Caffe La Pastaia

Imagine an Italian family with father and son and their wives all working in the restaurant - and you've got Cafe La Pastaia. It's a cozy, little gem of a restaurant. Nothing much to look at from the outside, but warm and inviting once you are in the door. You'll want to linger, and the hosts encourage you to do so. I've seen the chef come out of the kitchen and walk around to the tables asking, really asking, how people like the food. So, now, on to the food: By all means start with the deep fried hearts of artichokes. Then the pear and gorgonsola salad with roasted hazlenuts. I keep ordering the shrimp and walnut ravioli again and again. And I have heard rave reviews of the osso buco (lamb). When friends order that there is none left on the plate. I must declare an interest - I am acquainted with the owner's, but, still, I keep going back and paying my own money to eat there. A bit hard to find: On Winchester Blvd, from I-280 go 2.1 miles South. Look for Winchester Hardwa ... more

Imagine an Italian family with father and son and their wives all working in the restaurant - and you've got Cafe La Pastaia. It's a cozy, little gem of a restaurant. Nothing much to look at from the outside, but warm and inviting once you are in the door. You'll want to linger, and the hosts encourage you to do so. I've seen the chef come out of the kitchen and walk around to the tables asking, really asking, how people like the food. So, now, on to the food: By all means start with the deep fried hearts of artichokes. Then the pear and gorgonsola salad with roasted hazlenuts. I keep ordering the shrimp and walnut ravioli again and again. And I have heard rave reviews of the osso buco (lamb). When friends order that there is none left on the plate. I must declare an interest - I am acquainted with the owner's, but, still, I keep going back and paying my own money to eat there. A bit hard to find: On Winchester Blvd, from I-280 go 2.1 miles South. Look for Winchester Hardware - Cafe La Pastaia is in same block. less