0 Followers
Pasta Louise Restaurant
Master Critic Review
Pasta Louise Restaurant
8.4
Named for founder Allison Arevalo's grandmother, this full-service restaurant (sister to the original cafe) offers a different pasta shape daily paired with creative sauces like spicy prosciutto, wild mushroom, and roasted tomato. The floral-adorned dining room serves house-made ricotta and natural wines in a celebratory yet accessible setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pasta of the Day with Spicy Prosciutto, House-Made Ricotta Bruschetta, Wild Mushroom Lasagna
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Different fresh pasta shape daily with rotating seasonal sauces
Who should go: Pasta obsessives and adventurous eaters
When to visit: Happy hour for aperitivo specials
What to order: Pasta of the day, burrata with summer melon, olive oil cake
Insider tip: Check Instagram for daily pasta shape; GF pasta available
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking; street parking on 8th Ave in South Slope, generally manageable but competitive during dinner rush
Dress code: Casual - neighborhood-friendly vibe welcomes everyone from stroller-pushing families to date-night couples
Noise level: Moderate to lively - can get busy and noisy during peak hours per reviews; expect celebratory energy on weekends
Weekend wait: Reservations recommended via Resy (90-min table time); walk-in tables held but expect 20-30 min wait on Saturdays
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait typically; quick weekday dinners are easy
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - cacio e pepe, primavera, multiple sauces work vegetarian; squash pasta can be made fully vegetarian
Vegan options: Limited but accommodating - squash pasta can be vegan, minestrone without cheese, red pesto easily made vegan; ask staff
Gluten-free options: Outstanding - fresh house-made GF rigatoni cooked in separate water with separate equipment. Celiac-safe per many reviews; most sauces GF except meatballs
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Great choice. The floral-adorned dining room creates celebratory vibes, and the 'choose your sauce and add-ons' format gives built-in conversation. Not overly romantic - more fun and accessible. For a more intimate sequel, check out their cocktail bar Bar Louise on 7th Ave.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - they intentionally save tables for walk-ins. Weeknights are easy; weekends may mean a short wait. Book via Resy for guaranteed seating. Note: 90-minute table limit, and outdoor patio maxes at 4 people.
Is it kid-friendly? Very much so - owner Allison has two kids herself and describes Saturdays as 'a stroller parking lot.' Include babies and children in your Resy reservation. Reviews confirm it's welcoming 'even when she gets a little too loud.' Dogs welcome on outdoor patio only.
Best For
Better for: Groups seeking accessible fun over formal dining; celiac diners who rarely find truly safe fresh pasta; families wanting quality without pretension; adventurous eaters excited by daily-changing pasta shapes with mix-and-match sauces
Skip if: You want a specific pasta shape on a specific night - they make one shape per day and don't always announce ahead; you prefer intimate/quiet over lively; you want traditional Italian rather than creative contemporary sauces