Mozzarella is the star at new West Midtown restaurant
ATLANTA - Once upon a time, chef Pat Pascarella’s grandfather would yell out the Italian word "Bastone!" during card games.
Now, years later, Pascarella is hearing people enthusiastically say the word again — this time, while raving about his latest culinary concept.
This morning, we got our first look inside Bastone, described by the chef-owner as a "wine-focused mozzarella bar" which just opened in West Midtown earlier this month. Bastone’s opening completes a trio of Italian restaurants for Pascarella here in Metro Atlanta, joining The White Bull in Decatur and Grana on Piedmont Avenue; the chef says he grew up with the Italian cooking of his mother and grandmother, and aims to pass on their flavorful legacies with his local establishments.
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So, let’s talk about that menu! Mozzarella is the star of the show here, with the chef and his team hand-pulling the traditional Italian cheese right behind the bar in full view of guests. Diners interested in getting the full mozzarella experience can enjoy what’s called a "gran degustazione" (or a grand tasting), consisting of several varieties of the cheese along with cured meats, roasted artichokes, and more. The Bastone team also serves up several hand-made pasta dishes, salads, small plates, and desserts — and, of course, there’s a full selection of Italian wines, local beers, and craft cocktails.
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Bastone is located at 887 Howell Mill Road Northeast in Atlanta, and current hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For a look at the menu, click here — and click the video player in this article to check out our morning learning how to hand-stretch mozzarella at Bastone!
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