319514 Mon Aug 21 19:33:40 -0700 2006 5 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 1822927 Following a recc on the board, we tried La Pastaria in Los Gatos over the weekend. It was, as described, truly a hidden gem. Very fresh pasta accented, but not overwhelemed, by simple, flavorful sauces made from fresh ingredients. I started with the Caesar ... usually a good test of a restaurant as it quickly reveals their propensity for fresh vs. canned ingredients. When it first arrived, I was prepared not to like it. The dressing looked a bit too creamy, and I feared a slick mayonaissy (is that a word?) mess was about to follow. One bite and I was cured. A burst of fresh lemon complemented the well balanced and surprisingly light dressing. While I would have preferred shaved instead of julienne-grated Parmesan, and the dressing could have used just a touch more anchovy (or, better yet, a few anchoives on the salad), I finished every bite, using the ciabbata bread to soak up every last drop. A couple others at the table shared a warm brie and roasted garlic appetizer ... which they proclaimed a hit. I was too busy with my caesar and barely had time to snag a small taste before it was gone, but it seemed good to me, too. The entrees followed a similar pattern. When delivered to our table, like the caesar none of them looked particularly wonderful, but one bite and we were sold. Again, I was so busy with my selection that I snagged only isolated bites of the others. Mine was the aglio y olio pasta ... very fresh fettucine cooked to a pefect al dente served simply with olive oil, garlic and red pepper, lightly accented with some fresh wilted spinach and sundried tomatoes. Very delicate flavors that perfectly complimented, but did not hide, the pasta. Again, I finished every last bite. I managed to snag a quick mouthful of a crab canneloni dish that was also very good ... great taste of crab and pasta, a light tomato sauce, and not much else, just letting the freshness of the flavors shine through. Not sure if the pasta for that dish was made at the restaurant or not, but it was definitely fresh ... and good. (The menu said only that their "string pasta" is made fresh on the premises ... assume rolled pasta would be made there, too, but use of the "string pasta" descriptor raised the question, and I was too busy eating to ask for a clarification) Total bill for 4 came to an even $100, including tip and a $15 corkage fee. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for good chow in Los Gatos without draining your ATM in the process. The Pasteria, 49 E. Main St., Los Gatos. Open for dinner Sun.-Thu. 5-9:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 5-10 p.m. 408.399.3477. Mon Aug 21 19:33:40 -0700 2006 14855 djh 1 1823110 So happy you enjoyed it! This was my bf (now husband) and my favorite place when he lived in San Jose... alas we have moved to Pleasanton and have yet to find such a gem... Mon Aug 21 20:19:16 -0700 2006 1822927 13103 Foodrat 2 1823166 And thank you for the recc. I don't get down to Los Gatos all that often, either, but next time I do I plan to try the pink vodka sauce you mentioned in your earlier post. Mon Aug 21 20:35:36 -0700 2006 1823110 14855 djh 1 1823674 Sounds wonderful! How much are entrees - specifically your aglio y olio? Mon Aug 21 23:50:27 -0700 2006 1822927 10992 katya 2 1825006 Most entrees were $8.95 to $12.95 as I recall, and I think the aglio y olio was $9.95. The starters were mostly under $10, and soups and salads around $4-$6. Tue Aug 22 16:35:35 -0700 2006 1823674 14855 djh 1 1825109 Thanks for the report on Pastaria. Seems like it's a really great deal, those prices seem much lower than what we've seen for Los Gatos. Tue Aug 22 17:08:26 -0700 2006 1822927 10961 Alice Patis