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PASTINA
2260 Westwood Blvd,
W. Los Angeles
310-441-4655
Light-filled and
quiet enough for conversation. Pastina’s warm welcome extends
to all. The atmosphere here is a pleasure for all diners:
singles, young romantic couples, their grandparents, or groups
celebrating a special occasion.
Nibbling the warm
fresh focaccia bread while sipping your drink and studying the
menu will whet your appetite. Crisp, lightly breaded little
goat cheesecakes, mixed with sun-dried tomatoes and roasted
pine nuts, have a bright flavor that is especially tasty with
the accompanying roasted bell peppers.
A light tomato and
mustard sauce gives the grilled scampi a pleasing, zesty
flavor. This antipasto is $10.95 while the goat cheesecakes
are $9.95. These are but two the dozen antipasti listed. The
Pastina salad ($8.95) is a chopped array of aromatic arugula,
Belgian endive and radicchio, topped with semi-soft, diced
mozzarella and tomatoes, tossed with a light, well-balanced
dressing.
Large single
ravioli, stuffed with lobster in a rich truffle sauce and
another filled with a Portobello mushroom, arrives enhanced by
a creamy Alfredo sauce. This makes for an excellent pasta
course: delicious and not too filling. The myriad half-pastas
listed in the $13 to $15 price range, which makes dinner here
modest in price if you wish. Classic lasagna with a meat sauce
costs $14.95; linguine with fresh clams, garlic and olive oil
is $14.50. Angel-hair pasta, with diced fresh tomatoes,
garlic, basil and olive oil, is a steal at $12.95.
The half dozen
pizzas (all under $12.95) include several vegetarian
varieties.
Ossobuco Alla
Milanese, a dish of succulent veal shanks braised to a melting
tenderness, is served here on a bed of mashed potatoes: The
rich, flavorful stock gives both the falling-off-the-bone veal
and the potatoes elegant flavor. This “Special of the Day”
lists at $28.95.
Sweet and
delicately moist sand dabs, sautéed with white wine, lemon and
capers, are delicious, as are the accompanying vegetables:
carrot, zucchini, squash and spinach ($26.95). Of course,
there are many other entrees listed, everything from sautéed
chicken breast dishes ($16.95) to a simple marinated and
grilled chicken breast ($13.95), Veal Scaloppini, at $21.95
costs the same as the fresh sea scallops and shrimp, bathed in
a spicy tomato sauce.
Tiramisu-that
airy, heavenly dessert with its coffee/chocolate parfum-is the
perfect ending to this meal. Served on a painted plate, the
tiramisu, along with coffee and conversation with genial host
and proprietor Franco, ended our evening on a happy note.
Franco greets and visits with most guests during the course of
an evening.
For those who want
a cocktail, there is full bar service.
Pastina is open
for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Dinner is served from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday
and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Closed on
Sunday.
--GH 9/3/09
PASTINA is not
cutting edge; it’s just delicious. This is southern Italian
home cooking – hearty, familiar, and really yummy. The
ambiance is friendly and comfortable – just like the food.
Start with eggplant parmigiana or thinly-sliced bresaola with
shaved Parmesan, olive oil and lemon, or baby calamari sautéed
with olives, capers, garlic and tomato sauce. Pasta is fine.
Try the spaghetti flambéed with cognac and shrimp, or the
fettuccine with porcini mushrooms and peas in a cream sauce.
Main courses include chicken breast sautéed with garlic,
porcinis and white wine and a spectacular veal scalloppine
topped with eggplant, prosciutto, mozzarella and white wine.
Yum. Service is professional and the wine list is very well
chosen. Prices are moderate at PATINA – figure $35 a head for
a three-course meal. Check it out, at 2260 Westwood Boulevard.
For more restaurant reviews check my BLUEBLOG at
bluelifestyle.com.
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