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Pasta Bene - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
88 Hardie Pl(at Kearny St)
San Francisco, CA 94108
Neighborhood: Financial District
(415) 989-2222
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
133 reviews for Pasta Bene
Review Highlights
"I highly recommend this place for a lunch spot in Fidi."
(in 14 reviews)
"...a side of bread and soup or salad to go with your pasta..."
(in 26 reviews)
"Solid Italian place in a tucked-away alleyway."
(in 11 reviews)
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133 reviews in English
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Review from Shubhra P.
Fremont, CA
2/23/2011
Like the location, away from the craziness of lunch time.
Service was quick and friendly.
Most of all, food is simple and delicious -
Review from Jennifer C.
Newark, CA
Mmm mmm good! No it's not Campbell's soup, but that's how i feel about today's lunch i had the pleasure of eating at Pasta Bene.
My co-worker and I arrived around 11:40am and the restaurant was nearly empty. At first, i was a little confused on how to order but here's the break down:
1. Get a tray, silverware, and napkin
2. Tell person behind counter what you want for lunch
3. Take the number they hand you to place at your table
4. Choose Soup or Salad (gets handed to you right away)
5. Move down towards the cashier (get bread and butter if desired)
6. Pick up glass of water, add lemon slice if desired
7. Pay
8. Find a seat
9. Server will bring food to you
I got the salad - comes with some sort of parmasan cheese italian dressing. Pretty good!
My lunch entree was the Carciofi e Pollo - linguini, chicken breast, artichoke hearts, zucchini and carrots in olive oil-herb sauce. The dish was delicious and the sauce was light unlike the other cream pasta sauces they offer. I also tried my co-worker's Gamberetto - fettucini, shrimp & mushroom in tomato-cream sauce. That was good too, but I know it would be too heavy and creamy for me if i ate the whole dish.
This is a great lunch spot to try out. I received excellent service from the guy running around delivering everyone's food. I couldn't finish my pasta and asked him for a box. When he came back with my box, my co-worker thought it would be a good idea to get one for herself so she asked him for a box too. The server had to make two trips but he still came back with a smile.
What I especially liked about this place is how I didn't have to break the bank dining at a "sit down" restaurant in the FiDi. Sometimes you just get tired of always eating out of a box or on disposable dishes. And even if it's more like a sit down restaurant, i was still in and out in 30 minutes.
$13 including tax & tip -
Review from heather h.
San Jose, CA
1/3/2011
Unfortunately I really wasn't impressed with this place. I went with my boyfriend and his mom since its in the financial district next to his work. This was my experience,
I walked in, looked at a janky menu on a poster board, we ordered a Caesar salad made fresh, got my own plates, bread and water, ordered food, paid, and found a table.
I ordered a chicken ravioli for about $8 and a sparkling soda and split the Caesar salad. I'll admit they made the salad fresh, but it wasn't good :(. The pasta wasn't good either. Another plate we tried was the sausage ghnocci. That wasn't very good either.
Overall, it cost each person about $10 and it was all pretty bland. It's also just a big white room with paper table cloths....I don't know. It just wasn't what I expected for 'fast-italian food'.
My recommendation: Asian food seems to be more popular in that area. I'd just skip it all together. :( -
Review from Elaine L.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 4/19/2011
Yeah, I am not satisfied with their portions. Again, I can eat a lot for a pretty small girl but still... I'm a girl. I was able to finish my dish no problem.
I came for lunch and it wasnt crowded at all around 1:30pm.
Carciofi e Pollo - linguini with chicken breast, artichoke hearts & vegetables in olive oil-herb sauce
It made me think of an asian stir fried noodle dish... I wish they cut the artichokes up more. With some parmasean cheese, this dish was pretty good but kind of expensive. 7.95 for what I got... eh i guess.
Oh and I was sad that they didnt give me garlic bread this time... but instead, a tiny piece of toasted french bread
I should have just gone with one of the lunch specials for $5. What I get for trying to get fresh.
They have terimisu for only $3! I will come and try this next time.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/23/2010
NOMS!
I really like the garlic bread. It was crispy and you can taste the garlic without having it… Read more »
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Review from Crystal H.
9/1/2010
Down an alley? Check! No line up? Check! Available tables? Check!
Well, this meets lunch requirements! With it's pastas served cafeteria style, but made to order, and a bread + soup/salad accompaniment, this meets my lunch expectations. The crab ravioli was rich and delish (it was on special) complete with it's al dente pasta. Stars just for having salad -- fresh salad, well dressed! I don't think I could ask for more out of a low key lunch spot... except for maybe a less-full-tummy afterward.... oh how I just wanted to crack a bottle of wine and chill out all afternoon!Listed in: You Saved Me San Francisco, Yelping in the USA
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Review from Ryan B.
San Francisco, CA
9/8/2010
Not impressed. This "gem" can stay hidden as far as I'm concerned.
The elderly lady behind the counter was nasty to us. I grabbed a soda and I'm fairly certain that she was watching as I did it. The stuff on the counter between her and my tray was so high that she apparently didn't notice as I was paying. After paying, I picked up my tray and she gives me a withering look starts raising you know what about not charging me for it and how much it costs her each time she has to run a card.
My solution: be more observant. She rang things up quickly and ran the card without asking any questions about what we were getting; I just assumed she had noticed my soda in addition to everything else that she was aware of without questioning us. Also, we were the only people in line and they weren't busy.
My caesar salad was soggy with dressing and decidedly bland. I'm not coming back to find out how their pasta is after being scolded for something that wasn't my fault. If you're going to yell at me, it better better be over how my cat ate your earbuds or my driving miss daisy; or better yet, yell at me about when your past business failed because of that one extra credit card charge stemming from an unintentional stealth soda can. -
Review from Fannie S.
9/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
Food = delicious. Fresh stuff. Entrees, pizzas and entree salads all come with a choice of salad or soup of the day as well. I loved the Carciofi e Pollo dish... linguine, artichoke hearts and vegetables with tender savory chicken. And I had the salad with it. All savory and well worth the prices.
Location = in an ALLEY, definitely off the beaten path!
Prices = reasonable, especially for the portions! Most entrees cost under $11.00, except for the King Salmon dish. But the specials are nice too.
Service = mostly self-service, at the counter. Beware, the older female cashier/behind counter person, is not very friendly. Food comes out pretty fast too.
Decor = simple. But it's cafeteria-style, with tablecloth tables and real silverware. :)Listed in: Italiano + Pizze
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Review from Julie F.
9/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
I have eaten Pasta Bene now for years since my work caters from there.
Today, I finally decided to unchain myself and grab a bite with Jen B. Being in an alley is sort of weird but I guess most would say its off the beaten path. Went inside and found nice tables with table cloths and plenty of seating. Pretty much you order, pay, and sit where ever you'd like. They have food runners to bring out your main entrees. I had the fettuccine Alfredo with the veggie soup that cost me $11.99. They have this frequent buyer card if you pay cash but didn't really hear how many stamps you need.
Our food came out pretty quickly, I thought the portion was pretty generous and should have taken half my food...but of course didn't and ate the whole thing! Chicken was moist, flavorful and yummy and the pasta was cooked perfectly. Overall my meal was very enjoyable. In and out in an hour. Will be back to try some other offerings! -
Review from Leslie H.
Updated - 7/20/2011
Oh Pasta Bene! Why did you close? Such good al dente pasta at fair prices. I guess I will just have to visit your Berkeley location. Now what am I supposed to do for decently priced Italian in SF (without the wait times of North Beach's more authentic establishments)?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/2/2011
I'm a fan! I finally had a chance to stop by this tiny gem of a restaurant last Friday after a long… Read more »
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Review from Frank P.
San Francisco, CA
1/19/2011
No ambiance, it's basically a cafeteria lunch line. Staff is NOT there to "serve" you per se, so don't expect great service.
But the food is great. Super tasty marina sauce. I had the king salmon and angel hair pasta in marinara. Great lunch spot. -
Review from Andrew C.
Manhattan, NY
8/18/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Well, hello my little alleycat. You are purrrrrrdy delicious! I do declare I had an amazing Gnocchi Sausage entree. I'm still licking the scent of deliciously-spiced-yet-not-overwhelmingly-meaty-sa usage from my whiskers, as I type with tomato-cream sauce on my paws. MMMhmmhmmm. The salad was a great start, the bread fresh, and I even have a little take-out box with some leftovers to share with my kittens!
The only room for improvement: competitive lunch specials. -
Review from Valeria R.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 3/22/2010 4 photos
After lagging a bit in my quest to try everything on the menu at Pasta Bene, I finally made it back Friday for dinner take-out.
I chose the chicken ravioli this time, and while it wasn't my #1 selection so far, it was still good and I would order it again. The ravioli were large, like 2" x 3" large, and there were enough that I ended up with a few left over for a snack the next day.
When I saw on the menu that the sauce was a "spinach cream" one, I was curious to see what green cream was going to look like. It ended up being a regular cream sauce with spinach ribbons. Would have been fine either way though! There was plenty for sopping up with the crusty French bread.
The nice owner lady insisted that I take a free beverage, and informed me that they're trying extended hours (until 8 p.m.) on a trial basis. So if you're getting out of work late near Kearny and Bush and want something other than a warmed-up burrito from 7-11 but don't want to pay Belden Lane prices, you know what to do!Listed in: Top Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/14/2009
People aren't kidding when they say that Pasta Bene is hidden away.
It's at the end of a short alley… Read more »
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Review from maria K.
San Francisco, CA
11/2/2010
Two words "Hidden Gem."
I was with my co-worker hunting for a lunch spot. She spotted a sign that pointed down an alley to "Pasta Bene". I'll admit it, I was scared as this was in the most random location I've ever seen but as we walked up it was'nt bad at all. Very pretty actually. White, Crisp- mini bistro if you will. You order at the counter like a cafeteria- little weird but ok.
I ordered the special: Chicken Pesto Pasta, with soup or salad. I went with the broccoli cheese soup. OMG. The soup was outstanding! It had garlic in it, which was unexpected- but amazing! loved it. Then came the pasta, Bravo again! Ill be honest, I dont even really like chicken- and it was great! and the portion was HUGE! Ill be eating the other heaping half for lunch today :)
Ill definately be returning. Dont be afraid of the alley restaurant- Its spot on. -
Review from Jenna s.
Benicia, CA
10/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
Ambiance: Located down an alley. White table clothes. Order at the counter with a cafeteria tray. Sounds questionable, I know, but keep with me.
YUM: Chicken ravioli, soft and fluffy! Cauliflower soup, nice and light!
Service: Friendly counter lady and quick bus boys.
Money Honey: $8
Note: This place was quick and so delicious! Pasta Bene is a real find especially when looking for a good place to eat for lunch! You are in and you're out, but never rushed and full off of some good Italiano!
Eat it. Really like it. Repeat. -
Review from Maile N.
4/15/2010
Oh man, this place is a *gem*!! It's a cute, authentic Italian restaurant located down an alley way in the Financial District of San Francisco. It's open M-F from 11AM through 8PM for lunch and then dinner.
Their prices are totally reasonable! My salmon, angel hair pasta, vegetables plus a glass of chianti was all together about $14! The salmon was perfectly cooked with a lightly crispy finish, sprinkled with lemon - mmmm! :) I had fun twirling my angel hair pasta Italian-style with the spoon and fork - the pasta tasted SO fresh! And it came with steamed vegetables, good balance to everything. And the chianti, which was included with my meal, finished off the meal nicely.
I didn't have room in my tummy for dessert, so I ordered the tiramisu to go - omg! I had some just now, and it is unbelievable!! I would go there for dessert in itself! I'm not normally a dessert person, but w-w-wow, it is SO good! I should share it with my bf, but it might be gone by the time he finishes the video game he's playing right now. ;) Tasty sweet - the tiramisu is definitely a hit!
The service was really nice, friendly and attentive. I can't wait to go back and back again!Listed in: San Francisco Rocks
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Review from Annie S.
Flushing, NY
10/30/2010
Two words - RUDE MANAGEMENT!!!!!!
The restaurant acts like a food court where you order your food and seat yourself. I came with coworkers and there were 6 of us so we chose a group of 3 tables that were put together to sit six. While we were in the middle of eating, the manager or waitress (middle-aged brunette lady) came to our table and told us that the table was reserved and that we weren't suppose to sit there. We told her that there was nothing on the table that said it was reserved. In the mean time, there were tons of empty seats that she could've easily situated the other guests elsewhere and not have bothered us.
She then comes back and takes away some of the napkins AND she leaves a random piece of bread on our table from another table, WHILE WE WERE STILL EATING. You can tell she was very upset. We told her that what she was doing was VERY RUDE, but she ignored us.
The food is good, but it's not good enough for me to go back to HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!! -
Review from Jenny T.
9/1/2010
I LOVE PASTA BENE!!
Hidden gem!! I never knew of it before, but now I'm addicted! It's not gourmet, nothing special or fancy, but for $10, you can get a good, hearty Italian meal complete with soup or a side salad. It's the perfect lunch for a long day at work because they give such a big portion that you can have left-overs for later.
The restaurant is set up cafeteria-style. You choose what you want, order at the counter, get your tray + utensils, pay, then take a number and wait. Good food, short wait-time, and they don't even expect you to tip. Seriously, I love this place. -
Review from C S.
San Francisco, CA
11/12/2010
I use Pasta Bene for catering at my office. They do a great job. They also happen to be incredibly nice people - both the people who answer the phone and the delivery guys.
What prompted me to write this review is that today they delivered our lunch, and the delivery guy assembled the brushetta on the spot. He explained that he didn't want it to get soggy or fall apart en route to our office, so he just brought the toasted bread and the bowl of tomato basil garlic mixture, and he quickly assembled them when he arrived. That is the kind of care and attention to detail that separates the good from the great.
Their portions are very generous and they do a really nice presentation with real dishes, not disposable. It is both good for the planet and looks nicer than the foil pans or plastic platters that so many places use.
I would recommend their lasagna, their prawns, their ravioli, and their brushetta. The carciofe e pollo is less impressive - a bit lacking on flavor.
The only other bummer is their cookies seem like they're out of a box rather than freshly baked. But all in all this place has solid Italian food with very good presentation and really great people. -
Review from Katie S.
San Francisco, CA
7/24/2008
Umm.. Why on earth are we walking to the back of this alley...
Oh. look at that..there's a sign (and a dumpster).. Oh- Hey- it's a restaurant.. Yeaaaaah..
(walks through door)
And SOLD!
What a cute little lunch spot in the middle of the Financial District! The locals know where they can eat well for cheap b/c this place was pretty busy. It was a bit more dressed up than most other lunch spots with it's white linen table clothes, but the prices are totally comparable with any other sit down in the area.
Our table of 8 was seated immediately by extremely accommodating staff. not so much a bat of an eye. Lots of great looking pastas, salads, and sandwiches on the menu. They also had about four rotating specials, which was cool b/c lunch places normally don't have a lot of specials.
I went with the Farhad's salad- mixed greens, tomato, granny smith apples, walnuts, and goat cheese in a light tasty vinaigrette. I also had 1/2 a turkey sandwich, which came on hearty, crusty bread with plenty of roasted veg. It was very good and the portions were large.
You have the option of either sitting down and waiting for someone to help you with your order, or ordering from the front yourself- which I thought was pretty cool. Oh, and beer and wine are available.
Do yourself a favor here and come by for lunch when you're in town. You will not be disappointed. Great, friendly, speedy service..
Oh, and If you get the strawberries and homemade whip cream for dessert, lemme know.. I might have to try this on my next trip!Listed in: Left my wallet in San…
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Review from Sarah C.
8/13/2010
Its at the end of an ALLEY!
was what I was thinking when I arrived. Probably wouldn't have chosen this place if I knew it was in an slightly dirty and dimly light alley.
Arrived at 11am and we were the first customers. Everyone here has an accent so I just assumed at whatever they were saying.
Weird way of running things. You order in the front, you get your soup of the day if you ordered one, then you get a number where you bring it the fancy table of your choice.
Total looks like a place where their waiter. The cream of celery soup I got was pretty good. I wanted the cream of mushroom!!!!!!!
Garlic bread was kind of hard. The Gorgonzola salad I order was delicious!
Overall, the food was good but I probably won't be coming back. -
Review from michelle i.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2008
Pasta Bene is one of the financial districts best kept lunchtime secrets.... Well, maybe its not a secret. This place is always busy. Sometimes you will even have to stand in line, so yeah I guess scratch that secretive part.
Due to its back alley location this place only caters to the business lunch crowd and not open past 3pm.... Which is unfortunate because they would probably do well with a dinner crowd.
Its really hidden down the alley way off the beaten path, so its presence is not obvious but you'll find it by the smell. Somewhere within a few block radius you can smell the garlic guiding you and just follow that.... Lucky for me I work in the building next door right next to the little smoking enclave in the alleyway. No, I don't smoke but half my office does and I hate missing out on conversations so I take smoke breaks too. I have an important job though, I hold the matches and tell good stories. I never run out of stories.
Anyway, back to the restaurant. It has large windows so its always sunny in here, has nice high ceilings and sort feels like you're having lunch in your favorite Italian aunts kitchen.... no, I'm not Italian but was just trying to give you a visual. Its warm, inviting and smells really good...... my favorite things to get for lunch are the grilled salmon or the grilled chicken. Perfecto! We also ordered a few different pastas from here for matties birthday lunch a few months ago and everything is made fresh. Then because the owner of this restaurant occasionally takes smokes breaks with us, or loans us matches when I've forgotten to bring them down he always gives us tons of their fresh made bread. He loves us. Of course.
One of my top recommendations for lunch in the financial district. That is if you can find it... just follow your nose.Listed in: my top dining in SF
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Review from Drue C.
San Francisco, CA
9/26/2007
The first thing that struck me when arriving here was "Gosh, do I really have to walk into a dead end alley and go around the dumpster to enter this place?" It looked so odd that I actually walked around the corner to see if they had a front entrance.
Once I realized that indeed I would have to inhale a mixture of exhaust from the parking lot across the street and dumpsterific trash to get to this lunch spot I sucked it up, held my breath and ran for it.
I ran straight into a quaint table clothed restaurant which, oddly, requires you to go to a counter and order cafeteria style. It seemed wrong to me to put a plastic tray on a cloth table covering so my lovely lunch companion Matt Mills rolled his eyes at me, called me high maintenance and, like a true gentleman, took my tray away.
VERY quickly our food arrived. I could barely find the ravioli under the super dense creamy sauce it was swimming in. The menu said it was a spinach cream sauce, but unless they used some sort of invisible spinach I never did find any in the overabundance of sauce.
The pasta was cooked to the proper al dente consistency and the sauce, though there was enough of it to drown a small child, was tasty.
If you eat here do yourself a favor and pick a simple pasta with a light sauce, which does not have more than 3 ingredients. Perhaps this way they will not forget one of the main ingredients listed. -
Review from Kenn E.
San Francisco, CA
4/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
I came from Tokyo, where the Michelin guide 2009 gave 191 stars to 150 restaurants, including 11 restaurants with 3 stars.
Since I relocated to the Bay Area five years ago, and then moved to San Francisco recently, I've found really great restaurants - however only a handful per each category, there have always been wonderful restaurants - except Italian. Pasta, to be precise.
Oh boy, I've tried so many high-profiles like Delfina, Antica, etc. and never eaten a decent al dente. Seriously, I almost always get overboiled pasta (spaghetti and linguine, especially) even when I particularly asked to make it VERY chewy. I heard a story that American people go mad when they are served al dente because they think the pasta is undercooked, and the consequence is that cooks have eventually adapted themselves to such customers.
Those enormous numbers of cheap Italian restaurants in Japan served much better pasta. In fact, there's a Japanese slang for "harder" al dente - "Bari-kata".
Anyway, I finally found this place.
I ate Gamberetto Fettuccine - it was cooked to its perfection, "real al dente" in other words, couldn't be harder, couldn't be softer. My wife had Chicken Piccata, which was also tasty. Steamed vegetables are fresh and seasoned delicately. And all side items like soup, salad, bread (with butter, another +1), there's no room for downside. Considering all that excellence in execution, we couldn't decline the offer of dessert. And of course, the tiramisu followed our expectation.
I'd mention that the tomato cream sauce was a little bit heavy to my taste, but that's totally in acceptable range.
Last but not least, the price is super reasonable! $10 for dinner entree with salad or soup plus free drink? It's incredible. I'd pay $15 for the pasta alone! Definitely deserve 5 stars for that price.
If you care about fancy exterior or interior, go somewhere else. But if you're serious about authentic pasta and looking for GREAT taste, go try this place.
Oh btw, there was Giada De Laurentiis' book signing event in the city today, and that encouraged us to give another try with Italian. Big thanks to her. :) -
Review from pauline joy r.
San Francisco, CA
8/31/2010 1 Check-in Here
Most helpful tip: if you love Tiramisu, definitely try Pasta Bene's.
Thank you, fellow Yelpers, for pointing out how tucked away this restaurant is. Although a little hard to find, and hidden behind a bigger pasta venue, the interior of Pasta Bene is anything but cramped. The space itself feels relaxed, with high ceilings and ample space between tables. The atmosphere feels comfortable, and the staff makes one feel even more welcomed. A refuge from the business of the Financial District.
Atmosphere aside, the food itself was also welcoming. Each entree comes with your choice of beer or wine, and my complimentary red was smooth and such a treat. My group of four and I ordered bruschetta (4 slices of bruschetta antipasto), and mozzarella cheese with beefsteak tomatoes, anchovies, basil & olive oil (you get two, but the portions are thick and rich) as our appetizers. These were flavorful and savory, and I probably could have eaten more bruschetta (I'm such a fan!). I ordered the Chicken Parmigiana, which was a chicken breast sliced thinly and covered with Parmesan cheese. I prefer that the chicken be left thick, but the butterfly'd breast did help me savor my meal better. I also got a side of vegetables and pasta, which were also very tasty.
We ended the meal with an order of tiramisu, which is one of their two desserts. The owner told me that it was their house recipe, and definitely not to be missed out on. She was right. I love tiramisu, and the flavors were so delicate and savory at the same time. I really wished I could have ordered more!
This is a nice venue for a relaxed, more authentic Italian meal, and definitely worth the search. I really enjoyed my experience at Pasta Bene, and hope to return again to taste that delicious tiramisu. -
Review from Autumn K.
12/19/2007
This is some hangover food right here. These people know that we all live it up a little too much on the weeknights from time to time, and they are here for the sole purpose of greasing our vodka-soaked bellies and bringing us back to life. And at value prices!
If you find yourself contemplating locking your office door, crawling under your desk, and never seeking daylight again, just get yourself together and head to Pasta Bene. This is one cream and oil heavy menu. If you're Ed M, they may make you wait a lot longer than your friends had to wait. But if you were out til 3 a.m. and had to be at work at 9 and now you want to die, it will probably be worth it. Even the soup here is greasy. -
Review from stephy s.
San Francisco, CA
4/15/2008
Well, I must admit that I didn't know what to make of this place at first. I walked by the alley way that houses it a few weeks ago with a co-worker and we both did the collective, "Ummmm, no" and kept on walking. Today, another co-worker and I decided to grab some grub and I was craving some marinara and cheese lovin with a few carbs and thanks to him, I now know that love can be found in an alley.
(Not THAT kinda love, ya pervs!)
We walked in and it wasn't at all what I expected and I'm still at a slight loss for words on how to really capture the essence of the place via the written word, but it's kinda like an upscale cafeteria-y feel meets a nicer version of an Orange County hotel restaurant with some Pottery Barn thrown in for good measure.
As for the food, I went with the Chicken Parm with the side salad and a glass of SF's finest tap...water. The parm totally hit the spot and I liked the side of pasta as well. The breading is slightly lighter than most typical chicken parms, but I liked that and I don't have that heavy, oh my god, I just ate a big carb heavy Eye-talian meal feeling this afternoon which is a nice bonus.
I would definitely come back here for a cheap lunch and a chance to overhear men is suits say, "I'm gonna get in there and prime the pump if ya know what I'm sayin!" Hmmm, maybe it is alley lovin, what? -
Review from matthew r.
San Francisco, CA
3/19/2008
Pasta Bene is not really sure whether it wants to be a cafeteria or a sit down restaurant; I think they'll take your order whichever way you like. Just stand there and look confused and someone will seat you and offer to take your orders from the table if you don't feel like holding a tray.
They make a pretty tasty chicken ravioli, which is perfect for me since I'm off the wine and cake diet I mentioned a few weeks ago and I'm doing a 'things drenched in butter and cream' program now. Ask me about it sometime. -
Review from Jeff P.
Dublin, CA
5/26/2009
I will be honest, I do not like this place.
First off, Bene is in this little dirty alley way. Normally I don't mind alley ways but this one is extra scuzzy with a huge dumpster near the entrance. It's not really their fault, but it doesn't get me excited about food when the first thing I smell is rotting garbage.
The decor is fairly simplistic with white table clothes and minimalistic decorations. You order at the front and they bring the food out to your table. The food is ok but the service is where they really let you down. I have been here on several occasions where they mess up our order or people that get there after us get their food before us.
Needles to say I will not be coming back. -
Review from Mari A.
Concord, CA
12/7/2006
When the weather gets cold I crave pasta. Good pasta.
A chill place to sit down, relax a little and enjoy a great italian lunch with a friend in the middle of the work day. The great thing is I don't feel rushed, like a lot of lunch places, where it's super noisy and people keep looking at their watches, counting the ticking minutes before they have to head back to lunch. People at Pasta Bene actually sit down, enjoy food and conversation. It makes the workday a lot more pleasant. :o) -
Review from Quinn S.
12/19/2006
I just had lunch by myself at Pasta Bene. My lovely lunch buddy, Uttara had to eat with her in-laws, so I decided to venture into uncharted waters by myself. I will be dragging her back with me tomorrow.
Can I just say that I love alleys? At the end of a short alley off Kearny, this little Italian eatery is thriving, and for good reason. Tasty, fresh pasta, friendly service, decent prices, and a soothing, inviting interior.
I'll try not to overlap too much with the other reviews and just offer some advice: know the protocol. Walk in and to the right, get your tray, order mid counter, proceed to the left, take some bread and butter and cheese, pay the cashier, find a table, put your soup or salad on the table, leaving your number card on the tray, and enjoy. Someone will bring you your entre within a few minutes and take away the tray. Maybe it seems like common sense to most, but I kept wondering, "Where do I go next?"
Favorite features: 1. They don't look at you funny when you take a lot of bread and butter. 2. Their cream of mushroom soup actually is really yummy, despite what cream of mushroom soup is supposed to taste like. 3. The pasta comes fast, hot and soaked in sauce (I like having an abundance to sop up with bread). 4. High ceilings.
Update (3/39/07): I just had lunch at Pasta Bene and everything was so salty that nothing was finished. The cream of mushroom soup, the chicken parm, the linguine and even the gorgonzola salad were so heavily salted that I began to wonder if my taste buds were damaged, but Lauren S. was there to confirm my suspicion. Lay off the salt. Please.Listed in: Lunch Near the Office
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Review from Caroline C.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2007
Decent lunch fare. Ok selection of sandwiches, pastas, salads, soup and their daily specials. The restaurant is nice, spacious, airy and clean. I came here with a girl friend/old co-worker so that we could catch up on each others lives and gossip. If anything, this place is a good spot to talk, not too loud or overcrowded.
I ordered the veggie sandwich. It came with a salad. There was complimentary bread and you can take as much Parmesan cheese as you like. My friend order the penne pasta with meat balls.
I must say that my veggie sandwich was just ok. The bread was kind of hard. It had poppy seeds on it, which I'm not a big fan. Why? Because, only later in the day, do you realize that you've been walking around half the day smiling and chatting with a big black poppy seed stuck between you teeth! Ugh! So annoying! Anyways, the sandwich consisted of grilled zucchini, eggplant, peppers, tomato and lettuce. It appeared to have some red sauce on it. I think it could have been better, maybe softer bread, maybe some cheese, but it was decent. I don't know if my friend enjoyed her lunch but I think she did. Good indication: there was nothing left on her plate.
I think the next time I come here, I am gonna stick with the pasta. I've had their pasta dishes before, and I think that is where they excel. I guess that's why they are called "pasta bene" right? Pasta good!
Total: $22.00, 2 lunch entrees + tipListed in: Number of stars/Divide by…
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Review from Amy S.
Updated - 1/13/2010
Finally ate INside. Found it in the alleyway next to the parking lot.
Its a strange exterior but the smell of tomatoes and warm pasta once you open that door makes you forget the trek. Family owned and they are really friendly where you order.
I had the pasta bene and tried some of the rustica sausage from my sister's plate. Entree came with a salad or soup. The salad was really fresh and flavorful. Pasta was really filling and cooked perfect. I have heartburn as I write this--more of a happyburn!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/27/2009
We always get our office lunches catered from here.
Its pretty good. Fettucine is yum, lots of… Read more »
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Review from Andi T.
6/1/2009
This is a nice place to sit down and have a calm lunch in the FiDi. (WHY did they change it to "Barbary Coast" right after I got moved to SOMA? Why??) Anyway, back to Pasta Bene...
It's all very civilized. Yes, you have to order at the counter, cafeteria-style, but I bet you've not gotten such polite upscale service at any other cafeteria. The couple behind the counter treat you like a valued customer, and it feels nice.
Then, seat yourself at a table with a nice clean white tablecloth, and polite servers will bring you your meal. Catch up with friends, and enjoy. I wish they had more vegetarian options, but they're doing everything else right.Listed in: Veggie Lunch in the FiDi, Italian Restaurants I have…
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Review from Marsha Z.
San Francisco, CA
1/24/2010
My biggest gripe in the FiDi area is that while there are numerous places to lunch (so many, that I can't figure out where to eat half the time), they're all very average.
I've only been to Pasta Bene a handful of times in the several years that I've been working for various places downtown. It's hidden away in an alley, so I forget that it's even there (part of the appeal, I suppose). It's come to mind recently when I've had to figure out a place to catch up with friends over lunch. What they have over most nearby spots is the ability to dine in--that is, sit down and converse in a room that is able to hold groups of four in a reasonable amount of space, without looking like a cafeteria setting.
You order and pay at the counter, and your food is brought to you, maintaining that casual feel. What's great about this is that other than waiting for your food (which is not a long wait at all), you don't have to wait around for the check/have your table bussed, allowing you to get back to your cubby in time like a good lil lemming.
The food is good (again, average). With a side of bread and soup or salad to go with your pasta dish, it'll keep you stuffed till dinner. For about $12 and a place to hold down a conversation, 'stead of the grab n' go, it's not a bad deal at all.Listed in: The Requisite FiDi Lunch List
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Review from Shannon R.
San Francisco, CA
11/8/2006
Wow. So I feel like I just took a mini trip to Europe on my lunch break. Not bad! I don't know quite why this felt so unique to me-maybe because I'm used to eating at the food court in Crocker Galleria-but something about the location on a tucked away alley, the cream colored walls, the high ceilings, the mellow classical music...it was very stunning! I also encountered a lot of eateries of this same style when I lived in Europe-places that lack the formal, fine-dinning vibe, but serve food of that same exact caliber without fail. High class, high quality joints, basically, without the status factor...simple as that.
I went up to the counter in the back and ordered a creamy linguine dish, and they let me sub salmon for prosciutto, which I really appreciated (I am QUEEN of asking for subs in restaurants, since I am a pescatarian). Some places accommodate me really reluctantly, but at Pasta Bene, the guy taking my order (who I presume to be the owner or manager...super Italian and super nice) was thrilled to fix the dish with salmon with me! He even asked me if I wanted any additional subs or changes.
They have a buffet-style bread, butter, parmesan cheese and ice water set-up (i.e., as in as much as you want), and then they give you a side salad, complete with perfect tomatoes! A server then brought my pasta out to me at my table, and it was amazing...like my dream pasta dish, really...linguine, peas, sauted mushrooms, and salmon with a light cream sauce (the sauce could have used a bit more salt and garlic maybe? but I'm a big garlic whore.) The salmon was to die for...perfectly grilled to the point where it just flaked apart so tenderly. Very impressed with the whole meal, overall.
The price was steeper than what I am used to over at Crocker Galleria, needless to say, but I really enjoyed the experience. Anything that is reminiscent of my Euro lifestyle, I will certainly shell out a bit more dough than usual! And if you tend to prefer big meals, this will be your kind of place...I personally left with a doggie-bag, but I'm sure a lot of folks are fans or complete lunches that properly fuel them up for the afternoon...this place will do just that. -
Review from Betty S.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2010
Came here today for lunch with my sister and my co-worker from a recommendation from a friend. I was looking for a good, reasonably priced pasta place and I found one! It's at the end of this alleyway - but it wasn't a scary, dirty alleyway. It was clean! We walked in and looked at the menu and decided what we wanted. You have to walk up the counter and get your tray and utensils, then they take your order. Our entrees included a salad or soup which they give you then. Then you walk over to the cash register and pay (this is where you order your drinks). This is also where the grated Parmesan cheese and bread/butter is too. You then choose a table to sit at. Tables are nice, with white table cloths - very clean!
I got my order with salad. The salad was surprisingly really good. The dressing was this creamy italian dressing. Tasted homemade! I ordered the Rustica pasta - sausage with penne pasta in marinara sauce. My sister ordered the Pasta Bene which was veggies w/linguine in marinara sauce, and my co-worker ordered the chicken marsala which came with a side of pasta. My pasta was delicious! I tried some of my sister's and it was very flavorful as well.
Overall, we were all very happy with our food and very full! The portions are pretty good! Lunch is approx. $12 a person. Service here was really nice, I felt bad for that one waiter that was running around. He was nice enough to stop and help us take our picture despite how busy he was. This place was quick too! Esp. those that only have 1 hour for lunch! I'll be back here! -
Review from Steve W.
Foster City, CA
4/9/2010
Once I got past my comical first reaction, I really enjoyed this place. A coworker took us here, and I always know I'm in for a treat when going to restaurant in an alley, since it gets less foot traffic that other nearby restaurants, so it relies on word of mouth. The pasta is reasonably priced and tasty. I asked the cashier to suggest a wine to pair with it (which was a merlot), and it was a great wine and a good pairing.
Yes, I said "cashier" as for a nice sit-down restaurant with tableclothes and all that, you have to take a tray, stand in line, and order at the counter. Putting the tray on the tableclothed table felt odd, but then again, the lack of a waitstaff translates to fast service at reasonable prices.
FYI, during dinner time, a drink is free, so I'll have to return for dinner some time. -
Review from Miriam W.
8/12/2006
A little oasis of calm in the FiDi. I dig that it's in the back of an alley to which you can escape for an hour at lunch. Lots of selection - I'll definitely be back!
Special thanks to the men of Yelp(Michael, Nish & Neil) for this find! -
Review from wendy h.
3/24/2008
Was looking for a cheap place that sells Italian food for lunch. Looked over Belden Place but couldn't bring myself to pay a lot of money for pasta.
Found Pasta Bene on Yelp! My friend and I went here. It seems that they sort of did away w/ the cafeteria tray experience because the nice waiter sat us down and handed us the menus.
I ordered the Chicken Parmigina and my friend had the chicken marsala. Both came w/ a yummy house salad. The portions were more than enough. Had the strawberries and cream for dessert. My friend ordered the tiramisu. Dessert was great too.
Service was fast and efficient.
Minus one star for the unisex bathroom. When I went in, I saw the toilet cover down. I flipped it open and was met with a bowl full of urine. Pressing the handle to flush didn't work either. I had to bypass the bathroom until I got back to work. Yuck, PB, please fix your bathroom.
Otherwise, it was a wonderful experience!Listed in: Mmm Good..., FiDi Food
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Review from Hui C.
San Francisco, CA
Very good food and amazing prices. Especially for dinner!
The owners, a nice couple, recently started serving dinner here. As the FiDi dies down pretty quickly, there aren't too many customers at night. They have entrees in the $10-$13 range and all include salad/soup and a drink (beer or wine)!
I hope more people will discover this place for dinner.
