Comments on: 2nd pastagina store open in the grand promenade

By: MissDowntownLA

MissDowntownLA — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:32:44 +0000

Haven’t had the pasta there but the gelato is pretty good - and at $2.50 for two scoops, you can’t beat the price!

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:28:23 +0000

It was interesting to read about the progress on the Hope street location. The work there appears to occur in ‘phases’; a few days here and there and then nothing for a while.

I am interested to check it out.

By: skidrowdude

skidrowdude — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:40:28 +0000

I have to throw in my 2 centavos- Pastagina in Little Tokyo has grown on me. The first time I ordered the penne pasta with meatballs I was suprised at what I got- small, marble-sized meatballs in very little sauce. I ate a little, put in the the refridgerator for later, and found my self continually opening fridge for “just one more bite”. It has me hooked, and I like the service in Little Tokyo location- never a wait.

I think it’s pretty good “fast food” for under $8 incl tax. I’m glad they are opening more locations and hope that the Little Tokyo will remain open, as it is not that busy.

By: Rich Alossi

Rich Alossi — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:36:47 +0000

We are so not going down that road again!

By: shannon

shannon — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:32:07 +0000

umm, couldn’t you just ask for a bit more sauce? i’m just sayin’…

the real issue is that i believe rich and stephen prefer weeneez over ‘gina.

By: Rich Alossi

Rich Alossi — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:58:31 +0000

Yeah, I may do that, David. My last experience with them (Little Tokyo only) was about three - four months after the opened, though. Maybe they started hearing complaints and changed it up. Thanks.

By: David Kennedy

David Kennedy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:49:52 +0000

Rich/Stephen, remember what I said. I got on the bandwagon late. I only starting going about a month ago. From what you’re saying, you tried them when they first opened and it sounds like they had an issue with pasta to sauce ratios. I suspect they’ve resolved that issue. My sense is actually they are heavy on the sauce.

If you haven’t been lately, I’d say give them another try.

By: edgycated

edgycated — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:26:11 +0000

we frequent the grand ave. location because of a) its late hours and b) the outdoor patio allows us to dine with our puppy. yes, colori is definitely better, but for the price and conveniece, pastagina is a pretty good deal. i agree that the side salads are crap (iceberg lettuce and a few grape tomatos), but the pasta is perfectly al dente and there’s enough variety of sauces to keep us interested.

we stopped by this past saturday evening and had to wait 30 min for our food - there was some event at the concert hall (masters of harmony?) and the staff was overwhelmed by a hoard of men wearing matching navy polos and khakis. an anomoly, i’m sure.

and there’s always a nice breeze that floats across that part of bunker hill.

By: Rich Alossi

Rich Alossi — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:01:16 +0000

I gave it a few chances and found it to be underwhelming. The first night I went with a bunch of bloggers, the owner was there and was very nice and gave us all free gelato.

On subsequent visits my pasta was dry and there was very little sauce. I understand the desire to not soak the pasta in sauce, but what I got wasn’t even close to being enough.

I think the novelty wore off for me and will stick to making my pasta dishes at home or going to Colori, if the service improves!

By: militant angeleno

militant angeleno — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:54:28 +0000

Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park is one of the company’s major investors.