Pasta Fina Italian Restaurant & Cafe

I really miss this place :(
the food was great, the prices were incredibly reasonable, the service was super attentive, and the ever-​present owner, Louie, was a blast. It’s been closed for a few years now, and we haven’t quite found an Astoria replacement for great, casual Italian. I hope he’s lounging on a beach chair in the Greece these days!

This place looks like a tiny little hole in the wall from the outside but it continues back to a respectably-​sized recessed dining room. The owners are adorable, aging Italian people who give everything their personal touch without micromanaging. They’re a very low-​key, sit anywhere if it’s not crowded type of restaurant.
When you first sit down, they bring you the most delicious, refreshing water I have ever tasted. Seriously, all they’re putting in there is lemons, apples and oranges and somehow it tastes like crack. Delicious delicious crack. You’ll be glad to have the water, and even gladder when they keep it coming, because they have an old world approach to air conditioning.
They start you off with bread like any normal restaurant, but their bread is pizza bread and it is so insanely delicious it can’t be legal. Resist the urge to eat it all. It’s going to be hard, but do it.
Because then your food arrives. They have a fairly extensive menu, but, somehow, everything on it is delicious. I have tried things off of other people’s plates and it has always been delicious, but I am forever married to their lobster ravioli in vodka sauce. It is full-​flavored without being overpowering and just… yummy. Just eat it, guys.
I’ve only made it to dessert once or twice and I could take it or leave it, but their coffee is great.
Only caveat: it’s on Steinway, so good luck parking if you’re crazy enough to drive there (like I am).

i’m sorry to say i was a bit disappointed. i did delivery and my meat sauce was dry… very dry and no flava! however they were super fast and really nice on the phone…
i’m willing to give ‘em a second chance.
what should i get next time?

Love this place! Absolutely amazing food – everything is good. Great wine selection. Amazing service. The ambiance isn’t the best – a little too brightly lit, a little cheesy looking, but it’s a real hidden treasure. I dare you find a dish you don’t like on the menu.

Queensians — I have a secret for you. You don’t have to take the 7 to Grand Central and then hop on the 456 to go to Little Italy for great Italian food in New York. Just take the R to Steinway (or walk, or drive, whatever, I really don’t care how you get there!)
Pasta Fina has a wonderful selection of pastas, seafood, and meat dishes. The décor is beautiful (keeping in mind that this is the middle of Steinway Street), and the wine list fairly extensive from what I’ve seen.
Everything I’ve tasted has been delicious, and prices starting around 9 $, it won’t break the bank to eat there either!