Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Pasta Pane: Not Your Typical Italian

Pasta Pane, Clifton Park
Not your typical Italian restaurant cuisine

Overall rating on a scale of 1-10
Service 9 • Food 8 • Ambiance 8 • Price - $$$

Clifton Park is clearly onto something. It has figured out that it needs more than family-oriented chain restaurants to satisfy its population. Enter Pasta Pane, a delightful rustic Italian restaurant in the Shoppers World Plaza just off Route 146. It’s owned by David Zecchini, the man behind Forno Bistro, Chianti Il Ristorante and Boca Bistro, all in Saratoga Springs.

Entering Pasta Pane feels a bit like walking into a haven of a bustling, joyful activity. They got the décor right, and that occurs less often than you might think. The space, a former Applebee’s, is large and expansive, with several rooms and levels adding visual interest and creating little nooks and interesting spaces. True to its billing as a rustic Italian eatery, there is a lot of wood, wrought iron and eclectic lighting fixtures, creating a warm, inviting environment.

On a recent Sunday evening, my friend Tina and I walked in to find the place absolutely packed. Not only were most of the tables filled, but the large bar in the center of the restaurant was also teeming with an animated crowd. Luckily, we had reservations, which I highly recommend.

Read the full review here.