Media

November 1, 2007

POST TASTE
Grace Hiney

PASTINA
2260 Westwood Boulevard
(south of Olympic)
West Los Angeles
(310)-441-4655

Attractive and light filled, this Italian restaurant is a pleasure in many ways. The atmosphere is quite enough so that you can actually hold a conversation, the service is helpful and accommodating and, there is full bar service for those who prefer a cocktail to a glass of wine. Plus, the food is delicious!

Wafer thin slices of Parma prosciutto with creamy burrata cheese made the perfect taste combination of rich and salty. Scampi alla Griglia or breaded and grilled shrimp in a fine light tomato, garlic and mustard sauce were excellent.

Crisp lightly coated little goat cheese cakes mixed with sun-dried tomatoes and roasted pine nuts were filled with bright flavor that was especially tasty with the accompanying roasted bell peppers.

A fresh spinach salad with sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts for a bit of crunch and goat cheese, was exceptionally fresh. It was tossed with a light, beautifully balances vinaigrette.

Our pasta course was a luscious lobster ravioli in a vodka sauce. Creamy and delicious, this pasta course was light, not heavy and made a fine prelude to our entrée.

Our entrees were garlicky sautéed, shrimp scamp with mushrooms in a white wine sauce brightened with lemon. The other was tender, sweet flavored monkfish in a pink sauce. With these came Italian roasted potatoes and excellent sautéed spinach.

A light and airy tiramisu surrounded with small almond biscotti made a splendid finish to this terrific dinner. The biscotti were particularly good with our espresso coffees.

Prices at Pastina are moderate which is another plus. The dozen antipasti listed are all under $10 with a couple of exceptions. Salads are in the $7.95 to $8.95 price category while pizzas range from $9.95 to $12.50. There are a large number of pastas varying from the classic Fettuccine alla Bolognese with Italian meat sauce, to my favorite, Linguine con Vongole with fresh calms, to Farafalle al Salmone which is bow-tie pasta with smoked salmon and shallots in a light creamy tomato sauce. Among some of the other pastas are a number that are vegetarian such a pasta Primavera with fresh vegetables, and diced fresh tomatoes all flavored with garlic, olive oil and basil.

Entrees include a variety of chicken breast preparations in the $17 and under price range, along with Ossobuco Milanese, braised veal shank. $24.95, Veal Piccata, $19.95, veal Scaloppine Pastina, $21.95, and the Scampi, $18.95, as well as dauly specials. These usually include a fresh fish which I have always found to be simply prepared and delicious.

At Pastina you will find diners of all ages from romantic young couples, to singles who are treated with respect they receive in Europe, to folks reminiscing about the good old days. And, just like the good old days, proprietor Franco Catullo is usually on hand to extend a warm greeting.

Pastina is open Monday through Friday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday while on Friday and Saturday the hours are from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

-GH 11/01/07