Create Your Own Pasta Dish at this Hallandale Hidden Gem
Picky eaters, rejoice!
Like it or not, we live in an era where it’s completely normal to go into a restaurant, order a bacon cheeseburger, then ask that it contain absolutely no bacon, cheese, or meat. On a gluten-free bun. Is this the world our caveman ancestors envisioned when they first began serving grilled mammoth on checkered tablecloths? Probably not, since surprisingly few cavemen had gluten intolerances.
I say this because we found a romantic little Italian restaurant in Hallandale that says, “You know what? Instead of telling us all the things you don’t want, just build the damn entrée yourself.” It’s called Pastino’s Pasta & Vinos, a picky eater’s paradise where instead of chef’s ego, the menu is a collection of options from which you can craft your own pasta dish. And if you’re the sort of person whose dinner order has more instructions than Ikea furniture, it’s going to be your new favorite spot.
So how’s this work? I just go in and they’ll make whatever I ask?
Nah, bro, this isn’t your grandma’s house. Pastino’s has a small, set menu with four kinds of house-made pasta, four homemade sauces, some veggies, and some proteins. From that, you can create your own pasta dish from its roughly six million combinations, and even use gluten-free pasta if your naturalist told you you’re “allergic.” It’s the brainchild of the restaurant’s co-owner, an admittedly picky eater who got tired of asking for modifications, and wanted to create a pleasant, full-service restaurant where you could have it your way.
The space: Is every bit the romantic, hidden Italian gem, where two-tops dot the dining room and live Frank Sinatra covers provide the soundtrack. When the lights go down, it’s the sort of place that feels a world away from bustling Hallandale Beach Blvd. outside, and the families that run the place make every guest feel like a regular. There’s also a couple of outdoor tables right next to a Broward County Transit bus stop, providing a special kind of in-dinner entertainment.
What to eat and drink: Creating your own pasta is the move, and I’m not going to tell you how to make your own food. If you’re too indecisive to create a pasta dish, well, I hope I’m never behind you at the Taco Bell drive-thru. But Pastino’s helps you out with a killer chicken parm that comes with a big plate of spaghetti. The garlic shrimp is the winner for the apps, though if you’re not into seafood the bruschetta is fresh and satisfying. Bonus points for free garlic bread before your meal – now if only Mexican restaurants could bring back free chips and salsa.
The wine list is small but packs a big punch. And there’s a certain living-your-best-life ambiance to going all Lady and the Tramp with the soothing sounds of Hallandale Beach Blvd. behind you.
Don’t miss: All-you-can-eat gnocchi for $20 on the 29th of every month. See if you can eat enough that they kick you out.
Perfect for: Romantic dates at in-the-know spots, especially if your date comes with a pre-printed list of food allergies. Though between you and me? Serious red flag.
Expect to pay: $40-50 per person if you go for the house wine.
How’s the parking? Pastino’s is part of the same strip mall as Wing Stop and Del Tori Insurance, though its entrance is on the sidewalk. Regardless, you can still park in the strip mall lot.
@pastinospastayvinos // 645 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach