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Business & Tech

Little Italy in Beverly Hills

Il Pastaio serves fashionable diners homemade pasta on Canon Drive.

Pasta lovers searching for a Little Italy dining experience in Beverly Hills are beckoned by Il Pastaio's homemade pasta and intimate, aroma-filled dining room. 

Situated on the corner of Canon Drive and Brighton Way, Il Pastaio first opened its doors in 1994 as a cafe spinoff by renowned Italian chef Celestino Drago of Drago Ristorante fame, and his business partner/brother Giacomino Drago. The restaurant boasts a large, Euro-style patio and wall-to-wall windows. It's ideal for people watching, even when dining indoors.

Despite not having a reservation, I was immediately seated amongst the bustle of fashionable elderly locals and groups of Armani-suited men conducting business. An Italian-accented server took my food order after delivering drinks and a basket of freshly baked bread.

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The Carpaccio di Tonno ($14.95), or tuna carpaccio, is plated beautifully and topped with greens tossed in a delicate lemon vinaigrette. The bigeye tuna is thinly sliced and so tender that it melts on contact with your tongue. Capers add a tangy pop of flavor to the freshness of the fish. The Mista Insalate ($6.50)—a simple mixed salad with crisp baby greens, shaved carrots and a light vinaigrette—is an ideal appetizer. It's large enough for two and perfectly light on the stomach. Trust me, you'll want to save room for your main course. 

With a name like Il Pastaio, Italian for "the pasta maker," it's clear that pasta is the real star on the menu. The Cappellini ($10.75), my pasta of choice when dining out, came cooked al dente, just how I prefer. Despite the somewhat bland ingredients (just tomatoes, basil, garlic, salt and pepper served over angel hair pasta), the flavors came together to create the best version of the dish I've ever had. The fresh ingredients and homemade pasta are fit for a Sicilian grandmother.

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The Mezzelune ($17.95), half-moon ravioli stuffed with lobster and zucchini, was a more adventurous selection than the Cappellini. The delicate ravioli is served with bite-sized pieces of lobster for garnish in a bright orange, lobster-infused sauce that was quickly dabbed up with leftover bread. 

No Italian meal is complete without the perfectly paired wine, and Il Pastaio is equipped with an arsenal of selections. Their lengthy wine list boasts a variety of both Italian and Californian wines. Most are available by the glass. Servers are happy to make recommendations depending on your meal and palate preference.

Cappuccinos and a slice of tiramisu ($8.95) make for a strong finish to an evening of fine Italian dining. A good Italian restaurant should always have stellar tiramisu, but after waiting 10-15 minutes for dessert to arrive (far too long), the cappuccino was consumed and the tiramisu was skipped over for the check.

While elbowroom is minimal and nary a conversation is private in the tightly packed dining room, a constant flow of well-dressed diners makes Il Pastaio a sociable place to meet and eat. Service may be slow on busy nights, but go in with the Italian dining mindset, take your time and make sure you order the pasta. 

Il Pastaio is located at 400 N. Canon Dr. Open for Lunch and Dinner Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-midnight; Sunday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Telephone: 310-274-3200. Metered street parking or paid lot across the street.

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