A light in suburgatory - Pasta Pane (Clifton Park)
Clifton Park gets discussed on this Board as a culinary wasteland filled with family friendly chains. There's a light in suburgatory and I've been back to Pasta Pane AGAIN. Not a fan of Chianti and never been to Forno.
Went recently. Started with the warm bread and EVOO. Had the rice balls appetizer. Large portion of 6 rice balls (took half home). Very good. Also had the prix fixe dinner. Started with the grilled bread with ricotta, leeks and roasted tomatoes. Delicious. I will replicate this dish at home.
Had the chicken with eggplant and roasted tomatoes. It was good. I like the pollo funghi better. Have not tried their pastas or pizza yet.
Unlike Bellini's, Pasta Pane's espresso is hot. Excellent service, thanks to Chris.
More on Pasta Pane here:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/784563
PS Only downside of the open kitchen is when I left my clothes smelled like food . . .
By financialdistrictresident
on Oct 7, 2011 03:41 AM
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We should stop dissing the culinary opportunities in Clifton Park; restaurants of every ethnicity now offer decent chow in every category, although none stands out. But Pasta Pane does provide good dining in a niche that hasn't existed for a while, maybe since the Dater Tavern closed; a convivial, upscale spot with a decent kitchen, good bar and winelist. Pasta Pane provides some of the pleasures of Chianti at a lower price-point; its menu lacks the depth of its Saratoga elder sibling. It's certainly the best cocktail bar between Latham and Saratoga Springs; Zecchini chose the location well, decorated it in his inimitable way, seems to provide careful management. An excellent reason to get of the Northway at Exit 9.
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Got my DZ card.
Been back to Pasta Pane and tried their pizza (long pizza thread):
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/622265
Affordable and very good in CP :)
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we were back there this weekend and as usual had a fine meal. a new salad item was very good and refreshing; arugula with a lemon vinaigrette, crumbled goat cheese, candied pecans, dried cranberries and sliced apples. it's so good having a place like this within 5 minutes of home.
on a related note, dz is planning on opening a tapas place next year hopefully in time for track season.
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davmar77, Boca Bistro ETA is later this month:
http://www.bocabistro.com/
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Went to Pasta Pane for an early dinner recently.
Started with a half dinner, some kind of special they have during Happy Hour. I had shrimp with eggplant (more like a caponata on top of the shrimp), zucchini and roasted potatoes on the side. The zucchini was cooked perfectly. I passed on the roasted potatoes and only had one slice of their warm baked bread.
I also had their pasta fagioli with kale and hot pepper flakes. Very healthy. A few bites were a little salty for me. The polenta with rosemary and fontina side was enough for 4. Very good.
My favorite dinner place in CP. Great service (thanks, Chris), good value. Fresh & delicious.
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it's been our go to place for a while now. nice and close and consistent. we need to meet up there! the roasted shrimp app with artichokes is one of my favorite items there. it makes a nice main dish with a side pf pasta too.
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