The Pasta Bar Veneto

Me, my cousin and a friend decided to go out for dinner. We decided to go for an Italian dinner, our regular pick would be Little Italy. This time we decided to try something new and Past Bar Veneto was shortlisted. Personally, I have been wanting to check this place out for quite sometime now too.

Called them up for reservation and they said it would not be required. Was surprised, but again being a Pongal day and city deserted thought it would be empty. There are two restaurants in Chennai, one on Alsamall, Egmore and the other at Burkit Road, T.Nagar. We were heading to the T Nagar restaurant and getting there is not that easy since its situated on a one-way road and one has to navigate through by-lanes to reach the destination.

The restaurant shares space with a boutique, and restaurant is located at the rear of the property. I guess it has a good capacity of about 50-60 people; upon entering one would find an open bar style setup. I just wished it was a well stocked bar, well my wishes are endless that never actually get materialized. Too much of boring info moving on...

The place definitely was not empty and we got  seated promptly, the table we were shown was not cleaned properly and the table next us were into an argument with the waiter. That was not a good sign for a first time visit to the restaurant, we were provided the menu, which looked quite exhaustive, but in reality its not actually. It just looks exhaustive, we had to wait quite sometime for the waiter to take the order. When they did come to take the order, we informed him about the sticky table and was told that he would take care of it once we ordered.

We ordered 2 starters, Sesame chicken and Cheesy Jalapenos, when we  placed an order for a soup to be shared, he refused stating that they don't offer soups to be shared. I have eaten at a fair share of restaurants and this was the first time i have come across such a policy by a restaurant that doesn't let you place "one by two" order of soup. We skipped it and waited for the starters to arrive and the table cleaned while we chose the main course.

The table was cleaned by another person who felt as though we were pointing stuff out and did i mention the person who waited was putting a grumpy face.

By this time i was pretty sure that the dinner was going to end on a sour note, more often than not my intuitions are right and this time it was wrong.

Then the starters came and we didn't have to wait too long, first the cheesy jalapenos served with tomato ketchup. The menu describes it as Jalapenos stuffed with Cheese, fried. Fried check, Cheese check, Jalapenos check but is it stuffed jalapenos with cheese nope. It was more like cheese bites with some chopped jalapenos in it. But it tasted good. Next was the sesame chicken, its breaded chicken strips fried and coated with sesame seeds served with thousand island dressing. It tasted good too.

For the main course we ordered, Primavera Al panna with Spaghetti, Chicken Bolognese, Diavolo Pizza and Pesto Con Spinaci Pizza. First, the Diavolo pizza, a 9 inch thin crusted pizza, it was delicious and was filled with flavors of the different ingredients. Our pizza was little burnt at one end but no complaints it was very good.

Diavolo Pizza

Next was the Primavera Al Panna, spaghetti on cream white sauce with veggies served with a garlic bread. It tasted well however lacked the creaminess and could have used a bit more of sauce for soaking the garlic bread. 

Primavera Al Panna

Similarly, the Chicken Bolognese was served with a garlic bread and it too lacked the sauce element plus the chicken element was missing. Chicken mince was way too fine than you find in a bolognese sauce that one doesn't even find chicken. Both the pastas even though the tasted quite nice left us wanting for more.

Chicken Bolognese

Pesto con spinaci was no different from the diavolo, was well cooked and tasted as good as the freshly baked smell.

Pesto Con Spinaci

We did not order any desserts, the total bill came to 1,062. The starters were 125 and 135 Rs, the pastas were 175 and 195 rs and the Pizzas were 165 each. Service charge and taxes extra.

To sum it up, easy on your pocket and tasty italian food. Pizzas are a step ahead of their pasta colleagues in the menu list. Portions of main course are good per person and  starter portions could be increased. In my opinion, its a nice and cheaper alternative for Italian food in city compared to the Tuscana and Little Italy.

The Pasta Bar Veneto is located on Burkit road, refer http://www.thepastabarveneto.com for more details

Food  7/10
Ambience 7/10
Service 6.5/10
Price 8/10


Would I Recommend?  Yes, definitely

Suggestions: Please inform the waiting staff to put a smiling face and keep the table surfaces clean. Cheesy jalapenos could actually be made like described in the menu and provide a better dipping sauce than just ketchup. Wee bit more sauce to soak the garlic bread  and don't change anything about the pizza.