When referring to food fusions, Italian and Japanese cuisine isn’t the pairing that first comes to most people’s minds. Yet that unlikely combination made this restaurant a fan favorite among diners.
Its authentic Italian dishes with Japanese accents offered a one-of-a-kind experience that kept guests coming back for decades.
Basta Pasta first opened its doors in Tokyo, Japan, in 1985 before expanding to New York City in 1990, when owner Toshi Suzuki brought his unique culinary style to the States, turning it into a Manhattan staple for 35 years.
But like many in the industry, this American dream story has come to an end. Basta Pasta will close its 37 W 17th Street location permanently on October 30.
While it will stop operations, Basta Pasta hinted at a possible return sometime in the future, but didn’t provide further details.
“Dear friends of Basta Pasta. It is hard to believe the time has come to share such difficult news. While saying goodbye to our 17th Street home is bittersweet, this is not the end. The spirit of Basta Pasta will live on, and we are already dreaming of what comes next in a new era,” wrote Basta Pasta on an Instagram post.
The restaurant didn’t disclose the reason for the sudden closure. However, during the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020, Basta Pasta reduced hours and temporarily paused lunch service, sharing on a Facebook post that it was “trying to stay positive” in the face of uncertainty.
Image source: Shutterstock
Basta Pasta customers react to the restaurant closure
After Basta Pasta posted the closure news on Instagram, many loyal guests flooded the comments section with their reactions.
One customer wrote: “Oh no! So sad to hear you are closing. Your restaurant has been one of my favorites. You’ll be truly missed.”
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A longtime customer shared: “I used to go to the one in Tokyo and in NYC for years! Sad to see you go! My late mother absolutely loved Basta Pasta! So many great memories there and the food is amazing!”
Another customer commented: “The best restaurant in New York. I always said I would no longer need to visit New York if you guys closed down. Thank you for all the incredible meals and memories.”
The restaurant industry faces mounting challenges
Basta Pasta’s closure is only one of many facing the restaurant industry.
Rising food, labor, and rent costs, combined with more cautious consumer spending, have created an unsustainable environment for many businesses. Even longtime operators with decades of experience aren’t immune.
Major chains such as Denny’s, TGI Fridays, and Applebee’s have also faced declining sales and mass closures, with some forced to file for bankruptcy to manage mounting debt.
According to Oysterlink, around half of restaurants close within five years, and only 34.6% survive beyond a decade.
“Independent and small restaurant owners are facing a number of challenges as we head into 2025, including the residual effects of the inflation spike of 2021 and 2022, elevated cost of capital due to a higher interest rate environment, and a low unemployment rate, which means a tight labor market for those looking to add staff,” said Kapitus COO Ben Johnson in a statement.
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