Pasta Pomodoro - Emeryville

The service can be a bit slow, and the prices are on the higher side. I ordered the bruschetta, which was just okay because the bread wasn’t toasted enough. However, the shrimp and asparagus pasta was actually quite good and came with a generous portion of shrimp. Overall, it was a decent experience.

I was greeted promptly and my order was taken quickly. I chose a glass of wine and the spaghetti arrabbiata. Normally, it comes with sausages or meatballs, but I opted for shrimp instead, making it a bit more like a Diavola-style pasta. The Chianti I had was tasty and quite good, while the bread was okay. However, the dip that accompanied it—a delicious olive oil-based pesto sauce—was a surprise. I’m usually not a pesto fan, but this one was delightful. My pasta arrived in a reasonable amount of time (I wasn't in a rush), and it was incredibly tasty—on par with what I’ve had in Europe, and I typically dine at higher-end places. I really enjoyed my lunch and would return, possibly even stopping by the Rockridge location. In terms of chains, I prefer Pasta Pomodoro over Olive Garden. For the price and quality of the food, along with the service, I’d take this place over some of the mid-range Italian restaurants in Oakland. My only minor complaints, aside from the messy bathroom, were that the staff, while very friendly, seemed overwhelmed in the kitchen, leading to some mistakes and awkward conversations as if they sometimes forgot I was there. Overall, though, my experience exceeded my low expectations and was quite enjoyable.

The service was excellent, and I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the food arrived. If you visit this restaurant, I highly recommend trying the Shrimp Pasta and the Penne Portobello. Overall, it's a fantastic place!