The Montrose Shopping Park has been getting quite a reputation for our Italian restaurants. Each one has something special to offer and I look forward to writing about all of them. I have very fond memories of when Dale and I first discovered Pasta Preziosa. It was back in 2000 when we were first opening Mountain Rose Gifts. Exhausted, we would escape to the patio of Pasta Preziosa and be transformed by the “jaw dropping” mountain views and delicious food. No other restaurant in town has a patio with a view like this. You will almost feel like you are surrounded by the mountains in Northern Italy, all the more exciting for moon gazing.

And then there’s the food. I always look forward to the warm, fresh bread that comes with a bowl of olive oil loaded with fresh, chopped garlic. Dinners at Pasta P. include soup or salad. This is one of the few places that always have gazpacho, a cold, healthy vegetable soup, on the menu. There are so many entrees to choose from, all kinds of pasta combos: veal, seafood, and pizzas. I seem to be drawn to the linguine with white clam sauce. Dale goes for pasta with pesto, sundried tomatoes and shrimp.

Pasta Preziosa is owned by Albert Vartani and his wife Maro. This June they will celebrate owning the restaurant for 19 years. They are open most days for lunch and every evening except Monday for dinner. It’s worth it to check out their website www.pastapreziosa.com. You can peruse their menu, order carry out online, and print a coupon, good for 50% off your second entrée with the purchase of an entrée and two beverages. Pasta Preziosa (3600 Ocean View Blvd.) is sort of hidden. They face the mountains in the shopping center behind Color Me Mine. There is plenty of free parking. They always have daily specials that are not on the regular menu. As we approach the “Valentine season” of love and romance, it’s a perfect time to give Pasta Preziosa a try. Thank you for reading and supporting the small stores of the Montrose Shopping Park. To see pics of one of my patio dining trips at Pasta Preziosa check out our blog at www.shopmontose.com. You will want to go too!

  Business, italian cafe, Mary Dawson