DISH OF THE WEEK: Cacio e Pepe at PASTA LOUISE

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

For the last two years, it seemed like the parties (at least my type of party) were at Pasta Louise. All of my friends in the food world had spent evenings in their outdoor dining area relishing their homemade pastas and ice creams. Since Park Slope is a little off my usual route, I jealously watched from afar.

But my time finally came when I was able to be part of the party.

Pasta Louise opened in July 2020 after delays due to the pandemic. But that didn’t stop people from visiting. The restaurant and pasta shop takes up an entire corner in a mostly residential part of Park Slope. It’s been so popular that they are actually expanding to a larger location this year a bit further down the block.

The menu is pretty simple with a rotating list of fresh pasta shapes to pair with any number of house sauces. My only gripe here is that most menu items are a base price and the almost every ingredient is an upcharge. Do you want breadcrumbs with your pesto? $.75. Arugula will be $2.50. I don’t mind the DIY pricing, but it’s harder to swallow when you see all the additions to your bill.

That being said, the finished plate of pasta is pretty satisfying indeed.

I went with their famous Cacio e Pepe which was available with little pasta twists called Casarece. I was convinced into adding spicy, crispy prosciutto for an extra $3.50.

The fresh pasta was toothsome and perfectly cooked. It soaked up the rich creamy pecorino cheese sauce and captured the big molecules of cracked black pepper. Very simple, but flavorful. And then the mounds of crispy prosciutto added some heat, texture, and saltiness.

I also ended the meal with their daily soft serve flavor (mint). With colored sprinkles. See – my kind of party!! Price: $13.50 (plus extras)