There were speculations about the closure of the Italian restaurant, Bastone, on Howell Mill Road. The official announcement came on May 14, 2025, when the owner, Chef Pat Pascarella, posted the news on Instagram. He took personal responsibility for the closure, as things could have been handled better.
Highlights
- Bastone was an Italian restaurant that opened in March 2022 and has now permanently closed.
- The sudden news came as a shock to diners in Atlanta when the owner took to social media regarding the update.
- Instead of blaming external factors, the owner took personal responsibility for the closure.
Bastone Closed on Howell Mill Road
Bastone was located at 887 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 for the last three years. Rumors have been circulating in the past week about the anticipated closure of the restaurant over the weekend. On May 14, 2025, the news became official when the owner, Chef Pat Pascarella, took to his Instagram account to confirm the news.
It was a tough decision for the owner, as he mentioned in his Instagram announcement. He thanked every staff member and customer who became part of Bastone’s journey. Unlike some in the industry, he did not cite external circumstances as the cause; neither did he attribute it to the economy, COVID, or foot traffic. As per the post, many things could have been done differently, which would have shaped a better future for Bastone. But as mistakes are meant to be made for progressive learning, Chef Pat is hopeful of making better decisions in the future.
Bastone’s Background and Other Restaurants by Chef Pat
Bastone was opened in March 2022 by Chef Pat Pascarella in place of Bocado. It was started in honor of Pascarella’s grandfather, as the chef believed that he was the reason behind shaping his personality.
During its three-year run, this Italian restaurant impressed diners with a Naples-inspired Mozzarella bar, pasta, and great cocktails. Mozzarella was a staple part of Pascarella’s family heritage in Naples, and he always wanted to execute a concept like Bastone. Unfortunately, this could not work, but there are other restaurants that Chef Pat runs, such as The White Bull in Decatur, and different locations of Grana, where diners can continue to enjoy his cooking.
Many restaurants and eateries went out of business in recent months, which has impacted the communities as well as the businesses. Especially on Howell Mill Road, high rents and parking fees are said to be major contributing factors to challenges faced by restaurants.
