The Barometer Online

Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Luke Wenker The Pastini Pastaria, located on Northwest Ninth and Northwest Garfield, officially opened on Monday. The restaurant features moderately priced Italian cuisine.

Pastini Pastaria has arrived in Corvallis. The grand opening of the Italian restaurant was yesterday in the new Corvallis Market Center at the corner of Northwest Ninth Street and Northwest Garfield Avenue.

Co-owner Susan Bashel stated that she was "really excited."

"We've had four days of preparing and a lot of practice and are really well prepared," Bashel said. "We are excited to be open for real."

Pastini is currently employing 50 people, 75 percent of which are OSU students. Training for the employees started Oct. 23 when they learned the menu and the expectations of their positions in the restaurant.

"We feel like Corvallis is underserved for Italian, and since our menu is moderately priced, we feel that we will fit really well in a college town. It is great for students, dates, groups and families who can all afford us," Bashel said.

The restaurant is also available for catering holiday parties. When having a party catered, customers can choose from 20 antipasti platters, salads, sandwiches and handmade tiramisu.

Customer Stephanie Shipley ate at the restaurant on opening day. Her reactions were even better than what she had expected.

"I like the environment. It is a comfortable atmosphere, and we had great service," Shipley said. "I will definitely continue to dine here and will recommend it to my friends and family."

When asked what the hopes for Pastini Pastaria are for the future, Bashel said she wished "that we are known for number one, great service, friendly service and number two, great food."

The menu offers 36 different pastas. They have a niche in pasta and they think it will do well because pasta is a comfort food that most people enjoy.

All the food except for the ice cream and bread is made from scratch. Even the salad dressings and pasta sauces are handmade.

There is a large vegetarian section of the menu, and many of the dishes, if the cheese is left off, can become vegan. Along with healthy vegan possibilities, whole wheat pasta is also an option on the menu.

Bashel wants people to know that there is a moderately priced beer and wine list, and that in general, the idea of the restaurant is that it is approachable and affordable.

"We hope to be really busy in this first month with football games going on and Civil War coming up. Also, the weekend after Thanksgiving is typically really busy for restaurants," said Bashel.



Morgan Plummer, staff writer

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231

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