Pasta?, Palo Alto
If you’re looking for a honest dish of pasta without too much fuzz, then Pasta? is a good destination. Located on University Avenue, across the street from La Strada and around the corner from Vero, Pasta? is distinctively different from either one. Very unpretentious and quite hearty in its serving, Pasta? seems like a good mingle of an Italian-American inspired menu with additions that are purely Italian.
On my visit, I ordered Penne alla Norcina, with mushrooms, green peas and sausage. My lunch companion ordered the ravioli with a simple tomato sauce. My pasta was perfectly cooked al dente and was not too greasy, which often happens when ordering a cream sauce pasta. I have been looking for a good balance in this topping and I finally fund it- flavorful without swimming in butter and cream!
The ravioli were simple and well executed- simple filling, simple sauce- not too acidic, a tad sweet, not too seasoned with fancy spices that only cover the true flavors of the food. A good lunch- nothing to write home about maybe, but a honest execution of simple Italian fares- and at a very reasonable price. Please note that you will see pasta with chicken in the menu- but I found the execution of the dishes to be fair enough to chiudere un occhio (turn a blind eye, in proper English- I think!) to this huge pet peeves of mine!
A final recommendation- if time allows for it, skip espresso and head to Caffe’ del Doge instead. The espresso I had at Pasta? was truly forgettable, while two blocks up they brew one of the best caffe’ of the area!
Pasta?
326 University Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 328-4585
Filed under: Peninsula, Restaurants
For two years I worked across the street from Pasta? back in the late ’90s — the pasta plates used to be in the $5-$6 range, can you imagine? Anyways, I was addicted to Pasta? when I lived on the Peninsula, it’s good to see your nice review here (and to know these guys are stil in business). My favorites are the gnocchi (light, handmade – with tomato sauce) and the salmon fettucine.