If there's any one thing you should know about my family, it's that my monsters, hubby and I absolutely love good food. As parents, the hubby and I are advocates for having our children try varied foods whether it's during a home cooked meal prepared by their daddy or while enjoying local eats at a favorite restaurant or trying out a menu some place new.
Over the summer we were invited out to visit family owned, Pazzi Pasta in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn which was the perfect way to spend our afternoon before walking over to the Barclay Center for this years WWE Summer Slam. Who doesn't love a warm, tummy filling bowl of Pasta right?
Husband-and-wife team Dr. Giovanni Campanile and Dr. Sandra Cammarata with their children Dan (pictured with the boys above) and Francesca Campanile created Pazzi Pasta, which serves up a variety of wholesome, organic pasta dishes made with ancient grains, locally grown produce and are topped with delicious, made from scratch sauces. So there's no need to feel guilt ridden while digging into a bowl of anything they've got on the menu.
So why should you eat at Pazzi Pasta? While keeping true to authentic southern Italian traditions of pasta making and inspired by Sandra's mother - a gourmet chef in Italy- paired with Dan's ingenuity in conceiving the concept, the family wanted to make sure that New Yorkers had a unique and interactive experience that wouldn't break the bank. Without sacrificing freshness or mind-blowingly great taste their dishes come out quickly and you won't be disappointed because it's just so good. Customers will enjoy being able to pick and choose from their healthy choices of hand-made pasta, their rich sauces and varied toppings.
Pasta: kamut semolina, farro, spinach or tomato, nero di seppia (cuttlefish ink), gnocchi, and ravioli; gluten-free choices are also available.
Sauces: San Marzano tomato, ragù Bolognese, pesto, four cheese, smoked salmon and gorgonzola, funghi boscaoiola (mushroom sauce), puttanesca and cauliflower with garlic and almond
Slow-cooked toppings: meatballs, veg-balls (zucchini, eggplant, ricotta, egg white, wheat breadcrumbs), grilled chicken, pan-fried eggplant and zucchini, mixed forest mushrooms, and peas and pancetta
The space itself is quite charming and not overly designed, just lots of bright natural lighting and seating. It was really relaxing and inviting when you step foot in the door and makes for a great place to dine with family friends. The lil' monsters loved the kids korner and got in a few rounds of connect four after talking to Dan and while they waited for their food. And while it's definitely great for family dinners, I actually thought it was a cute spot for date night too! With a lovely outdoor patio in the back and offerings of wines and deserts, I told the hubby he and I would have to go back on our on one day and bring back sweets for the boys.
CJ couldn't resist being offered the chance to try out the sauces. His favorite by far was the smoked salmon with Gorgonzola because to him it tasted like bacon.
Our mini foodies with not so mini appetites were so excited when they found out we'd be taste testing a few pasta dishes and couldn't wait to dig in and try them all. Despite being a bit under the weather, even 4 year old Tristan was ready to stuff his cheeks.
We'll admit we were a bit skeptical about trying the cuttle fish ink pasta, something about black pasta just didn't seem appealing but it was AMAZING! Honestly, it paired with the smoked salmon sauce was really good. The pasta didn't taste like anything out of the ordinary because of it's coloring and was surprisingly our favorite out of all the ones we tried. We even insisted that one of the staff members (who had never tried it) trust our judgement and invited him over to dig in.
Hands down, really good!
The monsters can't wait to head back and try a pasta making class. If you're ever in the neighborhood we'd recommend you stop by and enjoy the serene space, friendly staff and healthy eats!
227 Smith Street
Brooklyn, NY
(347) 916 - 1076
Disclosure: We were invited for a complimentary meal in order to facilitate this review, no other compensation was received.
I love pasta what an amazing restaurant to visit. I love that they have a kids corner for the kids to play in. Being able to pick what exactly goes on your pasta is perfect for a family dinner night.
ReplyDeleteThe kids corner was a really cute spot for my boys who thought they were rather sophisticated while sipping apple juice.
DeleteAll those pastas look divine! Including the cuttle fish ink one. I would try it just for the novelty of eating black pasta lol.
ReplyDeleteI can't say enough how good it was, really our favorite out of all the more common ones.
DeleteI love the variety and fresh ingredients they use. Can't ever compete with made in house pasta. I gotta say, that black pasta would have put me off too but I'm glad you were brave and tried it! Not sure if I could have...
ReplyDeletethe smoked salmon and Gorgonzola really are so delish, but looking at it you'd never believe it.
DeleteWow this place looks amazing! If we are ever in the area we will definitely be checking it out! I love that you get to choose everything from start to finish.
ReplyDeleteyes choosing all the items made it way more fun for the kids, you should definitely visit when you can
DeleteWhat a sweet little restaurant! I was born and raised in Bronx, NY and I have to admit there were so many places I wish i got to eat at. My husband is from Williamsburg and we never ventured out to new resturants - it was always the well known ones.
ReplyDeleteare you still in the city? there are so many new restaurants popping up all the time, I tell my hubby there really is no excuse to just eat solely at the same places.
DeleteWhat a unique place! I love the menus and food signs. So creative and fun and umm yeah te food looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThe decor really was simple but so inviting. Sometimes all the glitz isn't necessary. It's a really cool spot!
DeleteI live in Brooklyn and I hadn't heard of this place till now. I will definitely be going soon and I know my mom and sister in law would love to join me. We love pasta and trying new foods and this seems like the perfect blend. I would try the cuttlefish ink pasta also. You have a very beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christina! You should go, they even have the pasta making classes.
DeleteI like the idea of this restaurant and I love how it caters to families! One of the reasons I love BK is that there are so many great restaurants - and now I definitely I want to come check it out!
ReplyDeleteYes Chanel, if you haven't featured this neighborhood yet, there's so much you could write about. I need to go back with just the hubby!
DeleteYes Chanel, if you haven't featured this neighborhood yet, there's so much you could write about. I need to go back with just the hubby!
DeleteThe interiors of this restaurant is persuading! Haha. If only this was near me, I would always spend my afternoon here. It's good that they have the kids corner. :) Not all restaurants allot space for the little ones. :)
ReplyDeleteI am in love with the interior design of this restaurant. I am totally in love with it I am not far from NY and I think I need to plan a trip put there with the family. I am going to have to make sure to add this on my places to visit when going to NYC.
ReplyDelete