I have seen this place all over tiktok and the food and the ambiance always looked great. I gave it a shot this past Friday night. [[HIGHLIGHT]]First off, this place needs an outdoor sign. We walked past it 3 times and when we finally left they decided to shine a light with the logo on the floor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]When walking in it's more of a lounge than a true restaurant so prepare for that. You will sit right next to people which isn't my preference but it was fine.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We started off with the cucumber salad which was excellent. Just wish there was more cucumber than other veggies they put in it. We then got the Cacio e Pepe Gyoza which was the star of the show. It's was unbelievably good. We followed that up with the calamari which was also extremely good and finished our apps with the Chicken Bao buns that were delicious. My friend got the carbonara dinner and honestly I don't get all the hype. Honestly I thought it did not taste good at all. I had one bite and that was enough. I wasn't sure what it exactly was that made it unappetizing but it just wasn't great for the amount of hype social media gives it. The presentation was beautiful for pictures but the taste wasn't there at all. I had the Spicy Miso Ramen which was very tasty. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Only problem was it was about 110 degrees in the restaurant which made hot ramen a lot less enjoyable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The beef that they also put in it didn't taste like much just a piece a beef so that was a little underwhelming. Service was very nice, it just seemed they struggled tending to each table consistently, not sure if they were short staffed or just extremely busy because it was a Friday night. Nonetheless everyone was super friendly and tending to our needs eventually. Overall, I'd say the appetizers were the star of the show. I thought all were delicious. Entrees were a little underwhelming though my ramen was delicious, it was just extremely hot in the restaurant for some reason. Staff were good and price was what I expected. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great place to try but probably won't go back. I shouldn't leave a place sweating after a date night.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I think social media hypes the place up too much but it is good just not great. People who come here are worried more about posting on social media than getting great food that the price reflects. read more

pastaRAMEN - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Quality food! It is on the pricey side but the food did not disappoint! Service could have been a bit better, however, I would still recommend! The food is absolutely worth it. Presentation was amazing! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a whole vibe![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Let's start by saying our server Matthew was incredible. He was observant, on top of everything, and had high awareness of the kitchen being behind and slow. We really didn't care about that as we were enjoying our wine and each other. Matthew alone 5 stars! [[HIGHLIGHT]]This was our first time eating at pastaRAMEN and we had heard a lot of mixed reviews. The pictures on-line make it look like a fancy place so we did dress up. When we arrived we quickly realized it's not what they advertise and what's in the pictures as it's actually a small run down dive spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The biggest attraction must be its BYOB as the line was out the door with people holding 2-3 bottles of wine and beer.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We were really hopping for the food to be great! Unfortunately we were disappointed causing the 2 star review on food alone. The quality and freshness was poor and everything was soaked in multiple sauces. We had the Cucumber salad that should have been called the pickle salad as there were more pickles than cucumbers. Also the calamari which is hard to mess up but they somehow did with 3 different sweet sauces on it. Next we had the Ramen which they are known for and it had Fried Chicken in it??? It was frozen store bought chickens they warmed up. The last thing we ordered was the black cod, this could have caused us to get food poisoning!! One bit each and we both had to take a sip of wine quickly to get the taste out of our mouths. We couldn't even take a second bit. They did give us free dessert because everything took so long which was very nice but that was our great server Matthew. Dessert was good! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Another side note the bathrooms were absolutely disgusting with pee on the floors and all over the toilet in both bathrooms.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We did have a good night because we brought a very nice bottle of wine. Too bad they didn't give you real wine glasses. It was more of a plastic cup. I don't see us ever going back. read more

Journeying from Brooklyn, NY to Montclair on a Friday to see a comedy show at the Wellmont Theater, my husband and I were set on a classic-feeling date night spot to match the energy of the evening. I made a reservation at Pastaramen after seeing all the good reviews. The verdict? It's a fun spot, but the food was okay. Nothing really wowed me, and I felt like both the dishes and the service leaned a bit too pretentious for the level of quality and flavor we were actually served. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Was the décor lovely and eccentric? Yes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Were the food options fun and dynamic? Sure. But the final experience was just... okay. I don't feel the need to return. Definitely a cool concept overall, though the experience didn't fully land for me. read more

pastaRAMEN - Shrimp bao buns - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Love this place. Went with people and we enjoyed ourselves. Food is amazing, and the staff was attentive. Everything I tried was delicious. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The environment is calm and chill.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would recommend this place to go. Defintely make a reservation. I will be back to try it again. read more

We finally made it here. It was well worth the wait. We tried almost everything on the menu. We had apps, the Ramen with and without the broth, plus their zeppole. Definitely much easier to get in during the week. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was even full on a Tuesday night[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Food was incredible! It's like one bite ramen one bite Italian! Super cool concept. It was an enjoyable experience. The spicy miso ramen americatian was great. Definitely worth a try if you're in the area! The service was great as well. read more

pastaRAMEN - Spicy miso ramen americatian - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Ridiculously small portions. Unless you are ordering a bowl of ramen noodles, it's pretty much a tapas place. Bao buns are something you can get anywhere. Got the chicken Bao buns, and they were alright. Drowning in shredded Parmesan. My complaint was the black cod I ordered tasted fishy. It came with a Yuzu tart vinaigrette or yuzu purée that didn't work. At the top, is a bed of pickled turnips. The pickled flavors clash with the Parmesan flavored broth. Why am I sitting down for fishy fish? I went here once last year and found the portions to be good. I go now and the portions are ridiculously small. It's no different from a tapas place. And you have to order a bowl of ramen even to be satiated. Concept is good. But everything is drowning in a Parmesan flavored broth. They don't know how to balance yuzu/sour notes with their Parmesan, creamy, rich broth. That their flavors are all over the place. Did I mention how much they put raw scallions on top of everything. It was a one and done deal for me. It's too pricey when the meal kinda felt flat for me on every note. There's potential for them to balance out their flavors. But I'm not waiting for that to happen, not when I had to grab dinner elsewhere because I was still starving. read more

pastaRAMEN - Black Cod - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Finally made my way to NJ to check out pastaRAMEN after seeing the feature on Eater! As a fan of wafu restaurants, I enjoyed my meal but didn't find it to be as impressive as hyped up to be. Started off with the clams and the calamari. The clams featured an addicting onion-forward and buttery sauce. The clams themselves were generally fresh, although one or two were a little sandy. The clams were served on top of a bed of focaccia bread. While it soaked up all the sauce and flavors, I'm not sure if I want all my bread to be soggy from the get go. The calamari were also solid with spicy mayo sauce, teriyaki sauce, and shiso leaves. Calamari were fried in a light batter. The mochi ramen carbonara featured the delicious and chewy ramen from Sun Noodles. It was cooked nicely and remained al dente throughout. The egg yolk flavors were very prominent for sure and the richness was temporized with the citrus flavors. The spicy miso ramen offered an interesting concept, but not sure if it really came together. Noodles again were very solid. The broth had more mushroom, umami flavors. Didn't quite get a taste of the butter or pork, but the leeks were good. Made a reservation for 8:30 but didn't actually get seated until past 9pm on a Friday night. Staff were polite. Should have utilized the BYOB but they also offer drinks. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Dim lighting, faux cherry blossom trees, and walls of anime give it a nice intimate date-night vibes![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Great ambiance, friendly staff, and delicious created dishes !! Food came out as soon as we finished each course. We had 9 different dishes. We loved it all!! Portions were perfect for 5 ppl as we had ate family style. I would recommend eating here. It was a great experience!! read more

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Fun and tasty. This Japanese-Italian fusion spot offers a bunch of sharable small and large plates. I came here with hubs and we ordered way too much, but the standouts were the Sunomono Cucumber Insalata (super tasty) and the Chicken Katsu Bao with teriyaki, pesto, and citrus. The only miss for me was the Calamari Fritti. While the squid was perfectly cooked, it wasn't crispy on the outside and the sauce kind of bullied the calamari. For mains, my Pork Chop Scallopini was massive, crispy, and good with a cheesy tonkatsu-style sauce. Hubs had the Tonkatsu Porchetta Ramen and loved it so much, he completely annihilated the bowl. My portion was so big, I took 2/3 of it home. We were too full for dessert but I'd definitely come back to explore more of the menu. NOTES/TIPS: **BYOB **Excellent service. Dishes come out fast. **No clear outdoor signage. It has black exterior with a black bowl and chopsticks logo. read more

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Fantastic restaurant, very unique in terms of cuisine. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor and ambiance is very trendy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I had: - Cacio e Pepe gyoza - Calamari Fritti - Sunomono Cucumber Insalata - Wafu Italian Caesar Insalata - Shrimp Bao I loved every dish. My favorite was probably the salads. I would definitely come back here. read more

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As usual i didn't plan to go there, but as soon as i got sat, the server explained the menu, she mentioned the specials and everything was fantastic!!! For appetizer we ordered the short rib special that the server mentioned and was great!!! Everything was delicious and were definitely coming back to try new items on the menu!!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor and ambiance is 1000/10![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Overall the food was ok nothing amazing You need to like cheese because there is cheese included in almost every dish! The interior was nice and trendy read more

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Amazing as always! We were greeted by Zeke, the Manager who led us to our booth. Jake, our server suggested we try the Sashimi special appetizer and it was delicious! Everything is always flavorful, which is why we keep coming back! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe is always upbeat, fun and hip.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We had a special treat this visit by watching Chef Robbie Felice garnishing the dinners as they left the kitchen![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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This is my 2nd time here and still blown away by the fantastic depth in bold flavors of every menu item I've tried here. This time, we got the cacio e pepe gyoza, calamari, ramen shrimp scampi, and the black cod. Cacio e pepe gyoza - Wow. I'm normally not a fan of cheese-based foods, but this one tasted amazing and so rich in flavor. I was very impressed. It was still just a bit too much cheese for my taste, but I LOVED the flavor of it. I would get it again to share and have only 1-2 pcs. This dish is so unique. Calamari - So fresh, so yummy. It's rare that the calamari is so fresh tasting that it'll melt in your mouth. This place really did that for me. Every pc I devoured was heavenly. The sauces w/ a pinch of lemon juice made it taste so fresh and light. Ramen shrimp scampi - My 2nd time getting this and it was just as yummy as the 1st time! So rich and bold in flavor and the noodles + shrimp were cooked perfectly (al dente). I love the little bits of crunch. Still one of my favorite menu items here! Black cod - Came with a scallion and edamame salad. It tasted so fresh and light and paired perfectly with the black cod. My bf LOVED the cod. It was perfectly cooked (lightly charred), melted in your mouth, and the sauce that came with it was so good. Service is always great - our server brought us matcha lemonades for it being our anniversary dinner (I put that it was our anniversary on the Resy). It was a nice additional touch to complete the meal. Definitely one of my favorite spots to visit for a sit-down meal in NJ :) read more

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Finally got to try Pasta Ramen and managed to snag a weekday reservation for two at 6:30pm. The location is a bit tricky to find, there's no large sign, just a small one on the floor, so keep an eye out. Once inside, the vibe is dark, modern, and hip. The space is pretty intimate, mostly suited for parties of 2-4, though they do have two spots that can accommodate larger groups. We started with the calamari, wow, not your average calamari! It was unique and incredibly flavorful. The shrimp bao was another hit, super tasty and well done. For mains, we had the carbonara pasta (honestly, you can skip this one I did not like it) and the shrimp scampi pasta, which I really enjoyed. We also tried the pork ramen, but it was way too salty, even though you could tell the broth had potential, we ended up sending that one back. Overall, I'd come back. It's a cool, different spot. My only gripe is that the menu is seasonal, so you might not be able to order the same dishes again. Still, definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

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I was very excited to score a reservation here the weekend before Valentine's Day. It was hopping on a Saturday night, and my boyfriend and I arrived super eager to try lots of things on the menu. We went with: Cacio e Pepe Gyoza Chicken Katsu Bao Buns Chicken Katsu Ramen Spicy Rigatoni + Meatballs Bao Bun Zeppoles Everything was delicious, but the standouts to me were the gyoza, chicken bao buns, and the meatballs. The combination of flavors was absolutely exquisite. We also loved the dessert, but the plating was odd. I loved that they were served in wax bags, like you would get at a street fair, but it left powdered sugar all over the table as we savored them. Kind of a messy way to leave the table at the end of a meal. [[HIGHLIGHT]]BYOB, and it seems to be very noisy in the main dining area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very glad we were off in the smaller section.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

This place was absolutely delicious. The staff were super helpful and explained each dish very well, the place was incredibly busy but we had a reservation so we were seated quickly. The fusion dishes were so cool and very unique and I really enjoyed my dinner here. Would definitely recommend ppl try ! read more

Great experience dinning as always. Tried the calamari, chicken bun and shrimp scampi meals and they were all fantastic! Everything was exploding with flavor! Brought our own wine (BYOB) read more

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Finally got a chance to visit this place. It's been on my list for a while now but never got a chance to go to Montclair. Highly recommend making reservations. It's a relatively small space. But the service is amazing. Food came out quickly. Our waitress was very attentive. And they accommodated us quickly with our BYOB wine. I have to say, I really enjoyed the cucumber salad they had. I was hesitant to order it bc I didn't want something that sounds so simple. But DANG, the complex flavors/textures in the dish was really good! Also, the calamari too! I'd think a calamari app is a calamari app. But theirs was amazing! The breading was lightly crispy. And the actual calamari was cooked perfectly. Highly recommend. And if you're up for pasta, I'd really recommend the carbonara one. I liked it more than the short rib pasta. The short ribs were very tender and flavorful. But the sauce on that one was just normal. Didn't pop like the other dishes. read more

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Pasta Ramen is an absolute gem! We ordered multiple baos, cucumber insalata, the cacio e pepe gyoza, and the carbonara, and everything was flawless. The bao was pillowy soft with the perfect balance of flavor, the cucumber salad was crisp and refreshing with just the right amount of seasoning, and the gyoza were perfectly seared and bursting with flavor. The star of the night, though, was the carbonara--it was rich, creative, and truly unforgettable, blending Japanese and Italian influences in a way that feels both inventive and comforting. On top of the food, the ambiance and service made the whole experience special. This is the kind of spot that reminds you why dining out is such a joy. Reservations are hard to come by but worth the effort read more

pastaRAMEN - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

Pasta ramen was solid. The portions were just much smaller than I expected which was a little disappointing but the flavors were where they needed to be. We had 2 of the specials: wagyu gyoza and a sashimi dish. The sashimi was a great blend of Japanese meets Italian fusion; from the oregano to the olive oil to the delicious cuts of fish, I enjoyed them. Next, we had the cod with the fennel salad which was fireeeee. Refreshing and filling all at once. The cod was cooked literally perfectly. For entrees we landed on the gnocchi pesto and the shrimp scampi. My oh my, that scampi changed my life. It was AMAZING. I just wish, oh I wish the serving size was a little more healthy. It felt like half the serving of a regular bowl of ramen meets half the serving of a pasta dish at an Italian restaurant. The shrimp were also BABY shrimp. For $30 I would love at least a large or jumbo shrimp-- I don't think that's an outlandish ask. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, it was cool. I definitely see how they're trying to appeal to the elevated casual crowd so I would manage my expectations if I ever went back.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

There is no name at front of restaurant. We walked past it twice. The place is small, dark, and loud. It was difficult to speak or hear one another. Otherwise, the food was delicious. read more

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This was such a unique experience!! The food was incredible and the table side service for the ramen and carbonara were top notch! [[HIGHLIGHT]]A cute little tucked away spot worth every penny!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Service here is 5 stars, but the food is a 3. The staff at PastaRAMEN are wonderful. They were super welcoming and made us feel taken care of the whole night. Unfortunately, the meal itself didn't quite live up to the service. We ordered a mix of appetizers and mains, including the bao buns and the ramen. While the portions were decent, the flavors were honestly a bit forgettable. Nothing was bad, but for a fusion spot, I was expecting more bold or unique flavors. Even the dessert (tiramisu) was just okay. Come for the friendly service and novelty, but keep your expectations in check for the eats. read more

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My friends and I saw this place all over instagram so we decided to give it a try for an upcoming celebration. It is sooo hard to get a reservation - they open them up on resy 2 weeks in advance and even when my friend woke up at 7a that morning, the 7p Saturday reservation slot 2 weeks out was taken. So expectations are already pretty high. A week leading up to our reservation, we got a text offering to move our table to "Next Door", their speakeasy experience where they take your phones and lock them up. It sounded exclusive and different so we said yes. The day of, we got there about 30 mins early because this place is very serious and won't sit you without your whole party there. So it was a pretty annoying when they went over our reservation time and we had to wait in this super cramped "waiting area" by the front door for like an hour. There's also no signage saying what this place is and a curtain covering the front door (that we kept getting hit with by incoming guests) so you can see everyone walking by this place confused before walking in. It was also pretty frustrating that the host stand barely spoke with us to keep us updated on our table. The speakeasy area was nice because it was much more quiet than the main dining area so we could talk, but it was still pretty cramped. Also, there was no reason for them to take our phones - I like the idea, but it just added to the hype which ultimately made everything underwhelming. I do like that it was BYOB though. Our server was pretty efficient but not super friendly. The food was okay - the cacio e pepe gyoza and the shrimp ramen were the only thing we really enjoyed. Everything else had a strange flavor. The chicken katsu ramen had such weird vegetables in it - that's the only meal I have a picture of (since they took our phones) because we didn't finish it there and took the rest to-go. I ended up throwing it away because it just wasn't good. And for $25 for a bowl of ramen you're expecting a lot. The dipping udon was so salty. Their staple, the carbonara ramen, had a tangy flavor I wasn't expecting and the bao buns were okay (I've had better for half the price). Overall we would not return. There were some good parts but the hype was just not matched unfortunately. read more

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Very well done - lots of rules They recently opened a speakeasy room with a strict "no phone" rule. The menu in the main room and speakeasy room is identical. There is also a $50 per person change for reservation no-shows if the reservation is made on Resy. The restaurant does not have a liquor license and is BYOB. They do not have a telephone. Once you get past all of that the food is memorable. The Wagyu Short Ribs is one of the best plates that I've had this year. The service is attentive. read more

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We came here for our anniversary dinner on a Tuesday night and the place was pretty packed for it to be a weekday! The ambience is very cute; every table has their own little lamp, since a place isn't very lit up, and tables are at a good distance from each other. Our waiter recommended their crispy rice with tuna, which was very fishy for our liking; I do wanna point out that the crispy rice by itself was fairly good. We also got the Tonkotsu Porchetta and Carbonara Ramen. The tonkotsu was good, the broth was very savory, and the noodles were pasta rather than actual Ramen noodles, which was an interesting fusion (of course that is the name of the restaurant after all), the pork was very well cooked, and pieces of it would break apart, which made for a very tasty meat. The carbonara was very interesting and definitely very filling; it is one of their best seller so definitely give it a try, but I wanna point out that it wasn't out of this world nor tasted as different from other regular carbonaras I have tried. This place is BYOB which is great especially for a date night so definitely add it to your list for a cute night out! read more

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PastaRamen offered a really interesting mix of flavors, and we had a great time. Our server, Martha, was fantastic. She knew the menu inside and out, and her funny, sarcastic comments made the whole dinner really enjoyable. The ambiance was chill and relaxed, with a nice mix of age groups, which made it feel comfortable and welcoming. Plus, it's BYOB, which is always a plus! We started with the calamari, which had a cool smoky lemon flavor, and the bao buns with meatballs and pickles - surprisingly delicious! My main course, the pork ramen, was good, but my wife's mochi ramen carbonara was amazing. The flavors were incredible. Honestly, Martha's service was the best part. She was attentive, fun, and made us feel like we were chatting with an old friend. We'll definitely be back, mostly because we want Martha to serve us again, and to try more of the menu. Just a heads-up, parking can be a bit challenging, but there's a parking deck not far away. If you're looking for good food and a fun, relaxed time, PastaRamen is a great choice, and ask for Martha! read more

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Do not order the Spicy Rigatoni the worst dish I have ever gotten at a restaurant will not be back..

FINALLY made it to PastaRamen in Montclair NJ after numerous recommendations from friends. Japanese and Italian cuisine blended. BYOB Everything was delicious! Thank you to our server Sean for the great service and of course Chef Robbie Felice for the delicious and creative menu. The interior is beautiful and spacious. There are cute large booths by the front windows in the front for a large group (we sat in one of those). There is also a side room for private events, etc. (no photos allowed inside that room.) Most of us hadn't been before, and those who had raved about the food! We arrived already excited and hungry! Since we were a large group we were able to sample a lot. You can see the food in my photos but some of the standouts: The arancini, Wagyu with wagyu snow, The ones I am thinking of immediately: Cacio E Pepe Gyoza, Octopus Yakitori "Takoyaki Style", Tofu Fritti Bao, Black Cod, Wagyu Short Rib dry Ramen, Gnocchi with Ginger Teriyaki Duck Ragu & Yuzu Apricot Marmalade. read more

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"After hearing our friends rave about this place, we finally decided to check it out and see what the hype was all about. The food was good, though I expected a bit more in terms of flavor. I found the dishes to be slightly on the salty side for my taste. However, the service was excellent, and the ambiance was truly enjoyable, making for a pleasant dining experience overall." I really did enjoy the Cesar salad. read more

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This place got a lot of hype so we had to check it out. Ambience - We went on a Friday at 730. You walk into a wall of noise. Crowds at the door, loud club music. Dark. Felt like we were back in the city. The tables are VERY close together to the point where you need to move tables to squeeze your way through. We got lucky and ended up in a couch table which was more private and we could somewhat hear ourselves. Not a place to go if you are looking for a quiet dinner. Service - Great service. We had Jake. He was very attentive, did not rush us and made sure we fully understood the menu. Gave us a bunch of recommendations. At the end of the night he asks if we were going out for drinks and gave us a whole list of places to go. Solid waiter. Food - this is a very unique type of food. Asian Italian. I think it was what I expected. Rich, heavy, salty, overpriced food. It wasn't bad but it wasn't really good. Everything seemed very heavy. Had to chug water to flush the system. All in all, I guess if you're curious, go. We won't be going back. I prefer Asian or Italian. Not both. I can get better ramen for half the price. $58 short ribs? Come on. Max that should be is $40. Not sure where they get off charging that. It's BYO read more

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My two cents is... FANTASTIC! Jake the server was fantastic! So great at describing the food and making suggestion. Came in from out of town and drove over an hour and a half and it was beyond worth it. Every dish uniquely crafted and so very delicious! A MUST MUST try ! read more

pastaRAMEN - Tuna Appetizer - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

I had to make the reservation for Pasta Ramen 3 weeks in advance so you know my expectations were high! First off finding the restaurant is a little tricky bc there is no literal sign on it and only a spot light showing the name on the concrete in front of it. Not sure how that works in the summer when it stays light outside longer than their opening time but that's another story. First impressions walking in were good. Vibe is definitely high energy with great music being played, the restaurant is buzzing with conversation and servers speed walking around and the steam from the open kitchen in the back permeating the air sets the scene. Seating is TIGHT in this place so don't expect a romantic dinner bc your table neighbor will be rubbing elbows with you. Service was great! Our server ran down the daily specials, made recommendations based on us asking and also shared which items we could not have based on a food restriction. We ordered the cucumber salad, calamari and cacio de pepe gyoza for apps. The calamari was great with it being friend perfectly and the sauce it was drizzled with taking it to the next level. The cucumber salad was bland but beautifully plated and the cacio de pepe gyoza was unfortunately the biggest let down to me bc the wrapper was tough and the filling had way too much pepper (& I've eaten my share of cacio de pepe items). Entrees we ordered both the traditional ramen dishes, chicken katsu and pork tonkatsu. Presentation was wonderful with the ramen broth poured out of a teapot, however, again ... BLAND BLAND BLAND and the Italian pasta ramen noodles didn't do it for me ... literally a fusion fail in my opinion. They did have bao bun zeppolis for dessert and we said what the heck and ordered them and boy as we glad we did bc they were absolutely delicious and accompanied with Nutella dipping sauce. Overall we're glad we tried the place but we both agreed we wouldn't be coming back . read more

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This was my second visit to Pasta Ramen. Overall, it's such a unique dining experience. If you love both Italian and Japanese cuisine, it's a must visit. Definitely recommend making a reservation, especially on a weekend. The restaurant is consistently busy. The service is excellent. I appreciate that the wait staff visited often to refill our drinks. They were also very knowledgeable about all menu options. This is a BYOB establishment. We also requested a different seat before beginning our meal, and the host arranged this for us without hesitation. This was very much appreciated. My favorite dish ordered was the short rib ramen special. I asked my sister for multiple bites! I ordered the Cacio e Pepe ramen, which was delicious. I wish the serving sizes were larger because I could've totally had more. Thanks for the service and meal. read more

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Overall good experience! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very elegant, edgy, artsy decor. Perfect for photo shoots.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Smaller than I expected. But very cool ambience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Great service. Food came out so fast , considering it was very busy on a Wednesday evening on the coldest winter day. Interesting dishes. Great presentation. No desert options. read more

pastaRAMEN - Tofu and chicken Bao buns - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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We finally tried pasta ramen after hearing about it for so long and we were really worried it was going to be all hype and I can honestly say after trying that it lived up to the reputation. Don't get me wrong it's not cheap by any means but I think they did something really cool and unique in combining Japanese and Italian elements into every single dish and the atmosphere is awesome so you are paying for the overall experience not just the food. If that's not your thing that's fine too! I would also recommend reading reviews to see what you should order before you go! For example we heard the bao buns weren't that great so we didn't order them we ordered things we thought we'd like and we did! So on to the food. Calamari: super tender and crispy with an awesome sauce, would definitely recommend. Spicy Tuna Crispy rice: It wasn't bad by any means but one of the dishes I wouldn't need to have again because it was just 4 little bites and the cream sauce kind of muted the tuna so not that flavorful. Wagyu Short Rib Ramen: Absolutely awesome dish packed with flavor and tons of meat! would definitely recommend. Gnocchi (not pictured): If you like Gnocchi which we do it was a nice bright dish with a bunch of citrus. Fried Bao Buns with powdered sugar and chocolate sauce, If you like Zeppoli then you'll love these and should definitely finish the meal with them! Overall I think this place is worth trying at least once and if they get new menu Items i'd definitely go back and do another meal! read more

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This was a very modern spot that blended Italian cuisine with Japanese fare. It was very loud upon entering with the music over the speakers. We were also fortunate to sit next to the open kitchen to see the operation being run. The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating, but at times, we did feel rushed. For appetizers, we ordered the crispy rice and Calabrian spicy tuna ($26) and chicken katsu ($17) bao. The tuna had piccata sauce poured over top. This was okay. There were four to an order. I thought there was just too much of the piccata sauce, which took away from the other flavors. The rice was also somewhat stale, I thought. I really was looking forward to this dish, but it disappointed because of the overflowing piccata sauce. The chicken katsu bao came with teriyaki basil pesto, lemon, parmigiano, and a basil nitsume. This was great. There were two large ones with plenty of filling. The flavors really meshed together nicely. The pesto with the crispy chicken was very appetizing. The hint of fresh lemon put it over the top. For an entrée, I had the black cod ($42). It came with an Italian miso, lemon, and furikake. There was also a side dish of edamame, scallions, and fennel. This was nicely done. The cod was cooked perfectly with a melt-in-the-mouth texture. The Italian miso was interesting. There was a flavor that really stood out, but I could not tell what it was exactly. The side dish was very refreshing, as it was light with tons of fresh lemon once again. It was a unique dish that I was happy I ordered. I also tried the gnocchi, which contained ginger teriyaki duck ragu with a yuzu apricot marmalade and a karaage crumble. This was another outstanding dish and use of ingredients. The duck paired nicely with the sweetness of the apricot. Will I go back? Probably. read more

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