Mike B.
Yelp
A Memorable Birthday Dinner at Quanto Basta
For my birthday, my wife wanted to treat me to dinner and knew Italian food would be the perfect choice. We've both been wanting to try Quanto Basta for some time, so it was an easy decision.
Fun fact: "Q.B." is a common abbreviation in Italian recipes--quanto basta--which means "as much as needed." It's a charming reminder that some things, like salt or olive oil (or maybe love and pasta), are best added to taste.
We arrived right when they opened at 5 PM on a Saturday. Since we prefer to eat earlier than most, the timing worked well--and we had no trouble finding street parking. As we walked up, a staff member was lighting the gas lamps outside, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Inside, we were greeted immediately at the host stand and seated right away. They happily accommodated us with seats at the "Pizza Counter"--bar-style seating with a direct view of the pizza oven and prep station, which turned out to be perfect.
Our server, Misty C., welcomed us with a big smile and a carafe of water. We browsed the beer and cocktail menus and decided to start with drinks. My wife ordered the Blue Lemon Drop Martini, while I went with the Mother Earth IPA. Misty was friendly, knowledgeable, and quick to share her favorites when we asked for recommendations, which really helped us narrow down our choices.
To start, we went all out with two appetizers--the Mozzarella Carroza and the Meatball Parmesan--and my wife added a small Caesar salad. The salad came out almost immediately, and both appetizers followed shortly after. Everything looked beautiful and tasted even better--crispy, rich, and full of flavor.
For our entrées, my wife ordered the Shrimp Scampi Risotto, and I chose Nonna's Baked Ziti with Italian sausage. Each dish was delivered at a perfect pace--not rushed, but with very little downtime between courses. We savored every bite, and Misty continued to check on us with warmth and attentiveness. Midway through the meal, my wife also tried the Basil Berry Smash on Misty's recommendation and loved it.
Even though we were full, we couldn't resist dessert and shared the Affogato Brownie topped with vanilla sorbet and cherries. It was the perfect sweet finish to a special night.
We also had a conversation with one of the owners, Heidi, who welcomed us warmly and shared that Quanto Basta has been part of the Winston community for about 10 years. She and her husband also own nearby Springhouse--he was working there while she held down the fort at QB that evening.
From start to finish, this was a five-star experience--the food, the atmosphere, the service--everything was fantastic. We left feeling full, happy, and inspired to make date nights like this a more regular tradition.