The Jalali family will close their longtime Berkeley and San Francisco restaurant on Friday, Dec. 15, and retire. (Photo courtesy of Pasta Bene)
Restaurateurs Farhad and Ladan Jalali are calling it a career.
After serving affordable Italian fare to Cal students and other Berkeley neighbors for 13 years and San Francisco residents for 20 years before that, the couple is retiring. Their Pasta Bene restaurant will close for good at the end of service on Friday, Dec. 15.
Besides pasta, pizza, sandwiches and salad, Pasta Bene was known for its house-made focaccia served with every entree (“helps sop up the sauce,” they said on Facebook) and for its tiramisu.
In a farewell note, they thanked customers, the Telegraph Avenue community, their staff and more:
“To our frequent patrons, whose names, favorite dishes and preferred tables we know, you brightened our place when you stepped inside. Thank you! To the students of UCB, Thank you! To our wonderful neighbors on Telegraph Avenue, Thank you!
We specially thank the owners of Pho K & K Restaurant next door for their endless support. You will see us when we crave your delicious soups. To the Telegraph Ambassadors, who work around the clock to keep our neighborhood intact, Thank you!
“Last, but certainly not least, to our dedicated team members who were up to the task in any circumstance for over three decades. You maintained the highest standards to keep the quality of our food and our service at its best.”
From now through closing day, the restaurant will retain its serving hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Details: 2565 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley; www.pastabenebk.com
Originally published at Linda Zavoral