Il Fornaio

24 West Union Street(Located in the One Colorado Shopping Center)
Pasadena, CA 91103
Phone: 626.683.9797
Email: pasadena@ilfo.com
Map

Highly Recommended

This is a chain restaurant that does things right: white linens on the tables; open hearth, wood fired ovens; wait staff in long, white aprons and the overall feel of authentic Italian trattoria (or so I would imagine) I cannot say enough positive things about this place.

The menu has so many interesting selections return visits are a must. The appetizer menu runs from 7 - 13 dollars. I started with the Calamaretti Fritti (for $9.95). , served with spicy marinara sauce. A generous portion of baby squid, lightly floured and deep fried; simply prepared with excellent results.

I then went on to the Insalata di Bietole (for $7.75) Organic red and gold beets with red wine vinegar, wild arugula, toasted walnuts and Asiago cheese; lemon-olive oil dressing. If I had to find anything negative to say about this meal, it would be that the walnuts did not add a lot to the dish but otherwise the salad was without flaw. The dressing was very light in flavor and applied sparingly so as not to overwhelm any of the other components of the dish. The combination of the mild bitterness of the arugula and the earthy sweetness of the beets were pulled together perfectly by the Asiago. Too many times I have seen a salad like this topped with a blue or green cheese which overwhelms all other ingredients. Bravo for restraint!

My entree was the Gnocchi Emilia (for $14.95). In house made potato dumplings with butternut squash, Italian ham, porcini mushroom, truffle oil and cream. Once again, a definite winner! The dumplings were soft but resilient and the rest of the ingredients were applied to compliment them. There was just enough cream sauce to coat each dumpling, porchini and truffle oil scented the cream, without overpowering and the saltiness of the ham pulled it all together. Once again, the success of this dish lies not only in the ingredients but how they are applied to compliment the whole dish.

I sat at the bar and was well taken care of. The bartender gave good advise on wine by the glass and ensured my meal was served promptly. I was on my way to the airport and the bartender lived up to her promise to get me out of the restaurant in under 45 minutes.

I hope this chain of restaurants spreads east, setting the standard for unpretentious excellence.