Pasquale’s exquisite tan bricks!
Alright, I admit it, Pasquale’s
isn’t as close to campus as you’d like and it certainly isn’t your usual
college impromptu place to eat, but this restaurant is definitely worth the
walk and the talk!
My friend is OBSESSED about this
restaurant and she would not stop talking about it until I finally decided to
go with her. Of course, the day we decided to embark on this journey was
probably the coldest, windiest day of the year, but a plan was a plan, so we
stuck to it, and I’m so pleased that we did!
Pasquale’s Restaurant and Pizza is
an Italian restaurant right up Main Street, across the street from Stop &
Shop, and closer to campus than Dunkin Donuts (hey, that’s a plus). The outside
of the restaurant, located on a corner of an intersection, looks welcoming and
presentable. The clean cut building, made of tan bricks, is elegant and
inviting. A newly painted mural along the side of the building gives a
picturesque touch.
Fancy mural!
Upon entering, we were approached
by an amiable waitress who asked us to pick which table we wanted to sit it.
There were some booths and some tables with chairs. Without much thought, we
picked a booth; comfortable! The inside was smaller than I expected and far
less decorative, but it was still embellished nonetheless. The seats were made
of a dark red leathery material and the tables had a wood finish. There was
family of three seated in a booth to our left and an old couple also in a
separate booth seated to the left. A peaceful, merry vibe filled the
environment.
The menus were on the table. That
walk sure worked up an appetite! Skimming down the appetizers, I noticed the
usual Italian restaurant appetizers like garlic knots, and breadsticks, and
even some unique ones like fried dough and jalapeno poppers.
Have a look at the menu and prices here!
Soon enough, the waitress came by
to take our order. She brought along a fresh loaf of bread and butter in a
basket (yum!). The bread was perfect melt-in-your-mouth soft and warm.
For our appetizer, we ordered
bruschetta, which our informative waitress explained we could split, because it
came in six pieces. It arrived promptly and the smell titillated my nose and
stomach. The slices were organized in fine circle. That first bite was
incredible! I expected crunchy bread but the bread was surprisingly soft and
warm. My friend who has never been a fan of bruschetta said this was the best
she’d ever had! The tomatoes were fresh and cut into bite sized pieces. The
added olive oil, garlic, and basil ignited a tingly taste that left me wanting
more.
As a vegetarian, I was excited to
see so many options. The menu was broken up into sections (e.g. pasta, pizza).
My waitress generously told me that some of the entrees could be made
vegetarian, like the penne vodka without chicken. She helped me pick out my
dinner, Melenzane alla Parmigiana i.e. eggplant parmesan. I appreciated how
concerned she was by making sure that the spaghetti on the side was also
prepared vegetarian. The dinner meal also came with a salad or soup and I
picked the garden salad with Italian dressing.
The salad and the dressing were
good, but not great. The presentation wasn’t as extravagant as the Bruschetta.
The dressing was just placed in a small plastic container. The salad needed to
be on a bigger plate with more variety in vegetables rather than just a few
onions, tomatoes, and carrots on a huge pile of lettuce. Since the salad was
fresh, it was still acceptable.
My entree came out on a large
plate, packed with scrumptious-looking food. First I tried the spaghetti. The
sauce was tasty, with fresh tomatoes and a hint of oil and garlic, and the
noodles were cooked just right. The smell of the eggplant made my mouth water
and I couldn’t wait to indulge. The melted cheese was perfectly chewy and the
eggplant was cooked to perfection. Everything was delicious!
As much as I wanted to continue eating,
I was stuffed, but the food was too good to let it go to waste, so I decided to
get it packed and save it for later! The cost for the dinner was reasonable; it
was a little over $15.00 including tax after splitting the bill. This dinner
certainly satiated my need for a palatable meal and a sophisticated
experience.
I would recommend this place for
anyone who wants a serene dinner. It allows for an experience away from the
college scene and makes you feel more at home (college away from college yet
home away from home). This place is perfect for visiting families or a date out
with a boyfriend or girlfriend who just want a casual yet classy place to eat.
If you’re a college student looking for a place that will completely satisfy
your hunger in a formal, homely, yet not-so-costly way, Pasquale’s is the place
for you!
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