The Pasta House Pronto in the Old Post Office is officially open. You enter on the Locust side of the building, on the western end. You can also enter from the buliding. It's a nice-looking space, consistent with the decor of their other restaurants, but perhaps slightly more impressive given the spectacular backdrop. There seems to be seating for about forty or so. The menu includes pastas, sandwiches, and salads. All very reasonably priced (e.g, Mostaccioli is $5.75, Italian Sausage Sandwich is $6.25). Additionally, they will be serving breakfast items (pastries and egg-mcmuffin-type breakfast sandwiches) on weekdays. They're open Saturdays, closed Sundays. A most welcome addition to downtown.
Yes, this is good. For those of you who haven't been instead the OPO yet, its worth the trip. It truly is an incredible structure, and they've done a fantastic job in bringing it back to life. There's probably a dozen or so really nice Webster university classrooms on the lower level. Obviously there's going to be good student population in the building, and I hope they take every opportunity to get out and walk around, create some life on the streets, and frequent businesses around the building.
Yeah, its pretty cool, however, I think they could have chosen a better establishment than pasta house.
Oh well, 10th street italian is a couple of blocks away if you need another choice for fast food italian. It is quite yummy
stlpcsolutions wrote:Yeah, its pretty cool, however, I think they could have chosen a better establishment than pasta house.
They could have "chosen" a better establishment?
Listen, as much as downtown St. Louis is on the upswing, relative to its recent history, 10K residents is not the tipping point to bring every establishment we might want into the area.
I appreciate the ceasless optimism of this forum -- it's why I visit -- but sometimes we need perspective on where we really stand. While the difference in the past 7 or 8 years is noticeable, businesses aren't exactly beating down the door to get to move into downtown. There has been a lot of chain-bashing and snide remarks about some businesses, as thought we can be super-picky about who sets up shop. Notice I'm not saying we can't set architectural limits or parking limits to retain the urban character -- we should -- but as far as "picking a better establishment than Pasta House, I think the city is lucky that they're willing to take a risk....yes, a risk...moving into that location.
What's wrong with The Pasta House anyway? I've always had good meals at reasonable prices.
I personally think that their food is crap. But it is locally owned, and it's affordable, so I support their efforts to expand, especially when it benefits the city.
My parents have Billikens tickets, and they get a buy one get one deal with their tickets when SLU wins and scores so many points. So I've been more than I care to admit in recent years. I just think there are a ton of other places in and around the city that make much better food at comparable prices, so why waste your money on Pasta House. But I hope they succeed there, honestly. As long as they don't take away business from 10th Street, which is a great place.
My parents have Billikens tickets, and they get a buy one get one deal with their tickets when SLU wins and scores so many points. So I've been more than I care to admit in recent years. I just think there are a ton of other places in and around the city that make much better food at comparable prices, so why waste your money on Pasta House. But I hope they succeed there, honestly. As long as they don't take away business from 10th Street, which is a great place.
Went to Pasta House at the OPO today and it was closed. Gone. Anyone know anything about this?
hmmmm.... that is very wierd. That place was always pretty busy. Were they completely closed - signage gone and all?
They are still on the website:
http://www.pastahouse.com/pronto/index.html
They are still on the website:
http://www.pastahouse.com/pronto/index.html
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bprop wrote:stlpcsolutions wrote:Yeah, its pretty cool, however, I think they could have chosen a better establishment than pasta house.
They could have "chosen" a better establishment?
Listen, as much as downtown St. Louis is on the upswing, relative to its recent history, 10K residents is not the tipping point to bring every establishment we might want into the area.
I appreciate the ceasless optimism of this forum -- it's why I visit -- but sometimes we need perspective on where we really stand. While the difference in the past 7 or 8 years is noticeable, businesses aren't exactly beating down the door to get to move into downtown. There has been a lot of chain-bashing and snide remarks about some businesses, as thought we can be super-picky about who sets up shop. Notice I'm not saying we can't set architectural limits or parking limits to retain the urban character -- we should -- but as far as "picking a better establishment than Pasta House, I think the city is lucky that they're willing to take a risk....yes, a risk...moving into that location.
Trust that for every chain basher there's a mindless brand name adherent that is sure to keep the place afloat.
Matt Drops The H wrote:
Trust that for every chain basher there's a mindless brand name adherent that is sure to keep the place afloat.
Yes, the local-chain brand whores. Would IKEA and its customers be referred to similarly?
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Oh..wow...my ADD-influenced reading struck again. Didn't see the comment that this might be closed.
^^^
No, I'm not "happy" if that's the truth.
I am just astounded at how many people don't give a second thought to where they put their money. Every city will have some presence of national chains and a lot of these places are the only feasible way to buy certain goods (electronics aren't really a mom-and-pop thing these days, for example). But supporting locals when you can contributes to a more interesting and unique city.
ALL of my non-immediate family rotates between Pasta House, Chevy's, and Macaroni Grill for restaurants. I just don't understand it. St. Louis has such a plethora of interesting (and better) local options. So you should see my perspective. I don't want this Pasta House to fail, but having a really cool/edgy/comfortable/chic/whatever adjective besides boring or expected cafe in the historic Old Post Office wouldn't be so bad either.
^^^
No, I'm not "happy" if that's the truth.
I am just astounded at how many people don't give a second thought to where they put their money. Every city will have some presence of national chains and a lot of these places are the only feasible way to buy certain goods (electronics aren't really a mom-and-pop thing these days, for example). But supporting locals when you can contributes to a more interesting and unique city.
ALL of my non-immediate family rotates between Pasta House, Chevy's, and Macaroni Grill for restaurants. I just don't understand it. St. Louis has such a plethora of interesting (and better) local options. So you should see my perspective. I don't want this Pasta House to fail, but having a really cool/edgy/comfortable/chic/whatever adjective besides boring or expected cafe in the historic Old Post Office wouldn't be so bad either.
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Other than the poor food, what's wrong with Pasta House? Is it not still a local chain owned by Kim Tucci and family?
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The OPO Pasta House Express is actually a pretty good spot for lunch - it's fast, and their lunch specials are a pretty good deal. We also have a Pasta House express near my house - two, actually. I can't remember the last time I actually went to a Pasta House and sat down to eat, but the Express locations are a pretty good option for a quick meal.
Of course, if you want to compare Pasta House to 10th Street Italian, there's no comparison.
Of course, if you want to compare Pasta House to 10th Street Italian, there's no comparison.
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I still loves me some Pasta House salad.
seriously, I know there are better places to get pasta in STL, but like Moorlander said this is still a local chain.
Also I have been to my fair of cities--some larger and considered more cosmopolitan than St. Louis--where they would KILL for Italian cuisine as good as the Pasta House. In most of these places Olive Garden is the best they can do
seriously, I know there are better places to get pasta in STL, but like Moorlander said this is still a local chain.
Also I have been to my fair of cities--some larger and considered more cosmopolitan than St. Louis--where they would KILL for Italian cuisine as good as the Pasta House. In most of these places Olive Garden is the best they can do
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Yeah, I'm not really against local chains.
I just think Pasta House is a suburban-style by-the-numbers Italian place trying to beat Olive Garden at its own game. Their food is better than Olive Garden FOR SURE (worst chain ever...seriously)...but still I wouldn't classify it as good food.
I do think you take a risk, even as a local, when you branch out into a chain. The risk is that you dilute your identity and uniqueness, becoming a "brand" rather than a place.
I worry about this with Pi and Feraro's, for example (my two favorite pizza joints in town), but I don't know if either will simply mirror their original stores with the Kirkwood/CWE and South County locations, respectively, or whether they will give each store its own flavor.
It sounds like a small complaint, but I just find cities like Pittsburgh and New Orleans, where every commercial district is stuffed to the gills with different sized signs and unique storefronts and individualized local businesses, more livable for their unpredictability and variety.
I just think Pasta House is a suburban-style by-the-numbers Italian place trying to beat Olive Garden at its own game. Their food is better than Olive Garden FOR SURE (worst chain ever...seriously)...but still I wouldn't classify it as good food.
I do think you take a risk, even as a local, when you branch out into a chain. The risk is that you dilute your identity and uniqueness, becoming a "brand" rather than a place.
I worry about this with Pi and Feraro's, for example (my two favorite pizza joints in town), but I don't know if either will simply mirror their original stores with the Kirkwood/CWE and South County locations, respectively, or whether they will give each store its own flavor.
It sounds like a small complaint, but I just find cities like Pittsburgh and New Orleans, where every commercial district is stuffed to the gills with different sized signs and unique storefronts and individualized local businesses, more livable for their unpredictability and variety.
Downtown2007 wrote:Are you sure you didnt go after business hours?
I went at 11:30am and a call to the corporate offices confirmed that it closed Friday, October 2nd.
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Matt Drops The H wrote:I do think you take a risk, even as a local, when you branch out into a chain. The risk is that you dilute your identity and uniqueness, becoming a "brand" rather than a place.
So true. I remember when Llewellyn's, for example, was unique. The place was sold to the current owners who branched out and even took down the awesome sign from the original pub on McPherson.
For some reason, I like seeing the "first" TGI Fridays (which I think was in Nashville), the first Pizza Hut (on the Wichita State campus), and the humble beginnings of other monster chains.
BL211 wrote:Downtown2007 wrote:Are you sure you didnt go after business hours?
I went at 11:30am and a call to the corporate offices confirmed that it closed Friday, October 2nd.
Argh!
DeBaliviere wrote:Matt Drops The H wrote:I do think you take a risk, even as a local, when you branch out into a chain. The risk is that you dilute your identity and uniqueness, becoming a "brand" rather than a place.
So true. I remember when Llewellyn's, for example, was unique. The place was sold to the current owners who branched out and even took down the awesome sign from the original pub on McPherson.
Supposedly they're opening a location in "downtown" St. Charles.
Oh well, this place was not good. They got a lot of their food from a commissary somewhere else, like many restaurants at airports. I think that this prime space can/will be better utilized by someone else.
This may be the first of a string of small restaurants closing in the OPO area. The Culinaria opening has taken a HUGE chunk of the vital lunch business from the smaller restaurants in the area. Some are down almost 50% since the opening. Most downtown businesses are operating on shoe-string budgets and cannot withstand these type of losses for long.
That's interesting. I'm a little surprised that people still flock to Schnucks for lunch, unless it's the novelty factor that hasn't quite worn off. I really like the place, and it's outstanding as a grocery store, but having tried most of their different types of prepared food (sandwiches, grill, pizza...) but nothing has ever stood out or made me want to go there as opposed to one of the many restaurants nearby. Except maybe for the ordering kiosk..that is handy.