Pasta Plus Restaurant

Northern Italian restaurant · Laurel

Pasta Plus Restaurant

Northern Italian restaurant · Laurel

1

209 Gorman Ave, Laurel, MD 20707

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Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null
Pasta Plus Restaurant by null

Highlights

Popular, family-owned restaurant serving housemade pastas, pizza & Italian fare in a simple setting.  

Featured in Eater
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209 Gorman Ave, Laurel, MD 20707 Get directions

pastaplusrestaurant.com

$$ · Menu

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209 Gorman Ave, Laurel, MD 20707 Get directions

+1 301 498 7878
pastaplusrestaurant.com
pastaplusrestaurantandmarket

$$ · Menu

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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"After 40 years, Laurel’s Pasta Plus is closing its doors. No reason was given for the closure, but 'a week ago, the restaurant said they were closed because of staffing shortages as some of their employees were awaiting COVID-19 test results,' reports ABC7. The beloved restaurant was known for its warm hospitality and a lengthy menu that covered everything from fresh ravioli (and many, many other pasta dishes) to paninis and cold sandwiches to meats, seafood, and Italian cakes and other desserts." - Tierney Plumb

Shaw’s Late-Night Fried Chicken Shack Roy Boys Will Close This Month - Eater DC
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Dave H

Google
Very good pizza. Manicotti is also delicious. Definitely recommend. Currently only open 4-7, Wednesday for carry out only.

Christina Lopenzo

Google
The food is so good and I've never had a bad experience. The pasta tastes fresh and everything comes out nice and hot. It gets VERY busy so sometimes the line is long but it's always worth the wait.

Adinah Hull

Google
So sad that they are out of business, or so it seems on their website. I have so many memories of going to lunch there with my "work" best friend. The food is amazing, never disappointed--until they closed.

Amanda Persad

Google
The food here is incredible. We did t have to wait long for a table and the service is great and homey. Perfect for any occasion and reasonably priced. The portions are amazing. We paid $70 for an app, two entrees, dessert, and coffee. I’m we shared mozzarella in carruzo which fried mozzarella is a creamy garlic anchovy sauce. The anchovy wasn’t overpowering and very tasty. Both of our meals came w salad, hot bread for the table. I got the branzino in a pink sauce w mushrooms and shrimp. It also came with a side of veggies. Very tasty and they gave me two fillets! I saved one for the next day. My date had pasta primavera with chicken and he loved it. They left parm on the table. The coffee is ritual - a South American company and completely delicious. I will be back! :-)

Jeff P

Google
Really the best Italian food in the area. Prices are reasonable, quality is high, and the portions are huge. Expect a line and a wait if you're here at prime meal times. Look, in any area of the country that has a decent sized Italian population this is a 3.5 to 4 star place, but in the DMV it's one of the best. If they were in Rockville or nova you'd pay twice as much for food this good. Definitely worth a drive up from DC.

Samantha Lee

Google
Pasta Plus is an authentic, family owned Italian restaurant located in a strip mall in Laurel. The restaurant is packed on most nights and there is often a line out of the door so be sure to arrive early. My party and I waited about an hour before being seated. Food and service was impeccable. Our server Ashley was hospitable and attentive to our needs. Beside water, we ordered a bottle of red wine - Sangiovese Santa Cristina. While waiting for food, our server brought us a basket of warm Italian bread, butter, and grated parmesan. Balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil is available upon request. The bread was so good we asked for seconds. We started our meal with an order of Calamari Fritti, which consisted of calamari rings and tentacles lightly breaded and fried and served with light marinara sauce. All of us ordered from either nightly specials or dinner specials. All of our entrees came with Garden Salad, which consisted of mixed greens, shredded carrots, shredded red cabbage, cucumber, and tomato and served with a housemade creamy peppercorn dressing. My only complaint is having an alternative for those who have a pepper allergy. Two guests had the Linguine with Seafood, which consisted of housemade pasta topped with mussels, clams, shrimps, scallops, and half a lobster in a tomato sauce. I liked how portion was much larger than other dishes, the mussels were shucked clean, and the pasta was really fresh. Two guests had the Rockfish, which came with asparagus, grape tomatoes, scallions, and capers in a buttery white wine sauce. I had Arctic Char, which came with tomatoes, mushrooms, shrimps, scallions, and fresh herbs in a light tomato cream sauce. It was hearty and quite delicious. We couldn't leave without trying the dessert. We ordered two orders of Zabaglione with Fresh Fruit and a slice of Hazelnut Meringue Cake with Raspberry and Cream. The Zabaglione was made of eggs, sugar, whipped cream, and marsala wine and served with mixed berries. It was light and fluffy and paired nicely with fresh fruit. The Hazelnut Meringue Cake consisted of a thick slice of cake. The cake consisted raspberry and cream in between layers of hazelnut meringue. The top layer was dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with a fresh raspberries. It was so filling that I ate half and decided to take the other half to go.

Linda Hayes

Google
This is one of those places that you hear good things about over the years, but it's a bit off your beaten track. Well, we were finally near Pasta Plus' Laurel location so we dropped in to check it out. Don't be put off by the run-down strip mall because once you enter Pasta Plus, you're transported to an old-fashioned Italian dining experience: Comfortable non-plastic ambiance. Knowledgeable, personable wait staff. Mouth-watering, authentic house made Italian menu selections. We started with lovely, crisp salads (which could be modified to fit our taste) accompanied by REAL Italian bread, crusty outside, tender inside. Our entrees arrived hot and fragrant. Shrimp with fettuccinne for hubby, cheese/shrimp ravioli with peas, sun dried tomatoes and butter sauce for me. His dish was luscious looking crowned with several large shrimp. My ravioli almost floated above the bowl, very tender and light. Ultimate comfort food, just what I wanted and very satisfying. The only way I'd modify it if I were making it would be to add a bit more shrimp texture to the filling or scatter some minced shrimp over the dish. Hubby never looked up from scarfing up his dish, obviously enjoying it. We were too full to order dessert, but again, I've heard rave reviews. Maybe next time - and there definitely will be a next time to return to this award-winning hidden treasure! Highly recommended.

Chris Kishel

Google
My family has been going to pasta plus for decades. The service is wonderful, the food fresh, the bread warm, the pasta home made and everything is totally and utterly reliable. We love this place dearly.

Damian L.

Yelp
Unfortunately the restaurant closed. The food & service was very good. The restaurant brought great memories for several generations

Maria K.

Yelp
My family has been fans of Pasta Plus over the years. We have had their food at many of our family gatherings and we've also been there to dine many times including my daughter's graduation a couple years before the pandemic. We were sad to hear they decided to close but then also very excited when we learned about their new limited availability model. I am writing this review second hand because my sister is actually the one who placed an order and picked it up but she shared the meal with me. It is a way for them to manage what they can prepare as they had staffing issues at the time they decided to close. The menu is limited as well as limited select pickup timeslots and there are no customizations or substitutions is my understanding. It is currently offered for Wednesdays only. I think it is smart to do what you are able to do and focus on doing that well. My sister called to tell me she had ordered a Pizza Buon-Gustaia and a dark chocolate mousse éclair for dessert. She lucked out and found an opening for an order when she remembered and wanted to try to place an order. Some people will be frustrated by this model but if you are a Pasta Plus fan and you are a planner, the payoff will be worth it. It was delicious and I was so glad my sister called me to share her haul with me. I will definitely be checking things out to place an order myself soon.

Rebecca F.

Yelp
7-31-21 NOTE: they are still not open for sit-down. I have been coming here since I was a kid & my beautiful Italian mother loved this place. They are authentic, family-run, homemade Italian fare & I still make the occasional trip from DC/MD/VA metro area to come eat here. I actually had to triple check myself that I hadn't already reviewed it & will go back & dig for more pics. Anyhoo, as authentic as it gets fresh, homemade pizza, pasta, & Italian specialties with a little Italian market inside as well. We got some pizza for carryout & heated it up at home. Both the white & our sausage/mushroom/black olive were delish but the white tends to dry out when you reheat it. When they open back up for sit down some pasta will def be in order. Can't wait.

Lloyd D.

Yelp
We loved Pasta Plus when it was opened. Great take out and we are there at least three times a month. Unfortunately COVID seems to have impacted the business significantly and they are only accepting take out orders or a sporadic basis. We also loved eating in on occasion and the service and food was always great. Interior was like being in an authentic Italian restaurant. Hopefully the menu and number of available days will expand soon.

Donyiel C.

Yelp
What took me so long??!! I'm glad I finally tried this place but mad at myself for taking this long to try it! I've had them bookmarked for years. Located in a deserted shopping center in Laurel! I think the only other business I saw open was Arby's. I went a few days ago to do take out for Yelp's Monthly Luck Club - the theme was Italian. I called to place an order for chicken alfredo and gave my credit card info over the phone. I was told approximately 20 minutes. I arrived within that time and my food was ready! There's still no indoor dining in PG county! They greet you at the door with your order. I had my own pen (as I do these days) and signed the receipt. I noticed and appreciated that the employee was still nicely dressed (button down shirt and tie)! After all, this is a gourmet restaurant. Indeed it is! The food was amazing! My pasta was fresh and not too salty! It didn't look like much but it was more than enough for me to have for two meals! It came with a side house salad and bread. The salad was ok - I could have done without it honestly. The bread was good. I will definitely be back here to try some other dishes.

Lisa L.

Yelp
Due to the pandemic, only carryout is available. On 12/2/20, we called and placed an order for dinner, which had to be paid immediately by credit card. It would be ready in 20 minutes. Pickup would be at a table outside the restaurant. We arrived in 30 minutes and saw nothing on the table outside. A waiter came out with our bag after we provided our ticket number and name. We ordered 3 entrees, and 2 of them were tasty (Chicken Parmesan $14.95 and Fettuccine Amatriciana $13.95). The third entree was Veal Marsala for $17.95, which had 3 small pieces of meat and bland tasting so it's not recommended. Entrees came with salads that were large and fresh. Also, bread was provided, but no butter. It would have been beneficial if eating utensils and napkins were included. Carryout is probably the fastest way to get food here. When dining in was offered, the lines were long and wait time for tables took at least an hour. Even when dining in returns, carryout would still be the best choice.

Stephanie H.

Yelp
So sorry the restaurant is open. They were one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to. The service was good and they had table cloths.

Nancy Y.

Yelp
Pasta plus provides the best lasagna I've had since my uncle passed away 10 years ago. Their attention to quality is unsurpassed. I hope your visit is just as perfect as mine has always been. Thank you for your fantastic food and such...

Gen S.

Yelp
Unlike my previous visit, our server was friendly, attentive, thorough & helpful. Even asked the chef if a lunch special could be prepared as a full order. I ordered the orange roughy covered in a pink butter cream sauce over risotto w/steamed vegetables, OUTSTANDING! Would definitely order this dish again! Finished the meal w/a warm tasty cappuccino.

Tom T.

Yelp
This is one of those restaurants that violates the three rules of business...location location location. This place is in one of the dumpiest strip malls you've ever seen. It shares the row with three abandoned businesses and an Arby's. The entrance to the parking lot can be treacherous if someone doesn't realize that you're turning into it. But generally there's ample parking once you get there (but the line out the door for dinner is your own problem). I've eaten here probably twenty times or more. We stumbled across it on Yelp, of course. I've tried dishes across the menu and haven't been disappointed ONCE. The pizzas are legit Italian - no overpowering sauces, sausages, or veggies. The tomato sauces is made from...tomatoes (a rareity it seems nowadays). The ingredients are fresh and the dough is made there daily. All this in a wood-burning brick oven. The veal is always cooked flawlessly in sauces that allow you to actually taste the meat. The veal with artichokes (Vitello Carciofini) is fab-u-lous!!!!! So delicate and flavorful. If you've never had fresh pasta before then this is the place for you. Unfortunately, pasta from other restaurants will now be ruined for you. My 12 year old daughter hates lasagna. But she'll literally eat two orders from Pasta Plus. We ordered a whole tray for her birthday party and she ate most of it. Another favorite of mine (and my son) is the Tortellini alla Panna (the meat version). It's just a mountain of fresh tortellini in a cream sauce. It really is a stupendous dish. So basically, the pastas, the meats, the pizzas, and the veggies are all amazing. How could you go wrong?

Dan L.

Yelp
Terrific place! Do you know that they make their own bread? Hot, crispy and moist on the inside! You have to order by phone then they bring it out. Ordered 3 loaves of bread. Very friendly, helpful and fast - Thank You!

Leonard M.

Yelp
Pasta Plus was one of my favorite places for Italian food, but sadly it's closed. I hope it returns one day.

Becky H.

Yelp
This update is solely so I can apologize for the numerous typos in my review - I would edit if I could, but it seems like there's some kind of time limit that hasn't passed yet. Anyway, I just learned I should never, ever post a review from my phone - my fingers are too fat and my proofreading sucks big time! But - and this is a Yelp shortcoming, IMHO - I have to rate it again to update it. Silly. It's still a 5-star place!

Cammi R.

Yelp
They only do Thursday pickup and you have to order the previous Wednesday but it's so worth it, my favorites are the pizzas

Arthur A.

Yelp
Pasta Plus has long been my favorite Laurel restaurant for celebrating a special occasion. This was one as both of us have new jobs. Unfortunately, my recent experience there makes me wonder if I'll ever return. It's carry out only now, due to the pandemic. We knew that already, and had ordered at least once before since everything went caca in 2020, but that previous time, everything went fine. Pre-pandemic, we've also ordered carry out and had no problems. Around 5:45, we placed an order for pickup at 7:00. It was a bit of a large order -- two entrees, two desserts, an appetizer and some garlic bread. It was all right off the menu; no special requests. I got there maybe a couple of minutes after 7:00: and I was told my order wasn't ready yet. Twenty minutes later, I asked how long it would be. He checked, and could not even provide me with an estimate. Our order was finally ready at 8:00, an hour after I asked it be ready. I asked for updates a few more times, but never got one. I saw other patrons get their food and leave as I waited, including people with order numbers higher than mine. The food, at least, was the same high quality that kept us coming back. The bread was excellent, the pastas (both fettuccine Alfredo, one with salmon and the other with shrimp) were delicious, and the desserts (one Zuccotto cake and one hazelnut meringue cake) were beyond extraordinary. The prices are very reasonable, too and the quantities are the reasons other countries mock American portion sizes. I provided my phone number when I placed the order. They could have called and said, "We're sorry, but your order will be late." At least I could have waited at home rather than setting in my car for an hour, growing increasingly annoyed. I've long wondered why anyone who knows Laurel would go to the Olive Garden on Route One when you can get far better Italian food at Pasta Plus. I can understand now -- the food might not be as good, but at least I'd have been finished with my meal in the time I spent in the Pasta Plus parking lot. I'm honestly a bit sorry to have to post such a negative review. The food is still some of the best Italian cuisine I've ever eaten, but the service is problematic, to say the least.

Lauren W.

Yelp
Beat spot in Laurel for any Italian with killer pizza. Wish it was open more but so glad it's back even if it's limited.

Brendon A.

Yelp
Great pasta!!! Homemade flavors! I am really going to miss eating this food now that the owners closed the doors!

Kimberly M.

Yelp
How have I not known about this restaurant?! I was out watching Sunday night football and the lady next to me was eating chicken parmigiana. I asked her how it was, she responded it's ok. But I really wish it was from Pasta Plus in Laurel. I immediately looked Pasta Plus up on Yelp and came for lunch the very next day. The restaurant is hidden, part of a small shopping center. There's plenty of parking and the restaurant doesn't look like much from the outside. There's a restaurant, market and carryout, all interconnected. I sat inside the Market. There's a few tables in front of the carryout counter. I peeked into the restaurant, very nicely, cozy set up. On to the food, warm, homemade bread with butter...very good to start. I had the manicotti that came with a house salad. The salad dressing is served on the side and very tasty. The manicotti was just amazingly delicious! Housemade shells filled with a ricotta cheese mixture, topped with a tomato sauce. The pasta was thin and tender. The cheese and tomato sauce were perfectly seasoned. Probably one of my favorite Italian dishes I've ever had. All pasta is made in house except for the tortellini dishes. Our server was wonderful. Very friendly, quick with refills. I'm so glad I sat next to a lady at a bar and heard all about Pasta Plus! I'll be a regular!

Mike B.

Yelp
If you're not looking for it, this spot is easy to miss. I'm sure I've driven by ir 100's off times and had never noticed it. Honestly, I thought it was something that had gone out of business. I only looked for it because it was recommended to me by someone who had eaten there. I'm glad I found it. If you're looking for authentic Italian dishes this is a good place to try. It's located is what looks like an outdated strip mall. There are two sides the "restaurant" side and the "market" side. I sat on the market side which is a little smaller. I ended up getting the chicken parm and was very satisfied. The menu provides a lot of offerings and the meals are priced reasonably.

Sarah R.

Yelp
After years of living in Laurel and passing by this plaza, I never thought to try Pasta Plus until a friend recommended it, and all I can say is that I regret waiting this long! I have only started eating Pasta Plus since the Pandemic, so all of my orders have been for take-out. Their take-out service is seamless - very easy to place orders and pick up. My partner is a big fan of their calzones, and I am partial to their vegetarian lasagna. Out of all the dishes we've tried, we have never been disappointed. When parents or other relatives are in town visiting, this is our go-to choice - it's a fantastic local restaurant with superior Italian food and generous portions! I look forward to dining in at Pasta Plus and trying more of their extensive menu!

Heidi F.

Yelp
I wish I could give with a 3.5 but at last I can't! I've heard amazing stuff about this place but it's wasn't as good as the review due to the service. The place is located in an outdated strip mall and once inside no one greeted us. Eventually a server sat us, the someone gave us water and removed the extra serverware. No one spoke to use which was weird. I would have loved some wine but was never asked. The decor was dated and a little dirty. A server gave us bread and still never greeted us, so we asked about specials and proceeded to order. The menu is a little different then most Italian restaurants but had some good stuff on it. We ordered the mussels and fettuccine alfredo with meatballs. The house salad was really great. The food was excellent and meatballs tasty. We we're warned by the waiter that we could be charged for a split fee for sharing a meal before getting our check. We didn't, but seemed strange to bring up. We weren't offered desserts but the menu looked great. When they packed up our leftovers they asked if I wanted the bread, I said yes but they didn't give it me. Overall this was some of the worst service I have ever had in a restaurant. I'm not sure it the food would convince me to return.

Tri L.

Yelp
I came here on a Friday evening on a friend's recommendation and the place was packed. We were the third group in line. We waited about 20-25 minutes but the time went by quickly as I we chatted with the couple behind us. They informed us that this place gets quick busy during the evenings and recommended that we come a little earlier if we don't want to wait next time. I'd recommend the same to everyone. We ordered one appetizer, the Fried Calamari, and were given warm bread. The bread was a good start to meal! The Fried Calamari was a good portion and had a good split of body and tentacles (girlfriend prefers the tentacles and I preferred the body). Marinara sauce was a perfect match and calamari itself was the right temperature and had the right amount of crunchiness. The appetizer also came out fairly quickly. Soon after we finished the appetizer, we were served small house salads. Simple dishes but a good change of pace from the fried appetizer. For the main course we ordered Trenette Nere con Calamari, Gamberi, Funghi e Pomodorini (Squid ink trenette pasta in olive oil garlic sauce with calamari, shrimp, mushrooms, and grape tomatoes) and Gamberi al Vino Bianco (shrimp sauteed in white wine, butter, and garlic) with Fettucini. The trenette dish was large and very tasty. They did not skimp on the seafood. There was plenty of flavor but nothing overwhelming. We had to take that it home because there was plenty leftover. (It's good re-heated too). The shrimp dish was a little smaller but just the right size. The shrimp was cooked to perfection and the white wine, butter, and garlic sauce was very rich and oozed with flavored. A bit heavier but very delicious. The Zabaglione with Fresh Fruit was our dessert, as recommended by the couple we chatted with in line. A true treat! It was like a light custard with a hint of marsala wine. The fruit in the center really balanced out the flavor. We had some coffee with the dessert. The server was pleasant and informative. I asked for his recommendations and they turned out quite well. The atmosphere is clean and cozy. In the end, Pasta Plus serves phenomenal Italian food and I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone!

Mhailene M.

Yelp
First time here and was pretty blown away. It was recommended to me by a few friends so we had to give it a try! We came around 6 and I'm so glad we came when we did because it gets packed quick! We were seated immediately and our server spoke about all the specials they had available and got our drinks. We ordered two appetizers which came out fairly quickly! Complimentary bread, Parmesan cheese and butter knobs were also brought out. As soon as apps came, we ordered dinner and salads came. The Caesar salad was already dressed with shaved strips of Parmesan and croutons, tasted delicious. Not too salty and lettuce was nice and crisp. Generous portion as well!! All the food was a great portion. For apps, I got mussels in a white wine garlic sauce. Lots of mussels with no fishy taste or sand in them. Big slice of toasted garlic bread on top to sop up all the sauce! Yum! My entree was shrimps with white wine sauce and pasta (can you see my trend here lol. ) I got 7 large shrimps cooked to perfection! They were delicious and nice portion for pasta and sauce. Service was great, Danny was our server, and he was very attentive. The owner/manager came to check on us twice and I love he interaction with the customers. They are a very well oiled machine of a restaurant. They were helping clean off tables to fill in the guests waiting to be seated, everyone was friendly and the decor is lovely. Great place for a date night, family dinner and space for parties as well. If you are craving Italian, this is the place to be!

Benjamin T.

Yelp
I've been a patron of Pasta Plus for 7 years. This last visit was bitter sweet. The service was terrible and slow. The waiter took his time with drink refills. At one point he took my drink for a refill and never returned with my glass for about 10 minutes. He has worked there for a long time and I was perplexed what was so important or what else he was doing. The food also took a bit of time. We arrived around 4:30 on a Friday afternoon and had to sit in their cafe/shop area. I understand that there was possibly a change of shift. However, this was upsetting for my buddies (first time guests) and I. The food was great as always! I really wish I could have given a full 5 stars!

Lisa-Sue M.

Yelp
Always love the food for years Visiting tried it again ok the first time Decided to try again OMG I was so disappointed I wished I had been well enough to pick my own food up-I WOULD NOT HAVE ACCEPTED THE SALADS

Kim R.

Yelp
My husband and I usually love this place and have been coming here for years. The service in the restaurant is always great. During the pandemic, the restaurant has been closed and only the Market is available for takeout and their service is spotty. Tonight, my husband requested that the kitchen pull the tail shells off the shrimp before putting them in the tomato sauce. Not only did the kitchen refuse, the woman on the phone said the kitchen cursed at us for asking and said to tell us "you can do it yourself." I know for sure that the owners aren't on the premises tonight.

Sahar R.

Yelp
When it comes to Italian restaurants, I am the Evil Kermit meme. Me to myself: you should order something fresh and healthy. Order salad and pasta primavera! Mediterranean diets work.. Also me: Order the Carbonara, bich. Porca miseria, Spaghetti alla Carbonara, I just can't quit you. Luckily, carbonara only appears very once in awhile as a nightly special item here. Unfortunately, every time I have been here, they have had it as a special. When I initially read about Pasta Plus, and considered their kinda informal name and the fact that it is hidden away in a strip mall with an Arby's, it lead me to believe this might be some kind of Olive Garden Express or Noddles and Company. However, I was completely wrong. This place is formal but not stuffy. The staff is exceptional and very professional and I feel like I'm at a much more an upscale place than I really am. First off, put your complete trust in the staff (after all most of them do have an Italian accent). Because I am stubborn, I usually go with the carbonara, but they've managed to make suggestions for other people I have dined with and their recommendations are spot on. For example, last night we were thinking of also ordering a lasagna, the server suggested, the Timballo alla Teramano ($14.95) which is layered Crepes with ground beef, mozzarella and tomato sauce. Basically, it is an amazing crepe lasagna. For anyone who wants less noodles and more filling with their lasagna go with this. The red sauce on it was also phenomenal. Our server also suggested for dessert the Hazelnut Meringue Cake with Raspberry and Cream ($6.50) and the Zabaglione with Fresh Fruit ($6.50). The hazelnut cake was indeed rich, with a light hazelnut flavor with a meringue wafer crust. Delicious. The Zabaglione was outstanding. It is prepared with eggs, sugar whipped cream, marsala wine served with fresh berries. I was put off by the wine aspect, but just consider this an incredibly rich wine mousse with berries. Basically it's pudding sangria. The wine flavor is just barely detectable, the mousse is so creamy, and the berries were a wonderful addition. I've already touched on this but let's say this again, my go to here is the carbonara. I can't help it. It is just the right sauce with all that bacon. And their homemade fettucine is so amazing (you can also order gluten free pasta). So look past the strip mall exterior and pay this hidden culinary gem a visit and ALWAYS LEAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT.

Charles M.

Yelp
Well...well...well...I was surprised to find this place in such an arbitrary unassuming "strip mall". It is definitely a hidden gem in laurel. I have passed this place at least 120 times. And I would have never thought that there was a perfectly good restaurant here if not for my fellow yelpers. Once I found out about this place a few months ago I immediately put it on my list. I found myself on a hot date and ready to have a dinner full of authentic food and a great atmosphere. I got both on a rainy night in December. When I arrived I didn't expect much, but was surprised to find a little Tuscan inspired theme, which included wine bottles all around the ceilings and not one, not two, but three dinning areas! I was blown away because the outside looks like a strip mall for the MVa and the inside looks like the first Olive Garden prototype. Now for the food. I ordered a few apps and an entree to get a feel for the level of authenticity. I started with a mushroom soup and a Caesar salad. The salad could use a little more salad dressing...but it was nice to finally taste the cheese and sprits if lemon zest on the salad. The mushroom soup was awesome and well developed. I could almost put it in a goblet and drink it for dinner, but I didn't. I ate a little and took the rest home. I ordered mussels and my date ordered shrimp diablo (the name is a lot longer and Italian inspired, but just order it) the flavors were out of his world. I thought the mussels could have used more sauce and I did find a lot of empty shells, but the flavor was good. The shrimp and pasta was excellent. I just had a shrimp and the development of flavor was crazy. I will definitely be back. The service was good and the place wasn't overly packed.

Danielle O.

Yelp
Heard about this place on Yelp! As pasta is definitely one of my favorite foods, I was super excited to finally check it out for myself. Came here with my boyfriend for dinner, and we had a lovely time. Food: Gotta start off with the free bread. (: It was hearty and served with olive oil and parmesan cheese on the side. Loved how the waiter also kept it coming throughout the meal. The starter salads were also pretty big and a great contrast to the heavier foods there. The dressing they used was some kind of creamy Italian. The calamari was some of the best I've ever had. It was light, crispy, and flavorful. The marinara with it also tasted fresh. The serving was also pretty large and good for sharing. The main event was obviously the large serving of pastas! I got the carbonara, which was one of their specials. It was creamy, rich, and extremely filling. My boyfriend got Paglia e Fieno (Hay & Straw). He really enjoyed it as well. It was perfectly flavored and a good mix of 2 different kinds of pasta. Service: Our waiter was kind and attentive! Gave him 2 cards at the end, but he didn't split the check, so maybe they just don't do that there? Other than that, it was still a good experience. Atmosphere: This place is sort of like a hidden gem, and I definitely think that it deserves a better location. As of right now, it's nicely decorated and even kinda fancy, but still a little cramped. More space would probably do them some good. I don't know if it was just us, but we had some trouble getting there with all the traffic surrounding the place.

Jennifer H.

Yelp
Where do I start with this hidden gem - you would not think that inside this little shopping center (I don't even know what else is still open in the shopping center) there is an amazing Italian restaurant. You would not except to talk into a restaurant with white linen tablecloths and nicely dressed waiters, it is such a pleasant surprise. I cannot express how much and this is cheesy but, how you can't judge a book by it's cover! Which actually might work in my benefit to keep this place a secret...haha but unfortunately on the multiple occasions that I've been here it's been a pretty full house during dinner hours. We started out with the calamari as an appetizer, it was a mix of the "circle" and tentacle variety and a marinara dipping sauce. Definitely a good option, but nothing that stood out more than any other restaurant. I would recommend it though. For the main entree I had one of their specials which was the alfredo cabanara. Essentially a play on spaghetti with cream sauce instead and with prosciotto - so so so good. The portion sizes here are very generous, I finished perhaps close to half and they nicely packed the rest for me. I definitely enjoy places that pack up my food for me, it makes me feel special - lol, it's the little things. Also, I want to note that all the pasta is made in-house! Not many places can say that they make the pasta. Dessert - please save room for dessert, that's the biggest tip I have. Everything that we tried was delicious, from the eclair, cheesecake, berry cream concoction, and the raspberry cake (this is what I had and it was heavenly). I so highly recommend this spot, even though it kills me to let more people into my secret favorite Italian spot. They also have a market right next door, so you can get ingredients and everything!

Rich M.

Yelp
Sorry to say, but they closed the business in 2022. It was Laurel's best restaurant.

Dee M.

Yelp
Food was alright. Service was horrible. The food was generous in portion and the flavors were average to above average. I just didn't like their customer service. My friend and I were to meet at this restaurant, and when I came 10 min. earlier than my friend did, the waiters and waitresses kept hovering around me, as if rushing me to order with or without my friend because they had other customers that needed tables. I was not impressed with the service.

Chris K.

Yelp
We really like pasta plus. We always get the Pizza Buon-Gustaia and the Parma sandwich. All their cakes are great as well. They are a little pricey, but they get a pass for being the food in Laurel.

S C.

Yelp
5/5 calamari appetizer! Savory, salty, crispy. Even as a take out only place with covid, cooled off calamari/ next day calamari wasn't soggy, was still very enjoyable. 4.8/5 noodles (i forget which kind) with clams in white sauce. Wonderful wide thick noodles, more flavorful than your normal store bought ones for sure. Whole clams in shells were perfectly tender. I personally would have preferred more garlic (hence not perfect 5 star rating) but this was very excellent. Came with bread and a salad. Order and pick up process were easy. Phone in the order and pay. Big parking lot with plenty of spaces. After telling the waiter at the table outside my name and order number, I got to wait in my car and my order bag was brought to me. Quick signing of the receipt and I was off.

Anee K.

Yelp
This restaurant experience was so interesting...they open at 5pm and there was alone to get in! Clearly the place is popular! I heard it was a "foodies paradise" so decided to check it out. I got an Italian classic, spaghetti and meatballs, my partner got the chicken marsala...the food was just okay. We found it to be a bit bland and not very flavorful. My spaghetti didn't have much sauce at all and was kind of dry. I got a fruit tart for dessert and it was more like a flaky croissant with some fruit on the top (vs the crust filled creamy tarts I'm used to). I will say the service was STELLAR! The wait staff had us seated quickly the food came out quickly and our server was so kind and attentive. Overall a 3 star...I wouldn't make the trek to Laurel to go back, but I wouldn't be mad if I had to go back.

Jerry S.

Yelp
This market attached to the dining room needs a separate entry because it has different hours. There are eight small tables if you want to eat in, as well as carry out and a small selection of cooked dishes, deli, fresh pasta, wine, olive oil, and excellent baked on premises bread and pastries. The menu is a bit smaller than the one in the dining room, but covers most of the ground. Call in advance if you can, as everything is made to order.

Alice L.

Yelp
Ordered carry out for the first time in a year- Pasta plus is the best food- pizza tastes great, pasta was perfect even with the long drive home - loved it!

Abner M.

Yelp
Best Italian good around. It is the best food in Laurel. I recommend the marketplace.

Anthony H.

Yelp
Another hidden gem in Laurel. Do not let the old strip mall exterior fool you. Once you enter through the doors of the restaurant it's like night and day. They do not take reservations so come expecting to wait for a table. However the wait will be worth it. The menu is a smorgasbord of Italian favorites and classics and they also have a large selection of wines to choose from. It's always packed inside the restaurant and for good reason. This restaurant is the best Italian restaurant in town. My favorite part of this place is that they have classic Italian items on the menu that you won't find at Olive Garden or some other pizza shop. My advice is to be daring and try something on the menu you have never heard of. This is a mom and pop homemade style Italian restaurant so the food will always taste fresher.

Nevin D.

Yelp
Brick Oven Pizza and Tortellini Aurora was great! Carryout only which sucks but it's whatever!

Lovell M.

Yelp
Their ordering prices for curb side/ carry out is about as asshole-ish s as it gets. Apparently they can only take one call at a time but force you to make orders over the phone. Couple that with a shitty website where you can't see what you can actually order and you will get pissed of customers. When bringing it to their attention they simply said keep calling. WTF?!

Celeta T.

Yelp
The atmosphere is very quiet and nice for a date night. The food is awesome and they staff is always kind. I highly recommend this place and have been coming here for years. It's hidden in a sense, there are no large signs but you will be glad you found it. The white linen gives the perfect date night ambiance and the moment you walk in you will be welcomed by what smells like home cooked Italian meals. I highly recommend you try a appetizer and entree it's pretty hard to squeeze in dessert after all the yummy pasta.

Terri D.

Yelp
How do start but say this place is Amazing Authentic Italian cuisine fresh homemade pasta was there 12/9 for a retirement party was put in a little room Now don't get me wrong the place needs Upgrading and it is tricky to find, but the food is fresh and Delicious. Our appetizers were Pizza Bianca con fontina ( white pizza),Antipasto Salad,Calamari I ate the calamari however I like mine very crispy this was not very crispy But so Good,..Dont expect to get Riesling as that is a German wine and they only serve Italian wines and beers here so I settled for a pinot Grigio and it was very Nice. For my Entree I got the Salmon in white wine butter sauce and artichokes these babies were Tender and Tangy not like I have had before where it seemed like I was eating splinters or wood,Everyone got different dishes that was on our Prix Fixe Menu some got chicken parmesan,Itlatian sausage in white wine tomato sauce,Homemade ricotta cheese ravioli in butter,or the layered crepes with ground beef mozzarella and tomato sauce I was able to sample that One So Good!! Our Desserts options were Tiramisu,Tartufo Gelato, Tortoni I choose the Tartufo Gelato it was ok but my coworker got the tortoni and let me just say we Exchanged Desserts And I'm Glad I Did, I was in HEAVEN!! It Tasted like an Upscale Good Humor Toasted Almond And Although its served in a rather small Paper Ramekin it was enough for me since my belly was full with the calamari. Needles to say I took my meal home it also either came with pasta or veggies I chose pasta and it was delicious. Now I have been here one other time Many Many Many Years Ago and Forget How Amazing This Place is,But I won't again so give them a try it's worth it Definitely Not Olive Garden! So if your use to those chain fake Italian restaurants this isnt for you but if you want to break your Chain Cycle Try Em!!

Tony L.

Yelp
Homemade Italian bread. Real Italian bread. Crunchy outside. Soft inside. Not Like most rolls down here. Just buy 2 sponges and put lunch meat in between. Lol. Hand sliced Italian lunch meat. Fresh ingredients. Almost like I'm Home in south Philly. Pizza. Outstanding. If you ever order domino's or papa Johns. Pls don't go. This is real pizza. Crispy. Fresh plum tomatoes. Their Italian dishes are. Fresh authentic good Italian. If you like and love Olive Garden. Be ready to be knocked over.

Mary B.

Yelp
We grew up going here for special occasions. Now that I don't live here, it's an even better treat. They make the bread, the pasta, the sauce, amazing desserts all in house. Service has always been fine, food has always been just SO GOOD. I promise it's not just nostalgia of growing up and coming here, it's just fantastic food. I hope Pasta Plus lives forever.

Kalila W.

Yelp
The most authentic Italian pizza outside of Italy. Hadnt even eaten pizza since i got back from Florence cuz i knew American pizza would be trash in comparison (i was spoiled).. searched authentic joints by me and gave them a try based on reviews. WOW! Margherita pizza 5 stars! Later found out that the owner is Italian and even hosts food tours in Italy! Ill be a loyal customer lol. My bf agreed, best pizza since hes left new york! GoGoGo!!!

Jen B.

Yelp
I've never had anything bad it's all exceptional. Really balanced sauces and brick oven pizza is a treat. We drive over an hour to eat here and often wait in a line for the cuisine. Authentic Italian at it's best!! Fast forward to 2020, apparently they decided that my salad needed to be doused with dressing essentially making it inedible. Wasn't bad enough after waiting 35 minutes they pulled other parties first for no apparent reason. The meal was ok but was disappointed to see the same ole fare.

Angel S.

Yelp
Casual relaxed atmosphere and service with white table clothes and good food. They do have some weird rules like you cannot share food and you will be charged if you try sharing a plate. I got this information second hand, it didn't happen to me. I would have raised a stink about this. Some dishes are a little plain but I had a shrimp dish last time that was nothing to sneeze at! The bread and oil with parmesan cheese is great. Most appetizers I have had are pretty delicious. Its a good solid place for lunch. It can take a little long to get your dishes. I'll continue to eat here.

John B.

Yelp
I liked the food both times I went to this restaurant. I had the ravioli last time. The serving size was smaller than the eggplant parmesan, but the side salad and bread made it reasonable. It was very tasty, too. Both times I visited, I was seated just inside the door. The extra dining area was closed. It looks more comfortable in there. I mention this, because my clothes held a bit of a smell after leaving. I've experienced this when I've gone to diners, but not Italian restaurants. It was was noticeable in my sweater and jacket, and my son noticed it, too. Since the food was good, I'll dine here again, though I hope to sit in the other room.

Zender C.

Yelp
The pasta and Mussels in red sauce was delicious and the Fruit tart. The restaurant is small but charming. I ordered my meal to go because the restaurant was full.