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The holidays are fast approaching, and with the prospect of family gatherings, office Christmas parties and other social outings comes one big consideration: food. Luckily, whether you are looking for the best place for dinner with friends, family or coworkers, a special date night or catering any number of festive get-togethers, Pasta Grill has diners more than covered.
“When we get to be a small part of an event, to help people or to be a little piece of someone’s wedding day or any special celebration, it is such an honor, and we look forward to every one of them,” said co-owner Suzanne Hall, who opened the restaurant alongside husband Wes in Russellville in 1994.
The Halls did not expect to enter the restaurant business, but after being encouraged by restaurateur David Bubbus Sr. — that would be the “David” behind another much-loved staple, David’s Burgers — the couple discovered their calling in the industry. They were later able to expand into Conway, as well as adding a franchise location in Van Buren. The Halls’ 32 years in business have been filled with a lot of hard work, learning and growing along the way, but through it all, they have been motivated by the relationships forged with guests, many of whom have become friends.
“We definitely want to be a blessing to our community, and I would say that our customers have been a greater blessing to us,” Hall said. “They have helped us not to just be in the community as a business, but to make us feel welcome personally and to feel at home.”
Pasta Grill has made its name on quality, and that applies to both the welcoming atmosphere diners experience from the moment they arrive as well as the unbeatable recipes themselves. The restaurant has become one of the state’s most acclaimed names in Italian, steak and seafood dining, with fresh-made pasta, hand-cut steaks and Southern and Cajun-inspired classics bringing guests back for more time and again. Lunch or dinner, takeout or delivery, family-style dinners or event catering — no matter what the season’s itineraries call for, Pasta Grill makes for a crowd favorite.
“I love pleasing people with food,” Hall said. “It’s a good thing to gather together with people and enjoy company and fellowship.”
The Pasta Grill team is especially renowned for its impressive catering capabilities, making them a top choice for gatherings of all kinds, from corporate events to weddings and more. The catering team can travel to most places in the state and offers an extensive menu, including hors d’oeuvres and small plates. Pasta Grill takes care of everything from delivery and drop-off to full-service catering with servers and all. At the heart of the restaurant’s success, Hall added, is the talent and hard work of team members.
“We are so blessed with special people who have been with us for so long, some since the day we have opened,” she said. “That might say something about us, but it says even more about the caliber of people that we have and how special they truly are. We have a wonderful catering team, and we are looking forward to reaching out further across Arkansas.”
The award-winning Pasta Grill team also has no plans of slowing down anytime soon, with Hall saying they are excited to bring new things to the table — literally.
“We are working on new recipes for soups, desserts and pastas for fall and winter, and that is one of our favorite things about this coming season,” she said.
Pasta Grill has locations in Conway, Russellville and Van Buren. Learn more at pastagrillrestaurant.com.
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Dining and Cooking