Basta!

After some back and forth, decided to stop at this little gem and definitely happy we did. Our bar tender/server Andy brought the personality along with amazing dishes! Stopped in for brunch recommend the Cannoli French Toast and the Rose Hibiscus Mimosas.

In a city where good service is sorely lacking, I’ve had nothing but great service at Basta. The open design of the bar is nice and fun to sit at. They’ve got a really good espresso martini happy hour and it’s worth checking out if you’re in the area. The dinner menu has been hit or miss for me though the brunch menu is solid.

Y'all you gotta go see the bartender, Andy. Talk about making it a great experience. Super attentive, made great recommendations. Andy recommended the short rib hash and cannoli toast. Presentation was perfect and the food was just amazing! I plan on going back to see Andy before we had back to Tampa.

This Italian restaurant was a delightful find! It offers both indoor and outdoor seating. We opted for a table outside, near the Piazza because a musician was playing and we wanted to listen to the music. We were seated quickly, and the service was prompt. We started with The Meatball (one single meatball) and the Bone Marrow Garlic Bread. Although the meatball comes with sourdough, the garlic bread with the extra sauce from the meatball is a highly recommended combo! The Rigatoni Alla Vodka was the star of the meal though. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the sauce was creamy with the right amount of spice, making it my personal favorite dish. To drink, the Keep it Classic was wonderful. It is an espresso martini with a hint of cinnamon sprinkled on top. Overall, this place is a gem in Little Italy—great food, lively atmosphere, and a perfect spot for a casual yet memorable dining experience.

Our party of 4 had a reservation for a Tuesday night and got seated outside. I absolutely loved the vibe of our outdoor table being close to a live singer in the middle of the plaza singing Frank Sinatra songs. It was a nice surprise that they offer a Date Night deal on Tuesdays where each couple pays $65 for 2 glasses of wine, 2 pastas, and 1 affogato for dessert. Tuesday was also their Shrimp Scampi Pasta special day but unfortunately, they ran out of it by the time that we ordered. -Bone Marrow Garlic Bread ($12): I imagined it to be served with an actual bone marrow but it was just infused in the butter/garlic. The spread was rich and tasty on the bread. Super great flavor. -Crispy Cacio E Pepe ($12): crispy gnocchi served with aioli— perfect to share -Wild Mushroom Pappardelle ($26): very creamy with a good amount of mushrooms -Rigatoni Alla Vodka ($20) add meatball ($8): portion was just right and enjoyed the sauce. -Deconstructed Canoli: for dessert, try this out! I forgot what it was called exactly since our server just listed out what desserts were available. Our server was very attentive and brought our food out pretty quickly. I really enjoyed the vibes and the food here at Basta. The date night deal was a such a steal and I’d love to come back here again!

Great find for a lovely dinner in San Diego. Service: Walked in without a reservation and had a fabulous experience. The bartender offered me my choice of seats (it was not busy when i arrived) and brought water and took my order right away. Food was promptly served and hot. Food: The menu is well thought out with enticing specials and a great beer and wine list to go with. The meatballs are little balls from heaven. Their desserts are scrumptious and indulgent.

Such a great experience at Basta! Great location such good food. Nice cocktails and the service was amazing. We went on a Wednesday and there was live music in the Piazza. They even sang happy birthday to my friend (reason we were there). Definitely a must if by the little Italy piazza!

Food was amazing! Everything was shareable which was nice for those who eat off others plates. Lance (our server) was very attentive and really seemed to love his job. Highly recommend!

Great place especially for outdoor dining in little Italy without feeling claustrophobic like some of the other places in this area. I liked enjoying hustle bustle of the area dining right next to the beautiful fountain. Food is delicious and freshly made.

Went there in January and the food was awesome. I had the chicken pasta. I didn't realize this was owned by Sam the Cooking Guy. Great service in a centrally located spot in Little Italy. Sadly, I came back in Feb and found out STCG got out of the restaurant business! I don't blame him, restaurant biz is tough. He's got the YT channel and merch. I'll miss the restaurants. NNT was fun and had great food.

Basta is hands-down one of my new favorite spots in Little Italy! From the moment you walk in, you can feel the energy of the place--it's vibrant, welcoming, and just the right mix of casual and upscale. The bar team is absolutely fantastic. They're skilled, attentive, and clearly know their craft. Whether you're in the mood for a classic cocktail or something creative, they've got you covered. And if you're lucky enough to visit on a Saturday during the farmers market, their bottomless mimosas are the perfect pairing for a laid-back day in Little Italy. The indoor-outdoor bar setup is a total vibe. The space flows effortlessly, and the fire pits add a cozy touch, making it a great spot whether you're there for a sunny afternoon or a chill evening out. Basta delivers on all fronts: great drinks, a killer atmosphere, and an unbeatable location. It's perfect for everything from brunch with friends to an evening cocktail by the fire. Definitely a must-visit!

Decided to visit Basta before a night out in SD! Food: 4/5 + Spaghetti Bolognese + Wild Mushroom Pappardelle + Braised Short rib The pasta was divine! I personally liked the papparadelle over the bolognese (I feel like there could have been bigger portions) as the creamy truffle sauce perfectly paired with the fresh noodle and mushroom. To my disappointment, the braised short rib was cold when we tried it :( In addition, they told us from the beginning that Basta was tapas style and their pasta sizes are larger than normal but to be honest I thought it was regular size. For our party of 4, we ended up ordering another papparadelle to make us full. Overall, however, I feel for its price point and quality of food, it was well worth it but there's just some clarity that needs to be addressed on how they advertise portion size, as well as service. Service: 3/5 Ambience wise, Little Italy checks all the boxes with gorgeous night lights, ambience, and bustling patios. It was so amazing getting to walk around the plaza after dinner and see the views SD had to offer and the cute, quaintness of Little Italy. That being said, I didn't love the service here. 2 of us in our party didn't receive water until the rest of our meal arrived, while the rest of the girls actually received drinks. Maybe the restaurant was understaffed but I think it really downplayed the quality of this establishment which could have easily gotten 5 stars in my book. In addition, as I mentioned above, our braised short rib was slightly cold when we arrived; I think staff should ensure that food is served hot and on time because I think since the rest of the dishes were served hot, it was possible the dish was sitting out for a while before being served to us. As always in a big city, parking is a nightmare. I recommend using valet nearby which approximately costs $15.

I stopped by after getting a massage nearby and I was very relaxed and hungry at the same time. I started off with a cocktail because drinking after a massage is always a good way to further relax the mind. I got the Pear Whisper with gin, pear, egg white, simple syrup and lemon. I loved it. It was well balanced between sweet and tart and delicious. I also had the bone marrow garlic bread and wild mushroom pappardelle. The bread arrived hot and the spread was rich, buttery and a little savory. It was divine. The pasta was also good. It was surprisingly not heavy with an earthy taste. It was satisfying, but not the best pasta dish I've eaten. Service was quick, friendly and attentive. It was also a Monday evening so the restaurant was not full. The ambiance is bright and lively. Overall, I enjoyed this dinner experience.

My friends and I ordered two penne a la vodkas and a braised short rib bowl, & a Caesar salad to share. The environment was very nice, right in the middle of Little Italy and it was very lively on the weekend. The staff were also very personable and helpful. Overall we spent $145 on 3 dishes, a salad, and 3 drinks (with one of them being from the happy hour menu), which I think is a bit steep for the quality & quantity. However, we did enjoy our time and I personally liked the OJ mimosa. I'd definitely recommend to try this place during happy hour to save some $!

Loveeee how fun this place is! In the heart of of Little Italy, this place is a great spot to eat to be able to walk around the neighborhood before/after. For Saturday night dinner at 6:30 pm, there was no wait for table for 2. The pasta was slightly too al dente for my taste but the flavor was on point. The crispy gnocchi is a must. The salad was very hearty that we took the leftovers to go. Get the spritz flight!! It is such a fun way to share drinks.

We had reservations for a Sunday dinner but the restaurant wasn't too crowded so you could probably do a walk-in. The space itself is a decent size albeit more on the smaller side but there is some additional outdoor seating. It's located right in the main Little Italy piazza. The Crispy Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi was nicely crispy and a good starter to the meal. It comes with a Cacio e Pepe dip which paired nicely. Not sure if I would consider this "Gnocchi" but still a very good and approachable dish. The "Your New Favorite Salad" was amazing! It had a great savoriness to it and there were so many tasty elements to it. There were mushrooms, butternut squash, brussel sprouts (shaved down vs. served whole/halved), cous cous, etc). This is a must starter to get in my opinion. We also got the 2 pastas. The Wild Mushroom Parpadelle was not overly rich and had a nice balance to it. The sauce+noodles reminded me of a beef stroganoff. The sauce texture was gravy-like and the noodles were flat and robust. The flavor wasn't overly truffle-y, the noodles were great, and overall I really liked it. I also loved the Rigatoni Alla Vodka! I love vodka sauce and they did it well here. The noodles were nice and al dente too. My only mistake was adding the meatball. The meatball wasn't my favorite. This biggest issue was there were large chunks of onions in it which dominated both the flavor and texture when I bit into it. I'd recommend passing on the meatball but definitely get this pasta.

I had been seeing this spot on my dog walks and what caught my eye was the weekly special sign. I was particularly zeroed in on the Wednesday night item which was the oxtail lasagna. I went on two separate occasions. They were just starting up their brunch and I was a lil hungry so I decided to give it a try. They embrace my little doggy and brought him a little bowl for water. The waiter and hostess were so nice and welcomed me with smiles. For brunch, I decided to do the short rib hash and the passion fruit bottomless mimosa. They bring out the bottle and the mixer separate so you have to mix it yourself. And I was able to take the bottle home since I didn't finish it. The short rib hash came out pretty quick but it was really good and saucy. The potato's were cooked well with a nice crisp. However, I don't feel like there was enough short rib for the price. It was very deceptive with the sauce covering the dish but my bites with short rib were very minimal. The flavor was there though. Just beware they don't like changes to the dish as they would cook my egg differently so it came poached but it was still good. My second occasion, I came back for the Wednesday night special with my friend. We did the charcuterie board and oxtail lasagna. We also did the happy hour menu for drinks. All of the items on the board were pretty good, especially when you get them all in one bite. lol the meat was a little tough but full of flavor and I loved the cute little pickles. The lasagna was actually pretty good as well but I do have one critique which it was a little dry. They put a dab of sauce on the side but I feel like more should have been on top or in between the layers. I think there was a good portion meat in the dish so no complaints there. The atmosphere on both occasions was laid back and gives off a really nice chill vibe after work or for dinner. There seems to be entertainment in the courtyard which there was an amazing saxophone player/singer for Wednesday night.

My family and I came across Basta on a Saturday night because they did not have a wait and they were able to seat us right away. And it was a good idea we chose this place :) Service was great here and the waitress explained to us that that the food was meant to be shared, which we were all really cool with. Though portion sizes aren't huge, I'm glad my family and I were still able to share the 5 dishes we ordered and be quite satisfied. We ordered the Bone Marrow Garlic Bread, Your New Fave Salad, Crudo, Rigatoni Alla Vodka, and Wild Mushroom Pappardelle. Each dish came out one by one and it was cool how we all got to try it at the same time and share what we thought about it; definitely a unique experience. I enjoyed both entrees and the pasta was cooked perfectly. Though it is a bit pricey for the amount of food they give, I definitely enjoyed my dinner at Basta!

Our party of 4 had a reservation for a Tuesday night and got seated outside. I absolutely loved the vibe of our outdoor table being close to a live singer in the middle of the plaza singing Frank Sinatra songs. It was a nice surprise that they offer a Date Night deal on Tuesdays where each couple pays $65 for 2 glasses of wine, 2 pastas, and 1 affogato for dessert. Tuesday was also their Shrimp Scampi Pasta special day but unfortunately, they ran out of it by the time that we ordered. -Bone Marrow Garlic Bread ($12): I imagined it to be served with an actual bone marrow but it was just infused in the butter/garlic. The spread was rich and tasty on the bread. Super great flavor. -Crispy Cacio E Pepe ($12): crispy gnocchi served with aioli-- perfect to share -Wild Mushroom Pappardelle ($26): very creamy with a good amount of mushrooms -Rigatoni Alla Vodka ($20) add meatball ($8): portion was just right and enjoyed the sauce. -Deconstructed Canoli: for dessert, try this out! I forgot what it was called exactly since our server just listed out what desserts were available. Our server was very attentive and brought our food out pretty quickly. I really enjoyed the vibes and the food here at Basta. The date night deal was a such a steal and I'd love to come back here again!

Had a great experience last night going out for a solo dinner. Sat at the bar. My server was extremely friendly and helpful. I ordered the chicken marsala. The portion was definitely enough for two meals and was a great choice The marsala sauce was perfect and the chicken was very filling. I'll definitely be back to order more things from the menu

So grateful for the manager here who made our celebration so easy and lovely. They customized the menu, made adjustments as I requested and opened up early after our church service memorial. All food was delicious- quiches, fruit/cheese tray, salad, pastries etc. It's a warm versatile setting for your gatherings and casual dinners. Highly recommend checking out this restaurant for any celebration. Ask for Ashley! She's fantastic

A group of 4 of us came on a Saturday night for dinner. We had reservations because we were worried about the wait time, but there were plenty of tables available. Our server was kind & friendly. Their plates are meant for family style & to try different items. My boyfriend and I shared the Rigatoni Alla Vodka, and added a meatball for $8. The pasta sauce was delicious! We could've went without the meatball, which was nothing really special for the price and proportion size to be honest. We also shared the Salmone Alla Gemma, which was smoked salmon that came with a DIY lettuce wrap. I enjoyed the sweet vinaigrette it was served with to dip in. This was super tasty! Our table also shared the bone marrow garlic bread as an appetizer. The butter was rich, garlicky & tasty! The bread was served warm & was good quality sourdough however the loaf was way smaller than expected. Our waiter told us we could buy another loaf of broad for $3, so we did that to use the remainder of our butter. Overall, a tasty meal & a good pick if you're in Little Italy!

We had made a reservation for 8 people but only 2 people ended up showing up. The waiter took us right in and seated us with a smile. He took our order and accommodated dishes based on our needs. The vodka pasta was for the win. We ended up coming back the next day for a second time before our flight. Highly recommend this location and it's in the heart of Little Italy. The server brings food out as soon as it is made. The serving size of the food can be increased a little. The seating and ambiance on the street was amazing. You had restaurant right next to each other. There was street parking which took sometime to find. The garage parking is about $30 for like 2 hours. Reasons for Rating: +1 Excellent location and parking +1 Food taste really good +1 Customer service +1 Interior/atmosphere +1 Would return/recommend others

Came here to wait out the waitlist for morning glory and honestly I'm very glad I got to try this place!! The cacio pepe gnocchi (4/5) was great. The spritz flight (4/5) turned out perfect for us because we each ended up liking different flavors :) overall will come back here and try more from the menu :)

Princess was super friendly, the vibe was perfect for a Sunday solo outing, and the food/drinks were delicious!!!! #YourNewFavoriteSalad #EspreessoMartini (w/tequila)

Basta has potential as the new-kid on the piazza. Pros: good food, specials, great locations. Needs work: service can be a little sporadic. I think this will improve over time. The staff are all quite friendly however, which is good. Ambiance-- Nice for people watching on the piazza, low key environment.

Absolutely loved this place! Laid back atmosphere, great happy hour value, and delicious pasta with a good size serving. Can't beat it! Service was attentive and quick. They also have reward points. Will definitely be back next time I'm in town.

Sam The Cooking Guy has changed the concept at this corner suite in the Piazza Della Famiglia of Little Italy into a full-service Italian restaurant. Basta! (enough!) opened at the beginning of this month with a menu that focused on small dishes. I counted 15 offerings that seemed to be listed in random order. Prices ranged from $12 (e.g. Bone Marrow Garlic Bread) up to $36 (e.g. Cheese + Charcuterie). The more intiguing options were on the Weekly Menu + More that listed daily (weekday) specials, a beer menu, and happy hour deals. I settled on The Meatball and the Italian Chicken + Waffles for my meal. A blend of pork and beef was used to make the meatball which was dressed with fresh herbs, breadcrumbs, and parmesan. It was served in marinara sauce with a couple of pieces of sourdough bread. The flavor was fine, but the disappointment was the $14 cost for just one meatball of baseball size. There needed to be two pieces or a much larger single meatball if the price was going to exceed $10. Roasted chicken sliced into several portions was dressed with lemon, capers, onions, and olives for the second item. Three pieces of polenta waffle were provided on the side. The chicken was very moist as the juices kept the meat succulent. What was missing in this dish was a sweet component to make it feel like a true chicken and waffles. Maple syrup, molasses, or honey was needed to counter the dryness of the waffles. This should be a simple enhancement. The open air setup was conducive to watching people mill about the plaza and fountain area, especially if you choose to sit on the outdoor front patio. The waiter did an adequate job of servicing my table. I do wonder about the pricing though as the neighborhood is teeming with competition. That was a factor in why I limited my rating of Basta! to under four stars.

Brunch was so delicious! Cannot recommend the veggie frittata and short rib hash enough! Definitely come here and definitely try both, you won't be disappointed!

I visited this restaurant on New Year's Eve for an 8:30 pm reservation, which I had booked a week in advance. We arrived 15 minutes early, but the experience started poorly. No one greeted us for over 15 minutes, so my partner had to go inside and speak to the bartender, who said someone would assist us shortly. It took several more minutes before we were finally seated, even though the restaurant wasn't that busy. Once seated, the server informed us that several menu items were unavailable, including what I wanted to order. While I tried to stay positive, service continued to lag. We ordered drinks, but they sat at the bar for a while before being brought to us. I ended up ordering a Caesar salad and focaccia bread, while my husband got the spaghetti. The salad and bread were the highlights of the meal--both were excellent. Unfortunately, the spaghetti was underwhelming, though the meatball was tasty. Overall, I was disappointed. I chose this restaurant for what I hoped would be a great dinner, but the lackluster service and underwhelming food didn't live up to expectations. Sadly, I won't be returning.

4.5/5: There was a date night special today and 3 of us got that which included 2 glasses of wine and 2 pastas + affogato and we added another dish and wine. We sat outside and it was nice as sun was setting and a singer started singing later. It was a nice ambiance. Our waiter was great too! I enjoyed the salad and both people loved the pastas which were ok for me. I had their blended wine which I enjoyed as well. The affogato was delicious!

Food was very good! Love the shareable entrees. The environment was very friendly. Definitely a great place to eat when in Little Italy. Would recommend if you're looking for great pasta.

Oh my gosh.... This place is so good.... Wonderful service and great food. Little Italy is a great place and their farmers market has everything

I visited Basta a couple of weeks ago on a Friday for happy hour. The happy hour drink selection was a bit limited, with only two types of wine on special. They also had a happy hour food menu, and we decided to try the crispy gnocchi and the charcuterie board. The crispy gnocchi was a bit of a miss for us. The sauce it came with was overly salty, which really overpowered the dish. However, our bartender was super friendly and accommodating--when we asked for a side of marinara sauce, he went out of his way to get it for us. The gnocchi tasted much better with the marinara, and we ended up enjoying it more. The charcuterie board was definitely the highlight. The prosciutto was cut fresh, and the rest of the selection was delicious. Overall, our experience was good, mainly due to the excellent service. However, based on the two appetizers we tried, I'm not sure I'd return to explore the rest of the menu. The food was just okay, but the friendly service definitely made our visit worthwhile.

Cute Italian spot that recently opened in Little Italy. Came for An early dinner on a Friday evening with the kids. Excellent service and very accommodating off the kids. It was super windy and they only had outdoor seating, but plentiful heat lamps to keep everyone warm. Food was good but nothing outstanding. Would definitely recommend coming by for a fun dinner! Parking was quite difficult but we found a lot for $20 nearby.

I came for the happy hour which is M-F 4-5pm and it was such a great deal where espresso martinis were $5!! I also got the crispy cacio e pepe gnocchi on happy hour which was pretty much a fried gnocchi with cacio e pepe dipping sauce which was delicious with the crispy exterior but pillowy softness inside. I also ordered the rigatoni all vodka and wanted another plate of the pasta dish because the cream-based tomato sauce was sooo addictive!! As for the ambiance, it's in the heart of the Little Italy food hall area where we enjoyed sitting outside to people-watch. Staff was friendly and attentive, checking in on us often. Place felt clean and well-managed. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience here.

This place is new, sadly the Italian food sucked. I wouldn't come back. I'm from nyc and this place was not good! We started with the fried gnocchi - my god the salt on this thing was insane and it came with a sauce which was also super salty. Had the vodka pasta which was a total disappointment. I make way better. Lastly , had spaghetti in red sauce which was decent. That was the saving grace. I don't understand why it's so hard to make good Italian food on the west coast.

We came here on Tuesday night for dinner and all of the staff was so accommodating and kind! Sabrina was an excellent server and we enjoyed the live music playing in front of the water fountain. They had coloring books and crayons for my kids and my kids enjoyed their butter noodles dish very much. The happy hour menu was also awesome. All of the pasta dishes were delicious - we enjoyed the Shrimp scampi, Rigatoni all vodka, Short rib pasta, and Wild Mushroom pasta. We will definitely be back! Thanks Basta!

Sam the Cooking Guy's newest restaurant (previously Graze) located in Little Italy across from the food hall. They have a killer happy hour special featuring $5 espresso martinis. The rigatoni alla vodka was delicious. Loved the bone marrow butter and the crispy caccio e pepe had a nice texture. Friendly staff and perfect for patio dining this summer.

Cute little spot in Little Italy. My daughter was recently here so this time we went together. Very limited menu. But tasty food. My favorite of what we had was the Ricotta Tortellini. Tasted refreshing with the citrus sauce. Least favorite was the steak tartare. I typically love it, so was disappointed when I had this one. Hoping maybe it was just a bad batch. ??? Our server, Miho, was awesome. When we were settling up, he noticed we barely touched the tartare and asked if we didn't like it. I told him it tasted a bit off. I really did want to like it but just couldn't. Seriously bummed about that. In any case, he had it removed from our bill. Such a nice gesture from him and the restaurant. I'll be back for sure. Plus the ambiance. You sit on the patio, hear some music and people watch. Thanks Basta!

Service was okay and the food was too. I'm sure their regular menu has better options but the preset valentines menu was not the best. Wouldn't have cared about the bad service if the food made up for it.

Newly opened a week ago! It's right in the heart of little Italy and the location of the restaurant is right by the little Italy fountain. The food is all share style and they have a full bar! Loved the ambience and perfect for outdoor seating. Service is really great as well. We ordered 3 dishes Crispy gnocchi: 12/10. Ricotta ravioli. 7/10. Comes with herb and cream oil which I didn't love... Fingerling Potatoes: 4/10. I'm not a fan of smoked flavor but I can take some of it. The potatoes had overpowering smoked flavor. Although the yogurt dressing was really good! I would come back just for drinks and the gnocchi!

Good happy hour drinks but the food was just ok. Nothing I would go back for. Location is nice and there's a nice patio but I wish we would have eaten across the street.

Absolutely a great place for pasta! I had the Monday special (spaghetti with meatball) and the Italian soda - the pasta was al Dante and so flavorful. The Italian soda was not too sweet but had good amount of blood orange that I could taste. Lance was also super attentive and gave great suggestions to my dish choices. I will be back for more and can't wait to try their signature dishes!

It was my family and I's first time visiting San Diego and we came here hoping for a nice dinner, but unfortunately, the experience fell flat right from the start. It took over 20 minutes just to get water and have our order taken, and that set the tone for the rest of the evening. The staff seemed disorganized and inattentive, and there was no apology or acknowledgment of the delay. The two blonde female servers sat by the bar and entrance on their phones chatting it up while we sat and waited for an acknowledgment. By the time we finally got our drinks and food, it was hard to enjoy the meal given how frustrating the service had been. I think it's important to note that these two servers left immediately after we were served by someone else. For a restaurant in this price range and in this particular neighborhood, we expected far better. The food itself was good, but the poor service overshadowed everything else. We won't be coming back anytime soon.

We recently had about 40 people at Basta for a Happy Hour for our Little Italy Pickleball group. I worked with Ashley, the GM and was again impressed with her and her team. Our group was impressed with all aspects of the night. Basta created a special menu for us, hosted a tequila tasting and provided a great night for our group. The food, drinks and service were all top notch! Basta also had partnered with the San Diego Blood bank on the same day and a number our our members were happy to be able to give back to our community prior to our evening.

Just open 3 weeks ago and must try ! Food was delicious ! We tried the ricotta pasta and gnocchi I would also recommend their Cocktails and wines ! Will come back !

Amazing Food with great outdoor atmosphere on the patio. Service was exceptional. And had the opportunity to meet The Magnificent Sam " The Cooking Guy" Zein, who has his own YouTube Channel(a must see).

Thank you to Ashley & her team at Basta for making our happy hour event so magical. Ashley was amazing to work with and she ensured that all details were handled ahead of time. She made our event flow smoothly and successfully. It was a perfect evening with the space around the firepit, salsa dancing in the piazza, and a full Moon as the backdrop. Miho & Frankie were so great and attentive. Looking forward to coming back.

I went to Basta recently and it was amazing. The service was funny and helpful. It was also in a really peaceful area with easy walking access and a relaxing atmosphere. The waitress explained that the food was meant to be shared, which was true and was a good experience. First, we ordered the meatball and also sardines. The meatball was spicy and savory with some crunchy bread. The sardines were really good. I then ordered spaghetti bolognese and rigatoni alla vodka. The spaghetti bolognese was creamy and spicy. It was also a little sour too and a perfectly sized serving for three of us. There was also a little meat on it which was prepared well. Additionally, the rigatoni alla vodka was amazing. It had a distinct tomato flavor and was extremely creamy. The breadcrumbs which covered the creamy pasta added a nice crunch to it. This was my favorite dish here. Overall, I enjoyed eating here. The service was really funny and nice and the food was great

Pasta was terrific. Place is small but had a great atmosphere. We had multiple courses and drinks and really enjoyed our time.

So great, we had to return the following night! Day 1: We really really really love Italian food. We are super picky ( not the same as good taste lol) Home run Basta! We specifically came her for the Thursday special PORCHETTA!!! Life changing...I felt so lucky to experience this dish. Not only for the perfect flavors, but the abundance. I started with a beautiful pear/Gin concoction, and the hubs had a beer. The bartender was super slammed, but the wait was not long, though the manager actually apologized, which was thoughtful. I mention this because our bartender Mo, served this drink with such attentiveness to detail, made eye contact, and did not rush us, despite the crowds. He really made us feel like our experience was his priority. Our starter was the bone marrow garlic bread. The focaccia did not have the texture that I was used to for authentic focaccia (one of my death row meal requests) but that's on me, since the difference was the crunchiness that is added when you serve it like a garlic bread. The bone marrow dip was really fantastic. This meal was the stuff that food dreams are made of. Day 2: Well, how could we not return the very next night? We visited specifically for the Friday Cioppino special. Nailed it again! We shared the beautifully prepared broth, with generous seafood portions. Mo mastered the classic Gin Martini, that I requested with lighter vermouth, lemon twist & blue cheese stuffed olives. It was a master piece! A few things that really stood out for me here: The staff really seemed to pull together during a busy Friday night, and despite the crowds, both the bartender (Can you tell we love Mo?) and the manager, went out of their way to check in with diners, and ask about our experience. This was a quality focused establishment. Oh, we will definitely be back, as there are more things on the menu that intrigue us, and when vacationing, a memorable meal, where you re treated like royalty, is always a pleasant surprise!

A cute new restaurant with tasty dishes and cocktails! Plus the location is in the heart of Little Italy. My friends and I came here for happy hour and loved or cocktails and charcuterie we ordered. We will definitely be back!

Great food & amazing espresso martinis, excellent service at the bar, cool layout & neat artwork. Also live music just beyond the perimeter of the patio, Frank Sinatra songs mostly since it's in Little Italy. Also took an extra cocktail with me to-go after dinner & sipped on it in the piazza while the band finished their set.

Frankie was awesome! Super attentive and had great recommendations. This spot was great for people watching as well!

I came for a friends birthday and we were really disappointed. The food was average. Meatball was cold. The mussels were tiny and not great. The gnocchi was dry. The mushroom pasta was good. The bread was dry. The service was not good. We were one of two tables in entire restaurant and we told them we were celebrating a birthday and we were ignored for a good hour. Empty waters, empty drinks. We finally asked if he forgot about us and he said no I just saw you were chilling. He brought the check without offering or mentioning dessert. Never offered us a round of drinks. Not coming back.

This place is amazing! So thoughtful! Came with a bachelorette party and Sam brought us out a champagne toast for our Bride while we were waiting for our reservation for brunch! Will definitely keep Basta! On our Brunch list for our next trip to San Diego!