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    Pausa Bar & Cookery

    4.2 (1k reviews)
    Open 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

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    PAUSA BAR & COOKERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Pausa Bar & Cookery

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    Margaret T.

    As someone who doesn't like pizza, I actually enjoyed pausa. The pizzas aren't your standard greasy cardboard pies, but actually have good texture and tastes fresh. We ordered the primavera ($34) to split and it came topped with mozzarella, pesto, ricotta, english peas, fava beans, and spring onions. They also offer chili flakes or this amazing chili oil if you want a splash of heat. It seemed like most tables ordered the margherita, so will have to come by to give it a try.

    Nonno pizza
    Karen N.

    Michelin bib gourmand SM restaurant. Prices are comparable to San Francisco, where pastas are in the $30 some range. But if you don't feel like going into the city, the vibe is good. The food is tasty and the cocktails are equally good with a full bar and wine list We had the beet and burrata appetizer, the nonno pizza and the rigatoni along with some Manhattans. There is only one red sauce pizza for those who only like red sauce although they can add meat to the margherita. The pasta was fresh and flavorful, the bone marrow added an extra flavor to the pizza. Service was good overall. A solid option for a local restaurant that's on par with everything you'd expect at a nice modern restaurant

    Alice S.

    I had dinner here one weekday evening and had a pretty good experience overall. It seemed like most people were there for work dinners. My group shared a couple of charcuterie board appetizers and split a margherita pizza. I liked the charcuterie boards. But the pizza was a bit too soggy for my liking and was falling apart. For my main, I got the pappardelle. This was delicious! The pasta was perfectly al dente and chewy, and the dish was pretty flavorful. But the dish could've used some freshly grated cheese. I also tried a variety of dessert items, most of which were pretty good. The restaurant was packed when I was there, but service was still great and very attentive.

    Lynn N.

    I came here with my friends for dinner, and we had an amazing time! I had a reservation, but unfortunately due to traffic came significantly later. We called the restaurant, and they kept the table for us during this busy night. Inside has lots of seating, a bar, with low lights and fancy decor. The service was amazing, our waitress checked in on us often and was so easy to converse with! The food was also great! Though it was expensive for the amount, they were good bites. The pasta was filling without being too heavy. The Autumn Pizza was also good and it was a nice touch with the yam. Though the dishes were not bursting with flavor, they were lighter which I do appreciate. I had a great time and would recommend!

    Crystal Y.

    I love the moody ambiance in here. Perfect for Valentine's Day dinner. It wasn't too packed, and they have outdoor tables if you're feeling that. We sat at the bar and ordered a spritz and ginger limeade to start. I loved our combo meat and cheese board. We left it up to the chef for the selections. It comes paired with 2 types of bread and assorted toppings like fig jam, truffle honey, and mustard to top. The warm focaccia bread for $5 was delicious, I just wish it came with a spread or even just olive oil and vinegar. For the main we chose the spinach tagliolini, which was handmade spinach pasta with a briny and rich butter shrimp sauce which was delightful. If you're looking for elevated Italian with a modern flare and ambient lighting this is the spot!

    Derek S.

    Came by for dinner the other night and it was a tasty experience. Made a reservation and our table was ready upon arrival. Pausa is featured in the Michelin guide. Parking is available in the parking garage above the restaurant or on nearby surface streets. Dining was available both indoors and outdoors. Service throughout the evening was phenomenal. Staff came by to check up on us as well as refill waters. Staff also did a phenomenal job in providing suggestions on the menu. Started off with the bone marrow and it was quite tasty. The couple of pizzas we ordered had the dough maturation for 72 hours making it for an easier digestions. The toppings were quite tasty! Ended off the meal with their panna cotta which was tasty too! ~$80/head after tax and gratuity for dinner with plenty of leftovers!

    Valerie M.

    This might be my 10th time coming back to this place. Every time there was something new. They keep leveling up. I always try their new cocktail and a new dessert. If anything I learned if you come after 6pm you beefed make a reservation it's ALWAYS packed here. The service is super attentive.

    Michelle B.

    I've been here a few times now and the service and food have been great every single visit. It's one of those places that feels consistent, which I really appreciate. We often start with the cheese and meats board along with some bread and it's always a solid choice. For my main, I usually order one of their pastas. The portions are generous and very satisfying. I've also tried their pizzas and really like the texture of the dough. The drinks are good across the board, even the mocktails. Service is attentive without being overbearing. They're always refilling our water and checking in to see if we want another drink. Dessert here is pretty good, but since there are several great dessert spots nearby in downtown San Mateo, I sometimes opt to grab something elsewhere instead. It's also great for large parties and celebrations, but I'd definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time since they're often booked.

    Rucha S.

    Came here on a Saturday evening for an 8:30 PM reservation but arrived a bit early. The hostess was friendly and asked us to wait briefly, and we were seated fairly quickly. Our server was friendly and attentive from the start. We were promptly offered water and given menus. We ordered the burrata, baby kale salad, and Autunnale pizza for food, along with the Nudo e Famoso (0 proof) to drink. Our server did a good job pacing the food and checked in on us throughout the meal. The burrata was delicious, with a unique flavor profile that worked well together. The baby kale salad was slightly citrus-forward but refreshing. The pizza, however, was just okay. The dough--especially the crust--was dense and heavy, and overall lacked sufficient salt. We also noticed multiple plates around us returning to the kitchen with leftover crusts, which reinforced that observation. Overall, the food was decent, but the service stood out as the stronger part of the experience.

    Cynthia N.

    I was introduced to Pausa by my coworker, as she picked this spot for our team on site dinner. I fell in love with the cocktails and the food so I had to take my friends here as well. They have spritz hour ($14 off for spritzes), HH food, & $2 off all house cocktails! The service was quick & friendly, and I'm excited to take my friends here for more happy hours. :)

    Cristallo
    Josephine C.

    Food was disappointing (pasta and pizza), but service and cocktails were exceptional. I enjoyed the Autunnale pizza. The flavors are subtle but come together well. I still think it was 4/5 We ordered the wagyu and vegetarian pasta. The wagyu pasta lacked flavor. It tasted like a plain tomato sauce. The vegetarian pasta was more tasty. In all case for the food flavors, I would honestly rather go to Olive Garden. The Cristallo milk punch cocktail and the 0 proof Nudo e Famoso were exceptional drinks though

    Pizza Anatra
    Aye K.

    Excellent vibes and service. The restaurant was super busy on a Friday night but definitely a great spot for celebrations! Unfortunately, we weren't as impressed by the food. We tried a variety of dishes, including some from a special truffle menu (apologies for not snapping a photo). The veal was very soft and tender, but the truffle flavor in the dish was subtle and didn't come through as much as expected. Surprisingly, the truffle flavor really shined in the dessert, which was creamy, light, and perfectly balanced. The pizzas were the standout dishes of the night! The thin crust had a great chewiness and I even finished the entire crust, which doesn't usually happen! We tried the anatra (duck confit) and nonna (chanterelle mushrooms) and both were delicious. The pastas left a bit to be desired. Both dishes had very soft pasta that was not al dente, and the sauces were fairly standard. The risotto however was excellent with perfect texture. Octopus croquettes were not worth the price for two pieces. If I return, I would stick to the pizzas and maybe try their charcuterie selection. For the price, it's a bit hard to justify, but I wish them the best of success!

    James M.

    I've frequented Pausa as a consistent dinner spot over the years and have always left content. My go to items on the menu are their Margherita pizza, homemade focaccia bread, and the bastardo spritz. Ambiance can sometimes feel a bit crowded, particularly in the bar area, as they get quite busy on the weekend evenings. Making a reservation is highly recommended. Pros: Delicious pizza, entrees and drinks. Cons: Gets quite busy and parking in this area can be challenging in the evenings.

    Spinach tagliolini

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    Ask the Community - Pausa Bar & Cookery

    Does their Tiramisu contain liquor?

    I don't know for certain, but when we tried it I could not taste any. If it is there it is very light

    Which of the vegetarian/vegan options can be made allium-free (no onion, no garlic)?

    They're very accommodating, so I'm sure you can ask for any item.

    Are dogs allowed at the outdoor seating?

    Do you sell physical gift cards at your restaurant? (I've seen the digital ones you have through your rsvp booking site but looking for physical).

    What is your corkage fee and do you have a limit of # of bottles we open?

    $30, max # 2 bottles as of 9/23/22.

    When will you open for lunch?

    Hi! What's your corkage fee?

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    I think it's kind of funny that there is such a discourse amongst other reviews about whether or…read morenot this place is a speakeasy. As a speakeasy enthusiast myself I definitely agree to the fact that it is "hidden" but also it does kinda give corporate vibes a little bit - maybe we can say they "gentrified" the speakeasy experience which is honestly so funny for Palo Alto. But anyways I don't think a classification should stop you from visiting it. The food is actually surprisingly really good. We came with a pescatarian and honestly while the offerings for snacks were a bit slim, every option was really good. I feel like this was the first time where I understood the price even the the quantity is no where close to be desired. One shrimp is like $6 and I was like whoah. Service is definitely more laid back and it's overall just like a more chill atmosphere. I'm fortunate to work nearby so I'll definitely visit this place a few times after work to blow off some steam... And the drinks! Yes they are good! They are also quite strong! Would come back again but also if you're conscious of budget then I'm not sure if you'll find the same value proposition.

    Bar Underdog is first come first serve, they don't take reservations. Lots of seats at the u shaped…read morebar, but can also get pretty packed. We tried to get here before the end of happy hour which is kinda early, at 5:30pm. Drinks are interesting and different, everything on the menu from the bites to drinks have a little Japanese fusion or influence going on. We pretty much tried every small plate on the menu. Most of it was delicious, a couple were just meh (katsu was not anything special, not was the duck meatball). Other than that, and over all, would highly recommend this spot in general. Btw the bar is from the same proprietor as the restaurant Protégé (across the street). Fun little bar for some music and drinks, they even have a disco ball.

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