Basta!

I came for the happy hour which is M-F 4-5pm and it was such a great deal where espresso martinis were $5!! I also got the crispy cacio e pepe gnocchi on happy hour which was pretty much a fried gnocchi with cacio e pepe dipping sauce which was delicious with the crispy exterior but pillowy softness inside. I also ordered the rigatoni all vodka and wanted another plate of the pasta dish because the cream-based tomato sauce was sooo addictive!! As for the ambiance, it's in the heart of the Little Italy food hall area where we enjoyed sitting outside to people-watch. Staff was friendly and attentive, checking in on us often. Place felt clean and well-managed. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience here.

I visited Basta a couple of weeks ago on a Friday for happy hour. The happy hour drink selection was a bit limited, with only two types of wine on special. They also had a happy hour food menu, and we decided to try the crispy gnocchi and the charcuterie board.The crispy gnocchi was a bit of a miss for us. The sauce it came with was overly salty, which really overpowered the dish. However, our bartender was super friendly and accommodating--when we asked for a side of marinara sauce, he went out of his way to get it for us. The gnocchi tasted much better with the marinara, and we ended up enjoying it more.The charcuterie board was definitely the highlight. The prosciutto was cut fresh, and the rest of the selection was delicious. Overall, our experience was good, mainly due to the excellent service. However, based on the two appetizers we tried, I'm not sure I'd return to explore the rest of the menu. The food was just okay, but the friendly service definitely made our visit worthwhile.

Cute little spot in Little Italy. My daughter was recently here so this time we went together. Very limited menu. But tasty food. My favorite of what we had was the Ricotta Tortellini. Tasted refreshing with the citrus sauce. Least favorite was the steak tartare. I typically love it, so was disappointed when I had this one. Hoping maybe it was just a bad batch. ???Our server, Miho, was awesome. When we were settling up, he noticed we barely touched the tartare and asked if we didn't like it. I told him it tasted a bit off. I really did want to like it but just couldn't. Seriously bummed about that. In any case, he had it removed from our bill. Such a nice gesture from him and the restaurant. I'll be back for sure. Plus the ambiance. You sit on the patio, hear some music and people watch. Thanks Basta!

Sam The Cooking Guy has changed the concept at this corner suite in the Piazza Della Famiglia of Little Italy into a full-service Italian restaurant. Basta! (enough!) opened at the beginning of this month with a menu that focused on small dishes. I counted 15 offerings that seemed to be listed in random order. Prices ranged from $12 (e.g. Bone Marrow Garlic Bread) up to $36 (e.g. Cheese + Charcuterie). The more intiguing options were on the Weekly Menu + More that listed daily (weekday) specials, a beer menu, and happy hour deals.I settled on The Meatball and the Italian Chicken + Waffles for my meal. A blend of pork and beef was used to make the meatball which was dressed with fresh herbs, breadcrumbs, and parmesan. It was served in marinara sauce with a couple of pieces of sourdough bread. The flavor was fine, but the disappointment was the $14 cost for just one meatball of baseball size. There needed to be two pieces or a much larger single meatball if the price was going to exceed $10.Roasted chicken sliced into several portions was dressed with lemon, capers, onions, and olives for the second item. Three pieces of polenta waffle were provided on the side. The chicken was very moist as the juices kept the meat succulent. What was missing in this dish was a sweet component to make it feel like a true chicken and waffles. Maple syrup, molasses, or honey was needed to counter the dryness of the waffles. This should be a simple enhancement.The open air setup was conducive to watching people mill about the plaza and fountain area, especially if you choose to sit on the outdoor front patio. The waiter did an adequate job of servicing my table. I do wonder about the pricing though as the neighborhood is teeming with competition. That was a factor in why I limited my rating of Basta! to under four stars.

Newly opened a week ago! It's right in the heart of little Italy and the location of the restaurant is right by the little Italy fountain.The food is all share style and they have a full bar!Loved the ambience and perfect for outdoor seating. Service is really great as well.We ordered 3 dishesCrispy gnocchi: 12/10.Ricotta ravioli. 7/10. Comes with herb and cream oil which I didn't love... Fingerling Potatoes: 4/10. I'm not a fan of smoked flavor but I can take some of it. The potatoes had overpowering smoked flavor. Although the yogurt dressing was really good!I would come back just for drinks and the gnocchi!

Frankie was awesome! Super attentive and had great recommendations. This spot was great for people watching as well!

Great food & amazing espresso martinis, excellent service at the bar, cool layout & neat artwork. Also live music just beyond the perimeter of the patio, Frank Sinatra songs mostly since it's in Little Italy. Also took an extra cocktail with me to-go after dinner & sipped on it in the piazza while the band finished their set.

If you live in the SD area or are in town visiting, I highly recommend "Basta". Amazing service and friendly workers. You can sit outside or inside and let me tell you the ambiance and setting is very enjoyable. Miho and Michelle made the experience so much better. Happy, friendly, and got back to us asap everytime.This business just opened up, please help them get the ball rolling and check it out! Cheers

Incredible food! Not super heavy. Great waiters and staff with enthusiasm. Definitely recommend for a date night or special event.

The vibe here is great, the crudo is a fabulously fresh choice paired with some cava. Yes! What a great way to cap a day at the market. We'll have to come back for dinner!!!