST meal I've ever ordered.... EVER!!! The portion was enough for 3 people. For dessert we had the cheesecake.... amazing!!! Top it all off with a few glasses of killer white sangria... Perfect!
(5)
Michele T.
Everything was delicious!!! Carbonara pizza is AMAZING! service was super friendly and atmosphere perfect for catching up with your girlfriend.
(5)
Carmen G.
Basta never disappoints- from the atmosphere to the staff to the food- has definitely become my go to place for a girls night out, romantic dinner and entertaining business associates. Ian, George, Chris and Alex always have a smile on their face and make the experience shine!
(5)
Colleen M.
My husband and I had a last minute chance to go to dinner last night so we decided to try renovated Basta. We had been to the old version a couple times and enjoyed the food but I remember the atmosphere of the place was a little dated so we were anxious to see the changes. Having read the initial reviews here we were prepared for a lousy experience but hoped for the best. We made reservations with Open Table for 7:30 and arrived about 20 minutes early. We ordered drinks at the busy bar and chatted with the friendly bartender. The hostess seated us right on time at a small table in the middle of the dining room. The seating was quite cramped, I felt like I was dining with the couples on both sides of us. I noticed that they must have kept that awesome veal chop from the original restaurant on the menu but didn't try it so I can't say for sure. We tried the Arancini appetizer - crispy rice balls stuffed with mushrooms and parmesan. They were nicely fried and the sauce was tasty but they were terribly bland. I couldn't taste or see any mushrooms at all. Luckily this wasn't an indication of things to come. My goat cheese tortellini with grapefruit brown butter sauce was delicious. Don't let the grapefruit turn you off, it's really good. My husband's swordfish was grilled nicely with a caper and olive tomato sauce over rabe. I expected to see the olives and capers on the dish and when I didn't I was skeptical but the sauce still had a lot of flavor. We skipped dessert but the server brought a little plate of cookies and biscotti with the check. I thought the service was quite good, a little slow at times but the place was packed and very loud. I think they've ironed out some of the kinks that others experienced but still have some work to do. We will be back.
(3)
Lauren S.
Great atmosphere! I've been going to Basta for many years now and I love their new look and design. The food is excellent. The potato croquettes are amazing!
(5)
Tina Z.
I dined at Basta for the first time since the renovations recently. First , let me say the renovations were well worth it. The atmosphere is very comforable and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. We sat in the bar area since we arrived a bit early for dinner. We had a personal pizza and some drinks to relax and wait for dinner service. The pizza was wood fired and it was an excellent choice. We then had some calamari before our Pasta course. The pasta was served piping hot which was amazing. Some other things were mentioning are the outdoor patio with fireplace. We sat out for a few minutes on our way out and we will definately be returning when that is open for the season to enjoy a coctail and appetizer outside. Who would guess such an elegant setting could be acheived in the back parking lot with a fence and some creative decorating? One other thing that was definately noteworthy is the decor of the ladies room. There is a build in TV in the vanity. The decor is incredibly elegant and definately has a luxurious feel that you find in the highest end hotels. It was a great experience and I will be returning. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is the price is a little steep. I think a glass of wine is 12$ and the meals are up in the 30$ range.
(4)
Keith H.
My favorite place in Pawtuxet village. Best chicken or veal parmesan and very closely resembles Antonio's in Cranston...:-)...but don't limit yourself with an ordinary parmesan ... Everything on the menu is terrific and I love the new addition of the outside patio
(5)
J D.
Love the food here. Love the atmosphere. Tiramisu is so delicious for they make their food all homemade. Definitely a great place to dine out to have a pleasant time.
(5)
Deborah B.
Visited Basta for the first time and it was fabulous. A friend had mentioned it so we decided on a Sunday afternoon around 4:30 PM we would check it out. We sat out on the patio at the bar which was a very nice atmosphere. Amanda makes the best cucumber martini around, and was very sweet and attentive. Our dinner began with zucchini florets stuffed with ricotta cheese and dipping sauce. We also shared an artichoke appetizer both very tasty.For dinner I had the swordfish special which was very white and moist, seasoned to perfection,served with a side of rabe and absolutely "delish". My husband had his all time favorite veal parmesan and said it was the best he has had anywhere. We did take a look around inside which was very lovely too. The staff were all very friendly and attentive and we really enjoyed our first experience there. We will surely recommend Basta to friends and family as well as returning very soon ourselves. Keep up the good work, you have a great thing going there.
(5)
Rick V.
I had a great experience at the new Basta. The most important part, the food (I had some of the veggie pizza and the zucchini pizza, plus tried the chicken Parmesan) was all unbelievable. Reading through the menu, it seems as if they spare no expense making every dish as perfect as possible, and then worried about the pricing after. In other words, they do it right. The bartender, Natasha, was so friendly and was perfectly timed throughout our meal. We never felt like we were waiting or rushed. I can't speak for the other servers or bartenders, but if they're all close to her level of skill and hospitality, they got that part right too. Quickly, the bathrooms were spotless (a good overall indicator of cleanliness throughout the restaurant.) Lastly, the ambiance was top-notch for the area. The outside patio is like it's own restaurant, and the inside is a traditional, upper-class Italian style. Five stars. Highly recommended. Well done, new Basta.
(5)
R. B.
Went to Basta for the first time last night. Very impressed with the attention to detail. The butter for your bread is infused with lemon and garlic. couple that with Buono's bread, fugetaboutit. Rabe app wasn't the biggest portion at (6.00) but was cooked perfectly. They use California grown garlic and leave the garlic slices big enough so you can opt not to eat them with every bite, thats huge ! California garlic is far superior to the garlic imported from China, great flavor w/o the burn. I asked our very knowledgeable waiter Anthony what he liked in the pasta selections and was high on the rigs-bolognese, say no more, just what I was in the mood for. He was right, it was excellent, oh and btw, no agita later in the evening. (If you don't know what agita is, its Itaian slang for indigestion. Which unfortunately accompanies many restaurant meals) ..... OK back to Basta, my girlfriend had the ling white clams over fresh pasta which she enjoyed, all fresh clams, close to a dozen perfectly seasoned. I can't wait to return to Basta and order the stuffed veal chop, which looked incredible when it passed by our table. Didn't have room for dessert, but Anthony tells me the cheesecake is a "family" recipe. Forget overpriced Federal Hill, get over to Edgewood section of Cranston, R.I. and eat at Basta. Great area to take a stroll after dinner also, roll down to Betty's and get yourself a chocolate caramel nut candy, voted best candy caramels in the state ! See you in Edgewood.
(5)
Vicki A.
Basta is a kind of a hip Italian place that recently reopened in Pawtuxet Village. The menu is nice and, even better, there's a late-night menu that's small and very reasonably priced. The regular dinner menu is kind of small but has a lot of variety (I had a yummy chicken dish and risotto "cones" as an appetizer). Everything I ate was very good but the prices are a little high (two of us spent $100 for a shared appetizer, two entrees and a bottle of wine, which isn't awful but also not great). Also, when we went, the entire restaurant had a strange chemical smell, which I attribute to it having recently reopened (and my date couldn't really smell it since it was pretty faint, so don't let that deter you unless you've got a sensitive sense of smell). Basta is the ONLY place I'd recommend for fine dining in Pawtuxet Village, but unless your heart is set on eating in the Village, you might save some money by going into Providence.
(4)
Kevin N.
Had the pleasure of trying the new Basta and it was Fantastic!!!!!! The atmospere was great the decor was top notch, what a great job the new owners did to give this place a much needed face lift. The pizza and calamari was excellent and I had the Stuff veal Chop and my wife had the Pork chop, Excellent!!!!! The server was on top of her game, she knew the menu and what type of wine would complement our meal.. Our Nutella pizza was the perfect ending to an Amazing Meal!!!!! Best of luck to the new owners for making Basta one of my top choices for a Great meal,,,,, Thanks KLN
(5)
Kyla G.
Me and my girlfriends went to dinner for the grand opening of basta!. The service and atmosphere were excellent. Great wine list and extremely friendly staff. Dinner menu concept was great but the food could have used more preparation and flavor, we were a bit disappointed with dinner but took in consideration that it was the restaurants opening night . Will be returning in the future.
(2)
Nathan W.
My wife and I ate at the bar and Pattie was our bartender. Not only did she make excellent drinks, she was a pleasure to talk to and recommended the most delicious plates. I had the swordfish. Simply incredible! Wife had chicken parm which she loved. If Pattie waits on you, ask her about Fragoli, the liqueur in their signature drink!
Love this place! Best pizza, veal chop and dessert around! Great atmosphere- unlike anything in the area. You cant go wrong at Basta.
(5)
Mary G.
Loved Basta Yeeeaaarss ago before the renovation. I get it - it was in need of updating on the building/decor. But the food was stellar. Now, along with the new decor the menu has been updated. While there are still some Italian staples they have added some current "food fads, flavor of the day" items. We have been several times. NOT IMPRESSED with the food or the ambiance (service has been excellent,though). Music is WAY TOO loud and Basta now seems to cater to a clientele that is less than classy. Please Basta, revamp and put some elegance back. Take a page from Antonios.
(2)
Adriana S.
I recently moved to Dallas where the Italian food is practically non existent. The Italian cuisine in RI is the best and we have a lot of choices. I make sure that I go to my favorites, every time I come home. Basta is ALWAYS first on my list and I never visit RI without coming home to Basta. This restaurant has authentic Italian cuisine, an amazing team and an amazing energizing atmosphere. I was home in RI this past weekend and again went to Basta - who never disappoints. The food .... where do I start? No matter what you are looking for, it is all really second to none. I personally LOVE the bolognese ...and the veal chop...and the homemade Tiramisu. Want something light? Have a wood grilled pizza topped with prosciutto, some wine...sit at an outdoor table on the patio. The patio has a very Tuscany feel (to me). The restaurant is set away from the hustle and bustle of the over rated Federal Hill....and blows the Italian restaurants located there out of the water with taste and price. Can't wait to come back again! Now, if only they would open up a Basta at Dallas....
(5)
Joanne C.
Went to Basta tonight with a good friend to try it for the first time, and to listen to Tony Cerbo (who we had heard really great things about). Started off with the piccolo antipasto, which was literally enough for a meal in itself -totally fresh and completely delicious! I had the pasta special, which was house made ziti with lamb sausage and chick peas (absolutely divine!) and my friend had the salmon special-very very fresh, and came paired with a nice risotto. I had a Peroni (or two, but who's counting?) and we split a chocolate gelato. Fabulous! And I must say, aside from the fantastic food, attentive staff, and wonderful atmosphere, I will definitely go back to see Mr. Cerbo perform again. Talk about dreamy!! Highly recommended!
(5)
Gail C.
I have not been to Basta for years but we went with friends last week for dinner. We did have reservations but when our table was ready we were seated at a high top on the bar side. I think the menu was on the pricey side to be seated a a high top bar table. Also as others have said, this restaurant is SO SO noisy. Real conversations are difficult at best. Our server was very nice and helpful with any questions we had with the menu. Now - on to the food - I thought many of the choices had just too many ingredients in one dish. But our choices were all very yummy! My complaint with my dish. My choice was the braccioli and I was surprised when the dish arrived, as the meat was served as a few small slices of braccioli with the pasta and not the whole piece as was expected. Other dishes we ordered were the veal saltimbocca- very light and tasty, and a special chick pea ravioli, which was also very good. All in all - good food but overpriced and too noisy. If we do go back we would do the bar for apps and drinks or wait until a nice evening and enjoy the lovely outdoor patio.
(3)
Ashley G.
Hadn't been in years but figured I'd give it a try again. Highly disappointing experience from the service to the food. Finally after being able to order a drink at the bar (and it was slow) we had to ask for menus and ask again for them to take our order. We started with a cheese board. While the meats were decent the cheese tasted like artificial string cheese. There was some jellied type of fruity concoction (no other way to describe it other than something your great grandmother would serve) that had no flavor and just took up space on the board. Next we ordered soup and arancini. It would have been nice to have a spoon with my soup that was missing any flavor.The arancini which are typically rice "balls" came out looking like mini volcanos. We thought we could overlook their appearance but these too were lacking salt and flavor. Maybe the entrees are better but appetizers set the tone for the rest of the meal. Overall I would say this restaurant has the potential but they need a new chef or a new menu!
(1)
Matt C.
I used to frequent Basta before their recent renovations. It was always solid food and, like many others have said, in desperate need of an update. I was overjoyed when I found out they were renovating and made plans to vist soon after they opened. The new signage and interior are absolutely beautiful. I especially got a kick out of the old style lightbulbs in the hanging fixtures. I admit, I did have to wait a bit to be seated. But I guess that's what I get for not making a reservation. My waiter, with his thick Italian accent was one of the best I've had anywhere. We was super attentive and polite. We ordered some apps for the table... meatballs (which were nice and tender with great flavor) and after our waiter told us about their pizza oven (as we were seated near it and it caught our eye) a diavola pizza (delicious!!!!). For dinner I opted for one of my favorite dishes whenever I go out... Pene Arrabiata. Ot was perfect! Plenty of sauce to mop up afterwards with their crunchy bread (which comes with oil, green olives, and an insanely tasty garlic/lemon whipped butter). We also got Chicken Parm (which was a bit thin but very tasty), and a sausage and rabe dish. The waiter told us that the pasta in that disk was made fresh in-house... and you could definitely tell. SOOOOO GOOD! For dessert we tried the nutella pizza. It came out super fast and was a great end to the meal. (it comes topped with strawberries... which, for people like me who dont like them, are easily scraped off) All in all it was an excellent meal and we already have plans to return next week. I am already considering trying out the veal chop... the table next to us had it and it looks fantastic!! Pros: Beautiful interior, great service, tasty food Cons: it was a bit loud - but I guess that's what happens when anyplace is packed to the gills. also make a reservation because its SUPER busy!
(5)
L C.
Very disappointing!! We arrived at 7:30 for an 8:00 reservation so we could relax and have a drink there were a party of 6. At 9:10 we left because it was still going to be 15-20 minutes more. It was not busy and the bar wasn't busy. It seemed to be if you knew the staff or owner you sat immediately the rest of us had to wait. The owner was barely even apologetic. It was very upsetting to find another restaurant at 9:15 on a Saturday night not to mention we were hungry. Too bad we didn't get to try the food because the drinks were good.
(1)
Lee J.
I was a regular at the old Basta and, for no particular reason, was VERY hesitant to try the new one. We were coaxed into it by a couple of other "old regulars" and what a fantastic surprise! The new and improved Basta is exciting. The outdoor patio room is a place you never want to leave. It has a separate bar, fire place and now serves the full menu. The bartender Erin not only delivered nice pours to our party, but also managed a very difficult drink with unusual ingredients with expert precision. We started with a combo of apps - Arricini (not to be missed!), Eggplant (imaginatively stacked and delicious!), Meatballs and Fried Zucchini - shared by all. The combination was really great and, to be honest, we could have stopped right there. None were gluten free, but there are offerings on the menu that conform. I just couldn't help myself! Thankfully we went on to Scallops over risotto (another must try!), Baffoni Farms Chicken and the best gluten free Arrabiata you ever had. We added a wonderful bottle of wine reasonably priced and finished with deserts. Mine was sorbet with chilled vodka poured over the top with a flourish. Talk about a grown-up desert! And it was GREAT! I went back a week later to take another "old regular" who was visiting from out of town. His reaction was "I think I like it better!" This time I was thrilled to find that their gluten free pasta offering was ravioli. Who ever saw that? I asked them to create a Puttanesca sauce for me to go over the ravioli which was accepted with grace. The result was pure heaven. For gluten free diets, this place comes up on top! I am so glad we were persuaded to try it again. I am taking a business guest back again this week and can't wait to be welcomed back as a "new regular".
(4)
Sharon G.
Best veal chop dinner you will ever eat. A friend recommended it and now I order it every time I visit. I have tried other restaurants but no one does it better.
(5)
Lupe A.
What can I not say about this place! 5 stars all the way from the atmosphere, to the food, to the service - just fantastic. I tried the quattro pizza which is basically a sample platter of different types of pizza and it was amazing. Kudos to the owners, managers and staff.
(5)
Melissa K.
the addition of the fire grilled pizza oven is great! pizza's are delicious and the veal parm is the best in town
(4)
Jodi K.
So much better than it was & it used to be pretty awesome!!! Recent face lift has made this old gem a new, hip neighborhood bar/restaurant!! It looks fantastic inside & the food is as delicious as ever! Try the arugula salad,the gnocchi, and any dessert ...anything really!! Check them out, you won't be disappointed & you may even think your in little Italy NYC :)
(4)
Lynn M.
Fantastic food and staff. The chef keeps getting better and better with innovative combinations of flavors, new dishes and farm fresh ingredients. Menu changes just when we start looking for something new! Such as in fresh beet salad with candied pignoli nut brittle!! Peter, the general manager, Alex, and the team of hosts, bartenders and wait staff are overly accommodating! Great neighborhood spot with a warm but contemporary vibe-old school/new school. Check it out!
(5)
Lisa L.
With the kids home from college, my husband and I decided that a nice dinner out on Christmas Eve would be a good thing to do. I have dined at Basta before so that was our choice. The place was very busy, we had to wait for a cancellation to get a table at the 8:30 seating, but we were not disappointed. The menu was much smaller than usual, to be expected on a busy holiday evening, but what it lacked in number of selections it more than made up with quality and variety. My favorite calamari was available, and my husband tried the snail salad recommended by our server Ian. It was simple, and according to my husband, quite delicious. My son had the pork chop stuffed with prosciutto and cheese and topped with lobster and sauce. It was so tender that when our waiter brought a steak knife to the table, my son declined and continued to cut it with a fork. The evening was wonderful, made all the more so by great food, and really great service. Though virtually all seats were taken, our waiter was attentive and available without hovering or bothering us unnecessarily. His suggestions for selections, and his friendliness only added to the enjoyment of the evening. I will dine again at Basta and when friend or business associates ask for suggestions, I will make two suggestions: Make reservations at Basta, and ask for Ian if he is working.
(5)
Kerri F.
I went here last night to get drinks with friends. Sat at the bar, the two female bartenders were terrible. Drinks were bad, service was bad. The bartenders were in attentive to our needs. Almost as if we were bothering them by asking for a drink.
(2)
Lauren M.
This is my new favorite place! I can't wait to go back and sit outside in the cute little outdoor dining area when then weather warms up. The service was great, the food was excellent, and the ambiance is nice. People have mentioned it is noisy and yes, it is a little bit loud, so if you're looking for a more intimate dining experience this may not be the place for you.
(5)
Beverly S.
Long Live Basta! Basta is Dead! Long Live Basta! Yes, Basta has been reincarnated, back from the ashes that it had turned in to. Many years ago it was an absolutely fabulous restaurant. My favorite. Went there whenever I was in Ri (back when I lived in DC) Then, suddenly it sunk into the pits. The depths. It got rotten. I'm not sure why although my sister said the couple that had owned it got divorced and the husband got Antonios and the wife got Basta (in the divorce settlement) In any event, it had gone down hill big time. And then it closed. It has now reopened under new ownership and the chef is the former chef at Pane e Vino in Providence. The food is beyond excellent. It was so crowded when we walked in (silly us, with no reservations) So we sat at the bar and got the very best service from two lovely bartendresses. My husband ordered a veal chop (his favorite) and I got the salmon special but I ordered it on top of a salad, and without the sides, for the same price. The salmon was cooked PRECISELY as I ordered it. We both LOVED our meals and we will definitely be back - next time with reservations! The prices are what you would expect from a very nice restaurant. The service excellent. I can't wait to go back to Basta.
(5)
Ed G.
great restaurant .. highly recommend! food was awesome .. service was good. our waitress was very friendly. the atmosphere was very cool. i would definitely go back.
(4)
Linda B.
We were a party of nine to celebrate my daughter's 25th birthday! We didn't even mention that it was her birthday, but someone picked up on it from our conversation and commented several times, making her feel extra special. The food, drinks, and our server were excellent. The newly renovated space is beautiful. We ordered three different wood-grilled pizzas to start and they were all delicious. Our party ordered a variety of food: pasta, salmon, chicken, and everything was great. They even came over with a candle on her dessert, which was unexpected. We were not rushed and everything was just perfect! I highly suggest this for parties of 2, or 9 or even larger parties. They also have a private dining room for even larger parties that looked beautiful! What a neighborhood gem, not to be missed! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jc E.
Love the food . . leave space for dessert cheesecake is amazing
(5)
Marisa S.
Boo Hiss! Can I give zero stars!!! So basta has undergone a lavish million dollar renovation. Too bad money couldn't buy them better staff. Service was terrible. Did not fill my water glass one time. I must have been given four different dishes that my friends ordered before they finally offered me my entree. they left cumbersome menus behind on the table. the food was average at best - certainly nothing to rave about in our state full of fine cuisine. I was at a Table for 7, we were thrilled it was a round table. I think that is a great feature in a restaurant. The renovation definitely brought in a large crowd for an early Friday night dinner in Edgewood. Very dinny place where it is challenging to hear . I dont mind this lively atmosphere though. My last visit to Basta, pre renovation, my husband and I felt like we had entered a library, where all the patrons were at least 35 years our senior, and the place was super quiet and formal. So I think the management is onto something trying to liven the place up. Until that is, the manager actually comes to our table and tells us to "quiet down", a table had left complaining the restaurant was too loud. Honestly I thought he personally knew someone at our table and it was a complete joke bc he spoke in such a demeaning manner to us, and we were not behaving in a loud or obnoxious manner. But alas, he was for real. Here we were a table of 40 and 50 something's, and he spoke to us like we were 5. We were not boisterous at all. The place itself is loud and crowded. I can't believe he singled our table out. He was such an obtuse ass they he even addressed us too. . His restaurant was loud bc it has high ceilings and brick walls and hardwoods throughout. Did I mention he looked better fit to manage one of the strip clubs that this family business is famous for owning instead of a restaurant. I will never go back to be treated like that again. Ridiculous.
(1)
Valerie C.
The Hostess was very friendly, the Veal chop was great melt in your mouth. However the waiter was not that attentive for the price that we paid.
(4)
Holly S.
My friends and I have visited both the old and new basta and have never had any problems until recently. I politely called a week and a half ahead of time to make a reservation for a large group of people for a co-workers going away party. The manager had answered the phone and quickly told us that we would not be able to order off the complete menu and that we would have to choose between two or three menu items due to the amount of business they usually have on Sunday afternoons, when asked why we couldn't have the full menu the manager stated that they are a small restaurant. We all work in the restaurant industry and understand that large parties are a pain sometimes but if you have customers willing to buy any and everything off that menu why limit them. Basta lost out on a large number of past, present and future customers due to the managers unwillingess to accommodate our party.
(1)
William D.
I think we've had "enough" of Basta... My wife and I had visited the pre-renovated Basta several times and had nothing but great experiences. We visited the newly renovated shop last evening and were thoroughly disappointed with the quality of our meals. For starters, we ordered the arancini rice balls. They were cold, and filled with low quality meats that resembled chewing gum. I ordered the veal parm which was an absolute abomination. The veal was decent quality, but smothered in a doughy batter. I felt as though I was eating a doughboy at a festival. Unfortunately, I had to dispose of my leftovers. My wife ordered veal saltimbocca which was drenched in sauce and cheese to the point that the meal was virtually unpalatable. The menu prices were very high, and just not commensurate with the quality of the food. Our server was "ok" and mildly attentive to our dining needs. Honestly, I will probably never visit Basta again, and will stick with an old "tried and true" such as Luigis in Johnston.
(2)
Joe A.
I think my expectations were set a little too high for this place. We started with Calamari that was way too chewy. Then the arugula and prosciutto pizza was just MEH, but the sopresata pizza was great. For a meal I tried to go "safe" and get the veal parm - it was sub standard. I wanted to get the "crazy veal" (cotoletta pazza for all you non italians) but I would only agree to order it if the chef had any pink vodka sauce available for my pasta, he did not. For dessert the Nutella pizza was pretty good but not even close to the best I've ever tasted. Nice atmosphere when the music isnt too loud.
(2)
Rebecca M.
This is not an easy review for me to write. I have loved and enjoyed BASTA for over 13 years.(We would give the "Old BASTA " 41/2 ~ 5 stars!!!) I only wish the new team and ownership great success. Please understand my care and good intentions in writing this honest review. I have been looking forward to BASTA reopening for months. PREVIOUSLY ...One of my favorite Italian restaurants ever. Although a bit dated interior, it was delightful, charming, friendly & had a community feel. My guests and I had never been let down By service or taste. ALWAYS GREAT ENTREES whatever we tried. It'd been closed since July. On Sunday night my guest and I missed the cut off for fine dining (9pm) by less than a minute. REALLY guys!! We were told that the bar was open for lite fare/ pizzas 'til 11 but that was corrected, it was only 10. We did not feel welcomed at the back entrance as the hostess had the vacuum cleaner roaring. ( Again later during our meal as well) . The poor woman/ Hostess? ... didn't have the scoop & while asking the 2 nearby servers , standing at the coffee/desert counter, they ignored her, and us, were only interested in themselves. We sat at the bar which totally disappointed us. The woman/ Bartender was overworked, she said, due to the reopening. Her poorly created martinis missed the mark totally.(Same martini weI always had at BASTA prepared terrifically by David !!) Over the course of the meal we had 2 We politely made suggestions to make them better each time She was inappropriate & unprofessional at her approach to us, & Would not stop talking about her personal life. . Hardly anyone was In the restaurant . Do note~~~ clientele were enjoying freshly prepared & delivered entrees at the Bar seated next to us. It took 20 minutes or more for us to wait to get our salad & "60 second made pizza." The pizza was doughy and undercooked. $16 for 4 slices. ( Cut it into 6 at least! Fool us into thinking we have more and it would look more attractive also). Oddly enough I was testing out the restaurant because I was due to go back on Monday night with family for dinner. I chose to go to Antonio's on Park and Cranston Streets which was absolutely fabulous and delivered (as ALWAYS) in more ways than I could imagine! Ok... Tuesday night I'm invited by a girlfriend to go to BASTA for dinner, I keep my recent experience at the Bar to myself and welcome her fine invitation. This time at the back entrance we are welcomed politely and our coats taken and checked at the coat rack (we are given a number). We are taken to our cramped seating on the left side of the restaurant. It is very loud & tinny sounding in our dining area. The previous BASTA dining experience included white tablecloths and carpeting so the sound would be muffled & softer, although couples and groups would more than enjoy themselves and it felt very pleasant! This was a put off. Our server was quite attentive and I give him kudos. The arinccini appetizer was quite tasty and my friends Caesar salad was very good. The Cod dish she received was prepared and presented well. My Entree , black squid pasta with shrimp and cherry tomatoes was not up to par. The pasta was entirely broken up, as if it were the dregs or and end of the package or box. The shrimp lacked color and flavoring as if it had been steamed and thrown into the firm cardboard like, not al dente, pasta. When asked for additional grated Parmesan for my pasta dish I excepted cheerfully but was surprised to find the young man with bare hands holding the round of cheese. Think it should've been a proper handheld greater with interior works or previously grated fresh Parm, Served from a small dish and sprinkled onto our food. A bit more hygienic. When exiting the restaurant my friend had a five dollar bill in hand to tip the coat rack folks, ( not a coat room as before) no one attended to us, Although a hostess and server were Chatting between themselves and standing nearby. We placed our little red numbered chip back on the hanger ourselves. She and I chuckled & kept the tip money for herself! I realize BASTA is going through some "Growing pains". This is a new team almost entirely but I hope that they will work out the finer details and make it a success. I wish them well. I do plan on giving the restaurant another try in a few months let's see what they can do/accomplish.
(2)
Taylor V.
Basta's renovation is exactly what Cranston needed - the look, feel and vibe of the "new" Basta is that of a Boston or New York styled ristorante. Basta is adorned with family style tables, a private dining room, intimate seating, exposed brick, Edison light bulbs, personal photos from Italy, large bar and an outdoor patio perfect for Spring and Summer dining. I cannot wait for the patio to open up! Basta combines the old school with the new school for a fantastic dining experience. I have been about 3-4 time since they've opened, my most recent visit being on Sunday for a late afternoon pizza/lunch. Great energy and a beautiful crowd! This may be my new Sunday spot rather than Federal Hill - and it's on the water! Food is always prepared in a timely manner and everything is delicious! A few of my favorites include the always classic margherita pizza, fonduta, boston bibb salad, cotoletta pazza, bucatini alla amatriciana, the flourless chocolate cake..my list goes on and on and this review is making me hungry! They also have a great wine menu that they can pair perfectly with your meal. The kitchen certainly takes pride in their food and presentation; we cannot overlook their hard work. This has hands down become a neighborhood gem yet again and will attract a younger crowd. Well done, Basta!
(5)
Jeff M.
Basta was a bust. Nice environment and a decent if strongly priced winelist. But, not a single item we ordered was spot on. Some not even close. The Orcchiette with ground sausage and broccoli rabe was fine, nice even, but those little pasta were shells, not the thicker and denser bowl shape typical of orecchiette. We added an order of chicken to the Tortellini, which was served grilled, sliced and unseasoned set ontop of the vodka and basil, tomato cream sauce. No effort was made to incorporate the flavorless chicken into the dish. The Vitello Saltimbocca was dreadful. The veal, thin as a wafer, was cooked to the texture of shoe leather, with a hard browning in places. The prosciutto above it cooked to a crisp. The whole thing buried in super thick blanket of mozzarella goo. My favorite part of the meal was the bottle of wine, which in fact was a substitute, as they were out of the wine I had placed the order for. All in, quite a disappointment.
(2)
Mark S.
I ate here Thursday night and loved it! From being greeted at the host station to our server, everyone was very friendly and helpful. We split a salad to start. Forgot what it was called but it had pears, gorgonzola, etc. It was yummy but had a little too much oil for my taste. My main dish was absolutely awesome. I got the scallops with sweet potato brussel sprout hash. It was freaking awesome. If they had given me a serving spoon, I would have shoved that dish in my face as quickly as possible. I can't wait to go back and order that same exact dish. I won't even look at the menu or listen to the specials so as not to cloud my judgement. I really liked everything about this place from the space, service and obviously food.
(4)
Brian O.
Basta is my favorite restaurant in Rhode Island, the food, the service, the atmosphere, everything about it, great reasonably priced wines by the glass, good beer selection, overall it's a place you have to put on your to do list. I usually sit at the bar and the service is outstanding, that's coming from a bartender of 10 years. I suggest the bracciole, it melts in your mouth!
(5)
Monika N.
Nice Italian spot located in the heart of Pawtuxet. The menu is very fancy-smancy but delicious. Not a lot of basic Italian dishes here, i.e., spaghetti and meatballs, so if you're not into fancy dishes then I don't recommend here. However, if you do have an adventurous palate, you're in the right place. Lots of homemade pastas and sausages, handmade cheeses, local and fresh ingredients. Nothing is heavy or greasy, everything well cooked and well prepared. You get fresh bread and yummy infused oil before the meal. Extensive wine collection, full bar, and decent beer selection with on tap options. The interior is very fancy and can be intimidating, but don't let it scare you. I've rolled in wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and converses and no one bats an eye. The waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable, and there are daily specials to choose from. All in all, two thumbs up and a must stop place of you like adventurous Italian cuisine.
(4)
Martha C.
We had a very nice meal at Basta. I was able to make a last minute reservation online and requested a table in the bar area, they had one reserved upon our arrival. The server was excellent, knowledgeable and helpful. The pizza was just eh for us, we are crispy pizza people though to be fair. It was delicious just not our type of pizza. Our cocktails were perfect. Dinners were even better, my husband had the pasta special which was full of mushrooms and beautiful flavors. I had salmon which was perfection! Cooked perfectly and very fresh, I would even say better than the salmon I recently had at Bonefish. We split creme brulee and espresso martinis which did not disappoint. We truly enjoyed our dining experience and will be back again!
(5)
Jennifer N.
The food was amazing! The roasted garlic oil with a touch of balsamic is perfection.... We had to ask for seconds haha! (Greedy!) I had the caprese salad and it's done with arugula and the best I've had. The chicken parm and meatballs were to die for. The tiramisu was house made and literally too amazing to pass up! I will definitely be back!
(5)
Tina Z.
I dined at Basta for the first time since the renovations recently. First , let me say the renovations were well worth it. The atmosphere is very comforable and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. We sat in the bar area since we arrived a bit early for dinner. We had a personal pizza and some drinks to relax and wait for dinner service. The pizza was wood fired and it was an excellent choice. We then had some calamari before our Pasta course. The pasta was served piping hot which was amazing. Some other things were mentioning are the outdoor patio with fireplace. We sat out for a few minutes on our way out and we will definately be returning when that is open for the season to enjoy a coctail and appetizer outside. Who would guess such an elegant setting could be acheived in the back parking lot with a fence and some creative decorating? One other thing that was definately noteworthy is the decor of the ladies room. There is a build in TV in the vanity. The decor is incredibly elegant and definately has a luxurious feel that you find in the highest end hotels. It was a great experience and I will be returning. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is the price is a little steep. I think a glass of wine is 12$ and the meals are up in the 30$ range.
(4)
Emily P.
FINALLLLLY! an amazing italian restaurant close to home (cranston)!!!! wow, this restaurant took my boyfriend and i by surprise, we truly love it!!! we stumbled in on a very, and i mean very busy night! we didn't want to wait for a table, we were starving and the smell of homemade pasta just blew our mind, so we settled for the bar! oh my! what a lovely drink selection and such a comfortable cozy atmosphere! Oh, before i forget, they have probably the best outdoor patio i have ever seen, locally. absolutely gorggg! I ordered a pasta special they had, black ink pasta with a lemon garlic drizz, jeez. i dream about the texture of the pasta and how well it was cooked! my boyfriend had the stuffed veal, hands down... the best ever! this veal with stuffed with everything and it was so flavorful, you basically had three entrees in one chop! it was so delicious! I was too full for dessert, but the guests beside me had the nutella pizza. for all the nutella lovers, oh my gosh, they had a variety of nutella dessert specials!!!! prices were set just right! the owners sent us a round and that was so sweet and courteous! we will for sure be back, amazing italian food, amazing ambiance, and just an all around lovely night out!
(5)
Donald B.
Really disappointed. This place used to be one of my old standbys. A lot has changed in four years. The decor has. A lot more room and beautiful. But the food which used to be great was less than. The filet mignon was wonderfully cooked. So juicy and tender. But there was no taste to it at all. Bland! Worse off, my risotto was exactly the same. Cooked well but bland. No flavor.
(2)
Deborah B.
Visited Basta for the first time and it was fabulous. A friend had mentioned it so we decided on a Sunday afternoon around 4:30 PM we would check it out. We sat out on the patio at the bar which was a very nice atmosphere. Amanda makes the best cucumber martini around, and was very sweet and attentive. Our dinner began with zucchini florets stuffed with ricotta cheese and dipping sauce. We also shared an artichoke appetizer both very tasty.For dinner I had the swordfish special which was very white and moist, seasoned to perfection,served with a side of rabe and absolutely "delish". My husband had his all time favorite veal parmesan and said it was the best he has had anywhere. We did take a look around inside which was very lovely too. The staff were all very friendly and attentive and we really enjoyed our first experience there. We will surely recommend Basta to friends and family as well as returning very soon ourselves. Keep up the good work, you have a great thing going there.
(5)
Rick V.
I had a great experience at the new Basta. The most important part, the food (I had some of the veggie pizza and the zucchini pizza, plus tried the chicken Parmesan) was all unbelievable. Reading through the menu, it seems as if they spare no expense making every dish as perfect as possible, and then worried about the pricing after. In other words, they do it right. The bartender, Natasha, was so friendly and was perfectly timed throughout our meal. We never felt like we were waiting or rushed. I can't speak for the other servers or bartenders, but if they're all close to her level of skill and hospitality, they got that part right too. Quickly, the bathrooms were spotless (a good overall indicator of cleanliness throughout the restaurant.) Lastly, the ambiance was top-notch for the area. The outside patio is like it's own restaurant, and the inside is a traditional, upper-class Italian style. Five stars. Highly recommended. Well done, new Basta.
(5)
Keith H.
My favorite place in Pawtuxet village. Best chicken or veal parmesan and very closely resembles Antonio's in Cranston...:-)...but don't limit yourself with an ordinary parmesan ... Everything on the menu is terrific and I love the new addition of the outside patio
(5)
R. B.
Went to Basta for the first time last night. Very impressed with the attention to detail. The butter for your bread is infused with lemon and garlic. couple that with Buono's bread, fugetaboutit. Rabe app wasn't the biggest portion at (6.00) but was cooked perfectly. They use California grown garlic and leave the garlic slices big enough so you can opt not to eat them with every bite, thats huge ! California garlic is far superior to the garlic imported from China, great flavor w/o the burn. I asked our very knowledgeable waiter Anthony what he liked in the pasta selections and was high on the rigs-bolognese, say no more, just what I was in the mood for. He was right, it was excellent, oh and btw, no agita later in the evening. (If you don't know what agita is, its Itaian slang for indigestion. Which unfortunately accompanies many restaurant meals) ..... OK back to Basta, my girlfriend had the ling white clams over fresh pasta which she enjoyed, all fresh clams, close to a dozen perfectly seasoned. I can't wait to return to Basta and order the stuffed veal chop, which looked incredible when it passed by our table. Didn't have room for dessert, but Anthony tells me the cheesecake is a "family" recipe. Forget overpriced Federal Hill, get over to Edgewood section of Cranston, R.I. and eat at Basta. Great area to take a stroll after dinner also, roll down to Betty's and get yourself a chocolate caramel nut candy, voted best candy caramels in the state ! See you in Edgewood.
Love this place! Best pizza, veal chop and dessert around! Great atmosphere- unlike anything in the area. You cant go wrong at Basta.
(5)
Mary G.
Loved Basta Yeeeaaarss ago before the renovation. I get it - it was in need of updating on the building/decor. But the food was stellar. Now, along with the new decor the menu has been updated. While there are still some Italian staples they have added some current "food fads, flavor of the day" items. We have been several times. NOT IMPRESSED with the food or the ambiance (service has been excellent,though). Music is WAY TOO loud and Basta now seems to cater to a clientele that is less than classy. Please Basta, revamp and put some elegance back. Take a page from Antonios.
(2)
J D.
Love the food here. Love the atmosphere. Tiramisu is so delicious for they make their food all homemade. Definitely a great place to dine out to have a pleasant time.
(5)
Adriana S.
I recently moved to Dallas where the Italian food is practically non existent. The Italian cuisine in RI is the best and we have a lot of choices. I make sure that I go to my favorites, every time I come home. Basta is ALWAYS first on my list and I never visit RI without coming home to Basta. This restaurant has authentic Italian cuisine, an amazing team and an amazing energizing atmosphere. I was home in RI this past weekend and again went to Basta - who never disappoints. The food .... where do I start? No matter what you are looking for, it is all really second to none. I personally LOVE the bolognese ...and the veal chop...and the homemade Tiramisu. Want something light? Have a wood grilled pizza topped with prosciutto, some wine...sit at an outdoor table on the patio. The patio has a very Tuscany feel (to me). The restaurant is set away from the hustle and bustle of the over rated Federal Hill....and blows the Italian restaurants located there out of the water with taste and price. Can't wait to come back again! Now, if only they would open up a Basta at Dallas....
(5)
Joanne C.
Went to Basta tonight with a good friend to try it for the first time, and to listen to Tony Cerbo (who we had heard really great things about). Started off with the piccolo antipasto, which was literally enough for a meal in itself -totally fresh and completely delicious! I had the pasta special, which was house made ziti with lamb sausage and chick peas (absolutely divine!) and my friend had the salmon special-very very fresh, and came paired with a nice risotto. I had a Peroni (or two, but who's counting?) and we split a chocolate gelato. Fabulous! And I must say, aside from the fantastic food, attentive staff, and wonderful atmosphere, I will definitely go back to see Mr. Cerbo perform again. Talk about dreamy!! Highly recommended!
(5)
Lynn M.
Fantastic food and staff. The chef keeps getting better and better with innovative combinations of flavors, new dishes and farm fresh ingredients. Menu changes just when we start looking for something new! Such as in fresh beet salad with candied pignoli nut brittle!! Peter, the general manager, Alex, and the team of hosts, bartenders and wait staff are overly accommodating! Great neighborhood spot with a warm but contemporary vibe-old school/new school. Check it out!
(5)
Gail C.
I have not been to Basta for years but we went with friends last week for dinner. We did have reservations but when our table was ready we were seated at a high top on the bar side. I think the menu was on the pricey side to be seated a a high top bar table. Also as others have said, this restaurant is SO SO noisy. Real conversations are difficult at best. Our server was very nice and helpful with any questions we had with the menu. Now - on to the food - I thought many of the choices had just too many ingredients in one dish. But our choices were all very yummy! My complaint with my dish. My choice was the braccioli and I was surprised when the dish arrived, as the meat was served as a few small slices of braccioli with the pasta and not the whole piece as was expected. Other dishes we ordered were the veal saltimbocca- very light and tasty, and a special chick pea ravioli, which was also very good. All in all - good food but overpriced and too noisy. If we do go back we would do the bar for apps and drinks or wait until a nice evening and enjoy the lovely outdoor patio.
(3)
Ashley G.
Hadn't been in years but figured I'd give it a try again. Highly disappointing experience from the service to the food. Finally after being able to order a drink at the bar (and it was slow) we had to ask for menus and ask again for them to take our order. We started with a cheese board. While the meats were decent the cheese tasted like artificial string cheese. There was some jellied type of fruity concoction (no other way to describe it other than something your great grandmother would serve) that had no flavor and just took up space on the board. Next we ordered soup and arancini. It would have been nice to have a spoon with my soup that was missing any flavor.The arancini which are typically rice "balls" came out looking like mini volcanos. We thought we could overlook their appearance but these too were lacking salt and flavor. Maybe the entrees are better but appetizers set the tone for the rest of the meal. Overall I would say this restaurant has the potential but they need a new chef or a new menu!
(1)
Nina T.
Had a fabulous dinner in great atmosphere! The new fall menu was out and I had the best chicken Marsala. My husband had delicious salmon topped with lobster and my father had a good sized filet topped with short rib in an amazing fig reduction. Good sized portions.
(5)
Eric E.
Great romantic place with great food and service. Ate inside but outside looked great too. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good Italian meal. Might be a little pricy but worth it with the atmosphere and service.
(5)
Lyd M.
I like Basta. I've been I guess 4 times now. I've only sat at the main bar and once at the back bar, but the service is always welcoming and attentive yet relaxed. The cocktails have always been delicious (Steph makes a mean espressotini), and I've liked all the food. The carbonara pizza is GREAT. I'd definitely recommend it. It has all the delicious flavors of a traditional carbonara pasta, but with a chewy crust, fire-roasted flavor, and sunny-side eggs with perfectly runny yolks on top. I've never had eggs on my pizza but I can honestly say that I might just add eggs to my pizzas from here on out. Great spot to grab a drink and some tasty food in the village.
(4)
Joe C.
Could Be Better I am reviewing this honestly. My review could be swayed seeing that the manager comped our apps seeing we waiting 45 minutes to be seated with a reservation. The waiting is not the issue. A restaurant being busy is good thing for business so I can't fault them for that. Went with another couple and we ordered a few apps and couple of pizzas and an entree. Apps: Calamari: very good, well cooked, good spice Meat and Cheese Board: big letdown, seeing this a staple at most italian restaurants in the state, this was a major letdown Caesar Salad: nothing special Entree: Veal Saltimbocca: very weak, we were going to send it back 2 Pizzas: absolutely delicious, if you goto Basta you have to get a pizza! The service here was excellent, our waiter was on point. So to summarize, Basta is a nicely decorated restaurant that is doing most things very well. However; they missed on a few items, which could easily be fixed. We'll definitely be back, especially for the pizza. Thanks
(3)
Jessica G.
OMG= by far the worst place I have ever ate!!! Ordered the margarritta pizza- very little cheese! We asked for them to add more cheese- they said they would make us another pizza with extra cheese- which was still very little cheese- if you like tomato sauce and dough - then you would be all set! Then , we ordered he veal parm which was paper - literally paper thin veal and nasty- unidentified coating which was falling off. They could not supstitute a salid for pasta. Pasta was terrible- very chewy and little sauce. Very over priced- do not waste your money there. I should have returned the veal and said- where is the veal? I would not even give it a 1 star- but I guess you have to give it at least one. Tables close together. The oil they gave you for the bread was terrible. The bread was terrible- hard as a rock- I could barely break the bread apart with my teeth. Not everyone wants pasta with their meal- some people want a healthy alternative- like salid or veg- which they do not offer. Very upscale- snobby- bullshit- nasty food. Had a reservation there- but table choices were nasty- all close to each other- reservation was not helping the table choices. Abiance nasty. Do not know why people go there! The only good thing to say is there is parking in the back!!
(1)
Connor T.
I had a wonderful experience for a late lunch at Basta on Mother's Day. We had a nice server on the outdoor patio and she made the Experience pleasurable for all of us.we started with a few apps (clams casino/calamari) the clams were very average but the calamari was delicious. For my entre I had risotto topped with salmon grilled to perfection and lobster knuckles ontop. Killer entre! Would recommend, large portions and fair pricing.
Disappointed. We usually enjoy Basta, but it wasn't up to par this night. The margaritas we ordered didn't come with fruit. There was no salt & pepper on the table. We asked for pepper, which we got, but no salt was delivered also - I guess since we didn't specifically ask for it. Moments later the busboy went to take the salt away. The calamari we ordered as an appetizer was rubbery. When it got darker out (our table was outside) we had to ask to have the table candle lit. The tiramisu for dessert was just ok. Asked for cream & sugar for my coffee & got milk instead. So even though there were no major mistakes, the overall dining experience was not up to the usual Basta standards.
(2)
Nicholas F.
5 star restaurant. Proud to work in such a place. If you love great Italian food, and a pretty and relaxing enviornment, come try us out! It's perfect for special occasions
(5)
Joe M.
Went here a couple Fridays ago. we didn't have reservations but we walked right in and got a table. space is nice inside I hear they did a lot of renovations, there is a really nice outdoor patio in the back. my wife and I both got Manhattans which were delicious. I got the braised short rib which was tender and tasty and came with a really good polenta and baby carrots. we would definitely go back and try the pizzas which we missed out on this time. Our server was great too, attentive but not constantly hovering. It's a little expensive but for how happy we were with everything it was worth the money.
(4)
Sarah Jean R.
My wife and I recently visited Basta for the first time to celebrate our anniversary. The Basta experience was definitely worthy of our special occasion. Every member of the staff we encountered during the evening was well above average (I'll go ahead and say exceptional) - professional, friendly, and knowledgable. The wine and drink list were well thought out in variety while offering a nice range of price points from affordable to indulgent. We ended up ordering pizza (our traditional anniversary meal). We shared a margherita and one of their nightly specials (roasted corn, chili oil, scallions). Both were delicious. First, the sauce on the nightly special was quite delicious and I wish it had tasted the same on the margherita - perhaps it was the addition of the chili oil to the special? The toppings were all fresh and plentiful. The crust was almost exactly what I look for in a neopolitan-style pizza - almost. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the chew of it was a bit too soft while also dense, and overall off (I will note the crust flavor was great). Since it was a special occasion, we got the dessert. That was the only thing that was really disappointing - chocolate cake that seemed a little old and was not really a 'cake' but more like a non-cheese cheesecake made of mostly dense mousse. If we had skipped dessert, I would have given it 5 stars. Basta is going into our regular rotation because of the great experience we had, the overall atmosphere and lovely food and drink.
(4)
Alyssa A.
My first visit to Basta since their massive renovation! We started with the Mussels. Shared a Chicken Caesar Salad and then shared their sampler pizza called: Quattro Stagioni. Everything was delicious but what really stood out for me was their SALSICCIA (sausage) PIZZA! So flavorful! So delicious! I was looking forward to trying pizza from their fancy imported brick oven and it did not disappoint. Next time I'll try the Orecchette.. that looked really good. Kinda loud in there. They knocked down the wall between the bar and the dining room. Whaddayagonnado?
(4)
Benjamin J.
After driving by this place several times, I finally came here and was happy I did. Food - I did find the menu to be a bit on the small side; however, Im happy with chicken parm, and this place has a great (and generously portioned) chicken parm. The warm bread with olive oil and balsamic was delicious. The only issue I had was with a pizza - and the pizza was good, but difficult to eat. Entire slices of prosciutto layed across the pizza required us to rearrange it and tear it so that every slice of pizza had a slice of prosciutto. Nevertheless, everyone in our party of 7 enjoyed their meals. Service - No complaints here: attentive, professional, knowledgeable. Atmosphere - It's very nice in here. Fancy, but not over the top. They had a great patio area with furniture and a fireplace, but it was too cold to enjoy in the middle of February. Ill have to return in the summer. Last, but not least, they have a parking lot! For Pawtuxet Village, this is a huge benefit. All in all, I'd recommend this place to anyone, and will come back in the future.
Best veal chop dinner you will ever eat. A friend recommended it and now I order it every time I visit. I have tried other restaurants but no one does it better.
(5)
Lupe A.
What can I not say about this place! 5 stars all the way from the atmosphere, to the food, to the service - just fantastic. I tried the quattro pizza which is basically a sample platter of different types of pizza and it was amazing. Kudos to the owners, managers and staff.
(5)
Melissa K.
the addition of the fire grilled pizza oven is great! pizza's are delicious and the veal parm is the best in town
(4)
Jodi K.
So much better than it was & it used to be pretty awesome!!! Recent face lift has made this old gem a new, hip neighborhood bar/restaurant!! It looks fantastic inside & the food is as delicious as ever! Try the arugula salad,the gnocchi, and any dessert ...anything really!! Check them out, you won't be disappointed & you may even think your in little Italy NYC :)
(4)
Matt C.
I used to frequent Basta before their recent renovations. It was always solid food and, like many others have said, in desperate need of an update. I was overjoyed when I found out they were renovating and made plans to vist soon after they opened. The new signage and interior are absolutely beautiful. I especially got a kick out of the old style lightbulbs in the hanging fixtures. I admit, I did have to wait a bit to be seated. But I guess that's what I get for not making a reservation. My waiter, with his thick Italian accent was one of the best I've had anywhere. We was super attentive and polite. We ordered some apps for the table... meatballs (which were nice and tender with great flavor) and after our waiter told us about their pizza oven (as we were seated near it and it caught our eye) a diavola pizza (delicious!!!!). For dinner I opted for one of my favorite dishes whenever I go out... Pene Arrabiata. Ot was perfect! Plenty of sauce to mop up afterwards with their crunchy bread (which comes with oil, green olives, and an insanely tasty garlic/lemon whipped butter). We also got Chicken Parm (which was a bit thin but very tasty), and a sausage and rabe dish. The waiter told us that the pasta in that disk was made fresh in-house... and you could definitely tell. SOOOOO GOOD! For dessert we tried the nutella pizza. It came out super fast and was a great end to the meal. (it comes topped with strawberries... which, for people like me who dont like them, are easily scraped off) All in all it was an excellent meal and we already have plans to return next week. I am already considering trying out the veal chop... the table next to us had it and it looks fantastic!! Pros: Beautiful interior, great service, tasty food Cons: it was a bit loud - but I guess that's what happens when anyplace is packed to the gills. also make a reservation because its SUPER busy!
(5)
Lauren M.
This is my new favorite place! I can't wait to go back and sit outside in the cute little outdoor dining area when then weather warms up. The service was great, the food was excellent, and the ambiance is nice. People have mentioned it is noisy and yes, it is a little bit loud, so if you're looking for a more intimate dining experience this may not be the place for you.
(5)
Lee J.
I was a regular at the old Basta and, for no particular reason, was VERY hesitant to try the new one. We were coaxed into it by a couple of other "old regulars" and what a fantastic surprise! The new and improved Basta is exciting. The outdoor patio room is a place you never want to leave. It has a separate bar, fire place and now serves the full menu. The bartender Erin not only delivered nice pours to our party, but also managed a very difficult drink with unusual ingredients with expert precision. We started with a combo of apps - Arricini (not to be missed!), Eggplant (imaginatively stacked and delicious!), Meatballs and Fried Zucchini - shared by all. The combination was really great and, to be honest, we could have stopped right there. None were gluten free, but there are offerings on the menu that conform. I just couldn't help myself! Thankfully we went on to Scallops over risotto (another must try!), Baffoni Farms Chicken and the best gluten free Arrabiata you ever had. We added a wonderful bottle of wine reasonably priced and finished with deserts. Mine was sorbet with chilled vodka poured over the top with a flourish. Talk about a grown-up desert! And it was GREAT! I went back a week later to take another "old regular" who was visiting from out of town. His reaction was "I think I like it better!" This time I was thrilled to find that their gluten free pasta offering was ravioli. Who ever saw that? I asked them to create a Puttanesca sauce for me to go over the ravioli which was accepted with grace. The result was pure heaven. For gluten free diets, this place comes up on top! I am so glad we were persuaded to try it again. I am taking a business guest back again this week and can't wait to be welcomed back as a "new regular".
(4)
Lisa L.
With the kids home from college, my husband and I decided that a nice dinner out on Christmas Eve would be a good thing to do. I have dined at Basta before so that was our choice. The place was very busy, we had to wait for a cancellation to get a table at the 8:30 seating, but we were not disappointed. The menu was much smaller than usual, to be expected on a busy holiday evening, but what it lacked in number of selections it more than made up with quality and variety. My favorite calamari was available, and my husband tried the snail salad recommended by our server Ian. It was simple, and according to my husband, quite delicious. My son had the pork chop stuffed with prosciutto and cheese and topped with lobster and sauce. It was so tender that when our waiter brought a steak knife to the table, my son declined and continued to cut it with a fork. The evening was wonderful, made all the more so by great food, and really great service. Though virtually all seats were taken, our waiter was attentive and available without hovering or bothering us unnecessarily. His suggestions for selections, and his friendliness only added to the enjoyment of the evening. I will dine again at Basta and when friend or business associates ask for suggestions, I will make two suggestions: Make reservations at Basta, and ask for Ian if he is working.
(5)
Kerri F.
I went here last night to get drinks with friends. Sat at the bar, the two female bartenders were terrible. Drinks were bad, service was bad. The bartenders were in attentive to our needs. Almost as if we were bothering them by asking for a drink.
(2)
Beverly S.
Long Live Basta! Basta is Dead! Long Live Basta! Yes, Basta has been reincarnated, back from the ashes that it had turned in to. Many years ago it was an absolutely fabulous restaurant. My favorite. Went there whenever I was in Ri (back when I lived in DC) Then, suddenly it sunk into the pits. The depths. It got rotten. I'm not sure why although my sister said the couple that had owned it got divorced and the husband got Antonios and the wife got Basta (in the divorce settlement) In any event, it had gone down hill big time. And then it closed. It has now reopened under new ownership and the chef is the former chef at Pane e Vino in Providence. The food is beyond excellent. It was so crowded when we walked in (silly us, with no reservations) So we sat at the bar and got the very best service from two lovely bartendresses. My husband ordered a veal chop (his favorite) and I got the salmon special but I ordered it on top of a salad, and without the sides, for the same price. The salmon was cooked PRECISELY as I ordered it. We both LOVED our meals and we will definitely be back - next time with reservations! The prices are what you would expect from a very nice restaurant. The service excellent. I can't wait to go back to Basta.
(5)
Ed G.
great restaurant .. highly recommend! food was awesome .. service was good. our waitress was very friendly. the atmosphere was very cool. i would definitely go back.
(4)
L C.
Very disappointing!! We arrived at 7:30 for an 8:00 reservation so we could relax and have a drink there were a party of 6. At 9:10 we left because it was still going to be 15-20 minutes more. It was not busy and the bar wasn't busy. It seemed to be if you knew the staff or owner you sat immediately the rest of us had to wait. The owner was barely even apologetic. It was very upsetting to find another restaurant at 9:15 on a Saturday night not to mention we were hungry. Too bad we didn't get to try the food because the drinks were good.
(1)
Kyla G.
Me and my girlfriends went to dinner for the grand opening of basta!. The service and atmosphere were excellent. Great wine list and extremely friendly staff. Dinner menu concept was great but the food could have used more preparation and flavor, we were a bit disappointed with dinner but took in consideration that it was the restaurants opening night . Will be returning in the future.
(2)
Nathan W.
My wife and I ate at the bar and Pattie was our bartender. Not only did she make excellent drinks, she was a pleasure to talk to and recommended the most delicious plates. I had the swordfish. Simply incredible! Wife had chicken parm which she loved. If Pattie waits on you, ask her about Fragoli, the liqueur in their signature drink!
(5)
Linda B.
We were a party of nine to celebrate my daughter's 25th birthday! We didn't even mention that it was her birthday, but someone picked up on it from our conversation and commented several times, making her feel extra special. The food, drinks, and our server were excellent. The newly renovated space is beautiful. We ordered three different wood-grilled pizzas to start and they were all delicious. Our party ordered a variety of food: pasta, salmon, chicken, and everything was great. They even came over with a candle on her dessert, which was unexpected. We were not rushed and everything was just perfect! I highly suggest this for parties of 2, or 9 or even larger parties. They also have a private dining room for even larger parties that looked beautiful! What a neighborhood gem, not to be missed! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jc E.
Love the food . . leave space for dessert cheesecake is amazing
(5)
Marisa S.
Boo Hiss! Can I give zero stars!!! So basta has undergone a lavish million dollar renovation. Too bad money couldn't buy them better staff. Service was terrible. Did not fill my water glass one time. I must have been given four different dishes that my friends ordered before they finally offered me my entree. they left cumbersome menus behind on the table. the food was average at best - certainly nothing to rave about in our state full of fine cuisine. I was at a Table for 7, we were thrilled it was a round table. I think that is a great feature in a restaurant. The renovation definitely brought in a large crowd for an early Friday night dinner in Edgewood. Very dinny place where it is challenging to hear . I dont mind this lively atmosphere though. My last visit to Basta, pre renovation, my husband and I felt like we had entered a library, where all the patrons were at least 35 years our senior, and the place was super quiet and formal. So I think the management is onto something trying to liven the place up. Until that is, the manager actually comes to our table and tells us to "quiet down", a table had left complaining the restaurant was too loud. Honestly I thought he personally knew someone at our table and it was a complete joke bc he spoke in such a demeaning manner to us, and we were not behaving in a loud or obnoxious manner. But alas, he was for real. Here we were a table of 40 and 50 something's, and he spoke to us like we were 5. We were not boisterous at all. The place itself is loud and crowded. I can't believe he singled our table out. He was such an obtuse ass they he even addressed us too. . His restaurant was loud bc it has high ceilings and brick walls and hardwoods throughout. Did I mention he looked better fit to manage one of the strip clubs that this family business is famous for owning instead of a restaurant. I will never go back to be treated like that again. Ridiculous.
(1)
Valerie C.
The Hostess was very friendly, the Veal chop was great melt in your mouth. However the waiter was not that attentive for the price that we paid.
(4)
Holly S.
My friends and I have visited both the old and new basta and have never had any problems until recently. I politely called a week and a half ahead of time to make a reservation for a large group of people for a co-workers going away party. The manager had answered the phone and quickly told us that we would not be able to order off the complete menu and that we would have to choose between two or three menu items due to the amount of business they usually have on Sunday afternoons, when asked why we couldn't have the full menu the manager stated that they are a small restaurant. We all work in the restaurant industry and understand that large parties are a pain sometimes but if you have customers willing to buy any and everything off that menu why limit them. Basta lost out on a large number of past, present and future customers due to the managers unwillingess to accommodate our party.
(1)
William D.
I think we've had "enough" of Basta... My wife and I had visited the pre-renovated Basta several times and had nothing but great experiences. We visited the newly renovated shop last evening and were thoroughly disappointed with the quality of our meals. For starters, we ordered the arancini rice balls. They were cold, and filled with low quality meats that resembled chewing gum. I ordered the veal parm which was an absolute abomination. The veal was decent quality, but smothered in a doughy batter. I felt as though I was eating a doughboy at a festival. Unfortunately, I had to dispose of my leftovers. My wife ordered veal saltimbocca which was drenched in sauce and cheese to the point that the meal was virtually unpalatable. The menu prices were very high, and just not commensurate with the quality of the food. Our server was "ok" and mildly attentive to our dining needs. Honestly, I will probably never visit Basta again, and will stick with an old "tried and true" such as Luigis in Johnston.
(2)
Joe A.
I think my expectations were set a little too high for this place. We started with Calamari that was way too chewy. Then the arugula and prosciutto pizza was just MEH, but the sopresata pizza was great. For a meal I tried to go "safe" and get the veal parm - it was sub standard. I wanted to get the "crazy veal" (cotoletta pazza for all you non italians) but I would only agree to order it if the chef had any pink vodka sauce available for my pasta, he did not. For dessert the Nutella pizza was pretty good but not even close to the best I've ever tasted. Nice atmosphere when the music isnt too loud.
(2)
Rebecca M.
This is not an easy review for me to write. I have loved and enjoyed BASTA for over 13 years.(We would give the "Old BASTA " 41/2 ~ 5 stars!!!) I only wish the new team and ownership great success. Please understand my care and good intentions in writing this honest review. I have been looking forward to BASTA reopening for months. PREVIOUSLY ...One of my favorite Italian restaurants ever. Although a bit dated interior, it was delightful, charming, friendly & had a community feel. My guests and I had never been let down By service or taste. ALWAYS GREAT ENTREES whatever we tried. It'd been closed since July. On Sunday night my guest and I missed the cut off for fine dining (9pm) by less than a minute. REALLY guys!! We were told that the bar was open for lite fare/ pizzas 'til 11 but that was corrected, it was only 10. We did not feel welcomed at the back entrance as the hostess had the vacuum cleaner roaring. ( Again later during our meal as well) . The poor woman/ Hostess? ... didn't have the scoop & while asking the 2 nearby servers , standing at the coffee/desert counter, they ignored her, and us, were only interested in themselves. We sat at the bar which totally disappointed us. The woman/ Bartender was overworked, she said, due to the reopening. Her poorly created martinis missed the mark totally.(Same martini weI always had at BASTA prepared terrifically by David !!) Over the course of the meal we had 2 We politely made suggestions to make them better each time She was inappropriate & unprofessional at her approach to us, & Would not stop talking about her personal life. . Hardly anyone was In the restaurant . Do note~~~ clientele were enjoying freshly prepared & delivered entrees at the Bar seated next to us. It took 20 minutes or more for us to wait to get our salad & "60 second made pizza." The pizza was doughy and undercooked. $16 for 4 slices. ( Cut it into 6 at least! Fool us into thinking we have more and it would look more attractive also). Oddly enough I was testing out the restaurant because I was due to go back on Monday night with family for dinner. I chose to go to Antonio's on Park and Cranston Streets which was absolutely fabulous and delivered (as ALWAYS) in more ways than I could imagine! Ok... Tuesday night I'm invited by a girlfriend to go to BASTA for dinner, I keep my recent experience at the Bar to myself and welcome her fine invitation. This time at the back entrance we are welcomed politely and our coats taken and checked at the coat rack (we are given a number). We are taken to our cramped seating on the left side of the restaurant. It is very loud & tinny sounding in our dining area. The previous BASTA dining experience included white tablecloths and carpeting so the sound would be muffled & softer, although couples and groups would more than enjoy themselves and it felt very pleasant! This was a put off. Our server was quite attentive and I give him kudos. The arinccini appetizer was quite tasty and my friends Caesar salad was very good. The Cod dish she received was prepared and presented well. My Entree , black squid pasta with shrimp and cherry tomatoes was not up to par. The pasta was entirely broken up, as if it were the dregs or and end of the package or box. The shrimp lacked color and flavoring as if it had been steamed and thrown into the firm cardboard like, not al dente, pasta. When asked for additional grated Parmesan for my pasta dish I excepted cheerfully but was surprised to find the young man with bare hands holding the round of cheese. Think it should've been a proper handheld greater with interior works or previously grated fresh Parm, Served from a small dish and sprinkled onto our food. A bit more hygienic. When exiting the restaurant my friend had a five dollar bill in hand to tip the coat rack folks, ( not a coat room as before) no one attended to us, Although a hostess and server were Chatting between themselves and standing nearby. We placed our little red numbered chip back on the hanger ourselves. She and I chuckled & kept the tip money for herself! I realize BASTA is going through some "Growing pains". This is a new team almost entirely but I hope that they will work out the finer details and make it a success. I wish them well. I do plan on giving the restaurant another try in a few months let's see what they can do/accomplish.
(2)
Taylor V.
Basta's renovation is exactly what Cranston needed - the look, feel and vibe of the "new" Basta is that of a Boston or New York styled ristorante. Basta is adorned with family style tables, a private dining room, intimate seating, exposed brick, Edison light bulbs, personal photos from Italy, large bar and an outdoor patio perfect for Spring and Summer dining. I cannot wait for the patio to open up! Basta combines the old school with the new school for a fantastic dining experience. I have been about 3-4 time since they've opened, my most recent visit being on Sunday for a late afternoon pizza/lunch. Great energy and a beautiful crowd! This may be my new Sunday spot rather than Federal Hill - and it's on the water! Food is always prepared in a timely manner and everything is delicious! A few of my favorites include the always classic margherita pizza, fonduta, boston bibb salad, cotoletta pazza, bucatini alla amatriciana, the flourless chocolate cake..my list goes on and on and this review is making me hungry! They also have a great wine menu that they can pair perfectly with your meal. The kitchen certainly takes pride in their food and presentation; we cannot overlook their hard work. This has hands down become a neighborhood gem yet again and will attract a younger crowd. Well done, Basta!
(5)
Vicki A.
Basta is a kind of a hip Italian place that recently reopened in Pawtuxet Village. The menu is nice and, even better, there's a late-night menu that's small and very reasonably priced. The regular dinner menu is kind of small but has a lot of variety (I had a yummy chicken dish and risotto "cones" as an appetizer). Everything I ate was very good but the prices are a little high (two of us spent $100 for a shared appetizer, two entrees and a bottle of wine, which isn't awful but also not great). Also, when we went, the entire restaurant had a strange chemical smell, which I attribute to it having recently reopened (and my date couldn't really smell it since it was pretty faint, so don't let that deter you unless you've got a sensitive sense of smell). Basta is the ONLY place I'd recommend for fine dining in Pawtuxet Village, but unless your heart is set on eating in the Village, you might save some money by going into Providence.
(4)
Kevin N.
Had the pleasure of trying the new Basta and it was Fantastic!!!!!! The atmospere was great the decor was top notch, what a great job the new owners did to give this place a much needed face lift. The pizza and calamari was excellent and I had the Stuff veal Chop and my wife had the Pork chop, Excellent!!!!! The server was on top of her game, she knew the menu and what type of wine would complement our meal.. Our Nutella pizza was the perfect ending to an Amazing Meal!!!!! Best of luck to the new owners for making Basta one of my top choices for a Great meal,,,,, Thanks KLN
(5)
Stephanie G.
I was never that tempted to go to Basta until they completed their renovation and I heard all the buzz about their new courtyard bar/eating area. It is now the perfect place to spend a summer evening enjoying wine, cocktails, or dinner. They have a nice wine list, fun cocktails, and a friendly and knowledgable bartender, the main ingredients for a great bar in my book. They also make very good wood-grilled pizza, salads, and pastas and tonight I had a great fish special. Trust me. The food is good and the atmosphere even better
(4)
Karen V.
Basta what happened to you? A previously intimate lovely restaurant with top notch personal service has turned into a noisy and un appealing place. Gone are the tablecloths,white napkins,comfortable atmosphere. I went to Basta for the first time since the reopening and I won't be back. Upon arrival with reservations we were greeted with " I'll have to find some place to put you" . Wow do I feel welcome. Small children were running around unattended,the place was a zoo. The wine took forever to arrive,the Caesar was so so and the entree was salty. The waitstaff inexperienced and indifferent. Good bye Basta.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed Basta yet! I go here somewhat frequently and always have great service -- at the bar, dining room and back patio! I tend to get apps and drinks here rather than meals but everything I've ordered is great especially the QUATTRO STAGIONI pizza. The antipasto board is also awesome! Nice collection of meats and cheese to pair with one of their great wines or cocktails. As the summer winds down I'm going to miss the back patio!
(5)
Doug C.
After a surprise babysitter offer on Valentine's Day, I thought of a place I had vowed to return to after our last stellar experience... But knowing they would likely be full up, I called Basta with little hope. On the other end of the phone was their GM Peter who made every effort he could to get us seated. He had one slot open at 6pm and I thankfully accepted while simultaneously boasting to the wife "oh sure honey, we are gonna go to Basta" We were greeted at the rear entrance (which is located just inside of the beautiful outdoor patio that, since our last visit, has been enclosed and heated). We were sat, given beautiful, customized for valentines day, menus and greeted by our waiter, Vinny. I was really hoping their pizza would be on the menu as an appetizer, but no such luck. Their gorgeous pizza over was, however, cranking out fresh bread which was delicious. The limited menu (I was also craving their meatball appetizer but no luck) was based around aphrodisiacs... Oysters, figs, strawberries. Etc. We opted to split an eggplant dish and a Caesar salad for starters. Both were fantastic. Not the biggest portions in the world but very tasty and very fresh. For dinner, the lady went with a half lobster and I dug into a filet mignon. The glaze on the filet was fantastic and it was cooked perfectly. The lobster was prepared with a spicy fradiavlo sauce and was pre-cracked. Again- they weren't jumbo portions but everything was impeccable. We opted out of dessert (nothing caught our eye and we didn't want to hold up the table as the waiting area filled up) and left happy. Our server was great, visited the table several times to check on everything, the bussers were prompt and attentive. So many people out having a great time and smiles were a plenty at the surrounding tables. Another job well done, Basta. We will return again soon!
(5)
Gina S.
I went two weeks ago with friends and it was delicious! Loved it so much My boyfriend and I decided to celebrate our first anniversary there last night and I think it was even better (which I did not think was possible!) First of all, we walked in and ended up seeing so many people we knew dining there also (great minds think alike). The service was great, our waiter Vinny was very attentive and friendly. The first time I went the owner told me "You can't go wrong if you start with a pizza and finish with the cheesecake and order anything else in between." Both times I took his advice and was not disappointed! We started off with a margarita pizza which was perfection and a shrimp wrapped in prosciutto appetizer that was to die for! For our entree we shared the Veal chop stuffed with prosciutto and cheese then topped with shrimp and a lobster sauce,,, honestly I think it was the BEST meal I've ever ordered.... EVER!!! The portion was enough for 3 people. For dessert we had the cheesecake.... amazing!!! Top it all off with a few glasses of killer white sangria... Perfect!
(5)
Michele T.
Everything was delicious!!! Carbonara pizza is AMAZING! service was super friendly and atmosphere perfect for catching up with your girlfriend.
(5)
Carmen G.
Basta never disappoints- from the atmosphere to the staff to the food- has definitely become my go to place for a girls night out, romantic dinner and entertaining business associates. Ian, George, Chris and Alex always have a smile on their face and make the experience shine!
(5)
Ben V.
We came in immediately greeted. We sat at the bar and our bartendar Stephanie made the best drinks, from a muddled strawberry martini to a lemon drop martini. It was amazing. Great service great food would recommend this place to everyone. We will definitely come back.
(5)
Michael B.
Great setting, with great staff. Food was properly portioned and priced. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Stephanie C.
I love the look of the new Basta. The open space, the bar area and the general atmosphere is great. The outdoor patio space with bar, fireplace and lounge seating is really fantastic. However, for the price if dinner here, the service is really lacking. My husband, another couple and I went to dinner there on a Saturday night for an anniversary celebration. We all found something we liked on the menu. I had the salmon with risotto, which was delicious. But our meals came out super quickly, before we had even finished our appetizer. Each person's dinner came out separately, with about 5 minutes or so from first to last. Our appetizer dishes sat on the table while we ate our dinner. No offers of cheese or pepper, which is unusual for an Italian place. Overall, the waitress was inattentive, and made this restaurant not what I was looking for with a special occasion dinner.
(3)
Chelsea P.
My boyfriend and I have been there twice for dinner. We have been fortunate to have Chris as our waiter for both times. The service, atmosphere and food are quite amazing. Chris is quick to recommend some of his favorites if you just can't make up your mind between the seasonal offerings and the standard menu. The lobster ravioli is a favorite along with the calamari antipasti, although to be honest we have not had anything from Basta we did not enjoy. They have a very nice wine selection and the after dinner drinks and desserts are phenomenal. Thank you very much to Chris and the staff of Basta for always making our visit to Basta so amazing.
(5)
Will R.
Basta is a hip, Italian restaurant located in Pawtuxet Village. Although the environment could be a bit more kid-friendly, the food was good and the staff was nice. I liked the seating, as you could pick a luxurious booth or a seat at the bar. If you have little ones, I would not recommend Basta, as it is quite loud. Besides that, I would rate Basta as a three star eatery.
(3)
Lizzy M.
I've only been there once but our meal was fantastic, our server was pleasant and lovely, and the decor was beautiful. There are tvs at the bar and the game was on but it's not a sports bar. It was nice to peek at the score but also sit and enjoy our meal and conversation. I had the fettucini scampi which was quite good. A little bit sweeter than I like a scampi to be (just my personal taste) but the pasta was freshly made and the shrimp were huge and fresh. $1 Jamestown oysters made a great appetizer. The assistant manager stopped by to check on us and he was adorable. He looked to be about 16 but he was very professional and dapper and I always appreciate management having face-to-face time with clientele. Your mom would be proud, sonny.
(5)
Jake P.
Bastas. My favorite Italian place to eat. I have been coming to Bastas for a while. And there food is still amazing. If you want a delicious Italian meal, get you butt over there. They have the BEST eggplant I have EVER tasted in my life. Absolutely the my favorite place to eat and most certainly should be yours. 5 stars. Nothing less. ~jp
(5)
Colleen M.
My husband and I had a last minute chance to go to dinner last night so we decided to try renovated Basta. We had been to the old version a couple times and enjoyed the food but I remember the atmosphere of the place was a little dated so we were anxious to see the changes. Having read the initial reviews here we were prepared for a lousy experience but hoped for the best. We made reservations with Open Table for 7:30 and arrived about 20 minutes early. We ordered drinks at the busy bar and chatted with the friendly bartender. The hostess seated us right on time at a small table in the middle of the dining room. The seating was quite cramped, I felt like I was dining with the couples on both sides of us. I noticed that they must have kept that awesome veal chop from the original restaurant on the menu but didn't try it so I can't say for sure. We tried the Arancini appetizer - crispy rice balls stuffed with mushrooms and parmesan. They were nicely fried and the sauce was tasty but they were terribly bland. I couldn't taste or see any mushrooms at all. Luckily this wasn't an indication of things to come. My goat cheese tortellini with grapefruit brown butter sauce was delicious. Don't let the grapefruit turn you off, it's really good. My husband's swordfish was grilled nicely with a caper and olive tomato sauce over rabe. I expected to see the olives and capers on the dish and when I didn't I was skeptical but the sauce still had a lot of flavor. We skipped dessert but the server brought a little plate of cookies and biscotti with the check. I thought the service was quite good, a little slow at times but the place was packed and very loud. I think they've ironed out some of the kinks that others experienced but still have some work to do. We will be back.
(3)
Lauren S.
Great atmosphere! I've been going to Basta for many years now and I love their new look and design. The food is excellent. The potato croquettes are amazing!
(5)
Julie M.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed Basta yet! I go here somewhat frequently and always have great service -- at the bar, dining room and back patio! I tend to get apps and drinks here rather than meals but everything I've ordered is great especially the QUATTRO STAGIONI pizza. The antipasto board is also awesome! Nice collection of meats and cheese to pair with one of their great wines or cocktails. As the summer winds down I'm going to miss the back patio!
(5)
Jake P.
Bastas. My favorite Italian place to eat. I have been coming to Bastas for a while. And there food is still amazing. If you want a delicious Italian meal, get you butt over there. They have the BEST eggplant I have EVER tasted in my life. Absolutely the my favorite place to eat and most certainly should be yours. 5 stars. Nothing less. ~jp
(5)
Emily P.
FINALLLLLY! an amazing italian restaurant close to home (cranston)!!!! wow, this restaurant took my boyfriend and i by surprise, we truly love it!!! we stumbled in on a very, and i mean very busy night! we didn't want to wait for a table, we were starving and the smell of homemade pasta just blew our mind, so we settled for the bar! oh my! what a lovely drink selection and such a comfortable cozy atmosphere! Oh, before i forget, they have probably the best outdoor patio i have ever seen, locally. absolutely gorggg! I ordered a pasta special they had, black ink pasta with a lemon garlic drizz, jeez. i dream about the texture of the pasta and how well it was cooked! my boyfriend had the stuffed veal, hands down... the best ever! this veal with stuffed with everything and it was so flavorful, you basically had three entrees in one chop! it was so delicious! I was too full for dessert, but the guests beside me had the nutella pizza. for all the nutella lovers, oh my gosh, they had a variety of nutella dessert specials!!!! prices were set just right! the owners sent us a round and that was so sweet and courteous! we will for sure be back, amazing italian food, amazing ambiance, and just an all around lovely night out!
(5)
Donald B.
Really disappointed. This place used to be one of my old standbys. A lot has changed in four years. The decor has. A lot more room and beautiful. But the food which used to be great was less than. The filet mignon was wonderfully cooked. So juicy and tender. But there was no taste to it at all. Bland! Worse off, my risotto was exactly the same. Cooked well but bland. No flavor.
(2)
Joe C.
Could Be Better I am reviewing this honestly. My review could be swayed seeing that the manager comped our apps seeing we waiting 45 minutes to be seated with a reservation. The waiting is not the issue. A restaurant being busy is good thing for business so I can't fault them for that. Went with another couple and we ordered a few apps and couple of pizzas and an entree. Apps: Calamari: very good, well cooked, good spice Meat and Cheese Board: big letdown, seeing this a staple at most italian restaurants in the state, this was a major letdown Caesar Salad: nothing special Entree: Veal Saltimbocca: very weak, we were going to send it back 2 Pizzas: absolutely delicious, if you goto Basta you have to get a pizza! The service here was excellent, our waiter was on point. So to summarize, Basta is a nicely decorated restaurant that is doing most things very well. However; they missed on a few items, which could easily be fixed. We'll definitely be back, especially for the pizza. Thanks
(3)
Jessica G.
OMG= by far the worst place I have ever ate!!! Ordered the margarritta pizza- very little cheese! We asked for them to add more cheese- they said they would make us another pizza with extra cheese- which was still very little cheese- if you like tomato sauce and dough - then you would be all set! Then , we ordered he veal parm which was paper - literally paper thin veal and nasty- unidentified coating which was falling off. They could not supstitute a salid for pasta. Pasta was terrible- very chewy and little sauce. Very over priced- do not waste your money there. I should have returned the veal and said- where is the veal? I would not even give it a 1 star- but I guess you have to give it at least one. Tables close together. The oil they gave you for the bread was terrible. The bread was terrible- hard as a rock- I could barely break the bread apart with my teeth. Not everyone wants pasta with their meal- some people want a healthy alternative- like salid or veg- which they do not offer. Very upscale- snobby- bullshit- nasty food. Had a reservation there- but table choices were nasty- all close to each other- reservation was not helping the table choices. Abiance nasty. Do not know why people go there! The only good thing to say is there is parking in the back!!
(1)
Connor T.
I had a wonderful experience for a late lunch at Basta on Mother's Day. We had a nice server on the outdoor patio and she made the Experience pleasurable for all of us.we started with a few apps (clams casino/calamari) the clams were very average but the calamari was delicious. For my entre I had risotto topped with salmon grilled to perfection and lobster knuckles ontop. Killer entre! Would recommend, large portions and fair pricing.
Nice Italian spot located in the heart of Pawtuxet. The menu is very fancy-smancy but delicious. Not a lot of basic Italian dishes here, i.e., spaghetti and meatballs, so if you're not into fancy dishes then I don't recommend here. However, if you do have an adventurous palate, you're in the right place. Lots of homemade pastas and sausages, handmade cheeses, local and fresh ingredients. Nothing is heavy or greasy, everything well cooked and well prepared. You get fresh bread and yummy infused oil before the meal. Extensive wine collection, full bar, and decent beer selection with on tap options. The interior is very fancy and can be intimidating, but don't let it scare you. I've rolled in wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and converses and no one bats an eye. The waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable, and there are daily specials to choose from. All in all, two thumbs up and a must stop place of you like adventurous Italian cuisine.
(4)
Martha C.
We had a very nice meal at Basta. I was able to make a last minute reservation online and requested a table in the bar area, they had one reserved upon our arrival. The server was excellent, knowledgeable and helpful. The pizza was just eh for us, we are crispy pizza people though to be fair. It was delicious just not our type of pizza. Our cocktails were perfect. Dinners were even better, my husband had the pasta special which was full of mushrooms and beautiful flavors. I had salmon which was perfection! Cooked perfectly and very fresh, I would even say better than the salmon I recently had at Bonefish. We split creme brulee and espresso martinis which did not disappoint. We truly enjoyed our dining experience and will be back again!
(5)
Jennifer N.
The food was amazing! The roasted garlic oil with a touch of balsamic is perfection.... We had to ask for seconds haha! (Greedy!) I had the caprese salad and it's done with arugula and the best I've had. The chicken parm and meatballs were to die for. The tiramisu was house made and literally too amazing to pass up! I will definitely be back!
(5)
Chelsea P.
My boyfriend and I have been there twice for dinner. We have been fortunate to have Chris as our waiter for both times. The service, atmosphere and food are quite amazing. Chris is quick to recommend some of his favorites if you just can't make up your mind between the seasonal offerings and the standard menu. The lobster ravioli is a favorite along with the calamari antipasti, although to be honest we have not had anything from Basta we did not enjoy. They have a very nice wine selection and the after dinner drinks and desserts are phenomenal. Thank you very much to Chris and the staff of Basta for always making our visit to Basta so amazing.
(5)
Will R.
Basta is a hip, Italian restaurant located in Pawtuxet Village. Although the environment could be a bit more kid-friendly, the food was good and the staff was nice. I liked the seating, as you could pick a luxurious booth or a seat at the bar. If you have little ones, I would not recommend Basta, as it is quite loud. Besides that, I would rate Basta as a three star eatery.
(3)
Nina T.
Had a fabulous dinner in great atmosphere! The new fall menu was out and I had the best chicken Marsala. My husband had delicious salmon topped with lobster and my father had a good sized filet topped with short rib in an amazing fig reduction. Good sized portions.
(5)
Alyssa A.
My first visit to Basta since their massive renovation! We started with the Mussels. Shared a Chicken Caesar Salad and then shared their sampler pizza called: Quattro Stagioni. Everything was delicious but what really stood out for me was their SALSICCIA (sausage) PIZZA! So flavorful! So delicious! I was looking forward to trying pizza from their fancy imported brick oven and it did not disappoint. Next time I'll try the Orecchette.. that looked really good. Kinda loud in there. They knocked down the wall between the bar and the dining room. Whaddayagonnado?
(4)
Lyd M.
I like Basta. I've been I guess 4 times now. I've only sat at the main bar and once at the back bar, but the service is always welcoming and attentive yet relaxed. The cocktails have always been delicious (Steph makes a mean espressotini), and I've liked all the food. The carbonara pizza is GREAT. I'd definitely recommend it. It has all the delicious flavors of a traditional carbonara pasta, but with a chewy crust, fire-roasted flavor, and sunny-side eggs with perfectly runny yolks on top. I've never had eggs on my pizza but I can honestly say that I might just add eggs to my pizzas from here on out. Great spot to grab a drink and some tasty food in the village.
(4)
Paul B.
Disappointed. We usually enjoy Basta, but it wasn't up to par this night. The margaritas we ordered didn't come with fruit. There was no salt & pepper on the table. We asked for pepper, which we got, but no salt was delivered also - I guess since we didn't specifically ask for it. Moments later the busboy went to take the salt away. The calamari we ordered as an appetizer was rubbery. When it got darker out (our table was outside) we had to ask to have the table candle lit. The tiramisu for dessert was just ok. Asked for cream & sugar for my coffee & got milk instead. So even though there were no major mistakes, the overall dining experience was not up to the usual Basta standards.
(2)
Nicholas F.
5 star restaurant. Proud to work in such a place. If you love great Italian food, and a pretty and relaxing enviornment, come try us out! It's perfect for special occasions
(5)
Jeff M.
Basta was a bust. Nice environment and a decent if strongly priced winelist. But, not a single item we ordered was spot on. Some not even close. The Orcchiette with ground sausage and broccoli rabe was fine, nice even, but those little pasta were shells, not the thicker and denser bowl shape typical of orecchiette. We added an order of chicken to the Tortellini, which was served grilled, sliced and unseasoned set ontop of the vodka and basil, tomato cream sauce. No effort was made to incorporate the flavorless chicken into the dish. The Vitello Saltimbocca was dreadful. The veal, thin as a wafer, was cooked to the texture of shoe leather, with a hard browning in places. The prosciutto above it cooked to a crisp. The whole thing buried in super thick blanket of mozzarella goo. My favorite part of the meal was the bottle of wine, which in fact was a substitute, as they were out of the wine I had placed the order for. All in, quite a disappointment.
(2)
Eric E.
Great romantic place with great food and service. Ate inside but outside looked great too. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good Italian meal. Might be a little pricy but worth it with the atmosphere and service.
(5)
Joe M.
Went here a couple Fridays ago. we didn't have reservations but we walked right in and got a table. space is nice inside I hear they did a lot of renovations, there is a really nice outdoor patio in the back. my wife and I both got Manhattans which were delicious. I got the braised short rib which was tender and tasty and came with a really good polenta and baby carrots. we would definitely go back and try the pizzas which we missed out on this time. Our server was great too, attentive but not constantly hovering. It's a little expensive but for how happy we were with everything it was worth the money.
(4)
Sarah Jean R.
My wife and I recently visited Basta for the first time to celebrate our anniversary. The Basta experience was definitely worthy of our special occasion. Every member of the staff we encountered during the evening was well above average (I'll go ahead and say exceptional) - professional, friendly, and knowledgable. The wine and drink list were well thought out in variety while offering a nice range of price points from affordable to indulgent. We ended up ordering pizza (our traditional anniversary meal). We shared a margherita and one of their nightly specials (roasted corn, chili oil, scallions). Both were delicious. First, the sauce on the nightly special was quite delicious and I wish it had tasted the same on the margherita - perhaps it was the addition of the chili oil to the special? The toppings were all fresh and plentiful. The crust was almost exactly what I look for in a neopolitan-style pizza - almost. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the chew of it was a bit too soft while also dense, and overall off (I will note the crust flavor was great). Since it was a special occasion, we got the dessert. That was the only thing that was really disappointing - chocolate cake that seemed a little old and was not really a 'cake' but more like a non-cheese cheesecake made of mostly dense mousse. If we had skipped dessert, I would have given it 5 stars. Basta is going into our regular rotation because of the great experience we had, the overall atmosphere and lovely food and drink.
(4)
Benjamin J.
After driving by this place several times, I finally came here and was happy I did. Food - I did find the menu to be a bit on the small side; however, Im happy with chicken parm, and this place has a great (and generously portioned) chicken parm. The warm bread with olive oil and balsamic was delicious. The only issue I had was with a pizza - and the pizza was good, but difficult to eat. Entire slices of prosciutto layed across the pizza required us to rearrange it and tear it so that every slice of pizza had a slice of prosciutto. Nevertheless, everyone in our party of 7 enjoyed their meals. Service - No complaints here: attentive, professional, knowledgeable. Atmosphere - It's very nice in here. Fancy, but not over the top. They had a great patio area with furniture and a fireplace, but it was too cold to enjoy in the middle of February. Ill have to return in the summer. Last, but not least, they have a parking lot! For Pawtuxet Village, this is a huge benefit. All in all, I'd recommend this place to anyone, and will come back in the future.
I was never that tempted to go to Basta until they completed their renovation and I heard all the buzz about their new courtyard bar/eating area. It is now the perfect place to spend a summer evening enjoying wine, cocktails, or dinner. They have a nice wine list, fun cocktails, and a friendly and knowledgable bartender, the main ingredients for a great bar in my book. They also make very good wood-grilled pizza, salads, and pastas and tonight I had a great fish special. Trust me. The food is good and the atmosphere even better
(4)
Mark S.
I ate here Thursday night and loved it! From being greeted at the host station to our server, everyone was very friendly and helpful. We split a salad to start. Forgot what it was called but it had pears, gorgonzola, etc. It was yummy but had a little too much oil for my taste. My main dish was absolutely awesome. I got the scallops with sweet potato brussel sprout hash. It was freaking awesome. If they had given me a serving spoon, I would have shoved that dish in my face as quickly as possible. I can't wait to go back and order that same exact dish. I won't even look at the menu or listen to the specials so as not to cloud my judgement. I really liked everything about this place from the space, service and obviously food.
(4)
Brian O.
Basta is my favorite restaurant in Rhode Island, the food, the service, the atmosphere, everything about it, great reasonably priced wines by the glass, good beer selection, overall it's a place you have to put on your to do list. I usually sit at the bar and the service is outstanding, that's coming from a bartender of 10 years. I suggest the bracciole, it melts in your mouth!
(5)
Ben V.
We came in immediately greeted. We sat at the bar and our bartendar Stephanie made the best drinks, from a muddled strawberry martini to a lemon drop martini. It was amazing. Great service great food would recommend this place to everyone. We will definitely come back.
(5)
Michael B.
Great setting, with great staff. Food was properly portioned and priced. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Stephanie C.
I love the look of the new Basta. The open space, the bar area and the general atmosphere is great. The outdoor patio space with bar, fireplace and lounge seating is really fantastic. However, for the price if dinner here, the service is really lacking. My husband, another couple and I went to dinner there on a Saturday night for an anniversary celebration. We all found something we liked on the menu. I had the salmon with risotto, which was delicious. But our meals came out super quickly, before we had even finished our appetizer. Each person's dinner came out separately, with about 5 minutes or so from first to last. Our appetizer dishes sat on the table while we ate our dinner. No offers of cheese or pepper, which is unusual for an Italian place. Overall, the waitress was inattentive, and made this restaurant not what I was looking for with a special occasion dinner.
(3)
Lizzy M.
I've only been there once but our meal was fantastic, our server was pleasant and lovely, and the decor was beautiful. There are tvs at the bar and the game was on but it's not a sports bar. It was nice to peek at the score but also sit and enjoy our meal and conversation. I had the fettucini scampi which was quite good. A little bit sweeter than I like a scampi to be (just my personal taste) but the pasta was freshly made and the shrimp were huge and fresh. $1 Jamestown oysters made a great appetizer. The assistant manager stopped by to check on us and he was adorable. He looked to be about 16 but he was very professional and dapper and I always appreciate management having face-to-face time with clientele. Your mom would be proud, sonny.
(5)
Karen V.
Basta what happened to you? A previously intimate lovely restaurant with top notch personal service has turned into a noisy and un appealing place. Gone are the tablecloths,white napkins,comfortable atmosphere. I went to Basta for the first time since the reopening and I won't be back. Upon arrival with reservations we were greeted with " I'll have to find some place to put you" . Wow do I feel welcome. Small children were running around unattended,the place was a zoo. The wine took forever to arrive,the Caesar was so so and the entree was salty. The waitstaff inexperienced and indifferent. Good bye Basta.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Paddy C.
Went to dinner and brought our favorite couple with us, the husband has never been, so we have really hyped up Basta. We were all so disappointed. My braciola was the smallest piece of braciola I have ever had and my fiancée had to send his meal back. Thankfully, management was nice to comp my fiancées meal. I don't know what else to say I am so disappointed.
(2)Doug C.
After a surprise babysitter offer on Valentine's Day, I thought of a place I had vowed to return to after our last stellar experience... But knowing they would likely be full up, I called Basta with little hope. On the other end of the phone was their GM Peter who made every effort he could to get us seated. He had one slot open at 6pm and I thankfully accepted while simultaneously boasting to the wife "oh sure honey, we are gonna go to Basta" We were greeted at the rear entrance (which is located just inside of the beautiful outdoor patio that, since our last visit, has been enclosed and heated). We were sat, given beautiful, customized for valentines day, menus and greeted by our waiter, Vinny. I was really hoping their pizza would be on the menu as an appetizer, but no such luck. Their gorgeous pizza over was, however, cranking out fresh bread which was delicious. The limited menu (I was also craving their meatball appetizer but no luck) was based around aphrodisiacs... Oysters, figs, strawberries. Etc. We opted to split an eggplant dish and a Caesar salad for starters. Both were fantastic. Not the biggest portions in the world but very tasty and very fresh. For dinner, the lady went with a half lobster and I dug into a filet mignon. The glaze on the filet was fantastic and it was cooked perfectly. The lobster was prepared with a spicy fradiavlo sauce and was pre-cracked. Again- they weren't jumbo portions but everything was impeccable. We opted out of dessert (nothing caught our eye and we didn't want to hold up the table as the waiting area filled up) and left happy. Our server was great, visited the table several times to check on everything, the bussers were prompt and attentive. So many people out having a great time and smiles were a plenty at the surrounding tables. Another job well done, Basta. We will return again soon!
(5)Gina S.
I went two weeks ago with friends and it was delicious! Loved it so much My boyfriend and I decided to celebrate our first anniversary there last night and I think it was even better (which I did not think was possible!) First of all, we walked in and ended up seeing so many people we knew dining there also (great minds think alike). The service was great, our waiter Vinny was very attentive and friendly. The first time I went the owner told me "You can't go wrong if you start with a pizza and finish with the cheesecake and order anything else in between." Both times I took his advice and was not disappointed! We started off with a margarita pizza which was perfection and a shrimp wrapped in prosciutto appetizer that was to die for! For our entree we shared the Veal chop stuffed with prosciutto and cheese then topped with shrimp and a lobster sauce,,, honestly I think it was the BEST meal I've ever ordered.... EVER!!! The portion was enough for 3 people. For dessert we had the cheesecake.... amazing!!! Top it all off with a few glasses of killer white sangria... Perfect!
(5)Michele T.
Everything was delicious!!! Carbonara pizza is AMAZING! service was super friendly and atmosphere perfect for catching up with your girlfriend.
(5)Carmen G.
Basta never disappoints- from the atmosphere to the staff to the food- has definitely become my go to place for a girls night out, romantic dinner and entertaining business associates. Ian, George, Chris and Alex always have a smile on their face and make the experience shine!
(5)Colleen M.
My husband and I had a last minute chance to go to dinner last night so we decided to try renovated Basta. We had been to the old version a couple times and enjoyed the food but I remember the atmosphere of the place was a little dated so we were anxious to see the changes. Having read the initial reviews here we were prepared for a lousy experience but hoped for the best. We made reservations with Open Table for 7:30 and arrived about 20 minutes early. We ordered drinks at the busy bar and chatted with the friendly bartender. The hostess seated us right on time at a small table in the middle of the dining room. The seating was quite cramped, I felt like I was dining with the couples on both sides of us. I noticed that they must have kept that awesome veal chop from the original restaurant on the menu but didn't try it so I can't say for sure. We tried the Arancini appetizer - crispy rice balls stuffed with mushrooms and parmesan. They were nicely fried and the sauce was tasty but they were terribly bland. I couldn't taste or see any mushrooms at all. Luckily this wasn't an indication of things to come. My goat cheese tortellini with grapefruit brown butter sauce was delicious. Don't let the grapefruit turn you off, it's really good. My husband's swordfish was grilled nicely with a caper and olive tomato sauce over rabe. I expected to see the olives and capers on the dish and when I didn't I was skeptical but the sauce still had a lot of flavor. We skipped dessert but the server brought a little plate of cookies and biscotti with the check. I thought the service was quite good, a little slow at times but the place was packed and very loud. I think they've ironed out some of the kinks that others experienced but still have some work to do. We will be back.
(3)Lauren S.
Great atmosphere! I've been going to Basta for many years now and I love their new look and design. The food is excellent. The potato croquettes are amazing!
(5)Tina Z.
I dined at Basta for the first time since the renovations recently. First , let me say the renovations were well worth it. The atmosphere is very comforable and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. We sat in the bar area since we arrived a bit early for dinner. We had a personal pizza and some drinks to relax and wait for dinner service. The pizza was wood fired and it was an excellent choice. We then had some calamari before our Pasta course. The pasta was served piping hot which was amazing. Some other things were mentioning are the outdoor patio with fireplace. We sat out for a few minutes on our way out and we will definately be returning when that is open for the season to enjoy a coctail and appetizer outside. Who would guess such an elegant setting could be acheived in the back parking lot with a fence and some creative decorating? One other thing that was definately noteworthy is the decor of the ladies room. There is a build in TV in the vanity. The decor is incredibly elegant and definately has a luxurious feel that you find in the highest end hotels. It was a great experience and I will be returning. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is the price is a little steep. I think a glass of wine is 12$ and the meals are up in the 30$ range.
(4)Keith H.
My favorite place in Pawtuxet village. Best chicken or veal parmesan and very closely resembles Antonio's in Cranston...:-)...but don't limit yourself with an ordinary parmesan ... Everything on the menu is terrific and I love the new addition of the outside patio
(5)J D.
Love the food here. Love the atmosphere. Tiramisu is so delicious for they make their food all homemade. Definitely a great place to dine out to have a pleasant time.
(5)Deborah B.
Visited Basta for the first time and it was fabulous. A friend had mentioned it so we decided on a Sunday afternoon around 4:30 PM we would check it out. We sat out on the patio at the bar which was a very nice atmosphere. Amanda makes the best cucumber martini around, and was very sweet and attentive. Our dinner began with zucchini florets stuffed with ricotta cheese and dipping sauce. We also shared an artichoke appetizer both very tasty.For dinner I had the swordfish special which was very white and moist, seasoned to perfection,served with a side of rabe and absolutely "delish". My husband had his all time favorite veal parmesan and said it was the best he has had anywhere. We did take a look around inside which was very lovely too. The staff were all very friendly and attentive and we really enjoyed our first experience there. We will surely recommend Basta to friends and family as well as returning very soon ourselves. Keep up the good work, you have a great thing going there.
(5)Rick V.
I had a great experience at the new Basta. The most important part, the food (I had some of the veggie pizza and the zucchini pizza, plus tried the chicken Parmesan) was all unbelievable. Reading through the menu, it seems as if they spare no expense making every dish as perfect as possible, and then worried about the pricing after. In other words, they do it right. The bartender, Natasha, was so friendly and was perfectly timed throughout our meal. We never felt like we were waiting or rushed. I can't speak for the other servers or bartenders, but if they're all close to her level of skill and hospitality, they got that part right too. Quickly, the bathrooms were spotless (a good overall indicator of cleanliness throughout the restaurant.) Lastly, the ambiance was top-notch for the area. The outside patio is like it's own restaurant, and the inside is a traditional, upper-class Italian style. Five stars. Highly recommended. Well done, new Basta.
(5)R. B.
Went to Basta for the first time last night. Very impressed with the attention to detail. The butter for your bread is infused with lemon and garlic. couple that with Buono's bread, fugetaboutit. Rabe app wasn't the biggest portion at (6.00) but was cooked perfectly. They use California grown garlic and leave the garlic slices big enough so you can opt not to eat them with every bite, thats huge ! California garlic is far superior to the garlic imported from China, great flavor w/o the burn. I asked our very knowledgeable waiter Anthony what he liked in the pasta selections and was high on the rigs-bolognese, say no more, just what I was in the mood for. He was right, it was excellent, oh and btw, no agita later in the evening. (If you don't know what agita is, its Itaian slang for indigestion. Which unfortunately accompanies many restaurant meals) ..... OK back to Basta, my girlfriend had the ling white clams over fresh pasta which she enjoyed, all fresh clams, close to a dozen perfectly seasoned. I can't wait to return to Basta and order the stuffed veal chop, which looked incredible when it passed by our table. Didn't have room for dessert, but Anthony tells me the cheesecake is a "family" recipe. Forget overpriced Federal Hill, get over to Edgewood section of Cranston, R.I. and eat at Basta. Great area to take a stroll after dinner also, roll down to Betty's and get yourself a chocolate caramel nut candy, voted best candy caramels in the state ! See you in Edgewood.
(5)Vicki A.
Basta is a kind of a hip Italian place that recently reopened in Pawtuxet Village. The menu is nice and, even better, there's a late-night menu that's small and very reasonably priced. The regular dinner menu is kind of small but has a lot of variety (I had a yummy chicken dish and risotto "cones" as an appetizer). Everything I ate was very good but the prices are a little high (two of us spent $100 for a shared appetizer, two entrees and a bottle of wine, which isn't awful but also not great). Also, when we went, the entire restaurant had a strange chemical smell, which I attribute to it having recently reopened (and my date couldn't really smell it since it was pretty faint, so don't let that deter you unless you've got a sensitive sense of smell). Basta is the ONLY place I'd recommend for fine dining in Pawtuxet Village, but unless your heart is set on eating in the Village, you might save some money by going into Providence.
(4)Kevin N.
Had the pleasure of trying the new Basta and it was Fantastic!!!!!! The atmospere was great the decor was top notch, what a great job the new owners did to give this place a much needed face lift. The pizza and calamari was excellent and I had the Stuff veal Chop and my wife had the Pork chop, Excellent!!!!! The server was on top of her game, she knew the menu and what type of wine would complement our meal.. Our Nutella pizza was the perfect ending to an Amazing Meal!!!!! Best of luck to the new owners for making Basta one of my top choices for a Great meal,,,,, Thanks KLN
(5)Kyla G.
Me and my girlfriends went to dinner for the grand opening of basta!. The service and atmosphere were excellent. Great wine list and extremely friendly staff. Dinner menu concept was great but the food could have used more preparation and flavor, we were a bit disappointed with dinner but took in consideration that it was the restaurants opening night . Will be returning in the future.
(2)Nathan W.
My wife and I ate at the bar and Pattie was our bartender. Not only did she make excellent drinks, she was a pleasure to talk to and recommended the most delicious plates. I had the swordfish. Simply incredible! Wife had chicken parm which she loved. If Pattie waits on you, ask her about Fragoli, the liqueur in their signature drink!
(5)Alek M.
My two friends and I went to Bastsa and man was the food good. The décor was warm and comforting and the wine selection was massive. These spots they shined but service was only mediocre for such a high end restaurant. Along with that the music was a little loud I found myself having to ask my friends to repeat themselves and they had not told us of any specials. The waiter had not even introduce himself when serving us and seemed like he didn't want to be there. With this in mind we are college students so we can sympathize with the fact that college student are not necessarily the best tippers but that is no excuse when the place is empty and there's no other tables that may tip better. Don't get me wrong he did do the minimum and checked in every once and a while to fill our drinks and see how our food is but if he had made us feel like we were welcome there the experience would have been better. The other odd thing I found was for such a good restaurant it was very empty. Now for a suggestion, since they have all forms of social media, is making better use of it. They have an instagram and there are barely any pictures on it. The next thing is we were not told of any specials and I personally think it would benefit the restaurant is they had a few every week. If these few things were improved the experience at Basta would have be ranked on one of the best restaurants I have ever been to.
(4)Kenny A.
Love this place! Best pizza, veal chop and dessert around! Great atmosphere- unlike anything in the area. You cant go wrong at Basta.
(5)Mary G.
Loved Basta Yeeeaaarss ago before the renovation. I get it - it was in need of updating on the building/decor. But the food was stellar. Now, along with the new decor the menu has been updated. While there are still some Italian staples they have added some current "food fads, flavor of the day" items. We have been several times. NOT IMPRESSED with the food or the ambiance (service has been excellent,though). Music is WAY TOO loud and Basta now seems to cater to a clientele that is less than classy. Please Basta, revamp and put some elegance back. Take a page from Antonios.
(2)Adriana S.
I recently moved to Dallas where the Italian food is practically non existent. The Italian cuisine in RI is the best and we have a lot of choices. I make sure that I go to my favorites, every time I come home. Basta is ALWAYS first on my list and I never visit RI without coming home to Basta. This restaurant has authentic Italian cuisine, an amazing team and an amazing energizing atmosphere. I was home in RI this past weekend and again went to Basta - who never disappoints. The food .... where do I start? No matter what you are looking for, it is all really second to none. I personally LOVE the bolognese ...and the veal chop...and the homemade Tiramisu. Want something light? Have a wood grilled pizza topped with prosciutto, some wine...sit at an outdoor table on the patio. The patio has a very Tuscany feel (to me). The restaurant is set away from the hustle and bustle of the over rated Federal Hill....and blows the Italian restaurants located there out of the water with taste and price. Can't wait to come back again! Now, if only they would open up a Basta at Dallas....
(5)Joanne C.
Went to Basta tonight with a good friend to try it for the first time, and to listen to Tony Cerbo (who we had heard really great things about). Started off with the piccolo antipasto, which was literally enough for a meal in itself -totally fresh and completely delicious! I had the pasta special, which was house made ziti with lamb sausage and chick peas (absolutely divine!) and my friend had the salmon special-very very fresh, and came paired with a nice risotto. I had a Peroni (or two, but who's counting?) and we split a chocolate gelato. Fabulous! And I must say, aside from the fantastic food, attentive staff, and wonderful atmosphere, I will definitely go back to see Mr. Cerbo perform again. Talk about dreamy!! Highly recommended!
(5)Gail C.
I have not been to Basta for years but we went with friends last week for dinner. We did have reservations but when our table was ready we were seated at a high top on the bar side. I think the menu was on the pricey side to be seated a a high top bar table. Also as others have said, this restaurant is SO SO noisy. Real conversations are difficult at best. Our server was very nice and helpful with any questions we had with the menu. Now - on to the food - I thought many of the choices had just too many ingredients in one dish. But our choices were all very yummy! My complaint with my dish. My choice was the braccioli and I was surprised when the dish arrived, as the meat was served as a few small slices of braccioli with the pasta and not the whole piece as was expected. Other dishes we ordered were the veal saltimbocca- very light and tasty, and a special chick pea ravioli, which was also very good. All in all - good food but overpriced and too noisy. If we do go back we would do the bar for apps and drinks or wait until a nice evening and enjoy the lovely outdoor patio.
(3)Ashley G.
Hadn't been in years but figured I'd give it a try again. Highly disappointing experience from the service to the food. Finally after being able to order a drink at the bar (and it was slow) we had to ask for menus and ask again for them to take our order. We started with a cheese board. While the meats were decent the cheese tasted like artificial string cheese. There was some jellied type of fruity concoction (no other way to describe it other than something your great grandmother would serve) that had no flavor and just took up space on the board. Next we ordered soup and arancini. It would have been nice to have a spoon with my soup that was missing any flavor.The arancini which are typically rice "balls" came out looking like mini volcanos. We thought we could overlook their appearance but these too were lacking salt and flavor. Maybe the entrees are better but appetizers set the tone for the rest of the meal. Overall I would say this restaurant has the potential but they need a new chef or a new menu!
(1)Matt C.
I used to frequent Basta before their recent renovations. It was always solid food and, like many others have said, in desperate need of an update. I was overjoyed when I found out they were renovating and made plans to vist soon after they opened. The new signage and interior are absolutely beautiful. I especially got a kick out of the old style lightbulbs in the hanging fixtures. I admit, I did have to wait a bit to be seated. But I guess that's what I get for not making a reservation. My waiter, with his thick Italian accent was one of the best I've had anywhere. We was super attentive and polite. We ordered some apps for the table... meatballs (which were nice and tender with great flavor) and after our waiter told us about their pizza oven (as we were seated near it and it caught our eye) a diavola pizza (delicious!!!!). For dinner I opted for one of my favorite dishes whenever I go out... Pene Arrabiata. Ot was perfect! Plenty of sauce to mop up afterwards with their crunchy bread (which comes with oil, green olives, and an insanely tasty garlic/lemon whipped butter). We also got Chicken Parm (which was a bit thin but very tasty), and a sausage and rabe dish. The waiter told us that the pasta in that disk was made fresh in-house... and you could definitely tell. SOOOOO GOOD! For dessert we tried the nutella pizza. It came out super fast and was a great end to the meal. (it comes topped with strawberries... which, for people like me who dont like them, are easily scraped off) All in all it was an excellent meal and we already have plans to return next week. I am already considering trying out the veal chop... the table next to us had it and it looks fantastic!! Pros: Beautiful interior, great service, tasty food Cons: it was a bit loud - but I guess that's what happens when anyplace is packed to the gills. also make a reservation because its SUPER busy!
(5)L C.
Very disappointing!! We arrived at 7:30 for an 8:00 reservation so we could relax and have a drink there were a party of 6. At 9:10 we left because it was still going to be 15-20 minutes more. It was not busy and the bar wasn't busy. It seemed to be if you knew the staff or owner you sat immediately the rest of us had to wait. The owner was barely even apologetic. It was very upsetting to find another restaurant at 9:15 on a Saturday night not to mention we were hungry. Too bad we didn't get to try the food because the drinks were good.
(1)Lee J.
I was a regular at the old Basta and, for no particular reason, was VERY hesitant to try the new one. We were coaxed into it by a couple of other "old regulars" and what a fantastic surprise! The new and improved Basta is exciting. The outdoor patio room is a place you never want to leave. It has a separate bar, fire place and now serves the full menu. The bartender Erin not only delivered nice pours to our party, but also managed a very difficult drink with unusual ingredients with expert precision. We started with a combo of apps - Arricini (not to be missed!), Eggplant (imaginatively stacked and delicious!), Meatballs and Fried Zucchini - shared by all. The combination was really great and, to be honest, we could have stopped right there. None were gluten free, but there are offerings on the menu that conform. I just couldn't help myself! Thankfully we went on to Scallops over risotto (another must try!), Baffoni Farms Chicken and the best gluten free Arrabiata you ever had. We added a wonderful bottle of wine reasonably priced and finished with deserts. Mine was sorbet with chilled vodka poured over the top with a flourish. Talk about a grown-up desert! And it was GREAT! I went back a week later to take another "old regular" who was visiting from out of town. His reaction was "I think I like it better!" This time I was thrilled to find that their gluten free pasta offering was ravioli. Who ever saw that? I asked them to create a Puttanesca sauce for me to go over the ravioli which was accepted with grace. The result was pure heaven. For gluten free diets, this place comes up on top! I am so glad we were persuaded to try it again. I am taking a business guest back again this week and can't wait to be welcomed back as a "new regular".
(4)Sharon G.
Best veal chop dinner you will ever eat. A friend recommended it and now I order it every time I visit. I have tried other restaurants but no one does it better.
(5)Lupe A.
What can I not say about this place! 5 stars all the way from the atmosphere, to the food, to the service - just fantastic. I tried the quattro pizza which is basically a sample platter of different types of pizza and it was amazing. Kudos to the owners, managers and staff.
(5)Melissa K.
the addition of the fire grilled pizza oven is great! pizza's are delicious and the veal parm is the best in town
(4)Jodi K.
So much better than it was & it used to be pretty awesome!!! Recent face lift has made this old gem a new, hip neighborhood bar/restaurant!! It looks fantastic inside & the food is as delicious as ever! Try the arugula salad,the gnocchi, and any dessert ...anything really!! Check them out, you won't be disappointed & you may even think your in little Italy NYC :)
(4)Lynn M.
Fantastic food and staff. The chef keeps getting better and better with innovative combinations of flavors, new dishes and farm fresh ingredients. Menu changes just when we start looking for something new! Such as in fresh beet salad with candied pignoli nut brittle!! Peter, the general manager, Alex, and the team of hosts, bartenders and wait staff are overly accommodating! Great neighborhood spot with a warm but contemporary vibe-old school/new school. Check it out!
(5)Lisa L.
With the kids home from college, my husband and I decided that a nice dinner out on Christmas Eve would be a good thing to do. I have dined at Basta before so that was our choice. The place was very busy, we had to wait for a cancellation to get a table at the 8:30 seating, but we were not disappointed. The menu was much smaller than usual, to be expected on a busy holiday evening, but what it lacked in number of selections it more than made up with quality and variety. My favorite calamari was available, and my husband tried the snail salad recommended by our server Ian. It was simple, and according to my husband, quite delicious. My son had the pork chop stuffed with prosciutto and cheese and topped with lobster and sauce. It was so tender that when our waiter brought a steak knife to the table, my son declined and continued to cut it with a fork. The evening was wonderful, made all the more so by great food, and really great service. Though virtually all seats were taken, our waiter was attentive and available without hovering or bothering us unnecessarily. His suggestions for selections, and his friendliness only added to the enjoyment of the evening. I will dine again at Basta and when friend or business associates ask for suggestions, I will make two suggestions: Make reservations at Basta, and ask for Ian if he is working.
(5)Kerri F.
I went here last night to get drinks with friends. Sat at the bar, the two female bartenders were terrible. Drinks were bad, service was bad. The bartenders were in attentive to our needs. Almost as if we were bothering them by asking for a drink.
(2)Lauren M.
This is my new favorite place! I can't wait to go back and sit outside in the cute little outdoor dining area when then weather warms up. The service was great, the food was excellent, and the ambiance is nice. People have mentioned it is noisy and yes, it is a little bit loud, so if you're looking for a more intimate dining experience this may not be the place for you.
(5)Beverly S.
Long Live Basta! Basta is Dead! Long Live Basta! Yes, Basta has been reincarnated, back from the ashes that it had turned in to. Many years ago it was an absolutely fabulous restaurant. My favorite. Went there whenever I was in Ri (back when I lived in DC) Then, suddenly it sunk into the pits. The depths. It got rotten. I'm not sure why although my sister said the couple that had owned it got divorced and the husband got Antonios and the wife got Basta (in the divorce settlement) In any event, it had gone down hill big time. And then it closed. It has now reopened under new ownership and the chef is the former chef at Pane e Vino in Providence. The food is beyond excellent. It was so crowded when we walked in (silly us, with no reservations) So we sat at the bar and got the very best service from two lovely bartendresses. My husband ordered a veal chop (his favorite) and I got the salmon special but I ordered it on top of a salad, and without the sides, for the same price. The salmon was cooked PRECISELY as I ordered it. We both LOVED our meals and we will definitely be back - next time with reservations! The prices are what you would expect from a very nice restaurant. The service excellent. I can't wait to go back to Basta.
(5)Ed G.
great restaurant .. highly recommend! food was awesome .. service was good. our waitress was very friendly. the atmosphere was very cool. i would definitely go back.
(4)Linda B.
We were a party of nine to celebrate my daughter's 25th birthday! We didn't even mention that it was her birthday, but someone picked up on it from our conversation and commented several times, making her feel extra special. The food, drinks, and our server were excellent. The newly renovated space is beautiful. We ordered three different wood-grilled pizzas to start and they were all delicious. Our party ordered a variety of food: pasta, salmon, chicken, and everything was great. They even came over with a candle on her dessert, which was unexpected. We were not rushed and everything was just perfect! I highly suggest this for parties of 2, or 9 or even larger parties. They also have a private dining room for even larger parties that looked beautiful! What a neighborhood gem, not to be missed! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Jc E.
Love the food . . leave space for dessert cheesecake is amazing
(5)Marisa S.
Boo Hiss! Can I give zero stars!!! So basta has undergone a lavish million dollar renovation. Too bad money couldn't buy them better staff. Service was terrible. Did not fill my water glass one time. I must have been given four different dishes that my friends ordered before they finally offered me my entree. they left cumbersome menus behind on the table. the food was average at best - certainly nothing to rave about in our state full of fine cuisine. I was at a Table for 7, we were thrilled it was a round table. I think that is a great feature in a restaurant. The renovation definitely brought in a large crowd for an early Friday night dinner in Edgewood. Very dinny place where it is challenging to hear . I dont mind this lively atmosphere though. My last visit to Basta, pre renovation, my husband and I felt like we had entered a library, where all the patrons were at least 35 years our senior, and the place was super quiet and formal. So I think the management is onto something trying to liven the place up. Until that is, the manager actually comes to our table and tells us to "quiet down", a table had left complaining the restaurant was too loud. Honestly I thought he personally knew someone at our table and it was a complete joke bc he spoke in such a demeaning manner to us, and we were not behaving in a loud or obnoxious manner. But alas, he was for real. Here we were a table of 40 and 50 something's, and he spoke to us like we were 5. We were not boisterous at all. The place itself is loud and crowded. I can't believe he singled our table out. He was such an obtuse ass they he even addressed us too. . His restaurant was loud bc it has high ceilings and brick walls and hardwoods throughout. Did I mention he looked better fit to manage one of the strip clubs that this family business is famous for owning instead of a restaurant. I will never go back to be treated like that again. Ridiculous.
(1)Valerie C.
The Hostess was very friendly, the Veal chop was great melt in your mouth. However the waiter was not that attentive for the price that we paid.
(4)Holly S.
My friends and I have visited both the old and new basta and have never had any problems until recently. I politely called a week and a half ahead of time to make a reservation for a large group of people for a co-workers going away party. The manager had answered the phone and quickly told us that we would not be able to order off the complete menu and that we would have to choose between two or three menu items due to the amount of business they usually have on Sunday afternoons, when asked why we couldn't have the full menu the manager stated that they are a small restaurant. We all work in the restaurant industry and understand that large parties are a pain sometimes but if you have customers willing to buy any and everything off that menu why limit them. Basta lost out on a large number of past, present and future customers due to the managers unwillingess to accommodate our party.
(1)William D.
I think we've had "enough" of Basta... My wife and I had visited the pre-renovated Basta several times and had nothing but great experiences. We visited the newly renovated shop last evening and were thoroughly disappointed with the quality of our meals. For starters, we ordered the arancini rice balls. They were cold, and filled with low quality meats that resembled chewing gum. I ordered the veal parm which was an absolute abomination. The veal was decent quality, but smothered in a doughy batter. I felt as though I was eating a doughboy at a festival. Unfortunately, I had to dispose of my leftovers. My wife ordered veal saltimbocca which was drenched in sauce and cheese to the point that the meal was virtually unpalatable. The menu prices were very high, and just not commensurate with the quality of the food. Our server was "ok" and mildly attentive to our dining needs. Honestly, I will probably never visit Basta again, and will stick with an old "tried and true" such as Luigis in Johnston.
(2)Joe A.
I think my expectations were set a little too high for this place. We started with Calamari that was way too chewy. Then the arugula and prosciutto pizza was just MEH, but the sopresata pizza was great. For a meal I tried to go "safe" and get the veal parm - it was sub standard. I wanted to get the "crazy veal" (cotoletta pazza for all you non italians) but I would only agree to order it if the chef had any pink vodka sauce available for my pasta, he did not. For dessert the Nutella pizza was pretty good but not even close to the best I've ever tasted. Nice atmosphere when the music isnt too loud.
(2)Rebecca M.
This is not an easy review for me to write. I have loved and enjoyed BASTA for over 13 years.(We would give the "Old BASTA " 41/2 ~ 5 stars!!!) I only wish the new team and ownership great success. Please understand my care and good intentions in writing this honest review. I have been looking forward to BASTA reopening for months. PREVIOUSLY ...One of my favorite Italian restaurants ever. Although a bit dated interior, it was delightful, charming, friendly & had a community feel. My guests and I had never been let down By service or taste. ALWAYS GREAT ENTREES whatever we tried. It'd been closed since July. On Sunday night my guest and I missed the cut off for fine dining (9pm) by less than a minute. REALLY guys!! We were told that the bar was open for lite fare/ pizzas 'til 11 but that was corrected, it was only 10. We did not feel welcomed at the back entrance as the hostess had the vacuum cleaner roaring. ( Again later during our meal as well) . The poor woman/ Hostess? ... didn't have the scoop & while asking the 2 nearby servers , standing at the coffee/desert counter, they ignored her, and us, were only interested in themselves. We sat at the bar which totally disappointed us. The woman/ Bartender was overworked, she said, due to the reopening. Her poorly created martinis missed the mark totally.(Same martini weI always had at BASTA prepared terrifically by David !!) Over the course of the meal we had 2 We politely made suggestions to make them better each time She was inappropriate & unprofessional at her approach to us, & Would not stop talking about her personal life. . Hardly anyone was In the restaurant . Do note~~~ clientele were enjoying freshly prepared & delivered entrees at the Bar seated next to us. It took 20 minutes or more for us to wait to get our salad & "60 second made pizza." The pizza was doughy and undercooked. $16 for 4 slices. ( Cut it into 6 at least! Fool us into thinking we have more and it would look more attractive also). Oddly enough I was testing out the restaurant because I was due to go back on Monday night with family for dinner. I chose to go to Antonio's on Park and Cranston Streets which was absolutely fabulous and delivered (as ALWAYS) in more ways than I could imagine! Ok... Tuesday night I'm invited by a girlfriend to go to BASTA for dinner, I keep my recent experience at the Bar to myself and welcome her fine invitation. This time at the back entrance we are welcomed politely and our coats taken and checked at the coat rack (we are given a number). We are taken to our cramped seating on the left side of the restaurant. It is very loud & tinny sounding in our dining area. The previous BASTA dining experience included white tablecloths and carpeting so the sound would be muffled & softer, although couples and groups would more than enjoy themselves and it felt very pleasant! This was a put off. Our server was quite attentive and I give him kudos. The arinccini appetizer was quite tasty and my friends Caesar salad was very good. The Cod dish she received was prepared and presented well. My Entree , black squid pasta with shrimp and cherry tomatoes was not up to par. The pasta was entirely broken up, as if it were the dregs or and end of the package or box. The shrimp lacked color and flavoring as if it had been steamed and thrown into the firm cardboard like, not al dente, pasta. When asked for additional grated Parmesan for my pasta dish I excepted cheerfully but was surprised to find the young man with bare hands holding the round of cheese. Think it should've been a proper handheld greater with interior works or previously grated fresh Parm, Served from a small dish and sprinkled onto our food. A bit more hygienic. When exiting the restaurant my friend had a five dollar bill in hand to tip the coat rack folks, ( not a coat room as before) no one attended to us, Although a hostess and server were Chatting between themselves and standing nearby. We placed our little red numbered chip back on the hanger ourselves. She and I chuckled & kept the tip money for herself! I realize BASTA is going through some "Growing pains". This is a new team almost entirely but I hope that they will work out the finer details and make it a success. I wish them well. I do plan on giving the restaurant another try in a few months let's see what they can do/accomplish.
(2)Taylor V.
Basta's renovation is exactly what Cranston needed - the look, feel and vibe of the "new" Basta is that of a Boston or New York styled ristorante. Basta is adorned with family style tables, a private dining room, intimate seating, exposed brick, Edison light bulbs, personal photos from Italy, large bar and an outdoor patio perfect for Spring and Summer dining. I cannot wait for the patio to open up! Basta combines the old school with the new school for a fantastic dining experience. I have been about 3-4 time since they've opened, my most recent visit being on Sunday for a late afternoon pizza/lunch. Great energy and a beautiful crowd! This may be my new Sunday spot rather than Federal Hill - and it's on the water! Food is always prepared in a timely manner and everything is delicious! A few of my favorites include the always classic margherita pizza, fonduta, boston bibb salad, cotoletta pazza, bucatini alla amatriciana, the flourless chocolate cake..my list goes on and on and this review is making me hungry! They also have a great wine menu that they can pair perfectly with your meal. The kitchen certainly takes pride in their food and presentation; we cannot overlook their hard work. This has hands down become a neighborhood gem yet again and will attract a younger crowd. Well done, Basta!
(5)Jeff M.
Basta was a bust. Nice environment and a decent if strongly priced winelist. But, not a single item we ordered was spot on. Some not even close. The Orcchiette with ground sausage and broccoli rabe was fine, nice even, but those little pasta were shells, not the thicker and denser bowl shape typical of orecchiette. We added an order of chicken to the Tortellini, which was served grilled, sliced and unseasoned set ontop of the vodka and basil, tomato cream sauce. No effort was made to incorporate the flavorless chicken into the dish. The Vitello Saltimbocca was dreadful. The veal, thin as a wafer, was cooked to the texture of shoe leather, with a hard browning in places. The prosciutto above it cooked to a crisp. The whole thing buried in super thick blanket of mozzarella goo. My favorite part of the meal was the bottle of wine, which in fact was a substitute, as they were out of the wine I had placed the order for. All in, quite a disappointment.
(2)Mark S.
I ate here Thursday night and loved it! From being greeted at the host station to our server, everyone was very friendly and helpful. We split a salad to start. Forgot what it was called but it had pears, gorgonzola, etc. It was yummy but had a little too much oil for my taste. My main dish was absolutely awesome. I got the scallops with sweet potato brussel sprout hash. It was freaking awesome. If they had given me a serving spoon, I would have shoved that dish in my face as quickly as possible. I can't wait to go back and order that same exact dish. I won't even look at the menu or listen to the specials so as not to cloud my judgement. I really liked everything about this place from the space, service and obviously food.
(4)Brian O.
Basta is my favorite restaurant in Rhode Island, the food, the service, the atmosphere, everything about it, great reasonably priced wines by the glass, good beer selection, overall it's a place you have to put on your to do list. I usually sit at the bar and the service is outstanding, that's coming from a bartender of 10 years. I suggest the bracciole, it melts in your mouth!
(5)Monika N.
Nice Italian spot located in the heart of Pawtuxet. The menu is very fancy-smancy but delicious. Not a lot of basic Italian dishes here, i.e., spaghetti and meatballs, so if you're not into fancy dishes then I don't recommend here. However, if you do have an adventurous palate, you're in the right place. Lots of homemade pastas and sausages, handmade cheeses, local and fresh ingredients. Nothing is heavy or greasy, everything well cooked and well prepared. You get fresh bread and yummy infused oil before the meal. Extensive wine collection, full bar, and decent beer selection with on tap options. The interior is very fancy and can be intimidating, but don't let it scare you. I've rolled in wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and converses and no one bats an eye. The waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable, and there are daily specials to choose from. All in all, two thumbs up and a must stop place of you like adventurous Italian cuisine.
(4)Martha C.
We had a very nice meal at Basta. I was able to make a last minute reservation online and requested a table in the bar area, they had one reserved upon our arrival. The server was excellent, knowledgeable and helpful. The pizza was just eh for us, we are crispy pizza people though to be fair. It was delicious just not our type of pizza. Our cocktails were perfect. Dinners were even better, my husband had the pasta special which was full of mushrooms and beautiful flavors. I had salmon which was perfection! Cooked perfectly and very fresh, I would even say better than the salmon I recently had at Bonefish. We split creme brulee and espresso martinis which did not disappoint. We truly enjoyed our dining experience and will be back again!
(5)Jennifer N.
The food was amazing! The roasted garlic oil with a touch of balsamic is perfection.... We had to ask for seconds haha! (Greedy!) I had the caprese salad and it's done with arugula and the best I've had. The chicken parm and meatballs were to die for. The tiramisu was house made and literally too amazing to pass up! I will definitely be back!
(5)Tina Z.
I dined at Basta for the first time since the renovations recently. First , let me say the renovations were well worth it. The atmosphere is very comforable and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. We sat in the bar area since we arrived a bit early for dinner. We had a personal pizza and some drinks to relax and wait for dinner service. The pizza was wood fired and it was an excellent choice. We then had some calamari before our Pasta course. The pasta was served piping hot which was amazing. Some other things were mentioning are the outdoor patio with fireplace. We sat out for a few minutes on our way out and we will definately be returning when that is open for the season to enjoy a coctail and appetizer outside. Who would guess such an elegant setting could be acheived in the back parking lot with a fence and some creative decorating? One other thing that was definately noteworthy is the decor of the ladies room. There is a build in TV in the vanity. The decor is incredibly elegant and definately has a luxurious feel that you find in the highest end hotels. It was a great experience and I will be returning. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is the price is a little steep. I think a glass of wine is 12$ and the meals are up in the 30$ range.
(4)Emily P.
FINALLLLLY! an amazing italian restaurant close to home (cranston)!!!! wow, this restaurant took my boyfriend and i by surprise, we truly love it!!! we stumbled in on a very, and i mean very busy night! we didn't want to wait for a table, we were starving and the smell of homemade pasta just blew our mind, so we settled for the bar! oh my! what a lovely drink selection and such a comfortable cozy atmosphere! Oh, before i forget, they have probably the best outdoor patio i have ever seen, locally. absolutely gorggg! I ordered a pasta special they had, black ink pasta with a lemon garlic drizz, jeez. i dream about the texture of the pasta and how well it was cooked! my boyfriend had the stuffed veal, hands down... the best ever! this veal with stuffed with everything and it was so flavorful, you basically had three entrees in one chop! it was so delicious! I was too full for dessert, but the guests beside me had the nutella pizza. for all the nutella lovers, oh my gosh, they had a variety of nutella dessert specials!!!! prices were set just right! the owners sent us a round and that was so sweet and courteous! we will for sure be back, amazing italian food, amazing ambiance, and just an all around lovely night out!
(5)Donald B.
Really disappointed. This place used to be one of my old standbys. A lot has changed in four years. The decor has. A lot more room and beautiful. But the food which used to be great was less than. The filet mignon was wonderfully cooked. So juicy and tender. But there was no taste to it at all. Bland! Worse off, my risotto was exactly the same. Cooked well but bland. No flavor.
(2)Deborah B.
Visited Basta for the first time and it was fabulous. A friend had mentioned it so we decided on a Sunday afternoon around 4:30 PM we would check it out. We sat out on the patio at the bar which was a very nice atmosphere. Amanda makes the best cucumber martini around, and was very sweet and attentive. Our dinner began with zucchini florets stuffed with ricotta cheese and dipping sauce. We also shared an artichoke appetizer both very tasty.For dinner I had the swordfish special which was very white and moist, seasoned to perfection,served with a side of rabe and absolutely "delish". My husband had his all time favorite veal parmesan and said it was the best he has had anywhere. We did take a look around inside which was very lovely too. The staff were all very friendly and attentive and we really enjoyed our first experience there. We will surely recommend Basta to friends and family as well as returning very soon ourselves. Keep up the good work, you have a great thing going there.
(5)Rick V.
I had a great experience at the new Basta. The most important part, the food (I had some of the veggie pizza and the zucchini pizza, plus tried the chicken Parmesan) was all unbelievable. Reading through the menu, it seems as if they spare no expense making every dish as perfect as possible, and then worried about the pricing after. In other words, they do it right. The bartender, Natasha, was so friendly and was perfectly timed throughout our meal. We never felt like we were waiting or rushed. I can't speak for the other servers or bartenders, but if they're all close to her level of skill and hospitality, they got that part right too. Quickly, the bathrooms were spotless (a good overall indicator of cleanliness throughout the restaurant.) Lastly, the ambiance was top-notch for the area. The outside patio is like it's own restaurant, and the inside is a traditional, upper-class Italian style. Five stars. Highly recommended. Well done, new Basta.
(5)Keith H.
My favorite place in Pawtuxet village. Best chicken or veal parmesan and very closely resembles Antonio's in Cranston...:-)...but don't limit yourself with an ordinary parmesan ... Everything on the menu is terrific and I love the new addition of the outside patio
(5)R. B.
Went to Basta for the first time last night. Very impressed with the attention to detail. The butter for your bread is infused with lemon and garlic. couple that with Buono's bread, fugetaboutit. Rabe app wasn't the biggest portion at (6.00) but was cooked perfectly. They use California grown garlic and leave the garlic slices big enough so you can opt not to eat them with every bite, thats huge ! California garlic is far superior to the garlic imported from China, great flavor w/o the burn. I asked our very knowledgeable waiter Anthony what he liked in the pasta selections and was high on the rigs-bolognese, say no more, just what I was in the mood for. He was right, it was excellent, oh and btw, no agita later in the evening. (If you don't know what agita is, its Itaian slang for indigestion. Which unfortunately accompanies many restaurant meals) ..... OK back to Basta, my girlfriend had the ling white clams over fresh pasta which she enjoyed, all fresh clams, close to a dozen perfectly seasoned. I can't wait to return to Basta and order the stuffed veal chop, which looked incredible when it passed by our table. Didn't have room for dessert, but Anthony tells me the cheesecake is a "family" recipe. Forget overpriced Federal Hill, get over to Edgewood section of Cranston, R.I. and eat at Basta. Great area to take a stroll after dinner also, roll down to Betty's and get yourself a chocolate caramel nut candy, voted best candy caramels in the state ! See you in Edgewood.
(5)Alek M.
My two friends and I went to Bastsa and man was the food good. The décor was warm and comforting and the wine selection was massive. These spots they shined but service was only mediocre for such a high end restaurant. Along with that the music was a little loud I found myself having to ask my friends to repeat themselves and they had not told us of any specials. The waiter had not even introduce himself when serving us and seemed like he didn't want to be there. With this in mind we are college students so we can sympathize with the fact that college student are not necessarily the best tippers but that is no excuse when the place is empty and there's no other tables that may tip better. Don't get me wrong he did do the minimum and checked in every once and a while to fill our drinks and see how our food is but if he had made us feel like we were welcome there the experience would have been better. The other odd thing I found was for such a good restaurant it was very empty. Now for a suggestion, since they have all forms of social media, is making better use of it. They have an instagram and there are barely any pictures on it. The next thing is we were not told of any specials and I personally think it would benefit the restaurant is they had a few every week. If these few things were improved the experience at Basta would have be ranked on one of the best restaurants I have ever been to.
(4)Kenny A.
Love this place! Best pizza, veal chop and dessert around! Great atmosphere- unlike anything in the area. You cant go wrong at Basta.
(5)Mary G.
Loved Basta Yeeeaaarss ago before the renovation. I get it - it was in need of updating on the building/decor. But the food was stellar. Now, along with the new decor the menu has been updated. While there are still some Italian staples they have added some current "food fads, flavor of the day" items. We have been several times. NOT IMPRESSED with the food or the ambiance (service has been excellent,though). Music is WAY TOO loud and Basta now seems to cater to a clientele that is less than classy. Please Basta, revamp and put some elegance back. Take a page from Antonios.
(2)J D.
Love the food here. Love the atmosphere. Tiramisu is so delicious for they make their food all homemade. Definitely a great place to dine out to have a pleasant time.
(5)Adriana S.
I recently moved to Dallas where the Italian food is practically non existent. The Italian cuisine in RI is the best and we have a lot of choices. I make sure that I go to my favorites, every time I come home. Basta is ALWAYS first on my list and I never visit RI without coming home to Basta. This restaurant has authentic Italian cuisine, an amazing team and an amazing energizing atmosphere. I was home in RI this past weekend and again went to Basta - who never disappoints. The food .... where do I start? No matter what you are looking for, it is all really second to none. I personally LOVE the bolognese ...and the veal chop...and the homemade Tiramisu. Want something light? Have a wood grilled pizza topped with prosciutto, some wine...sit at an outdoor table on the patio. The patio has a very Tuscany feel (to me). The restaurant is set away from the hustle and bustle of the over rated Federal Hill....and blows the Italian restaurants located there out of the water with taste and price. Can't wait to come back again! Now, if only they would open up a Basta at Dallas....
(5)Joanne C.
Went to Basta tonight with a good friend to try it for the first time, and to listen to Tony Cerbo (who we had heard really great things about). Started off with the piccolo antipasto, which was literally enough for a meal in itself -totally fresh and completely delicious! I had the pasta special, which was house made ziti with lamb sausage and chick peas (absolutely divine!) and my friend had the salmon special-very very fresh, and came paired with a nice risotto. I had a Peroni (or two, but who's counting?) and we split a chocolate gelato. Fabulous! And I must say, aside from the fantastic food, attentive staff, and wonderful atmosphere, I will definitely go back to see Mr. Cerbo perform again. Talk about dreamy!! Highly recommended!
(5)Lynn M.
Fantastic food and staff. The chef keeps getting better and better with innovative combinations of flavors, new dishes and farm fresh ingredients. Menu changes just when we start looking for something new! Such as in fresh beet salad with candied pignoli nut brittle!! Peter, the general manager, Alex, and the team of hosts, bartenders and wait staff are overly accommodating! Great neighborhood spot with a warm but contemporary vibe-old school/new school. Check it out!
(5)Gail C.
I have not been to Basta for years but we went with friends last week for dinner. We did have reservations but when our table was ready we were seated at a high top on the bar side. I think the menu was on the pricey side to be seated a a high top bar table. Also as others have said, this restaurant is SO SO noisy. Real conversations are difficult at best. Our server was very nice and helpful with any questions we had with the menu. Now - on to the food - I thought many of the choices had just too many ingredients in one dish. But our choices were all very yummy! My complaint with my dish. My choice was the braccioli and I was surprised when the dish arrived, as the meat was served as a few small slices of braccioli with the pasta and not the whole piece as was expected. Other dishes we ordered were the veal saltimbocca- very light and tasty, and a special chick pea ravioli, which was also very good. All in all - good food but overpriced and too noisy. If we do go back we would do the bar for apps and drinks or wait until a nice evening and enjoy the lovely outdoor patio.
(3)Ashley G.
Hadn't been in years but figured I'd give it a try again. Highly disappointing experience from the service to the food. Finally after being able to order a drink at the bar (and it was slow) we had to ask for menus and ask again for them to take our order. We started with a cheese board. While the meats were decent the cheese tasted like artificial string cheese. There was some jellied type of fruity concoction (no other way to describe it other than something your great grandmother would serve) that had no flavor and just took up space on the board. Next we ordered soup and arancini. It would have been nice to have a spoon with my soup that was missing any flavor.The arancini which are typically rice "balls" came out looking like mini volcanos. We thought we could overlook their appearance but these too were lacking salt and flavor. Maybe the entrees are better but appetizers set the tone for the rest of the meal. Overall I would say this restaurant has the potential but they need a new chef or a new menu!
(1)Nina T.
Had a fabulous dinner in great atmosphere! The new fall menu was out and I had the best chicken Marsala. My husband had delicious salmon topped with lobster and my father had a good sized filet topped with short rib in an amazing fig reduction. Good sized portions.
(5)Eric E.
Great romantic place with great food and service. Ate inside but outside looked great too. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good Italian meal. Might be a little pricy but worth it with the atmosphere and service.
(5)Lyd M.
I like Basta. I've been I guess 4 times now. I've only sat at the main bar and once at the back bar, but the service is always welcoming and attentive yet relaxed. The cocktails have always been delicious (Steph makes a mean espressotini), and I've liked all the food. The carbonara pizza is GREAT. I'd definitely recommend it. It has all the delicious flavors of a traditional carbonara pasta, but with a chewy crust, fire-roasted flavor, and sunny-side eggs with perfectly runny yolks on top. I've never had eggs on my pizza but I can honestly say that I might just add eggs to my pizzas from here on out. Great spot to grab a drink and some tasty food in the village.
(4)Joe C.
Could Be Better I am reviewing this honestly. My review could be swayed seeing that the manager comped our apps seeing we waiting 45 minutes to be seated with a reservation. The waiting is not the issue. A restaurant being busy is good thing for business so I can't fault them for that. Went with another couple and we ordered a few apps and couple of pizzas and an entree. Apps: Calamari: very good, well cooked, good spice Meat and Cheese Board: big letdown, seeing this a staple at most italian restaurants in the state, this was a major letdown Caesar Salad: nothing special Entree: Veal Saltimbocca: very weak, we were going to send it back 2 Pizzas: absolutely delicious, if you goto Basta you have to get a pizza! The service here was excellent, our waiter was on point. So to summarize, Basta is a nicely decorated restaurant that is doing most things very well. However; they missed on a few items, which could easily be fixed. We'll definitely be back, especially for the pizza. Thanks
(3)Jessica G.
OMG= by far the worst place I have ever ate!!! Ordered the margarritta pizza- very little cheese! We asked for them to add more cheese- they said they would make us another pizza with extra cheese- which was still very little cheese- if you like tomato sauce and dough - then you would be all set! Then , we ordered he veal parm which was paper - literally paper thin veal and nasty- unidentified coating which was falling off. They could not supstitute a salid for pasta. Pasta was terrible- very chewy and little sauce. Very over priced- do not waste your money there. I should have returned the veal and said- where is the veal? I would not even give it a 1 star- but I guess you have to give it at least one. Tables close together. The oil they gave you for the bread was terrible. The bread was terrible- hard as a rock- I could barely break the bread apart with my teeth. Not everyone wants pasta with their meal- some people want a healthy alternative- like salid or veg- which they do not offer. Very upscale- snobby- bullshit- nasty food. Had a reservation there- but table choices were nasty- all close to each other- reservation was not helping the table choices. Abiance nasty. Do not know why people go there! The only good thing to say is there is parking in the back!!
(1)Connor T.
I had a wonderful experience for a late lunch at Basta on Mother's Day. We had a nice server on the outdoor patio and she made the Experience pleasurable for all of us.we started with a few apps (clams casino/calamari) the clams were very average but the calamari was delicious. For my entre I had risotto topped with salmon grilled to perfection and lobster knuckles ontop. Killer entre! Would recommend, large portions and fair pricing.
(5)Ryan P.
Except for our pre-dinner drinks at the bar and the cheese plate app, this visit was a complete waste of $190 (4 person tab). The table service was insanely slow. Took at least 45mins for the dinners to come out after we ordered them only to be served a burnt little pile of Porchetta sitting in a puddle of this white cream (suppose to be a root veggie pureé). Luckily they did comp the plate, but the new dish was no where even close to the Porchetta I had here just 6-7months ago. It was completly night and day. My fiancè's meal was also the smallest little piece of meat ive ever seen. They are ridiculously overpriced, it is like they think they are in the middle of Manhatten or something. It will be a while before we return to Basta.
(1)Paul B.
Disappointed. We usually enjoy Basta, but it wasn't up to par this night. The margaritas we ordered didn't come with fruit. There was no salt & pepper on the table. We asked for pepper, which we got, but no salt was delivered also - I guess since we didn't specifically ask for it. Moments later the busboy went to take the salt away. The calamari we ordered as an appetizer was rubbery. When it got darker out (our table was outside) we had to ask to have the table candle lit. The tiramisu for dessert was just ok. Asked for cream & sugar for my coffee & got milk instead. So even though there were no major mistakes, the overall dining experience was not up to the usual Basta standards.
(2)Nicholas F.
5 star restaurant. Proud to work in such a place. If you love great Italian food, and a pretty and relaxing enviornment, come try us out! It's perfect for special occasions
(5)Joe M.
Went here a couple Fridays ago. we didn't have reservations but we walked right in and got a table. space is nice inside I hear they did a lot of renovations, there is a really nice outdoor patio in the back. my wife and I both got Manhattans which were delicious. I got the braised short rib which was tender and tasty and came with a really good polenta and baby carrots. we would definitely go back and try the pizzas which we missed out on this time. Our server was great too, attentive but not constantly hovering. It's a little expensive but for how happy we were with everything it was worth the money.
(4)Sarah Jean R.
My wife and I recently visited Basta for the first time to celebrate our anniversary. The Basta experience was definitely worthy of our special occasion. Every member of the staff we encountered during the evening was well above average (I'll go ahead and say exceptional) - professional, friendly, and knowledgable. The wine and drink list were well thought out in variety while offering a nice range of price points from affordable to indulgent. We ended up ordering pizza (our traditional anniversary meal). We shared a margherita and one of their nightly specials (roasted corn, chili oil, scallions). Both were delicious. First, the sauce on the nightly special was quite delicious and I wish it had tasted the same on the margherita - perhaps it was the addition of the chili oil to the special? The toppings were all fresh and plentiful. The crust was almost exactly what I look for in a neopolitan-style pizza - almost. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the chew of it was a bit too soft while also dense, and overall off (I will note the crust flavor was great). Since it was a special occasion, we got the dessert. That was the only thing that was really disappointing - chocolate cake that seemed a little old and was not really a 'cake' but more like a non-cheese cheesecake made of mostly dense mousse. If we had skipped dessert, I would have given it 5 stars. Basta is going into our regular rotation because of the great experience we had, the overall atmosphere and lovely food and drink.
(4)Alyssa A.
My first visit to Basta since their massive renovation! We started with the Mussels. Shared a Chicken Caesar Salad and then shared their sampler pizza called: Quattro Stagioni. Everything was delicious but what really stood out for me was their SALSICCIA (sausage) PIZZA! So flavorful! So delicious! I was looking forward to trying pizza from their fancy imported brick oven and it did not disappoint. Next time I'll try the Orecchette.. that looked really good. Kinda loud in there. They knocked down the wall between the bar and the dining room. Whaddayagonnado?
(4)Benjamin J.
After driving by this place several times, I finally came here and was happy I did. Food - I did find the menu to be a bit on the small side; however, Im happy with chicken parm, and this place has a great (and generously portioned) chicken parm. The warm bread with olive oil and balsamic was delicious. The only issue I had was with a pizza - and the pizza was good, but difficult to eat. Entire slices of prosciutto layed across the pizza required us to rearrange it and tear it so that every slice of pizza had a slice of prosciutto. Nevertheless, everyone in our party of 7 enjoyed their meals. Service - No complaints here: attentive, professional, knowledgeable. Atmosphere - It's very nice in here. Fancy, but not over the top. They had a great patio area with furniture and a fireplace, but it was too cold to enjoy in the middle of February. Ill have to return in the summer. Last, but not least, they have a parking lot! For Pawtuxet Village, this is a huge benefit. All in all, I'd recommend this place to anyone, and will come back in the future.
(4)Shaun L.
I had dinner here recently and really enjoyed myself. There is good variety of appetizer and entrée items with a good selection of wine as well. Service-wise, the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu and wine parings. I'm sure I'll come back for another visit sometime.
(4)Sharon G.
Best veal chop dinner you will ever eat. A friend recommended it and now I order it every time I visit. I have tried other restaurants but no one does it better.
(5)Lupe A.
What can I not say about this place! 5 stars all the way from the atmosphere, to the food, to the service - just fantastic. I tried the quattro pizza which is basically a sample platter of different types of pizza and it was amazing. Kudos to the owners, managers and staff.
(5)Melissa K.
the addition of the fire grilled pizza oven is great! pizza's are delicious and the veal parm is the best in town
(4)Jodi K.
So much better than it was & it used to be pretty awesome!!! Recent face lift has made this old gem a new, hip neighborhood bar/restaurant!! It looks fantastic inside & the food is as delicious as ever! Try the arugula salad,the gnocchi, and any dessert ...anything really!! Check them out, you won't be disappointed & you may even think your in little Italy NYC :)
(4)Matt C.
I used to frequent Basta before their recent renovations. It was always solid food and, like many others have said, in desperate need of an update. I was overjoyed when I found out they were renovating and made plans to vist soon after they opened. The new signage and interior are absolutely beautiful. I especially got a kick out of the old style lightbulbs in the hanging fixtures. I admit, I did have to wait a bit to be seated. But I guess that's what I get for not making a reservation. My waiter, with his thick Italian accent was one of the best I've had anywhere. We was super attentive and polite. We ordered some apps for the table... meatballs (which were nice and tender with great flavor) and after our waiter told us about their pizza oven (as we were seated near it and it caught our eye) a diavola pizza (delicious!!!!). For dinner I opted for one of my favorite dishes whenever I go out... Pene Arrabiata. Ot was perfect! Plenty of sauce to mop up afterwards with their crunchy bread (which comes with oil, green olives, and an insanely tasty garlic/lemon whipped butter). We also got Chicken Parm (which was a bit thin but very tasty), and a sausage and rabe dish. The waiter told us that the pasta in that disk was made fresh in-house... and you could definitely tell. SOOOOO GOOD! For dessert we tried the nutella pizza. It came out super fast and was a great end to the meal. (it comes topped with strawberries... which, for people like me who dont like them, are easily scraped off) All in all it was an excellent meal and we already have plans to return next week. I am already considering trying out the veal chop... the table next to us had it and it looks fantastic!! Pros: Beautiful interior, great service, tasty food Cons: it was a bit loud - but I guess that's what happens when anyplace is packed to the gills. also make a reservation because its SUPER busy!
(5)Lauren M.
This is my new favorite place! I can't wait to go back and sit outside in the cute little outdoor dining area when then weather warms up. The service was great, the food was excellent, and the ambiance is nice. People have mentioned it is noisy and yes, it is a little bit loud, so if you're looking for a more intimate dining experience this may not be the place for you.
(5)Lee J.
I was a regular at the old Basta and, for no particular reason, was VERY hesitant to try the new one. We were coaxed into it by a couple of other "old regulars" and what a fantastic surprise! The new and improved Basta is exciting. The outdoor patio room is a place you never want to leave. It has a separate bar, fire place and now serves the full menu. The bartender Erin not only delivered nice pours to our party, but also managed a very difficult drink with unusual ingredients with expert precision. We started with a combo of apps - Arricini (not to be missed!), Eggplant (imaginatively stacked and delicious!), Meatballs and Fried Zucchini - shared by all. The combination was really great and, to be honest, we could have stopped right there. None were gluten free, but there are offerings on the menu that conform. I just couldn't help myself! Thankfully we went on to Scallops over risotto (another must try!), Baffoni Farms Chicken and the best gluten free Arrabiata you ever had. We added a wonderful bottle of wine reasonably priced and finished with deserts. Mine was sorbet with chilled vodka poured over the top with a flourish. Talk about a grown-up desert! And it was GREAT! I went back a week later to take another "old regular" who was visiting from out of town. His reaction was "I think I like it better!" This time I was thrilled to find that their gluten free pasta offering was ravioli. Who ever saw that? I asked them to create a Puttanesca sauce for me to go over the ravioli which was accepted with grace. The result was pure heaven. For gluten free diets, this place comes up on top! I am so glad we were persuaded to try it again. I am taking a business guest back again this week and can't wait to be welcomed back as a "new regular".
(4)Lisa L.
With the kids home from college, my husband and I decided that a nice dinner out on Christmas Eve would be a good thing to do. I have dined at Basta before so that was our choice. The place was very busy, we had to wait for a cancellation to get a table at the 8:30 seating, but we were not disappointed. The menu was much smaller than usual, to be expected on a busy holiday evening, but what it lacked in number of selections it more than made up with quality and variety. My favorite calamari was available, and my husband tried the snail salad recommended by our server Ian. It was simple, and according to my husband, quite delicious. My son had the pork chop stuffed with prosciutto and cheese and topped with lobster and sauce. It was so tender that when our waiter brought a steak knife to the table, my son declined and continued to cut it with a fork. The evening was wonderful, made all the more so by great food, and really great service. Though virtually all seats were taken, our waiter was attentive and available without hovering or bothering us unnecessarily. His suggestions for selections, and his friendliness only added to the enjoyment of the evening. I will dine again at Basta and when friend or business associates ask for suggestions, I will make two suggestions: Make reservations at Basta, and ask for Ian if he is working.
(5)Kerri F.
I went here last night to get drinks with friends. Sat at the bar, the two female bartenders were terrible. Drinks were bad, service was bad. The bartenders were in attentive to our needs. Almost as if we were bothering them by asking for a drink.
(2)Beverly S.
Long Live Basta! Basta is Dead! Long Live Basta! Yes, Basta has been reincarnated, back from the ashes that it had turned in to. Many years ago it was an absolutely fabulous restaurant. My favorite. Went there whenever I was in Ri (back when I lived in DC) Then, suddenly it sunk into the pits. The depths. It got rotten. I'm not sure why although my sister said the couple that had owned it got divorced and the husband got Antonios and the wife got Basta (in the divorce settlement) In any event, it had gone down hill big time. And then it closed. It has now reopened under new ownership and the chef is the former chef at Pane e Vino in Providence. The food is beyond excellent. It was so crowded when we walked in (silly us, with no reservations) So we sat at the bar and got the very best service from two lovely bartendresses. My husband ordered a veal chop (his favorite) and I got the salmon special but I ordered it on top of a salad, and without the sides, for the same price. The salmon was cooked PRECISELY as I ordered it. We both LOVED our meals and we will definitely be back - next time with reservations! The prices are what you would expect from a very nice restaurant. The service excellent. I can't wait to go back to Basta.
(5)Ed G.
great restaurant .. highly recommend! food was awesome .. service was good. our waitress was very friendly. the atmosphere was very cool. i would definitely go back.
(4)L C.
Very disappointing!! We arrived at 7:30 for an 8:00 reservation so we could relax and have a drink there were a party of 6. At 9:10 we left because it was still going to be 15-20 minutes more. It was not busy and the bar wasn't busy. It seemed to be if you knew the staff or owner you sat immediately the rest of us had to wait. The owner was barely even apologetic. It was very upsetting to find another restaurant at 9:15 on a Saturday night not to mention we were hungry. Too bad we didn't get to try the food because the drinks were good.
(1)Kyla G.
Me and my girlfriends went to dinner for the grand opening of basta!. The service and atmosphere were excellent. Great wine list and extremely friendly staff. Dinner menu concept was great but the food could have used more preparation and flavor, we were a bit disappointed with dinner but took in consideration that it was the restaurants opening night . Will be returning in the future.
(2)Nathan W.
My wife and I ate at the bar and Pattie was our bartender. Not only did she make excellent drinks, she was a pleasure to talk to and recommended the most delicious plates. I had the swordfish. Simply incredible! Wife had chicken parm which she loved. If Pattie waits on you, ask her about Fragoli, the liqueur in their signature drink!
(5)Linda B.
We were a party of nine to celebrate my daughter's 25th birthday! We didn't even mention that it was her birthday, but someone picked up on it from our conversation and commented several times, making her feel extra special. The food, drinks, and our server were excellent. The newly renovated space is beautiful. We ordered three different wood-grilled pizzas to start and they were all delicious. Our party ordered a variety of food: pasta, salmon, chicken, and everything was great. They even came over with a candle on her dessert, which was unexpected. We were not rushed and everything was just perfect! I highly suggest this for parties of 2, or 9 or even larger parties. They also have a private dining room for even larger parties that looked beautiful! What a neighborhood gem, not to be missed! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Jc E.
Love the food . . leave space for dessert cheesecake is amazing
(5)Marisa S.
Boo Hiss! Can I give zero stars!!! So basta has undergone a lavish million dollar renovation. Too bad money couldn't buy them better staff. Service was terrible. Did not fill my water glass one time. I must have been given four different dishes that my friends ordered before they finally offered me my entree. they left cumbersome menus behind on the table. the food was average at best - certainly nothing to rave about in our state full of fine cuisine. I was at a Table for 7, we were thrilled it was a round table. I think that is a great feature in a restaurant. The renovation definitely brought in a large crowd for an early Friday night dinner in Edgewood. Very dinny place where it is challenging to hear . I dont mind this lively atmosphere though. My last visit to Basta, pre renovation, my husband and I felt like we had entered a library, where all the patrons were at least 35 years our senior, and the place was super quiet and formal. So I think the management is onto something trying to liven the place up. Until that is, the manager actually comes to our table and tells us to "quiet down", a table had left complaining the restaurant was too loud. Honestly I thought he personally knew someone at our table and it was a complete joke bc he spoke in such a demeaning manner to us, and we were not behaving in a loud or obnoxious manner. But alas, he was for real. Here we were a table of 40 and 50 something's, and he spoke to us like we were 5. We were not boisterous at all. The place itself is loud and crowded. I can't believe he singled our table out. He was such an obtuse ass they he even addressed us too. . His restaurant was loud bc it has high ceilings and brick walls and hardwoods throughout. Did I mention he looked better fit to manage one of the strip clubs that this family business is famous for owning instead of a restaurant. I will never go back to be treated like that again. Ridiculous.
(1)Valerie C.
The Hostess was very friendly, the Veal chop was great melt in your mouth. However the waiter was not that attentive for the price that we paid.
(4)Holly S.
My friends and I have visited both the old and new basta and have never had any problems until recently. I politely called a week and a half ahead of time to make a reservation for a large group of people for a co-workers going away party. The manager had answered the phone and quickly told us that we would not be able to order off the complete menu and that we would have to choose between two or three menu items due to the amount of business they usually have on Sunday afternoons, when asked why we couldn't have the full menu the manager stated that they are a small restaurant. We all work in the restaurant industry and understand that large parties are a pain sometimes but if you have customers willing to buy any and everything off that menu why limit them. Basta lost out on a large number of past, present and future customers due to the managers unwillingess to accommodate our party.
(1)William D.
I think we've had "enough" of Basta... My wife and I had visited the pre-renovated Basta several times and had nothing but great experiences. We visited the newly renovated shop last evening and were thoroughly disappointed with the quality of our meals. For starters, we ordered the arancini rice balls. They were cold, and filled with low quality meats that resembled chewing gum. I ordered the veal parm which was an absolute abomination. The veal was decent quality, but smothered in a doughy batter. I felt as though I was eating a doughboy at a festival. Unfortunately, I had to dispose of my leftovers. My wife ordered veal saltimbocca which was drenched in sauce and cheese to the point that the meal was virtually unpalatable. The menu prices were very high, and just not commensurate with the quality of the food. Our server was "ok" and mildly attentive to our dining needs. Honestly, I will probably never visit Basta again, and will stick with an old "tried and true" such as Luigis in Johnston.
(2)Joe A.
I think my expectations were set a little too high for this place. We started with Calamari that was way too chewy. Then the arugula and prosciutto pizza was just MEH, but the sopresata pizza was great. For a meal I tried to go "safe" and get the veal parm - it was sub standard. I wanted to get the "crazy veal" (cotoletta pazza for all you non italians) but I would only agree to order it if the chef had any pink vodka sauce available for my pasta, he did not. For dessert the Nutella pizza was pretty good but not even close to the best I've ever tasted. Nice atmosphere when the music isnt too loud.
(2)Rebecca M.
This is not an easy review for me to write. I have loved and enjoyed BASTA for over 13 years.(We would give the "Old BASTA " 41/2 ~ 5 stars!!!) I only wish the new team and ownership great success. Please understand my care and good intentions in writing this honest review. I have been looking forward to BASTA reopening for months. PREVIOUSLY ...One of my favorite Italian restaurants ever. Although a bit dated interior, it was delightful, charming, friendly & had a community feel. My guests and I had never been let down By service or taste. ALWAYS GREAT ENTREES whatever we tried. It'd been closed since July. On Sunday night my guest and I missed the cut off for fine dining (9pm) by less than a minute. REALLY guys!! We were told that the bar was open for lite fare/ pizzas 'til 11 but that was corrected, it was only 10. We did not feel welcomed at the back entrance as the hostess had the vacuum cleaner roaring. ( Again later during our meal as well) . The poor woman/ Hostess? ... didn't have the scoop & while asking the 2 nearby servers , standing at the coffee/desert counter, they ignored her, and us, were only interested in themselves. We sat at the bar which totally disappointed us. The woman/ Bartender was overworked, she said, due to the reopening. Her poorly created martinis missed the mark totally.(Same martini weI always had at BASTA prepared terrifically by David !!) Over the course of the meal we had 2 We politely made suggestions to make them better each time She was inappropriate & unprofessional at her approach to us, & Would not stop talking about her personal life. . Hardly anyone was In the restaurant . Do note~~~ clientele were enjoying freshly prepared & delivered entrees at the Bar seated next to us. It took 20 minutes or more for us to wait to get our salad & "60 second made pizza." The pizza was doughy and undercooked. $16 for 4 slices. ( Cut it into 6 at least! Fool us into thinking we have more and it would look more attractive also). Oddly enough I was testing out the restaurant because I was due to go back on Monday night with family for dinner. I chose to go to Antonio's on Park and Cranston Streets which was absolutely fabulous and delivered (as ALWAYS) in more ways than I could imagine! Ok... Tuesday night I'm invited by a girlfriend to go to BASTA for dinner, I keep my recent experience at the Bar to myself and welcome her fine invitation. This time at the back entrance we are welcomed politely and our coats taken and checked at the coat rack (we are given a number). We are taken to our cramped seating on the left side of the restaurant. It is very loud & tinny sounding in our dining area. The previous BASTA dining experience included white tablecloths and carpeting so the sound would be muffled & softer, although couples and groups would more than enjoy themselves and it felt very pleasant! This was a put off. Our server was quite attentive and I give him kudos. The arinccini appetizer was quite tasty and my friends Caesar salad was very good. The Cod dish she received was prepared and presented well. My Entree , black squid pasta with shrimp and cherry tomatoes was not up to par. The pasta was entirely broken up, as if it were the dregs or and end of the package or box. The shrimp lacked color and flavoring as if it had been steamed and thrown into the firm cardboard like, not al dente, pasta. When asked for additional grated Parmesan for my pasta dish I excepted cheerfully but was surprised to find the young man with bare hands holding the round of cheese. Think it should've been a proper handheld greater with interior works or previously grated fresh Parm, Served from a small dish and sprinkled onto our food. A bit more hygienic. When exiting the restaurant my friend had a five dollar bill in hand to tip the coat rack folks, ( not a coat room as before) no one attended to us, Although a hostess and server were Chatting between themselves and standing nearby. We placed our little red numbered chip back on the hanger ourselves. She and I chuckled & kept the tip money for herself! I realize BASTA is going through some "Growing pains". This is a new team almost entirely but I hope that they will work out the finer details and make it a success. I wish them well. I do plan on giving the restaurant another try in a few months let's see what they can do/accomplish.
(2)Taylor V.
Basta's renovation is exactly what Cranston needed - the look, feel and vibe of the "new" Basta is that of a Boston or New York styled ristorante. Basta is adorned with family style tables, a private dining room, intimate seating, exposed brick, Edison light bulbs, personal photos from Italy, large bar and an outdoor patio perfect for Spring and Summer dining. I cannot wait for the patio to open up! Basta combines the old school with the new school for a fantastic dining experience. I have been about 3-4 time since they've opened, my most recent visit being on Sunday for a late afternoon pizza/lunch. Great energy and a beautiful crowd! This may be my new Sunday spot rather than Federal Hill - and it's on the water! Food is always prepared in a timely manner and everything is delicious! A few of my favorites include the always classic margherita pizza, fonduta, boston bibb salad, cotoletta pazza, bucatini alla amatriciana, the flourless chocolate cake..my list goes on and on and this review is making me hungry! They also have a great wine menu that they can pair perfectly with your meal. The kitchen certainly takes pride in their food and presentation; we cannot overlook their hard work. This has hands down become a neighborhood gem yet again and will attract a younger crowd. Well done, Basta!
(5)Vicki A.
Basta is a kind of a hip Italian place that recently reopened in Pawtuxet Village. The menu is nice and, even better, there's a late-night menu that's small and very reasonably priced. The regular dinner menu is kind of small but has a lot of variety (I had a yummy chicken dish and risotto "cones" as an appetizer). Everything I ate was very good but the prices are a little high (two of us spent $100 for a shared appetizer, two entrees and a bottle of wine, which isn't awful but also not great). Also, when we went, the entire restaurant had a strange chemical smell, which I attribute to it having recently reopened (and my date couldn't really smell it since it was pretty faint, so don't let that deter you unless you've got a sensitive sense of smell). Basta is the ONLY place I'd recommend for fine dining in Pawtuxet Village, but unless your heart is set on eating in the Village, you might save some money by going into Providence.
(4)Kevin N.
Had the pleasure of trying the new Basta and it was Fantastic!!!!!! The atmospere was great the decor was top notch, what a great job the new owners did to give this place a much needed face lift. The pizza and calamari was excellent and I had the Stuff veal Chop and my wife had the Pork chop, Excellent!!!!! The server was on top of her game, she knew the menu and what type of wine would complement our meal.. Our Nutella pizza was the perfect ending to an Amazing Meal!!!!! Best of luck to the new owners for making Basta one of my top choices for a Great meal,,,,, Thanks KLN
(5)Stephanie G.
I was never that tempted to go to Basta until they completed their renovation and I heard all the buzz about their new courtyard bar/eating area. It is now the perfect place to spend a summer evening enjoying wine, cocktails, or dinner. They have a nice wine list, fun cocktails, and a friendly and knowledgable bartender, the main ingredients for a great bar in my book. They also make very good wood-grilled pizza, salads, and pastas and tonight I had a great fish special. Trust me. The food is good and the atmosphere even better
(4)Karen V.
Basta what happened to you? A previously intimate lovely restaurant with top notch personal service has turned into a noisy and un appealing place. Gone are the tablecloths,white napkins,comfortable atmosphere. I went to Basta for the first time since the reopening and I won't be back. Upon arrival with reservations we were greeted with " I'll have to find some place to put you" . Wow do I feel welcome. Small children were running around unattended,the place was a zoo. The wine took forever to arrive,the Caesar was so so and the entree was salty. The waitstaff inexperienced and indifferent. Good bye Basta.
(2)Paddy C.
Went to dinner and brought our favorite couple with us, the husband has never been, so we have really hyped up Basta. We were all so disappointed. My braciola was the smallest piece of braciola I have ever had and my fiancée had to send his meal back. Thankfully, management was nice to comp my fiancées meal. I don't know what else to say I am so disappointed.
(2)Julie M.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed Basta yet! I go here somewhat frequently and always have great service -- at the bar, dining room and back patio! I tend to get apps and drinks here rather than meals but everything I've ordered is great especially the QUATTRO STAGIONI pizza. The antipasto board is also awesome! Nice collection of meats and cheese to pair with one of their great wines or cocktails. As the summer winds down I'm going to miss the back patio!
(5)Doug C.
After a surprise babysitter offer on Valentine's Day, I thought of a place I had vowed to return to after our last stellar experience... But knowing they would likely be full up, I called Basta with little hope. On the other end of the phone was their GM Peter who made every effort he could to get us seated. He had one slot open at 6pm and I thankfully accepted while simultaneously boasting to the wife "oh sure honey, we are gonna go to Basta" We were greeted at the rear entrance (which is located just inside of the beautiful outdoor patio that, since our last visit, has been enclosed and heated). We were sat, given beautiful, customized for valentines day, menus and greeted by our waiter, Vinny. I was really hoping their pizza would be on the menu as an appetizer, but no such luck. Their gorgeous pizza over was, however, cranking out fresh bread which was delicious. The limited menu (I was also craving their meatball appetizer but no luck) was based around aphrodisiacs... Oysters, figs, strawberries. Etc. We opted to split an eggplant dish and a Caesar salad for starters. Both were fantastic. Not the biggest portions in the world but very tasty and very fresh. For dinner, the lady went with a half lobster and I dug into a filet mignon. The glaze on the filet was fantastic and it was cooked perfectly. The lobster was prepared with a spicy fradiavlo sauce and was pre-cracked. Again- they weren't jumbo portions but everything was impeccable. We opted out of dessert (nothing caught our eye and we didn't want to hold up the table as the waiting area filled up) and left happy. Our server was great, visited the table several times to check on everything, the bussers were prompt and attentive. So many people out having a great time and smiles were a plenty at the surrounding tables. Another job well done, Basta. We will return again soon!
(5)Gina S.
I went two weeks ago with friends and it was delicious! Loved it so much My boyfriend and I decided to celebrate our first anniversary there last night and I think it was even better (which I did not think was possible!) First of all, we walked in and ended up seeing so many people we knew dining there also (great minds think alike). The service was great, our waiter Vinny was very attentive and friendly. The first time I went the owner told me "You can't go wrong if you start with a pizza and finish with the cheesecake and order anything else in between." Both times I took his advice and was not disappointed! We started off with a margarita pizza which was perfection and a shrimp wrapped in prosciutto appetizer that was to die for! For our entree we shared the Veal chop stuffed with prosciutto and cheese then topped with shrimp and a lobster sauce,,, honestly I think it was the BEST meal I've ever ordered.... EVER!!! The portion was enough for 3 people. For dessert we had the cheesecake.... amazing!!! Top it all off with a few glasses of killer white sangria... Perfect!
(5)Michele T.
Everything was delicious!!! Carbonara pizza is AMAZING! service was super friendly and atmosphere perfect for catching up with your girlfriend.
(5)Carmen G.
Basta never disappoints- from the atmosphere to the staff to the food- has definitely become my go to place for a girls night out, romantic dinner and entertaining business associates. Ian, George, Chris and Alex always have a smile on their face and make the experience shine!
(5)Ben V.
We came in immediately greeted. We sat at the bar and our bartendar Stephanie made the best drinks, from a muddled strawberry martini to a lemon drop martini. It was amazing. Great service great food would recommend this place to everyone. We will definitely come back.
(5)Michael B.
Great setting, with great staff. Food was properly portioned and priced. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Stephanie C.
I love the look of the new Basta. The open space, the bar area and the general atmosphere is great. The outdoor patio space with bar, fireplace and lounge seating is really fantastic. However, for the price if dinner here, the service is really lacking. My husband, another couple and I went to dinner there on a Saturday night for an anniversary celebration. We all found something we liked on the menu. I had the salmon with risotto, which was delicious. But our meals came out super quickly, before we had even finished our appetizer. Each person's dinner came out separately, with about 5 minutes or so from first to last. Our appetizer dishes sat on the table while we ate our dinner. No offers of cheese or pepper, which is unusual for an Italian place. Overall, the waitress was inattentive, and made this restaurant not what I was looking for with a special occasion dinner.
(3)Chelsea P.
My boyfriend and I have been there twice for dinner. We have been fortunate to have Chris as our waiter for both times. The service, atmosphere and food are quite amazing. Chris is quick to recommend some of his favorites if you just can't make up your mind between the seasonal offerings and the standard menu. The lobster ravioli is a favorite along with the calamari antipasti, although to be honest we have not had anything from Basta we did not enjoy. They have a very nice wine selection and the after dinner drinks and desserts are phenomenal. Thank you very much to Chris and the staff of Basta for always making our visit to Basta so amazing.
(5)Will R.
Basta is a hip, Italian restaurant located in Pawtuxet Village. Although the environment could be a bit more kid-friendly, the food was good and the staff was nice. I liked the seating, as you could pick a luxurious booth or a seat at the bar. If you have little ones, I would not recommend Basta, as it is quite loud. Besides that, I would rate Basta as a three star eatery.
(3)Lizzy M.
I've only been there once but our meal was fantastic, our server was pleasant and lovely, and the decor was beautiful. There are tvs at the bar and the game was on but it's not a sports bar. It was nice to peek at the score but also sit and enjoy our meal and conversation. I had the fettucini scampi which was quite good. A little bit sweeter than I like a scampi to be (just my personal taste) but the pasta was freshly made and the shrimp were huge and fresh. $1 Jamestown oysters made a great appetizer. The assistant manager stopped by to check on us and he was adorable. He looked to be about 16 but he was very professional and dapper and I always appreciate management having face-to-face time with clientele. Your mom would be proud, sonny.
(5)Jake P.
Bastas. My favorite Italian place to eat. I have been coming to Bastas for a while. And there food is still amazing. If you want a delicious Italian meal, get you butt over there. They have the BEST eggplant I have EVER tasted in my life. Absolutely the my favorite place to eat and most certainly should be yours. 5 stars. Nothing less. ~jp
(5)Colleen M.
My husband and I had a last minute chance to go to dinner last night so we decided to try renovated Basta. We had been to the old version a couple times and enjoyed the food but I remember the atmosphere of the place was a little dated so we were anxious to see the changes. Having read the initial reviews here we were prepared for a lousy experience but hoped for the best. We made reservations with Open Table for 7:30 and arrived about 20 minutes early. We ordered drinks at the busy bar and chatted with the friendly bartender. The hostess seated us right on time at a small table in the middle of the dining room. The seating was quite cramped, I felt like I was dining with the couples on both sides of us. I noticed that they must have kept that awesome veal chop from the original restaurant on the menu but didn't try it so I can't say for sure. We tried the Arancini appetizer - crispy rice balls stuffed with mushrooms and parmesan. They were nicely fried and the sauce was tasty but they were terribly bland. I couldn't taste or see any mushrooms at all. Luckily this wasn't an indication of things to come. My goat cheese tortellini with grapefruit brown butter sauce was delicious. Don't let the grapefruit turn you off, it's really good. My husband's swordfish was grilled nicely with a caper and olive tomato sauce over rabe. I expected to see the olives and capers on the dish and when I didn't I was skeptical but the sauce still had a lot of flavor. We skipped dessert but the server brought a little plate of cookies and biscotti with the check. I thought the service was quite good, a little slow at times but the place was packed and very loud. I think they've ironed out some of the kinks that others experienced but still have some work to do. We will be back.
(3)Lauren S.
Great atmosphere! I've been going to Basta for many years now and I love their new look and design. The food is excellent. The potato croquettes are amazing!
(5)Julie M.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed Basta yet! I go here somewhat frequently and always have great service -- at the bar, dining room and back patio! I tend to get apps and drinks here rather than meals but everything I've ordered is great especially the QUATTRO STAGIONI pizza. The antipasto board is also awesome! Nice collection of meats and cheese to pair with one of their great wines or cocktails. As the summer winds down I'm going to miss the back patio!
(5)Jake P.
Bastas. My favorite Italian place to eat. I have been coming to Bastas for a while. And there food is still amazing. If you want a delicious Italian meal, get you butt over there. They have the BEST eggplant I have EVER tasted in my life. Absolutely the my favorite place to eat and most certainly should be yours. 5 stars. Nothing less. ~jp
(5)Emily P.
FINALLLLLY! an amazing italian restaurant close to home (cranston)!!!! wow, this restaurant took my boyfriend and i by surprise, we truly love it!!! we stumbled in on a very, and i mean very busy night! we didn't want to wait for a table, we were starving and the smell of homemade pasta just blew our mind, so we settled for the bar! oh my! what a lovely drink selection and such a comfortable cozy atmosphere! Oh, before i forget, they have probably the best outdoor patio i have ever seen, locally. absolutely gorggg! I ordered a pasta special they had, black ink pasta with a lemon garlic drizz, jeez. i dream about the texture of the pasta and how well it was cooked! my boyfriend had the stuffed veal, hands down... the best ever! this veal with stuffed with everything and it was so flavorful, you basically had three entrees in one chop! it was so delicious! I was too full for dessert, but the guests beside me had the nutella pizza. for all the nutella lovers, oh my gosh, they had a variety of nutella dessert specials!!!! prices were set just right! the owners sent us a round and that was so sweet and courteous! we will for sure be back, amazing italian food, amazing ambiance, and just an all around lovely night out!
(5)Donald B.
Really disappointed. This place used to be one of my old standbys. A lot has changed in four years. The decor has. A lot more room and beautiful. But the food which used to be great was less than. The filet mignon was wonderfully cooked. So juicy and tender. But there was no taste to it at all. Bland! Worse off, my risotto was exactly the same. Cooked well but bland. No flavor.
(2)Joe C.
Could Be Better I am reviewing this honestly. My review could be swayed seeing that the manager comped our apps seeing we waiting 45 minutes to be seated with a reservation. The waiting is not the issue. A restaurant being busy is good thing for business so I can't fault them for that. Went with another couple and we ordered a few apps and couple of pizzas and an entree. Apps: Calamari: very good, well cooked, good spice Meat and Cheese Board: big letdown, seeing this a staple at most italian restaurants in the state, this was a major letdown Caesar Salad: nothing special Entree: Veal Saltimbocca: very weak, we were going to send it back 2 Pizzas: absolutely delicious, if you goto Basta you have to get a pizza! The service here was excellent, our waiter was on point. So to summarize, Basta is a nicely decorated restaurant that is doing most things very well. However; they missed on a few items, which could easily be fixed. We'll definitely be back, especially for the pizza. Thanks
(3)Jessica G.
OMG= by far the worst place I have ever ate!!! Ordered the margarritta pizza- very little cheese! We asked for them to add more cheese- they said they would make us another pizza with extra cheese- which was still very little cheese- if you like tomato sauce and dough - then you would be all set! Then , we ordered he veal parm which was paper - literally paper thin veal and nasty- unidentified coating which was falling off. They could not supstitute a salid for pasta. Pasta was terrible- very chewy and little sauce. Very over priced- do not waste your money there. I should have returned the veal and said- where is the veal? I would not even give it a 1 star- but I guess you have to give it at least one. Tables close together. The oil they gave you for the bread was terrible. The bread was terrible- hard as a rock- I could barely break the bread apart with my teeth. Not everyone wants pasta with their meal- some people want a healthy alternative- like salid or veg- which they do not offer. Very upscale- snobby- bullshit- nasty food. Had a reservation there- but table choices were nasty- all close to each other- reservation was not helping the table choices. Abiance nasty. Do not know why people go there! The only good thing to say is there is parking in the back!!
(1)Connor T.
I had a wonderful experience for a late lunch at Basta on Mother's Day. We had a nice server on the outdoor patio and she made the Experience pleasurable for all of us.we started with a few apps (clams casino/calamari) the clams were very average but the calamari was delicious. For my entre I had risotto topped with salmon grilled to perfection and lobster knuckles ontop. Killer entre! Would recommend, large portions and fair pricing.
(5)Ryan P.
Except for our pre-dinner drinks at the bar and the cheese plate app, this visit was a complete waste of $190 (4 person tab). The table service was insanely slow. Took at least 45mins for the dinners to come out after we ordered them only to be served a burnt little pile of Porchetta sitting in a puddle of this white cream (suppose to be a root veggie pureé). Luckily they did comp the plate, but the new dish was no where even close to the Porchetta I had here just 6-7months ago. It was completly night and day. My fiancè's meal was also the smallest little piece of meat ive ever seen. They are ridiculously overpriced, it is like they think they are in the middle of Manhatten or something. It will be a while before we return to Basta.
(1)Monika N.
Nice Italian spot located in the heart of Pawtuxet. The menu is very fancy-smancy but delicious. Not a lot of basic Italian dishes here, i.e., spaghetti and meatballs, so if you're not into fancy dishes then I don't recommend here. However, if you do have an adventurous palate, you're in the right place. Lots of homemade pastas and sausages, handmade cheeses, local and fresh ingredients. Nothing is heavy or greasy, everything well cooked and well prepared. You get fresh bread and yummy infused oil before the meal. Extensive wine collection, full bar, and decent beer selection with on tap options. The interior is very fancy and can be intimidating, but don't let it scare you. I've rolled in wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and converses and no one bats an eye. The waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable, and there are daily specials to choose from. All in all, two thumbs up and a must stop place of you like adventurous Italian cuisine.
(4)Martha C.
We had a very nice meal at Basta. I was able to make a last minute reservation online and requested a table in the bar area, they had one reserved upon our arrival. The server was excellent, knowledgeable and helpful. The pizza was just eh for us, we are crispy pizza people though to be fair. It was delicious just not our type of pizza. Our cocktails were perfect. Dinners were even better, my husband had the pasta special which was full of mushrooms and beautiful flavors. I had salmon which was perfection! Cooked perfectly and very fresh, I would even say better than the salmon I recently had at Bonefish. We split creme brulee and espresso martinis which did not disappoint. We truly enjoyed our dining experience and will be back again!
(5)Jennifer N.
The food was amazing! The roasted garlic oil with a touch of balsamic is perfection.... We had to ask for seconds haha! (Greedy!) I had the caprese salad and it's done with arugula and the best I've had. The chicken parm and meatballs were to die for. The tiramisu was house made and literally too amazing to pass up! I will definitely be back!
(5)Chelsea P.
My boyfriend and I have been there twice for dinner. We have been fortunate to have Chris as our waiter for both times. The service, atmosphere and food are quite amazing. Chris is quick to recommend some of his favorites if you just can't make up your mind between the seasonal offerings and the standard menu. The lobster ravioli is a favorite along with the calamari antipasti, although to be honest we have not had anything from Basta we did not enjoy. They have a very nice wine selection and the after dinner drinks and desserts are phenomenal. Thank you very much to Chris and the staff of Basta for always making our visit to Basta so amazing.
(5)Will R.
Basta is a hip, Italian restaurant located in Pawtuxet Village. Although the environment could be a bit more kid-friendly, the food was good and the staff was nice. I liked the seating, as you could pick a luxurious booth or a seat at the bar. If you have little ones, I would not recommend Basta, as it is quite loud. Besides that, I would rate Basta as a three star eatery.
(3)Nina T.
Had a fabulous dinner in great atmosphere! The new fall menu was out and I had the best chicken Marsala. My husband had delicious salmon topped with lobster and my father had a good sized filet topped with short rib in an amazing fig reduction. Good sized portions.
(5)Alyssa A.
My first visit to Basta since their massive renovation! We started with the Mussels. Shared a Chicken Caesar Salad and then shared their sampler pizza called: Quattro Stagioni. Everything was delicious but what really stood out for me was their SALSICCIA (sausage) PIZZA! So flavorful! So delicious! I was looking forward to trying pizza from their fancy imported brick oven and it did not disappoint. Next time I'll try the Orecchette.. that looked really good. Kinda loud in there. They knocked down the wall between the bar and the dining room. Whaddayagonnado?
(4)Lyd M.
I like Basta. I've been I guess 4 times now. I've only sat at the main bar and once at the back bar, but the service is always welcoming and attentive yet relaxed. The cocktails have always been delicious (Steph makes a mean espressotini), and I've liked all the food. The carbonara pizza is GREAT. I'd definitely recommend it. It has all the delicious flavors of a traditional carbonara pasta, but with a chewy crust, fire-roasted flavor, and sunny-side eggs with perfectly runny yolks on top. I've never had eggs on my pizza but I can honestly say that I might just add eggs to my pizzas from here on out. Great spot to grab a drink and some tasty food in the village.
(4)Paul B.
Disappointed. We usually enjoy Basta, but it wasn't up to par this night. The margaritas we ordered didn't come with fruit. There was no salt & pepper on the table. We asked for pepper, which we got, but no salt was delivered also - I guess since we didn't specifically ask for it. Moments later the busboy went to take the salt away. The calamari we ordered as an appetizer was rubbery. When it got darker out (our table was outside) we had to ask to have the table candle lit. The tiramisu for dessert was just ok. Asked for cream & sugar for my coffee & got milk instead. So even though there were no major mistakes, the overall dining experience was not up to the usual Basta standards.
(2)Nicholas F.
5 star restaurant. Proud to work in such a place. If you love great Italian food, and a pretty and relaxing enviornment, come try us out! It's perfect for special occasions
(5)Jeff M.
Basta was a bust. Nice environment and a decent if strongly priced winelist. But, not a single item we ordered was spot on. Some not even close. The Orcchiette with ground sausage and broccoli rabe was fine, nice even, but those little pasta were shells, not the thicker and denser bowl shape typical of orecchiette. We added an order of chicken to the Tortellini, which was served grilled, sliced and unseasoned set ontop of the vodka and basil, tomato cream sauce. No effort was made to incorporate the flavorless chicken into the dish. The Vitello Saltimbocca was dreadful. The veal, thin as a wafer, was cooked to the texture of shoe leather, with a hard browning in places. The prosciutto above it cooked to a crisp. The whole thing buried in super thick blanket of mozzarella goo. My favorite part of the meal was the bottle of wine, which in fact was a substitute, as they were out of the wine I had placed the order for. All in, quite a disappointment.
(2)Eric E.
Great romantic place with great food and service. Ate inside but outside looked great too. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good Italian meal. Might be a little pricy but worth it with the atmosphere and service.
(5)Joe M.
Went here a couple Fridays ago. we didn't have reservations but we walked right in and got a table. space is nice inside I hear they did a lot of renovations, there is a really nice outdoor patio in the back. my wife and I both got Manhattans which were delicious. I got the braised short rib which was tender and tasty and came with a really good polenta and baby carrots. we would definitely go back and try the pizzas which we missed out on this time. Our server was great too, attentive but not constantly hovering. It's a little expensive but for how happy we were with everything it was worth the money.
(4)Sarah Jean R.
My wife and I recently visited Basta for the first time to celebrate our anniversary. The Basta experience was definitely worthy of our special occasion. Every member of the staff we encountered during the evening was well above average (I'll go ahead and say exceptional) - professional, friendly, and knowledgable. The wine and drink list were well thought out in variety while offering a nice range of price points from affordable to indulgent. We ended up ordering pizza (our traditional anniversary meal). We shared a margherita and one of their nightly specials (roasted corn, chili oil, scallions). Both were delicious. First, the sauce on the nightly special was quite delicious and I wish it had tasted the same on the margherita - perhaps it was the addition of the chili oil to the special? The toppings were all fresh and plentiful. The crust was almost exactly what I look for in a neopolitan-style pizza - almost. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the chew of it was a bit too soft while also dense, and overall off (I will note the crust flavor was great). Since it was a special occasion, we got the dessert. That was the only thing that was really disappointing - chocolate cake that seemed a little old and was not really a 'cake' but more like a non-cheese cheesecake made of mostly dense mousse. If we had skipped dessert, I would have given it 5 stars. Basta is going into our regular rotation because of the great experience we had, the overall atmosphere and lovely food and drink.
(4)Benjamin J.
After driving by this place several times, I finally came here and was happy I did. Food - I did find the menu to be a bit on the small side; however, Im happy with chicken parm, and this place has a great (and generously portioned) chicken parm. The warm bread with olive oil and balsamic was delicious. The only issue I had was with a pizza - and the pizza was good, but difficult to eat. Entire slices of prosciutto layed across the pizza required us to rearrange it and tear it so that every slice of pizza had a slice of prosciutto. Nevertheless, everyone in our party of 7 enjoyed their meals. Service - No complaints here: attentive, professional, knowledgeable. Atmosphere - It's very nice in here. Fancy, but not over the top. They had a great patio area with furniture and a fireplace, but it was too cold to enjoy in the middle of February. Ill have to return in the summer. Last, but not least, they have a parking lot! For Pawtuxet Village, this is a huge benefit. All in all, I'd recommend this place to anyone, and will come back in the future.
(4)Shaun L.
I had dinner here recently and really enjoyed myself. There is good variety of appetizer and entrée items with a good selection of wine as well. Service-wise, the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu and wine parings. I'm sure I'll come back for another visit sometime.
(4)Stephanie G.
I was never that tempted to go to Basta until they completed their renovation and I heard all the buzz about their new courtyard bar/eating area. It is now the perfect place to spend a summer evening enjoying wine, cocktails, or dinner. They have a nice wine list, fun cocktails, and a friendly and knowledgable bartender, the main ingredients for a great bar in my book. They also make very good wood-grilled pizza, salads, and pastas and tonight I had a great fish special. Trust me. The food is good and the atmosphere even better
(4)Mark S.
I ate here Thursday night and loved it! From being greeted at the host station to our server, everyone was very friendly and helpful. We split a salad to start. Forgot what it was called but it had pears, gorgonzola, etc. It was yummy but had a little too much oil for my taste. My main dish was absolutely awesome. I got the scallops with sweet potato brussel sprout hash. It was freaking awesome. If they had given me a serving spoon, I would have shoved that dish in my face as quickly as possible. I can't wait to go back and order that same exact dish. I won't even look at the menu or listen to the specials so as not to cloud my judgement. I really liked everything about this place from the space, service and obviously food.
(4)Brian O.
Basta is my favorite restaurant in Rhode Island, the food, the service, the atmosphere, everything about it, great reasonably priced wines by the glass, good beer selection, overall it's a place you have to put on your to do list. I usually sit at the bar and the service is outstanding, that's coming from a bartender of 10 years. I suggest the bracciole, it melts in your mouth!
(5)Ben V.
We came in immediately greeted. We sat at the bar and our bartendar Stephanie made the best drinks, from a muddled strawberry martini to a lemon drop martini. It was amazing. Great service great food would recommend this place to everyone. We will definitely come back.
(5)Michael B.
Great setting, with great staff. Food was properly portioned and priced. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Stephanie C.
I love the look of the new Basta. The open space, the bar area and the general atmosphere is great. The outdoor patio space with bar, fireplace and lounge seating is really fantastic. However, for the price if dinner here, the service is really lacking. My husband, another couple and I went to dinner there on a Saturday night for an anniversary celebration. We all found something we liked on the menu. I had the salmon with risotto, which was delicious. But our meals came out super quickly, before we had even finished our appetizer. Each person's dinner came out separately, with about 5 minutes or so from first to last. Our appetizer dishes sat on the table while we ate our dinner. No offers of cheese or pepper, which is unusual for an Italian place. Overall, the waitress was inattentive, and made this restaurant not what I was looking for with a special occasion dinner.
(3)Lizzy M.
I've only been there once but our meal was fantastic, our server was pleasant and lovely, and the decor was beautiful. There are tvs at the bar and the game was on but it's not a sports bar. It was nice to peek at the score but also sit and enjoy our meal and conversation. I had the fettucini scampi which was quite good. A little bit sweeter than I like a scampi to be (just my personal taste) but the pasta was freshly made and the shrimp were huge and fresh. $1 Jamestown oysters made a great appetizer. The assistant manager stopped by to check on us and he was adorable. He looked to be about 16 but he was very professional and dapper and I always appreciate management having face-to-face time with clientele. Your mom would be proud, sonny.
(5)Karen V.
Basta what happened to you? A previously intimate lovely restaurant with top notch personal service has turned into a noisy and un appealing place. Gone are the tablecloths,white napkins,comfortable atmosphere. I went to Basta for the first time since the reopening and I won't be back. Upon arrival with reservations we were greeted with " I'll have to find some place to put you" . Wow do I feel welcome. Small children were running around unattended,the place was a zoo. The wine took forever to arrive,the Caesar was so so and the entree was salty. The waitstaff inexperienced and indifferent. Good bye Basta.
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