Italian restaurant Bastone closes after three years on Howell Mill Road
Bastone, the Italian restaurant and mozzarella bar owned by Chef Pat Pascarella, closed after three years at the corner of 8th Street and Howell Mill Road, according to an announcement on social media.
The restaurant took over the space previously occupied by Bocado in 2022, with Pascarella saying at the time that Bastone would be his most ambitious restaurant to date. Pascarella also owns three locations of Grana in Atlanta, Dunwoody, and Roswell, Alici Oyster Bar in Midtown, and The White Bull in Decatur.
Over the last week, Rough Draft received multiple tips regarding the possible closure of Bastone. Rumors also began circulating on social media that the restaurant would close after service on Mother’s Day.
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A Rough Draft reporter witnessed the removal of the Bastone sign beside the entrance on Wednesday, May 14. When questioned about the sign’s removal and closure, people working inside Bastone declined to comment. Later that afternoon, an announcement posted to social media by Pascarella publicly confirmed Bastone’s closure.
“When I named this restaurant, it was my thank you to one of the men that helped shape me into the person I am today–my grandfather,” Pascarella said in the statement. “This is what hurts the most: to know that I couldn’t keep honoring him through food.”
Rather than blame the economy, COVID-19, the Westside’s other restaurant closures, and high operating costs, Pascarella blamed himself.
“We could have done many things differently, but didn’t,” he added. “You learn from your mistakes, and as much as I would like to tell you that this is my last mistake, I doubt that’s possible.”
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Bastone becomes the latest restaurant to call it quits along Howell Mill Road and the surrounding streets.
Bartaco, just down the block from Bastone, closed on May 5 after 11 years on Marietta Street. West Egg Cafe, Snooze an A.M. Eatery, Humble Pie, L.O.A. Social Club, Superica, Wagamama, Slim + Husky, Culinary Dropout, Le Fat, and Postino Wine Bar all closed over the last several months.
Speculation as to why there have been so many restaurant closures in the area ranges from high parking fees and high rents to restaurant saturation along this stretch of Howell Mill Road. However, traffic, lack of reliable public transit, and lack of proper infrastructure may also factor into the rash of closures.
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