There was a mix-up with the time.

House of Pasta on the Lower East Side took our reservation for noon, but said they didn’t open until 12:30. Carlos allowed us to wait inside and yack while he finished setting up, then became our awesome server.

I met a friend at House of Pasta on the Lower East Side for my birthday celebration. We had to reschedule our luncheon many times since June, which has stretched out my celebration. As a birthday-a-holic, I don’t mind.

The House of Pasta is a must-go for a casual, delicious, reasonably priced lunch. Carlos, our server, couldn’t have been more attentive or hospitable.

While perusing the menu, Carlos delivered a bread basket with herbed olive oil. We then shared their heirloom tomatoes with fresh burrata ($16) and the whipped ricotta on incredible baquettes with a chewy interior and crispy crust. Not to be missed. One came topped with caramelized peaches, one with prosciutto and another with sundried tomatoes ($18). I sipped the Monet Tondo Soave Classico, 2020 ($16) along with the starters.

That could have been enough for me, yet we still had our entrees to eat. One was better than the next. My dining partner had the roast chicken with a lightly dressed salad and batons of potatoes ($25). I tried the lightly battered pan-fried flounder in a delicate white wine lemon butter sauce with pasta ($26). We each took half home as it was way too much food.

Carlos had heard us mention a birthday and brought us their volcán de dulce leche gratis, a warm molten cake filled with rice chocolate dulce de leche, served with vanilla ice cream ($12) and coffee.

I highly recommend a visit to House of Pasta.

House of Pasta
Lower East Side
511 E 12th Street
New York, NY 10009
(646) 918-6853
houseofpastanyc.com